Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
ELENA
E lena drummed her fingers against her vanity as she waited for Caroline to finish with her hair. “What in the world could Julian want?”
“I cannot believe he refused to tell His Majesty,” Caroline murmured, her disbelief obvious even with the pin stuck between her lips.
Elena eyed her through the mirror, her reflection betraying a flicker of worry. “Yes, he claimed a lack of details as his excuse. But with Julian, one can never be too sure. His omissions are often more strategic than they seem.”
Caroline froze, her gaze meeting Elena’s.
“I don’t believe it either, Caroline. He knew. He is simply lording it over us that we don’t.”
Caroline finally tugged the pin from her mouth and settled it in Elena’s hair. “You don’t think…no.”
“What?” Elena asked.
“It’s nothing. ”
“It’s not,” Elena insisted, her voice firm yet encouraging. She met Caroline’s eyes in the mirror, a silent plea between them. “Say it. I’d rather be prepared, no matter what it is.”
“Well, you don’t suppose…” Caroline leaned closer, her voice lowering, “Prince Julian is announcing his own engagement?”
“To whom? Who would marry him?”
“Chloe?” Caroline answered with a shrug.
A shock rippled through Elena, her jaw dropping in disbelief. She snapped her mouth shut a moment later, a mix of surprise and indignation flashing in her eyes. “No. Definitely not. She is far too common for him. Besides, hasn’t she slinked home with her tail between her legs?”
“You never know the sway a woman can wield over a man’s heart–be it by storm or whisper,” Caroline said.
Elena shifted, a tumult of thoughts whirling behind her pinched brows. “Wait a minute. Now, I’m concerned she slinked home to set her sights on my fiancé…again.”
“Mr. Kingsley would never entertain that.”
“No, he would not, however, that does not mean she hasn’t put him in a compromising position. One that Julian could take advantage of.”
Elena’s breath caught, tension coiling within her as her gaze lingered on her own reflection-a mix of resolve and apprehension. She huffed out a breath, letting her hand slap against the vanity’s cold, marble top. “This is the last thing I need. To have to explain to Father and Mother how Nathan has been set up…again.”
“You did it quite handily the last time, Your Highness.”
“Yes, but how many times can we explain things away before Father inevitably concludes Nathan is too naive to be a royal?” Elena rose and crossed to the dressing area to change.
“I don’t think he’ll conclude that. Besides, it’s all conjecture until Prince Julian reveals whatever vile thing he’s crafted to drive you batty.” Caroline held out a dinner dress for her to step into.
“Whatever it is,” Elena answered as she waited for Caroline to fasten it, “you can be certain it is vile. He knows nothing else. I cannot understand how Alexander turned out to be so lovely and his two siblings so awful.”
“Isabelle seems to have settled quite a bit after her talking to by His Majesty.”
“For now. Give her time. And speaking of, have you heard the latest?”
Caroline flicked her eyebrows up as she fastened Elena’s necklace.
“I am to ask her to be my maid of honor. Can you imagine? She will beat me with my bouquet rather than hold it, and likely shred my train instead of adjusting it.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“Ask Maddie.”
“Mr. Kingsley’s young sister?”
“Yes, I think she will enjoy it very much. And I will enjoy someone who does not hate me standing beside me on my wedding day.”
Caroline held out the wrap for Elena. “I don’t think she hates you, but she is rather jealous.”
“For what reason? She is a princess.”
“She will likely never be queen.”
“All the better. She enjoys all the trappings of royal life with none of the responsibilities. Why should she be so resentful of me who has the more difficult lot?”
“Well, I believe some of the jealousy stems from more than that, but good luck with convincing your father of your choice.”
Elena heaved a sigh, adjusting the wrap hanging from her forearms. “I plan to concede a spot for her in the bridal party. I hope that does the trick.”
“Good luck, Your Highness. I will be awaiting the news of Prince Julian’s antics anxiously.”
“Thank you,” Elena said as she stepped from the room and pulled the door closed behind her.
Alexander strode down the hall toward her, and she waited for him. “Please tell me you’ve solved one of the two problems facing us.”
“Are there only two?”
“Julian’s stupidity that has him grinning and gloating is the first.”
“And my wedding is the second,” I answered with a sigh.
“Certainly not. That’s hardly an issue. My problem with Lady Margaret is far more troublesome than that.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m being asked to have Isabelle as a maid of honor. That will be a complete disaster.”
“So will my marriage to Margaret. Elena, you must help me.”
“And I will. I have several ideas, actually. You were so helpful with Nathan, and I intend to do the same for you.”
He let his head fall back between his shoulder blades. “Oh, thank you, Elena. And I quite liked Nathan.”
“I hope you will find someone like him as a partner instead of stuffy Margaret. I can’t imagine her at our dinner parties.”
“With that nasally voice,” Alexander said with a shiver.
“You know you could tell them you’re waiting for Maddie Kingsley to grow up. She’s quite fond of you.”
Alexander smiled down at Elena. “She is a very sweet girl, and I could do much worse, though I don’t believe we are very well-suited.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that,” Elena answered with a chuckle. “I’m certain she’s already named your children. ”
“What is it with women these days?”
They descended the stairs, snaking their way to the sitting room. “Oh, stop. You’re a handsome prince. There are probably millions of women with names picked out just in case.”
“Hardly,” he answered. “I only want to be in a stable, loving relationship like you’ve found.”
“Perhaps you should step down from the line of succession, then,” Julian said as they entered the room. “I know I’d be pleased.”
Alexander heaved a sigh as he crossed the room to retrieve a cocktail. “Oh, please, Julian. Your obsession with the line to the throne is…well, disturbing. I’m beginning to worry you’ll poison my food or hire an assassin.”
