Charming the Prince, page 15
She turned and started to talk away, then swirled back. “Oh, and what about Prince? Are you going to swoop in one day with all your kingliness and take him away from us? Because I tell you, Alex, you’ll have a bit of a dilemma on your hands if you do. Merry and I have both come to love the charming lug.”
Alex closed his eyes. “If you can care for him, Prince is yours. I will not take him from you.”
Krissy sniffled. “Thank you. We love him and want him.” Pausing, she searched his face, then whispered the words she’d never been able to say twenty years ago. “Goodbye, Alex.”
Lifting her skirts, she blindly fled the room, hoping she’d turned the right direction upon entering the massive hallway. He called after her, but she kept on running down the hall. Nearing the ballroom, she noticed an exit with a window to her right—one that led to the outside and the circular drive.
Without thought, she pushed through the door and darted into the cold, snowy weather. She’d left her wrap in the cloak room. But no matter, all she needed now was to find a way back to the hotel. Would there be a cab nearby?
There. A black town car circling the drive. She approached, waving it down. The vehicle slowed and a back passenger door swung open. Queen Lilith stuck her head out, motioning her inside.
“Come in!” she called out. “Hurry! Let’s get you out of this weather.”
Krissy ducked into the backseat of the car while the queen scooted over. She settled in and faced her. “Leaving already? You just arrived.”
“As did you.” The Queen motioned to the driver. “Find us someplace nice for dinner. I want to spend some time with my new friend.”
Krissy wasn’t quite sure what to think. “Oh, my.”
“All right with you, dear?”
“Of course, your…um, majesty, er, her highness. I mean… Oh shoot. What do I call you?”
Alex’s mother smiled. “Lily. Just call me Lily. How about that?” She patted Krissy’s hand.
Smiling, Krissy said, “Perfect.”
CHAPTER 13
Christmas Eve
* * *
“Today is coronation day. Can we watch, Mommy?”
Krissy glanced to Merry, sitting at the kitchen island, waiting patiently, it seemed, for her response. Not sure I’m up for it, sweetie, but let’s see. Her head pounded a little, likely from lack of sleep. Flipping the last pancake, she placed it on a platter by the stove, then carried it to the island. Along the way she caught Sylvia’s eye. “It’s also Christmas Eve. Don’t you want to watch Christmas movies?”
“I’ve seen them all.” Merry stabbed a pancake with her fork and dragged it onto her plate. She buttered and syruped while she chattered. “Besides, they are showing reruns of some of the pre-coronation events today on Royal TV, so people can catch up before the ceremony tonight.”
Sylvia cleared her throat and leaned toward Merry. “You know, today is also your mom’s birthday. Shouldn’t we do something special for her?”
Merry grinned. “I’ve already done something special. I have your birthday present up in my room, Mommy! But you can’t have it until later.”
This child was certainly the biggest and brightest spot in her life. “You are just too awesome, Katrina Merrylyn Kringle.”
“Mo-om. Don’t call me that.”
She laughed, remembering saying something similar to her own mother, years ago. “Well, how about if I just call you K.M. for short.”
Merry considered it, then shook her head. “No. I like Merry. Just plain Merry.”
“Then Merry it is.”
“But I still want to watch Royal TV today. May I?”
Well, that little diversion from the royal conversation didn’t work. Did it? Krissy glanced at Sylvia, who shrugged. “Of course. Eat your breakfast first, make your bed, and get dressed.”
Merry giggled and bounced in her seat. “I will!”
With a sigh, Krissy turned back to the stove.
Sylvia joined her there. “Tired?”
“Somewhat. But I’m okay. I slept a little on the plane.” Truth was, she’d slept very little. Her dinner with the queen was both pleasant and exhausting. In the end, she decided that she liked Lily Maxwell very much. She turned out to be nothing like what Krissy had expected. Their conversation ran deep into the night. The next day, Krissy had to catch a mid-morning flight back to Stockholm, then on to London, and finally Boston. “I’m thankful Chase volunteered to pick me up at Logan. I may have slept a little in the car too. It’s all a blur."
