Chapter 9 His Royal Highness

CEDRIC?!

Juniper couldn't stop her jaw from crash-landing to the floor.

PRINCE CEDRIC WAS CHLOE'S BOYFRIEND?

Before her brain could even process what was happening, the entire household suddenly bowed in reverence. "Welcome to our humble abode, Your Highness," Antoine boomed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "We, uh, weren't exactly expecting you," he added in a light tone, each word dripping with a decent amount of sarcasm. "Thanks to our lovely daughter's thoughtful planning."

Chloe giggled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hey, I just wanted to surprise you all."

Antoine shook his head good-naturedly at Chloe's antics, before turning his attention back to Cedric. "Please, accept our apologies for not giving you a proper welcome."

Cedric let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Oh, no need to apologize, really. And please, let's skip the formalities. I'll appreciate it if you treat me like. . ."

His voice trailed off as his eyes shifted towards Juniper. As his gaze met hers, she lost the feeling in her knees. The room around her seemed to fade away, leaving only her stunned expression and the shockwaves coursing through her veins.

"Shocked" was an understatement of what she was feeling, and judging by the expression on Cedric's face, it was clear she wasn't the only one feeling the jolt of bewilderment.

There he stood. . . Crown Prince Cedric VI of the esteemed House of Montforte which was the last monarchial family of the French Republic and the head of state of the Kingdom of Forêt-Bleue.

The royal family's legacy was one of pure grandeur, and Cedric, as the sole heir to the throne and the monarchess's only son, embodied the perfect blend of nobility, charm, and grace. To think a man of such caliber had once been head over heels for an ordinary commoner like Juniper was unbelievable but true.

Every single day with Cedric had been heaven for Juniper. Well, not until his mother, the Queen, found out about their relationship.

Now, that was when all hell let loose.

In the moment of what seemed like unbreakable eye contact, Chloe's soft chuckle sliced through the subtle electricity cracking between them. "Oh, you've met the whole family, and you're a bit confused about her, right?" she said to Cedric, nodding towards Juniper. "Well, let me fill you in- the stunning woman over there is Juniper Laurent, Vivienne's half-sister, the newest addition to our unique family, and the woman carrying the last Bellerose baby."

Audrey let out a sharp breath, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Whoa, Chloe, that's quite an intro."

Chloe winked at her sister. "What can I say? I learned from the best."

As the sister shared a knowing chuckle, Cedric's gaze locked onto Juniper once more. The look in his eyes was no longer that of sheer astonishment but of graceful composure befitting a royalty.

"Hello, Juniper," he greeted her in that raw baritone that made a woman's inside somersault.

But Juniper did not reply and just stared back at him wide-eyed.

Audrey chuckled softly, nudging her playfully with her elbow. "Hey, don't make it too obvious it's your first time meeting the Prince of Forêt-Bleue in person. Try to play it cool."

That was not exactly the reason she was dumbstruck. Meeting him was not the issue. Hell, she'd met this man in ways that were too unholy to speak out loud. But really, she needed to get it together before these people began to suspect something was off.

With a subtle clearing of her throat, Juniper shook herself from the dazzled effect of seeing her former lover and curtsied gracefully. "My apologies, Your Highness. It's an honor to be graced by your presence."

And his response was a subtle nod.

Antoine took the cue to escort the prince into the living room with the rest of the family, leaving Juniper standing alone, her eyes fixed on the door they had just disappeared through. That was all she could do not to crumble under the weight of the memories and emotions that surged through her.

* * * *

Cedric wasn't the least bit surprised by the way everyone was throwing fawning attention at him. In fact, it made him sick. He was supposed to be used to it by now, given it was the baggage that came along with being the crown prince, but each time he was showered with the sycophancy and superficial conversations, he felt a strong urge to throw up.

To make matters worse, the one person he wanted to feed his eyes with was nowhere to be found. Ever since he saw Juniper at the foyer on his arrival, he hadn't glimpsed her around and he'd spent an hour in the mansion already.

Where had she run to? Was she avoiding him?

Just then, his phone rang and Cedric inwardly thanked his driver, who he'd texted a few minutes ago to call him so as to escape the political rubbish Antoine Clermont was feeding his poor ears with.

Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly rose from the sofa, gesturing politely to prevent the others from following suit. "Please, don't trouble yourselves," he said with a courteous smile. "I'll just take this important call. Excuse me."

