Page 41 of The Prodigal Prince

“I think so.”

“Was the generation before also an only child?” Fiona looked at the family tree she’d found, but couldn’t be certain.

“I’m not sure. The royal historian would know, but I’d rather not involve her at this point.” Mac pulled out his own phone and opened the browser.

“What if one of your mother’s male ancestors had an illegitimate child? And that child was your birth mother’s parent or grandparent? There’s been enough only children in your family recently, that it could be possible. It would make you the next in line regardless. Your mother doesn’t have any cousins who could claim a spot.” Fiona didn’t know enough about the family to be any more specific than that. Even the family tree didn’t make quite enough sense to her.

“It’s possible,” Mac answered slowly. “I forget how many greats ago, but one of my great grandfathers had an illegitimate son who he placed over what is now New Sargasso. That son created his own government, so Ezekiel and the others are related a few generations back.”

She hadn’t known that.

“There’s serious consequences for an heir having a child out of wedlock in New Sargasso,” he went on. “A few were put into place here because of the whole situation. It’s very possible that grandfather or one of his male descendants had a child that no one knew about. It would explain why my mother would believe I could be king. She wouldn’t say that if I didn’t have a legitimate claim. That’s one thing that’s always bothered Esme about some of those HEA TV movies. She ranted about one a few years ago where the king basically wrote a letter to the council or Parliament or whoever saying ‘hey my adopted son is cool - let him be my successor.’ If I remember right, there’s a lot of other things wrong with the movie, but that one irritated her the most.”

“You can ask her later, but at least there’s a potentially legitimate reason that wouldn’t require too many mental gymnastics.” She set her phone upside down on her leg. “What do you think about getting out of here for a couple of days? We could go stay with... um, whoever your sister mentioned. Beau?”

Mac nodded. “Princess Angelina of Eyjania and her husband, Beau.” He turned to look at Fiona. “She’s my cousin.”

“What?”

“My biological father and her father were brothers. I doubt she realizes that. We met a number of times when we were younger and always got on quite well.” He nodded, a decision made. “Let’s do it. Let’s just go. I’ll have Silas pack for me and bring it over later. Let’s take Gray and go do whatever public thing they want us to do then go to Angie and Beau’s.”

Fiona picked her phone up as she stood. “That sounds like a great idea. Get out of this fishbowl for a while. Be seen then disappear. Maybe it will bump your father off the front page of the tabloids.”

“That’s the plan.”

Together, they went to get Gray. Tinsley would handle packing for Fiona and her son then travel with Silas to meet them at the other house.

Mac decided he wanted to drive them himself, so in just a few minutes, they were on their way... somewhere - somewhere public enough for it to be news but not so public it looked forced.

As soon as they left the gates of the palace, cameras were on them. They followed at a fairly safe distance. Legally, they weren’t allowed to be much closer.

They pulled into a parking lot near a food truck. From the angle, Fiona couldn’t quite tell what sort of cuisine it served. Maybe dessert of some kind? Mac looked at her and sighed.

“Here goes nothing.”

* * *

The food carthad been Mac’s favorite snack shop when he lived in Ancora full time. They served a traditional Sargassian chocolate dessert he’d loved as long as he could remember.

“What do you recommend?” Fiona stood on the other side of Gray who held onto both of their hands.

“I always get the Queen Carlotta Confection.” He pointed to the item on the menu board. “Not because it’s named for Mum, but it was her favorite which is why it’s named after her. Esme and I both inherited her love of it.”

“I’ll take one of those then.” She leaned down and discussed a couple of the options with Gray. He chose something a little less adventurous.

Mac could hear the whispers coming from the other patrons. He did his best to ignore them, but he knew Fiona also noticed the surreptitious use of phones to take photos and videos. In a few minutes, the crowd would begin to grow as the word was disseminated on social media.

For now, they’d enjoy relative quiet.

Once they had their desserts in hand, they walked to a small play area nearby. Mac and Fiona took sat on a bench while Gray decided he’d rather play than eat.

“Go ahead.” Mac nodded his head toward her bowl. “Try it.”

Fiona worked her spoon around until she had a little bit of everything on it. She let it roll around in her mouth then nodded. “That’s pretty incredible.” She took another bite. “I think it’s a good thing I didn’t know these existed until now. I’d have a much harder time staying in shape.”

Mac chuckled as he took his own first bite. “I understand that. I knew I’d need to add a bit more time to my work outs when I had one. They’re amazing, but not exactly low calorie.”

Gray spent the next ten minutes running back for a couple of bites then returning to play with the growing crowd of children. By the time the three of them were finished, the number of people in the general vicinity had nearly quadrupled.

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