“Shut your mouth,” Luna said through clenched teeth. Jacques retorted, and the two of them began a childish volley.
We all stood there, listening to the exchange, as the hole they kept digging got deeper and deeper.
“Luna,” Nikola said, looking at her sadly. “It’s no use…”
“Daddy,” she whined. “It is, we can deny everything…we’ll hire the best attorneys and it can still be ours. You even said with the change to the Succession Law that it would work.”
“ENOUGH!” Everyone fell silent, and all eyes turned to the queen. There were a select few times I had ever heard my mother yell. It was undignified and unladylike. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and there she was, red-faced and heaving.
Nikola looked at Luna. His shoulders slumped, accepting the fact that there was no way out of this.
“Change to the Succession Law? You can’t possibly—”
Luna interrupted mother mid-sentence. “It would’ve worked!”
Mother shot her a look that silenced her. “If you please, child.” Luna shrunk with her words, and remained silent. “Now, if what I’m thinking is true—and I can’t see how it isn’t at this point, given your abhorrent admissions—you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Naturally, I had heard of the Succession Law, but I was unaware of the revisions that had evidently happened.
“What modifications to the law are they referring to, Mother?” It was not my best moment, being a new king and unaware of one of the decrees of my own country.
“You remember Ivan, darling?” she asked, her mouth turning in a sad smile. “After his death, I became barren and you were an only child. Your father saw the need to protect the country in the event that the crown was unable to have a ruler. If your father were to die, it’d naturally go to you, but what if, for some unseen circumstance, you died without producing an heir? So, a revision to the Succession Law had to be made, and together with Nikola—who was your father’s advisor at the time—it was put in to motion.”
Things were starting to fall in to place, but I continued to listen.
“I wasn’t made aware of it until several years later; your father tried to protect me. I had suffered the loss of an infant child, had a newborn to nurture and I was dealing with postpartum depression. In hindsight, it may not have been the best decision, but your father meant well. So, what exactly did the new law state?” she asked, getting to the point. “In the event the country no longer had a ruler on the throne, all power would transfer to the current Prime Minister.”
She waited, letting us all digest what she had just told us.
“Your father and Nikola always spoke of him becoming Prime Minister when the time came, and over the years, it was a natural progression for Nikola to take the position.”
“And kill Father, blame me for Alana’s death, deeming me unfit to rule, so you could take over the country.” It all made sense now, their scheme coming to light finally.
“You were practically family,” Alana said disgustingly, looking to Nikola and Luna.
“That’s how we played it at least,” Nikola revealed. “Do you think it was easy working side by side with Arik, seeing what he had? He was loved by everyone who knew him, had everything he ever wanted…”
“He was loved by everyone,” Mother said, taking a few steps closer to Nikola. “And you took that from us!” In a show of anger and deceitful hurt, she slapped him hard across the cheek. “How could you? He loved you like a brother,” she spat.
For once, Nikola was speechless, unable to say anything more that would help absolve him of his motives.
“I assume the authorities are on the way?” Mother asked, turning back to me.
“They’re already here, Your Majesty,” Henri informed her, the distant sound of sirens making their presence heard.
“Good. Get these three out of my sight,” she replied dismissively.
Henri nodded, and he and Remy lead them out of the room where they were handed over.
Once we were alone, I looked at Mother, a little ashamed. “I’m sorry. I know that was hurtful to hear, but I didn’t see any other way.”
“No, darling. It was closure, and closure is healing,” she replied, offering me a tiny smile. “I just can’t believe it—Arik’s best friend…and Luna…I practically thought of her as another child; you two were so close growing up.”
Apparently close enough that she felt entitled to the throne.
“I know, Mother,” I said soothingly, taking her in my arms. We embraced for a moment, then stood apart. “Well, I’m embarassed at how I wasn’t aware of that particular law…”
“Don’t be, darling. There are a great many things you don’t know, but you’ll be surrounded by people that will guide you and support you.”
“Good, because I’m afraid my knowledge on the subject fell a little flat,” I admitted.
“…as flat as Luna’s Botox will be in prison,” Alana murmured under her breath.
I wasn’t sure if Mother had heard, but when she burst out laughing, we all joined in.
“I’m sorry, that wasn’t very kind of me,” Alana apologized, though it was half-hearted. “She just seems to bring out the worst in me.”
I put my arm around her, pulling her into a side hug.
“You, my dear, have nothing to apologize for,” Mother told her. “Come here.”
Alana stepped into my mother’s embrace, warm and full of relief. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” she told her.
“I just wish that it was under different circumstances,” she sighed.
We all did, but there was nothing we could do to change the course of events that had happened.
“Shh, let’s not dwell on that,” Mother soothed. “What matters now is the future, and if I may be so bold,” she said, pausing, “it looks awfully bright.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more,” I said.
