Page 30 of The Crown

The coronation ceremony reminded Jo of Francisco’s funeral. As with all funerals, she had listened and wished she had known the deceased better. He was a generous, kind, smart, wise king, and his citizens were going to miss him. Many of the remarks mentioned Nico, how he had learned at the hand of his father and how he had served and helped in the community. The country was preparing for its king.

And then Nico stood at the microphone. Jo struggled to breathe, nervous for him and emotional at seeing him so close, she almost reached out to touch the screen. She was going to need to get a grip. But not today. Today was all about wallowing.

“No one rejoices in the day they become King.” He paused and looked out over the congregation of the church. “Because it usually means someone we loved has died.” He paused and swallowed, his jaw tight and stiff. “But it is my honor to rejoice in the life of my father, our king.”

Jo was so proud of Nico. Shortly after his own father’s funeral, so composed, so well spoken. He went on for many minutes about the beauty of their land, their people, about the crown and what it meant to the Torren family. He pledged his life and his heart to Torren. And then he stopped, and looked right in the camera. Jo felt his stare strike her deep inside and she knew he was about to talk to her. She didn’t know how she knew it but she did.

“My heart belongs to the people of Torren. And to my future wife. It is with our union that I will be able to rule with strength and wisdom and direction that Torren needs to take us into the future as a country. Only with her, can I be the ruler I am meant to be, for she grounds me.”

Jo forced air into her lungs. And she sobbed it back out. Hugging the pillow across her chest, she cried her anguish out to the television.

“Go to him, Jo.”

Her father’s voice made her jump, and embarrassment filled her. “How long have you been standing there?”

“I saw the whole ugly cry.” His mouth quirked up gently.

“Oh dad. I just need to get it out. I’ll be better tomorrow.” But even as she said it, she knew it wasn’t true.

“Jo, if you love him this much, and if he uses a national speech at his coronation to reach out to you…just go back.”

She knew he wouldn’t want to hear it, but she argued. “What about you dad? I can’t have them attacking us in the news like they did.” She choked on her next words. “We don’t have much time.”

“Jo, I changed my mind. It was selfish of me to want to leave. I don’t care what they say about me. I don’t watch that stuff anyway. I was happy there. I went for walks on their grounds. They brought me anything I wanted to read. I swam in the pool. Nurse June misses it. She’s a grouchy bear back here at home.” He waved his hand. “And the marina can go too. What do we need with the Tiki Rumble when we have the Valdez fleet of boats?”

Jo laughed. She knew he still worried, but accepted his sacrifice for her, and felt better. “And when the centers are up and running it might even be better for you.”

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I have everything I could ever want at the palace, with you there.” He stepped closer and Jo stood, rushing into his arms. They hugged for many moments. Hope filled her as she thought of ways that she could have Nico and be everything her father needed, but then the television announcer said, “Pundits are speculating about who the woman could be that Nico is referring to as his future wife. Jo Finley hasn’t been seen for one whole day anywhere outside the palace, and everyone noticed it was Monique, and not Jo, who entered with the family.”

“I don’t know if I still have a chance with Nico. I left. And Monique…”

He chuckled. “Don’t you be worrying about Monique. She is Nico’s Kevin.”

Jo smiled before she could even stop herself. Kevin had been a boyfriend to keep her on track, to help her be responsible. But never was there any strong feeling between them, and now, he was the man who was trying to swindle them out of their marina. She stopped. “My Kevin.” Her father nodded his head.

“Dad. Monique might be the one trying to sabotage us with the press. It’s her area of expertise. And she wants Nico.”

He shrugged. “All I know is he likes that woman about as much as he likes going to all his meetings every day. He needs you, Jo, and he just told you with the whole nation looking on.”

She sat back down on the sofa. Could her dad be right?

16

An international number showed up on her cell phone and she scrambled to answer it. “Nico?”

A man’s voice on the other end introduced himself and explained he was an attorney hired by the Valdez family, and that he would be working with her attorney on the case against Kevin.

She didn’t know what to say, but a wild hope filled her, an exhilaration that had nothing to do with saving the marina. If the palace was helping her fight this battle, Nico still cared.

She gave the man on the phone all the details he needed and then went to find Nurse June. They were going to need to pack up all over again. On her way down the hall, Sierra texted. “Hey, I love your new Instagram!” She screen-shotted a picture of Jo, running with Nico, laughing into his face. They looked like a couple in love and she had to admit, they looked good together. Just as good as he and Monique. But where did this come from? She clicked on the account and scrolled through the images. There was a whole stream of them. She and the families she tried to help at the literacy ball, dancing on the red carpet with Nico, her awesome water ski dig, cutting on the glass, and so many more. She scrolled back to the top to see who ran the account. Fifty Six thousand followers. Oh my word. The account was in her name. She DM’d herself. “Who is running this beautiful account? I love it.”

Every picture of every event the paparazzi distorted or ruined was in her Instagram as the real thing. It was as if someone had retold the story as it was meant to be shared. A notification showed she had a message. “Hey Jo. This is my wedding gift to you. Dahlia.”

Her hands started shaking.

Her DM showed a little red one again. “Be nice to him when he gets there.”

She nearly dropped her phone. And checked the front door. Then she laughed at herself. Was he coming there?

---