But this was far from a bedroom. The beige-and-cream room had a spacious bed with a quilted velvet headboard and footboard, but it also had a full-size couch, two chairs and a fireplace. Her gaze moved slowly around the room. There was just so much to take in, from the intricacies on the ceiling and wall, all the way down to the oriental rug.
Next to the French doors was a small table and chairs. She had a feeling she would be spending countless hours sitting there strategizing particulars for the wedding. She knew that the prince had assured her of having an office, but her working hours never fit into a normal business day. Ideas would strike at all hours of the day and night. And with the high importance of this wedding, she knew her mind would be on business 24/7.
And then there was the prince. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pictured him. She definitely wanted to impress him—for more than one reason.
CHAPTER FIVE
“I WON’T STAND for this!”
The queen’s harsh words echoed in Leo’s mind. He knew she wasn’t going to take well to his interference in the royal wedding plans, but it was time his mother realized her time as regent—of steamrolling over everyone—was almost at an end. By the end of the year he would be king.
As his mother glared at him, he couldn’t help but wonder if part of her hostility was due to the part he played in his father’s death. Ever since that horrific day, his relationship with his mother had been strained.
Or it could be that she resented having to step in as regent. Though if that were the case, why had she given him so much freedom up until now? If it weren’t for public pressure, would she have pushed him to marry—to step into his birthright?
He had a lot of questions, but he couldn’t bring himself to dredge up the past—the most painful period of his life. Because even though he and his father disagreed on certain things, Leo had looked up to his father like some kids idolized sports figures and actors. His father had been his role model.
“Mother, I know you love Giselle, but if you keep interfering with her wedding, you’re going to drive a permanent wedge between the two of you.”
The queen’s eyes flared with anger. “And you think bringing in some stranger that knows nothing of our customs is the solution?”
“I do.” He made sure to keep his voice calm. “Bianca is quite capable—”
“Bianca?” His mother crossed her arms as she continued to frown at him. “You’re on a first name basis with this woman?”
There was no point in denying it. “Yes, we are on a first name basis. It is not uncommon to call people by their first names.”
“And this woman, is she beautiful?”
His jaw tightened in frustration, but he immediately released the tension. He didn’t want his very astute mother to get a whiff of his discomfort. She would take it and turn it on him.
“She’s a wedding planner. I did not notice her looks.” He was lying, but his mother didn’t need to know everything.
The queen arched a penciled brow. “I do not believe you.”
“This isn’t about me or for that matter Bianca. This is about stopping the fighting between you and Giselle. Her wedding is supposed to be a happy time for her—”
“Her wedding is a duty—an obligation—just as yours will be. It’s about forging an alliance with another country. It’s about the future of Patazonia.”
Leave it to his mother to remove the emotions and go straight for business. Many outsiders thought being part of the royal family was all about sitting back and letting everyone wait on them. But there were things that an outsider didn’t know or stop to consider.
As a prince, he was raised to consider how his choices would affect the future of Patazonia. Eve
rything he did was scrutinized by the press—most of the time their headlines were erroneous. But it didn’t diminish his need to make careful decisions.
Just like now when there was a growing divide between the royal family and its citizens. The woman he married needed to bridge the gap between the palace and the commoners. It was imperative.
His mother had picked up right where the king had left off with the old-school philosophies. She preferred to remain on her side of the palace wall and rule while the citizens were to remain disconnected on the other side.
When he became king, things were going to change. He wanted to be a king of the people, not a distant, cold ruler. He could do better. This whole dynasty could step up their game by being more interactive and breaking down some of the traditions that had kept them locked in their ivy tower.
He met his mother’s angry gaze. “Does the future of this country include fighting?”
His mother gasped. “We were not fighting. We do not fight.”
“Then what would you call the slamming of doors and the yelling that has disrupted the entire household?”
His mother’s gaze lowered. “Your sister might have gotten a bit emotional over some points with the wedding.”