Stefano pointed them toward the door and said, “Then you better get to the palace and tell the king that’s a no-go.”
Would the king listen? She left the room without saying goodbye, forgetting protocol or manners. Once they stepped outside onto the front porch, the staff brought them a black Mercedes limo that had official Avce flags flying. Her husband guided her toward the backseat. “Matteo?”
“Yes?” He motioned for her to get inside.
She scooted over so he could get in next to her. Once he was in, she pressed her knee to his. “I don’t want a divorce. I want to stay married to you because I love you.”
Matteo’s face brightened. He curved his palm over her knee and said, “Fiji can wait a day if we need to straighten things out at the palace.”
The ice inside her thawed as she relaxed into the seat. “Okay, but you believe me?”
He gave her a sly smile that made her lips tingle for a kiss or more. “Absolutely. I love you too and I’m not letting my jealousy cloud my trust in the sweetest girl I ever knew.”
The driver held out the limo door and Chelsea popped her head inside. “Wait.”
Chelsea, Cassidy, Stefano and then Rossie all joined them inside the spacious limousine.
Chelsea adjusted in her seat. “We’re going. He’s apparently our older brother and Cassidy is good at talking sense into people.”
As long as no one ordered an official divorce, Sheena would be fine. Even if the king had already granted it, no one was going to force her to be with Charles. She and Matteo could still go to Fiji together. She didn’t allow herself to consider anything beyond that.
Once everyone was inside, the driver closed the door. Matteo said, “Then by all means, let’s get going.”
Cassidy’s face turned red as she stared out the window. “I still can’t believe our mother had an affair with the king and only mentioned it when Charles showed up. And how did she keep this a secret? She’s horrible at keeping a secret.”
“This is absolutely like her.” Chelsea tapped her sister’s shoulder. “It’s exactly her MO. Our mother would have gone to the grave keeping it a secret if she was paid off—this makes her look bad. Let’s hope our brother isn’t like her and more like us.”
Cassidy laughed softly. “Us? I like hearing how my sister is in touch with her heart now. My husband is already at the palace so he’ll ensure nothing happens without informing me.”
Sheena breathed rapidly. Hopefully that was true and no one ordered her divorce. She and Matteo intended to live happily-ever-after, and Charles was only an obstacle to being with Matteo, the man she loved, forever.
Chapter 19
Matteo held his wife’s hand as they walked up the steps of the palace and into the main hall where knights of old would have greeted the castle guests in the outside corridors.
Inside, a huge marble stairwell descended into the main hall where the king had once sat above his knights as a way of being with his men, but overlooking his knights. The history of the place flowed through Matteo’s blood as he was taught from his tutors that his family name had meant something.
Once, long ago, his ancestors would have had a place upstairs, though these days he had little reason to visit the royal palace.
A stiff-postured servant in full royal blue livery greeted them and guided them through the hall, toward the antechamber that stood between the hall and the throne room itself.
Sheena darted nervous glances around the palace but she held her head high as they arrived inside the teal and dark blue waiting area with wooden benches outside the actual throne room to see the king.
The side door to the antechamber flew open, and they all turned toward Crown Prince Antonio Aussa, who skidded to a halt the moment he saw them.
The servant knelt as he announced to Antonio, “Your Highness. The Marquis and Lady of Normanni, the Count and Lady of Golchin, Lady Sky, and Lady Chelsea have all arrived.”
Antonio shook hands immediately as he said, “I’m glad you’re all here.”
Sheena was stiff at his side as she curtsied and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Antonio motioned for everyone to come closer as if they were conspiring together as he said, “Our father has been discussing Lady Golchin in open court. He was going to call for you shortly to appear so it’s good you showed up now.”
Sheena’s face was white and she held him tight as she said, “I don’t want a divorce. I love my husband.”
Antonio gave her a curt nod. “Good. Now tell my father.”
Matteo saw how this news had affected the royal family, as Antonio had unusual wrinkles next to his eyes. Matteo said, “Thank you.”
