CARLY
This is not happening.
I put my hand that had touched my grandfather on my chest.
I had not even settled in. Everything just happened so fast, and now things in the palace, the cottage, and the manor were changing. Staff was juggling a lot, and I’d never felt more useless.
We were supposed to take a break for a moment to mourn, and it seemed that was not the case here. As they said, life must go on.
Everyone was back in business, even if it was declared a national holiday until the Late King was sent to his resting place. Not in this place.
For most people, this was the first time to witness the death of the King, as King Kamrun IV had reigned for decades.
It felt surreal.
I was just holding his hand. Suddenly, he was gone.
And now my father was the King. And just made his first speech, addressing the country and the world that his beloved father had passed away.
I felt suddenly exhausted-drained that I had no one to hold onto.
I went to my room after I couldn’t bear listening to their condolences.
I scribbled on my note.
-Sorrow. My grandfather passed away
-My relationship. How can I make it work?
“Your Royal Highness, The Royal Family will have the Thanksgiving service for the late King. You will be choosing an attire to wear tomorrow.” It was my assistant, Corraine Cosima, Coco, as she preferred.
Suddenly, it still felt weird that I was an executive assistant days ago, and now I had one.
“Aren’t they all black?” I didn’t even bother looking at those dresses on the rack. I was still sitting on the chair, looking out the window full of lavish greenery as I wallowed in sorrow.
I suddenly remember Rome’s cabin. And I already missed him so much. I wished he was here with me, with whom I could talk freely and express my sorrow.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then choose one for me.”
“I’m keeping these two dresses from Dior and Chanel. They match perfectly with the bag and the shoes.”
“For God’s sake, Corraine. No one will notice what brand I will wear tomorrow, and it’s King’s thanksgiving service, not attending a fashion show.” How inconsiderate and insensitive.
“My apology, Your Highness. Before Thanksgiving, you, Prince Thayer, and the duchess will be meeting, shaking hands with the mourners at the gate who want to extend their condolences.”
My brother would have the highest royal rank after the King and Queen. He would be the prince of Guardion, heir apparent, Duke of Burkhese and Winterbourn, and the first in line to the throne.
“I’m not sure I am ready for that.”
“Most people have a huge heart, Princess.”
I turned to her. “The last time I checked, not so much. What’s changed? Because my grandfather is dead?”
She dropped her gaze. “I’m so sorry.” Why was I throwing my anger and sorrow at her? I suddenly felt guilty.
“Don’t be. No one should be blamed more than me. I was reckless, way over my head, and because of that, I ruined my image and my family and dragged the kingdom with me.”
“You’d be surprised how your people miss you.”
“It’s not about me. It’s about the late King’s last remaining days.”
I maybe have dozed off. I found myself already tucked in bed. Honestly, I had not gotten a sleep since in the jet. I was tired, mostly mentally and emotionally. Sometimes, I overthought, which was what would happen if I did.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
I was already sitting in bed. “Kennedy?”
“Expecting a deep baritone voice, yay tall?” She did a height sign with her hand. “Stone blue eyes?”
I felt my lips spread into a smile. Of course, my brother would not miss telling her every detail about everything he encountered during his visits. They never kept secrets from one another. That made their marriage work, and they were so happy.
“I missed you.” I spread my arms wide, and she hugged me tightly. That was all I needed-a good hug from a good true friend.
“I missed you more. It’s not the same without you, Carlott.” She smiled. “Or do you prefer Carly or Storm?”
“You don’t have to make me feel better.” My voice turned soft.
“Not underestimate your power and influence. Not all people are judgy.”
“And you are pregnant.” I changed the topic. “And still hot.”
She laughed, her sky-blue eyes sparkling. She really looked happy. My brother did a good job. At least one of us was on the right track. “Yeah. Well, your brother loves to make babies.”
I cringed my nose. “I don’t want details. Thank you very much. Where’s my little prince?”
“Sweetheart, Caed. Come here, honey.”
Then the cutest little human ran inside. His green eyes were shining bright. “Mama!”
“Oh, my God.” My eyes went all teary. “Hi, my little prince.”
He smiled-the sweetest smile I’d ever seen. “Hello.”
“Oh, dear. I need a hug.”
He came to me, offering me his little arms, and wrapped them around my neck.
I closed my eyes and hugged him. “You are the best thing that ever happened to our family, little prince.” Then I cupped his little face, and he was still smiling. “Do you know me?”
He nodded against my hands.
“Be a good boy always, okay? And always take care of your dadda and mamma and your baby sister.” I kissed his forehead.
He bobbed his head again. “Okay.”
