The kisses had been wonderful, but more would be required if they were going to have a successful marriage.
The thought continued to run through her mind as story time ended. They said good-bye to the children and started for the palace to have lunch with Princess Astrid and Jordan.
“Remember, you can call her Astrid,” Harrison reminded her gently. “She’s your sister-in-law and quite thrilled you’re here.”
“Right.” She’d try to remember, but made no promises.
When they arrived, no one waited for them, but Harrison knew where to go. They headed for the offices where he said his sister and brother-in-law would meet them.
But the tension in the air was palpable when they reached the outer office.
“What’s going on?” Lani whispered as they took a seat near the door to Astrid’s office.
“I have no idea.” He looked at his phone. “I don’t have any notifications that might give me a hint.”
After about ten minutes, Astrid’s assistant told them they could go in.
The Crown Princess was seated at her desk with the phone to her ear. Jordan had his back to them as he perched on the edge of the desk next to her.
“They just walked in, Papa. Do you want me to talk to them or should we set up a video conference?”
Lani exchanged a confused look with Harrison, who was just as uninformed as she.
“Okay. Let me get the conference room set up. We’ll see you in a few minutes.” She hung up and stood. “I’m so glad you two are here.” She gave them both a hug. “I just wish our lunch would be less filled with drama, but Papa needs to talk to all of us.”
Lani trailed behind the others as they walked to a nearby conference room. Once there, Astrid took a seat at the head of the table, opposite a large television that showed a conference room, likely in the palace in Cabo Juan Eduardo.
A moment later, the king sat in the head chair while several other people joined him. Lani recognized a couple of them but couldn’t place them.
“What’s going on?” Harrison asked after pleasantries were exchanged.
“I received a letter today. A copy of it should be on your tablet momentarily.”
“What does it say?” Harrison reached for the tablet in front of him.
The king sighed and stared at his hands for a moment before looking back at them though the camera. “It says your grandfather signed a marriage contract for you over twenty years ago and that your marriage to Lani violates it.”
The whole ride back to the main island, Harrison paced the boat. His father hadn’t shared many details, but simply told them to come straight back to the palace.
“What does this mean?” Lani sat in one of the chairs, but hadn’t said much until they neared the main island.
“I have no idea. It depends on the contract my grandfather signed and whether it’s truly legitimate or not.” He sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Worst case scenario? We get exiled anyway.”
It wouldn’t matter much to Lani most likely. This wasn’t her home, but for Harrison it would be traumatic. His family would come visit him wherever he lived, but he’d never be able to visit his homeland again.
Before they could talk any more about it, the ship was docked.
The change in schedule meant that the crowds waiting for them were minimal, but a few die-hard fans of the royal family waited.
“Smile and wave,” he told Lani, taking her hand. “They’ll wonder why the schedule changed, but we don’t want to let on that we’re worried about anything.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath and plastered on a smile. “Here we go.”
They walked down the gangplank, hand in hand, and waved until they reached the waiting SUV. Once inside both of their shoulders slumped.
The drive to the palace didn’t take long.
The walk to his father’s office seemed to take an eternity.
Inside, his father and some of his advisers waited.
He kept hold of Lani’s hand the whole time.
Harrison held a seat for Lani then took the one next to her.
“Let’s get right to business,” his father jumped right in. “Sir Edwin Martin, Duke of Albertion, claims that my father signed a marriage contract for his granddaughter and Harrison. He says they were waiting for Harrison to finish his education and return to San Majoria before coming forward and making their claim.”
“Have you seen the actual document?” Harrison asked him. “Have I even met this woman?” A feeling of dread settled deep in his gut. His father wouldn’t be this concerned if it would be easy to get out of.
“The document is allegedly in the Hall of Records.”
The same place Lani’s mother had been a few days earlier. The dread intensified.
“The Keepers of the Hall are looking for it, but haven’t found it yet,” his father went on. “The duke has not provided his copy as yet.”
“So we’re not even certain it’s real?” That would be ideal. If this was an elaborate scheme or the duke’s copy was a forgery, it would be a huge relief.
“There’s no reason to think it’s not, except that it would be out of character for my father to have done that in the first place, and even more so that he never told anyone about it.”
“How can he do that?” Lani asked. “How could he sign a contract on behalf of a minor who isn’t even his child?”
Harrison’s father shrugged. “He was the king. Technically, the monarch can sign documents on behalf of anyone in the line of succession, even adult siblings and their children or grandchildren if there were any in the official line.”
“How far down does the line go?”
Harrison held his breath hoping the question didn’t annoy his father, but Lani didn’t know these things.
“Twenty. Some countries go farther, some not that far.”
“And once that person falls off the list, they’re still bound by any contract signed on their behalf?” Lani’s incredulity mirrored Harrison’s, though he was far more familiar with the potential realities. This kind of thing didn’t happen often and certainly not with such large consequences.
