Everyone said ‘Aye’, though some looked angry or annoyed about it.
“All those opposed?”
Everyone looked around the room, but all remained silent.
Alex banged the gavel once. “The motion is passed. We will resume the next Council session…”
“Two weeks from tomorrow, Your Highness,” the secretary interjected.
“Thank you. Let’s make it three weeks, however. We’ll have foreign dignitaries visiting and we’ll need the extra time to manage their visits. All pending issues are deferred until then. Council members, of course, will be receiving information and a formal invitation to the funeral. We look forward to seeing you there to support the former queen.”
Alex banged the gavel again. “This meeting is adjourned.”
As the ministers stood to leave, Marcello and Nate walked up to him.
“Short and sweet,” Marcello noted. “I thought you were fairly restrained, all things considered.”
“I wanted to say much more to her, I’ll tell you that much,” Nate added, anger etched on his face and evident in his eyes. “I can’t believe she tried to use Nonna.”
Alex took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I wanted to say more to her as well, trust me. But everyone is looking at me right now, and I could only go so far. If only I could…”
“Could what?” Nate asked when he didn’t continue.
Alex shook his head. “Later. I have to meet with Corrado about the funeral. Marcello, you should probably come with me, as we need to go over some security issues.”
Marcello nodded. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Do I have time to be?” Alex clenched his fingers into a fist, then relaxed his hand. “I think none of us are okay right now, but we’re getting through it. Have you seen Papa?”
Nate nodded. “This morning. Charlie and I went to visit him. Charlie thought feeling the baby kick might cheer him up and it did. He’s distracted though.”
Marcello nodded. “Grace and I went to see him before the meeting. He’s managing, but I bet he gave you more to do than normal. Let us know if you need help.”
Alex nodded. “Thank you. I will. At least we don’t have to deal with the Council for a few weeks.”
“How’s Rebecca?” Nate asked as they made their way out of the now empty Council chamber. “She seemed to take it pretty hard when Mama told us.”
Alex sighed. “I know. She’s doing okay overall. Mama is giving her more work too, but she’s managing it. I’m more worried about Sarah, to be honest. She was so close to Nonna.”
“I know what you mean,” Nate said, as they made their way down the palace halls, their protection agents trailing. “I spoke to Rio and he’s worried about her. She’ll be here tonight, so maybe being with all of us might help.”
Alex nodded as he caught sight of Tavin rushing down the hall towards him. Usually, Tavin would attend the Council meeting with him, but he’d been working on funeral logistics. “Tavin, what’s wrong?”
Tavin stopped breathless in front of them. Between gulps of air, he said, “It’s the king, Sir. It’s his heart. He collapsed.”
four
ALEXANDER
No. Not his father. Not now. Not again.Alex grabbed Tavin’s arm. “Where is he? What’s happened?”
Tavin waved his hands. “It doesn’t seem as serious as last time, Sir. That’s the good news. He felt an arrythmia which made him unsteady and he fainted. But he was able to get up within minutes, and he insisted on going back to his apartments in the Royal Wing rather than the hospital. He’s there now with the doctors.”
Fuck!He let go of Tavin’s arm and started walking in that direction, the others following. “Who else knows?”
Tavin shook his head. “No one, Sir. It happened in his offices, and only Corrado, Mara, and I were there at the time, other than the agents. He was able to walk back to the Royal Wing with some assistance.”
Alex glanced around and, though no ministers were nearby, he couldn’t risk running and alarming people. “Why didn’t you call as soon as it happened?”
