Things had not improved with Artur. She’d sat in on a couple of meetings since she’d talked to Petra, but it had been too hard to concentrate when he was in the room, avoiding eye contact. The conversation had swirled around her, and then they’d swoop in and wait very intensely for her opinion about something. She’d answer. The cycle would begin again. So that was how things were behind closed doors in the royal family.
“I need to finish this,” Amy said, though it was very tempting to go back to New York. “I need to figure this out before I head home. Once I get on a plane, everything changes again. It’ll be harder to come back, if...if I do.”
“What are your options, then? Let’s talk it out.”
“Okay.” Amy sat up straight. “Option one is I stay here, in the palace. I know they’d accommodate me, because of the baby, but I don’t think I could be under the same roof as Artur while we’re not speaking. And I also don’t know—” She shook her head. “No. List of options. My next option is to settle somewhere in Europe to head up your branch, which I now have more than enough experience to do. The third option is New York City, to keep doing my job there up until I go on maternity leave.”
Petra looked at her, a neutral expression on her face. “Which one do you want to choose?”
“I don’t know. I go back and forth fifty times a day. It would be simplest to stay in the palace, just based on the logistics. If I decide to live elsewhere, the security arrangements get infinitely more complicated.”
“Security arrangements?”
“Because of the baby.” Amy’s heart beat faster at the mention. “She’ll be part of the royal family. Even if I’m not—” This made her throat tighten again, but she was not going to cry. “Even if I’m not with Artur, she becomes part of the line of succession. There are all kinds of laws and protocols that will have to be followed. I’ll still be in the spotlight, all the time.”
Petra pursed her lips. “Can I ask you something?”
“That’s why you’re here, right?” Amy gave her a shaky smile.
“Have you considered a face transplant? Can it be that expensive?”
Amy laughed. “I’ve considered running to the ends of the earth. But I’m not very nimble on my feet right now.”
“In all seriousness, Amy, I’m not sure why you’re running from this.” There was genuine confusion in Petra’s eyes. “Anyone can see that you’re in love with Artur.”
“I am not,” Amy said automatically.
“You are. The way you look at him—I saw that press conference. The world saw that press conference. It was written all over you.”
The hurt in her chest intensified. “He doesn’t love me the same way. He told me so, weeks ago.”
“Things can change in a matter of weeks. You know that. What’s the real problem? You are the best PR professional the world has ever seen. What about being in public scares you so much?”
Amy could hardly get the words out, but she did. This was Petra. “I’m afraid of becoming my own mother, okay? I’m afraid of putting insane expectations on my own daughter. I’m afraid of caring more about appearances than anything else.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Petra leaned forward and put her hand over Amy’s. You’re too loving. You care too much. For god’s sake, you tried to set Artur up with the most eligible bachelorettes in the entire country while you mooned over him.”
“I was not mooning—”
“Your heart is what would make you a great princess. Don’t sit here and deny it. Plus, imagine what royalty could do for the company’s reputation. If we were the sole PR firm for the royal family...” Petra gazed up toward the sky. “It would change everything,” she whispered.
Amy laughed again. “I’m just—I guess I’m too scared to put it all out there. It could ruin me.”
“Leaving this behind could ruin you.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door and Sasha came in with fresh towels. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said. “I’ll be in and out in a flash.” She’d been avoiding Amy lately, timing her visits for when Amy was out of the room.
“I’ve got to unpack and freshen up.” Petra stood up and Amy stood with her. They hugged, and then Petra went to get her suitcase. “We’ll talk again in a little while, okay?”
“All right. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad to be here.” Petra took a deep breath. “It’s so royal here.”
“Well, yeah.”
Amy felt lighter already.
Sasha came out of the bathroom as the door closed behind Petra, hurrying after her.
“Sasha. Wait.”
The other woman stopped and turned to face Amy, looking as wary as a person ever had.
“I’m sorry,” Amy said, meaning it from the bottom of her heart. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way the other day. It was wrong, and I hope you can accept my apology.”
Sasha nodded slowly, then gave a little smile. “It must be stressful, what you’re going through. I can forgive you for being overwhelmed.”
“You’ve honestly been—” Amy got choked up again. “You’ve honestly been wonderful. Such a support. Such a help. I don’t know—” I don’t know what I’ll do without you. Because leaving the palace meant leaving so much behind. Sasha, Artur, the courtyard where they’d made love…how could she say goodbye to any of it?
“I left your things from the trip set out on the little table in your bedroom,” said Sasha, rescuing Amy from what was quickly becoming a ridiculously emotional moment. “Your souvenirs. So you can pack them carefully, if you—if you decide to go.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve got to step out,” Sasha said, with a bigger smile. “I’m glad you came at all, Ms. Branch. Amy.” Amy went forward and hugged her, too.