“Yes.”
“So what does this mean?” Harrison asked. “What’s the plan going forward?”
“First, we see what the contract says. Then we go from there.” A notification popped up on the king’s tablet. He swiped at it. “I’ve just received what appears to be a scanned copy of the duke’s copy of the agreement.”
Harrison bounced his leg on the ball of his foot in an effort to keep his anxiety off display above the table. Lani reached over and took his hand, intertwining their fingers. It helped some.
“It all appears to be in order,” his father told them with a sigh. “The paperwork seems to promise the duke that his oldest granddaughter would marry my youngest son because the duke supported my father in some sort of conflict with Parliament.”
“Was I even born yet?” Harrison asked.
“You were two-years-old,” his father confirmed. He turned to one of his assistants. “We need to find out what exactly was going on with Parliament that required this kind of support with this kind of reward for that support.”
“I’m already looking into it, sir,” his father’s assistant told them. “We’re looking for anything the year before the agreement was made for starters. However, I’m inclined to think that it’s something that might have been under the radar, or we’d already be aware of a major rift between the king and Parliament.”
“Agreed.” His father leaned back in his chair and looked thoughtful. “I don’t remember anything so monumental that marriage to one of my children would come into play, but we didn’t live on San Majoria at the time. We were on San Minoria for several years. It’s possible there was something that we missed by not being here. I do wonder why I wasn’t informed of something so serious.” The king’s chair rocked lightly as he thought. “I wonder if there’s something in the Hall of Records.”
His assistant was already sending a message on his phone. “Perhaps the Royal Historian might have some ideas?” the assistant suggested.
“He is on holiday with his family at the moment.” Harrison’s father leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “I’ve asked that he contact me at his earliest convenience. He may remember something, but his assistant is already looking through the historian’s records as well.”
“So what’s the worst case scenario?” Lani asked. “What do we need to be prepared for?”
Harrison’s gut clenched as his father’s head hung for a second.
“The absolute worst case is one of two things. You’re both exiled, but your marriage is legal, or your marriage is null and void from the beginning under San Majorian law. Not only would you be exiled, but your marriage and children would never be considered legitimate without an act of Parliament. They are generally reluctant to act in a situation like this.”
“Those are the only options?” Lani sounded close to tears.
Harrison squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”
“There is a third option, though I doubt either of you would consider it.”
“What’s that?” Harrison asked warily.
“Your marriage is considered null and void in San Majoria, and Harrison marries this young woman legally. Lani goes home, and you both put all of this behind you.”
17
As Lani struggled to absorb what the king said, he went on.
“Lani and her family immediately leave San Majoria and never return.” His eyes were kind as he looked at her. “This marriage isn’t what either of you wanted in the first place. Though you went into the American ceremony freely, you both felt coerced, and I understand why. If you decided you wanted to use this as a reason to separate, that would be understandable, and I believe the people of San Majoria would be sympathetic.”
Lani folded her hands in her lap. A week or two earlier, she would have been... maybe not thrilled but at least relieved to hear this news. Instead, she wasn’t quite sure what she felt.
“Regardless, until this is settled, Lani, we need to move you to another location. Your parents as well, if you’d like them to stay with you. Otherwise, it might be best for them to return to the States. Could one of your siblings join you, perhaps?”
This couldn’t be happening.
Getting her parents out of the palace would be a good plan. She’d seen her mother eyeing the velvet ropes that were supposed to keep her out of places she shouldn’t be going. But kicking Lani out?
Harrison’s wife.
At least for the moment.
“Wait. Let me get this straight.” Harrison leaned forward, his posture mimicking his father’s. “You pushed me and Lani to get married because it was legal here and could cause all sorts of problems for me if we didn’t. Now, this other person comes forward, without any solid proof at the moment, just a scanned copy of a document allegedly created and signed by my grandfather on my behalf, and we’re supposed to pretend the wedding never happened? Kick my wife out of my home and what? Start dating this girl? Marry her? But I’m already legally married in San Majoria, and I was before the ceremony. This is insane.”
“I agree,” the king told him. “But it is what it is. Until it’s sorted out legally, we need to avoid even the appearance of just blowing this claim off. Lani’s things have already been packed and taken to Burketon House. Her parents are being told right now that they are being required to vacate the premises.”
Harrison stood, his fingers spread on the table as he leaned toward his father. “Do I even get to see my wife?”
Lani had never seen him angry, but he was now.
“Am I going to be under house arrest? Because that’s the only way I’m not going to spend time with Lani. She may have to leave, but I can go with her.”
His father gave a him a look Lani thought only mothers could give. Apparently, kings had it down as well. Harrison took his seat.
“I don’t like this any more than you do, but if this is a real document, it’s legally binding. That makes anything that happened afterward invalid.”
“The document isn’t a marriage certificate,” Harrison reminded him. “How can my marriage to Lani be void?”
