Chapter Three
Princess Elena hated mornings at the palace.
Not because she disliked waking early.
She disliked what came with it.
The servants.
The schedules.
The endless stream of people who seemed to believe that being born into a royal family meant she had no right to choose how she spent her day.
At seven o'clock precisely, there was a knock at her bedroom door.
"Your Highness?"
Elena opened one eye.
"I'm awake."
The door opened slightly.
"Your breakfast is ready."
"I don't want breakfast."
A pause.
"His Majesty asked me to remind you that you have a meeting at nine."
Elena pulled the blanket over her head.
"Tell His Majesty I died."
The servant remained silent.
Elena lifted the blanket slightly.
"Did you hear me?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And?"
"I believe His Majesty would prefer you alive."
Elena smiled despite herself.
"Traitor."
The door closed.
Elena finally climbed out of bed.
She crossed toward the window and opened the curtains.
The capital stretched beneath the palace.
From this height, everything looked peaceful.
The streets were already busy.
Cars moved through the city.
Markets were opening.
People were beginning their daily routines.
Normal people.
Elena sometimes envied them.
They could walk into a shop without security following them.
They could sit in a café without someone taking photographs.
They could fall in love without wondering whether the person beside them would someday become part of a political negotiation.
Elena turned away from the window.
Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror.
She was twenty-six years old.
Old enough, according to her father, to understand responsibility.
Young enough, according to her mother, to still make mistakes.
And according to almost everyone else in the palace, old enough to be married.
That subject had become increasingly difficult to escape.
Every dinner eventually became a discussion about it.
Every diplomatic reception seemed to include at least one eligible man.
Every visit from a foreign delegation somehow ended with someone mentioning marriage.
Elena hated it.
She wanted to choose her own life.
Her own career.
Her own husband.
If she ever decided she wanted one.
She dressed quickly and made her way downstairs.
The palace dining room was already occupied.
Her mother sat at one end of the table, reading a document.
Her father was standing near the windows.
The King turned as Elena entered.
"You're late."
"Good morning to you too."
Her mother hid a smile behind the document.
The King frowned.
"Breakfast was served twenty minutes ago."
"Then it has had plenty of time to think about its purpose in life."
"Elena."
She sat down.
"Yes, Father?"
"You are not a child anymore."
"I know."
"You are a princess."
"I know that too."
"And there are responsibilities attached to that position."
Elena reached for a piece of fruit.
"I know."
The King sighed.
"You make it very difficult to have a serious conversation with you."
"That is because serious conversations are usually about marriage."
Her mother finally lowered the document.
"Elena."
"What?"
"Your father has something important to discuss."
Elena looked at the King.
His expression had changed.
He was no longer irritated.
He looked tired.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
The King walked to the table.
"Your brother."
Elena's expression softened immediately.
"What about him?"
"He will be returning soon."
"When?"
"Within the week."
A smile appeared on Elena's face.
"That's wonderful."
Her brother had been away for months.
Despite their differences, she loved him deeply.
"When did you hear?"
"This morning."
"Is he all right?"
The King hesitated.
"Yes."
It was only one word.
But Elena noticed the hesitation.
She knew her father well.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing."
"Father."
He smiled.
"You worry too much."
Elena wasn't convinced.
Before she could question him further, the doors opened.
A palace official entered and bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes?"
"There is a matter requiring your attention."
The King nodded.
"Later."
The official hesitated.
"It concerns yesterday's incident."
Elena looked up.
"What incident?"
The King glanced at his wife.
His wife gave him a warning look.
"Nothing that concerns you," he said.
Elena narrowed her eyes.
"That means it definitely concerns me."
The King ignored her.
"Come to my study."
The official followed him.
The doors closed.
Elena stared at them.
Her mother returned to her documents.
"Mama."
"Yes?"
"What happened yesterday?"
Her mother looked up.
"Your father will tell you when he is ready."
Elena leaned back.
"Everyone in this palace knows something except me."
Her mother smiled gently.
"Sometimes that is the privilege of being the youngest."
"I am twenty-six."
"I know."
"I am a grown woman."
"I know."
"Then stop treating me like a child."
Her mother's smile faded slightly.
"We are trying to protect you."
Elena frowned.
"From what?"
Her mother didn't answer.
Instead, she looked toward the closed study doors.
And for the first time that morning, Elena sensed that something had changed.
Something was happening inside her family.
Something nobody was telling her.
---
Behind the study doors, the King stood silently beside his desk.
The palace official placed a file in front of him.
"The soldier's name is Angelo Sanchez."
The King looked at the photograph.
Corporal Angelo Sanchez.
Military record.
Service history.
Awards.
Disciplinary record.
The King read the file carefully.
"There were three attackers?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And he subdued all three alone?"
"Yes."
The King nodded.
"What about the injury?"
"Minor. He refused medical treatment."
The King smiled.
"Of course he did."
The official waited.
Then the King closed the file.
"Find out everything you can about him."
The official bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And one more thing."
"Your Majesty?"
"Do not let my daughter know."
The official hesitated.
"About the soldier?"
The King looked toward the door.
"About anything."
He picked up the file again.
Somewhere in the capital, a young soldier was going about his ordinary duties.
He had no idea that his name had just reached the King's desk.
And Princess Elena had no idea that the stranger who had entered her family's life had already begun to change her future.