Page 22 of Royal Salvation

“I’m…”

“He’s my guest and he’s correct.”

Reaper looked at the King who was eyeing him, not his sister.

“We’ve allowed Lucía to be treated as less. Not by lack of love on my part or her mother’s, but nonetheless, it has happened. For that, I’m sorry, Lucía. You’re a valued member of this family, as valued as any other and if it has not seemed thus then I’m truly sorry.”

He looked at his sister then. “As for her duty, Lucía does her duty better than anyone I know and I doubt her mother or sister would disagree. It’s just, unlike some people, she doesn’t flaunt her efforts for all to see.”

Violetta rose. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner.”

Her meek husband stood as well after his wife’s comment, and their daughter, who’d been smirking at her mother’s comments towards Lucía, now looked horrified.

“I dare because I am your King and this is my home. If you can’t be civil to my family then leave. I won’t tolerate any more of this nonsense in my house, and that goes for anyone who thinks they can speak to my child in such a way.”

“Daddy, it’s okay.”

He realised then Lucía was a peacemaker. That was why she’d allowed herself to be treated in such a way and it was probably why she photographed the wars and horrors as she did, in an effort to do her bit for peace.

“No, mi hija, it’s not. I should have dealt with this before. Mr Carson is right, and I thank him for bringing this to my attention. I’m just sorry he had to do so.”

Lucía nodded, her head down as her aunt and her family swept from the room.

“You know where to find me when you wish to apologise, my King.” The sarcasm in Violetta’s voice was evident as she left.

The King ignored her outburst and resumed his meal as if the last few minutes hadn’t happened.

Reaper sat and turned to Lucía. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

She wasn’t and he could see it, but he let her have her silence knowing that when she was ready to speak, she would.

Valentina quickly engaged her in a conversation about her charities and before long it was as if the harsh words exchanged hadn’t happened.

“Mr Carson, tell me, did you always want to be a bodyguard or was it something you fell into?” Princess Maria addressed him with a warm smile so similar to her sister’s, it was easy to see the resemblance.

“Not always, Your Highness, it’s more a case of the job chose me.”

They chatted for a bit longer as dessert was brought out and she asked about his travels and if he missed his home. All the while he could feel the burn of Bás’ eyes in the back of his head. He’d catch hell for his behaviour and he’d need to make things right with the King before the night was over. Because despite the King backing him he knew he’d overstepped, and he could pull him off this job. He didn’t trust anyone to guard Lucía better than himself, not even his teammates. And wasn’t that telling to how he was feeling about her, despite his constant denial that she was just a job, a beautiful one, but just a job.

As everyone stood to retire to the drawing room, Bás caught his arm and held him back as Valentina walked beside Lucía. “What the fuck was that?”

“I know. I’m sorry I fucked up, but I couldn’t listen to that woman speak to her like that.”

“Listen, I get it, but Lucía isn’t yours to defend. She’s ours to protect because we’re getting paid to do so and it’s a favour for our Queen. You’re not her knight in shining fucking armour.”

“I know that. I was just trying to be a decent fucking person, that’s all.”

Bás looked at him, his head tilted slightly before he nodded once. “It better be.”

Reaper wanted to leave to speak to Lucía and see if she was okay, but he had to bide his time and suffer through the rest of the evening until she was ready to retire. Focused on watching her as she chatted with Valentina and her sister, he didn’t hear the Queen come up to him until she was almost beside him.

He dipped his head. “Your Majesty.”

He could see the resemblance between the Queen and her daughters. Perhaps she was a little more petite in stature, but her head was held high on an elegant neck and there was a grace and class about her that he knew wasn’t faked or put on. She was the real deal, reminding him very much of their own Queen Lydia. Not so much in looks but in her regal bearing.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time for someone to stand up for my daughter. I had hoped it would be her, but my youngest child is a peacemaker, always has been. Tonight, you shone a light on others’ treatment of her and it forced my husband to speak out.”