A Royal Engagement: The Young Royals Book 1 (3 page)

I sighed and turned to look out the window.
 
The lush fields spotted with fat brown cows, the gently rolling hills and the blue expanse of the lake was postcard perfect.
 
At long last, I was home.

Chapter Two

My mother was indeed waiting in the conservatory for me when I arrived.

The motorcade had swung through the open wrought iron gates and moved smoothly down the long driveway that was lined with trees clipped into fanciful designs.
 
My first look at the palace as we crested a rise caused my heart to burn.
 
It may be a multi-storey stone fairytale castle to some people, but to me it was home and I'd missed it.
 
It sat on the banks of Lac Merveilleux and the sun sparkled of the the water, shining highlights on the centuries old building making it look magical and with the, still snow-capped, mountains in the distance it was picture-postcard-perfect.

The palace staff had lined the stairs to welcome me home and Lorraine led me through the lower level to my mother's sanctuary.
 
It had always been her favourite place in the whole of the palace and she said being surrounded by the exotic plants she bred gave her serenity.

There was a breakfast table set and my mother sat in a chair with a cup of tea in her hand.
 
She looked thinner and dark circles marred her still beautiful face.
 
Queen Margot had been a French actress when she had captured my father's heart.
 
She had given up her life to marry him and I had never questioned just what that had cost her until now.

She stood as I walked close and gathered me into her arms.
 
I felt the tears well in my eyes again as the warmth of her body enveloped me.
 
It was just us two against the world now.
 
Two women in a world of men.
 
I clung to my mother, wanting to break down, to fall apart and let her take charge, but I wasn't a child anymore.
 
I needed to be strong for her and for my country.

A small cough reminded me that we weren't alone and I gently pulled away from her, but kept hold of her hand as I sat at the table.
 
One of the attendants poured coffee into the fine china mug that sat waiting and I didn't even bother to doctor it with cream or sugar before gulping down a large, hot swallow.
 
I was going to need the caffeine in my system to keep me on my game today.

Jordan sat opposite me and Meredith sat on the other side of me.
 
Lorraine took her place beside my mother making for a very odd seating arrangement.
 
Jordan sat by himself on one side of the table facing off against the four of us women.

"Thank you for coming Jordan," my mother said as she resumed sipping form her tea, "I'm sure Alyssabeth was glad to see a friendly face."

"It was my pleasure, Your Grace," Jordan replied, "I'm glad to be of service at this particularly difficult time."

"So what have you been up to since I saw you last?" I asked as I spread some thick raspberry jam over my toast.

"I've been at the Embassy in France for the last few years, but I recently moved back to Merveille.
 
I'll be serving here, in fact."

"Here in Calanais?" I asked.

"Here in the palace," he corrected, "Military Attache and Liaison to the foreign dignitaries."

I nodded as I ate, chewing thoughtfully, "That was your father's position here as well wasn't it?"

He looked down and smiled, his cheeks colouring slightly, "It was," he replied, "He's retired now, of course."

My father and Jordan's father had been friends.
 
Jordan and Jacob had been practically inseparable as kids and I had fond memories of time spent together in the carefree days of childhood.
 
He had grown into a good looking man with strong jaw, blonde hair and greyish/green eyes.
 
His military training had endowed him with an erect posture and was no doubt also responsible for the way his uniform strained over his wide shoulders.

My observation and subsequent attraction to Jordan was inappropriate, but my skittish brain was bound and determined to latch onto something other than the reason I was home.
 
Was it really such a bad thing to ogle the pretty soldier?

"Your father was with the hunting party," my mother said and my head snapped to the side to look at her.

"He was," Jordan replied softly, "He suffered a deep wound to his leg in the attack."

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand as I looked at him, "Is he okay?"

"He is," he replied, "Still in hospital and with a long angry wound and many stitches.
 
Of course he wishes that it had been himself and not your father who had born the brunt of the boar."

"They were hunting boar?" I asked, confused.

He shook his head, "No, deer."

Lorraine cleared her throat, "I think it would be best to change the subject.
 
Princess Alyssabeth will receive a full briefing from the security team in an hour."

He nodded respectfully and then stood.
 
He bowed to me and then my mother, "Thank you for your hospitality," he said, "And welcome home Princess Alyssa, although I wish that it were under better circumstances.
 
If it is alright with you, I shall take my leave.
 
There are many Heads of State due to arrive soon and I must be about my duties."

"Thank you Jordan," I said standing and going around the table to take his hands in mine.
 
They were warm and large and engulfed mine completely.
 
"Thank you for meeting my plane, I appreciate you being available to us at this time."

He lowered his head in a small bow of acknowledgment, "I am at your service," he said softly and his smooth voice was like a balm to my frayed nerves.
 
With one last squeeze of my hands, he turned and left, striding with purpose out of the room.
 
I watched him go, admiring the way he filled out his uniform.

"Oh, do sit down Alyssa," my mother said with a smirk.

I resumed my place and held up my cup for a refill.
 
