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Smoke and Mirrors - I Will Fight For You Chapter 2

Smoke and Mirrors

Chapter 2: I Will Fight for You

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU

Series premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family, and of friends, will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.’

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, (past, Olivia Nevrakis x Amalas) Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh, Interpol Director Ryerson, Criminal Intelligence Officer Cossoy

Rating: M *Warnings: sexual innuendo, adult language/swears

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff

Words: 1968, Read: 8 minutes

Chapter Summary: Olivia starts her fight to remain in Amalas’ life. Bastien may have lost credibility with his King, but his truth will be the start of a new reality for Cordonia.

Chapter 2: I Will Fight for You

Music Inspiration: Fight Song by Rachel Platten

AN1: My submission for @choicesflashfics, Week # 16 Prompt #1. “All I ever wanted is right here in front of me”.

Previous chapter: Old Habits Die Hard

***

Royal Guard Palace Security Offices

Bastien was watching with trepidation as the Interpol agents gathered more physical evidence from the tampered jail cell. The cell door locking mechanism was removed along with the corresponding digital touchpad installed at the entryway to the bank of holding cells. The computer analyst had already electronically uploaded data from the Cordonian computer systems to the Interpol police servers, early this morning, during his interview with Officer Cossoy.

Going over in his mind the questions he was asked by the criminal intelligence officer, he was fairly confident that his answers that he gave were acceptable and not incriminating. The analysis from the confiscated iPhone didn’t have any circumstantial evidence of his involvement in any way.

That he was sure of, after personally reviewing the data.

There shouldn’t be any surprises this afternoon. Right?

He felt prepared for his meeting with King Liam this afternoon. However, he was anxious and reconsidered every detail in his mind of the answers he gave to Interpol.

What conclusions will Interpol discuss with the King?

What will he his reaction to those conclusions?

He woke up that morning feeling hopeful, but now, the guilt he always felt was now consuming him.

***

King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices

Liam stood in front of the large bay window in his study, re-living the moment it registered in his mind that Riley was having twins.

“...and this baby is the twin of another baby right next to it, here.”

His smile grew wide thinking about having two more children in his family and what that will look like.

Will they be boys? Girls? Or one of each?

Ellie will have siblings!

Riley was making another dream a reality for him, and he was ecstatic.

When he heard the knock on the door, he redirected his thoughts to focus on the task at hand.

A potential security breach.

Turning at the sound of the guards voice, he regarded Leo as he walked into his study.

Liam greeted his brother, “Leo, hey, thank you for coming to this briefing early.”

“No problem, Li, how was the doctor’s appointment this morning? is everything okay with Riley?”

Moving to stand behind his desk, Liam grinned, “well, I...”, he paused shaking his head and smiling.

Leo tentatively returned the smile to his brother, raising an eyebrow, “what gives?”

Liam couldn’t get the words out fast enough.

“Riley is having twins!”

“Woah! Geez, man...congratulations! Two babies on one shot!

Impressive, little brother!”

“Only you would think of that, Leo!” Liam chuckled.

Leo walked over to his brother pulling him in for a one arm hug.

Laughing, Liam shook his head, “thank you!”

***

Monterisso Royal Offices

Amalas sat back on her office chair, waiting for the Interpol file to upload. She was working with her security forces to identify a person of interest requesting citizenship in Monterisso. Normally, her team would vet all new migrants, however when Interpol contacted her directly about this person, her interest was piqued, and she wanted to investigate further personally.

The analysis of the confiscated iPhone of the escaped prisoner uncovered decrypted information that pointed to a connection in her country. A drone manufacturer here in Monterisso.

Amalas sat back on her chair, reclining back to relieve the tension in her neck.

It was not a surprise that the ‘Spy Queen’ was personally asked by the Director for her expertise.

Amalas had developed drone software, as well, as set up ultramodern drone hardware manufacturing companies in Monterisso.

Interpol had previously acquired several models of surveillance drones and software for worldwide operations from Monterisso.

But the surprise came from Leo Rys; who mentioned that this person of interest had evaded the Cordonian Royal guard, and that King Liam had called Interpol.

The fugitive made a statement at the time of her arrest that she is a Monterrisan resident and was employed as a drone program analyst. In her search to identify this woman, being that they had no evidence of residency, or immigration papers, Amalas had found driver licensing documentation.

Her name is listed as Lena Eleanor Runarsdotti, formally from the country of Vallenheim.

She sat back up checking her phone on her desk that just pinged with a message.

***

King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices

Discussing the revelation that Dr. Ramirez gave at Riley’s appointment, Liam conveyed his anger and distrust of the investigation into the death of his mother.

Leo was stunned, to say the least.

“Our father would have known about this pregnancy! My God, Li, is there no end to the fucking bullshit that he was hiding?”

“Why wouldn’t he tell me at some point that? Why would he not let me grieve for my unborn brother or sister? Did he grieve?”

“Maybe she wasn’t pregnant when she died. She was away often from the palace, especially before she passed.”

“Leo, what are you suggesting?” Liam was agitated at his comment.

