“After proof that Wynn was innocent, the departments in Crellesia and Thrindell refused to remove Wynn as a suspect.”
I looked out and the press was eating this up, shaking their heads, some even smiling sadly at me.
“My son has fallen in love and asked for Wynn’s hand in marriage.” I almost chuckled at the gasps. “Even though theLamdera Islands haven’t been kind to Wynn, his love for Prince Julian is great, and he has accepted. Therefore, I’m formally announcing the engagement and declaring Wynn Carter is to be protected under the crown.”
Now the room erupted into applause and a cacophony of voices asking questions and shouting congratulations.
The king made a gesture for the room to settle, and they did quickly. “Now, does anyone have any questions?” He pointed to a woman in a red suit.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Katherine Francois ofThe Thrindell Times. My question is for any one of you who would like to answer.” She grinned, and there was nothing kind about it. “While you say Wynn Carter didn’t kill the governor, the authorities have no other suspects for her murder. I ask, is the crown merely protecting a murderer because the future king is smitten?”
I guessed it was going to be a claws-out kind of conference.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Julian
I wasn’tsure how Wynn was going to convince me not to kill Katherine Francois. Her grin was full of pride, and I wanted to leap off the stage and strangle the life out of her. A sudden soft grip on top of my hand pulled me from my macabre thoughts.
“It’s okay. Your dad’s got this,” Wynn whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. All my anger and rage slipped away as if he’d swung a magical wand.
It was then I realized that my father had answered her and was still at it.
“And to ask such a question is a direct insult to the crown!” He pointed down at her, and she appeared stricken. She’d thought herself sly but judging by the wide berth the other press and journalists were giving her, she’d ostracized herself.
“Now, does anyone have genuine questions that will not insult the crown?”
A gentleman in a dark blue suit was called upon. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Kevin Bolton fromThe Lamdera Press. My question is for Wynn Carter, if that’s okay?”
The king turned, and Wynn’s eyes widened. He’d known it was possible someone would want to talk to him, and if he didn’t want to he’d only have to shake his head, and my father would deal with it. But it would look bad.
He stood, and I gave his hand a squeeze before we were separated. My father stayed beside him.
He cleared his throat. “Sure, what’s your question?”
“We knew the prince rearranged his tour, and can you confirm if he did that because of you, for love?”
Okay, that was a sweet question, and it made Wynn blush. I frowned. I wanted to be the only person who made Wynn blush.
“I never asked him to change his tour or cancel it. I can say that having this time with him has been precious to me and if he did do it for me, I’m grateful and would love to thank the people of the Lamdera Islands for letting me take up all his time. I know his absence has been felt, and hopefully things can get back on track now.”
Oh, he was good…he’d fit in well. I glanced at my mother and judging by her smile, she was thinking the same thing.
We wereall sitting around the dining table that evening, talking about the press conference and our next steps when Edward entered.
“Your Majesties, Your Highnesses.”
“Yes, Edward?” I answered. “Go ahead, you can speak freely.” Hannah and Mark had been with us for a while, then had decided to go out and enjoy some of the nightlife before they returned home.
“I wanted to inform you that Detective Ridgeway has been removed from the case, and has been ordered to return to Crellesia.”
My father chuffed. “Wonderful, it’s falling into place.”
“As long as Ridgeway lets it go.” August relaxed his posture. “We have eyes on him, though. He does anything, and we pin the murder on him and he goes away.”
“He didn’t do it,” Wynn argued.
“This is how things are done, Wynn. You’ll understand. As long as he lets it go, he’ll be fine. And remember, this is a man who wanted to throw you in jail because it would hurt Julian.” August quirked a brow.
