A Royally Beautiful Mess

by Carol Moncado

  Darius glanced at Esther who sat wide-eyed. Jonathan hit a button on his phone but didn’t speak.

  “Go on,” Darius urged.

  “I worked for your father for many years and then for your brother.” His head dipped. “However, given the circumstances surrounding my dismissal, I cannot exactly use them as a reference, despite nearly two decades of exemplary service. The names on the résumé are fictional. The rest is real.”

  “And the phone number?” Jonathan asked.

  “My sister.”

  “Why?” Darius asked.

  “When Mr. Langley-Cranston began to put out feelers for this position, I became aware of them almost immediately. Darius Quatremaine could be only one person.” He tipped his head again. “I suppose there is more than one in the world, but I knew I had to try for this appointment.”

  His head fell until his chin nearly touched his chest. “The truth is, I have long felt I failed your father in my failings with your brother.”

  “How so?” Darius wasn’t sure he wanted to hear that.

  “I served your father faithfully and grieved his death as though he were my own son. I served your brother the same way.” The man’s shoulders slumped. “Six years ago, the week before Christmas 2009, I was dismissed after voicing my disagreement over a matter deemed trivial by your uncle. Your brother, the king, was asked to attend an event. Within my hearing, Prince Isaiah suggested King Benjamin, who was only sixteen at the time, take advantage of a young woman who had flirted with him in the past. He even insinuated the woman would have no right to decline the advances.”

  The thought made Darius sick to his stomach, though he’d heard similar speeches from his uncle.

  “What did you tell the king?” Jonathan asked quietly.

  “I urged him to remember his father. His father would never have taken advantage of a woman and was never with a woman besides your mother in all his days.” He heaved a sigh. “Your uncle declared my services were no longer needed. I would receive no severance and be given no recommendation. By the next morning, I was homeless.”

  Darius wanted to apologize, but wasn’t sure it was his place to do so.

  “Your other qualifications are accurate?” Jonathan asked.

  “Yes, sir.” Louis hesitated. “May I make a suggestion? Or perhaps a request is a better term for it.”

  Darius looked at Jonathan who seemed to defer the decision to him. He nodded.

  “My sister worked for your family for many years as well. When she heard the truth of my dismissal, she resigned her post. Eventually, we moved near St. Louis to work, because we could no longer find employment in Eyjania. It would be an honor for both of us if we could tend to your needs while you live in the States.”

  “One of the main duties will be teaching these two life skills they have not yet learned,” Jonathan told Louis. “As members of royal families, they have never been required to cook or clean or even learn to drive, though I’m told Darius learned on his own.”

  Louis looked shocked. “Families?” He stared at Esther. “Should I know you, ma’am?”

  “My father is King Edward of...”

  “San Majoria,” Louis interjected. “I met him on several occasions. He is a good man.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  Louis looked at Jonathan. “My sister and I would be most willing to serve in this capacity, helping equip both Mr. and Mrs. Quatremaine to live on their own should they ever need to.”

  “It will mean being a parent in many ways,” Jonathan warned. “Forcing them to learn when they don’t want to. Not making every meal for them when they don’t feel like it. Not allowing them to get away with not cleaning their own bathroom, things of that nature.”

  Louis straightened in his chair. “It would be an honor.”

  “I’m not certain I have the authority to hire two people, though,” Jonathan mused. “That’s twice the salary.”

  “I’ll make it happen,” Esther blurted out.

  “Nay.” Louis shook his head. “We can share one salary. The biggest issue would be the need for two rooms instead of one.” He grimaced. “We learned many years ago that we cannot share such close quarters.”

  Jonathan set the application back down. “No official decisions are being made today, Mr. Butler. I will discuss your proposition with King Edward. We will be in touch shortly.”

  All four of them stood. Darius knew the decision had been made, as long as King Edward approved it. Louis and his sister would get the job.

  “Thank you for the consideration.” Louis bowed slightly at the waist. “Your Royal Highnesses, it has been an honor to be considered.” He left the room.

  Darius, Esther, and Jonathan took their seats.

  “What do you make of his story, Darius?”

  After lacing his fingers together on the table and staring at them for a moment, Darius looked up. “It rings true. When I saw him, I was reminded of my father’s valet immediately. My uncle is not above such statements. If I had to guess, he has committed such actions and spoke to Benjamin out of experience.”

  “Would you have any qualms about inviting your family to visit with him there? Your mother likely knew him as well.”

  “I could feel her out. I need to call her later today anyway.” He hadn’t spoken to her since that call Sunday morning. Benjamin had unfrozen the accounts, though.

  “All other things being equal, I’m inclined to recommend hiring Mr. Butler and his sister, even though we haven’t spoken with her.” Jonathan closed the folder and pushed it away from him on the table.

  “He’s my first choice,” Esther chimed in. “If my father won’t approve the second salary, I’ll pay it out of my allowance myself.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Then it’s settled. Darius, speak with your mother. If you can ask her without raising suspicions, do. After we get her input, we’ll discuss it with King Edward and go from there.”

