Chapter 17 #2
Remy’s expression softened into sympathy. “It makes sense, Ricard. You’ve always been the responsible one. The people respect you. The parliament trusts your judgment. You haven’t been tainted by scandal.”
I laughed, bitterly. “This conversation is unbelievable.”
“I’m not asking for an answer now,” he said finally. “I know it’s a shock. But I wanted you to hear it from me first, to understand before the lawyers and courtiers descend.”
I stood abruptly, the gravity of his revelation prompting me to pace toward the window. The implications cascaded through my consciousness—not merely for Remy and myself, but for Avaline, for centuries of tradition, for the delicate diplomatic balance our small nation maintained within Europe.
If Remy abdicated, everything would change. As Duke, I had enjoyed privileges of my title while maintaining a degree of privacy impossible for the heir apparent. That would vanish. “When would this happen, this abdication?”
“Ideally, soon. Before Father’s anniversary celebration.
It would give the family time to present a united front and control the narrative,” he said, his tone shifting with quiet determination.
“The Royal Chamberlain has already prepared the preliminary paperwork, though of course it awaits your consent and Father's approval.”
I turned to face him, struck by the calculated nature of his planning. “You’ve thought this through,” I acknowledged.
He nodded, gathering his composure. “I’ve had time to consider our options. This seems the cleanest solution. A fresh start for me, a new chapter for the monarchy under your leadership.”
“And what would you do?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. “Where would you go?”
A small smile graced his lips. “America, perhaps. Or Australia. Somewhere far from the European paparazzi, where I could start over without the crown.” He glanced at me, sincerity shining through.
“I’ve always envied you that, you know. Your freedom to travel, to live more normally when you’re away from Avaline. ”
All my life, I had envied Remy his position and certainty of purpose. While he had envied my anonymity and freedom.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, rubbing a hand across my face. “You can’t expect me to make a decision of this magnitude in a single conversation, Remy.”
“I don’t,” he assured me, reaching across to clasp my shoulder.
“I just needed you to know, to understand what I’m considering.
And to ask...” He hesitated, vulnerability painting his features.
“To ask if you’ll stand with me, whatever I decide.
If you’ll help me navigate this, as my brother if not as my subject. ”
For all his flaws, for all his mistakes, Remy was still my brother. “Of course I will,” I said. “I’ll return to Avaline with you. We’ll face this together as a family.”
Relief washed over Remy’s face, his shoulders sagging as if a great weight had lifted. “Merci,” he said. “I don’t deserve your loyalty, but I’m grateful for it.”
“That’s what brothers are for, isn’t it? To stand by each other, even when one of them is being an absolute idiot.”
Remy laughed, a sound that reminded me of easier times. “I’ve missed you, Ricard. These past months... they’ve been difficult. I’ve wished for your counsel more times than I can count.”
“You could have called,” I pointed out.
“I could have,” he conceded. “But some conversations must happen face to face.” He glanced around the opulent suite, his expression turning wry. “Though I didn’t expect to have this one in Texas.”
I followed his gaze, taking in the luxurious surroundings that felt almost gaudy after the elegance of Dove Canyon. “I’ve been spending time with friends at their property. Quiet, very private.”
“That sounds ideal.” He scrubbed his face with one hand. “I feel worse pulling you from your trip sooner than expected, but I’d like to head back tomorrow, if that suits. The royal jet is standing by at a private airfield outside the city.”
I nodded, mentally cataloging what I would need to retrieve from Dove Canyon. “I’ll return to collect my belongings, and will be back in the morning.”
“Excellent.” Remy stood, extending a hand to help me up from my chair. “And Ricard... thank you. For listening, for understanding. For being the brother I need, even when I don’t deserve it.”
I accepted his hand, rising to face him. “You don’t need to thank me, Remy. We’re family. Even when it's difficult, that means something in our world.”
Pulling me into another embrace, this one softer than the first, he said, “It does. More than anything else.” He kissed the side of my head. “We can speak more on the flight home, plan our approach.”
Home. The word echoed in my mind as I moved toward the door. Avaline was not just home; it was everything—a place woven with history, mist-shrouded mountains and ancient castles, a landscape of both tradition and duty.
Yet, as I bid farewell to my brother and stepped into the corridor where Sébastien waited, I felt a pang of loss for another place. A sun-drenched villa with a private pool where, for a few brief days, I had been simply Ricard, not His Grace the Duke, not the spare heir.
“Your Grace?” Sébastien’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Shall I arrange for someone to collect your belongings?”
I straightened my shoulders, slipping back into the posture and demeanor expected of my position. “No, Sébastien. I’ll go back myself and return in the morning.”
“Of course, sir.” Sébastien fell into step beside me as we moved toward the elevator.
As the doors opened to reveal the mirrored interior, I caught sight of my reflection—composed and in control, every inch the duke I had been raised to be.
But in my eyes, a flicker of something else was visible only to me: a complex tangle of regret, apprehension, and the faintest yearning for a life I had glimpsed but never fully embraced, a life unburdened by duty and tradition.
The elevator reached the ground floor, sliding open to an opulent lobby, and I straightened my spine, lifting my chin. Whatever sacrifices lay ahead, I would face them as I had been taught—with dignity, composure, and the unwavering certainty that duty came before all else.
Even before the heart.