Before anyone could respond, he was already out of the living room and out the front door. As soon as he was outside, his security team snapped to attention, ready to follow his instructions. But with a subtle wave of his hand, he dismissed them, seeking a moment of independence.

Cedric dragged in a lungful of refreshing air, relishing in his freedom. As he racked his head for a perfect excuse to totally escape from the suffocating gathering, his eyes caught a glimpse of Juniper with her nose buried in some flowers, blooming in the garden.

A slow smile crept across his face. She was the epitome of juvenile beauty. Abandoning his thoughts and worries, he ambled toward the woman his mind had been subconsciously searching for. "Hey, Juniper."

Juniper flinched. She straightened from her stooping position, her eyes slightly surveying the vicinity before settling on him. "Good evening, Your Highness."

Cedric's groan was laced with a hint of frustration. "Oh, come on, Juniper, drop the formalities. It's just both of us here."

Immediately, her expression relaxed, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. Seeing her smile so sweetly made him realize how much he wanted to spend some time with her. "Want to take a walk with me?"

Juniper's brief hesitation was almost imperceptible before she nodded, "Sure. I'd love to."

As they casually strolled through the isle of flowers, Cedric couldn't help but steal a glance at Juniper, his gaze tracing from her face to her slightly protruding belly.

"You know, you should have made it clear to me that the child you're carrying wasn't yours last we spoke," the words escaped his mouth before he could censor himself.

Juniper's eyebrow shot up, her expression a mix of curiosity and challenge. "Would it have made a difference?"

He couldn't answer that.

Immediately as she posed the question he realized that the clarification wouldn't have changed a thing between them, and he hated himself for being so powerful yet powerless when it came to having the one thing he cherished the most.

"So, you and Chloe, huh?" Juniper said, cutting through his thoughts.

Cedric's shrug was accompanied by a candid admission, "To be honest, there's nothing romantic between us. It's more of a relationship of convenience so to say, one that my mother has orchestrated. She wants Chloe to bear my child."

After he'd fully recovered from his arduous battle with Lymphoma, unfortunately, and just as predicted, the chemotherapy had taken a devastating toll on his reproductive health, rendering him infertile. The only remaining hope of continuing the royal family's lineage was being preserved in a vial at the Royal Hospital's sperm bank.

His mother, the Queen, had taken it upon herself to find a woman who was eligible to bear the royal grandchild. . . and Chloe was that woman.

"And what about you? Do you want her to carry your child?" Juniper queried barely above a whisper.

Cedric tilted his head to the side, surveying her. Was that a tinge of jealousy he sensed in her tone? The side of his lips turned up as he said, "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "Just curious."

"Well, I do not have a choice in the matter, do I?" he replied casually. "Especially since the only woman I've ever loved dumped me two years ago."

He still couldn't get why she would choose to hurt him in that way when he was going through a lot. How could she do that to him?

His words must have struck a nerve. She bristled, stopping in midstride as her eyes muddied with guilt gazed up at him. "Cedric. . ."

Just then, Chloe appeared in a short distance, waving her arms vigorously. "Your Highness, Juniper, there you are," she chimed in a cheerful tone. With quick steps, she neared them and looped her arm through Cedric's, her eyes darting between the two with a hint of playful suspicion. "What secrets are you two sharing in this secluded corner?"

Cedric peered at Chloe's flushed face. She appeared tipsy, he noted. She seemed to have indulged in a few too many glasses of wine. Thank God!

Before he could utter a word, Juniper spoke over him, "The prince simply lost his way, and I was kindly guiding him back."

Chloe's laughter filled the air as she gazed up at him. "You got lost in this modest estate?" she playfully teased. "I mean, it's hardly comparable to the grandeur of the royal palace, right?" Cedric's smile was warm and endearing as he looked down at her. "Would you believe me if I confessed that even in the palace, I sometimes find myself lost in its vastness?"

"No freaking way!"

And they both laughed, leaving Juniper to stare at them with a slightly awkward expression on her face.

With a gentle tug, Chloe urged Cedric. "Come on, let's get back inside. My parents want to have a word." She turned to Juniper. "You should come in too. The weather is getting chilly outside these days."

Juniper flashed her a smile. "Oh, I'll just walk a little bit more. My feet feel swollen-Courtesy of pregnancy."

Chloe nodded. "Don't stay out too long," she said as she pulled him away.

Cedric wished Chloe hadn't interrupted their conversation. He desperately wanted to know her reason for dumping him and whether she still had feelings for him.

And he was going to get it out of her. . . One way or the other.