  With that decided, Darius and Esther left the offices and were driven home. King Edward had told Darius he would issue a driver’s license good most places in the world if he could prove to Jonathan’s satisfaction that he did know how to drive. Jonathan had set up an appointment with one of his men in half an hour. Calling his mother would have to wait.

  Esther held the phone between her ear and shoulder as she put her notebook into her backpack. “I liked him, Papa. I believed him.”

  “That’s Jonathan’s thought as well.”

  “And you trust Jonathan.”

  “I don’t know him personally, but he comes highly recommended by Queen Adeline and Princess Anastasia of Montevaro.”

  “We met Jonathan and his wife at church on Sunday. That’s how we knew he knew who we were. He listed all these members of the royal families in Belles Montagnes, but by first name. Addie, Ana, Christiana, and a couple others I think.”

  “We can trust him. He’s doing a quiet background check on Louis and his sister. Has Darius spoken with his mother yet?”

  “I don’t think he’s had a chance. If he has, he hasn’t mentioned it to me.”

  “His driver’s license is being overnighted. He’ll be legal to drive tomorrow.”

  “And I need to get a permit or something?”

  He blew out a breath. “You need to learn. Jonathan can make arrangements for lessons off the actual road, but I think your best bet is going to be to learn here, get your license, then you’ll be legal there.”

  At least she didn’t have that hanging over her until they went home for Christmas, maybe even vacation next summer. With any luck, it would actually be when she moved home for good. Plenty of time.

  “I’ve got to go, Papa. We need to leave for school in about three minutes. I’ll let you know what I hear from Darius about the conversation with his mother.”

  Darius walked in. He waggled his phone at her. “I just spoke with her.”

  “What did she say?” Esther turned the speaker phone on.

  “That she misses Louis and wished
he was still there to work for Benjamin. She doesn’t like his current valet, some guy hired by Isaiah. I didn’t mention meeting him, though.”

  “Then I’ll let Jonathan know I approve of hiring both of them. I bought the house next door. It should be finished in a week. I paid them plenty to hurry up since it wasn’t supposed to be done for a month. Louis and Vesta will start as soon as it’s ready. Until then, what have you been eating?”

  Esther winced. “Take out and restaurants and frozen food.”

  “Not for much longer.”

  “I know.” She’d used Google to find a recipe simple enough she thought she could make it. Darius didn’t even know, but she’d be trying it for dinner. Anyone could make spaghetti and garlic bread, right?

  Darius had taken to sitting in the back seat with her when they rode in the car. It made them seem more out of place when they pulled up to the building, but she kind of liked it. He would hold her hand, his thumb rubbing random patterns over her skin.

  They’d slept in the same bed since Sunday, though he hadn’t touched her, even in sleep as far as she knew.

  Esther didn’t know how she felt about that.

  Especially if her math was right, though it would be at least another week before she knew for certain if they’d conceived another child.

  Once inside the building, they went their separate ways. They didn’t have any classes together on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and only one on Mondays and Wednesdays.

  She ended up having lunch with Abi again, as was becoming their weekly tradition.

  “How was your weekend?” Abi asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you all week.”

  “We went home for the weekend.” Esther picked up her sandwich. “My sister had a baby.”

  “Congratulations! Boy or girl?”

  “Boy. Her daughter is thrilled to pieces.”

  “That’s wonderful. Was it good to be home? See any friends?”

  Esther shook her head. “Just my family. Darius and I went shopping for like an hour. The rest was spent at home. I loved seeing my family. I haven’t seen some of them since February and the rest since March.”

  “That’s a long time. Did Darius see any of his family or just yours?”

  “Just mine.”

  “That’s right.” Abi swallowed a bite. “He’s from a different country. You never did really tell me what your relationship is. He’s not your brother. Your roommate in a foreign land?”

  Esther hesitated. “It’s a whole big long story I don’t really want to get into, but we’ve been married since March. Legally. Technically. It’s kind of a thing, but yeah. Details are kind of under wraps.”

  Abi made a twisting motion with two fingers in front of her lips. “No one will hear it from me.”

  “Thanks.”

  Her new friend leaned forward. “I haven’t been married all that long myself. In fact, you’ve got almost six months on me and Travis, but we traveled a very long road to get where we are, so I think I have some life experience.” Abi’s brows raised. “But either you’re married or you’re not. Did you say vows?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was there a license signed by the officiant?”

  Esther picked at the bread of her sandwich. “That’s the part that made it a technicality, a legality, but not really a reality. I can’t explain. Let’s just say my father and Darius’s brother are bigwigs who can pull strings and leave it at that.”

  At Abi’s puzzled look, Esther shook her head. “Please don’t ask me to explain further. Maybe someday, but not today.”

  Abi nodded. “Okay. Is it a real marriage now?”

  “Getting there. We’re making progress. It’s more reality and less just a legality than it was a week ago. We’re working to make it more so.”

  “Good.”

  Esther looked up to see Darius walking toward them. “Looks like he got done early.” She popped the last bite in her mouth. “I’ll see you next week.” Her mother would be appalled if she knew Esther muttered around a mouthful of food.

  Darius held out a hand. “I’m Darius. We have class together, don’t we?”

