Chapter 5 The Kingdom Awaits

Like everything else that has happened over the last eighteen hours, the royal jet landed with hardly any tremors. Lily had been surrounded by an almost unreal efficiency since the sleek black car had pulled up to her Boston apartment.

No security lines, private terminals, and personnel who appeared to attend to her needs before she had even expressed them.

"Dr. James?" As she stepped down the aircraft steps, a man in his mid-thirties with a perfect posture stood waiting. His Highness's private secretary, Marc Thornton. Greetings from Vallémont.

Accordingly, this was the enigmatic Marc, the guardian of regal secrets. He looked just as she had pictured him, with his well-tailored suit and alert eyes.

"Thank you." Suddenly self-conscious of her travel-worn look, Lily rearranged her carry-on bag. She had turned down the flight attendants' offers of a change of clothes and the use of the jet's shower. She was not going to show up like Cinderella in borrowed finery in some foreign kingdom.

"His Highness apologizes. He'll see you at the palace, but he has to attend to an urgent matter." Marc led her to a waiting limousine, the darkened windows of which reflected the mountains outside the private airfield.

"It takes about forty minutes to drive there. Would you want to drink something?

Trying not to feel overwhelmed, Lily glided into the soft leather seat. "Thank you, just water."

She saw Vallémont for the first time as the car drew away. The sky was enclosed by alpine peaks, their snow-capped summits shining in the afternoon daylight. Aside from charming towns that popped up to have been taken from postal mails, the winding path provided views of spotless lakes and forests.

She murmured, almost to herself, "It's lovely."

"Yes." A crystal glass of water was handed to her by Marcus. "Dr. James, this is your first time in Vallémont?"

His tone gave the impression that he was well aware of how she had spent her time in Zurich with Gabriel. "Yes. A trip that was rather unexpected.

Marc said with ease, "The Prince spoke highly of your research." "Your expertise will be an honor to the Royal Medical Institute."

That, then, was the official narrative. Not a prospective mother of the next royal heir, but a visiting scientist. Lily sipped her water while looking at Marc through the edge of her glass. To what extent was he aware? To what extent had Gabriel informed him?

Marc continued, focusing on a tablet, "I understand you'll be staying in the Montrose Suite." It is located in the palace's east wing and has beautiful morning light. Extremely private.

"The palace," Lily said again as the truth of her predicament struck her once more. "The real royal palace is where I'm staying."

Marc looked up, his serious expression softened by a tinge of laughter. "Dr. James, did you anticipate that His Highness would check you into a hotel?"

Lily's words collapsed in her throat as a limousine turned around a corner before she was able to come up with a response that wouldn't come through as completely naive.

Valmont Palace, an amazing fusion of an advanced château and an ancient fortress, rose from a cliff with a view of a shimmering lake. Official gardens fell down the slope toward the water, and sun glinted off its peaks and towers.

"Oh my God," she said.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Marc's voice was characterized by clear pride. Although the majority of what you see is from the 17th and 18th centuries, construction started in the 14th century. You will be lodging in the east wing, which was finished in 1783.

For a brief moment, Lily's academic detachment was overwhelmed by a childlike awe as she raised her palm against the window. This was much more beyond just a palace; it was a symbol of history.

And Gabriel, not her "Gabriel" anymore, but the Crown Prince of this kingdom straight out of a fairy tale was somewhere inside those old walls.

After passing through elaborate gates, the limousine took a meandering drive through well-kept grounds. With their ceremonial uniforms adding a pop of color to the stone facade, guards stood at attention.

As they got closer to a less imposing side door, Marc clarified, "We'll use the east entrance." "More private."

In other words, Lily translated silently, "less chance of anyone seeing the Prince's pregnant American guest."

As she got out of the car, a man in a costume opened the door and bowed a bit. Lily raised her shoulders, determined not to appear scared as she was. She had encountered antagonistic academic rivals and grant committees.

She was capable of managing a palace.

She was once more astonished by the interior's rising ceilings, precious artwork, and radiating marble floors. She could almost feel the pressure of tradition pressing down on her from every side.

"This way, Dr. James." She followed Marc down a hallway past rooms with securely closed doors. Centuries of Vallémont rulers watched her passage with painted eyes as they turned into a grand hallway lined with portraits of stern-faced men and women dressed in royal regalia.

Marc noticed her interest and added, "The royal gallery." "Every king since 1402"

Lily stopped in front of a picture of a woman with amazing blue eyes, like Gabriel's. "His mother?"

"Yes, Queen Helen." Marc's voice grew softer with real feeling. "Everyone loved her. The kingdom suffered a great loss with her passing.

And to the son who was only twelve at the time of her passing. Looking for signs of the genetic disorder that had killed her, Lily examined the painted face.

Would those same warning signs be passed down to her own child? "Dr. James." From the far end of the gallery came a deep voice.

Lily turned to see an older man, not Gabriel, walking slowly toward her. Despite not wearing a crown, his demeanor made it clear who he was. Gabriel's father and her child's grandfather was King Edward of Vallémont.

Marc bowed his head. "Your Majesty. Let me introduce you to Dr. Lily James.

Uncertain of protocol, Lily stood motionless. Did someone bow down to royalty from another country? Bow? Handshake?

The King reached out and resolved her problem. "Dr. James. We've been waiting for your arrival."

