For Love Or Country

Four

Then - Aislinn

“Duchess Ayleen, you’re needed in the West Library, immediately,” Collin’s voice comes from farther away, like he’s just come in the door.

“I cannot believe the Duchess slapped Cat,” I mutter, still stunned.

“When did Collin get here?” Mika whispers.

I shake my head and whisper back, “I think he just got here, but that’s pretty much how it goes around here, people just appear every time I turn around.”

“Like Onora,” she says.

“Onora is the worst of them. Like a ghost,” I say.

Onora clears her throat and Mika jumps. I sigh.

“See what I mean?” I say.

Mika covers her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, “Come on, better get into the next dress.”

“Remember what I said,” Ayleen hisses out in my suite, then the door closes with a heavy slam.

Cat’s muffled scream startles the three of us. Mika’s eyes go wide and round.

“What is going on, Cat?” Collin asks, alarmed.

“That’s our cue,” I say urgently to Mika, and practically jump into the sky blue gown. The neckline feels even lower on my body than it looked on the hanger. I don’t think I’ve ever shown this much of my boobs in public, ever, not even at the beach. I inhale sharply.

“Ok, but, you look ah-may-zing,” Mika says, doing up the buttons with an easy efficiency.

Onora gives a quiet, disapproving, "Tsk."

“I’d better,” I grumble. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

Onora opens the closet door and we try to hurry casually out into my bedroom. Hurrying casually is practically a form of art for a Royal.

“What do you think?” I ask, raising my arms artfully to the sides. Collin’s gaze pulls slowly from his sister to me, and he stands a little taller. I feel my skin burn with his attention.

“That snake, Ayleen!” Cat yells.

“Oh!” I pull my arms into my chest, partly in surprise, partly to cover my cleavage.

“She’s trying to come between you and the new Tochtan Queen,” Cat says heatedly. “When I asked her why, she refused to say. Then she threatened me. And then she SLAPPED ME!”

“Oh!” I say again, pretending not to have overheard all this as it happened.

“What!” Collin says at the same time, his shock real. “Are you ok?”

“I’ll be fine, I’m just angry. Ayleen, however. That b***h better watch her back. How DARE she lay a hand on me? On ME!” Cat says darkly.

Onora clears her throat quietly and murmurs, "Language, Lady Catherine."

Just when I think Cat might scream again, she takes a deep breath and turns her attention to me fully. I stand straighter again, and hold my arms softly along my body.

“Yes.” She says simply.

"No," Onora sniffs.

“Ash, you look...Amazing,” says Collin. Does he sound a little breathless? I feel his eyes as they drift over every inch of my body. I flush.

“That’s what I said!” Mika chimes in.

Cat looks between me and Collin and asks, “Are you two going to admit you have A Thing? Or are you still pretending this is a ‘professional relationship’?”

I feel my cheeks grow even redder, but Collin looks totally unflustered. I'm not exactly sure when I started thinking of Collin in a less than strictly professional way. We grew up together, Merial, Cat, Keera, Collin, and me. He had always been like a brother to me. I never thought of him as more. Until recently. Maybe it was going through all the events of the last month with him at my side. He has to be at your side, he's the Head of Royal Security, I remind myself.

“Cat, we DO only have a professional relationship,” I object.

“She’s right, we’ve never ‘had a thing’,” Collin says.

Cat rolls her eyes and Mika tries to hide her giggle by turning and pretending to admire a painting on the wall.

“You two have had a thing since we were kids,” Cat accuses, eyes narrowing at me.

"Cat, I've never even had a boyfriend," I remind her.

"Did I say a boyfriend? Or did I say you have a Thing?" Cat challenges.

"I've never had a Thing, either," I say, losing patience.

Cat shakes her head, "You're not going to sell this "professional relationship" story to me, I have eyes. I've watched you two your whole lives. You. Have. A Thing."

I laugh - what else can I do? The idea that Collin and I have been more than friends all this time is just comical. To think we could have kept it a secret from my sisters, Cat, and Liam for years, that's absurd.

