Chapter 4 Royal Revelations

A gentle chime signaled the establishment of the secure connection, and then he appeared on her screen. Not Gabriel, the affable diplomat, but Crown Prince Gabriel of Vallémont, immaculately dressed in a white shirt, his stance stiff, his face reserved.

His eyes, that sharp blue that had captivated her at the conference, were the only thing that had changed.

He addressed her as "Dr. James," as though they were coworkers who had never exchanged anything more personal than research notes. "Thank you for getting in touch."

Thankful that she had worn her most polished blouse for this discussion, Lily straightened her back. "Your Highness," she answered, her voice losing its slight edge. "I appreciate you setting up this call so promptly."

His face flashed with something, maybe regret, and then the royal mask returned. "Your message conveyed a sense of urgency. How may I assist you?

The well-practiced speech she had prepared vanished. What was the proper way to inform a prince that he would soon become a father? Was this specific announcement made in accordance with royal protocol?

She looked him in the eye and said, "I think you should know why I'm calling." "There were repercussions from three nights in Zurich. consequences that I only recently learned about."

Gabriel's hands were whitened where he held the edge of his table, but his face was still unreadable. "I'm not sure I understand."

"I am expecting a child." It was impossible to retract the words that hung between them. "My doctor says eight weeks. The timing is ideal for our meeting in Zurich.

He remained silent for a few heartbeats. The little widening of his pupils and a muscle in his jaw were the only signs that he heard her at all.

His voice was measured and in check when he finally spoke. "You're certain?"

"I've received medical confirmation." Lily took a deep breath. "I know this is a surprise. Believe me, I was also taken by surprise. However, I believed you had a right to know.

Gabriel abruptly stood up and turned away from the camera. Before he returned to the frame, his poise clearly jarred, she got a glimpse of an elaborate room.

"I must inquire," he said softly, "if you are positive that I am the father."

Lily's cheeks appeared hot. "Very sure. No one else has been present.

He gave her a single nod, taking her word for it without question. "And from me, what do you want? From the crown of Vallémont?"

The implication hurt more than she had expected. "I have no desire for anything from the crown. You deserve to know that this child is yours, which is why I reached out to you." She raised her chin. "I can raise this child on my own, no problem."

"That won't be necessary," he said abruptly before appearing to stop himself. His tone softened as he went on. "This child would be of royal birth if it were mine" "It is." An heir to the Vallémont throne.

The truth of what that meant started to set in. Their child, her child, would be more than a human being. It would be a political entity, born into duty and expectation.

Lily's voice was small as she said, "I don't know anything about raising royalty." "I didn't have that in my plan."

Gabriel's face lit up with a ghostly smile. "I doubt it was."

There was a pause between them, laden with meanings neither of them was prepared to express.

First, Gabriel broke it. "In order to properly discuss this, we must meet in person. This is not a video call conversation, even with secure channels.

"I can't just.....I have research and work to do."

"I get it. However, this situation needs to be addressed right away. He looked at his watch. "By tomorrow evening, I can have the royal jet in Boston."

Lily blinked. "You're coming here?"

"That would attract needless attention. No, you will arrive in Vallémont via the jet.

"Pardon me?" Lily found it difficult to speak at a level tone. "You can't just send me to another nation. I still haven't made any agreements.

"Lily, this is not a summons." The moment became softer when he called her by her first name.

"This is a request. There are security implications, medical considerations, and preparations that need to be made.

"For a pregnancy that's barely two months along?"

"For a pregnancy involving the bloodline of the Valois." His tone changed in some way. "You should be mindful of certain health issues. Genetic variables that need to be closely watched.

She immediately recognized the implication because she was a scientist. "Valois Syndrome." You were very interested in my research because of this.

Gabriel gave a somber nod. "I was twelve when my mother passed away from it. Although they are dormant, I carry markers for the condition. These markers may be passed down to our child.

The realization struck like a physical burden. Not only is it a royal baby, but it might also be a genetic time bomb. The work she had dedicated her career to, her research, suddenly felt very personal.

"I see," she muttered. "And Vallémont has experts who can keep an eye on this?"

