He schooled his features as he’d practiced since he was a child. Because a future king could not be emotional. His tutors had drilled that into him since he was just out of diapers.
He intended to tell his mother that horses would fly before he’d allow her to pick his wife, but instead he uttered, “It’s a deal.”
That little smile on his mother’s face bloomed into a full-fledged grin. She got to her feet and approached him. “This is for the best. You’ll see.”
He highly doubted it. “And you will play nice with the wedding planner?”
It was his mother’s turn to sigh. “I will do my best—”
“Mother?”
Her lips pressed into a firm line. “I will hear her out.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I will receive regular updates and I’ll hear everything. I will also have the final decision on the details of the wedding.”
“What?” His mother looked horrified. “But you know nothing about weddings.”
“I guess it’s my caveat. Now, do we have an agreement?”
“You drive a hard bargain.” His mother gave him an appraising look. “You’re so much like your father. He would be proud of you.”
“No one can ever replace him, but I try to do what I think he’d want of me.”
“Like the wedding.” The queen glanced away. “He would not approve of the bickering. Therefore, I will agree to your plan. However, you must keep in mind that this will be a state wedding with dignitaries in attendance.”
“Yes, Mother. But it’s also a personal, deeply touching moment for Giselle.”
“Agreed. Since we’re speaking of your father, you should know that he would not approve of you putting off your destiny for so long.”
“I know.” The weight of her words had been pressing on him for some time. It’s why he was willing to go along with his mother’s bargain. At least Giselle would end up happy. “I will take the throne by the New Year.”
His mother turned back to the table. “I have a list of appropriate women for you to consider for your queen.”
He’d already been introduced to some women his mother deemed “appropriate.”
His mother’s ideal woman was quiet, meek and dare he say it—boring. He needed a strong woman who spoke her own mind and had a sense of humor so he wouldn’t bore of her too quickly.
Sadly, he’d squandered his time to find a wife on his own terms. Now he was left to choose from his mother’s preapproved candidates. And his mother knew she had the upper hand. If he had any doubts, the Cheshire smile on her face said it all.
He needed a bit of time to accept what was about to happen—he was going to marry a woman of his mother’s choosing. “I must go check on our guest and make sure she has settled in.”
His mother turned back to him. “But I’ll see you at dinner?”
“I would not miss the kickoff to your birthday celebrations.” This was a milestone for his mother. She would turn sixty and a lengthy celebration would ensue over the next few weeks. “We’ll both be there.”
“Very well.”
And with their agreement in place, he departed. His mother wasn’t quite herself. Sure, she was one to cling to traditions, but behind closed doors she normally relaxed a bit. That was not the case lately. This wedding had everyone on edge. He was really hoping Bianca would help bring his family back together again.
Speaking of Bianca, he should check on her before dinner, just to make sure she’d settled in without any problems. At least that’s what he told himself. Because the truth was that the flight home hadn’t gone the way he’d planned. One problem after another kept creeping up and stealing away his time.
But no more. He took the steps two at a time, anxious to see Bianca once more. He wanted to show her around the palace and help her get her bearings as she launched into the wedding preparations.
He stopped outside her door and knocked. “Bianca? It’s Leo.”
Nothing.
He should probably just walk away and leave well enough alone, but he couldn’t resist trying once more.