Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
ELENA
E lena paced the hall outside of her father’s office as she awaited his arrival. He hadn’t been at breakfast, out early to speak with several advisors and a few legislators. She’d taken a quiet breakfast alone in her room since her mother had an early charity meeting. She had no desire to run into her nasty cousin.
Finally, her father appeared at the far end of the hall, his determined stride leading a hurried procession of advisors who trailed behind him like shadows.
“Father, there you are.”
Judging by the expression on his features, things had not gone well.
“How did things go this morning? Is there hope?”
“There is always hope, Elena,” her father answered as he strode into his office.
“Your expression says otherwise. "
He arched an eyebrow at her. “I did not say there was much hope.”
Her shoulders slumped at the words. “Is it that bad?”
“There are several members of the legislature who believe the decree is a good thing. Designed to maintain the reputation and character of the monarchy.”
Elena’s features pinched. “Character of the monarchy!”
“And this is why I went alone,” he answered with a wag of his finger.
“Oh, Father. They ought to have been put in their places over such nonsense. How is that for the character of the monarchy!” She crossed her arms as she lifted her chin.
“This must be handled delicately, Elena. We do not wish to lose this battle. Particularly with your steadfastness to Mr. Kingsleys and Alexander’s…fickleness.”
“Fickleness? Simply because he prefers to choose his own wife?”
King Frederick sighed, clasping his hands behind his back as he stared out the window.
Elena narrowed her eyes, reading her father’s stance all too easily. “You do not agree.”
“I do not. Elena, I know you do not wish to hear this, but are you quite certain about this pairing with Mr. Kingsley?”
Elena’s jaw dropped open. “You cannot be serious.”
“I am sorry, but I am. Difficult discussions are the duty of a monarch. And I realize this is not something you wish to entertain, but, Elena, this could change an entire country.”
“Father, you know how I feel about Nathan.”
He twisted to face her, licking his lips. “Yes, and I also know you nearly announced your engagement to Eric when things went awry. Love is fickle. How certain are you about this?”
“Very!” she insisted. “I…had a momentarily lapse in ju dgment. But much of that was due to the uncertainty surrounding your approval.”
“I see,” the king said. “So, this is to be blamed on me who merely hoped to vet Mr. Kingsley properly as he is about to become a prince and eventually a king consort. He very well could ruin this country, too.”
Elena clicked her tongue as annoyance built within her. “Nathan will not do that.”
“And I wished to ensure that. I will not apologize for doing my duty to protect this country. And I continue to do that even now. Even when it draws your ire. Marrying Mr. Kingsley puts this country at the risk of being governed by Julian. Despite being my nephew, the man is a menace.”
Elena softened her gaze, the worries of the crown resting heavy on her head. “Yes, Father, I do understand. And I am sorry to place more problems on your shoulders, but the solution is not for me to break my engagement with Nathan. And it should not be.”
“I understand what it should and should not be, Elena, but that does not mean that is the reality. The reality of this situation very well may be your marriage could stop you from ascending to the throne.”
“Which is a concern, I understand–”
“This is far beyond a concern, Elena. This could be a disaster. This could mean the fall of Eldoria.”
Elena crossed her arms, biting into her lower lip. “I don’t think it’s that dire.”
“It could be.” He stalked back to the window.
“Father, have you spoken to the legislators about how this may affect the line of succession? Surely, they understand the dangers of Julian governing.”
“I have not. And I will not. I did not want them to doubt your ascension to the throne. I merely approached them with updating the decree to modern times. ”
“Perhaps it is best to let them know.”
“No,” he shot back. “No, in the event that you–”
“I will not change my mind. Father, this could cause them to rethink their stance. If they realize how far down the line we must look for a monarch, they may see things your way.”
“I will take it under consideration.”
Elena noticed her father’s tense shoulders, his stress obvious. “Father…”
Her softer tone caused him to turn to face her.
“I will not let Eldoria be ruined.”
“Then you will consider–”
She shook her head. “No. But…we will find a solution. And…if I must postpone my wedding for it, then…I will do that.”
He pressed his lips together, his gaze consoling. “Oh, Elena. I am sorry. You should not have to.”
“Such is the life of a monarch,” she answered as she took his hand in hers. “Also, there have been some…developments that may require it.”
His eyebrows shot up.
“Nothing I cannot handle, and I will not burden you with the details.”
“It is no burden to know the problems my daughter faces. What has happened?”
Elena heaved a sigh, clicking her tongue. “You may wish to sit down.”
“Oh, heavens.” He crossed to his chair and collapsed into it. “Well, go ahead.”
She perched on a chair across from him. “I heard from Nathan last night. They have had some unexpected news that may prevent them from coming to Eldoria as planned for the engagement announcement.”
“I hope it’s nothing too tragic.”
“Do you remember Chloe, Stephen’s wife? ”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “How could I forget? One of Julian’s…playmates.”
“Yes. Well, Stephen and she are divorcing. Well, they were. It was contentious. She accused Stephen of assaulting her.”
King Frederick let his hand fall onto the arm of the chair with a slap. “Press we do not need if it should come to light.”
Elena tugged her lips back in a wince. “I’m afraid there’s more.”
He flicked his gaze to her, his eyes flickering with questions.
“Chloe is…well, there is no easy way to say this,” Elena said, rubbing her forehead. “She’s been murdered. Nathan is convinced they will be arresting Stephen, though he maintains his belief in his brother’s innocence.”
The king heaved a long sigh. “Well, there goes my idea to introduce the legislators to Mr. Kingsley’s impeccable record to convince them that this marriage could only benefit our country.”
Elena pressed her lips together, her mind racing to piece together her thoughts. “Wait, just a moment.”