“Want me to take Merry out for the day so you can get some more sleep?”
She thought about it. “No, I don’t want to sleep the day away. It’s Christmas Eve and my birthday, you know. Besides, don’t you and Chase have plans?”
Sylvia plucked at a piece of pancake on the plate. “My parents are in town, staying with my aunt and uncle. We’re having dinner there tonight. How about you let us take you and Merry out for lunch?”
Krissy quickly shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t think I’m up for it.”
“I understand. Raincheck, okay?”
Krissy gave her a nod.
“Finished Mommy!” Merry jumped down from her chair and brought her plate to the counter. “Going to make my bed now and get dressed. I’ll be down in a flash!”
Krissy watched her head up the back staircase. “She’s a whirlwind.”
“She was a perfect angel while you were gone.” Sylvia looked up the staircase. “We haven’t had much of a chance to talk. Are you okay? How did it go?”
Krissy shrugged. “I need to process it all. He was happy to see me. I’m sure of that. But seeing him… Well, it made me miss him even more, and it became obvious that he has no intention of leaving Beldova. He will be the king, after all. And to be honest, Sylvia, I never want to leave Dickens. So, there you have it.”
Sylvia made a face, her mouth jutting to one side.
“What are you thinking? I know that look.”
“I’m thinking, my friend, that you need to step back from this a little. Give it some time. You care for him. Don’t you?”
Turning, Krissy faced her friend. “He was my best friend for an entire summer when we were kids. I lost him and I’ve missed him for all these years. I’d always hoped I would somehow run into him again. And he knew it, all this past summer long. He knew who I was and didn’t tell me.”
“He had reasons, right?”
“He said basically that his life was so uncertain, he didn’t want to complicate mine.”
Sylvia watched her face. Krissy looked away.
“That sort of says love to me.”
“Oh, I don’t know….”
Merry raced down the stairs again. Prince lumbered along behind her, barking. “Going to watch Royal TV now!”
“Okay, sweetheart.” Krissy threw up her hands. “I guess my day is planned. Want to watch with us?”
“Later? I’m going to go wake up Chase. I’m pretty sure he still has some last-minute shopping to do.”
“I’m sure he is still tired from getting up at the crack of dawn to fetch me at the airport. Be sure to help yourself to pancakes before you go. I made plenty.”
Sylvia kissed her cheek, then headed upstairs.
With a sigh, Krissy glanced about and decided to clean it all up later. She filled her coffee cup to the brim and headed into the living room with Merry.
“Get comfy, Mommy. We’ve got all day.”
“Umhm.” Krissy pulled a quilt down off the back of the sofa and punched a throw pillow to get the lumps out. “Wanna wrap up in this with me? It’s a little chilly in here.”
“No, I’m good.” Merry leaned toward the television, remote control in hand. “There. Got it.”
“Um.”
“Mommy, are you asleep?”
Krissy opened her eyes. “No. I mean maybe. Not sure.”
The sound of her daughter’s laughter was the last thing she remembered, until Merry shouted and shook her sometime later.
“Mommy! Wake up. Is that you? Mom-meeee!”
“What?” Krissy sat straight up, disoriented. Merry stood pointing the remote control at the television, freezing the picture. Both Sylvia and Chase rushed into the room.
“What is happening?” Sylvia called out.
Krissy rubbed her eyes. “I don’t know. I fell asleep.”
“It’s you!” Merry jumped up and down. “You and Max, er Prince Alex. At the ball!”
Krissy stared at the picture. Even though it was a bit blurry, being frozen and all, she could tell it was her. And Alex. Holding hands and walking through the ballroom. Oh, no….
Merry looked at her. “Mommy? Really?”
She nodded. “I’m afraid so, honey.”
“You didn’t go to Wisconsin?”
“Actually, no, I didn’t. I fibbed to you a little. I had some business to discuss with Max, er, Alex. But I didn’t know how that was going to work out, so I stretched the truth a little. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Merry’s eyes were wide and full of question. “I can’t believe you went to Beldova without me.”
