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Chapter Sixteen
James sat alone in his study, the dim glow of a single candle flickering on his desk as he mulled over the last remaining details of his wedding. The eve of the event had finally arrived, and he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement. He leaned back in his chair, a contented smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he imagined the moment when he would stand at the altar with Amanda, their hands joined, vows exchanged, and hearts forever intertwined.
However, despite the joy that filled every corner of his heart, there was still a shadow of worry that lingered in the depths of his mind. They were no closer to finding out who was compromising the kingdom, and it was beginning to weigh heavily on him. Marquis Christopher, who had once been a prime suspect, was now acting perfectly normal again, leaving James more puzzled than ever. If not Christopher, then who could it be?
James drummed his fingers on the desk, lost in thought. His eyes wandered across the room, landing on a portrait of himself and his siblings—Theodore and Eloise—taken just a few years prior. They all looked so young and carefree in the photograph, blissfully unaware of the challenges that lay ahead. The memory of that day brought a bittersweet smile to his face, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing for simpler times.
“Christopher can’t possibly be behind all of this,” James muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together the puzzle. “But if not him, then who? And why?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of responsibility settling firmly on his shoulders. As the future king, he knew that it was up to him to protect his people and maintain the peace within the kingdom. But as much as he wanted to focus on his upcoming nuptials, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that danger was lurking just around the corner.
“Tomorrow is supposed to be the happiest day of my life,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “But how can I truly enjoy it if I don’t know that my kingdom—and my friends and family—are safe?”
As James stared into the flickering candlelight, lost in his thoughts, he knew that there were still many questions left unanswered.
The heavy oak door creaked as Theodore, James’s younger brother, entered the dimly lit study. His face was a picture of excitement and anticipation, his eyes dancing with mischief.
“James!” he exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. “Can you believe it? Your wedding is tomorrow! I came to talk about the big day.”
James looked up from his thoughts, forcing a smile onto his face. “Yes, it’s hard to believe,” he admitted, trying to exude the same enthusiasm as his brother.
“Come on, James,” Theodore chided, “You should be over the moon. You’re marrying the love of your life!”
The future king couldn’t help but grin, feeling the warmth of happiness spreading through him. “You’re right, Theo,” he agreed. But then his smile faded slightly. “There’s just so much going on, with the kingdom being compromised and all.”
Theodore’s brow furrowed, and he settled into the armchair across from James. “You’re still worried about that?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
“Of course, I am,” James replied. “We’ve made no progress in finding out who’s behind it all.”
“Let me worry about that while you’re away,” Theodore assured him. “You know I’ll do everything in my power to protect our father and the kingdom.”
“About that,” James said, leaning forward in his chair. “I need to make sure you’re prepared to step in for me while I’m at the hunting lodge with Amanda for two weeks.”
“Absolutely,” Theodore responded confidently. “I’ve been training with Father, learning the ins and outs of what’s expected of me. I won’t let you down, James.”
“Thank you, Theo,” James said, genuine gratitude shining in his eyes. “That means more to me than you know.”
“Anything for you, brother,” Theodore replied with a wink. “Now, let’s get back to discussing the wedding. I hear there’s going to be a chocolate fountain!”
“Really?” James laughed, feeling some of his tension dissipate. “Well, we must make sure it’s the tallest and most decadent chocolate fountain the kingdom has ever seen.”
“Agreed!” Theodore exclaimed, and they both fell into laughter, allowing themselves to momentarily forget the weighty responsibilities that lay upon their shoulders. For now, they were just two brothers reveling in the joy of an upcoming celebration, their hearts filled with love for family and the prospect of a bright future.
As they continued to discuss the details of the wedding, the study seemed to grow lighter, as if their shared happiness was pushing away the shadows that had been consuming James’s thoughts. And for a moment, he allowed himself to believe that everything would be all right, and that danger could be held at bay, at least for a little while longer.
Theodore leaned back in his chair, a sudden serious expression crossing his face. “We must have guards who stay on the property while you’re away at the hunting lodge,” he insisted, locking eyes with James. “This isn’t a negotiation. We cannot leave anything to chance.”
James sighed, knowing Theodore was right but still wishing for some semblance of privacy on his honeymoon. He opened his mouth to respond when the door creaked open and Eloise slipped into the room.
“James, Theo,” she greeted them, her warm smile lighting up the study. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, and I wholeheartedly agree with Theodore. You should have guards on the property during your honeymoon. Better safe than sorry, right?”
James couldn’t resist smiling at his sister’s entrance, despite the serious nature of their discussion. “Eloise, how is it that you always know when to appear? It’s uncanny.”
“Call it a sixth sense,” she replied with a playful wink. “But really, you both know I worry about you too. Your safety is paramount, James.”
“All right, all right,” James conceded, holding up his hands in surrender. “Guards on the property it is. I suppose I can sacrifice a bit of privacy for the sake of ensuring our safety.”
“Excellent decision,” Theodore said, nodding his approval. “Now, let’s get back to the important details—like what kind of flowers will be decorating the chapel!”
