Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
ELENA
E lena ended the call with Nate, sinking onto a bench in the garden. Her heart sank from the weight of the words exchanged over the call. Their relationship had been difficult to start with, and now that they were finally able to publicly announce their engagement, life threw a series of curveballs that stalled their plans once more.
“Your Highness?” Caroline asked. “Are you ill? Should I tell the ladies’ guild you won’t make the award ceremony?”
“No,” Elena answered with a sigh, “I just needed a moment. Things are…difficult for Nathan.”
“Oh, no. I had hoped for some good news from him.”
“It seems good news is not the theme of the day, Caroline.” Elena rose and adjusted the hem of her skirt. Julian’s words lingered in the back of her mind, like a dark cloud she couldn’t dispel. She took a deep breath, trying to center herself amid the swirl of duty and personal turmoil. “Let’s give out this award for the loveliest bloom, then we’ll have much to discuss.”
Caroline offered her a smile as they strolled forward toward the fountain at the park’s center. They skirted past the chairs set up and already filling with the flower guild’s members.
“Oh, Your Highness,” the president of the society said as she approached. “Thank you ever so much for being here. We were so excited that you would present the award for the best bloom of the season this year.”
“I’m so pleased to do it. Caroline showed me pictures. It seemed the competition was quite fierce. They all looked lovely to me.”
“Oh, you are so kind. Well, the best bloom was not only spectacular, but had staying power. That gave her the edge.”
Elena offered a polite smile as the women continued to fill in the seats facing the dais. She slid into her own chair next to Caroline, her mind as far from the award ceremony as it could be.
She wondered how Nate was fairing. Were they dealing with something else on the investigation front or had the focus turned to others?
And what of the royal decree? Given the news she’d received this morning from Julian, she didn’t hold out much hope.
In front of her at the podium, the woman yammered on about the blooms they’d seen, how judging was handled, and more about the final selections.
Elena tried to focus on her speech, but her mind kept drifting away to Sterling City.
She perked up as the woman finally mentioned the award. “And we are so pleased to have Her Royal Highness with us to present the award for this year’s best bloom. ”
The woman slicked a lock of her brunette hair behind her ear as she twisted toward Elena.
With a smile, Elena rose and crossed to the trophy on the table.
“For her lovely and long-lasting rose bloom, this year’s Best Bloom award goes to Madeleine Chase.”
Applause rang out as a giddy woman leapt from her seat and climbed the steps to the dais, grinning from ear to ear.
Elena smiled at her, shaking her hand before she passed the trophy toward her. “Congratulations. It was a lovely flower.”
Cameras clicked as they paused with the trophy between them for photos. After a few more exchanged pleasantries, the award ceremony broke up for refreshments.
Elena sipped the tangy, sweet punch, the citrus flavors mingling with the buttery taste of the shortbread cookie she nibbled on. Around her, the garden buzzed with the soft chatter of the guild members, the air fragrant with the scent of freshly cut grass and fall flowers.
As they slid into the backseat of the waiting car, Elena heaved a sigh. “What’s next?”
“Reading at the library.”
“Oh, that sounds all right. Quiet.”
“Are you certain you are all right?”
“I am…distracted,” Elena admitted as she stared at the passing scenery.
“Well, we have some time before we reach the library. It is in the next town over.”
Elena let her head fall against the headrest. “Wonderful.”
Caroline adjusted a lock of Elena’s hair, a consoling smile on her features. “How bad are things with Mr. Kingsley? Would you like to talk about it?”
Elena’s shoulders slumped. “Mrs. Kingsley, Nathan’s mother, visited Chloe just before her death. ”
“Oh, heavens,” Caroline said. “You don’t think…”
“Of course not,” Elena said with a shake of her head, “but…it could cause quite a bit of trouble for them.”
“Yes, of course.” Caroline sighed. “And what about Prince Julian? You mentioned he said something to you earlier.”
Elena sifted her gaze out the window again, the bitter conversation passing through her mind. “He did. He accosted me just as I left my bedroom this morning to tell me news that he thought I should be the first to hear.”
“Oh, dear. What was it?”
“He claims he has managed to secure a number of legislators that will vote against a new decree rescinding the marriage requirement,” Elena relayed, her voice a mixture of anger and disbelief. She clenched her fists on her lap, feeling a cold dread settle in her stomach as the potential consequences of Julian’s manipulation began to dawn on her.