I hate myself right now for lying to my child. “Honey, it wasn’t possible. This was an adult conversation I needed to have with Alex and besides, it would have been too expensive for the two of us to go.”
Merry smirked. “Did things work out?”
And, not lying to her again. “Not like I had hoped, honey. But we did get to talk and clear the air a bit.”
Merry nodded. “Okay. Did you find out why he left so fast? Why he left Prince behind for us?”
“Yes, well, sort of. In general terms, I suppose.” By the look on Merry’s face, Krissy wasn’t sure that was a sufficient answer. “He gave us Prince. He won’t be coming back to get him.”
“Oh.” Merry’s face fell. “Prince will be sad. And I’m sad Alex won’t be coming back. But I’m glad we get to keep him.”
Krissy glanced at Sylvia, who gave her a sympathetic half-grin. “Yes. I feel the same, sweetheart.”
“Did you meet his mother? Queen Lilith?”
“I did.”
“And Alex’s sister, the Duchess of Longshire?”
“Yes.”
“And was Castle Maxwell fabulous?”
“I actually didn’t see it, Merry.”
“Oh, but of course. The ball was held at the Queen’s Manor in Castonia. I imagine it was…”
“Splendid. It was absolutely splendid. You are so smart about the royals of Beldova.” To be honest, Krissy was a bit amazed at her daughter’s knowledge of Alex’s family.
“I love royals! And, you met the queen.” That point seemed important to her.
Krissy huffed out a tired breath. “And we had dinner. Let me tell you all about it.”
Both Chase and Sylvia sat, too. “We’re all ears.”
Smiling, Krissy began. “Queen Lilith—she asked me to call her Lily, by the way—is quite the character, actually. Did you know she is American? She grew up in Wisconsin. She is shorter than I imagined from her pictures. Very petite. And she has a wicked sense of humor, which I adored. Her ball gown was a stunning royal blue with shimmering sparkles made of something expensive, I’m sure.”
“What did she order to eat?” Merry grinned and shimmied. “I want the details!”
“A salad and scallops. Then for dessert, she ordered a decadent chocolate lava cake for us to share. It was positively scrumptious.”
Sylvia touched Krissy’s knee. “What did you two talk about?”
“Well, about Alex, some. She shared a few things about meeting Alex’s father and how he swept her off her feet and they married so quickly. But mostly we talked about how she doesn’t want to be queen anymore. Oh shoot! I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that so you must not share that information.”
Merry’s eyes flew wide. “A secret. A royal secret!”
“Merry, please remember. You can’t tell Aimee or anyone.”
“Oh, I won’t Mommy. What about Alex? Did he look so handsome?”
Krissy’s gaze drifted for a moment. Yes, of course he was handsome. About the most handsome man she’d ever met, scruffy or spit shined.
“Mommy?”
She shook herself. “Oh, yes. He was handsome. Very much.”
“What else?” Merry clapped her hands.
Krissy shared as much as she cared to share. The conversation lasted well over an hour.
“Goodness,” Sylvia exclaimed. “What a story, Krissy!”
“I love it. Even though you fibbed a little.” Merry danced in front of the TV. “But I think we will see Alex again someday. I’m sure of it. He will want to see Prince. Right?”
Definitely not prepared to field that question. Krissy bit her lip. “Merry, honey, I just don’t have a good answer for you. Let’s give Alex some time to figure out his new job as king. Okay?”
Merry seemed to consider that. “All right. It’s almost time for the coronation. Everyone ready?”
Krissy had to admit that even though she’d had an incredible, whirlwind experience being in Beldova, and that she’d come to terms with some certain aspects of her trip, she wasn’t entirely ready to watch Alex receive the crown and walk out of her life.
Because that’s what it felt like. Like she was losing him forever. Again.
As long as he was not king, there was hope.
But once he was crowned….
