Page 16 of Awakened On Her Royal Wedding Night
“Cucciolo,”she said with affection directed at Francois. “How are your girls this year?”
Girls. Not women. Felipe’s conscience gave another twist that he had ignored the pageant for so long, rather than seeing it for what it was.
“Belissima,”Francois claimed. “It will be impossible to find the winner.”
Felipe bit back a causticOh, I found her.
“Sit with me.” The Queen kept hold of Francois’s hand.
“What’s wrong, Mamma?” Francois settled beside her, his demeanor one of fawning consolation.
Felipe averted his gaze so he wouldn’t vomit with disgust.
The Queen said nothing. The King kept his stiff back turned toward them.
This was bad, Felipe understood. The silence went on long enough to grow a layer of dust before King Enzo finally turned.
“I am unwell. Critically unwell. Pancreatic cancer,” he stated. “They’ve given me a year.”
Another silence crashed down on the room.
“How did they not find it sooner?” Felipe asked.
“I felt fine until recently. I will require surgery and other treatments. You’ll assume more of my duties, beginning immediately.” He sent that order to Felipe with a bracing stare.
“Of course.” They were not a sentimental family. Felipe kept a neutral expression on his face as he inquired, “Shall I cancel my meetings in New York?”
“No. For now, this news stays in this room. Everything must appear normal.”
“Normal” was being flipped inside out, Felipe thought dourly. He could feel Francois already scheming to turn this to his advantage.
“There will be no more of your faffing about, taking your time in marrying and producing an heir,” the King threw at Felipe. “I want to know the throne is secured. Do not make me look at other alternatives.”
And there it was, the one twisted pathway Francois had to gaining an upper hand over him. On more than one occasion, Francois had tried to persuade their father to overturn the law of succession. They were twins born within minutes, virtually at the same time. Surely, Francois often argued, he had exactly as much right to the throne as Felipe?
Faced with such a lengthy and complex legal process, King Enzo had never given the request serious attention, but the way he held Felipe’s gaze right now was an overt dare.
Felipe wanted to believe his father was bluffing. Given how little time Enzo had left, Felipe doubted he could go through with his threat, but the fact he would level such a stark warning had Felipe’s mind cycling through the handful of women he had considered over the years as a potential wife. None had ever appealed strongly enough that he could imagine spending a lifetime with her.
None had sparked a sexual craving in him like the one that had roared to life in him a few hours ago.
“Competition has always worked well to motivate the pair of you,” his father continued. “Therefore, I lift my embargo on your marrying before Felipe,” he said to Francois. “I want to see the next generation before I die. But those children must be legitimate. Marry first, then make our next ruler.” He directed that at both of them.
“Time to break out your short list, Mamma.” Francois patted the back of the hand he held. An avid light had come into his eyes. He genuinely saw a chance to leapfrog himself onto the throne.
The Queen started to smile conspiratorially, then straightened her features and looked to her other son.
“You’ve already seen it,” she reminded Felipe in a cool tone. “I’m not sure if you’ve selected anyone from it, though...?”
“Oh, yes. The firstborn must have first pick.” Francois asked with mock deference, “Are there any candidates you consider off-limits to me?”
On principle, all of them, but when it came down to it, one in particular.
Felipe was still highly skeptical his father would go through with deposing him in favor of Francois, but he couldn’t allow Francois to entertain the belief that he had a shot at the crown. Every inch was a mile to Francois.
No, Felipe had to marry promptly and beget his successor.
“Any woman who is willing to have you is yours to court. I have someone else in mind,” Felipe said.
