Page 19 of Royal Caleva: Luis

He was one hot royal.

She jerked her gaze away and banished the thought to a dark corner of her brain.

“Find photos of Prince Raul,” Eve said. “You look even more like him.”

“I have a half brother.” Grace’s voice was filled with wonder. Then she turned to Eve with doubt in her eyes. “Do you think he’ll be glad to have a half sister? After all, he’s been the only child of a king all his life. That has to be a pretty privileged position.”

“If he’s not happy to have you as his half sister, he’s an idiot.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Grace gave her a strained smile and went back to scrolling, this time pulling up pictures of the crown prince. She went into the entrance hall and stood in front of the gilt-framed wall mirror that had belonged to Eve’s grandmother. Holding up the phone, she studied her own face next to the prince’s.

“I look even more like Raul.” She shook her head and declared, “My father is the King of Caleva,” as though trying to convince herself.

She shook her head again before returning to the sofa. Huffing out a breath, she locked her gaze on Eve. “What about my birth mother? What did he say about her?”

Eve couldn’t bring herself to weigh down Grace’s shoulders with such an ugly revelation yet. Maybe Luis could find a way to soften the blow of what her birth mother had done. He should be an expert at diplomacy, after all.

“We discussed the past more than the present,” Eve said, which was true in its own way. “I was very focused on who your father was since he was standing in front of me. If the test comes back positive, you could ask him about your birth mother.”

“Anyone would be a little overwhelmed by meeting a king.” Grace looked down at her hands twisted together in her lap. “I’m overwhelmed at the idea too.”

Eve covered her daughter’s hands with a gentle touch. “He said not to think of him as a king. He wants you to see him as just Luis Dragón, a man who is overjoyed to learn he might have a wonderful daughter.”

Grace turned one hand over to grip Eve’s. “I guess I shouldn’t miss my rotation tomorrow, but it’s going to be hard to concentrate.”

“Just remind yourself that if Dr. Young gets annoying, you could have him beheaded,” Eve joked.

Grace’s laughter might have a slightly hysterical edge, but the sound of it sent a wave of relief through Eve.

When the doorbell rang, they both jumped. If a king wanted something done, it got done at high speed.

Eve gestured for Grace to wait in the living room while she opened the door. Mikel stood in a pool of light on the front porch, holding a silver metal briefcase. Behind him stood the young woman from the lawyer’s office.

“Come in.” Eve held the door open.

Mikel smiled and stepped inside, followed by the woman. “Eve, you met Bridget earlier today.”

Eve nodded to Bridget and ushered them both into the living room, where Grace stood tall, her gaze shifting between their two visitors. Only the clenched fists at her sides gave away her nervousness.

“Mikel, Bridget, this is my daughter, Grace,” Eve said, pride in her voice.

“Nice to meet you.” Grace took a step forward with her hand held out.

Mikel covered the distance between them, took her hand, and bowed over it. “It is an honor to meet you,” he said.

Grace looked at Eve with a startled expression. All Eve could do was shrug. Then Bridget curtsied to Grace.

“Really, you don’t have to do that,” Grace blurted. “I mean, it’s not even confirmed yet.”

Eve figured Mikel and Bridget didn’t want to risk offending even a potential princess. “Why don’t we go to the dining room?” she said. “We can sign the forms there.”

After they sat, Mikel opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder, passing papers to Grace and Eve. “These are the consent forms. I think you’ll find them straightforward. If you would please sign both copies, Grace.”

Eve read through the legalese. As Mikel said, there was nothing worrisome about the form. She turned to Grace. “Are you comfortable signing this?”

“It seems fine.” Her daughter’s voice was tentative.

“I don’t see any problems,” Eve said, injecting reassurance into her voice.

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