"Yes, the world's foremost authorities on the syndrome." He paused. "If it were not important, Lily, I would not have asked. For you and the child."

She looked at his face, looking for the man she'd spent those three nights with, the one who had made her laugh until her sides ached and challenged her intellect. She saw glimpses of him behind the royal façade, truly worried about her and their unborn child.

At last, she said, "One week." "I can set up a week off from the lab. No more.

He felt a wave of relief. "I'm grateful. My private secretary Marc will handle all the planning. You can put your complete trust in him.

"What about a week later? "So what?"

Gabriel steadily looked into her eyes. "That will depend on what we determine is best for everyone."

She understood the diplomatic response. "You mean what's best for the crown."

"I mean what's best for our child," he corrected gently, "and for you." Before she could reply, there was a knock on his end of the call. Gabriel looked toward the door, immediately reverting to his royal rigidity.

"One moment," he said, then he stepped away from the camera. Lily watched as he spoke in low tones with someone just out of frame. This was his reality, day in and day out, a far cry from her quiet apartment and focused research.

"I apologize, but I'm needed urgently. State matters." "Of course," she said, trying not to sound dismissive. "Your kingdom awaits."

He caught the edge in her voice. "Lily... Thank you for telling me. For giving me the chance to be involved."

The sincerity in his words caught her off guard. For a moment, the distance between Boston and Vallémont seemed to shrink, and they were back in that hotel suite, just two people drawn

together by mutual fascination.

"Marc will contact you within the hour with travel details," Gabriel said. "He'll ensure your journey is comfortable and completely private."

"And when I arrive in Vallémont? What then?"

"I'll meet you personally. We'll have time to talk properly." He paused for a while, as if weighing his next words carefully. "No pretense. Just us, deciding the future together."

It was a promising statement. It was unclear if a crown prince could truly fulfill that promise.

Unable to ignore the slight reminder of their distance from one another, she said, "Until then, Your Highness."

A rueful smile curved his lips. "Until then, Dr. James."

Lily was left staring at her reflection in the blank screen as the connection was lost. What had she just consented to? traveling abroad to speak with a man who had kept his true identity a secret from the day they first met about the future of her unborn child as a royal.

An email rang on her phone, presumably with travel information from the enigmatic Marc.

This was taking place. She would be in Vallémont in twenty-four hours, dealing with the full force of centuries of royal tradition in addition to Gabriel.

She put a hand to her stomach, which remained flat. "Looks like we're taking a vacation, kid. I hope your father is just as endearing wearing a crown as he was without one.

"The American physician has been notified?" King Edward studied the intelligence report on his desk, his voice dangerously calm.

"Your Majesty," said General Bisset, "just as you suspected." "This afternoon, Prince Gabriel set up a secure phone conversation with her. According to our sources, she is scheduled to arrive in Vallémont tomorrow.

The King's face did not change its expression. "And you're certain about her condition?"

This morning, her medical records were viewed. The pregnancy has been verified.

Edward carefully closed the folder. "For eight weeks. which situates conception in the context of Gabriel's Zurich conference. He got up from his working surface and walked towards the window that looked out over the royal residence.

Does my son really think he can keep this from me? "In my own kingdom?"

"Privacy protocols were requested by the Prince"

"General, nothing in Vallémont happens without my knowledge. Keep that in mind. With icy eyes, the King turned. "Get the east wing's Montrose Suite ready. Our visitor will need suitable accommodations.

"The Montrose Suite?" General Bisset's astonishment was evident. "Those are royal family quarters, Your Majesty."

"Yes, they are." Edward smiled thinly. "She carries a Valois heir. Whether Alexander has realized it yet or not, that changes everything."

The General bowed. "And should we notify the royal press office?"

"Not yet." Edward returned to his desk. "First, I want to meet this Dr. James. The woman who might be carrying the future monarch of Vallémont."

As the General departed, King Edward picked up the small portrait of his late wife. "An American," he whispered to the quiet picture. "With knowledge of research on Valois Syndrome. Maybe Gabriel has actually inherited my practicality.

Carefully replacing the portrait, he called his assistant. Before their unexpected royal guest arrived, some preparations needed to be made.