Chapter 727

Caitlin showed not the slightest panic and asked evenly, You suspect I am an accomplice to the attackers? What evidence do you have?
I have proof.
Maxwell’s tone went cold. Come in.
Two subordinates rushed into the ward. Caitlin had thought he would produce so–called evidence; instead, the two men seized her by the arms.
Stop! What do you think you are doing?
Leif VI’s fury flared. He braced himself with one arm to sit up.
Your Majesty! Caitlin cried, anxious.
Shane stepped forward at once, shouting, His Majesty told you to stop. Did you not hear?
The two men glanced at each other, fearful yet unwilling to let go. The air in the ward tightened in an instant.
Leif VI’s expression darkened. Maxwell, release her.
Shane grabbed Maxwell by the collar. Do you know what you are doing? You dare lay hands on someone in the king’s ward?
The royal guards raised their weapons in unison, dark muzzles leveled at Maxwell.
Arrogant as he usually was, Maxwell did not dare push further against the king’s wrath. He forced himself to sound steady. Shane, as the royal secretary, you should know better than anyone that His Majesty’s safety is paramount. Since I have solid grounds to suspect her, I should be allowed to present them here and now.
Leif VI motioned to Caitlin. She moved to his side.
He looked at Maxwell and said firmly, Since you insist, I will tell you the truth. She is not what you think. She is my daughter.
Everyone in the room froze.
Other than Shane, all the guards and attendants stared at Caitlin in shock.
Even Maxwell went blank for a few seconds. He had thought the king did not know her true identity; that one sentence completely unraveled his plan.
Your Majesty… what did you say? She is your daughter?
Yes. She is my illegitimate daughter. I had not made it public, but I am now preparing to bring her back into the family.
I see.
Maxwell feigned sudden understanding, his tone coated in hollow courtesy. I never imagined she was Your Majesty’s daughter.
Leif VI’s face was stern. Now that you all know, I will make it official. I will recognize my daughter Caitlin as a member of the royal house, grant her the Leif surname, and bestow upon her the title of princess.
For a moment Maxwell could not speak. He had not only failed to take Caitlin, he had helped make her legitimate. For original chapters go to.net
Your Majesty, he tried to salvage, she is, after all, merely an illegitimate child. Should this not be decided when my sister returns?
No. I alone will decide this.
Leif VI turned to Shane. Secretary, draft the decree. I, Leif VI, King of A Country, formally recognize my daughter Caitlin Leif as a member of the royal family. After I am discharged, I will announce it before Parliament and hold her coronation in the palace.
Your Majesty, please reconsider, Maxwell pressed, unwilling to yield. To grant a princess’s title so readily may not convince the public.
I have found the daughter I lost for years. The nation will celebrate. My decree stands. Who dares defy it?
Leif VI’s voice rang like iron, thunderous with anger.
He swept up the porcelain cup on the bedside table and smashed it to the floor.
The sharp crack echoed through the ward. No one dared breathe.
Shane, note this down, Leif VI added coldly. If anyone objects, let him spend the rest of his life in prison.
Yes, Your Majesty. Shane wrote it into his notebook at once.
Leif VI looked back at Maxwell. You may leave. Without my summons, you need not come to the hospital again.
Maxwell seethed inside but could only bow. As you command, Your Majesty.
Before leaving, he shot Caitlin a vicious, icy look. When the door closed, Leif VI sagged back against the pillows, drained.
Father.
I am fine. He reached up to wipe his daughter’s tears, his voice gentle and tired. Now it is done. I have recognized you. Let us see who dares lay a finger on you.
Caitlin’s eyes shone as she nodded. She did not care about titles; she only wanted her father well, her mother rescued, and their family together again.
Meanwhile Maxwell sat in his car, staring up at the hospital windows, eyes cold and calculating. Today he had not exposed Caitlin; he had helped them instead, turning a maid into a princess. Touching her would be far
harder now.
He gave a thin smile. Then change tactics. Without Kelly, there would be no Caitlin. To get the Shard of Life, he would use Kelly as leverage. With the artifact in hand, his affliction would be cured. And then Caitlin would never escape him.
Go, he ordered.
A few days later, Leif VI was discharged.
Shane arranged everything. Caitlin straightened her father’s uniform with a smile. All set, Father. Time to go
home.
Yes. I cannot stand another whiff of this hospital stench.
He was eager to return. He had heard his son Harrison had arrived in Sanctis.
Magnus pushed the wheelchair and teased, Father, not long ago you said the hospital felt like paradise. Why so eager to leave now?
Paradise is not home, Leif VI said with a fond scold. I am taking my daughter home.
The royal convoy rolled out. People along the route paused to pay respects. The hospital director and physician team walked out to see them off.
Leif VI sat in the back, smiling as he spoke with Caitlin and Magnus about the nation’s future.
The A Country of tomorrow will depend on you, he said warmly.
With his children beside him, his heart felt more at peace than it had in years.
You are the soul of the nation, Father, Caitlin said softly. When you recover, we will travel on state visits together and let Mother see the world.
Leif VI smiled with a sigh. If only I could stand again.
You will, Caitlin said, unwavering. That day will come.
The convoy entered the palace. Palace stewards and guards stood in neat lines to welcome the king home.
Shane, is everything ready?
Rest assured, Your Majesty. All is prepared.
Soon Caitlin received a call from Magnus. I have Harrison. We are almost there.
Leif VI’s eyes lit. Good. Take me to the front hall. I want to greet them myself.
Caitlin pushed him to the front hall. Sunlight fell across the high steps. Leif VI fixed his gaze on the distant
square.
Caitlin, they are here.
I see them, Father.
The cars pulled in. Magnus and Harrison stepped out.
Harrison looked up at the majestic palace, awe and reverence rising in him. He assumed the king had come to welcome Magnus. He never imagined the one Leif VI was waiting for was him.
Leif VI watched that familiar figure approach, his heart trembling. Harrison’s features and build were almost a mirror of his own youth. Blood called to blood. His hands shook, and his eyes grew hot.
Caitlin, I brought him back, Magnus said with a smile as they reached the steps.
Brother. Caitlin greeted him with a smile.
Caitlin, he answered in kind. He wanted to hug her, but before the king he held back and bowed. Your Majesty.
Good, good, good.
Leif VI nodded through tears, unable to say more than that one word.
He took in his son’s face. The resemblance was uncanny, as if struck from the same mold. His son. His and Kelly’s child.
Harrison was a little dazed.
Caitlin and Magnus knew it was because the king was overwhelmed with emotion.
Magnus took the wheelchair handles. Let us talk inside.
“All right.”
Caitlin and her brother Harrison followed together.