CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Iliana
“You look like a princess.”
I beamed at the little girl flouncing toward me, her sparkly gold gown rustling around her. “So do you,” I said, giving her a curtsey. Perfectly, I might add.
She twirled, her tongue sticking through the spot where her tooth was missing. “That’s because I am a princess.”
I made my eyes grow wide, and I thunked my forehead with my palm. “That’s right, I completely forgot.”
She grinned even bigger. “Did you forget that you’re a duchess?”
The very word sent butterflies through me. “Almost.”
“Three more weeks.” Penelope held up three fingers as if to make certain I got it. It wasn’t necessary. I was very aware of how quickly the days were passing.
I’d officially entered my second trimester, the time when most couples began to freely share their happy news, and it was decided that we’d soon put the rumors to rest. We’d hoped to wait until after the wedding, but the paparazzi was now officially on “baby bump” patrol, and although everything I wore was still picked apart microscopically, my stomach featured front and center in every story.
It was decided to put the gossip to rest and share the news in a press announcement following the Legacy Ball. I was glad. It wasn’t like people couldn’t do math. When the baby was born in February, they could use their fingers to determine when he or she was conceived.
I jumped as Seb came up behind me, his arms moving around me as he pulled me back into his chest, his hands moving down to my still flat stomach for just a moment. “I’ll be claiming my duchess in exactly twenty sleeps,” he murmured into my hair before kissing the top of my head and letting me go.
Oh, my. In a suit, Sebastianos looked dashing, but in a tux… he curled my toes.
“Hi, Sebby.”
Seb bowed to the little princess. “My queen.”
Penelope giggled and flounced around some more, her skirts flying in all directions. “I’m gold and Iliana is silver. Gold and silver. Silver and gold.” She started singing the Christmas song even though it was still only the first of September.
“You look dashing,” I told Seb, reaching up to straighten his bow tie.
He grinned, gracing me with his dimples. “This old thing? Just pulled it from the closet.”
That made me laugh. “Sounds like a serious case of first-world problems, Your Duke-ness.”
A page cleared his throat. “Pardon me, Your Highnesses, but the royal photographers have arrived.”
I smiled as Thierry swept into the room, looking dashing as ever, a lovely Marta on his heels. I was pleased to see them both.
The king arrived soon afterwards, and we posed for official pre-Legacy Ball portraits then took our places in line outside the heavy ballroom doors, waiting for our official announcements.
“If I forget to say it later,” Seb began, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “You are the most beautiful woman that ever existed, and I’m proud to have you on my arm tonight.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. Damn hormones.
“Thank you. I’m proud to be here.”
He turned to face me, taking my face in his hands. “Iliana… I—”
“Announcing Prince Sebastianos, Duke of Becktonas and Lady Iliana Costas.”
Sighing, Seb straightened and faced the doors as we waited for them to open, offering me his arm which I gratefully took. The palace had taken to calling me Lady Iliana in deference to my noble heritage, and the title still startled me more than a little.
Being called Prince Sebastianos just pissed Seb off, but with the upcoming wedding, King Demetrius had insisted the title be added, although his official title was still of duke. So unnecessarily complicated, in my opinion, but I didn’t have time to think of any of that.
Walking into a room as the center of attention and speculation was still so very new to me, but I smiled as naturally as I could, which was becoming less and less difficult as mine and Seb’s relationship continued to evolve and strengthen.
On the dais, we waited while Penelope and the king were announced, and then the king officially decreed that the ball could begin.
The whole drawn out process was exhausting.
Just let them dance, I wanted to yell. All the pomp and circumstance was tedious, but it was so time honored that I was sure it would never change.
I knew the ballroom was large. I’d seen it several times as an intern. But I had no idea it was so large that it could fit hundreds of people. I looked around… and a small orchestra.
It was magic. Sparkling lights, soothing music, and trays of champagne floating on the shoulders of well-dressed wait staff. We made our rounds through the crowds, shaking hands and smiling until I thought my jaw might very simply fall from my face.
When the dancing began, I grew more nervous, knowing we’d be expected to take a turn on the dancefloor and that all eyes would be on me. And most likely my belly.
The gown I wore was tight through the bodice but forgiving in the way the material draped across my abdomen. My stylist had just winked at me when he pulled it out. He knew my secret. He had to be told as he was already planning my wardrobe for the Christmas season.
“Is she or isn’t she?” he’d said, bobbing his eyebrows.
If I pooched my stomach out, I could imagine there was a child growing inside me. Otherwise, with the exception of my boobs, I looked the same as I always had.
A server appeared to my left, carrying a tray of champagne. Seb took two and handed one to me. I looked at him wide-eyed as he handed it to me.
“Don’t worry, that tray is sparkling juice. Solely for you.”
I nodded to his glass. “And for you?”
He lifted the glass and I clinked mine against his. “In for a penny and all that.”
