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khoicesbyk · 5 months

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The Royal Romance.

Forevermore.

A/N: this is the next chapter in the journey of my OTP. Follow along for the fun.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 5,540 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or DM me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

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Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations

Chapter 3.) Ties That Bind.

It had been a few days since Shanelle called her father to let him know that his brother had a stroke and was in a coma. It was news Damien took in stride but Her Majesty could tell her father was heartbroken. When the press release went out about the ailing former King some in the kingdom were sad for him but others not so much. None more than Her Majesty. But protocol dictated that she showed some form of compassion even if she didn't want to.

She met her parents at the residence of the palace.

“Hi Daddy,” she said as she hugged her father.

“Hello, my darling,” he replied.

She was happy to see her parents. She then hugged her mother.

“It's good to see you butterfly.”

“It's good to see you too, Madam Minister.”

Shantel snickered just as Marquise and the children came around the corner.

“Grammy! Pop Pop!” Khari said as she ran up to her grandparents.

Damien opened his arms to her and her brothers.

“Hello, my sunshine! Hello boys! How are you?” he said as he embraced them.

“We're good Pop Pop. Mommy told me that your brother is sick.” Khari replied.

Damien smiled softly.

“Yes, he is. But his doctors will help to make him better.”

Khari nodded.

“And we know you are sad. But we're here to cheer you up. Right boys?” Khari asked.

Being with his grandchildren always made Damien’s heart swell.

“Thank you my little ones. Your love can heal anything.”

Damien watched as Khari and the boys toddled over to Shantel.

“My sweet babies! Grammy missed you.”

Later that evening after spending family time, Damien found himself sharing a drink with his son-in-law.

“Since it's just us Damien, how are you, really?” Marquise asked.

Damien took a contemplative sip of his drink.

“To be honest I'm not even sure. I am sad for my brother but I also know he made a lot of enemies in his time as King. So part of me feels like this may be his karma coming back to get him but still.” Damien replies.

“He's your brother?” Marquise asks.

Damien nodded.

“Yes. I know why you and my daughter can't stand him and I understand that. I understand why you two would never allow him anywhere near the children. But despite all of that he is still family.”

“You've certainly gone to great lengths to stick your neck out for him.”

Damien shook his head.

“I know. It's part of the promise that I made to my father before he died.”

“What promise was that?” Marquise asked.

Damien sighed into his drink.

“I promised my father that I would always be loyal to my brother. That I would always be here to help guide him. Because he would always need me to be by his side.” Damien replies.

“Even though he's never done the same for you?” Marquise asks.

“Yes. Even then. Loyalty and family make strange bedfellows. I would think you'd know what it's like to have an older brother on the trajectory to be a King.” Damien replies.

Marquise nodded.

“True. The only difference is mine has never turned on me the way yours has always taken every chance to turn on you.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Damien said with a sigh as he finished his drink. “I guess what you could say bothers me the most is that for the first time in years, I'll actually see him looking and being vulnerable. You know as well as anyone that vulnerability is dangerous.”

“This is true. But you have to remember Edward is no longer a King.”

Damien shook his head as he poured himself another drink.

“That doesn't mean his enemies have forgotten his time as one.”

“You said this would be the first time that you've seen him be this vulnerable in years. What do you mean by that?”

Damien took a thoughtful sip of his drink.

“When we were children, he had to have his tonsils removed.”

“Only his tonsils? You sure they didn't take his spine too?” Marquise asks.

Damien chuckled softly.

“Anyway, for the two weeks following that surgery, he was pitiful. Mad that he couldn't eat what he wanted.”

“I'm almost scared to ask this but what was that?” Marquise asked.

“Our cook at the time, Lemmy, used to make the best brownies in the world. Edward adored them. So I would sneak him a brownie and a glass of warm milk every night before bed.” Damien replied.

Damien sighed.

“We weren't always awkwardly estranged, you know. There was a point in our lives when we were brothers and not just King and servant. We used to be inseparable as children. Always doing everything together.”

“What happened?” Marquise asks.

