Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Wynn
The following day was insane. From the moment I woke up it was, go, go, go.
I was told what to wear, what to say if asked questions, and got a crash course on Lamdera Islands history.
I knew my family wouldn’t hear about this news from where they lived, but I had to make time to call them today.
Seth, too—he’d be so upset I wasn’t coming back… Ugh, and my job.
“Wynn?” My internal tornado dissipated at the sound of Hannah’s voice.
“Hey.”
“How are you doing?”
“Crazy. I mean, why do I need speaking points. It’s the king who will be talking, right?”
She shrugged and sat on the love seat in the bedroom and patted the cushion. “Come sit.”
“Sure, something up?” I got comfortable—well, as comfortable as one could in a suit.
“First, they gave you speaking points because you’re going to be present when the king talks to his people, so to speak. They want you prepared.”
I sighed. “Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Next thing. Mark and I have to fly home the day after tomorrow. Our vacation is over, and we don’t have a prince swooping in and giving us a fairy tale.”
Oh, if she only knew this was more like a Grimm’s fairy tale and not a Disney one.
“I knew you’d both have to leave, but I hoped it wasn’t yet. No chance of getting an extension?”
She smiled and squeezed my hand. “Mark can’t, and Holly has been covering my patients. I need to get home.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
“Wynn, you can come with us.”
“I can’t. I’m technically still a suspect, I signed a contract, and as weird as this will sound, I want to stay…he needs me.”
She pursed her lips. “Do you need him, though?”
It was a strange question I hadn’t asked myself. “Maybe. There’s so many layers to him, Han. Ever wanted to run away and cling to someone at the same time?”
“Yeah. When I met Mark, I was terrified of my feelings. To be so consumed by someone, it’s altering in every way.”
I wasn’t about to explain that I wanted to run because Julian was a murderous psychopath—which, really, what did that say about me that I knew this and had still signed those papers?
“I’ve had boyfriends in the past, Han.”
“But not like this. That’s how it happens. Once we find our person, we realize all the others were appetizers, readying us for the main course.”
“I guess.”
“We’ll visit, and as soon as things calm down here, you come to us. I’m sure you’ll want to pack your things, and Seth is going to throw you a kickass party.”
I chuckled. “He totally will.”
There was a soft knock on the door before it opened, and Brantly stepped in. “Sir, the king and prince have requested your presence in the press briefing room.”
I lifted a brow at Hannah. “Did you know that every castle has one of those so royalty doesn’t have to travel to make statements?”
She laughed. “So posh.”
I stood and after Hannah did, I hugged her. “I love you, Han.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
This room reminded me a lot of the one I’d seen on TV during a press conference the White House had held.
The only difference was the red curtain behind the podium and very fancy-looking golden chairs.
The middle one, which was where the king sat, was taller than the others.
Julian was to his right and the queen to his left.
I was instructed to sit beside Julian. August, Felipe, and Grace were up here, too.
It felt like some sort of united front against the implication that I’d killed someone.
Hannah and Mark were given seats in the first row, and I was truly just focusing on them. They had encouraging expressions, and Mark tossing a thumbs-up kept the smile on my face.
The room was quiet while, what I was told was, the royal speaker explained to the press that the king would be making a statement and afterward a few questions would be permitted. Then the king was announced, and I held my breath.
“Good afternoon. I haven’t given a speech in this room in close to a decade. As many of you know, I’m mostly in Lamdera for my press conferences, and I’m sure each and every one of you are salivating to find out what’s going on.”
There were a bunch of laughs, and it took a second to calm the room.
“Let’s cut right to it, shall we?” King George motioned to where Julian and I were seated. “Prince Julian, the heir apparent, has chosen a partner.” More buzz but no one seemed as surprised as I’d thought they’d be.
“Wynn Carter is from the United States, came to the islands for his thirtieth birthday celebration with friends.” He gestured to Hannah and Mark, who waved awkwardly. “It was love at first sight for my son, and it didn’t take Wynn too long to follow closely behind.”
There were some flashes and muffled words between the press.
“Unfortunately, while Mr. Carter was here, he became the target of an unfair and unjust accusation. Many know that Governor Rona Rambles was brutally murdered in her home. You also know Wynn Carter is the prime suspect, according to authorities. Well, that’s just not possible.
Wynn Carter is protected by the crown. He has a solid alibi, and all this trauma has caused tremendous issues within the royal family and internationally. ”
I had no idea what he was talking about “internationally,” but I was keeping my mouth shut and going with it.
“After proof that Wynn was innocent, the departments in Crellesia and Thrindell refused to remove Wynn as a suspect.”
I looked out and the press was eating this up, shaking their heads, some even smiling sadly at me.
“My son has fallen in love and asked for Wynn’s hand in marriage.
” I almost chuckled at the gasps. “Even though the Lamdera Islands haven’t been kind to Wynn, his love for Prince Julian is great, and he has accepted.
Therefore, I’m formally announcing the engagement and declaring Wynn Carter is to be protected under the crown. ”
Now the room erupted into applause and a cacophony of voices asking questions and shouting congratulations.
The king made a gesture for the room to settle, and they did quickly. “Now, does anyone have any questions?” He pointed to a woman in a red suit.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Katherine Francois of The Thrindell Times. My question is for any one of you who would like to answer.” She grinned, and there was nothing kind about it.
“While you say Wynn Carter didn’t kill the governor, the authorities have no other suspects for her murder.
I ask, is the crown merely protecting a murderer because the future king is smitten? ”
I guessed it was going to be a claws-out kind of conference.