Page 90 of Royal Caleva: Luis

He wanted to push her to tell him how she was feeling, but she would share if she wished to. He was impressed by her composure after such a gut-roiling encounter.

“Do you feel up to talking about what we need to do next?” he asked, watching her face for any sign of distress.

“That’s why I’m here,” she said. “I figured we should make the announcement as soon as possible.”

“Are you sure you’re ready to face the media spotlight?” he asked. “It will be quite a commotion at the outset.”

“It’s part of my job now,” she said with a ghost of a smile.

“Indeed, and you will have the support of the palace PR staff as well as my own and the family’s. They can coach you on what to say and what not to say.” Luis gestured toward the seating area. “Let’s sit and talk through the schedule.”

Grace seated herself in an armchair, her back straight, her legs crossed at the ankles. The PR people would not need to teach her proper posture.

“If you are prepared, I wish to call the senior palace staff together this afternoon to introduce you,” he said as he took the chair across from hers. “They should hear the news before the general public does, and they can be trusted not to leak it.”

Her face lost a little color, but she nodded.

“We will set up the public announcement for tomorrow afternoon,” he continued. “Select media representatives will be invited. If you wish, you may make a short, prepared speech, but there will be no questions.” He would not let the ravening wolves of the press loose on her. Once the frenzy died down a bit, the palace would orchestrate an interview or two.

“I can do that,” she said, squaring her shoulders.

“There will be legal documents to sign, securing your place in the royal family and in the succession to the throne. The lawyers are working on them as we speak,” Luis said. “We will also have a ceremony crowning you a princess of the realm, but that will take some time to plan, so you don’t have to deal with that right now.”

“Do I have an official name as princess?” she asked.

“As my second child, your title is la Princessa del Vaho, Princess of the Mist,” he said. “There are other lesser titles—some with landholdings—that become yours as well.”

“Who has them now?”

“They reverted to the crown, so they’re in my safekeeping.”

“Oh, good. I wouldn’t want to take anything away from another royal.” She took a deep breath. “You said there’s land with the titles. I assume you have managers for that?”

“Very good ones, although you will be free to fire them and hire new ones, if you choose.” Her expression of horror made him smile.

“Is there anything else I need to know right now?” she asked.

“Nothing pressing.” In truth, there was so much she would need to learn, but he did not doubt her capacity to handle it. It would just take time.

“Enough of the logistics.” He leaned forward. “It will be my great joy to tell the world you are my daughter.” He injected every ounce of the pride and love he felt into his voice.

A glint of tears shone in her eyes. “And I am honored to be claimed as your daughter.” She swallowed. “I’ve been thinking about what to call you. Would it be all right to call you Dad? I know it’s not Spanish or very formal, but I always wanted a dad.”

Luis thought his heart would explode out of his chest. “Nothing would make me happier. I will strive always to deserve the title.”

“No striving is necessary,” she said. “We just have to love each other.” She smiled shyly. “Dad.”

CHAPTER 22

Later that night, Luis sat on the sofa in his palace suite, once again paging through the book of fencing strategy without being able to absorb any knowledge from it. Occasionally, an illustration would catch his attention for a few seconds, but mostly he thought about Eve and Grace. Were they back from the veterinary group’s farewell dinner?

Eve said she would tell the Iowans that she and Grace would not be on the plane returning with them to the U.S. tomorrow, giving a vague excuse about being asked to stay and further develop the fear-free aspects of the future vet school. Bruno had already contacted the veterinary college in Iowa to clear Grace’s absence with those in charge of her academic career there, while substitute vet techs had been arranged for Eve at the clinic.

Luis would have them here with him for a few more days following the announcement in the morning. It would crack a hole in his chest when they left, but he already had plans for a visit to Iowa in a few weeks. There was also Grace’s graduation ceremony in about six months. The winter holidays in between he planned to negotiate with Eve and Grace. It would not be enough, but his schedule did not allow for much more, and Grace was uncomfortable about taking additional time off from her rotations.

He felt a sudden roil of nausea and a stab of pain in his gut, a powerful reaction to the upcoming separation.

His gaze drifted to the panel that opened into the secret passageway between his suite and Eve’s. The temptation to follow in his ancestors’ footsteps and sneak into Eve’s bedroom was almost overpowering. But he had told her that she must come to him. That was a salve to his own conscience rather than a belief that Eve would feel any pressure because he was the king. She did not fear his power. Or curry it.

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