Raul looks pleasantly surprised.
“Understood, princess. Your Highness.” She curtsies to us both.
I know I should’ve at least thought about the future of Primavara. Brandon’s Uncle Isaac’s child alright, but has yet to be announced the heir apparent. I’m playing dangerous game, here, but all I can think about is how disappointed Raul would be if it turned out to be just a delusion in my head.
I know, I’m such a sucker for him, huh?
Raul waits until the shuffles behind my balcony’s door entirely stop before saying, “Thank you for trusting me. Don’t freak out now, but Raphael is your Monday per your uncle’s request. He didn’t give you a heads up on purpose. He wanted to know who would make a move based on your reaction.”
“What ...?” At this point, I’d take any excuse to prove Raphael’s innocence. But if he is, then he deserves more credit than for it to be done impulsively.
And I’m so, so glad I chose to trust Raul. “Okay, hit me. Who does my uncle have in mind?”
“What do you think did the culprit want to accomplish by targeting you, J? Conveniently after another qualified heir made an appearance.”
“Shift of power? Primavara’s destruction?” I answer swiftly. Not that I haven’t thought about it.
Raul nods. “Whatever it is, they made sure we all got the message with such grand display. Your uncle believes it wasn’t done by one or two people, but a bunch of groups with the same purpose. And obviously not just from the outside ....” Raul stares hard into the distance, before snapping out of his trance. “Anyway, our best lead is Brandon, though he’s too much of a brat to actually come up with the whole idea. But as long as he’s not announced as heir apparent and/or you’re announced dead, it’s safe to say the murderer will still hunt you.”
“Why not just hide me and announce me dead, then?”
“People will talk, princess. Even the walls have ears. You don’t want to know how I know Orinh has the softest silk. Hence me (and Raphael, earlier this morning) tried to get you alone.”
...Ah. Truly sorry, Raph. “But then what did my uncle expect by coupling me up with Anne’s fiancé?”
“Hopefully with Primavara not joining hands with other kingdoms anytime soon, the murder attempts will stop. If not, we’d at least rule out one motive.”
“Yeah, why not have Timmy or other non-prince play the role then?”
“Because at the moment there’s only three persons in this world that your uncle would trust with your life (his words, not mine): Raphael, Anne, and me.”
Must be hard for him to doubt everyone. Oh, I just want to run to his chamber and hold my uncle tight. “Prince Gareth?”
Raul smiles sadly. “Untrusted until proved otherwise.”
Oh, uncle .... “And Sherry?”
“People change, princess. And I mean, your bodyguards. They can be persuaded, or worse, threatened. You have to understand, J ... Everything’s changed after the ball.”
I nods bitterly, secretly hate that I understand where he’s from. “Before this, we didn’t have a reason to not trust anybody. A murder attempt is nothing new, but in front of that many people and with Brandon in the picture, it’s more like a declaration of war. Even King Maximilian is on a fairly good term with uncle nowadays, and Magnemt’s about the most aggressive kingdom we’ve ever had a problem with. But, it turned out it was too early to say, right?” I sigh, then turn to him, an idea forming in my head. “I’m a bit curious, though. What did you do to earn his trust?”
Raul’s face turns bright red. “I ... might have thrown a fit about wanting to see you before letting Raphael treat my wounds that night.”
“Raul!” I laugh, a tear escapes from the corner of my eye. “That’s silly, that’s ... just the sweetest thing a guy’s ever done to me.”
Raul laughs weakly. “That’s just because you didn’t see me then. I’m like this psycho madman, blood and shards and all.”
I nod, unconvinced, and frankly, still too overwhelmed for words.
He chuckles as he moves to wipe my tear. “Don’t cry, princess.”
But more tears just come dripping down my face, and before long, I’m crying into his shoulders. “Oh, Raul. Oh, you don’t know how relieved I am to hear everything. If I can’t count on Raphael, then who else is there?”
“It truly pains me to see you sell yourself short, J.” Raul kisses my forehead softly. “Please trust yourself more, okay? The right question is, if you can’t count on yourself, who else is there?”
“Is it foolish to answer you?”
Raul is speechless for a long time before answering, “Yes, princess. It is. But, I guess, we’re all a bit of a fool when it comes to love.”
I let go of him immediately. “Are you saying that you love me?”
He smirks. “Maybe I’m saying that you love me.”
