to Boston and threw herself headfirst into her research. She spent six weeks remind

o discard, she ignored the private email address that

er shaking hand, she understood that those six wee

k. It's obvious.

hroom, "This can't be happening." Zurich conference. Three nights with a

he left it on voicemail. The laboratory could wait. She needed a moment

ith a prince

her eyes. She was a scientist with training in method

she was e

ther was Vallémo

ess that might not be legitimate, sh

ep at a time. First, get medical confirmation of the pregnancy. After that,

ghness, the agreement between the eastern provinces is holding." "The sepa

s thoughts continued to stray to auburn hair and difficult questi

e task at hand and asked, "And the

ses his appreciation and pledges to make major pr

have advanced more quickly. Even though he had written innumerable emails to the addr

ning that I am a throne heir. Would you like to t

e interrupted by Marc's worried v

the folder shu

e King's health deteriorated and succession planning became less theoretical,

across from him, and King Edward looked u

ized, f

. "Without ongoing care, nothing in this kingdom rema

e he had used since he was a you

le value. Continuity. For six centuries, the Valois family has ruled without interruption

en avoiding since coming back

Lady Camille has asked

many generations, the Belcourts have been devoted defenders o

l kept his face neutral. "I've known Ca

rd took a small portrait of Gabriel's mother in her younger years, her beau

always afford th

ther, who watched helplessly as his mother was graduall

that same genetic legacy that might never fully develop

" Gabriel stated cautiously. "But

e King's desk. "By the end of the year, the council anticipates an announcement. Given the

t. Duty had been instilled in Gabriel from birt

ust "Gabriel" for three days had sparked a de

he stated, "I need time to consid

Marc mentioned that the Medical Institute's

ression. "Research on Valois Syndrome benefit

can researcher attended the Zurich conference, accordin

name, he had suggested to Fontaine that they keep an eye on

roaches," he said in a level-headed manner. "I

t off by a low knock. With a littl

rbing you, but the Duchess of Merovi

about what I said. Stability is necessary for Val

brated with an incoming message as he was leaving the study; it wa

james@bo

mediate Per

The timing made him uneasy. Had he already been li

iet corner and

me to do so, Gabriel (or, perhaps more accurately, Your Royal H

pacts us both. This has nothing to do w

communication, I'm sure. Please give us one so

y J

os running through his head, Gabriel read the message twice more.

portunistic, but she had s

at his elbow, his face showing

se set up a secure video call for me. Maxi

ter than to challenge a clear directive

his royal mask back on and straightened his shoulders. "What about Marc? Thi

e." Marc paused. "Is thi

managed sense of urgency she conveyed. Whatever it w

ever, it might still af

e medical records that validated the findings of three tests she had already conduc

e when it rang to check the

Communicat

ommunicati

w. Her ribs were pounded by her heart. This was taking place. She was going to inform the crown prince

her challenge in her life. But the child deserved to know its father, regardless of crowns and castles.

d the code. A loading screen appeared, counting down

ai