Page 110 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
To Caius’s surprise, he’d seen something like hurt cross Poppy’s face before she’d stood up and was almost at the door of his office before she’d stopped and turned around. ‘I didn’t come here to be ridiculed.’
Caius had been so shocked to see a woman walk away from him—for the second time—that it had taken him a moment to realise what was happening and go after her. He’d taken her to his apartment because even if she had been lying about the baby, about her innocence, it was clear he had to know what her agenda was because hehadslept with her.
As for whether or not he was the father, he’d had to concede uncomfortably that he did believe her because Poppy and her people had shut down engagement talksbeforehe’d had to abdicate. So if she was just looking for a convenient baby daddy, he wasn’t going to be top of the list, which made it more believable that hewaslikely to be the father.
When Caius had realised that, he’d waited for a sense of panic to hit. A sense of rejection. But it hadn’t come. What he had felt was something more ambiguous. He’d always known he’d have to have children but he’d seen it as a necessary duty and he’d vowed to himself he would do his best not to put them through the same emotional trauma his parents had inflicted on him and his sister.
Caius had been pretty confident that, with choosing the right woman to be his queen and with the best staff money could buy, his children couldn’t possibly fare any worse. But Caius was no longer a king. He no longer had to play by those rules. He’d said, ‘If the child is mine, and of course that will have to be proved with a DNA test when it’s born, how do you want to proceed? We can come to some arrangement.’
Against the backdrop of his Manhattan apartment Poppy had looked at him and her eyes had widened. ‘The child?You mean your son, or daughter.’
Caius hadn’t liked the little jolt he’d felt in his gut to think of that. ‘I am aware it could be a child of either sex.’
‘You are going to be involved with your son or daughter, in a meaningful way. Not just as a financial support.’
‘What are you saying exactly?’ But even as he’d asked that he’d already known what she would say. Because it was the only option for people like them. He was still considered royalty even if his blood was more diluted than previously believed. He’d been born into privilege and the knowledge that one day he would rule.
The fact that he could be free of that heavy burden of duty was a concept he’d still been getting his head around. The fact that he wouldn’t have to be responsible for bringing a child into this world for one reason only—to be of service and continue a bloodline—had been liberating.
Except that had no longer been the case.
So when Poppy had said, ‘Well, that we will be married, of course,’ Caius hadn’t so much as flinched. Because he and Princess Poppy of The House of Valdun were not normal people. They came from a world where their actions were held up to the public and scrutinised and discussed. They came from immense privilege and wealth and this was their due. To be held accountable for moments of weakness.
His newfound sense of freedom had already been dead in the water.
And then he’d remembered something and pointed at her. ‘You did this on purpose, because you can’t become queen until you marry.’
She’d gone pale, but two spots of colour had been high in her cheeks. ‘I did not set out that night to sleep with you, or conceive. Believe it or not, I have a little more integrity than that. I would never choose deception as a means to bring a child into this world.’
‘Yet you hid your idenitity.’
‘I already told you why I went incognito.’
Yes, she had. And Caiushadhad that unfortunate conversation in her earshot. He’d also just conveniently forgotten that she’d rejected himbeforehe’d had to abdicate.
Something inside him had deflated. She hadn’t tried to trap him but she was evidently pregnant. It would be a small matter to confirm the DNA when the child was born but Caius had known the chances of her lying were slim. No one would invite the backlash that such a discovery would bring, and she didn’t strike him as the type to invite that kind of notoriety.
And he’d known that, after his own experiences, he could never let any child of his be born and grow up questioning their place in the world, or their identity.
They would know who their father was and where they came from. And that was the only reason he was here today to marry Poppy Valdun. They were to be married for a minimum of five years. She’d wanted for ever. He’d wanted one year. They’d compromised.
He’d figured that five years would give the child a chance to feel settled and secure and then Caius would have no problem cutting ties with the marriage and seeking out his freedom again. He would of course maintain contact with his child—they wouldn’t suffer because of his moment of ill judgement.
At least his child would know who their parents were and even though he didn’t know Poppy all that well, he somehow sensed instinctively she would be a better mother than his own had been. So, as far as he was concerned, his kid was already winning at life.
As for them, him and Poppy? That one night had had too many consequences to even think about repeating. And they didn’t need to. She was already pregnant.
The fact that Caius still wanted her was an inconvenience, but one that he was sure would fade as soon as they spent time together. That was usually the best solution for killing any desire he had for a woman.
He stood at the door of the aeroplane and looked at the driver standing next to the open door of the nearest SUV down on the tarmac. Time to get married.
‘Poppy?’
Poppy turned around to look at Stephen. She’d completely forgotten he was even here, so lost in her thoughts and memories. But reality came crashing back. ‘Yes?’
‘Prince Caius has landed. He’s on the way to the church. We should get moving.’
Poppy’s insides clenched.He’d come.He’d overcome his resentment and anger for this whole situation and had come to marry her. For the sake of a baby he couldn’t stop callingit, or,the child.