His hold was firm, his eyes sweeping over her, assessing. The King's eyes were steel gray and calmly monitoring, in contrast to his son's warm blue eyes.

"Your Majesty," she stated while trying to sound more composed than she actually felt. "I appreciate you taking me in."

With ease, he answered, "How could I not receive the woman carrying my grandchild?"

Lily's blood froze. He was aware. Gabriel had stated that they would first have a private conversation, but his father was already fully aware of the situation.

Her expression must have been read by the King. "Dr. James, you look surprised. You couldn't have imagined that such a big issue would be between you and my son alone, could you? The succession to the throne is not a personal matter.

"Father." As Gabriel strode down the gallery, his expression a careful mask, his voice broke the tension. "I didn't know you were planning to greet Dr. James immediately."

As the father and son looked at each other, the temperature of the room appeared to drop by a few degrees. The gap between them smoldered with many years of unsaid tensions.

Edward responded coolly, "As king, I make it my business to welcome important guests." "Especially those who have such... distinctive things to contribute to Vallémont."

Lily refused the urge to cover her stomach with her hand. She was not being talked about as a person, but rather as a royal nightmare.

In a small show of support, Gabriel moved to her side, something his father noticed. "Dr. James's journey has been lengthy. Before we talk about any state issues, she should get some rest.

"Obviously."

The King bowed his head in a way that somehow combined civility and authority. "The Montrose Suite is ready. During your visit, Doctor, we will have plenty of time to get to know one another."

It was a declaration rather than a request. King Edward left, his footsteps resonating on the marble floor, after giving her one last piercing glance that seemed to evaluate everything from her genetic suitability to her attire.

Before Marc cleared his throat, silence hung heavy in his wake. He bowed slightly and then made a calculated retreat. "I'll see to that your baggage is sent to your suite," he said.

For the first time since Zurich, Lily and Gabriel were left alone.

"You told him, "She said softly, her tone full of accusation.

"I didn't." Gabriel's mouth clenched. "My father has his methods for gathering information that he believes is important to the crown."

"You mean spies?"

"Intelligence networks." A little sigh, he ran a hand through his neatly brushed hair, an expression that was so heartbreakingly similar to the "Gabriel" she had known. "I apologize. I didn't want you to come this way."

Lily folded her arms. "How precisely did you want it? Sneaking me in through the door of the servants? keeping me hidden until choices regarding my child and I could be made?"

"Our child," he corrected gently. "And no. Before dealing with all of this, I wanted you to have some time to get used to it." He pointed to their surroundings. "I understand that it's too much."

"Overwhelming is not even close to describing it." She looked down at the empty gallery.

"I was in my lab twenty-four hours ago. I'm currently being assessed by a king in a medieval palace who seems to already be aware that I am expecting his grandchild.

Gabriel moved closer until she could smell his well-known cologne. "Look at me, Lily."

She looked into his eyes in spite of herself. Behind the royal exterior, she caught a glimpse of the thoughtful, passionate, and sincere man she had spent those evenings with in Zurich.

"Whatever happens next will be our decision, not my father's," he said quietly. I refuse to allow him to control our child's future."

She answered, "Pretty words from the Crown Prince," although her voice had lost some of its edge.

"But as we both know, royal children aren't brought up solely by their parents' decisions."

The sharp click of heels signaled each other's arrival before he could reply. A gorgeous woman in a properly tailored suit walked up to them, her sharp eyes darting between them with distinct curiosity.

"Gabriel, my love, you failed to inform me that your American visitor is here." She gave Lily a manicured hand and smiled, her eyes not quite meeting hers, her accent pure Vallémont aristocracy.

Lady Belcourt, Camille. Meeting the scientist who has piqued our prince's professional interest has been a true pleasure.

Gabriel's face tensed almost imperceptibly. "Camille. I had no idea you were going to the palace today.

"I was invited to tea by your father." She kept her hand on Gabriel's arm. "He believed that I could assist in introducing Dr. James to proper courtesies while she was visiting."

The implication was obvious. Lily was here, and Camille knew why, and she wasn't happy about it.

"How considerate," Lily said with the accuracy of a scientist, "but I'm afraid my focus will be on research collaboration, not court appearances."

The smile on Camille's face became fragile. "Oh, Dr. James, I have a feeling you'll be the center of attention anyhow."

With well-honed diplomacy, Gabriel moved between them. "Lily must be worn out from traveling. At dinner, we might be able to continue the introductions.

"Obviously." Over Gabriel's shoulder, Camille's eyes met Lily's and she planted a familiar kiss on his cheek. "Until tonight, then."

Lily arched an eyebrow at Gabriel as she sailed off. "Friend of yours?"

"Childhood acquaintance," he said thoughtfully. "Our families have... expectations."

"I see." And she did, too obviously. Lady Camille was the ideal future queen. aristocratic, well-groomed, and knowledgeable about royal protocol.

Lily was not all of that.

"Come," Gabriel said, pointing to another hallway. "Allow me to take you to your suite. You ought to get some sleep before supper.

Lily pondered what she had truly gotten herself into as they strolled in tense silence. This was no longer just about a baby.

Centuries of tradition, dynasties, succession, and a king who obviously had plans for her unborn child were all involved.

"One week," she told herself. She had vowed to spend a week in this fantasy realm before coming back to the real world.

However, Lily had the uneasy impression that Vallémont would not let her go so easily as Gabriel opened the door to a suite that was bigger than her entire Boston apartment.