“I’m going to take this gown off. Cat, Mika, will you stay for lunch?” I say.

“I wish I could, but I have to get to a fitting for Countess Fiona,” she says ruefully. “After Coronation?”

“Yes, of course! Maybe you’ll have to come with us to Jessamine’s. She says it's mandatory girls' week,” I say.

“More on that when I come back the day before Coronation for final adjustments. That sounds like a good time. Jess always knows how to throw a good party. And maybe by then you'll have your Thing figured out,” Cat says, pursing her lips.

I roll my eyes, "Alright, Cat. See you Friday."

“Be sure to put the gowns back in the bags,” Mika says and adds with a warning look, “And no strawberry tarts!”

I smile warmly at her and she winks.

“See you tomorrow at dinner?” Cat asks Collin, who has been suspiciously silent the last few minutes.

“I’ll be there,” he responds.

Onora opens the door for Cat and Mika and I wave at them as they leave.

“I’ll be right back,” Onora says, following them out the door.

“You really do look beautiful,” Collin says quietly.

“Thank you," I say while fighting the urge to cross my arms over my chest.

"I think Onora would personally shove you over the balcony before she allows you to wear this dress for Coronation," he says, sounding a little disappointed.

"She will absolutely set this dress on fire if she thinks I'm thinking about wearing it for Coronation." I agree.

"Imagine Cat's face if you told her Onora burned the dress," he looks like he might enjoy seeing Cat's face in that scenario.

"Speaking of Cat, can you believe she thinks we ‘have a thing’?” I say with a laugh.

“You know my sister, she loves drama,” Collin says, tossing a hand in the air.

“Even so, I’ve never ‘had a thing’ with anyone!” I exclaim.

“Would it be so bad, Ash? Having a thing?” Collin asks seriously.

“Between us?” I ask, my voice sounding high and sharp, even to my ears.

“You don’t have to act like I suggested personally jumping off the balcony. But if you ever did, you might as well wear that dress. I'll say it was Onora." Collin laughs. "I mean, would it be so bad to have a thing with anyone? I think it would be good for you to have some more joy in your life.”

“Of course not, it’s just...So much has happened lately.” I finish softly, dropping my gaze to the carpet. Collin crosses over to me and rests a hand on my shoulder, giving a light squeeze.

“Hey. It will be ok, Ash,” he says.

“And,” I say louder, “There’s still so much that must happen. I don’t know if I can do it.”

“That’s why you have a King, so you don’t have to face it alone,” Collin says gently.

“And I don’t know what to do about the King situation!” My voice comes out in almost hysterically. “Time is running out! Coronation is this weekend.” I add more evenly, biting my lip.

“You will figure it out,” Collin says firmly. “You have so many people that can help you.”

I take a deep breath and let it out. “I suppose you’re right.”

We just stare at each other for a moment. So many things unsaid, and they all feel thick between us.

“I really must change out of this dress, before I get something on it,” I say finally.

Collin nods and takes a step back.

“Oh, and Collin?” I hold his gaze. “No, I don’t think ‘a thing’ would be so bad.”

Collin goes very still and swallows audibly as I take a step towards him. I’m so close, the jewels of my dress are catching on his suit coat. I can feel his slow exhale down the ridiculously low cut of the dress. My skin tingles.

“I might kiss you,” he whispers.

“No,” I say. “Because I’m going to kiss you.”

“I’d like that,” he breathes.

I reach up and slide my hand along his jaw to his neck behind his ear without ever breaking his stare, and bring my lips to his. The kiss is soft, but intense. I inhale and kiss him more deeply, standing on my toes and pressing my body along his. He slides a hand up my side, and runs the other through my hair. Just when I think I could get lost in his kiss forever, I remember Onora. I groan against Collin’s lips.

“Onora,” he says, sounding slightly hoarse.

“Yes,” I agree, stepping back.

He looks at me for what feels like a long time, but is actually probably only a minute.

“I have to…” we say together. I laugh nervously.

Onora opens the door then, “Captain Neale,” she says, a slight edge to her voice, “I would have thought you had gone by now.”