“If we didn’t follow the proper procedures outlined in the agreement to nullify the contract, then yes, it’s void.” The king’s shoulders slumped for a second.
Lani didn’t think he let others see him look defeated often.
He straightened. “Lawyers are already looking at it. We’ll do everything we can. However, until further notice, Lani will not be staying at the palace. The tour is suspended. You will both need to be seen in public. There will be carefully arranged events. There will be no PDA, not even hand holding.”
He pushed back from the table and stood. “When we have more information and the original documentation, we’ll decide what plan of action to take.”
With that they were dismissed, though they weren’t left alone. Lani had a feeling they would have a chaperone every moment until this was sorted out.
“Give us a minute,” Harrison told Dalton who’d been seated in the back of the meeting.
“I can’t, sir. Orders from His Majesty.”
Sometimes Lani hated being right.
Harrison took her elbow and led her as far away from his assistant as they could get and still be in the same room.
He rested his forehead on hers, but she suspected he wouldn’t go any further. He wouldn’t kiss her, or hold her hand or hold her until his father gave them the all clear.
“I’m so sorry, love,” he whispered. It sounded like his heart was breaking as much as hers was.
“I know. It’s not your fault.”
“If I hadn’t paid for the suite...”
“Stop,” she whispered forcefully. “None of this is your fault. Your grandfather and this duke guy did all of this. We’ll figure it out.”
“But we were just starting to make progress.”
“This could be good.” Lani took a deep breath. “We’ll talk on the phone, spend as much time together as we can, and keep getting to know each other better without any other expectations. Then when this is all over, we’ll move on as a married couple.”
She hoped.
Lani had no idea how contracts like this worked. It wouldn’t surprise her if the only way she and Harrison could stay married involved some crazy stipulation. Something like his father being forced to step down as king and his family being replaced by the duke and his family.
Nothing like ulterior motives.
Lani chastised herself. She had no way of knowing if there were motives like that involved. Maybe it was just a grandfather trying to look out for his granddaughter the only way he knew how.
Maybe.
“Sir, ma’am, it’s time for the young woman to leave.”
Harrison’s grip on her elbows tightened. The pressure of his forehead against hers increased.
And then the contact ended.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” he promised.
“I know.”
But she also knew his assistant had been quite oblique in how he referred to Lani.
He hadn’t called her Miss Beach.
But he also hadn’t called Lani “Her Royal Highness” or “the duchess” like he had been since she arrived.
That couldn’t be good.
Fuming wouldn’t do him any good, but Harrison fumed anyway. He went to the gym and took his frustrations out on the treadmill and some weight machines, pushing himself much harder than he normally did.
The whole time he was trying to figure out a way to take Lani and run off together until his father and this duke guy came to their senses. Then they could come back.
“My hands are tied.”
Harrison turned to see his father standing there. “I don’t see how. I was completely unaware of the alleged contract. Since I was unaware, how can I be held responsible for it? Is
there any chance it’s really even valid?”
“The Keepers of the Hall haven’t found our copy yet,” his father admitted, sitting on the bench of a leg machine. “It’s not where they would have expected it to be among my father’s records.”
“So maybe it’s not real. Maybe it’s a forgery designed to... something. Take over the throne or something. Force the Cordovan Dynasty to end.”
“Anything is possible, but that seems highly unlikely.”
Harrison sank onto another bench. “What do I do, Dad?” He seldom used that honorific. Normally, they used papa, but Harrison generally avoided calling him much of anything other than sir when appropriate. “Lani is my wife. I chose her, and she chose me, even if there were some extenuating circumstances. I was hoping to date her long before Gigi told me about the law. ‘Til death do us part is supposed to mean something.”
“I know. The lawyers are working on it. As soon as I know, you’ll know.”
He stared at his hands. “I’ll leave. I’ll take Lani and go live in the States. My trust is plenty for us to live on forever if we don’t go crazy, and I don’t see Lani as the crazy type.”
His father sighed. “I appreciate the sentiment and understand it. But if you do that, and the contract turns out to be valid, I’d have to evict you from the house in Serenity Landing because it’s owned by the family. If I sold it to you, even for a reasonable price, it would be seen as attempting to circumvent consequences. Same with your trust. I’d have to freeze it.”
“I can move my trust somewhere else without your approval.” Harrison needed to see about moving it to the Caymans as soon as possible at least until all of this blew over. “I could buy a new house.”
“You'd also lose your security team. We likely wouldn’t even be able to come see you. We would have to effectively disown you. I don’t want that. I’ll do anything I can to avoid that. I don’t know how we’re going to get this sorted, but we will.”
Harrison took a good look at his father. He’d always seemed older, wiser, than his actual years. Steady, dependable, a force to be reckoned with.
Small Town Girls Don't Marry Secret Princes: A Small Town Contemporary Christian Romance (Beaches of Trumanville Book 2) Page 12