Julian sipped his sherry. “I wouldn’t dirty my hands.”
“But I might,” another voice said from the doorway.
Elena twisted to find the broad shoulders of Prince Eric filling the opening. “What are you doing back here?”
“I’m surprised at your behavior, Elena. We were nearly engaged. Had it not been for the poor timing of that peasant, we would be celebrating our engagement announcement in the coming days.”
“Thankfully, Nathan arrived when he did to put an end to that farce of an engagement,” Alexander answered.
“Speak for yourself, Alexander. I would have preferred that engagement. Elena and I are well-suited. Well, I thought we were.”
Elena crossed her arms. “You haven’t answered my question. What are you doing here? We have state visits planned.”
“I am here at Julian’s request. He and I have been working on a…project.”
Elena heaved a sigh at the words. “You’re joking.”
Eric spun as he took a sip of his whiskey. “I am not. Julian and I have found…something rather interesting, I think. I can’t wait to share it with you all this evening.”
Elena glared at him as her parents shuffled into the room. Her father’s forehead pinched as he stared at Eric. “Eric, to what do we owe the visit? I hadn’t recalled seeing you on my schedule.”
“Apparently, Eric and Julian have been scheming together,” Elena answered. “Whatever this secret project Julian has that concerns my future also involves Eric.”
“Well,” King Frederick answered as he retrieved a drink from the butler, “may we do away with the intrigue and lay our cards on the table, Julian?”
“I would be happy to, Uncle.”
“If he is capable,” Alexander added as he settled into an armchair. “Julian isn’t very good at being honest.”
Queen Sophia clicked her tongue, offering him an amused head shake.
“Well, fortunately, I have far more than just my own word. I have proof.”
“Proof of what, Julian?” Alexander demanded. “Please stop with the coyness and simply tell us what nonsense you’re babbling about.”
“I have been making a careful study of the royal history,” Julian answered.
Alexander rolled his eyes at the words. “Undoubtedly not for you to learn more about your history.”
Julian narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Well, I did find a very interesting bit of information in what appears to be a long-forgotten royal decree.”
“Does it say second-born sons should be shipped to another country? Oh, please, I hope so,” Alexander said.
“Alexander,” Queen Sophia warned, her features pinching with sternness though failing to mask her amusement with the statement .
“Let’s allow him to finish what he clearly finds so important,” King Frederick said.
Alexander flung an arm in the air as he flicked his gaze back to his brother with a sigh. Elena shifted in her seat, her gaze going between Julian and Eric. The latter wore an amused grin as he perched on the edge of his seat.
“It appears,” Julian continued, “that centuries ago, a monarch made the rules for heirs ascending to the throne of Eldoria very, very clear.”
King Frederick sucked in a breath, his eyebrow arching. “Allow me to stop you there, Julian. If this is going to detail that the line of succession only recognizes males, please know that decree is outdated. That has been updated to allow women to ascend to the throne well before my time as king.”
Julian inched forward in his seat with a shake of his head. “No, Uncle, I fully understand that women may ascent to the throne in this day and age. Of course, I recall that very well. Even an unwed woman may become Queen of Eldoria.”
King Frederick bobbed his head. “That is correct. Though that will not be an issue with Elena, it seems, so the point is rather moot. Now, if we may turn the subject–”
“Actually, Uncle, that is not the point,” Julian answered with a shake of his head. “I am well aware that Elena, as a woman, wed or not, could ascend to the throne, though there is an issue, particularly if she does carry on with her current plans.”
Elena narrowed her eyes at him. “What is this supposed issue?”
“Apparently, the decree states something rather curious. And I have found nothing that has repealed it in any way, therefore, it will affect you.”
“What is it?” King Frederick asked.
“Apparently, the decree states that for an heir to ascend to the throne of Eldoria, their spouse must hold a noble title or be from a specific lineage deemed appropriate by the royal court. A list of such lineages existed as an appendix to the document.”
“What?” Elena cried, her features twisting.
Julian offered a fleeting smirk. “American biotech billionaires were not on the list. Sorry, Elena. But if you continue forward with your plans to wed Mr. Nathan Kingsley, you will give up your claim on the throne.”
Julian shifted his gaze to his brother. “And with your whining about not marrying Lady Margaret who just passes muster, neither will you, brother. Therefore, the throne would go to me. And be certain, I will marry royal blood.”
“Of course, you will, Julian. You are far too snobby for anything else. Father, must we tolerate much more of this nonsense?”
“It is not nonsense. And I have already brought it to the attention of the legislature. They agree with my assessment.”
King Frederick pressed his lips together as Elena shot him a glance. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Julian. I will issue a royal decree in the morning to repeal that one.”
“I’m afraid it won’t be that simple, Uncle,” Julian answered. “You see, there is a mechanism to stop you from unilaterally issuing a new royal decree. You will need the vote of a super majority of the legislature to replace the decree. So, it seems the line of succession shall need to be rethought…if Elena plans to continue with her current path.”
Heat rose in Elena’s cheeks as she glared at her cousin. “How dare you?”
“Elena, please,” King Frederick said, placing a hand on her knee.
“I still don’t understand what you are doing here, Eric?” Alexander said. “Surely, matters of Eldorian law hardly concern you.”
“Well, it does. You see, I had expected to announce my engagement to Elena before Nathan Kingsley burst into the room and ruined it. But with this…wrinkle, I had hoped Elena would rethink her choice. What do you say, my dear Elena? Would you like to rethink your choice to marry Nathan Kingsley now that you know you will lose the throne for him?”
The question struck Elena like a cold wave, her heart pounding against her ribs. She hadn’t expected to make this choice, and when Nate had thrust it upon her, she’d balked. But here it was again. How important was her country to her?