“Leaving now, Onora,” he says with his schoolboy grin. "Majesty," he bows to me before leaving.

“Can you manage the gown on your own? I really must see that the arriving Princes have what they need,” Onora says.

I nod in reply, still thinking about the way Collin's hands and lips felt on me.

“Aislinn?” Onora says.

I force my attention to Onora’s face, “ Yes?”

“That dress is entirely unsuitable for Coronation,” she says with a sniff.

“Yes,” I say, looking down at myself. “Entirely unsuitable. For Coronation.”

Onora’s eyes narrow. I wave her toward the door.

“Go, I can do this,” I say.

She gives me one last, long look, and leaves. I look down at the dress again. Unsuitable for Coronation it may be, but the look on Collin’s face when he saw me in it...I might keep the dress anyway.

***********************************************************************************************

Now - Kenzie

 Kaylee arrives first, carrying an open but full bottle of wine, and a pastry box.

“Declan and the guys are right behind me,” she says, setting the box down and walking over to me. She gives me a quick hug, surveys me briefly and adds, “I should have grabbed a crown case.”

I look down at the crown in my hand, not fully realizing I had taken it off until now. I turn it back and forth, watching the lights catch the diamonds. It’s such a small, fragile thing, yet it holds so much power, I think.

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown, eh, Majesty?” Jack’s voice brings me out of my thoughts.

“Only if it’s actually wearing said crown,” I say with a wry grin.

“Cheers to that,” Jack says, holding up a bottle of whiskey.

“Cheers!” Alexandre shouts entering the room, holding up the two bottles of wine he’s carrying.

“Woo!” Kaylee adds and holds up her bottle.

“Wait, this is more than I asked for,” I say. “And I definitely didn’t ask for whiskey.”

“I filched it from the cellar,” Jack says with a shrug.

“Jack! Is that the 80 year whiskey I said not to touch?” Declan asks, stalking into the room.

“Of course not,” Jack says, waving his free hand.

Declan raises his eyebrows at Jack. I squint trying to see the label.

“It’s the 95 year,” Jack grins devilishly.

My mouth falls open. Declan closes his eyes and exhales slowly.

“Cheers!” Alexandre shouts again.

“Did no one bring glasses?” Kaylee asks, dismayed.

“I did,” Luca pokes his head in. “But I think this party needs to relocate, Councilor Linda is on the warpath and calling a meeting.”

Kaylee and I groan.

"What happened after I left?" I ask. I'm a little concerned that Linda is this upset about the dinner.

"Santiago, being the asshole that he is, told Linda I was never choking in the first place," Kaylee sighs. "Dr. Byrne, stars bless her, seemed to think it was funny. What was she going to say to Linda, though? "Don't be a hag, that's hilarious?" I mean, I personally would have loved to hear someone call Linda a hag to her face, but if anyone's going to do it, it's someone in this room."

I have to laugh at that, she's probably right.

"First thing tomorrow, I'm banning Santiago from Smaragaid," I say.

"We can't actually ban people from whole countries," Luca reminds me.

I grab the bottle from Kaylee and say, "Well then he's banned from my presence!"

I raise the bottle to my lips, and Luca clears his throat with an apologetic look.

"Luca, don't ruin my dreams of a Santiago-free life. You were there, you heard how he talked to me!" I say.

"We can't ban another Royal from our presence, it causes a breakdown in communication and diplomacy," Luca says.

"Are you just quoting the Universal Code?" Alexandre jokes.

"Listen to what he isn't saying, though," Jack says. "You can't ban him from your whole country or your presence, but you can say he's no longer welcome in your palaces. For grounds, you can cite misconduct."

"Why do I get the feeling you have firsthand experience with this specific phrasing?" Kaylee asks, grinning.

"Tremontaine," Declan, Jack, Luca, and I answer together.

"Do you know, I had almost forgotten about that," Alexandre says.

"That's interesting, considering you were supposed to have my back," Jack says good-naturedly.

"What happened at Tremontaine that you got banned?" Kaylee asks, wide-eyed.

"I hate to interrupt what is truly an epic tail, but we do have that Linda problem," Luca says urgently.

