Page 50 of His Highness's Hidden Heir

ASFARASMagnus was concerned, he and his small family had conquered America. Their Thanksgiving-themed fundraiser had raised several million dollars for meals for underprivileged families. Lexi had been the belle of the ball in a sequin-covered creation of reds and golds like autumn leaves. Her profile lifted Isleif’s and this time when they danced, they received applause.

They had earned a pseudo-honeymoon as they headed into a quieter December. Lexi was feeling more confident in her role as his wife and was finding a routine of sorts with their son. She was also bouncing back physically so she was very receptive to lovemaking.

A few mornings after their return, Magnus told her to stay in bed after she fed Rolf. He took the boy to their small dining room, burping him while he ate his own breakfast.

Rolf continued to put on weight and was growing stronger every day, holding up his head and pushing his arms and legs with determination, even though he didn’t seem to have a destination in mind except to scale Magnus’s shoulder. It was an amusing wrestling match, trying to keep a secure hold on him while trying to spread jam on his toast.

“Your Royal Highness.” Ulmer paused to give Magnus a polite nod of greeting as he was shown in. “Good morning.”

“Why are you here? My morning is free of engagements.” Magnus had planned it that way. Once Rolf went down for his nap, he intended to rejoin his wife in their bed.

“Publicity concerns have cropped up.” Ulmer swept his finger across his tablet. “I wanted to let you know we’re aware of them and addressing them before...” Ulmer glanced toward the open door to the corridor that led to their bedroom. He smiled politely, but his lips were tight. “Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Ulmer.” Lexi had secured a robe over her silk pajamas. It was hardly the first time Ulmer had seen her before she’d dressed, but she faltered. “I thought we had a free morning.”

“I thought you were sleeping in?” Magnus countered.

“I’m hungry. Oh, yes, good morning to you, too. As if we haven’t already said that.” Her voice dropped to a gurgle of indulgence as she smoothed her hand over their son’s fine hair. “You can’t possibly be hungry, too? Youjustate, you little glutton.”

Hungry or not, Rolf wiggled harder, always aware when his mama was near and eager to be in her arms.

She took him and sat in the chair Ulmer held for her. Magnus moved his toast to where she could reach it and held up two fingers for the poached eggs she usually ate. Their server poured her decaf coffee and left.

“You were saying something about publicity concerns?” Lexi prompted Ulmer. “About me? I’m guessing it’s not good.”

“We’re well aware that controversy sells clicks, ma’am. We’re doing what we can to quash it, but they are being persistent.”

“What are they saying?” Her voice was even, but Magnus heard the dread.

Ulmer looked as though he’d allow himself to be drawn and quartered before he repeated any of it.

“It doesn’t matter,” Magnus stated. “The staff are dealing with it so you don’t have to. Carry on,” he said, dismissing the man.

But later, after they’d made love and were sharing a lazy bath, he heard her “Tsk.” He picked up his head off the back of the tub and found her reading headlines on a phone he didn’t recognize.

“What are you doing? Where did you get this?” He took it from her, noting it was in a waterproof case.

“It’s the one I keep in here for reading while I’m in the tub.”

“Then read a book, not that garbage.” He tossed it to the mat on the floor.

“They’re saying I should have lost the baby weight by now.”

“It’s all in your chest. I think it’s delightful.” He slid his hand under the water so he could weigh the swell that overflowed his palm.

She didn’t relax into him the way he’d hoped. “They think I’m lazy because I had a C-section instead of delivering naturally.”

“‘They’ don’t exist. One troll in the armpit of the internet is trying to profit off you. Are you really going to let them ruin our morning?”

“No,” she said petulantly.

But it did cast a shadow, one that grew longer and darker as the month wore on.

Magnus didn’t tell her that her post-pregnancy photos were being compared to ones that her stalker had posted a few years ago, but he had a suspicion she knew. She grew subdued while he grew frustrated. He had sworn she could rely on him to look after her, hadn’t he? Why couldn’t he protect her from something that caused her so much pain?

On Christmas day, he had his own history to face and thank God Lexi and Rolf were there to buffer him through it. Every few years, he had Christmas lunch at the cottage with his mother. This year, everyone was there, including Sveyn.

Snow was falling heavily. The sun had barely come up before it began to set, casting the day in a muted light. The babies were being passed around like plates of hors d’oeuvres and the women were caught up in lively conversation about sleep schedules and baby yoga.

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