Page 82 of Regally Binding

“But you think he wants to be king now?” The cautious approach was agonising. She wanted to yell about her fears for the King.

“Yes. He’s asked Archie several times to give up the throne since the engagement, especially as at that time Archie struggled more with energy and focus.” Liss shared a glance with Bear. “And now he’s getting his way but losing his dad.” He can’t want that.

“That’s so sad, especially since losing his mum at such an early age. It must be difficult to grieve his dad’s sickness and deterioration when he’s in the public eye.”

The clock ticked slowly as she waited for Beatrice’s reply. “Yes and no. The thing is—no, I shouldn’t say.”

“Say what?”

“It’s just that you said that you were worried about Archie’s condition. Something you don’t know about me is that I was training to be a doctor before I met Gable, but I put a hold on my studies when we married. Relationships and jobs are hard when you have royal family duties, but I will return to it one day.”

Liss stored away that nugget, although even if Bear’s job merged with her royal life, their relationship wouldn’t last.

“Have you spoken to Grandad’s medics? They might talk to you due to your training.”

“I tried, but Marianne made me leave the room. And to be honest, he’s deteriorated even more since those new medics arrived. There should have been scans and investigations, but there hasn’t been anything.”

“And the medication they’re giving him doesn’t seem right either.”

“They’re not medicating him.”

“But they are,” Liss blurted. Her heart beat rapidly. “I saw Marianne ask him if he was taking his pills. I recognised them as similar to what my mum took in her final days. They’re pain meds at best. I think they’re giving him something else, too, but I don’t know what.” She steeled herself and squeezed Bear’s hand tightly. Her next words might destroy her relationships with her family or worse. Liss took a deep breath. “It sounds like something out of a movie, but Marianne, and maybe Alex, are trying to do something to Archibald.”

“I agree,” Beatrice whispered. Liss pressed her hand to her mouth. “I mentioned something similar to Gable. He won’t agree, possibly because Alex is his family.”

“I hadn’t considered the added betrayal for Gable. When I spoke to the King today, he said the pills were painkillers that bolster immune systems and kill infections.”

Marianne gasped. “That sort of technology doesn’t exist. Those pills might be damaging him.”

Liss stuttered, “We need to get all his pills tested. Gable might believe the proof then.”

“Even with my suspicions, I can’t believe Marianne and Alex would try and hurt him. Archie is his father.” Her shock suddenly transformed, and her voice slowed. Liss imagined the purpose in Beatrice’s stance. “I shall get hold of a couple of pills tonight when we visit him.”

“And Strike can get them tested,” Bear jumped in. “He has a friend who works in a lab. I don’t know if we can get a result before the press conference, but we must try.”

“Exactly,” Beatrice replied. “Glad to have such an excellent team on our side. It’s Bear, isn’t it, from Bodyguard Corp?”

Bear puffed his chest. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Princess Beatrice. If you can get them to your brother tonight after seeing the king, then Strike will pick them up from him. Ifanyone is following you, there will be no connection to us. Strike and your brother were on the same platoon in the army. Not that we’re allowed to talk about it.”

“Of course, top secret,” Beatrice replied. “And that’s an excellent plan.”

“But with your pregnancy. You need to look after yourself,” Liss interjected with a puff of air from her mouth.

“But I have to do this for my country and Archibald. He is a good man, and I love him dearly. I must do this for Gable and our future baby too.”

“If you’re sure,” Liss replied, holding her breath.

“I’ll be safe, Felicity, I promise. Let’s chat again tomorrow,” Beatrice instructed.

Bear added, “In the meantime, speak to your brother, and I’ll contact Strike. We’ll sort this.”

“Take care, Beatrice,” Liss whispered as her heart jumped up to her throat. This could be a wild goose chase where she’d risked the safety of others for her silly ideas.

“You too, Felicity. And Bear?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Protect Liss and convince her she has keen instincts. It’s taken me weeks to believe something is occurring. She’s a great addition to the family, and we’re lucky to have her. Take care, both of you.”

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