“He remembered that although we are brothers, he is and was always meant to be the heir. Once he started taking his governance lessons and sitting in on political meetings with my father, he slowly changed. He got a taste of what true power was like and it shifted his mindset. It changed him. And he's never been the same since.” Damien replies.

Marquise nodded.

“I see.”

“That was always my fear of Shanelle taking the throne.”

“What? That she’d become power-hungry?” Marquise asked.

“Yes. I sometimes feared that she'd forget who she really is. You know better than anyone how hard it is to bring peace and to govern. You also know how alluring that power is and how corruptive it can be. She's not a corrupt dictator like my brother and your father turned out to be. She actually cares about the people and their needs as well as the overall well-being of the kingdom. As do you. Yes, she's gotten used to having the absolute finest and most luxurious things in life, but that's because she's earned that life.” Damien replied.

“That is something I can assure you that you never have to worry about. If there's one thing my wife has never forgotten it's her humanity. She knows who she is and where she came from. And she teaches that to our children every day. She has never forgotten how precarious her position as Queen is.”

Damien nodded.

“I know. And please don't think that I doubt her abilities as a leader or yours for that matter. I just know what that much power can do to someone.”

Marquise nodded.

“I understand.”

Damien nodded at him gratefully.

“I'm glad you understand,” Damien said as he finished his drink, “thank you for the drink son. But I think it's time I get to bed. We are traveling to Cloutier tomorrow.”

“Good luck tomorrow Damien. I know that it won't be easy for you.” Marquise said as he held out his hand.

“Thank you, son. I appreciate it,” Damien replied as he shook Marquise’s hand. “I'll see you in the morning, Your Majesty.”

“Goodnight Your Highness.”

The two men nodded to each other before going their separate ways for the night. The next morning with the children staying with Marquise, Shanelle and her parents made the trip to the former capital city of South Cordonia. As they rode to Cloutier Shanelle peered over to her father and could tell something was on his mind.

“Are you okay Daddy?” She asked as she squeezed his left hand.

That seemed to snap Damien out of his trance.

“Yes, my darling I’m okay. I guess.” He replies.

“What’s wrong dear?” Shantel asked her husband.

Damien sighed heavily.

“I guess this reminds me of the last time I was truly home,” Damien replies.

Shantel laid her head on his shoulder.

“You mean when we came here the day before your parents died?” Shantel asks.

“Yes.” He replied quietly.

Damien shook his head sadly before looking at his daughter.

“You were just a baby when they died. You were just barely older than the boys are now. But the love they had for you was always so strong. Father adored you and mother…God she doted over you when we brought you here for the first time. Whatever you wanted she made sure you had it. I guess that's one of the reasons why Edward has always resented me.”

Shanelle smiled softly.

“I guess this trip is bringing up feelings I thought were long buried. That's all. I don't want you two to worry about me.”

“Too late honey. We’ll always worry about you.”

Shanelle smiled at her dad.

“What mom said.”

Damien smiled.

“Thank you both.”

The three spent the rest of the ride in companionable silence. Gazing out at the countryside. Seeing many getting ready for the upcoming Harvest Ball and Festival. As they rode down into the palace motorway, Damien took a deep breath.

“Well here we are,” he said quietly.

“It's okay Daddy. We’ll be right by your side.” Shanelle said reassuringly.

“Thank you my darling. Having my two favorite girls with me makes this a whole lot easier.”

The three exited the limo and headed to the entrance where they were greeted by Prince Edwin and someone from Damien’s past.

“Good morning Your Majesty, Your Highness, Your Grace. Welcome to the palace.” Edwin said in greeting.

“Good morning cousin. Thank you for welcoming us.” Shanelle replies.

Edwin nods politely.

“You're welcome, Your Majesty. Now please let me introduce you to my aunt Countess Alicia Jacquier-Barbaroux, my mother's lead ladies' maid and head of the palace staff here.”

Shanelle nodded politely to the woman.

“It's good to meet you, Countess.”

“It's good to meet you as well, Your Majesty.” the Countess replies before turning to Damien, “Your Highness. It's good to see you again.”

“Hello Countess, thank you for having us,” Damien replied, taking Shantel’s arm in his.