We drank, a smile on my lips the entire time. It was sweet. If I couldn’t drink, neither would he. At least not in my presence.
To my left, the conversation the king was having grew a bit heated, and I couldn’t help but to turn and listen in. It was about the growing tensions with Amur, and the king was assuring those around him that the situation was being closely monitored.
“All talk,” the king was saying to a man I recognized as the American ambassador. Ugh. I didn’t like the man, thinking his smug expression and condescending manners didn’t reflect my country in a positive light.
The ambassador whose last name was Phelps, I believed, tossed down the rest of his drink, and from the looks of him it wasn’t his first. “But how can you be sure? Now that you have an American treasure under your protection, I’d be pleased to offer you additional troops.”
American treasure?
When they both looked over at me, I got it and quickly looked away. They meant me. Little old me.
Ridiculous.
“Amur is still a theocracy and wise to pay attention,” Phelps was saying. His cheeks were redder than before, and he was sweating. I was quite certain he was buzzed now if not outright drunk. What an embarrassment.
“Absolutely,” King Demetrius said just before turning his attention to the woman beside him. She was the wife of one of his agriculture ministers from what I could remember and a pleasant enough woman.
Unfortunately for me, that left the ambassador in search of a new conversation partner, and his eyes darted around the room before resting squarely on me. My smile was as bland as I could make it, and I pretended to be incredibly interested in the flute of bubbling juice as he strode over to stand directly in front of me.
“So, my fellow American,” he began, taking my hand between his. “How are you holding up so far from home? Must be hard on you.”
“Not at all,” I replied sweetly. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Despite everyone being engaged in polite conversation elsewhere, I could tell from the subtle ways their eyes darted over in our direction that they were paying close attention to our conversation. Fantastic.
I also happened to notice at that exact moment that Reina was standing on the far wall opposite from us, watching everything that was happening around me like a hawk. I’d managed to avoid the caustic woman for the most part and hold my own with her when a meeting couldn’t be avoided.
I sighed.
Enemies all around, I suppose. This drunken ambassador certainly wasn’t proving to be much of an ally with the way his eyes kept dropping to my cleavage. He even licked his lips before making eye contact again and winking at me like we were about to share some great secret.
“You must have a hard time adapting to life under an archaic system like this,” he said. I supposed he meant to whisper, but he was loud enough to catch the king’s attention. I saw him frown from the corner of my eye.
“No,” I said, hoping it would end this conversation I didn’t want to be part of in the first place. “I don’t find it archaic in the least. Time bound and honorable, in my opinion, and I’m very pleased to be a part.”
The man sputtered his drink as he laughed. “They’re going to have a little girl leading them in a few years, for crying out loud. How is international commerce supposed to carry on with a child on the throne?”
I frowned without meaning to, forgetting what Thierry had told me from the start. Don’t let them get under your skin.
“She’ll be of age when she assumes the throne,” I said, wondering if this man did his homework. “And what’s wrong with a female on the throne? I think if you ever have the honor of meeting the crown princess, you’ll find the desire to eat your words to be overwhelming.”
He laughed so hard, a bit of spittle flew at me. “Careful, girl,” he said with a sloppy wink. “They’ll turn you into a royalist if you’re not careful.”
“How did you even get your job?” I shot back, pissed off now. “Did you have to bribe someone in the state department to clear the intelligence test?”
Sebastianos appeared at my side suddenly, his hand out. “A dance?” I looked up at him in surprise and in no mood to dance, but I instantly saw what was happening. He was diffusing a potentially complicated situation as the ambassador to one of Cassia’s biggest allies looked like he was about to blow a gasket between his ears.
A waiter appeared with another drink, and he promptly took my glass as Seb excused us and led me to the dance floor.
Sebastianos pulled me into his arms, and I felt like I could breathe again. Maddening little man.
“Are you okay?” Seb asked, a smile playing at his lips. I growled a little, making him laugh.
Then I immediately felt contrite. “I shouldn’t have let him bother me. Was it very bad?”
His thumb traced back and forth on my lower back. “Well, you’ve not given us cause to arm our missile defense systems, but you certainly left him opening and closing his mouth like some outrageously offended dying fish.”
I smiled, taking that as a compliment. “He’s an ass,” I mumbled as Sebastianos pulled me close.
“Too true, and I have to say you made quite the impression on those around you who overheard your defense, not only of our system of government but of our own crown princess. Well done, Squeaks.”
I nestled a bit closer, wishing we were alone so he could properly hold me. “You’re welcome.”
We moved around the floor, and my eyes fell on Reina once more, her arms crossed and her heavily lined eyes on us.
I met her gaze and held it. He’s mine, bitch, I projected through my eyes, and the woman had the nerve to smirk.
Refocusing on the man holding me, the man I would be marrying soon, the man whose child I carried, I realized I didn’t need to waste another moment of concern on that woman. So, I didn’t.