The three of us stood there for a long time, drawing strength from one another’s presence.
The future did look bright, indeed.
Epilogue
Bastian
Several weeks had passed since the day Luna, Nikola and Jacques had been arrested. It was an open and shut case; between the three of them simultaneously turning on one another during the questioning, Mother revealing the Succession Law, to the ballistics matching an unregistered gun of Nikola’s, there was nothing else needed to charge them.
The country was shocked when the news broke. It was a strange time, feeling like we were reliving the whole ordeal again, but with the overwhelming amount of outcry over the deceitfulness, we mourned together as a nation.
I never once felt alone in any of it, Alana proving once again she was my rock, a solid unshakeable foundation that I turned to more often than not.
My pain would hit me at random times, and without words, she knew. A gentle touch, a reassuring look, or kind words helped.
And at night, words weren’t needed. She was healing me slowly, lovingly, where the darkness threatened to meet the light.
When I wept, she’d let me, only to follow it up by making love to me, accepting me for what I was now. A broken man who had lost his father, but was learning a new path to walk.
At first, that path was shrouded in shadows, where pain and grief walked beside me like old, stubborn friends. But like anyone else you neglect—the ones you’re not willing to put the effort into because of their toxic nature—their presence waned, and eventually stopped.
But I wasn’t naive to the fact that I’d think of them from time to time, but I was no longer afraid when that time would come.
Alana and I would face it together, like everything we had done thus far; her loving, open heart was beautiful, and it touched all who knew her.
So, when I made yet another plan, I laughed to myself, but relished the notion that it couldn’t have felt more right.
Like Mother had said, the future looked bright, so it was time to make it so.
/>
Alana
It would be a stretch to say that life had gone back to normal. But, it did—as much as it could be.
Over the weeks, I became used to the idea that my face and name were associated with Bastian, pictures of us gracing the front pages of the papers and other circulars.
And in that time, I felt myself grow. Bastian had been right; I needed to stop with my insecurities. He was by my side through the ups and the downs, and though he said I was the one who had helped heal him, I knew it was the other way around.
Without him, I’d never have taken such a leap of faith, nor would I have realized how much I needed someone that challenged me and pushed me to be the best version of myself.
I had moved in with Bastian the same day that Luna and everyone was arrested. It was an easy decision; time was precious and neither of us wanted to miss out on any more of it without one another.
Bastian was fulfilling his duties, the deputy Prime Minister had seamlessly taken over for Nikola, and I had gone back to work. Which was where I was presently.
It was good to be back, and even better to be with Mathis and Zara again. They each had a million questions initially, but I answered them somewhat vaguely, feeling a protectiveness to the crown; they had their fair share of invasions of privacy, so as small as it was, I did my part to help guard what I could.
“So, what now?” Mathis asked, leaning back in his chair. He and Zara had been sort of quiet since I came in this morning.
“You’re looking at it,” I told him. “Business as usual.”
Zara spoke up. “No happily ever after, no white knight and shiny steed?”
I glanced to the ceiling. “Zara, please. I have that. Bastian and I are completely content, happier than we’ve ever been,” I explained. “Plus, he’s my white knight, and his steed comes in the way of a chauffeur…”
“Mmm,” Mathis supplied rather lamely.
“You guys, what is your problem? I thought you’d be happy when things went back to normal…Mathis—don’t you remember asking me that when all of this started?”
He nodded, but didn’t say anything. And then Zara started crying. I got up and handed her a tissue.
She flung herself at me, her eyes swimming with tears. “Oh, Lana,” she wailed. What was going on?
“Uh, it’s alright,” I offered, not knowing what I was consoling her for. I looked to Mathis for help, but he never met my eye.
Zara blew her nose and wiped at her eyes, causing her to smear her impeccable makeup. I didn’t want to call attention to the fact she had ruined her mascara, so I suggested we run to the restroom.
“Ok,” she said, sniffling loudly.
As we walked down the hall, she clung to my arm. But when we rounded the corner, her crying had completely ceased and she yanked on my arm, turning me slightly.
“Lana, you know how much you mean to me, right?” she asked.
“…Yes? I mean, yes, I do, why?” What the hell was going on?
She let go and stepped back, the corners of her mouth turning into a smile.
“And do you know how much you mean to me?” a deep voice asked from behind me.
I turned at the familiar voice to see Bastian standing in the hallway—our hallway, in the same leather jacket he had worn on our first date. His eyes flashed with something I wasn’t quite sure I caught. Uncertainty, nerves?
“Bastian, what are you doing here?” I asked, pleased to see him, but confused. We walked toward each other and I leaned in to kiss him.
“I came to see how your day has been,” he said.
“Oh. It’s been fine, you?” I searched his face, anything that would give me a clue as to his spontaneous visit in the middle of the day.
