Kristin held her tongue.She had no idea what to say in Antonio's family discussion because she didn't know any of them. So she stuck to his side and waited, listening. The room had probably been white and sterile, but the walls were now stained with bullet holes and the air smelled of gunpowder. Her eyes burned but the closer she came to the king in his white sheets, the more she realized that he wasuntouched.
Antonio's shoulders were square, but she could tell he wanted to hug them all again. Yes, she might be reading into his body language, but his shoulders caved in and then straightened too many times to mean anything else. He crossed his arms as if to stop himself from showing emotion. "Mother. Father. I—I’m sorry that Iwasn’there."
"You led our rescue." His mother reached out and pressed her hand on his cheek. “We’re glad youweren’there.”
His father, the king, settled back and closed his eyes as if to rest, more peaceful. Kristin fixed his blanket so he'd be covered to his thinshoulders.
Antonio glanced down and spoke to his mother. "Only because Iwasn'thome."
His mother reached out and took her hand as well. "As I said, we're glad you weren't. I hope you and Kristin had a good time exploring thekingdom."
Antonio waited for her to stand next to him. The moment she did, he placed his hand on her hip and stared at his mother. "Mother, Kristin's agreed tomarryme."
The queen smiled at them both. "Perfect."
Kristin's entire body had tensed, expecting another reaction. She swallowed and said, "Really? Those men came in to kill you. They said I was American. Is there a revolutionhappeninghere?"
“The men were not our citizens.” Antonioansweredfast.
His mother shrugged and then motioned for one of the nurses to come in to check on the king. She watched the nurse like a hawk though she said in a bright tone, "Tonight, we will have the official announcement of your engagement made. Have you selected one of the dresses I left foryouyet?"
"No." Kristin hadn't even thought about clothes or dinner. Adrenaline rushed into her veins from the danger that had just happened. Clothes seemed banal. “I haven’t gone back tomyroom.”
The queen turned toward Kristin as if this was the most important thing to do. "I need you to select one immediately and tell the servant I’ve assigned to your chamber. She'll inform me of yourchoice."
Antonio made to leave, but Kristin pressed her heelstogether. "Wait."
Antonio paused. "Forwhat?"
Clothes were the least important thing, to Kristin’s mind. Her heart still beat wildly. "Ten men just stormed the castle. You’re still going to have a formaldinner?”
None of this made sense. Shouldn’t they be worried about more insurrection and danger and what to doaboutit?
Queen Anna Camilla said, “One must keep up appearances for the people. We have a very important election atstake.”
Antonio interjected, “Clearly they had help from someone inside,Mother."
His mother nodded. "Korba was one of them. You saw him on theground."
“Who is Korba?” Kristinasked.
Antonio's face went white. "No. Korba wasnoton the ground." He turned toward her and said, “Korba is-was a trusted servant of mymother’s.”
This conversation was important. She held her breath as the queen explained, "Korba let them in and locked the staff out. Please have Marco and Sophia check in with me. I want to seemyson."
"Of course." Antonio hugged her goodbye, then placed his hand on Kristin's back and led her toward the door. "Mother, I know the guards are here, but stay vigilant until Korba isfound."
Queen Anna Camilla sat down next to the king on the bed who roused briefly from his slumber and smiled at his wife. "Yes, of course,” she said. “Order will be maintained and your bride must look angelic for tonight's live feed. Have the guards check everyone before they enter her room, but hair, makeup, everything must be in order. We only have a fewhours."
So, Kristin had marching orders, or so it felt. Perhaps when things were less frazzled, they’d have a conversation where they could get to know each other. If she intended to live here, she'd need the queen to be an ally, if not afriend.
She followed Antonio's silent directions and left. This time he walked her out, closed the door and closed his eyes in the hall. She stood next to him and massaged his shoulder, unsure how to help. His family might still be indanger.
He hugged her and she stayed inhisarms.
Minutes passed and neither of them moved until the grandfather clock dinged in the hall. He let her go and led her toward a stairwell. She looked around and had no idea where they were. "Can you take me to my room? I’m afraid I’d get lost if I tried to findmyway.”
"Sure. Then I’ll go find my brother." He guided her down a flight of stairs. "This is theshortcut."
