Chapter 25
Pain laced through my lower abdomen, cramps squeezing my muscles and my lower back and waking me from a deep sleep. I groaned as I rolled over, working out a tight spot in my neck, and discovered that Oliver had already gotten up for the day, Shadow now sprawled across his empty pillow.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and opened the calendar I shared with Oliver, Vanessa, and Skylar.
Oliver had an early meeting with his father and Knox, which explained his empty side of the bed.
I was relieved to find the only item on my agenda was a meeting to finalize the flowers for the wedding.
My periods were irregular enough that it was impossible to know if the pain I was feeling this morning was related to my cycle, but I knew that either way I was bound to be exhausted later today.
I decided to take advantage of the alone time and called down for some toast, fruit, and herbal tea while I ran a hot bath, hoping that the heat of the water would relax my muscles and ease my cramping.
I sprinkled some epsom salts into the deep tub and ran my hand through the water, making sure it was the perfect temperature. I tossed my nightgown into the hamper by the closet, then sank into the bath and turned on the jets, letting them knead into my body.
As the jets worked their magic, I thought through everything that had happened over the last few weeks since Oliver’s declaration of love.
I had told Oliver that I loved him too, and it was true.
It was my love for him that had caused me to keep him at arm’s length for so long.
The idea that I might not be able to give him children crushed me, but even more terrifying was the voice in the back of my mind that suggested that he might stop loving me once he learned the truth of my diagnosis.
Deep down, I knew it wasn’t rational. But no matter how much I protested, that voice kept whispering to me that Oliver would be better off with someone who could give him the heirs he deserved.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Oliver would make an incredible father.
Watching him interact with Anton’s kids and seeing how gentle he had been with Isla in the hospital had been so heartwarming.
The likelihood of not being able to give him that brought tears to my eyes.
He deserved to have as many kids as he wanted, and it was certainly what the country was expecting.
So, what are you still doing here, Adelaide? This can’t continue.
Or could it? Maybe we could figure it out. Maybe we could still be together, even if it meant he wouldn’t have any heirs.
Eventually I drained the bathtub and got ready for the day. After going over the floral arrangements, I’d find Oliver and finally tell him everything. It was time.
I pulled out a pair of dark-wash jeans and a chunky knit turtleneck sweater, the neck covering up a small love mark that Oliver had left on me last night. Once I was dressed, I clipped my hair up and slid into a pair of flats before making my way downstairs to the Godric State Room.
The breath rushed from my lungs as I walked through the doors to find the room covered in floral arrangements. It seemed as though each surface was covered in blooms in all colors of the rainbow and every possible configuration. I was immediately transported back to the conservatory.
“Adelaide, there you are!” Queen Isobel’s voice came to me a moment before she appeared from behind a towering display of white orchids, my mother and Birdie trailing behind her.
Queen Isobel’s assistant, Mirabel, was perched by a table adorned with an array of peonies in more shades than I even knew existed.
“Good morning,” I said, greeting each woman with a kiss on the cheek. “Mum, I didn’t know you would be here today.”
“The queen called me last night and so graciously invited me to join.”
Queen Isobel placed a hand on my elbow. “I know you’ve been so busy with travelling these last few months and the wedding planning has been full steam ahead. I thought it might be nice to have a few loved ones here to help as you make some of these final decisions.”
“I’m just here for the champagne and to avoid a stack of paperwork that’s sitting on my desk for our latest gallery acquisition,” Birdie quipped with a wink.
I chuckled, knowing that was a lie. Birdie loved things like this. And I was grateful for her artistic eye today.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful, Queen Isobel,” I said, dipping my head toward the queen.
“Oh, Adelaide. You know better. Please, just call me Isobel.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Isobel. This really does mean so much to me.”
“Well, let’s get this party started, shall we?” Birdie smiled as she opened a bottle of champagne and filled four flutes.
“Adelaide, honey, are there any florals that you have your heart set on?” Isobel asked.
I looked at my mum and smiled. “Well, every Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember, Dad has gifted me a bouquet of tulips. I would very much like to include those somewhere.” I may as well keep planning my dream wedding while I can.
