Page 13 of Her Royal Rebellion

“Good.” It filled my heart to see her in higher spirits. I just wished it would last for both of us.

6

Logan

“This seems like a waste of time. We’re not going to find anything on these guys. Their own countries have the power to bury anything they don’t want us to know,” Shane pointed out. We were tasked with running background checks on the potential suitors that had already accepted King Leo’s invitation to come meet Isla. We were halfway done and so far, every man was squeaky clean. I knew without a doubt that their security teams made sure we found nothing negative and covered any red flags that would prevent us from letting them into the palace.

It had me more than a little worried. This wasn’t what we were used to doing. Preparing a venue for a royal event or clearing out a city of thousands of people was easy. Going up against a group as powerful and strategic as our own team made me uncomfortable.

Each man on the list had an ulterior motive. I felt it in my bones. Even Peter, a Duke from Denmark. He and Isla grew up together and were close friends. He was the son of a duchess who was best friends with Queen Anne’s cousin. The three women had attended boarding school together, and I knew deep down the Queen hoped Isla and Peter would end up together. I shouldn’t let that get to me, and I’d even liked him the few times we’d met, but that didn’t mean he was right for Isla. I had a feeling he was coming to the palace at the insistence of his mother and the Queen. I didn’t think he was any more interested in Isla than she was in him. Hopefully, he would be another resource for me and Shane. He could spend time with the other suitors and uncover their true intentions.

“I agree. I’m also trying to figure out what King Leo would gain through Isla’s marriage to one of these men.” I hadn’t told him about my conversation with Isla, so it had shocked me when Shane told me he had his own suspicions. I was relieved I didn’t have to convince him something more was going on. It could be considered treason for us to talk this way, but our priority was Isla and keeping her safe. We took that seriously, even if it meant questioning her father.

“I know what’s in it for Bhutan. Their main ally is India. They’re looking for additional support.” He tapped on his print out of Lord Ugyn, a close advisor to the Dragon King. “He has a reputation of being incredibly kind, like the rest of their country, but I already know he’s coming with a motive.”

I nodded. “At least we know. Maybe an agreement can be made without a marriage though. We can advise Isla to hear him out and encourage a discussion with one of her brothers or the king directly.”

“Yeah, let Cian deal with him.” Shane was as enthusiastic about this as I was, but for very different reasons. He found this suitor business to be a waste of time and resources. He knew Isla almost as well as me, and he knew she wouldn’t be forced to do something as serious as marrying someone unless it was her idea.

“I don’t know what the king would want from Bhutan, so it’s unlikely that match will be encouraged.” I agreed with him and he put a red check on the profile before flipping the page.

“Henri Lennoy, Count of Luxembourg. I can’t figure out his motive for wanting an arranged marriage.” I searched his name and frowned when his picture appeared. He was handsome, wealthy, titled, and a playboy. Every result was a tabloid story about his escapades. The most recent was from the past weekend. How was Isla supposed to believe he was a serious suitor and future husband when he was out partying up until the day he came to meet her?

“Oh boy.”

I let out a half chuckle. “He’s a gem. He’s one that makes me suspicious of his intentions. He doesn’t seem like he would be interested in getting to know Isla, unless he’s just after a title.”

“We’ll keep an eye on him.” Shane wrote a note on his profile. “Have you heard about any business with Luxembourg lately?”

“No, I’ll be sure to mention it to Isla so she can ask Cian and Aiden to look into it.”

He blew out a breath. “I feel like I’m back on active duty doing recon and gathering intel from our informants.”

“If you like it maybe you should pursue a career in the capital. I’m sure they’d love an agent like you in the intelligence agency.”

He barked out a laugh. “No way am I leaving the uniform for a suit and a cubical.”

I pointed to him and looked around. “We’re not far off at the moment.”

He tugged at his tucked in shirt. “This is different. We’re still in the middle of the activity. When we go out with Isla, we’re the only thing between her and danger. There’s still action. They try to make intelligence agents look exciting in movies, but they spend ninety-nine percent of their lives chained to a desk. I couldn’t live like that.”

The conversation had turned in a direction I wasn’t expecting. We never really talked about life beyond this, but it intrigued me to know that he was thinking about what he would do after retiring. We were supposed to be doing background checks, but this was the perfect moment to ask.

“So, what are you going to do? Obviously not a desk job.” I laughed to lighten the mood. I didn’t want him to realize how important his answer was to me.

He pulled his hand away from the mouse. “I always planned on staying for eight years. I knew the payout would be worth it, and I’d leave at a good station. I was comfortable with that timeline.”

“It’s been nine years for you now.”

He scoffed. “I’m aware. Sergeant Brown pointed that out at my last review. I never expected to be in this position though. I thought I’d be working on the front lines that whole time. When I was offered a position at the palace, it felt like it was a soft retirement. It would be too easy after fighting on the front lines. I only accepted it after Sergeant Brown spent a few weeks convincing me. I didn’t expect to love the job.”

My chest tightened. Did he have a love for something specific? Or someone?

“Even though a lot of it is routine and standing in the same place for hours at a time, I know what I’m doing is important. I know that Isla trusts us. I know her family trusts us. Is there anything more valuable than that?”

I shook my head. It was reassuring to know he loved this job as much as I did, even without having feelings for Isla. “I agree. I never imagined myself here. When I found out about the position, I knew I wanted to serve the crown. I didn’t expect to be this direct. I thought maybe I’d be on the grounds somewhere, but you’re right. They trust us and that’s huge.”

“So, you want to stay?”