Page 56 of Royal Catch
Gabriel wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side so the two of us are facing the king together. “She is what Villroy needs.” He gazes down at me with so much love in his eyes, I instantly choke up. “And what I need too.”
I blink back tears. I can feel myself caving, but I need to be strong for Gabriel. I force myself to turn to the king and queen and try one last time to save Gabriel’s place. “I love him enough to let him go. It would break my heart, but I understand his value to the kingdom.”
“Dammit, Anna,” Gabriel starts, but the king cuts him off.
“Here is how it’s going to be.” His voice catches, and he has a violent coughing fit.
The queen grabs a glass of water nearby and offers it to him.
Tense seconds tick by while we wait for the king’s coughing to abate. The queen looks pained and worried. I understand better the dark place she’s coming from, watching him suffering like this.
I give Gabriel a small sideways squeeze. I know it’s hard on him too. He’s probably spent the most time with his father, more than any of his siblings, since Gabriel is the one who had to be taught what was expected of him as king.
Finally, his father is able to speak again. “Gabriel must remain heir to the throne. To avoid another replay of what happened with my brother’s abdication of the throne, I grant permission for Gabriel to marry Anna.”
The queen’s jaw drops.
Gabriel grabs me in a crushing hug, wrapping me in his love. I’d shout my exultation, but I can barely draw breath. I’m beaming, though, warmth radiating through me, my heart drumming in my chest. He loosens his hold, and I let out a whoop that has my new in-laws staring at me, the queen in open disapproval. It occurs to me she hasn’t spoken yet. Could she still call it off?
The king goes on in a formal tone, all business. “We will announce she’s American, but her people are originally from French Beaumont, and she’s a blood relative of the Beaumont princess. This will please the islanders.” It’s all technically true. He turns to his wife. “Do this for me, Alexandra.”
Gabriel tenses beside me. I hold my breath.
She presses her lips together and nods once. I suck in air.Yes!The love between them is palpable, and I know it must be why they’re allowing Gabriel to marry me. They understand love.
Gabriel hugs me again and then turns to his parents. “Thank you. You won’t regret it. You’ve made the right choice.”
“I don’t need you to tell me that,” his father says. “It’s written all over your love-addled face.”
The queen recovers herself and tells her husband, “She’s completely unprepared for her role.”
The king smiles with a wicked glint in his eye. “Then you must educate her.”
The queen slowly turns to me with a look of horror. “Do you wish to be queen?”
“I wish to be Gabriel’s wife.”
“His wife will be queen.”
“Then yes. But I have a lot to take care of back home first. I’m a beautician and a super. That’s like a handywoman. I can fix most anything.”
Her eyes practically roll back in her head. “Oh, Lord.”
I go over and hug my new mother-in-law, and then I hug my new father-in-law too. “I love your son. I love this place with all its history and traditions. It’s the kind of permanent strong foundation I’ve always wanted. I will put all of my efforts into preserving it. Thank you for making me part of your family. I’ve wanted a family my whole life.”
The queen closes her eyes for a moment and nods once, seeming touched by my sentiment. The king pats my hand, smiling warmly.
Gabriel does a deep formal bow to them both, which they acknowledge with a slight head incline, and then he grabs my hand and walks me toward the door.
“Bye, Your Royal Majesties,” I call over my shoulder. “Can’t wait to start queen lessons.”
“Dear God,” his mother says loud enough to carry.
The king just laughs. I think he likes me.
As soon as we get into the hallway, Gabriel grabs me in a hug, lifting me off the ground and spinning me around. “You were amazing. Completely pulled them to your side.”
I beam at him. “I only told them the truth.”