“Us?” she asks somewhat perplexed before regaining herself, “Ahh yes. Shantel is it? It's good that you’re here too.”

Shantel forces a smile.

“Countess, my mother is a Duchess and is to be addressed as Your Grace.” Shanelle corrected her.

Countess Alicia nodded politely.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It's good to have you here…Your Grace.”

“Thank you for having us Countess,” Shantel says coolly.

Countess nods demurely before Edwin clears his throat.

“Shall we go inside now?” Edwin asks.

“Yes. Let's.” Shanelle replies.

Edwin took his aunt’s arm and led Shanelle and her parents inside. As they walked behind their hosts Shanelle glanced over to her mother and read the tight expression on her face.

“Mom, are you okay?” Shanelle asks.

“Yes, baby I'm fine,” Shantel replied tightly.

Shanelle looked at her father.

“Daddy?” she asks.

Damien sighed.

“Let's just say, Countess Alicia and your mother do NOT get along,” he replies.

“That's one way to put it,” Shantel muttered.

“Do I need to have words with this woman?” Shanelle asks.

“No baby. I'll be fine.” Shantel replied.

Shanelle cleared her throat, catching her cousin's attention.

“I'm surprised you’re here Edwin. I thought you weren't speaking to your father.”

Edwin stopped and then sighed heavily, rubbing his brow.

“I’m not but because I am his eldest child, protocol dictates that I be here in his time of need. Same as you.”

“And how are you doing? How is Pascal?” she asks.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty but I'm not sure why you care,” he replied.

“Because I know for a fact that you two have been together publicly since his divorce from Giana was finalized back in January. And because I actually want to see you be happy.”

Edwin looked at her and nodded slowly.

“Thank you, Shanelle.”

“Whether you believe me or not, I wish you both the best. And so does my husband.”

“Thank you, cousin. I wasn't sure how you'd react.”

“Just because we've never really gotten along doesn't mean that I hate you. I genuinely want you to be happy.”

“I appreciate that.” he said before pausing momentarily, “If it's not too forward, I would like to extend you and His Majesty an invitation to our wedding next March.”

Shanelle nodded with a small smile.

“We would be delighted to attend.”

“You would?” he asks.

“Yes. Again I don't hate you. I would love to be there.” she replies.

“Thank you. Now because of the divorce, Giana is barring their children from our wedding so I was hoping you'd allow the Princess and Princes to stand in as a flower girl and ring bearers on their behalf.”

“I'm sure my daughter would love that. I don’t know about my boys. I don't think they would understand the concept but I would love to see them walk down the aisle with their sister.”

“Thank you, Shanelle. It means a lot to me that you and your family would attend and can you ask His Majesty if he wouldn't mind officiating,” he said to her.

“I most certainly can ask him.”

Edwin nodded gratefully before turning to Damien and Shantel, “I would love for you both to attend as well Uncle.”

Damien nodded gratefully.

“Send us the invitation and your uncle and I will happily be there,” Shantel replies.

Alicia rolled her eyes and Shantel caught it.

“Is there something wrong Countess?” Shantel asks.

“No no. Well…I'm just not sure why Edwin would invite you. I just thought this would be an intimate family affair.”

Damien sighed.

“Not that you need to be reminded Alicia, but Shantel is my wife and Edwin’s aunt through marriage. She is no different than you.”

“I was only kidding Damien.”

“Sure you were…” Shantel muttered.

“Just so you know Countess, disrespecting my mother is the same as disrespecting me. And I will not tolerate being disrespected nor will I tolerate my mother being disrespected.” Shanelle warned the Countess.

“Very well. I apologize…Duchess.” Countess Alicia said to Shantel.

“Sure.”

“Shall we continue?” Edwin asks before he continues down the main hall.

Edwin led them to his father’s bed chamber. When they got to the door, they were greeted by two women.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, Your Grace, meet my cousins Lady Ariella Barbaroux-Lawrence and Lady Amina Barbaroux-Clauson,” Edwin said as he introduced them, “My ladies, please meet Her Majesty, and my aunt and uncle, Prince Damien and Duchess Shantel.”

Both ladies curtsied before joining their mother’s side giving Shantel the same side eye as their mother that Shanelle noticed.

