A Royal Holiday (Royals of Valleria #5) Read Online Free PDF

and had to save myself.”
     
    “Regardless,” Marcello said, a little too loudly, “we’ll need to get on the same page about what to say to the press. The passageways were just rumours before, but they’re reality now.” Everyone grumbled; it had been a miracle that they had managed to keep them a secret before now.
     
    Alex took a long sip of his coffee. “You said there were something else worrying in the paper. What was it?”
     
    Marcello took hold of Grace’s hand. “The press is also questioning why Grace was taken to the bunker with the king and queen when we had an active shooter in the palace last month, but not all of the royal children.”
     
    “I’m sorry to cause any trouble,” Grace said quietly.
     
    Rebecca shook her head. “You’re not causing any trouble, the press is. I was in that bunker, too. If they’re upset at you, they should be upset at me.”
     
    Grace bit her lip. “I don’t think so. It’s different with you, isn’t it? You’re the future queen.”
     
    “And you’re basically a future princess,” Rebecca countered. “You’re a part of the family as much as I am, whether or not there’s a ring on your finger.”
     
    Gabriel nodded. “Well said. The same is true for Finn and Charlotte as well. You’re all a part of our family, and I won’t hear another word on the subject. We’ll say as much to the press as well, and put an end to this nonsense.”
     
    Grace smiled. “Thank you.”
     
    “And I’ll make sure Charlie gets the message, too,” Nate said.
     
    “Where is Charlie?” Carolina asked.
     
    “Working too hard, as usual.” Nate sighed. “She was up at God knows what hour working on baked goods for some event or other.”
     
    “Are you worried she’s overdoing it? Is she still in pain?” Genevieve asked.
     
    Nate shook his head. “She’s fine, but I’m still worried about her.”
     
    Cat poured herself another cup of Vallerian Grey tea. “There are a lot of parties and events around the palace this time of year, not to mention the Holiday Ball in a couple days.” She set the teapot down. “Will that still double as an engagement party? Or is it off now?”
     
    “It’s still on,” Alex said, brooking no argument. “I’ll set the press straight before the ball, even if we haven’t heard anything from Marcello’s people by then.”
     
    Rebecca didn’t care about balls or parties or public celebrations of their engagement; that they were engaged and getting married was enough for her. “If it’s easier to cancel the engagement party side of the ball, we can do that.”
     
    “No. No,” he said again just as his mother was about to speak up. “If we cancel it, all it does is give people doubts about the engagement.”
     
    “I agree,” Gabriel said. “We show a united front.”
     
    “Tavin will work on some talking points and send them around to everyone,” Alex said.
     
    “We know how to work the press,” Lorenzo said a little defensively. “We’ll be fine.”
     
    Alex raised an eyebrow at his younger brother. “Well, you’ll still get them all the same. Expect them sometime today.”
     
    “Oh, no.” Rebecca put down her fork; she’d only been pretending to eat anyhow.
     
    “What is it, darling?”
     
    “I just remembered my schedule for the day. Our schedule for the day,” she said, gesturing to Cat and Genevieve as well. “We’re supposed to go out shopping for last minute gifts. The security’s all been arranged.”
     
    “Are you concerned about being out in public?” Alex asked, worry hidden in the deep, black depths of his eyes. God, she could lose herself in those eyes.
     
    “It doesn’t matter. It’ll be easier for you two if I don’t come along. I can arrange a trip some other time, or ask my mother to pick up what I need.”
     
    “Nonsense,” Grace said. “You shouldn’t let this situation take over your life. I think you should still go.” The whole family, even Marcello,