Page 102 of The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

A bitter smile curves Helena’s lips. “The way you lot throw people under the bus whenever it’s convenient. Just like when your sister announced my young son’s presence to the world. All because she was jealous of the attention your pretty bride was receiving and wanted to tarnish your image. Though she told me recently that she was under the influence at the time. Said she was quite sorry about all the trouble it caused us. Which goes to show, people can change. Sort of.”

Alistair’s eyebrows rise halfway up his forehead. “Alexandra did that? She told the media?”

“Yes, my darling. I always suspected, of course, but never knew for sure. Not until her visit the other day. You don’t think I was pouring magnums of champagne down her neck for the fun of it?”

The king grinds his teeth. “I do not have time to revisit ancient history.”

“But I thought it was you,” says Alistair with emotion.

“Me?” Lady Helena’s eyes go wide. “No, my sweetheart. Having the world find out about you upended our rather nice, quiet little country life. It was a simple sort of existence, but I quite enjoyed those years.”

“You were still living in a castle,” says Dougal. “Not that simple.”

“Oh, hush, old man.” Helena turns back to her son. “Is that what you’ve been upset about all this time?”

“Yes,” says Alistair.

“Huh. How about that. I thought you were just going through a stage.”

“For thirty years?” asks Dougal.

Her Ladyship shrugs. “Relationships between mothers and sons can be tense for all sorts of reasons. Candy, my psychic when we first moved here, told me that. Said to just give you space and the situation would resolve itself eventually. And here we are! She was right!”

“Don’t look at me, lad,” says Dougal. “I’ve been telling her to sit down with you and sort it out forever.”

“That’s true. He has.”

“If you don’t mind,” says the king in his outside voice. “Has anyone seen my son?”

“Your other son, you mean?” asks Her Ladyship. “Your second-born?”

“Helena, now is not the time!”

“Do not raise your voice at her,” says Alistair in warning. “No one’s seen him. Was there anything else you wanted, or will you be on your way?”

The king’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out. He must have thought better about whatever he was going to say. Which goes to show he’s not a complete idiot.

“Foolish of me to think you’d have anything of value to say to me,” continues Alistair. “But you’re only here because of your real son. The one whose birth meets your archaic bullshit standards.”

“That isn’t true.” His Highness’s gaze warms the smallest amount. “I was hoping we could have a word in private.”

“About your generous offer to be seen in public with me?”

“Amongst other things.”

“I’d like to say something first,” says Lady Helena, waving a hand in the air. “Now seems like as good a time as ever. If I could have everyone’s attention, please?”

His Highness sucks on his teeth with pure irritation. “What is it?”

“You and I have been each other’s bad habit for many years. I think it’s time for that to stop.” Her smile gentles. “I’m going to be blocking your number. All your numbers. And all the numbers of all the lackeys who work for you. I would ask that you respect my decision and not attempt to contact me. There will be no more moaning to me about your marriage or duties or anything else. And no more funny stuff over the phone either. We’re finished. For good this time.”

The king pauses. “You can’t mean that, Hel.”

“But I do,” she says calmly. “I don’t blame you for not believing me. There have been so many occasions when I should have ended things once and for all. But the reality is you chose not to choose me a long time ago. Then you kept on choosing to turn your back on me and our child so long as our existence didn’t suit you. I don’t know why I kept forgiving you. Well...I do... The heart is an exceptionally stupid organ. However, this time I really am done, and I’m going to make the smart choice. The one I should have made a long time ago.”

“Hel...”

Then Lady Helena turns to Dougal and asks, “Feel like eloping with me?”

---