He looked around, taking in our surroundings. “Do you realize how much has changed since we met in this corridor?”
I smiled, recalling how we had met. “Yeah, who’d have thunk I’d openly date someone like you,” I teased.
“Someone like me. What do you mean by that, love?” he asked, feigning offense.
“You know, someone who wanted me for my tits and nothing more…” I smiled, feeling the flirtation that had gotten me to agree to our first date in the first place.
“I wanted you for so much more than your sugary tits. I wanted you for you mind, for your heart and for your soul,” he professed. “You were so beautiful standing there, covered in dessert…I wanted nothing more than to kiss you right then and there.”
“I probably would’ve hit you,” I admitted, giggling.
“I know you would’ve,” he laughed, knowing me too well. “But I knew that you were worth the wait. You were worth everything, Alana…”
Bastian reached inside his jacket and as he dropped to his knee, a small box was produced. I gasped.
“I had a speech all planned out, the perfect things to say to you, but now that I’m here, it doesn’t seem appropriate. So, I’ll speak from here,” he said, tapping his chest. “Alana, my heart beats for you. It took me minutes to fall for you, hours to know that there would be no one else, and I’ll spend the rest of my days loving you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I was stunned, shocked into speechlesness. Tears tracked down my cheeks as the weight of his question sank in. “Bastian…” I whispered. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”
My hand shook as he placed the ring on. I recognized it as a family heirloom, a brilliant padparadscha sapphire with a halo of diamonds surrounding it.
Cheers erupted from behind us as Bastian lifted me in his arms for a passionate kiss. I was on a literal cloud, floating. But when I finally came down, I realized Zara and Mathis were there, along with most of the staff.
I zeroed in on Zara. “You knew the whole time!” I accused with a smile.
She just shrugged her shoulders, her and Mathis’ behavior from earlier making sense.
“She might have helped a little,” Bastian confessed. “But I’ve got it from here.”
And I had no doubt about that.
The End
Acknowledgements
Thank you so much for reading Bastian. This book was an absolute labor of love. Like many, I grew up idolizing Princess Diana and in turn, I became enthralled with all things royal.
With a shiny exterior of what the public saw, who wouldn’t be drawn to the jewels, the fashion, and the romance? And with the scandal that was Charles and Di, I remember that instance having a prolific impact on me. But it was the nitty gritty details of life beyond the public view that fascinated me.
Though the Windsor’s are more of a personal,
Together, we decided to veer away from that, but keep the same fundamentals as any monarch. I knew that I wanted to rely more on European royal families and create fictional countries based upon real life ones. So, we started the fun process of creating said kingdoms. Thank you, Sam for keeping my ping-pong brain on track.
This was such a different writing process for me; I was halfway through the book when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, effectively shutting down states, countrywide.
Writing is a passion, but sadly, it’s not my bread and butter. When my nine-to-five job was closed until further notice due to the shut down, I was ecstatic about the extra time I’d have to write. Surely, I could crank out the rest of the book in a few weeks, right?
Wrong. I, like many, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the wake of my daily life being turned upside down. I struggled. I had days where I’d write eight thousand words. And I had days where a single paragraph was written and I’d felt victorious.
It was hard. But I found myself reaching out to fellow authors and discovered I wasn’t
alone. And in that commonality, I found hope to finish.
That, and LENGTHY conversations with my friends. I brainstormed, annoyed and badgered my friend Laura, who took everything with a graceful, friendly approach. Her constant presence was comforting in my process, so to her, I say thank you for your patience and indulging my crazy.
I pestered my mom, often asking the same things but in different ways. Late night texting was common, but she always responded with a positive, cheerful disposition.
I roped my dad into editing. Yes, my dad read the illicit things I wrote. How did we get past that, you ask? I told him he was NOT reading for content, merely for grammatical and spelling errors. His way around it was sending me chapters out of order and giving them a humorous title that paraphrased the chapter.
I learned a new online chatting platform to discuss formatting and technical issues I was having with my sister.
Without any of them, this book would have never been completed. Using this public platform, I say thank you all, truly. It’s a simple sentiment, I know, but for someone who could sit and write another book on my gratitude alone, I’ll cut myself short and save you all from more reading.
However, if you do feel like reading more, please continue on to the first chapter of book two: Remy!
~P.C.
Sneak Peak
Don’t miss the next book in the Crown Prince Chronicle series!
Chapter 1
Remy
She had told me her name, but it was inconsequential, really. This wasn’t about wooing or courtship, romance and flowers.
It was about fucking.
Hard, fast and in every different position possible.
That’s how I liked things at least, and so far, I had had no complaints.
Hard and fast were rules I lived by; the adrenaline that coursed through my veins was no exception whether it was produced between the sheets or on the race track. Either way, I had to have it.
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