“I’m so glad I met you. You are a bundle of joy.” I felt the sudden twist of sadness despite being happy to meet Kennedy and my nephew. I wondered if I ever had a chance to experience this kind of happiness, if I ever felt loved and respected by a man, or if he was ever willing to sacrifice something important to be with me.
I doubted it.
I would never feel that endless happiness. I might die in sorrow because I knew I could never learn to love someone if marriage was forced into me.
“It’s gonna be okay.” I heard Kennedy’s voice and felt her hand squeezing mine. “Hey.”
I sniffled. “Sorry.”
“Don’t ever feel sorry. You can get through this.”
“Thank you, Ken.”
I barely said goodbye to Heera, and I missed her already. We still got in touch, but it didn’t feel the same talking to her face to face and coming home to our apartment, and seeing her smile at me.
“Enough of that. Tell me about Romare Langston.” She smiled meaningfully.
Hearing his name made my heart skip. “He’s passionate, honest. The most loyal I’ve ever met. He values his privacy very much. He’s also workaholic, bossy, and relentless.”
“Sounds familiar? You just describe a good man. He reminds me of your brother.”
I looked down at my hand. “He’s also thousands of miles away from me. And I know it would never work.”
“Don’t ever say that.” She placed her hand over mine as she shook her head. “Love is no boundaries, no space and time. I know the feeling of having to sacrifice something very important, but if it’s worth it, then do it, or if he cares about you like how Thayer told me, then he will do it. He’s a billionaire. He can come and see you or open a branch here. It will work if you believe in your relationship.”
“I did that, sacrificing something-”
She squeezed my hand. “Let me be honest here, Princess. Stellan is not the right one for you. You should know it by now. I just mentioned Rome’s name, and your eyes literally lit up. This time, you don’t have to hide your relationship from the public. He will accept who you are if you mean a lot to him.”
Before I could reply, the door swung open. My father’s personal bodyguard walked in.
I quickly rose to my feet, smoothened my dress, and so did Kennedy, now would be the Duchess of Burkhese and Winterbourn, Princess of Guardion.
“Your Majesty, The King,” his personal bodyguard announced his arrival.
“Your majesty.” Kennedy and I did a curtsy.
“Kennedy, may I have a word with my daughter?” He was a busy man, yet here he was, about to speak with me. This must be so important that he spared me his time. Now I felt nervous all of a sudden.
“Your Majesty.” Kennedy left the room, and so us everyone.
It was now just me and my father, the King. My jury.
As soon as the door shut behind us, I addressed him again.
“Either you do your duty as the daughter of the king and take your title back, or you won’t show up at any events and funerals, and you won’t get out of this room.”
I looked down. “I’m ready to do my duty, father.”
“Then, as your King, my first order to you is to show up at the Thanksgiving service and any official engagements of Princess Royal.” He held my shoulder. “In the name of the Lord and the Kingdom of Triberis Capria and the power vested in me as the King, I now officially awarded your title back, Princess Royal.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I curtsied.
“Soon, you will start with your duty. I don’t want to hear any negative feedback about you. As I start my reign, you will behave like a princess, my daughter. And you will marry a suitable man for a princess.”
My body froze like a corpse as I stared at my father in shock. “Pardon me, a what?” My jaw dropped.
“That’s the price you must do. Not only you but everyone. You know that.”
“But father-”
“That’s not a request, Carlott. I should’ve done that long ago, but I trusted that you would present me with a good man. You are of the right age. After the funeral, you will have your groom, or I will choose him for you.”
My heart just bled again.
I opened my mouth but shut it closed when the door swung open. My brother walked in, acknowledging the presence of the King.
“Sister.”
“She accepted her duty.”
“That’s great. Congratulations, Princess Carlott, and welcome back.” He smiled from ear to ear.
“And she will be marrying Romare Langston.”
“No!” My voice came out a breathless shriek.
“Do you have a groom of your choice?” he asked. It was cold and made me even shiver.
“I don’t know if he even likes me, father?”
“He either marries you, or he won’t come and see you again. And you won’t travel outside the country for personal pleasure until I tell you so. You end your relationship with Mr. Langston or marry him, or I will choose someone for you. Your choice, young woman.”
When I couldn’t find an answer, my brother cleared his throat. “I think she agreed with you, father.”
I looked at my brother, confused and shocked.
“Do you think I didn’t know what you have been doing for the last three years? I am aware of your whereabouts. But I covered everything for you just to clear your name. And I know he’s planning to come and see you. As soon as the jet lands in my country, either he follows my rule or flies back and will be banned as persona non grata in this country.”