Page 55 of Her Royal Rebellion

“So, you decided to settle for staying in her life as her guard rather than risk losing her completely?” Anne asked.

“Yes.”

She sighed and clutched her chest. “Oh my. That’s so romantic. You must love her very much.”

I finally cracked a smile. “I do.”

Isla turned to me and I met her gaze. She was right, we could face this together. If we survived this discussion, I knew we could overcome anything else life threw our way.

“I’m not sure what to say,” Leo’s voice filled the silence.

Anne patted his knee. “I’m very happy for both of you. I’m sure our recent actions might seem to contradict this, but we do want you to be happy. Everything we do is with that in mind.”

Isla clenched my hand, and I held back a cringe. She needed me for strength, and I was going to give her that, no matter how much it ached.

“Then why didn’t you guys tell me the truth? Why did you go through with bringing those men in when I asked you not to?”

The queen flinched, and Leo leaned forward. “We thought we were protecting you. There are things you don’t know.”

“So, tell me. You’re trying to control my future, my life, without telling me everything.”

Leo glanced at me and apparently decided he didn’t mind my presence. “There’s a bill.”

Isla interrupted. “Yes, I know. It’s trying to reduce taxes and limit what heirs get.”

He sighed and nodded. “I didn’t want to worry you. I was trying to make sure you would always be provided for.”

“I’m an adult, Dad. You should have just told me what was going on and we could have had a discussion about what to do next. Inviting strangers into our home to arrange a loveless marriage was wrong. You hurt me deeply by keeping things from me.”

“We never meant to hurt you, darling.” Anne’s voice was full of remorse.

“This just proves you don’t trust me or respect me as an individual.”

“That’s not what our intent was. We were trying to protect you,” Leo seemed to plead with Isla.

“I understand your intentions. I do, but I asked you not to go through with it.”

I feared this was going to go in circles and we were here to accomplish something. “We hope to move forward. Isla and I love each other and want to start a life together. I might not have a title or wealth like the other men, but I know I can make your daughter happy. I know we can get through challenges together and overcome anything thrown our way. I might not be able to provide her with a lavish lifestyle. I don’t offer much to the crown in the way of alliances. I don’t own a company that can create jobs and boost the economy in Lochland, but I can give her love and support. I can make her happy and keep her safe and protected. I’m humbled she feels the same way about me. We’re going to be together, but it would mean a great deal to us to know we have your blessing.”

Leo stared me down for several intimidating moments before he stood. “I think this is a conversation we should have alone.”

I squeezed Isla’s hand once before getting up and following my king out of the room. I kept my expression blank but my insides were knotted and pushing their way up my throat.

21

Isla

I didn’t get a chance to ask Logan what my father said to him. Once they were done, Dad spoke quietly with Mum, then insisted we all return to the palace. Cian and Aiden didn’t even protest. So much for having my back and facing our parents together. Logan avoided me while we loaded into the helicopter, and the moment we landed in Ballivaughn he disappeared.

“What’s going on?” I grabbed Aiden’s shoulder and made him turn to face me.

He seemed uncomfortable, but I was sick of the whispers and texts. Even though everyone tried to be discrete I caught them texting when they thought I wasn’t watching on our trip home.

“I’m not entirely sure. Logan told me and Charlie that you guys were ready to come home so we got your things packed and met out front.”

“He didn’t tell you what Dad said to him?” This was getting strange. Why was Logan running away?

“No, he didn’t.”