Epilogue
R upert
“Rupert, pass the potatoes,” Andrew asked from across the table.
Mum was finally able to gather everyone together after weeks of dramatic phone calls and previous cancellations to celebrate Laura’s pregnancy and, of course, Andrew’s new film during the traditional Sunday roast.
This could finally happen after Veronica and I had flown back from Thailand. I still couldn’t fucking believe that she’d used TikTok to track me down all the way across the globe. My woman was crazy, but that was one of the reasons why I was so in love with her.
James was seated between Veronica and Laura, and he didn’t look pleased with that arrangement.
“So when are you going back to Europe?” I asked him after I passed the potatoes to Andrew.
My brother shot me an annoyed glare.
“Not right now. Another security guard was assigned to the princess, so I’m off the hook at the moment,” he explained.
“Really? I thought you were the best. Why would she take another bodyguard?” our mother asked.
A muscle in James’ jaw twitched. I smirked.
“Mum, give it a rest. Bellavista has the same protocol as the UK, so the princess would get security for life. James was assigned to her for a short time, probably to cover someone else while the palace was going through the transition,” Spencer explained from the other side of the table.
“But, hun, this is—”
“Mum, we can drop this for now. I’m no longer working for the palace, and you don’t have to worry. The princess is in very good hands,” James injected.
I sensed slight tension in his tone. He had an excellent poker face, but he’d been slipping lately, and I had a feeling that something must have happened between him and the princess. Veronica had rolled her eyes when I’d mentioned it to her. She didn’t believe James was capable of showing any feelings to anyone—ever.
“Yes, Sue, better check on that dessert in the oven. Maja already had her tiny fingers in the chocolate sponge,” our father injected.
“I didn’t, Grandpa.” Maja frowned at Dad’s sudden accusation.
“I saw you in the kitchen, little lady, so don’t tell porkies,” my father scolded.
“See, I told you, Veronica, that they would notice,” she said.
“Busted,” I muttered.
Veronica went instantly red as everyone stared at her, before we all burst out in laughter.
The Sunday dinner was chaotic as usual, but it was good to see everyone together again. Mum always complained when she couldn’t get everyone together, but we were all busy with our lives.
After the meal, we gathered in the living room, trying to relax with a few more glasses of Scotch and Apolonia's favourite pretzels.
Andrew was sitting next to his former assistant, Apolonia, and for a moment they seemed to be immersed in serious conversation. I still had no fucking clue why she was here since they weren’t together and she was only working for him—but I chose not to ask the question, at least for now.
“Let’s see what is going on in the world,” Dad said, switching the channel to a news bulletin.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket as I was waiting for an important email from Matthews. James and Spencer both groaned at Dad to switch the TV off, but Dad told them to go and help their mother in the kitchen. He was still pretty involved in Spencer’s political life, and he’d only put the news on because tomorrow, Parliament was voting in favour of a new foreign policy Dad was keen about.
“Breaking news. Late last night, the body of a man was discovered in the Kasmack river in the Sovereignty of Bellavista—a small Eastern European country between Poland and Russia,” the reporter woman announced.
I quickly got up and went to James, who was on the phone with someone. He obviously needed to listen as he was still part of the royal security team back in Bellavista, even if he was taking a short hiatus.
“Bro, you need to hear this,” I told him, explaining what we’d just heard.
We both stepped into the room. James stared at the TV like every other member of this family while Maja flipped through her book, not interested at all. The reporter started talking again, discussing the possible identity of the dead man. A collective gasp filled the room.
“What?” Mum said
“Son, did you know anything about this?” Dad asked my brother, looking as paralysed as everyone else in the room.
James, who normally wore a trademark stone-cold expression, went suddenly pale. His perfect poker face crumbled away. Disbelief and anger painted themselves on his features as he ran his hand over his jaw.
“Bro, so she didn’t tell you any of this before?” I asked.
“No, I had no fucking clue,” he replied.
Fucking hell.