BELLAMY
As our private jet touches down in Switzerland, I can’t help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty before me. The snowcapped Alps seem to stretch endlessly, their jagged peaks scraping the sky. Below them lies the crystal-clear water of Lake Geneva, shimmering like a jewel in the fading afternoon light.
For as much traveling as my father and I did when we first came to Europe, we never made it to Switzerland, though the country is Messalina’s northern neighbor.
“Ah, Geneva,” Sebastian says through a tired sigh, standing and taking my hand to help me as we disembark the plane. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It’s gorgeous,” I agree, my voice laced with excitement and nerves.
“Don’t tell Sebastian this, but sometimes I prefer Switzerland to Messalina,” Althea whispers conspiratorially in my ear, making me laugh lightly.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
She gives me a wink. “Better chocolate. You’ll see.”
“Chocolate, huh? You’re about to sell me on Switzerlandover Messalina and I’m here as the new queen. You do realize I’m pregnant and already have an insatiable sweet tooth, right?”
“If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”
“Deal.”
It’s been a week since Sebastian’s mother came and dropped that bomb on him. Sebastian, Rowan, and Javier have been looking into the information she gave them on this Elara woman, only she never worked for the palace.
Queen Isabella referred to her as a servant, and maybe she was, but not to the royal family, which makes the search more difficult. On a bright note, my father has been doing well. His agitation has subsided a bit, and though his cognition isn’t improving, it also seems to be holding relatively steady, with a few moments when he’s clearer than others.
At the very least, he was well enough for me to travel with Sebastian, and once again, we’re only about an hour’s flight away if there’s an issue.
As we step off the plane, I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp mountain air. My heart races with anticipation, not just for the events that await us, but because this is my first event where I will be introduced as Queen Bellamy while standing beside Sebastian as my husband and king.
“Welcome to Switzerland, Your Majesties,” a polite Swiss official greets us, bowing slightly.
“Thank you,” Sebastian replies, offering the man a kind smile. Well, kind for him. “We’re delighted to be here.”
“Your presence is an honor to our country,” the official says, returning the smile. As we’re ushered toward our awaiting vehicles, my mind can’t help but wander to the potential scrutiny I will no doubt face from the other attendees. It’s no secret that until two months ago, I was the children’s nanny. The much younger nanny.
Still, I refuse to let that affect me. I’m in freaking Switzerland at an international summit of world leaders. This sort ofthing doesn’t happen every day, and I intend to make the most of it. While eating all the Swiss chocolate, of course.
I straighten my spine and lift my chin, determined to stand tall and proud and look…regal. Something that definitely doesn’t come naturally to me. I was actually scheduled to begin all kinds of royal lessons, including etiquette and how to handle the press. This trip came up before those could start, so let’s just pray I don’t do something stupid or stick my foot in my mouth since I’ve been known to do both.
“Are you all right, baby?” Sebastian asks, his concern evident in his voice.
“Fantastic,” I assure him, offering a small smile, though he probably sees right through it. “Just taking in the breathtaking scenery.”
“You don’t have to be nervous.”
Damn him.
“Uh, yeah, I think I do.”
“You’ll be fine. You’ll have both Althea and me beside you the entire time, and frankly, the world doesn’t expect a whole lot from me. You forget, I already have the reputation of being somewhat of a beast.”
“See, I would have gone with asshole, but I suppose beast fits too.”
Althea barks out a small laugh but quickly stifles it.
His lips twitch. “Crass American.”
“Snooty Messalinian.”