“Elena, no. The idea existed on the fringes of my mind, but with this development, we do not wish to call attention to the family now.”
“But, Father, that’s it!”
“I doubt it. I can inform the legislature of Mr. Kingsleys impeccable character outside of the murder charge looming over his brother’s head. I think not.”
“But royals are not immune to scandal. The legislators are under the misguided impression that marrying royal blood means no scandals, but that is far from the truth. Julian has proven that. And we may be able to get even more on him.”
“Get more on him? ”
Elena’s eyebrows raised as her words gushed from her. “Isabelle paid me a visit last night.”
“Oh, no, more trouble.”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “We put our differences aside. She believes what Julian is doing is wrong. And she has agreed to try to seek information from him.”
“I doubt he will give any, even to her.”
“She already had some to share,” Elena answered, inching forward to the edge of her seat. “According to Isabelle, Eric was so motivated to marry me because–”
“You are an exceptional choice?”
“Thank you, Father, I appreciate your candor, but no. Apparently, the Corinthian legislature is considering removing the royal family from ruling.”
Her father’s eyes widened as he stiffened in his seat. “No. It cannot be. I wonder if Isabelle has passed along misinformation.”
“I don’t know, but I would look into it. Father, this is a prime example of what forcing a royal marriage can do. Had I married Eric, Eldoria could have been on the verge of collapse. The Corinthian coffers are nearly empty from their mismanagement.”
King Frederick let his chin sink into his palm as his forehead creased. “How interesting. I must look into this.”
“Yes, I would advise it. And do not worry about the Kingsleys. I have no doubt this will pass, though we may need to postpone our announcement.”
“You will keep me informed? Perhaps we ought to postpone preemptively for some breathing room.”
Elena shook her head. “I would rather we didn’t. Father, please, I want to announce this so I can begin making plans for the Christmas Eve wedding. I do not want to push it until next year.”
Her father heaved a sigh before he bobbed his head. “All right. We shall keep the plans as they are. And you are correct. No one is scandal-free. Perhaps this is a good argument to pursue along with the potential line of succession. I will give it all thought and discuss it with the advisors.”
“Will you let me know what course you decide to take?”
“I will,” King Frederick answered.
“I will check back with you later, then,” she said as she rose and stepped toward the door.
“Elena,” he called after her.
She twisted to face him. “Yes?”
He offered her a slight smile. “I appreciate the discussion this morning. You have shown your maturity in handling this. You will make a wonderful queen one day, and if this decree stands…well, it is Eldoria’s loss.”
She smiled back at him. “I hope it won’t be Eldoria’s loss. I love my country, and I have no desire to walk out on my duty to it, but I will not be forced into a loveless marriage when there is no reason to be.”
“I have raised a wise daughter. We will solve this. I promise.”
She offered him an encouraging nod before she stepped from the room, blowing out a long breath. The cat was out of the bag with her father, and he hadn’t demanded she call the engagement off.
Progress.
She snaked through the halls to her bedroom, pushing inside to find Caroline tidying her vanity. “Have you spoken with your father?”
“I have. And I even told him everything that is going on with the Kingsleys.”
Caroline’s eyes went wide as she straightened. “Oh, dear. How did he take it?”
“Surprisingly well. He was not pleased, obviously, but he has not demanded I call off the engagement. ”
“That is excellent news, Your Highness.”
“Well,” Elena said as she adjusted her dress in the mirror, “he did ask me to rethink it but not because of that. It was a fleeting thing where he asked if I would postpone until this could be sorted. I do feel for him, though, Caroline. All of this is on his shoulders.”
“And yours. You are the future Queen of Eldoria.”
“Well, perhaps. The legislators seem to be in favor of keeping this.” Elena sighed as she sank onto the edge of her bed. “Why, I cannot understand.”
“You know, some of them may see the monarchy as something…sacred. To allow a commoner into it may seem…well, common.”
“But commoners aren’t terrible people or anything to be ashamed of. We are not sacred. We are people. People who grow up learning about the profound sense of duty we must undertake, but people just the same. A commoner ascending as a consort is hardly tainting the monarchy.”
“Perhaps not, though I imagine they feel every Tom, Dick, and Harry may attempt to win over a prince or princess.”
“That is ridiculous. And even if it turned out to be the case, it is entirely up to that prince or princess who their spouse should be.”
“Well, let us hope your father can make them understand that.”
Elena frowned at the area rug under her feet. “You make a very interesting point, though, Caroline. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
Caroline knitted her brows. “What do you mean?”
“Some of them probably do view the monarchy as sacred. And I haven’t a clue as to how to reverse this idea without diminishing our roles.”
Caroline sank onto the bed next to her, sliding an arm around her shoulder. “It is a conundrum, though I am certain you will solve it. Your role should not be diminished, because you are the keeper of this country.”
“I certainly hope we can. I love Nathan, and I can think of marrying no one else. But the sense of duty I have to Eldoria is making that very difficult to be happy about.”
“Well, perhaps your appointments today will help relax your mind and clarify your next steps.”
“Let us hope,” Elena said.
Caroline rose and retrieved her handbag, handing it off to Elena as she strode to the door. “Thank you, Caroline. See you soon.”
Her ladies’ maid offered her a smile and a nod as she stepped into the hall. She froze as the door clicked closed behind her, her features twisting into a frown.
“Hello, Elena,” Julian said with a smirk.
The air chilled as he stepped closer, his voice dripping with ominous delight.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
He wiggled his eyebrows. “I have some news I wanted to share. And I thought you should be the first to know.”
Her pulse raced as he said the words, his voice filled with the haughtiness that belied a coup he thought he had. What bombshell would he drop now?