Caroline frowned as she shifted her portfolio on her lap. “He could have been lying. I would not put it past him.”
Elena licked her lips. “Perhaps. Though he also hinted that he’d…exposed my relationship in Sterling City. I suppose the legislators on his side found it…unbecoming of a future monarch.”
Caroline rubbed Elena’s shoulder. “Oh, Your Highness, I am so sorry about this.”
“I am not,” Elena said, fighting the tears welling in her eyes. “I love Nathan, and I will be pleased to marry him, though I do wish it was not at the expense of Eldoria.”
“And I am certain it will not be. The legislators will see this. They will see that the monarchy under Julian’s lead will be a disaster.”
“There is Alexander,” Elena answered.
“Who I am certain has already been defamed by his loving brother.”
Elena huffed out a chuckle. “You are likely correct. ”
“Someone will see through him, Your Highness. He is a snake. And his actions will be shown for exactly what they are.”
“We can only hope, though, it may still mean the decree stands. I am not certain the legislators know what this will lead to.”
“Perhaps they ought to be told.”
“I suggested this, though with the murder charge hanging over the Kingsleys, I am not certain it is a wise idea to open that can of worms.”
“Will you not announce your engagement until this is over?”
Elena let her gaze fall to her lap. “I don’t know, Caroline. I told Father I would consider it, but…I desperately do not wish to do that.”
They arrived at the library, concluding their conversation. Elena was ushered into a small room with children lined on a rug and handed a book.
She spent thirty minutes reading them a classic fairytale before posing for a few pictures with several of them before she climbed back into the car.
“That’s all for today,” Caroline reported as the vehicle slid away from the library.
“No, it’s not,” Elena said with a shake of her head. “I have one more thing I must do.”
Caroline opened the portfolio and shuffled through papers. “I haven’t anything on the list, Your Highness. Have I forgotten something?”
“It is not on the schedule,” Elena said, patting Caroline’s hand. “You have missed nothing.”
Caroline arched an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“I must pack.”
“Pack? ”
Elena offered her a curt nod. “Yes. I decided whilst reading that little fairy tale that I must go to Sterling City.”
“Go to Sterling City!” Caroline exclaimed. “Now?”
“Yes. Right away. Will you please make the arrangements and help me with my packing?”
“Well…” Caroline shifted in her seat, her features twisting with uncertainty. “I will help you with anything Your Highness, though…is now the appropriate time to go to Sterling City.”
“Nathan needs my support. If this is not the appropriate time to go, there is none.”
“But…you are dealing with so much here. And you need his support, too.”
“It’s not the same. This is much larger than the loss of the crown. I know my father would disagree, but this is their lives, Caroline. Nathan is deeply worried about what this investigation could mean for his family, and I need to be there to support him through this challenging time. Now, will you help me?”
“Of course. I shall make the arrangements the moment we arrive at the palace. Will you run it past your father first?”
Elena tugged a corner of her lips back into a slight frown. “I will…inform him when I am on the plane.”
“Oh, Your Highness,” Caroline said with a click of her tongue. “His Majesty will be furious if you…skip town.”
“I’m not skipping town, Caroline. But…he will tell me not to go, convince me I am needed here.”
“Perhaps you are. He is fighting to ensure you maintain your path to the throne. I’m certain he sees you as a vital part of that.”
“And I see myself as a vital part of Nathan’s support structure.”
“Disappearing now may put the final nail in your coffin, Your Highness. The legislators may believe this is exactly the problem. You are leaving Eldoria to tend to the needs of your future husband.”
“That could happen with a royal as well. Perhaps Prince Eric demands I support him whilst they battle the removal of the royal family in Corinthia. Would it be all right for me to pander to another royal?”
“I suppose you have a point. I do not mean to argue, Your Highness. I only want the best for you.”
Elena patted her ladies’ maid hand. “I know, Caroline, and I adore you all the more for challenging me. But if they feel I am leaving Eldoria behind to care for my spouse’s needs, well then, they ought to write the law that I should remain unmarried.”
“That will never happen. You must produce an heir.”
“Then they ought to understand how a marriage of any kind works.”
“A wonderful point, Your Highness. When we arrive at the palace, I will make the arrangements for the flight, then come to assist you with the packing.”
Elena heaved a sigh. “And I will tell my father of my intentions to leave.”