“Li, something doesn’t add up…there’re missing pieces to this puzzle.”

Liam sighs in frustration, “I have instructed Interpol to analyze and re-open the murder investigation of my mother and now her pregnancy as well.”

That is another reason why I need you here in Cordonia.”

Liam could feel his stress level rising, his jaw clenching, he walked over to his bar cart. Picking up two crystal tumblers and a bottle of scotch, he returned to his desk.

“Anything you need Li, I will stay here for as long as you need me.”

After Liam handed his brother a drink, once again, the royal guard knocked announcing the arrival of the Interpol Director.

***

King’s Royal Chambers, Cordonian Palace

Sitting on the terrace, Riley sipped her orange juice while checking messages on her laptop.

There were several messages concerning Valtoria that she flagged for follow-up with her personal secretary. For the time being, Riley would work remotely with her key duchy council members, at Liam’s insistence.

Liam was determined to have his queen step back from her duties as duchess temporarily in Valtoria; not wanting her to travel long distances without him.

Riley sighed and shook her head.

He was going into ‘protective Daddy mode’, and to help facilitate that, he tasked Olivia with overseeing her duchy along with Lythokis.

Riley chuckled at the memory of Liam’s pleading look of concern as he successfully sold the idea to his wife.

“Excuse me, your majesty.” Mara, Riley’s personal guard, interrupted Riley’s thoughts.

“Duchess Olivia is here requesting an audience.”

“Thank you, Mara, please show her here to the terrace.”

Riley was not surprised that Liam had already arranged for Olivia to meet with her.

Olivia appeared at the doorway, grinning at her longtime friend. “Twin babies! Riley, I am so delighted for you!”

“Yes, it was a shock to say the least!

Thank you for coming to see me. Liv, please come sit.”

***

King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices

Interpol Director Ryerson and Criminal Intelligence Officer Cossoy entered Liam’s Study. They both bowed to Liam and then shook Leo’s hand before sitting down at the boardroom table.

After pleasantries were exchanged, Director Ryerson wasted no time in stating their preliminary findings and suggested three plans of action.

“Firstly, to facilitate the installation and implementation of the proposed enhanced security protocols, I would like to imbed Officer Cossoy with your Royal guard.”

“Is there a perceived threat to my Kingdom, Director? A threat that the Royal Guard is not adequately equipped to ensure the protection of the Royal Family?” Liam questioned emphatically.

“Not at this time, your majesty. Your family is secure.”

“We do believe, however, that Bastien Lykel is a compromised asset, placed close to the royal family, during the time of King Constantine’s reign, by a yet undetermined element.

By staying in close proximity to the operations of your Royal guard, we can watch first hand Mr. Lykel.

“Bastien needs to be removed at once, especially now with Queen Riley’s pregnancy,” Leo exclaimed.

“With all due respect, Queen Riley will be safer with the increased presence of Interpol.”

“Does this ‘increased presence’ include added Interpol officers to her personal guard?” Liam responds.

“Yes, your majesty, Officer Cossoy has select, vetted guards to imbed to the Queen’s guard.

Director Ryerson continues, “The former Duke of Karlington, who is currently incarcerated, is also a point of interest here.

We need your approval to seek his extradition, Your Majesty, to our headquarters in Lyon, France.”

Liam at once answers, “whatever supports you need, of course. As well, I will assume you have evidence of Bastien’s complicity.”

The Director continues, “we have reason to believe Mr. Lykel has previously undisclosed information on the death of Queen consort Eleanor Rys and of Jackson Walker, as well.”

Even though Liam asked for a further investigation into his mother’s death, he was stunned at these revelations.

“Lastly, we have identified the true identity of the woman apprehended by the Royal Guard, that was later released by Bastien Lykel.

Her name is Lena Eleanor Rys. She is currently living in Monterisso, formally of Vallenheim. She was the ward of Queen Sigrid Runarsdottir, deceased.”

***

The sun was just setting, when Drake slung into his Ford F-150 truck. He was exhausted.

Tonight’s council meeting was complex. When Liam joined in with the Interpol officers, his world was flipped over with the new revelations.

His mind was still reeling from the intense meeting and the last thing he wanted to do was to go home to a lonely cabin.

Texting Delaney, he let her know that he would be stopping by tonight, hoping he could crash at her place.

When he finally pulled into Delaney’s driveway, he smiled wide when she greeted him at the door.

Upon receiving Drakes’s text, Delaney started to prepare a light, late meal for him, complete with home baked apple pie with ice cream for dessert.

Drake sat back, after his feast, content and relaxed.

“You were hungry!”

“This meal.... was perfect. Thank you...You really know how to spoil a guy!

“You’re welcome baby, anytime!” Delaney winks.

Drake smiles, “Laney, come over here.”

Moving to him, she straddles his lap.

“All I ever wanted is right here in front of me.”

Placing his hands on her hips, Drake doesn’t waste any time, pressing his lips to hers, then deepens the kiss. After a few moments Drake pauses, then cupping her cheeks with his hands. Gazing into her eyes, he confesses,

“Then stay with me tonight.” Delaney whispers.

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