I danced a second dance with Seb, then smiled as the king cut in. After that, my dance card was filled, and the hours passed in a blur as I made idle conversation with people I didn’t know.
As one dance was coming to an end, I heard whispers coming from all around. Searching for the source of concern, I noticed that Seb was speaking to the king, Nate by his side.
They looked concerned, even though they were trying very hard not to look concerned.
Excusing myself from my dance partner, I made my way toward them, and when Seb saw me approach, he smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes.
“What’s happening?”
He placed a warm hand on my back. “Nothing to worry yourself with. A skirmish.”
I grasped his arm. “Here at the palace?”
He shook his head. “No. A bit farther north from here.” Leading me a few steps away, he leaned down to murmur in my ear, “I need to go. You stay here and do not leave the palace grounds. Understood?”
I nodded. “Please be careful.”
He kissed my forehead, and in a turn of tux tails, he and Nate fled the room. The king stayed but some of the color had drained from his face although he did a good job not to outwardly show his alarm.
With Seb gone, the fun of the evening slid away. With Seb gone, it was like a dark cloud had crossed over the sun.
I was nearly knocked down when a little body came bolting at me, arms wrapping around my waist. It was Penelope, and she was in tears.
“Daddy said I couldn’t watch the fireworks because my nanny has gotten sick.”
At a more leisurely pace, the king came to stand behind his daughter. “Mrs. Kent is ill?”
“Yes, a stomach flu, it’s believed.”
There seemed to be a great deal of flu in the palace. “Maybe a good cleaning with bleach is in order.”
The king nodded. “Good idea.”
“But I want to watch the fireworks,” Penelope complained, her voice muffled by my skirts.
The king sighed, and I mouthed, she can watch them with me. I didn’t want to offer aloud and step into the father/daughter controversy.
I watched him consider it. “Would you like to stay with Lady Iliana for the show, then return immediately to your quarters afterwards?”
Penelope’s disposition changed immediately. “Yes, please. Thank you, Daddy. I’ve been looking forward to the fireworks for weeks.”
He stroked his little girl’s hair, and the look he gave his daughter was pure love. “I know, darling. Enjoy them. I have a bit of work to do.”
By work, I wondered if the skirmish had escalated, and if it had, was Seb in the middle of it?
Fear clutched at my chest at the thought of him going off into some battle. Surely, he wouldn’t be allowed to do such a thing. But would he listen?
Penelope slipped her hand in mine. “I know the very best spots to watch the fireworks,” she said, her tongue slipping through the space where her other tooth had fallen out. She was absolutely adorable.
“You do? Then I’m very grateful that it’s you escorting me to my very first show.”
She nodded, big blue eyes wide. “Yes, you’re very lucky.”
I was in so many ways.
As the music came to a close and the announcement was made that the fireworks would begin in five minutes, Penelope pulled me out onto the balcony and down the steps.
“Where are we going?” I’d expected the best place to view the firework display was from the balcony.
“The gardens. There are special glasses down there.”
Special glasses?
I looked behind us. We appeared to be the only ones heading down. Worry shot through me. “Penelope, I think we should go back.”
A stubborn look appeared on her face. “But I want the glasses. The lady said they made the fireworks look even brighter.”
“What lady?”
Penelope shrugged. “The pretty one. She said she’d save the best pair for me.”
I grabbed the girl’s hand more firmly. “Penelope, we need to go back.”
“Why?” She looked confused. “I’m allowed to play in the gardens.”
She was right. We were still on palace grounds. But still, my gut told me something was wrong.
“I think—”
In a flash, she jerked away and began giggling as she ran the rest of the way down the steps. I ground my teeth together and pressed a hand to my stomach. “Don’t you ever act like this, little one,” I muttered and took off after the little girl just as the first firework shot off.
Rounding the tall row of green hedges, I searched for the girl as more fireworks exploded over our heads. I stopped and called back to the guard I could see standing near the gate, and although I shouted, he didn’t turn. Probably couldn’t hear me over the fireworks.
Damn.
I rounded another corner then stopped when I found Penelope standing there, what looked like 3-D glasses on her face, staring up at the sky.
“Everything’s blurry,” she said, clearly disappointed.
Before I could respond, a figure wearing a dark robe that covered him from head to foot appeared, the hood pulled over his head to the point that I couldn’t see any of his features.
Then the figure spoke, and I recognized the voice immediately. “Sorry, darling.” It was Reina. She stepped into the light, lifting her head just enough for me to see her face. When she smiled, my heart kicked up speed. The way she was looking at me… she looked dangerous.
“Penelope…” I reached out my hand. “Come with me.”
But Penelope didn’t come to me. She just stood there frozen, looking directly at me. I could see her eyes behind the glasses, but she looked… terrified.
Why?
As large arms came around me, a cloth pressing over my mouth and nose, I understood.
Another man appeared, pressing something to Penelope’s little face.
Reina just smiled. “Two for the price of one.”
It was the last thing I heard before everything went black.