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“I don’t know what you’re—” When Leo gave the other man a look, he broke off instantly, his shoulders sagging forward. “Yes, it was me. I wrote those letters.”
“Who. Ordered. It?”
“Your father.” Harry held a hand up when Leo growled. “He regretted it afterward, though. That’s why he specifically requested Baker send in Alicia when they inquired after sending an agent over. He felt bad, and after keeping tabs on her for the past ten years, he decided to try to make amends for his actions.”
Leo sank in the chair, swallowing the protests that automatically came to the tip of his tongue. “But he liked Alicia.”
“He did.” Harry held his hands out. “But you two were so young, and she was a risk your father wasn’t willing to take. But as more time passed and you still refused to accept anyone else as your wife, he thought maybe he made a mistake back then. I don’t. I think it was the right call. She’s not a fit queen for this country.”
“You think?” Leo asked angrily.
How could his father have done this?
“Despite my assurances he did the right thing, he gave her a scholarship to school, and watched over her, kept her off the streets once he realized she was living on them.” Harry shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “So he didn’t leave her life completely.”
“He paid for her schooling?” Leo asked, his throat tight.
“Yes. She doesn’t know, and never will, but he felt bad for not bringing her over here.” Harry shrugged. “He was going to tell you, and her, too, even though I advised against it.”
Anger at his father warred with grief, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t agree with something his father did. He was a fair man. A good one. So the fact that he did this to Alicia was…baffling. “Why did he tell you about this, and not me?”
“He enlisted my help in writing to her back then, in sounding like you.” Harry lowered his head. “My king asked me to help him, and I did it with gratitude. It was the right call.”
Leo didn’t say anything, because quite frankly…
He had no clue what to say.
But Alicia deserved to hear the truth before she left. Deserved to hear that his father decided she wasn’t worth the risk, and intercepted her letters.
“Call my car around,” he said between clenched teeth.
Harry lifted his head. “You’re going after her.”
Leo came around the desk, seconds from pounding his aide into the floor. “Yeah. And?”
Harry cleared his throat and gripped the doorknob. “She’s not a princess. Nothing will change the fact that you can’t marry her.”
“As an advisor for my father, you should have been aware that my father passed a new law, six months ago. I don’t need to marry a princess.” Leo crossed his arms. “But I highly doubt that she’s looking to marry me, since she thinks I’m a guy who would kick her out of my house without a moment’s notice. That I’m the same boy who left her at the airport when she was orphaned and destitute. Yeah, Harry, I’m sure I’m high on her list of guys she even wants to talk to right now.” He crossed his arms, staring the other man down, unable to believe he’d trusted this guy. “My car. Now!”
Harry nodded and opened the door. “I’ll have it brought around.”
“One more thing,” Leo said quietly.
Harry cautiously let go of the knob. “Yes?”
“Pack your bags. You are no longer in my employ—not only because of what yo
u did all those years ago, but because of how you treated Ms. Forkes today.”
“Understood, Your Highness.” Harry swallowed. “But I stand by my choices.”
After the other man left, Leo covered his face and let out a long breath. “What were you thinking, Dad? How could you do that to her? To me?”
No answer came.
Of course.
It was too late for that.
