Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) by Marianne Knightly Read Free Book Online

they’re not spending above their means. This is exactly the sort of the thing that could be used against us.”
     
    “Then I’ll ask Marcello to research that first,” Gabriel said, nodding. “You do realize that details related to the cost of your wedding will be discussed when this comes out?”
     
    Alex’s hands fisted at his sides, then uncurled. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes. The wedding is being paid for from my personal finances, and yours and Mama’s. They can’t fault us for using state funds for it.”
     
    “But what about the security costs?” Nate chimed in, ignoring Alex’s narrowed eyes. “With all of the other heads of state planning to attend, not to mention the security along the procession route, well, that will use state funds.”
     
    “It’s standard protection,” Alex argued.
     
    “There’s nothing standard about a royal wedding, my son, believe me.” Gabriel held up his hands when it looked as though Alex wanted to speak again. “Enough, my son. You and Rebecca both need to be prepared for these types of questions, and it is better that you prepare for them here, where the world cannot see that look on your face.”
     
    “But, Papa, I’m not going to cancel my wedding, no matter what.”
     
    “Nor would we ask you to. However, the time may come that you need to make some tough decisions, and you need to be prepared for that.”
     
    Alex shook his head, as if he was unwilling to believe it. For the first time in his life, Nate realized that sometimes men looked forward to their wedding day perhaps just as much as women did.
     
    “It’s not just the wedding that may come under fire, Papa,” Nate continued. “They’ll look at our social schedule, too. We had your Anniversary Ball last month, the Harvest Ball and Independence Day celebrations this month, and the Holiday Ball next month, which was set to double as Alex and Rebecca’s engagement party. There may be other tough choices we need to make. We can’t be seen celebrating.”
     
    “I thought as much, my son. Do you have a budget proposal yet?”
     
    Nate shook his head. “I’m still working on it. I should have it for you and Alex tomorrow. You should prepare yourselves.”
     
    “I’ve got to talk to Rebecca about this. Tonight,” Alex said as he glanced at the clock.
     
    “I’ll need to discuss this with your Mama as well.” Gabriel sighed as he stood up and rounded the desk. He pulled Nate into a hug. “You’ve done a very good job, my son. Difficult days lie ahead for us. You will need all your strength to take what’s coming.”
     
    Nate hugged his father back; they were about the same height but, to Nate, Gabriel would always be bigger than life to him. “Thank you, Papa.”
     
    Gabriel kissed Nate on each cheek, then gave Alex a kiss on each cheek, too. “Don’t worry, Alexander. You’ll have your wedding day. Don’t doubt that, and everything else will come.”
     
    Alex nodded, though his eyes still held disbelief. “Thank you, Papa.”
     
    “Let’s hold off on telling the rest of the family until the morning of the budget proposal,” Gabriel said. “Let them get the rest we’ll be missing for the next long while. I know I’ll have trouble sleeping at night. I suggest you both get some sleep, my sons, if you can. It seems as though we have some very long days ahead of us.”
     
    As Alex left for his apartment to be with Rebecca, and his father left to be their mother, Nate felt the despairing feeling of being alone. Charlotte came to his mind again, and he decided to go see her. First, however, he was going to have a chat with his brother.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    Nate decided to use the regular hallways this time – not the secret ones – to take him to Lorenzo’s apartment. All of the royal apartments were essentially side-by-side, affording them both privacy and family nearby at the same time. Lorenzo’s was only a few down the hall from his, with Ethan