“Does she ruin everything?” Alexandre asks.

“You have no idea,” Kaylee says in a tortured voice.

“Won’t you have to be at her meeting, Duchess?” Jack asks Kaylee.

“I really can’t take another one of her meetings today,” Kaylee cries dramatically.

“Let’s go then. It’s a big palace, surely we can find somewhere to hide.” Jack’s bad boy grin is back.

“Won’t they just send Declan to find us?” Alexandre demands.

I shake my head, but Declan answers, “I’m the boss. My men know better than to come looking for me if it’s not an emergency.”

“So where in this big old palace can we go that we won’t be found?” Jacks asks with his arms stretched out wide, walking backwards towards the door.

“I don’t mean to be an alarmist, but we should decide quickly,” Luca says, peering out into the corridor. “Preferably, right now.”

“The elevator,” Declan and I say at the same time.

Linda’s muffled voice carries down the corridor to us, and it doesn’t sound like she’s calmed down at all.

“Uh-oh, better run!” Alexandre sings.

Kaylee squeals and grabs the pastry box, and then we’re all running for the elevator, Declan leading the way. We make it around the corner and to the elevator just in time to hear Linda cursing.

“Who has been in this Council Room? I swear to the stars, you security people are subpar at best! This room is supposed to be locked!”

Declan keys in the security code and grimaces, “I’m going to owe Finn a favor for dealing with her.”

“Can’t you just remove her from the Council if she’s that much of a pain?” Jack asks.

“Unfortunately, no,” I say with a sigh. “She’s one of two positions on the Council that were awarded by lottery to untitled citizens.”

“This is your advisory Council?” Alexandre asks, sounding mystified.

“No. Well, yes, in a way. She’s on the Queen’s Special Council. It’s temporary. The whole job is to advise the Queen in the event that the King line of the Crown is open while the Queen is eligible to marry.” I explain.

The elevator doors whisk open. Declan motions everyone in.

“That is a very specific set of circumstances to have Council for. Is there some history there, or is Smaragaid the world’s most overly cautious country?” Alexandre asks.

“You don’t know the story of the Forgotten Queen? What kind of education is the Universal Council allowing in Clovis?” Jack jokes, clapping Alexandre on the shoulder.

“The Forgotten Queen?” Alexandre looks at each of us, dumbfounded, “You all know this story?”

We all nod.

“To be fair, Declan, Kaylee, and obviously myself are all Smaragaidian. So naturally we know the story. Jack is just across the sea in Albion, so it makes sense that he’s familiar with it, too. And Luca serves on the Universal Council.” I say.

“Well, now I must know the story of this Forgotten Queen,” Alexandre says.

“Before we get into that,” Declan says, “we need to decide where we’re going, unless you want to stand in this elevator all night.”

“Why don’t we go to my rooms? That was my original plan,” I suggest.

Declan nods and enters the code for the apartment floor, and the elevator starts to glide upwards.

“Do you want to tell the story?” Kaylee asks me.

I shake my head, “Declan is the better storyteller.”

It's not true, I just don't feel like talking about someone else's struggle to fill the King line before her Coronation when I'm living in the same scenario. Declan glances at me, but doesn't argue. He launches into the story of Queen Aislinn, and I find myself staring down at the crown once more. It has to be some kind of sign from the Universe that we are back to Aislinn again, I think. The elevator gives a soft ding, and the doors open. I step out and lead the way to my rooms, pausing outside the door while Declan finishes the story.

“Damn,” Alexandre says softly. “That’s a lot of tragedy for someone so young.”

“I didn’t know all those details,” Luca says thoughtfully.

Jack shakes his head “Neither did I.”

I open the door and Declan enters first, sweeping through and then giving the all clear for everyone to come in.

Kaylee sets the pastry box on the coffee table while Luca lines up the glasses. Alexandre uncorks the wine and begins filing the glasses. Jack snatches the glass on the end before Alexandre reaches it. He grins as he opens the stolen whiskey bottle and pours himself half a glass.

“You wouldn’t happen to have ice?” Jack asks.