Once Sasha had gone out, Amy went into her bedroom. There they were, all the little trinkets that she’d collected in every city. The little stained-glass window glinted at her from the tabletop. They were beautiful, and they’d look beautiful in her baby’s nursery—wherever that turned out to be.
It had been so much fun, being on that trip with Artur. They had stolen so many moments together. There had been so much heat.
It would haunt her forever, leaving him.
She knew that now, looking down at the things holding those precious memories of the time they’d seen all his country had to offer. If she left this man behind, he would always stay in the back of her mind.
And she would always think of leaving him as a mistake.
She picked up the stained-glass window and thought of him leaning down to talk to her, his lips brushing the side of her neck. Goosebumps rose on her skin like he was really there.
What was that saying? You only regret the chances you don’t take. Artur was a chance she was preparing not to take, and she already knew she’d regret it.
No.
Amy put the trinket back down on the table. She wasn’t ready to give that up. Wasn’t ready to give him up.
18
This press conference was going to be different. Amy had made sure of it.
For one thing, instead of holding it outside in the front courtyard, she’d scheduled it in the palace press room. It was going to be an official announcement in front of the Stolvenian flag, and she wanted it to have...weight. It didn’t matter that the conference had been planned in less than a day. The press room had once been the audience room for the king and queen, and she wanted that callback to history.
She’d put out a release explaining exactly what would happen. They would not be taking questions. The focus would be on Artur and Tatyana. They had been working together since the previous day, a fact that made Amy’s heart hurt.
No one needed to know that.
She took a Tylenol and looked at herself one more time in the mirror. The black dress with the red accent was professional and comfortable and her, all at once. The cut proudly showed off her belly. Amy hadn’t been hiding it during he
r time in Stolvenia, but tonight she really wasn’t going to hide it.
She patted that belly, with the kicking baby girl inside, and checked again to make sure her makeup was perfect. Amy had done her hair in a neat twist and sent Sasha out to find the perfect necklace and earrings. She’d chosen very well.
Still, Amy’s pulse pounded. Public speaking was the least of her worries, honestly. She could never have worked for Petra if she was afraid of appearing before a crowd.
It was Artur she worried about.
She wanted so badly for him to see her doing this, but it just wasn’t a guarantee that he would pay attention. He might still be angry. He might have given up on her once and for all. He might prefer Tatyana. Tatyana had never said all those horrible things to him.
Then again, Tatyana had never been pregnant with his child. Hormones and emotions were heightened.
She blew herself a kiss in the mirror and turned away. It was time to go.
The press room was humming with conversation from the reporters, and even as she went down a side hallway to a hidden entrance, Amy could feel the anticipation in the air. Since Artur was involved, people would expect a surprise. They’d expect entertainment.
Well, they’d get some...but probably not when they were expecting it.
Amy stole to the wings of the big stage at the back of the room. Artur and Tatyana stood across from her. He stood ramrod straight while she leaned in to say something to him. He didn’t look down at her. Good, she thought, then shoved that kind of attitude to the back of her mind. So what if Tatyana had shown up unbidden at the palace? That was what friends did. And girlfriends, if that’s what Artur wanted now.
Artur and Tatyana walked out together, and a hush came over the room.
He stopped at the podium, leaned down to the microphone, and gave that audience the same smile that made her stomach flip every time. “Good evening.” The applause was sustained enough that, after a few long moments, Artur waved it down. Amy could see the bags under his eyes, though she doubted anyone else was paying attention. She’d sent a message to the entire team at the palace notifying them of what she planned to do last night, and to her shock, not a single person had objected. Artur had sent back a terse note saying that Tatyana had come to head the formation of several committees, and they’d be working on the structure of the committees themselves for as long as it took. Clearly, it had taken most of the night.
Artur launched right into the planned agenda. “I’m here to announce the formation of a number of committees, focused on various areas of concern, to streamline communication between the public and the royal family. The necessary information from these committees will be routed to the appropriate departments so that timely action can be taken. The transition to this system, including the structure and formation of the committees, will be headed by Tatyana Morozov, whose experience and skill will be an asset to all of Stolvenia.”
“We are also pleased to announce that beginning early next week, the palace will be hiring a corps of staff members to personally read each communication sent to our new public email addresses. No one’s concerns will be overlooked,” added Tatyana. “Look for further updates throughout the week to come.”
A few determined members of the press tried to ask questions, but Tatyana leaned in to speak. “No questions,” she said with the same kind of charming smile that Artur found so easy. “I’d like to now introduce Amy Branch, the public relations liaison for the royal family, who has an announcement of her own to make.”
Amy held her head high as she walked out. Artur and Tatyana smiled at her, lips closed, professional as ever, and she took a deep breath in. No nerves. Not now.
She had not told them what she planned to say.
The two of them stepped back, and Amy reached up to adjust the microphone’s height before she took a small folded paper out of the palm of her hand and spread it out on the podium in case she forgot what she had to say. Her shoulders relaxed and she stood up straight. This was her element. It was only the words that were hard.
