Protecting the Prince: Contemporary Christian Romance Novella (The Brides of Belles Montagnes Book 3) by Moncado Carol

Author:Moncado, Carol [Moncado, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CANDID Publications
Published: 2016-02-07T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Tony could see the emotions cross Michaela’s face. Surprise followed rapidly by fear and then a fierce protectiveness.

“How do you know that?”

“Know what?” Nicklaus interjected. “Mom, why did he call you Michaela?”

She kept her eyes on Tony’s. “Because it is my given name, just as yours is not Nicholas but Nicklaus David Richard Antonio, Crown Prince of Ravenzario.”

Tony tried to convey his sympathy through his eyes. It couldn’t be an easy thing for either one of them.

Nicklaus had to clear his throat twice before he could speak. “Say what now?”

Michaela seemed to have trouble getting her emotions under control. Tony answered for her. “Your parents were His Majesty King Richard and Her Majesty Queen Marissa of Ravenzario. Nearly eighteen years ago, on December 23, their car with you and Michaela inside, went over a cliff and landed with the engine submerged in an icy river. The queen died as emergency services made it to her side. The king died not long afterward, before he could be removed from the vehicle. The bodies of Crown Prince Nicklaus and his nanny were never found. They were declared dead and empty caskets were buried at the same time as the king and queen.”

“How do you know all this?” Michaela whispered.

“My name is Tony Browning. The day before the accident I was promoted to Head of Security for the Royal Family of Ravenzario. I was the only one King Richard spoke to before his death. He told me to find a particular file folder in one of the archives no one ever looked in. In that folder was the barest of information to allow me to begin a search for you when it was safe.”

“It’s been almost two decades.” She struggled to hold back tears. “Why haven’t you come before now?”

“In that paperwork was enough information for me to begin an investigation against Henry Eit, alleged half-brother of Queen Marissa. It wasn’t until about two years ago that we finally had what we needed to arrest him. Even then, he’d infiltrated the palace so thoroughly we had to be exceptionally careful who we trusted. Queen Christiana’s fiancé was discovered to be one of his minions and planned to kill her on their honeymoon. That’s how close Henry came to total control. Her fiancé was arrested two weeks before the wedding, and she married Duke Alexander instead.”

“That was nearly a year ago.”

“It was. But I am sure you are aware of the much more recent release of Henry Eit from prison, and his subsequent assassination attempt against the queen. During that investigation, we finally found his hidden office, filled with the papers we needed to wrap this up once and for all. The arrests were many and swift. I left Duke Alexander in charge of the continuing investigation while I began the long overdue search for Prince Nicklaus.” He gave her a pointed look. “I’m quite certain you understand why I needed to come now.”

“Yes.” Her voice cracked. “I do.”

“Well, I don’t!” Nicklaus jumped up.

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