Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
G abe knocked on the door to his father’s study. Gabe heard a groan, then a voice barked, “Come in.” Gwen, and Phillip’s physical therapist were all encouraging Phillip to finish completing a series of stretches.
Gabe watched as the therapist gave his father orders. It’s so weird seeing someone else boss the king around. “Father, I need to talk to you for a moment.”
Phillip looked up at his eldest son with a look of sheer gratitude. He glared at the therapist. “If you don’t mind, I need a few moments with my son.”
The therapist smiled and nodded. “That’s fine, sir, but we aren’t done.”
As the therapist exited the room, Phillip murmured, “I’m sure we aren’t.” Phillip gestured to the chair by his desk. “Have a seat.” Phillip used the silver-handled cane to walk over to the sofa. The cane was sent to him by the King of Spain, who apparently was still trying to make a match between Gabe and Princess Luisa. While Gabe wasn’t interested in the match, he admired the King’s thoughtfulness toward his father.
Gwen looked at Gabe and must have read his expression. She politely excused herself and glided out of the room.
Gabe stared at his father for a moment. Now or never . “I’ve been thinking.” He swallowed. “I’m ready to be king now. Not six months from now. On the condition that you show me the ropes, of course.”
Phillip’s jaw dropped. “Are you sure? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Gabe shrugged. “It’s not that sudden. When I was in Forest Grove, I did a lot of thinking. It’s my birthright. And I know I can do a good job. I think I just had to decide I wanted to be king. Not just that it was being forced upon me.”
“Well, seems like that little trip was worth it, then. I will make a public statement this week.” They both stood and shook hands. Phillip pulled him into a hug. “I’m proud of you, Gabriel. I know you will do a wonderful job.”
“Thanks, Father. I sure hope so.”
Genevieve said a prayer as she buckled her seat belts. Her hands were shaking so hard that it took a few tries to actually get the belt to buckle. It was now or never. She watched as the sign lit up on the plane instructing all passengers to buckle their seat belts. She took a deep breath and gripped her seat belt. I can do this. Thousands of people do this every day. Her stomach flipped as the plane sailed down the runway and lifted up into the air. More people die in car wrecks than from airplane crashes. She kept repeating that to herself, over and over. Her doctor had mercifully given her a Valium to take prior to the flight, and it was starting to kick in. She grabbed her blanket and let sleep overtake her.
She awoke to the flight attendant giving instructions for exiting the airplane. She let out a sigh of relief. I made it . She stumbled off the plane and stopped at the first coffee shop she could find. Clutching her coffee in one hand and luggage in the other, she tracked down a shuttle to take her to the hotel. It wasn’t until she left the airport that she could actually take in the beauty of the country. Delnovia was absolutely stunning. Mountains sprung up all around her, covered in snow caps. As the shuttle weaved into the small village where she was staying, she noticed cobblestone streets and quaint brick and wood storefronts.
When she reached her hotel, she immediately unpacked and showered. Feeling more like herself, she ordered room service and began to put her plan in action. Her research online had let her know that there would be a meeting in this village with the townspeople and Prince Gabriel for him to answer questions, meet the people of the village, and introduce himself as the new king. His coronation was scheduled for that spring. She knew the meeting was open to the public, and she had put much care in choosing a lovely new dress.
When she reached the village meeting hall, she had a moment of doubt. What if he rejects me? What if I just cleared out my entire savings to travel this far for nothing? Tilly’s voice filled her head. But what if I get everything I ever wanted?
She opened the door, finding a seat open on the third row. She’d arrived an hour early hoping to be on the front row, but this wasn’t too bad. She settled into her chair and checked her lipstick for what felt like the hundredth time. Now nothing to do but wait.