“Are you all ready?” Edwin asked.

“Give us a moment, if you please,” Shanelle replies.

Edwin nodded.

“Of course Your Majesty.”

Shanelle pulled her parents into a nearby alcove.

“Okay, what is going on here?” Shanelle asked her parents.

Damien sighed.

“Alicia was the one I was supposed to marry before I met your mother,” Damien replies.

“Yeah, and the bitch has never let me live it down,” Shantel added.

Shanelle groaned.

“What is it with you Cordonians and marrying women you have no business marrying?” Shanelle teased.

Her parents snickered.

“The heart wants what it wants,” Damien replied.

“Are you sure that the Countess won't be a problem?” Shanelle asked.

“Yes, my darling. Alicia has never forgiven me for marrying your mother but as you can clearly see I have never regretted my decision to marry the love of my life.” Damien replies.

“It's also why Genevieve and I have never gotten along. To her and especially her step-sister, I've never been good enough for your father or his station.” Shantel added.

“Jesus Christ!” Shanelle groaned.

“We'll be fine, baby,” Shantel assured her daughter.

“Okay. Let's go see the rusty old windpipe Daddy calls a brother.”

Damien snickered as he shook his head. Soon they rejoined Edwin outside the former King’s bedchamber door.

“Shall we?” Edwin asked.

Shanelle nodded while Damien took a deep breath.

Edwin opened the chamber door to reveal Edward lying in bed hooked up to an IV machine with Genevieve and a nurse by his side. Seeing Edward reminded Damien of what his father looked like in his final moments as he and his family walked in.

“Father, Mother, you have guests.” Edwin informed his parents.

When Edward looked up his face instantly soured.

“What are you doing here in my palace?” he sneered at Shanelle.

“Believe me I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be here. But since you decided to go off and have a stroke on me, I'm here. Also, you forget this is MY Palace. You stay here because I allow it.” Shanelle snapped at him.

Edward turned his attention to Damien.

“And what about you? What the hell are you doing here?” Edward asked Damien.

Damien closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

“Last time I checked this was my home and you are my brother,” Damien replied.

“Don't you dare get smart with me you simpleton!” Edward snapped at Damien.

“Watch your mouth, Edward! Unless you want to foot the bill for your care yourself.” Shanelle warned him.

“You can't do that!” Genevieve said to Shanelle.

“You're right. I can't but my husband can and I will make sure that he does. I will not tolerate my father being disrespected. Especially by this pompous ass. So I suggest you tell your estranged husband to keep his trap shut.”

Genevieve narrowed her eyes at Shanelle before going back to tending to Edward.

“Why are you even here Genevieve? I thought you filed for divorce.” Shanelle asked.

“Yes well, Edward and I have reconciled. We are stronger together than we are apart.”

“You mean your stipend wasn't enough to finance your lifestyle,” Shantel quipped.

Shanelle snickered.

“I earned that stipend. Unlike you, Minister.” Genevieve sneered.

“Minister? What are you talking about sister?” Alicia asked.

“His Majesty has named her the new Education Minister. Not that someone like her deserves it.” Genevieve replies.

“She certainly doesn't.”

Shantel rolled her eyes.

“For the record, my mother has over 30 years of educational experience as an educator, she also has 2 MBAs, one in early childhood education and one in secondary education from NYU, and is working on her doctorate as we speak, as well as being the NYCPS Teachers Union president for nearly 25 years. Most of the nobles who were nominated before her had no prior experience in any form of education. It would do you both good to remember that. Thank you very much.” Shanelle snapped at them.

Shantel nodded gratefully as Alicia rolled her eyes.

“Very well. Apologies…Duchess.”

“Careful Alicia. Your envy is starting to show.” Shantel warned her.

“Can we do this somewhere else?” Damien asked.

The two women glared at each other but backed down. That's when Damien finally walked over to his brother's bedside while his wife and daughter stayed close to the door.

“You never did answer my question, little brother.”

“What question is that?” Damien asks.

“What are you doing here?” Edward replied.

“I'm here because my older brother had a stroke. And whether he wants to hear or not I still care about him.”