  “Abi. Psychology.” She shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is mine.” He looked at Esther. “I hate to rush you, but I have a conference call I can’t miss in about an hour and need to be home for it. Fortunately, we got done early today.”

  Esther threw her trash away. “Then we better go.”

  She knew Abi watched them leave. Watched as Darius carried her backpack. As his hand rested on her lower back. As Esther smiled up at her husband and wished they never had to return to the reality of life as a royal couple.

  That they could be Darius and Esther.

  The Quatremaines of Serenity Landing.

  She thought that would be far preferable to dealing with the political fallout their marriage would cause in two countries.

  9

  After listening to Isaiah go on and on about some function he wanted Darius to attend, Darius finally interrupted. “I can’t come home. You know that.”

  “You will come home. There’s no discussion to be had.”

  “You heard King Edward. I’m not allowed to return to Eyjania until he decides it’s okay. He’s given no indication that he’ll let me anytime soon.” And even if King Edward did, Darius wouldn’t ask to go. He was sure a certain duchess would be there.

  “You do not answer to Edward.”

  Darius held back a chuckle. “But I do. If I don’t abide by his wishes, he goes public with all sorts of dirty laundry you don’t want him to.” He quickly corrected himself. “Alleged dirty laundry, of course.”

  “He can’t use the Treaty of 1702 to take the throne any longer. Not since you’ve taken responsibility for the child.” Isaiah hesitated, and Darius knew he was doing the math. “I saw a photo of Esther the other day. She doesn’t look pregnant.”

  With a swipe of his hand, Darius knocked his books to the floor. “Oh no! I’ve got to go, Uncle. I’ll talk to you later.” He disconnected the call and leaned over to pick up the books.

  “What happened?” Esther sounded worried.

  Darius put the books back on the table. “I knocked the books over. Everything’s fine.” He studied her, debating telling her the whole truth.

  “What?”

  “I needed an excuse to get off the phone with Isaiah. There’s this duchess.” He sighed. “Patricia, Duchess of Cantor. Her father is somebody important. She’s actually been given a title of her own for some reason I don’t understand. I think Isaiah wanted to get on her father’s good side or something.”

  Esther sat down in one of the other chairs and waited for him to go on.

  “Patricia is a year or so younger than me. Isaiah was always trying to get me to events where she would be. Isaiah wanted me to...” He hesitated. “...entertain her, perhaps even get caught in a compromising situation with her so Isaiah could get the upper hand with her father.”

  Esther didn’t say anything.

  “I knew better than to flat out refuse. Instead, I managed to be sick or have a test the next day or invent some other pretext to not attend. The events I did attend, I avoided her like the plague.”

  “What does that have to do with today?”

  “Isaiah wants me to come home for the weekend to attend some fundraiser. The way he said it, I’m sure he wanted me to... spend some time with her.”

  “He wants you to cheat on me?”

  “Probably. I’m not a hundred percent sure he knows we actually got married. He wasn’t there, remember?”

  “I remember, because I was there.”

  Darius slumped in his seat. “Sorry. I hate it when he tries to use us like that.”

  “Why does your mother let him?”

  That was a very good question. “I don’t think she knows, to be honest. She’s not the one in charge either. Benjamin is.”

  “And if she did know, would she allow it to continue?”

&nb
sp; “Probably not. She’d probably go to Benjamin and try to get him to kick Isaiah out or at least limit his influence some more, but I don’t know that she’d be able to. Not anymore. Maybe years ago she could have, but Isaiah limits her influence too.”

  “Why does he have so much power? He wasn’t even Benjamin’s regent, was he?”

  “No, my Aunt Louise was. As soon as Benjamin turned eighteen, she stepped back. Isaiah stepped in even though he wasn’t actually needed. I think Benjamin felt so overwhelmed that he just let him.”

  “What does Isaiah hope to gain?”

  “Power? I don’t really know. I think he always thought he should have been king. If he’d been Benjamin’s regent, I don’t think he ever would have relinquished control.”

  “Isn’t that what happened in Ravenzario? I remember their queen being attacked last spring but not the details.”

  “I think that’s essentially correct. Her uncle was her regent from the time she was five. He ran things until he was finally arrested a couple years ago. He was released from prison and tried to kill her. She managed to get away, and her husband fought him in the town square until authorities arrived.”

  He hesitated again, not wanting to cause her any more pain. “I think she’s due to have their first child any day now.”

  Esther gave him a sad smile. “That’s wonderful news.” She closed her eyes for a few seconds. “Do you think Isaiah would have been the same way if he’d had the chance?”

  “I’m almost certain.”

  “So why didn’t anyone stop him? Why don’t they stop him now?”

  “None of us really have that much power. I’m only twenty-one. My sisters will be twenty-three next month. How much he interferes has only been evident to me now that I’ve been gone for a while. I mean, I knew I didn’t always approve of what he tried to get me to do, but that’s it. The only one who could actually limit Isaiah’s influence is Benjamin, and he just doesn’t see it.”

  “Then I’ll be praying something opens his eyes to the reality of Isaiah’s machinations.”