The Royal Mess Read Online Free PDF

psychologically crippled.”
    â€œMeh.” So, he mused. David had obviously gone fishing. Nicole had agreed to take him out, as she’d taken Jeffrey out. Maybe there was a way to crack this egg yet. “You get anything else out of her?”
    â€œYeah, she knows the technical term for an uncontrollable fear of doctors.”
    â€œWho doesn’t?” he bluffed.
    â€œIatrophobia,” his son kindly supplied.
    â€œIf that kid’s scared of anything, I’ll eat sushi.”
    â€œPlease, Dad,” his son mock-begged. “Don’t befoul your gourmet palate. Hamburgers will never taste the same.”
    â€œI got to take shit from every one of my kids. Every one.”
    â€œIt’s your curse,” his son agreed happily.
    â€œIatrophobia,” Al mused.
    â€œI don’t think it’s that simple. In fact, I think it was a feint.”
    â€œA feint?”
    â€œShe’s trying to throw us off the trail. Which is exceedingly weird. She writes us about her, when she could have clammed up, and then refuses to cooperate.”
    â€œYou could refuse my dying wish so easily?”
    His son colored, but doggedly continued. “Who wouldn’t want to be one of us? She passes the DNA, she’s got a claim to one of the biggest fortunes on the planet. She’ll never have to worry about money again, nor any of her kids, or grandkids. Plus, we have a pretty good time around here.” David spread his palms. “What’s not to love?”
    Al smiled at his son. David was young. And he thought his family’s way was the only way. Although Al strongly suspected his son was quite a bit more intelligent than he was, he lacked experience. Al had been walking around on the planet long enough to know just how much people feared change.
    David, born and reared a prince, could not conceive of any other lifestyle, nor understand why a stranger would turn it down.
    â€œIt was her and her mama for her whole life,” Al said. “And now she’s all alone. Maybe she likes her solitude.” Except scratch the maybe.
    There was a discreet rap on the door. “C’mon in, Edmund!” they called in unison.
    â€œMajesty. Highness.” Edmund fairly staggered under the load of paperwork. Al made a conscious effort not to cringe. “May I presume to ask how it went, Your Highness?”
    â€œDo you s ee her anywhere, Edmund?”
    â€œWatch the tone, boy,” the king said absently, drumming his fingers on the desk. One thing he had insisted on before any of his children could walk: hired help were also subjects, and subjects deserved respect. Always. Except, of course, for one. And he’d straightened her out, by God. Sent her packing with a flea in her ear. Again.
    â€œSorry, Edmund,” David was saying. “My morning was equal parts aggravating and amusing. Didn’t mean to mouth off.”
    â€œI know not to what you refer, Highness. Will you permit me a suggestion?”
    â€œDon’t you hate when he pretends he doesn’t control our every move?”
    â€œWith all my black heart,” Al replied. “Spill, Edmund.”
    â€œI think the time for gentler tactics have passed.”
    â€œYou don’t mean?” the prince gasped.
    â€œThe big guns?” the king guessed.
    â€œExactly.” Edmund paused a beat. “Princess Christina.”
    â€œDear God,” king and prince said in unison.

Chapter 12
    â€œS o!” the Crown Princess of Alaska greeted her as she entered the office. “You’re the numb-nut who won’t submit to a blood test.” She stuck out an unmanicured hand. Startled, Nicole shook it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Christina.”
    â€œUh, yeah. I read about your wedding in People . And your daughter’s birth in—”
    â€œ News of the Weird ? ” the princess guessed.
    Nicole’s hand shot up, too late.
    â€œMy God,”