Page 97 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

The King reluctantly laughed too. ‘There was Christmas pudding...’

‘Yuk.’

He smiled.

‘Did you enjoy the meal?’

‘I can’t say the food was quite as I expected. But it was still the best meal of my life,’ he said fondly. ‘There were consequences, though...’

She guessed that meant Sahir! ‘A long lunch, then!’

He smiled at her cheeky response.

‘A very long lunch,’ he agreed.

He did not say they’d married because of Sahir, but it was very clear...

‘There was a lot of urgent discussion, the council met and with help from a couple of very select people my bride was “chosen”. Believe me, with all the unrest between our countries she would not normally have been considered. Except then...’ His voice grew husky. ‘She was the most wonderful queen. She brought passion and vigorous debate into every room, but peace into the desert and the gardens.’

‘Yet you hid your love? Even from your children?’

‘We had to. The King’s promise to the country is for a steady ruler, free from emotional ties to any other.’ He halted. ‘Very few people knew the truth, and they helped keep our secret at great personal risk.’

‘Can I ask something?’ Violet said, because truly she didn’t understand. ‘You loved your wife very much?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yet you don’t want the same love for your own children?’

‘Anousheh did. She had many projects, and changing the laws regarding marriage was one of her priorities. She knew it would be an uphill fight—we both knew.’ He grew serious then. ‘I always thought it was just nonsense, having to hide like a thief to be with my wife, having to treat her like a colleague. Yet, after I lost my queen I was...’

He said some words in Arabic.

‘It means distracted...wandering,’ he told Violet. He looked at her. ‘There is a reason why love is not always wise. I was lost for at least two years. At the time there was a lot of instability with some neighbouring countries. Had it not been for the guidance of Aadil and his father I might have made some less than wise choices.’

He shook his head.

‘I never want that kind of danger for my people.’ He glanced over at her. ‘To lead a troubled country when grieving is an agony... I wouldn’t wish that on an enemy, let alone my son. You can support him quietly, be there, but...’

‘Not fully?’

‘Correct.’ He nodded. ‘I’m offering you a compromise.’

‘I’m tired of compromising.’

Violet stared at her hands, placed together in her lap, recalling Sahir’s fingers closed around her own. She gripped her own fingers tighter, offering her own support to herself.

‘Your son has taught me that I deserve better than to be second best.’

‘Think about it.’

‘I want a family of my own,’ Violet said. ‘It’s all I’ve ever wanted. And, while Queen Anousheh sounds incredible, I’m no good at debate, nor playing on the other side.’

‘Will you tell Sahir?’

‘No. I gave you my word.’

Violet wanted to tell him that that he, too, had been entitled to love, but his secret was too big and so she shook her head. She thought of Sahir...how he hated the memory of that final conversation he’d had with his mother...how he loathed Aadil, when in truth, he was on their side.

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