I laugh. “Taking it slowly, huh? We’ve been doing such a terrible job at that.”
“Well. I’m not complaining, though.”
I grin. “Me neither.”
And then we kiss. It’s just really wrong not to.
^^^
“So Prince Napoleon, huh?”
My head snaps at Paige’s direction. “Is it that obvious?” I whisper back, biting my lower lip.
Paige laughs. “Oh, Jenny. It is, now! I was just talking about his chivalrous way of saving you.”
“Oh.” Oh my word. “Of course.”
“Anyway, I’m glad.” She sips her tea, her face peaceful as I silently study her.
Sitting beside me, my long-lost best friend still looks her absolute best, though a lot more modest. The outside world has treated her well, I suppose. Or dare I say, love?
“I remember you used to encourage me with Prince Kevyn.”
“Just because he’s so dreamy! Look at his fit body. With a lot in his plate, I just can’t imagine him having time to maintain that. And don’t get me started on his features! Sculpted jaw, bright green eyes, perfectly tousled blonde hair. He makes being perfect looks so easy.” Paige barely pauses for breathing. “And, duh. If you end up with him, it would be the marriage of century! Wondera and Primavara rule practically half the world.”
“You’re exaggerating.” And I’m not. Specially about the half the world part. “And you go for him if you so like what you see.”
“Ha! You see, that’s not the point. I’m just glad that you’re happy, Jenny!” She squeals in joy. “We both got our happy endings! How delightful is that?”
“Yay, I mean, don’t want to rain on your parade, but—do I look happy? Honest?”
“Considering you’ve almost lost your life and most likely your title, yes. I do think so, Jenny.”
“You know I don’t care about my title, Paige.”
“I of all people.” Paige smiles knowingly. I mean, she did give up her title as well. “That’s exactly why I encouraged Brandon to come here.”
Now wait just a damn minute. “You what??”
Paige nods happily, her voice drops to a whisper as she says, “So I, like, got in touch with Royce in secret, right. He agreed that Brandon would be a good change for your family. Also, he said it wouldn’t hurt to get all those ‘attentions’ off your back for once. For what it’s worth, Jenny, he’s been worried about you a lot, it doesn’t suit him.”
Awkward. “Paige, focus.”
“So that’s why he’s been helping me transporting the kid here. I mean, you don’t mind, do you?” She sighs wistfully. “We talked about this all the time, Jenny. What is it like to leave the palace. What is it like to be free. I’ll tell you what: it’s exactly how we imagined it and more! Now that I’ve left I don’t ever want to go back, Jenny.”
I hate to notice how she conveniently left out the chandelier accident. Ugh, I can’t be doubting my best friend, right? I’m so done with this crap.
People change, princess. They can be persuaded, or worse, threatened.
Raul’s words ring in my ears, to my annoyance successfully sink in.
Ughhh. “So how’s Bobby?”
“Oh, he’s such a sweetheart. We’re opening this little bakery down his hometown, and his folks are all very helpful and welcoming to me. It’s a bit rough for some time but now it’s just plain sailing! In fact, we might have planned a wedding in near future ....” Paige blushes as I wink. “Don’t tell mum! But you and Royce are invited, of course.”
“You don’t want your mother to be there when you get married?”
Paige pouts. “I mean, if she can’t respect my decision to give up the royal life for Bobby, then no. I couldn’t care less.”
That’s sad. I don’t know if I want to get married without my uncle walking me down the aisle.
“Hmph. Is it just me or are you a bit stiff, Jenny?”
You mean cautious. But, “Can you blame me?” I grimace, thinking how these last seven days have been. “I’m really grateful you’re doing great, Paige. Let’s keep in touch from now on, okay?”
Paige nods. “I’m sorry for how I left things last year. I really want to make it work with Bobby, Jenny. And everybody knows if there’s anyone who could change my mind, that’ll be either you or Royce. So I didn’t want to take a chance.”
I chuckle. “That’s not what I meant but I appreciate you telling me this. For a chance at your happiness, I’d always have your back, Paige. As you did mine.”
Again, she nods, before stands up and heads for the door. “My pleasure always, Crown Princess Jenny. Well, it’s been nice catching up with you, but I can’t stay any longer. I need to pay a little visit to the stable and hopefully run into your head bodyguard. We’ll be meeting soon enough, though. Just make sure you bring your prince to my wedding, okay?”
And just like that, she’s gone again.
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