“That’s lovely,” Isobel said, clasping her hands. “Mirabel, can you please take notes for us?”
We spent two hours going through every type of flower that adorned the tables.
I was relieved when the staff brought in some finger foods; Birdie kept refilling my glass at the slightest sign of it becoming empty, and I was starting to feel a bit tipsy.
I wasn’t too far gone, though, to notice the way Isobel’s eyes shot to every staff member as they entered the room.
Xavier’s baby was due any day now, and, while she tried to hide it, Isobel was clearly anxious for news from him.
Finally, we all but collapsed at one of the tables. “Let’s go over what we have,” Isobel instructed.
Mirabel pulled up her notes. “For her bouquet, Adelaide would like white double peonies as the focal point, with accents of cherry blossoms and pink single peonies. Bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres will be fashioned similarly. For the reception, we’re going for full centerpieces with a variety of tulips, roses, wildflowers, and more cherry blossoms, all in an array of colors. ”
I couldn’t contain the smile that swept across my face thinking about how beautiful it would all look. “Yes, that’s it.” I nodded. “Oh, I did have one other request.”
Isobel raised her eyebrows, waiting for me to go on.
“I’d really like for Sabine to source as many of the flowers from small, local growers as possible.”
Isobel beamed. “Of course! I love the forethought of that.” She took my hand in hers. “With a mind like yours, you’ll make a wonderful queen.”
I blinked back the tears that sprang to my eyes. She was such a caring woman, and I would be lucky to have her as a mother-in-law.
“This wedding is going to be so beautiful, sweetheart,” my mother said from my other side.
Isobel nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. There were days I wasn’t sure I would see either of my boys get married. I couldn’t have chosen a better bride.”
My stomach clenched, this time not from the cramps still ravaging my body but from the thought of the conversation I knew I needed to have with Oliver.
My eyes followed the gold trim on the edge of the carpet runner that adorned the palace’s grand staircase. I made it to the landing and turned, heading toward Oliver’s office to look for him.
I didn’t have to go far, as he came barreling around the corner and right into me.
“Shit! Adelaide, I’m so sorry,” he apologized, wrapping his hand around my waist and catching me before I could topple over. His touch lingered longer than was necessary, even after I was steady on my feet again. “I was just coming to look for you, actually.”
“I was looking for you, too.”
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Hmm, I wonder if we had the same thing in mind,” he murmured, pulling back and winking.
“Doubtful,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He pulled back, searching my face. “What’s wrong? Did something happen with the wedding planning today?”
“No, no. That went fine.”
Before I could say more, a thunk followed by an “Oh no!” sounded from down the hallway. Oliver and I shot a glance at each other before moving toward the noise, stopping in front of the open nursery door.
Peeking inside, we found Rosie kneeling on the floor, reaching under the dresser and muttering to herself.
“Hey, Rosie,” I greeted as we stepped into the room. “Everything all right?”
She spun around, her eyes widening when she saw Oliver and me behind her.
“Ugh, no!” She turned back toward the dresser, reaching one slender arm further underneath the heavy piece of furniture while she clutched something tightly in her other fist. “I was trying to do something and then everything went to shit—I mean, crap.”
Oliver and I both huffed a laugh at her self-correction.
Oliver took a step toward her. “Would you like my help?”
I watched as her shoulders sank and she put her forehead against the polished wood floor in defeat, one arm still under the dresser.
“I don’t mean this to be rude,” she said, her voice distorted since she still had her face pressed against the floor, “but I really wish anyone other than the two of you had found me here.”
Rosie lifted her head and must have seen the way my brows furrowed slightly at her words. She swiped at whatever was under the dresser and sat back onto her knees, both fists now closed.
“I’m sorry, Adelaide! I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
It’s just…” Her words trailed off. She sighed deeply.
“I guess I might as well tell you. I was in here setting up the wooden figurines that Knox made me. I wanted to give them to you so that someday your kids could play with them.” She opened her hands and revealed two hand-carved animals, a bear and a frog.
Following her gaze to the top of the dresser, I spotted at least a dozen other carefully arranged figures.