Caroline nodded at her with a smile. “Very good, Your Highness.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me you are proud of me for facing my father?”
Caroline chuckled as she patted Elena’s hand. “I am so very proud of you, darling. Which is why I really hope the legislature pulls their heads out of their…you know what and revises this law. You will be an excellent queen for this country.”
“Thank you, Caroline. We shall see. But for now, I must help Nathan.”
The car rolled to a stop outside of the palace doors, and Elena hurried inside, asking one of the staff for her father’s location.
She found him in his office, brooding at the window.
“Elena,” he said as he twisted to face her, “all finished with your busy schedule of events?”
“Yes and no. There is one more thing I must do. I have come to inform you of it, but I do not wish to argue.”
“Oh, dear, that sounds ominous.”
“I am flying to Sterling City tonight,” Elena announced, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She watched her father’s face closely, bracing for the storm of objections she expected would follow.
His eyebrows raised toward his hairline. “What?”
“I spoke with Nathan earlier. Mrs. Kingsley was seen at Chloe’s apartment. He is afraid this may make her a suspect. I would like to go support him through this as much as possible. I feel my hands are tied while this far away.”
Her father stared at her for a moment before his features pinched. “I suppose you have made up your mind. There is nothing I can do to change it?”
“No, Father, there is not. I do hope to have your support on it, though.”
He flicked his gaze down to his feet. “I would like you here to help with the issue of the decree, though I have tied your hands on that, haven’t I?”
Elena offered him a fleeting smile and a soft chuckle. “You have. And if I am needed, I will return, but right now, you are handling the matter.”
“It’s just that…if someone should ask where you are…perhaps they would like to speak with you about the matter.”
“They may call. Father, this in no way affects my loyalty to this country. But I will also have an obligation to my spouse, whether he be of noble blood or not. Imagine if I were to marry Prince Eric. He has duties in Corinthia. My time would be split there, too.”
“A very wise point, Elena,” the king answered. “Well, then I shall make them aware of that. And of how sound my daughter’s logic is.”
He grinned at her.
She returned his expression before she crossed to him, slipping her arms around his neck for a rare embrace.
He slid his arms around her and rubbed her back. “Oh, Elena, when did you grow up?”
“A little here and a little there,” she said with a giggle. “But I will always be your little girl.”
“I hope so. Please give my best to the Kingsleys. Such a tragic situation from all angles.”
“Yes. And I will. I hope it is solved quickly, and we are back here to announce our engagement as planned. Please keep me updated on the issue with the decree.”
“I will. Oh, and do not be surprised if Julian will use your absence against you.”
She shook her head. “I won’t be. He made his usual threats this morning, claiming several legislators were on his side. We cannot let him win. If I come up with any ideas, I will let you know. Or if I hear from Isabelle.”
“No information from her so far?”
“No, but I am unsurprised. Actually, I will be more surprised if she comes through with information.” Elena offered a soft laugh. “But on the off chance I hear from her, I will call immediately.”
“Take care, Elena. I do hope to see you soon.”
They said their goodbyes before she visited her mother, informing her and saying goodbye. Within two hours, Caroline had her packed and ready to go.
They boarded the plane and were in the air before the sun set on Eldoria. “Will Mr. Kingsley pick you up at the airport?”
“No. I want it to be a surprise,” Elena answered.
“Well, I did arrange for a car and a hotel suite in the event we need it, so we will be prepared.” Caroline smiled at her.
“I hope it’s not an unwelcome surprise,” Elena said with a frown.
Caroline patted her hand before changing the subject. They discussed wedding details for the remainder of the flight until the wheels hit the ground in Sterling City.
With their luggage loaded in the trunk, the driver took them to the Kingsleys’ residence first. Elena insisted on ringing the bell herself rather than waiting in the car while Caroline did it.
A maid opened the door, ushering them into the foyer. Maddie bounced down the stairs a moment later, a grin breaking out across her face. Her red eyes and nose betrayed that she had been crying. Elena wondered what had happened to lead to that.
The girl raced toward her and flung her arms around her neck. “Ellie! Oh, Ellie, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“As am I,” Elena answered. “I’m here to help. Might you tell Nathan I’m here?”
Maddie’s features twisted, and she shook her head. “I can’t. Nate…Nate’s not here. He’s gone.”
Heat washed over Elena. Gone? To where? And what had happened that seemed to have Maddie so upset?