Having Jordan in the palace could be just the distraction I needed to get through the next few months.

"After the security briefing, I have a few people for you to interview for the position of personal secretary,"
 
Lorraine said, breaking into my musings, "And this afternoon there is a small reception."

At my surprised and, dare I say, angry glare, she continued.

"It's not anything big and it's not formal.
 
It is just a gathering of close friends of both your brother and your father.
 
They wish to pay their respects and this is the most efficient way to do it."
 
She flipped a page in her folder and read a few lines before speaking again.
 
"Until you have decided on lady's maids, I have assigned Bridgette and Annette.
 
They come highly recommended from Lady Caroline.
 
I have a selection of outfits laid out for you and they will be able to help with your hair and makeup as needed."

"Thank you Lorraine," my mother said wearily before standing, "I will leave you to your security briefing,
ma chérie
," she said kissing the top of my head, "Come and find me when you have a spare moment."

Why did I suddenly feel like I had been thrown to the wolves?

"So what you are telling me is that my father's and brother's deaths may not have been accidental."

"That is correct Your Majesty," Von Bartham, the head of Royal security said with a nod, "But at this stage it is just supposition."

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, not quite knowing what to say.
 
Meredith sat beside me, the rest of my security team spread around the large conference table.
 
The room was not unlike the President's briefing room as depicted on Hollywood movies.
 
It was the first time I had ever stepped foot in the place and I'd had to stop myself gawking like a common tourist.

Apart from my own personal security, there were also some other members of the Royal security in attendance, notably my father's and brother's men and the Chief of Police.
 
I looked into the faces of the two men that had been with my father and brother when they had lost their lives and felt pity for them.
 
Outwardly they appeared professional, but their eyes gave them away; these men were distraught by the loss of their assets.
 
I didn't doubt that they would each try to resign because of their presumed dishonour.

"Okay," I said taking a breath, "Tell me again what happened."

"We were trekking through the woods," Daniel, my father's head of security said, "When a herd of boars charged us.
 
There was a lot of commotion and the King was separated from us.
 
The Prince followed him and found him to be under attack by one of the animals.
 
The boar had speared him with a tusk and he was bleeding heavily.
 
Several shots rang out from the hunting party and one of the stray bullets hit and killed the Prince.
 
Several of the other guests were wounded in the attack and we lost two of our security team to gunshot wounds also."

I exhaled loudly, trying to keep my stomach from emptying it's contents all over the large mahogany table.
 
"So why don't you think it was an accident?"

Von Bartham took up the narrative, "Both the Hunt Master and the Gamekeeper assured us that there were no boars in the forest.
 
This hunt had been planned for months and the King specifically wanted to hunt deer.
 
The Gamekeeper had been ridding the forest of any unwanted game in preparation."

"And the gunshot that killed my brother?"

"We have been as yet unable to determine from who's gun it came," Von Bartham replied, "Although our investigation is continuing.
 
But we believe it to be intentional, the fatal wounds of the security team as well."

"Has there been any significant threats against the Royal Family?"
 
Benjamin asked.

Von Bartham shook his head, "No credible threats, just the usual oddball stuff."

"So what does this mean for me?" I asked, "I assume there will be changes to my security in light of these events."

"Yes, Your Highness," Von Bartham went on, "You will need to have at least two members of your security team with you at all times.
 
While you are inside the palace, two will suffice, outside in the palace grounds we will require you to have four and if you leave the grounds, there will be eight."

"Are you kidding me?" I said, stunned, "I need
two
guards inside the palace?"

"Until we know for sure about the hunting incident, we think it would be best, yes."

"No," I said, "Absolutely not."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but this is not up for negotiation."

"Von Bartham," Benjamin said, standing to his feet, "May I have a moment with the Princess and my team?"

With a sharp nod, Von Bartham and his team exited the room leaving me with Benjamin, Meredith and the rest of my detail.

"Your Highness," Benjamin began.

"Oh cut the crap Benjamin," I said, "Don't stop calling me Alyssa now for God's sake."

He smiled a quick smile at me and nodded in acquiesce, "Alyssa," he began again, "I know it seems extreme, but there are just too many questions about your father and brother's deaths.
 
I understand that you are used to living in relative obscurity, but that is no longer an option.
 
Over the next few weeks there is going to be practically a highway through the palace gates as every dignitary from here to eternity comes to pay respects to your father and brother.
 
This is big news and not just Merveille big, world big.
 
To have the reigning King and his Heir killed in the same accident is unprecedented.
 
Regardless of your personal feelings, you need to let us do this.
 
You are the last remaining St Benét alive and we can't afford to lose you."

Meredith grabbed my hand and squeezed, "And we love you," she said, "Did you see Carlos and Daniel?
 
Carlos was your brothers closest confidant and Daniel had been working your father's detail for twenty years.
 
They are completely gutted by their deaths and I can assure you that if they could've died in the King's and the Prince's places, they would have.
 
We feel the same for you, everyone of us."
 
She shared a look with each member seated around the table.
 
"You are going to be Queen and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep you safe."