Chapter 15 - THE TRAITOR IN THE PALACE
Keller was returned to Varenne under sealed diplomatic custody.
Helena flew home that evening.
Daniel was not invited.
He understood.
Three days passed without contact.
Then a black envelope arrived at his apartment.
No royal seal.
Only Helena’s handwriting.
Come if you still want the truth.
Daniel took the first flight to Varenne.
The capital rose along a river beneath gray winter skies.
Stone bridges connected ancient government buildings.
Flags bearing the silver lion of Varenne hung from every avenue.
For the first time, Daniel saw Helena’s world.
People bowed when her car passed.
Soldiers saluted.
Church bells rang when the sovereign standard appeared above Arden Palace.
He realized what she had abandoned to stand behind a bookstore counter.
Helena received him in a small private chamber.
She looked tired.
“Keller confessed.”
Daniel waited.
“He sold information to Evelyn.”
“So he lied about someone else hiring him?”
“No.”
Helena looked toward the door.
“My uncle hired him first.”
Daniel frowned.
“Your uncle?”
“Prince Leopold.”
Adrian entered.
“He is our father’s younger brother.”
Daniel remembered the name.
Leopold had served as senior royal adviser for decades.
If Helena abdicated without an heir, Adrian remained first in line.
Leopold was next.
“What did he want?”
Helena answered.
“To destroy confidence in my reign.”
Daniel slowly understood.
“He helped Evelyn because scandal around you could weaken the monarchy.”
“Yes.”
“And Evelyn helped him because he could influence the defense contract.”
“Yes.”
Adrian placed another document on the table.
“But neither expected Helena to remain with you.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What?”
“Keller’s original instructions were to reveal enough information to frighten Evelyn.”
Helena continued.
“My uncle believed a status-obsessed American family would reject me if they thought I was hiding something.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“He underestimated my mother.”
“Dramatically.”
Evelyn had not rejected the opportunity.
She had exploited it.
Two predators had recognized each other across an ocean.
Daniel looked at Helena.
“What happens now?”
“My uncle will face the Royal Council.”
“And you?”
Helena looked toward the palace windows.
“I face parliament tomorrow.”
“For what?”
“For lying to my own government about the extent of my private identity.”
Daniel frowned.
“You had authorization.”
“For privacy.”
“Not for becoming engaged.”
Daniel went quiet.
Helena had broken constitutional protocol.
Not because she wanted power.
Because she wanted Daniel.
“I may be required to choose.”
“Between what?”
“The crown and a marriage not approved by council.”
Daniel stared at her.
“That still exists?”
“It has never been enforced.”
“Until now.”
“Yes.”
Daniel walked toward her.
“Then don’t choose me because you’re afraid of losing me.”
Helena’s eyes searched his.
“And don’t choose the crown because you think I need protecting from your life.”
He took her hand.
“I don’t need a title.”
She whispered.
“I know.”
“I need the woman who argued with me about a three-dollar book.”
Helena smiled through sudden tears.
Daniel continued.
“But this time, whatever happens, we decide together.”
A bell rang outside.
Adrian looked toward the door.
“The council is assembling early.”
Helena frowned.
“Why?”
An aide entered.
His face was pale.
“Your Majesty.”
May you like
He held out a document.
“Prince Leopold has formally challenged your fitness to reign.”