Edward scoffed.

“I don't need your pity!”

“And yet you have it anyway.”

“Well now that you've seen me, you and your family can leave.”

“I'm not going anywhere.”

“I said leave! I don't need you! I have never needed you! You were always the weakling that I had to carry for the sake of our parents. If it were up to me you would've been exiled the night they died!”

That's when Damien snapped.

“I have heard enough Edward! If you must know I'm here to remind you that you are no longer a King. Nor were you ever a God! You are just a man! You want to know why I'm really here? I'm here because whether you realize it or not, I am the only family that you have left!” Damien’s voice boomed, “Look at what all you've done in and with your life! The only reason Genevieve came back to you is because she's broke! Hell, even your own children want nothing to do with you because they are that ashamed of you! The only reason poor Edwin even is here is because of his duty to his father! The same as me!”

By the time Damien was done, Edward was stunned. It was the first time he had ever yelled at his brother. That's when a slow clap coming from the doorway broke out.

“Well well well! Would you look at that? The coward finally found his spine. Never mind the fact that it only took you damn near our whole lives to do so.”

When everyone turned to the doorway in walked Shanelle’s Godfather and Damien’s best friend Commander Gaspard Devereaux.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Alicia asked.

When Gaspard turned to her his face soured.

“Oh, good Lord! What cesspool did they drag you out of? If you must know, I'm obviously not here looking for you. I'm here as a guest of the Queen.” Gaspard replies.

“I did not invite you!” Genevieve said.

“I wasn't talking about you, you bottom-feeding wretch!”

Shantel snorted.

“I'm talking about my goddaughter,” Gaspard said, gesturing to Shanelle.

“How dare you insult my wife?!” Edward exclaimed.

“How dare you insult my wife?!” Gaspard mocked. “Very easily actually. Especially since I am no longer under your command. That means I can insult her and this cheap two-timing golddigger she calls a step-sister all I want!”

Genevieve seethed.

“Now speaking of my goddaughter, where is my little beauty? Ahh, there you are! And look at you! You are as beautiful as the day I met you, my dear.”

Shanelle snickered.

“Thank you, Godfather. It's good to see you.” Shanelle said as she hugged him.

“It's good to see you too, Your Majesty,” he said with a bow.

When he looked over at Shantel he had a smirk on his face.

“Well well! If it isn't the cause of my exile!” he teased.

“Oh go to hell Gaspard!” Shantel hissed.

“So prickly! You know you used to have a sense of humor when you were younger.”

Shantel shook her head with a smile.

“You're lucky I tolerate you.” Shantel said as she hugged him, “It's good to see you.”

“It's good to be seen.”

“How is Amelia?” Shantel asked.

“Fantastic. Ready for Thanksgiving.” Gaspard replies.

“Good. I can't wait to see her and everyone.”

When Gaspard got to Damien he had a look of smug pride on his face.

“Well well, you finally did it, old friend. You finally found your voice after years of being the punching bag of the conniving snake you call a brother. Gone are the days of you having the voice of a meager little church mouse, and here to stay are the days of you having the voice of a bullhorn.”

Edward gave Gaspard a venomous look.

“Are you quite finished?” Edward asked.

That's when Gaspard turned to Edward.

“Of course not Your former Majesty. I have only just begun. How fitting that the once-great King of South Cordonia has been humbled by a stroke. Tis a shame that it didn't claim your tongue or your life for that matter.” Gaspard replies.

Edward looked at him indignantly.

“You filthy God awful excuse of—” Edward’s words were cut off by a coughing fit.

“That's it! I want all of you out! Alicia get them out of here now!” Genevieve demanded.

“At once Your Majesty,” Alicia replied.

“If I may Countess, I'd like to have rooms prepared for my wife and I, and the Commander,” Damien said to her.

“With all due respect Your Highness, you have no jurisdiction here,” Alicia replies.

“You're right, he doesn't. But as the owner of this palace, I do. And as head of the staff here, you are under my command. With that said, I want rooms prepared here for my parents and Godfather, immediately. Thank you.” Shanelle said to Alicia.

Alicia stared at Shanelle before clearing her throat nervously.

