Chapter 73: Royal Fallout
The morning light filtered through the tall arched windows of the royal study, landing on polished marble and the long conference table that had seen its share of royal storms.
Joseph stood at one end, leaning against the edge of the table with his arms crossed, while Nick paced slowly near the fireplace, his brows knitted in thought. The air was thick, waiting for Alexander’s inevitable reaction.
“He’s what?” Alexander’s voice thundered through the room.
Joseph exhaled quietly. “He’s bringing her here. To the villa.”
For a moment, Alexander just stared — as though hoping he’d misheard. Then, with a sharp motion, he turned toward the nearest servant standing by the door. “Have the east wing prepared,” he ordered curtly. “Make sure the rooms are aired out and ready by this evening.”
The maid bowed and scurried off.
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint crackle of the fire.
Nick was the first to speak. “You’re taking this calmly,” he said cautiously, though the look on his face said he didn’t quite believe it.
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Calmly?” His voice was low now, the anger simmering beneath the surface. “I’m trying to maintain control. The last thing we need is for the palace to turn into a circus before the King and Queen have even received the news.”
Joseph sighed, pushing away from the table. “With all due respect, Alex, there’s no way this won’t turn into a circus. The moment Pablo brings Giana through those doors, the staff will talk. And the moment one of them talks…”
Nick finished the thought grimly, “…the media will eat it alive.”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. “Exactly.”
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Joseph, voice quiet but firm, said, “You do realize he’s not going to let her out of his sight, right?”
That pulled Alexander’s gaze up sharply. “What are you implying?”
“I’m saying,” Joseph continued, “you can assign her a suite on the far end of the villa all you want, but it won’t matter. He’ll be wherever she is. She’s carrying his child, Alex. You know how he gets when he cares about someone — stubborn, protective, irrational.”
Alexander’s temper flickered again. “Protective?” He took a slow breath, fighting to keep his voice steady. “He’s reckless, Joseph. He’s endangered himself, her, and possibly Gloriana by dragging this into the open before we’ve even had a chance to prepare a statement.”
The mention of Gloriana softened his voice, but only slightly.
“Who’s going to explain all this to her?” he asked finally, his tone quieter but sharper somehow. “She’s five years old. How do we make a child understand that her father — the man she idolizes — has just complicated all our lives beyond repair?”
Nick stepped in before Joseph could respond. “Alexander,” he said carefully, “let’s not make this about the child yet. Gloriana doesn’t need to know every detail right now. All she needs to know is that someone new will be staying here for a while.”
Alexander turned to him, eyes narrowing. “And when the nobles get wind of this? When pictures of her father’s ‘mystery woman’ start plastering every magazine in the region? Do you think Gloriana won’t see that? Children notice everything.”
Nick sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know. But raising your voice about it won’t change what’s already done.”
For a long moment, the three men stood in silence again — each weighing the weight of what Pablo’s choices meant for all of them.
Joseph finally broke it with a mutter. “You know what’s funny? I told him to keep things quiet. Told him not to let the world see too much too soon.”
Alexander let out a humorless laugh. “And did you expect him to listen?”
“Not really,” Joseph admitted, a faint, rueful smile tugging at his lips. “He’s always been his father’s son — heart first, logic second.”
That drew a sharp glance from Alexander, but there was no real anger behind it. Only resignation.
Nick crossed his arms. “The damage control needs to start now. Before the King and Queen make their decision.”
“They’ve already made one,” Alexander said quietly. “They’re furious. Hurt. The Queen’s beside herself — says this is going to ‘taint the royal image.’” He gave a bitter smile. “As if love ever fit neatly into palace protocol.” Alexander finished as he read a text from his mother.
Joseph leaned forward slightly, voice steady. “So what’s the plan, Alex? You going to forbid him from being with her?”
Alexander met his gaze. “Would it matter if I did?”
The question hung in the air, rhetorical and hollow.
Nick stepped between them again, tone firm but level. “We don’t have to agree with his choices right now. We just have to make sure everyone survives them.”
Alexander gave him a long, assessing look before finally exhaling, some of the tension slipping from his shoulders. “Fine. Prepare for their arrival. But keep the press away. Not a single photographer gets within a mile of the gates, understood?”
Joseph nodded. “Already done.”
“And Joseph—” Alexander paused, glancing toward the window where sunlight spilled across the gardens. His expression softened for the briefest second. “Make sure Gloriana doesn’t see anything she shouldn’t. Not yet.”
“I will,” Joseph said quietly.
As Alexander turned and walked toward the doors, his voice carried back to them, low and weary. “He thinks love is enough to shield her from this world. I pray to God he’s right.”
The doors closed behind him, leaving Joseph and Nick alone with the silence.
Nick shook his head, voice barely above a whisper. “And so it begins.”
Joseph glanced toward the window, where the road leading up to the villa glimmered in the morning light — waiting for the arrival that would change everything.