HE’D MESSED UP.
Big time.
Leo had taken time to think about what Bianca had said to him instead of following his heart. In his defense, he never expected her to turn down his marriage proposal. But that was becoming a thing with Bianca—not reacting the way he expected.
By the time he’d gotten his head screwed on straight, Bianca had left the party. He’d quietly slipped away, eager to find her. He had to convince her that they belonged together. Maybe theirs wouldn’t be a fairy-tale marriage, but truth be told, he didn’t believe in fairy tales.
He wanted a relationship that was real—a relationship that was strong, reliable and enduring. He could have all of that with Bianca. He firmly believed it. In fact, he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it.
He demanded the keys to the SUV that his security detail had used to escort him to the reception. He was in no mood to be coddled by his team. He needed some space to himself. He tramped the accelerator. When he found the inside of the vehicle too constricting, he put down the windows and let the cool night air rush over his face as he raced back to the palace.
This can be fixed. It isn’t too late.
He kept repeating the mantra the whole way home. It was as if he said it enough, it would be so.
The SUV’s tires screeched to a halt in front of the palace. He raced inside. He could feel curious stares from the staff, wondering what had him in such a rush, but he didn’t have the patience or the inclination to explain.
He took the stairs two at a time. He racewalked down the hallway. He rapped his knuckles on Bianca’s door.
“Bianca?” He waited. No response. “Bianca, we need to talk.”
The door opened but it wasn’t Bianca on the other side. It was one of the staff.
“Where is Bianca?” he asked, not caring how anxious he might appear. He didn’t have time to worry about appearances.
The young woman looked confused. “Miss Bartolini isn’t here.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“She left.”
“Left?” That couldn’t be. “As in left the palace? To go back to the party?”
The young woman looked flustered. “I don’t know where she went. I was instructed to help her pack and then I started to straighten up. Was that a mistake?”
The mistake was all his. The weight of his error mounted with every passing moment.
Noticing the maid’s worried look, he said, “You’ve done nothing wrong. Continue what you were doing.”
He turned and strode away. She’d left already? The after-party hadn’t even wound down.
He wasn’t giving up yet. He could catch her at the airport. He’d do whatever it took.
Leo retraced his steps down the staircase, but at the bottom stood the queen. “Leopold, what is the meaning of this? You’re racing up the driveway, screeching tires and running through the palace as though it’s some sort of gymnasium.”
He descended the stairs. “It’s Bianca. I have to find her.”
The queen’s brows rose. “Is there a problem with the party?”
“No. It’s fine.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “There’s something I have to discuss with her.”
“Well, if that’s all, you’ll have to phone her because she’s already in the air. I gave her my personal jet to return home.”
“You did what?” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
The queen frowned at him. “Come with me.”
He followed her to her office, where most of the kingdom’s decisions were made. It was where his ancestors including his grandfather, father and eventually he would rule from. This seemed like a fitting place to have this life-altering conversation.
“I’ve chosen a wife,” he stated boldly. “If she’ll have me.”
His mother’s frown lifted into a smile. “Very good. And I take it you’d like Bianca to plan the wedding. I will admit that she did a pretty good job with your sister’s wedding, but you have to realize with you being in line for the crown, traditions must be strictly adhered to—”
“Mother, stop!”
She blinked as though surprised by his interruption. “Leopold, I’m not going to be as agreeable this time. Bianca cannot be your wedding planner.”
“You’re right. She’s going to be my bride.”
His mother’s penciled brows rose high on her forehead. “Leopold, if you’re trying to be funny—”
“I’m being perfectly serious. I want to marry Bianca. I want her to be my princess—”
“Stop! No.” The queen vehemently shook her head. “It’s not going to happen. I gave you a whole selection of very fine women to choose from. Just because you couldn’t find your version of the ideal woman—”
“But I did. Bianca is everything I’ve ever wanted and more.”
His mother shook her head again. “Leopold, you’re missing the fact that she doesn’t have noble blood. She isn’t from a politically influential family. She brings nothing to the nation. She’s...she’s a wedding planner.”
“She’s the woman I love. And she loves me in spite of my faults—”
“Faults?” The queen’s eyes narrowed. “This woman has convinced you that you are full of faults?”
“No, Mother,” his voice filled with pent-up emotion. “You did that the day Father died.” His mother’s mouth opened but he didn’t give her a chance to speak as he kept going. “When he died, you looked at me like it was all my fault. And you’ve been blaming me ever since.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is true. Whether you admit it or not.”
The composed look on her face crumbled. In its place were deep worry lines that aged his mother. She sat down on the window seat as though her legs would no longer hold her up. “I had no idea that’s how you felt.”
“How could I not when you sent me out of the room after father died as though you couldn’t bear to look at me. And you made me promise not to tell anyone what had happened. Do you know what keeping that secret cost me? I couldn’t even talk to Giselle.”
For so long, he’d kept this torment of emotions locked up inside of him. But after confiding in Bianca, he realized the secret was destroying not only him but also his relationship with his family. He’d been distancing himself—avoiding conflicts. And it was no way to live life. It was no way to rule a country.
“But you told Bianca?” His mother’s troubled gaze searched his.
“I did. I trust her. And I don’t regret it.”
“And she convinced you that I blamed you for your father’s death?”
“On the contrary, she defended you.” His mother’s eyes widened. Maybe at last his mother would see that there was so much more to Bianca. “She suggested you might have been trying to protect me.”
“I was.” The queen’s voice was soft as though all of the fight had gone out of her. “Our enemies will use anything to hurt us, even twisting innocent facts into something sinister.”
He could barely allow himself to believe what he was hearing. “You never blamed me?”
She shook her head. “Your father had health issues.”
“I never knew.”
“Only four people knew of them. Two of them were your father and myself. A king must not look vulnerable.”
Leo had a feeling his mother’s last comment was aimed at his relationship with a commoner. “Bianca will not make me vulnerable. With her by my side, we can do great things together. I love her.”
“But does she feel the same way?” The queen stood. “Maybe she doesn’t love you and that’s why she left so quickly.”
“She left because I made a mistake. Now I need to make things up to her.”
“You really love her, don’t you?” When he nodded, his mother said, “There’s a commercial flight tomorrow.”
It was his turn to arch a brow. “You aren’t going to try and stop me?”
“Maybe I should. But when it all comes down to it, I want my children to be happy. And Bianca makes you happier than I’ve ever seen you. So go get her. Make her your princess.”
“Thank you.” He hugged his mother, something they rarely did, but he had a feeling that was about to change. When he pulled back, he said, “You try to put on a crusty exterior but on the inside you’re just a marshmallow.”
She sent him a playful frown. “Go. Before I change my mind.” His mother turned and walked away. She called over her shoulder, “And have someone move that vehicle.”
Now he had to wait through the night to get to his princess.
It was going to be the longest night of his life.