“Y-yes, Your Majesty. Right away.”

“Thank you, Countess.”

“Do not…make rooms…for these fools!” Edward Said through a coughing fit.

“Big Brother you are in no position to make any demands. As I said earlier this is my home. The same as yours.”

“This is not your home! Not anymore!” Edward wheezed.

“No thanks to you! But now that you no longer have any power, you can no longer ban me from my home. And you certainly have no power to keep me from the one thing I treasure most in this world!” Damien snapped at his brother.

“And dare I ask what that is?” Edward asked.

“Our parents’ final resting place,” Damien replies.

“You stay the hell away from there!” Edward sneered at Damien.

“You're no longer a King, Edward. You have no power anymore. Once more you’re no longer my King. Which means you have no power over me!” Damien snapped at his brother, before walking out of Edward’s room. With Shanelle, Shantel, and Gaspard hot on his heels.

Once outside, Damien walked a few steps to a large picture window overlooking his mother’s garden. The tension in his body left him, and his shoulders slumped as he took a shaky breath.

“Daddy? Are you okay?” Shanelle asked quietly.

“I shouldn't have yelled at him like that. Not when he's in such a fragile state.” Damien replied.

“What?! Are you insane?!” Gaspard asked.

“Gaspard,” Damien replies.

“Don't you Gaspard me! You had every right to yell at that no-good bastard! He's done nothing but bully me and especially you our whole lives. In case you've forgotten, I hadn't been able to come home in decades because he exiled me to America! An exile mind you, that your daughter and son-in-law lifted. On top of granting me the death benefits of my father that your brother refused to pay after he died.”

“I haven't forgotten Gaspard. I could never forget.”

Gaspard scoffed.

“Gee, I can't tell.”

“Gaspard, that's enough! You’re not the only one he hurt.” Shantel said to him.

Gaspard sighed.

“I'm sorry my friend. I wasn't trying to take this out on you.”

Damien smiled softly at his best friend.

“I know you aren't.”

The two embraced.

“It's really good to see you, old friend.”

“Likewise Gaspard.”

Damien faced out at the garden before looking back at his daughter.

“Come with me?” he asks her.

“I would love to,” she replies.

Shanelle slipped her hand into his before they, her mother and godfather walked out to Damien’s mother’s garden. They took time to walk amongst the rows of Queen Angelique’s favorite flowers. Being able to share this with his daughter, meant the world to Damien. They stopped when they got to a garden chair set that had seen better days.

“Do you remember this?” Damien asked his daughter.

She looked at the set trying to recall it.

“No, I don't. I'm sorry,” she replies.

“It was where we had high tea with your grandmother. She invited me and Mama to join you and her.” Shantel piped up.

Shanelle looked back at the garden chair set.

“I don't remember that.”

Shantel smiled at the garden set.

“It was a few days before your coronation. She had all the ladies of her court there. That's when she first introduced you to them.”

Shanelle closed her eyes and nodded. Damien wrapped her in a loving hug.

“Your grandmother was so proud and excited to show you off to the ladies of the court. She had found out she had a granddaughter and she was going to make sure the whole world knew about you.” Damien said softly to his daughter.

Shanelle softly wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I miss her. And Baba too.” Shanelle said quietly.

“You are the reason, he became a better King in his final days. That is one thing I am most proud of.”

“But I didn't do anything.”

Damien kissed his daughter on her forehead.

“You changed his life and his view on his kingdom. Because he knew his kingdom would one day be yours. You made him a better man and King. No one can say they did that but you.”

Shanelle laid her head on her father’s shoulder and smiled softly.

Later that night, after making sure her parents and Godfather were safe, comfortable, and situated in their guest rooms at the old Palace, Shanelle was back home in her husband’s arms enjoying a glass of wine.

“Well, you've had quite the day.”

Shanelle sighed.

“Tell me about it. I swear if murder wasn't illegal or at least severely frowned upon, I'd bomb that damn palace and everyone in it.”

Marquise snorted.

“Ever my charming and beautiful murderess.”

“Those imbeciles deserve it!”

Marquise refilled his drink.