“No, and I can’t exactly call for some without Linda arriving instead of the ice.” I laugh, walking over to set my crown on my desk.

“Will she come looking for us here?” Luca asks.

“Honestly, she might. And her head will probably explode when she sees me and Kenzie in here with all you men,” Kaylee says.

“Oh no! Whatever shall we do? You’ll be ruined!” Jack says, imitating Linda’s voice. Everyone laughs.

"I'd still like to hear about what happened in Tremontaine," Kaylee says, handing me a glass and looking expectantly at the rest of us.

I laugh and take a sip before saying innocently, "Yeah, Jack. What happened in Tremontaine?"

"I chose the wrong partner, that's what happened," Jack says, swirling his whiskey.

"I would be offended by that, but it's actually a fair assessment," Alexandre says. "In my defense, though, I was new to the game."

"Game? You got banned over sports?" Kaylee asks.

Declan snorts, "Not a sport. It happened at the Declaration Day masquerade two years ago."

"But what happened?" Kaylee demands impatiently.

I look at Jack, uncertain if we should say more. Saying this much even, is technically against the rules of the game. Jack sips his whiskey and exchanges a glance with Alexandre, then looks at Luca. Luca studies Kaylee for a second and shrugs, and then they all take a drink and look at me.

"Clearly something is going on here. You look like a scene from a bad comedy right now." Kaylee says, crossing her arms in annoyance.

"You're the highest ranking Royal here," Luca says to me. "Your call."

I'm really torn, Kaylee is one of my best friends, but there are rules about who can play the game, who can even know about the game. Strictly speaking, the rule is "absolutely no outsiders, ever". I take a long drink of wine.

"Kaylee, you have to understand...This isn't just a secret. Obviously, I trust you with secrets. This is...a centuries-old tradition. It is the biggest shared secret among all Royals. You can never mention it outside this conversation right now. We really shouldn't have told you any of this." I say the words carefully, slowly. I want her to fully understand the weight of this secret.

Kaylee's eyes are as big and round as I've ever seen them, "I might be afraid to know now, this isn't like a "send an assassin for her" thing is it?"

"No," I laugh.

At the same time Jack says, "Maybe Lusitania."

"If it were Santiago for Lusitania, I wouldn't worry, but it's Martim," Declan says grimly. We all take a long drink at that thought.

"You guys are kidding, right?" Kaylee laughs nervously.

“So is this where your Forgotten Queen also lived?” Alexandre interrupts from where he stands, inspecting the stone carvings around the fireplace.

“No, this became the Queen’s apartment after Queen Aislinn, it was originally designated for the Crown Princess.” I say, glad for the excuse to change the subject.

“You are Queen, and you live in the second-best apartment?” Alexandre asks pityingly.

“Oooh, Kenzie, tell him about the Forgotten Wing!” Kaylee says picking up a strawberry tart.

“You have a Forgotten Queen and a Forgotten Wing?” Alexandre asks.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” Declan waggles his eyebrows at Alexandre.

“Certainly, all respectable old castles have ghosts,” he replies evenly.

“Royal ghosts?” Kaylee asks, her excitement nearly palpable. She bites into the tart and offers the rest to Jack.

“Do you mean to tell me your Forgotten Queen is still here? You’ve been keeping a haunted castle secret for this long? How can you even say we’re friends!” Alexandre demands with a flourish of his hand.

“Why, Sacha, I didn’t realize you were so into ghosts!” I protest.

“Only friends can call me Sacha,” he replies sulkily.

“Why don’t we hear about the Forgotten Wing before we go swearing off friendships,” Jack laughs.

Kaylee claps her hands eagerly, “Right down the hall from the elevator!”

“Right here on this floor?” Alexandre’s eyes grow wide.

“Yes! The Forgotten Wing contains the original Queen’s apartments, which are rumored to be so grand that the closet is as big as this room!”

“Wait, what do you mean “rumored”? Have you never been in there?” Jack asks incredulously.

“No,” Declan and I say at the same time.

“There is a wing of your own palace that you’ve never been in?” Jack says again.