“My name is Amy Brant. I came here today to confirm that I am indeed pregnant, and that Prince Artur is the father of the baby.” Of course, it had already been confirmed at the earlier press conference, but she could hear Artur’s quick intake of breath at her willingness to say this out loud in front of the whole country. In front of the world. “I am so happy to have met him one night in New York City. I didn’t know that I’d be meeting the love of my life.”
She kept speaking over the gasp that came up from the audience.
“I didn’t know then that meeting Prince Artur would be the beginning of the greatest adventure I’ve ever taken. It’s brought me through the very earliest stages of motherhood and all the way across the world. I’ve seen more of this beautiful country than I ever could have dreamed of, and met so many incredible people along the way.”
Her voice trembled, but Amy pressed on.
“I wanted to tell you all that I am in good health, that the baby is well, and that I am committed to raising our child to love this country, to honor its traditions, and to embrace its future. I’ve learned to love this country myself, and I’ve learned to love its prince, but our baby won’t have to learn that. She will be born knowing it.”
One last breath, and it was the end of her speech. “I want you all to know how much we appreciate your support and understanding, and I look forward to updating you again soon.”
Amy stepped back.
The murmur of the press was loud enough that it should have been a distraction, but all she was aware of was a hand in hers, and Artur was pulling her toward him.
He kissed her right there by the podium while dozens of cameras flashed. She didn’t care at all. Let them take pictures. Let them see this moment of triumph. Let them see the way her heart healed and all the hurt flew away. She pulled back. “I’m sorry,” she whispered directly into Artur’s ear.
“I’m sorry. I should have chased after you. I should have let you know that I understood. It’s not easy. It’s—”
“I love you,” she cut him off.
“I love you,” he said, and then he kissed her again. Amy thought she could float forever in his kiss and in the way and in the joy suffusing the room. When she pulled back again, it was to see Tatyana clapping and laughing, too.
Amy and Artur stepped out from behind the podium and raised their clasped hands. She waved along with him, beaming, knowing that this was for the public. This was for all the citizens of Stolvenia who wanted to see the royal family happy and secure.
This was for them—but later, when they were alone? Their lives would be for each other.
“I love you,” Amy said, and she wasn’t sure Artur could hear her. She didn’t look at him because she was smiling out at the cameras, proudly, for all to see.
“I love you.” She caught his words out of the air and pressed them to her heart. She’d keep them there always.
End of The Billionaire Prince’s Daughter
European Billionaire Beaus Book Two
Blurb
Felicity was the only person in the world who knew her daughter, Hope, is heir to the Stolvenia throne. Until a newspaper leaks the story and now everyone knows—including Hope’s father, King Raphael. The media storm surrounding what’s being called the century’s most romantic story is far greater than either could have anticipated.
On the plus side, with the public crazy about their “love” story, support for a referendum to dissolve the monarchy is waning. And when Raphael shows up at her door with a proposal, it doesn’t take much convincing for Felicity to agree to a marriage in name only—at least until the votes are counted and the referendum fails. She needs to take care of her daughter and her wheelchair-bound sister who requires expensive medical care. Surely, becoming a queen and molding herself into a proper royal won’t be that much of a sacrifice to make to give her family comfort and security. And if she still loves Raphael? Well, that was another thing she c
ould deal with.
Raphael has never stopped thinking about Felicity and wondering why she’d left him. She was the only woman he’d ever loved and for the past three years, he’d been trying to forget her. Now, not only had he found her, he’d also found out he was a father—something his devious late mother had tried to ensure he would never know. All that time, he’d thought Felicity cold and heartless, but now with her acting her part as the future queen, he’s seeing the future he’d once dreamed of for them—and the chance to bond with his daughter, to boot. The only trouble is…he has no idea how to be a husband. Or a father. Or anything other than a king. He’s lived for his people for so long—is it too late to learn how to live for himself, and open his heart to true love?
Prologue
Salem, the man from Stolvenia’s intelligence agency who gave King Rafael briefings three days a week, seemed to dread this morning’s briefing. He kept pulling at his collar with subtle little movements Rafael couldn’t help but notice.
The man looked nervously down at the folder in front of him. “We’ve come to the last item on today’s briefing, and I’m afraid it’s a bit of a…” His voice trailed off and he reached up and adjusted his tie. “I’m afraid there’s not an easy way to—”
Rafael’s entire soul sighed. “Just tell me, Salem. I’m not going to dismiss you from palace service if you’ve got uncomfortable news. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Of course it wouldn’t. His country might be small, but it had its share of problems. And when anything went wrong, where else were the people to look but to their king to make things right again? It didn’t matter whether or not the issue—social, political, economic, environmental—was his fault. It was always his responsibility. That’s what it meant to rule.
European Billionaire Beaus: The Complete Series Page 21