“Anyway, tell me more about your cousin’s upcoming wedding.”

Shanelle smiled softly.

“He invited us and my parents and I couldn't say no. And I meant it when I told him that I am happy for him and Pascal.”

Marquise nodded.

“Did he say who was officiating?” he asks.

“Yes. I wanted to know if you'd officiate their wedding,” she replies.

“Me?”

“You do have the power to officiate weddings, Sir.”

“True.” he said before taking a sip of his drink, “So I guess I should dust off my Bible and grab my officiating tie. I have yet another wedding.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

“What else happened?” he asked.

“We toured my grandmother’s garden and Daddy showed me where she had us have high tea with her,” she replied.

“Tell me about that.”

Shanelle smiled wistfully.

“It's beautiful. All of her favorite flowers are there. I felt like she was there with us. I would love to bring Khari. She would love it.”

“I'm sure she would. She loves flowers. She loves taking flowers from the maze and bringing them inside.”

“Part of me is happy we went.”

“You were happy to see your uncle?”

“No, you dumbass. It was good to be back in the palace because, for the first time, it didn't feel like a dungeon.”

“I mean it is your Palace, my love. You are allowed to come and go there as you please. And the only reason Edward and his family have been able to stay there is because you didn't want to take the only home your cousins had ever known away from them.”

“True.”

“And now that your cousins are grown and clearly on their own, you have the power to evict His former Majesty if you choose to.”

“Did I mention that he and Genevieve have apparently reconciled?”

Marquise made a face.

“Well, that just ruined the mood.”

“Tell me about it.”

Just then Shanelle’s phone buzzed.

“You should get that,” Marquise suggested.

“Hello?” Shanelle answered.

It was her father who was frantic over the phone.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Daddy slow down! What happened?…Mom and Countess Alicia did WHAT?!”

Shanelle listened to her father and tried to calm him down.

“Okay, Daddy calm down! Where is Mom? Is she okay?…Okay, you need to calm her down and tell Godfather to quit laughing!”

Shanelle listened again before she hung up the phone.

“What is it?” Marquise asked.

“Do you know who Countess Alicia Jacquier-Barbaroux is?” she replied.

“Yes. She’s Genevieve’s step-sister. What about her?” he asked.

“She's also about to be a dead woman,” she replies.

“What happened?”

“She got into a fight with my mother. And lost.”

Marquise let out a breath.

“Yikes!”

“Exactly.”

“Is mom okay?”

“Yeah, she's fine. She's just royally pissed.”

“I don't blame her. Where is the Countess now?”

“All I know is my parents are on one side of the palace and she's on the other.”

Marquise nodded decisively.

“I’ll have an arrest warrant issued for the Countess in the morning.”

“In the morning? Why not now?”

“Because doing it now would mean that I'd have to get up and walk all the way down the hall to my office. And I don't want to do that now that I'm in a comfortable spot.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“Fine. I do have a question though.”

“Yes?”

“Wouldn't issuing a warrant on my mom’s behalf be considered showing favoritism?”

“Your Mother is an active member of the Royal Family. So no it's not.”

“Why can't you get a judge to do it?”

“Because all the nobles answer to me, not to the judges.”

“Good. The sooner that bitch is arrested the better.”

“It will be done, my Queen.”

“Good. I'll go back to the palace tomorrow to check up on Mom and make sure she's really okay.”

“Do you want some company?”

“No, not unless you want to hear Genevieve bitching at me at the top of her lungs.”

“Oh, how I thoroughly enjoy making that woman and her God-awful husband suffer.”

“And you have the nerve to call me a murderess.”

“You want to drop a literal bomb on her.”

“No, I don't.”

“Yes, you do. Not that I blame you. Whereas I want to take pleasure in watching her suffer. And thus why we are not the same.”

“Yeah yeah…” she muttered.

“Don’t worry my love. All will be taken care of by this time tomorrow. You have my word on that.”

“I know. And besides Khari will have your head if it isn't.”

“Ugh! Did you have to remind me?”

Shanelle snickered as she snuggled with her husband. Because he was right. He would make extra sure that this matter is dealt with as swiftly and quietly as possible.

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