Page 92 of The Un-Apparent Heir

He squeezed her. “Did I win this round?”

“I cannot say no, okay? You win. I’ll concede the W,” Lucy said. “Let’s just make it happy and enjoy our lives together. A new start in a bright, cheery house.”

23

DYNAMIC DUO

For Immediate Release?—

Today, the King will undergo a procedure to repair a heart valve. He is expected to remain in the ICU for several days following the procedure. While incapacitated, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales will serve in an official capacity as the head of state as Princess Regent. She will report on his condition once more is known.

Natalie stood in her office, reading through the lines soon to grace the teleprompter. Ed was there for moral support, admiring her determination and dedication. He knew she was ready. She worried that the outfit was all wrong, no matter how many times everyone told her she looked lovely. Natalie preferred a power suit, but with her now-burgeoning stomach, it was impractical. Ed found every bit of her adorable. All he wanted to do was dote these days. The more her body changed, the more evident their progression to parenthood was. He wanted it all so badly.

Natalie stared off before nodding.

“Ready?” Ed asked.

“Ready to tell the world Dad is well but needs many months recovery, George is coming on, and Lucy is our official cat herder?” Natalie asked. “Ready as I will ever be, darling.”

“Atta girl,” Ed said.

They debated parsing this all out in separate speeches. However, Natalie had a captive audience and wanted to give the good news with the bad. That was her style. Lucy and Natalie agreed that it was important to insert George when the country craved unity. It was now or never to see if this would work. The press remained angry and homophobic, but George and Patrick were now queer icons dedicating time to support the family in its time of need. At least, that was the story Lucy told.

Natalie walked ahead of Ed who hung back with Lucy, a new addition to the podium. Natalie would cover the basics, explain what was happening with the family, and then introduce Lucy to explain upcoming details for the opening of parliament and other diplomatic changes. It was the busiest time of year for the Firm. They were throwing Natalie to the wolves. Fortunately, she didn’t mind trial-by-fire.

Natalie took her place at the podium, remaining silent as shutters clicked. Lucy cued the teleprompter with a nod. Natalie let out a small smile, appearing unusually unbuttoned for a royal about to make three important announcements. The press went batty over her visible pregnancy. Emphasis on the bump was strategic.

“Thank you all for coming,” Natalie said. “My family—especially my mother—would like to thank everyone for their support. This is a difficult time, but our family remains strong and committed to representing Britons. We will keep calm and carry on as always.”

There was a chuckle.

“I have several announcements to make. The first is what you all came for. My father’s health continues to improve. He has been moved to a regular room from the ICU. I will visit him after I make this speech. To date, only my mother was allowed in. His Majesty is doing well and expected to make a full recovery.”

There was a collective sigh of relief.

“His Majesty requires at least three months of cardiac rehabilitation, during which I will no longer play regent—that ends today as you will soon be informed officially. However, he asks that we make it clear primary duties will fall upon me and the rest of the working members of the family.”

Natalie smiled at Ed. “I must thank my family for lending support at this time. My husband, namely, has been such a good sport. We do not intend to stop working. Despite the rumours I will step back, and I doing very well. There will be changes in the royal household, made clear by someone else in just a moment. However, I want to point out one crucial change in our immediate circle.”

Natalie took a deep breath. “My brother, Prince George, has returned from America along with his husband, Mr Patrick Roughy. They decided to resettle in the UK with their two daughters. While nothing is expected to change with titles—I will stop you there, Michael as I see your hand raising involuntarily?—”

The room chuckled. She was so good at managing the press circus. She hadn’t always been, but now, Natalie was established. She controlled this domain, always throwing her weight around. Ed’s heart swelled with pride because Natalie had arrived.

“Prince George will come back on as a working member of the family. With father many months off from full-time service and the changes in personnel due to royal births, we need more support than ever. While many people will pitch in, I am relieved for my brother to step in and grateful for the support he and Mr Roughy lend to the organisation. I know there will be questions regarding what this means for the institution, but I want to make one thing clear.”

Natalie’s tone turned serious.

“As my father said, this was never a closed door. George was always welcome to return to royal work. Everyone—especially myself and my father—appreciates his return. His dedication to the job before stepping back suggests he will help immensely. Our family looks different than it did thirty years ago, but this is a vast improvement for Britain as a whole. My brother will be the first openly LGBTQ member to serve as a full-time working royal. We are embracing this change. Beyond our statement today, we are not commenting further on my brother’s personal life. Mr Roughy will not be a working royal. We ask you to treat him and their children as private citizens. There is nothing more to be said.”

People clamoured to ask questions. They’d get no answers.

“I will not be taking public questions today, as stated in our release,” Natalie said cooly. “However, questions about the household can be directed to the person I will leave you with. As my father announced about a month ago, Lord James Hewlett will retire from his post as Lord Chamberlain. I accepted his resignation today and wished him well on a well-earned retirement. Lord Hewlett is one of the longest-serving Lord Chamberlains in British history. He did a great service to our family. I have confided in him, he has provided brilliant counsel to all of us, and I will truly miss his advice and candour.”

Natalie turned to Lucy.

“However, it is with great pleasure that I make one more announcement. Following this event, I will do one last thing as regent and appoint someone to the post. We are fortunate that Lady Lucy Ferguson, Countess of Lauderdale, is here to accept the position. I will not list her many accolades because her reputation precedes her. However, not only is she a dear friend of the family, she was my former private secretary and served before that as an assistant private secretary to my mother. She is one of the most organised and capable people I know. So, I would like to welcome Lady Chamberlain Ferguson to join you all and make some official statements about more changes in the royal household.”

Lucy walked up, bowed slightly, and took her place at the podium.

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