“No,” I repeat. “It was sealed after Queen Aislinn because the staff started saying it was too haunted and they wouldn’t go in there.”

“No one has been in there since? It’s still sealed to this day?” Jack is aghast at the idea.

“No one has been in there since. Well, no, I guess a crew went in to inspect for damage after the hurricane about a hundred years ago. But otherwise, no one has been in there. It’s still sealed.” I say.

“But why?”

“Like I said, people were afraid to go in there. They thought it was haunted.”

“But why after the crew inspected it didn’t they reopen that wing? There had to be all new staff by then.” Luca asks.

“Ghost stories are long-lasting and superstitions are strong here on our island,” I say simply.

“A lot of people believe there’s a curse on the Forgotten Wing, and anyone who enters will die,” Kaylee chimes in.

“Did anything happen to the crew that went in?” Alexandre asks.

“Actually yes,” says Declan. “They were in a car accident after leaving the palace that day.”

“Seriously? No bullshit?” Jack says, his whiskey glass frozen halfway to his mouth.

“No bullshit,” Declan answers.

“That had to have been just a coincidence?” Luca says, looking between me and Declan.

“As a matter of fact, it wasn’t a coincidence, but not in the way you’re thinking” I say.

“One of the crew members was having an affair with the Admiral’s daughter. He found out that morning, and drove his car into the crew’s truck that afternoon.” Declan says.

Everyone sips their drinks silently, the mood in the room noticeably deflated.

“Well, that was depressing,” Kaylee says. “We all need some chocolate cake after that uplifting story.”

“Oh, ah. I forgot to grab the cake,” says Jack. “I was grabbing the whiskey,”

"More like distracted stealing the whiskey," Declan says cheerfully.

“Well that’s very rude of you Jack. I guess we’ll all have to have whiskey instead, then.” Alexandre says, holding his empty glass out toward Jack with a smile.

“A marvelous idea!” Jack says and pours whiskey into everyone’s glasses.

“What should we drink to?” Alexandre asks.

“Councilor Linda?” Luca suggests with a grin.

“Santiago, the ass?” Declan counters.

“Complete ass,” Kaylee agrees.

“How about to the Forgotten Queen?” Jack says and lifts his glass. “I feel like she probably doesn’t get many toasts.”

“To the Forgotten Queen!” Alexandre cheers, raising his glass.

“The Forgotten Queen,” Luca agrees, raising his own.

“Queen Aislinn, may she be at peace.” Kaylee, Declan, and I murmur together.

Everyone drinks. It’s grown quiet again, but not uncomfortably.

“Let’s play some music,” Alexandre says.

“We’re supposed to be hiding,” Luca laughs.

“You know what we should do?” Jack says, “We should go check out the Forgotten Wing. They’ll never look for us there.”

“Yes! I heard everything is exactly as Queen Aislinn left it!” Kaylee says jumping up and down.

“You’re not serious,” Jack says.

I roll my eyes and nod, “Yes. That’s the story anyway.”

“We simply must see it!” Alexandre says.

“We can’t,” I object. “It’s sealed.”

“So?” says Jack. “What will happen if we go in? You’re the Queen. You can’t exactly get in trouble for going into a room in your own palace.”

I consider this for a few seconds. What’s the worst that could happen after all?

“He has a point,” Alexandre adds.

“Please, Kenzie!” Kaylee begs.

I look at Declan, exasperated, but his expression is all carefully crafted calm. I shift my gaze to Luca, but his expression matches Declan.

“If you’re scared, we can always call Santiago to go first,” Jack offers, that mischievous gleam in his eyes.

“Screw that guy,” I say.

"No thanks," Declan wrinkles his nose. Kaylee, predictably, giggles.

Alexandre whoops with laughter, “So is that a yes?”

Everyone looks at me. I try to be my own voice of reason, but I can’t seem to think of any actual justifications for not going into the old Queen’s apartments. You plan on moving in there within a few weeks anyway, right? Maybe this is why Aislinn has come up so many times today.

“Keylin is going to kill us for going in there without her,” I say finally.