Standing in his father’s chambers at Castle Maxwell, Alex stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was in full royal garb, ready to accept the crown. He imagined his father standing there doing the same thing on the day of his coronation. And his grandfather. And on and on… In a few hours, he would be crowned King Alexander of Beldova, a title he would hold for perhaps twenty-four hours. Possibly less, depending upon how quickly parliament acted today.
They were meeting simultaneously, as the coronation ceremony progressed.
After a moment, he moved away from the mirror and sat. He’d grown weary of the festivities and the ceremony and had questioned Saskia repeatedly if going through with the event was necessary. She insisted it was, and he didn’t question her further.
Once their tasks were through, he needed time to catch his breath. But after staying one night alone in Castle Maxwell—his mother and sister staying at the Queen’s Manor—he wasn’t sure the castle was the place he wanted to be.
What he would do, when all this monarchy business was said and done, with this monstrosity of a home?
Too much house for one person. The upkeep would be a small fortune. He’d have to pare down the staff.
In his mind, he pictured hanging cobwebs, overgrown grass, and co-habitation with rodents in his future.
Surely not. He would not let that happen. The family—he, his mother, and Anja—could afford the maintenance. Couldn’t they?
However, what if the deterioration of his home was only a metaphor for what may come of his life? Was he projecting that situation upon himself?
Was he prepared to spend Christmas day here alone? No, he’d go to his mother’s at the Manor, he was sure. They would have breakfast and exchange gifts.
But would he still feel alone?
What would he do with his life once he’d denounced the throne? Live here in Castle Maxwell, alone—without his dog, even—to the end of his days, wishing he were back in Dickens with Krissy?
Why had he let that ship sail?
He’d let her go. It seemed the thing to do a couple of days ago. He could have followed her. He could have begged her forgiveness. He could have told her he loved her.
But he didn’t.
He let her go.
He had to stay here and complete these final monarchial tasks. Then, perhaps….
What was wrong with him? She’d practically bared her soul, her innermost thoughts about him, yet came up short saying that she loved him.
I’ve missed you for all my life, Alex.
Wasn’t that enough? Didn’t that say love?
Of course, she was afraid to say it. He’d never said the same to her. And she’d been worried the entire summer that he was going to leave.
And he’d proved her right.
A knock sounded at the chamber door. He turned to see his mother push the door open and enter. “Alex? Do you have a minute?”
He nodded. “Of course, Mother. Always, for you.”
“Good. Because we need to talk.”
“Yes.” He crossed the room toward her. “I have some things to tell you.”
“And I, you.” She took his hand and he noticed she wasn’t alone. A man entered the room behind her. She looked lovingly at him and touched his shoulder. “Alexander, this is Armand Blanchet, my husband. We married a month ago, in France. And once the coronation is through, we are leaving for our home in the Loire Valley. And when I do, I am leaving my crown behind. I’m abdicating the throne and giving up the manor house. I realize this is unexpected and that you—”
She abruptly stopped talking when Alex grabbed her by the shoulders and hugged her tight. “Mother, congratulations. I am so happy for you.”
He then turned to Armand and put out his hand. “And I’m happy to meet you. Please, take care of her.”
Armand bowed a little and shook his hand. “It will be my pleasure.”
Grinning at the two, Alex felt almost giddy inside. “I’m very happy for you.”
Lily Maxwell Blanchet smiled. “And now, my dear boy, what are you going to do?”
He inhaled deeply, then forcefully exhaled. “Not exactly what you think, but it will all become clear soon.”
“I sincerely hope your plans include that lovely young lady I had dinner with the other evening because if you let her go, you are a darned fool, Alexander Maxwell.”
All he could do was grin.
Saskia knocked and stepped inside the chamber door. “It’s time, Alex. And for the record, all systems are go.”
Merry let out a long, soulful sigh. “Well, it’s over. He’s king.”
“Yes, he certainly is.” Krissy stood and headed for the kitchen. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised. Nothing that happened in Beldova indicated it wouldn’t—yet, for some reason, she’d been hopeful.
