All Chapters of The Heir's Secret Child: A Royal Scandal: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Katarina sat very still at the small reading table in her guest room, the curtains half-drawn against the gray afternoon light. The small device Alden had given was in front of her. She had only watched a few seconds of the video, but it was enough for her to see George and Catherine’s face. Now, she played it again.Although the camera angle was poor, there was no mistaking what they were doing. For a moment, she felt her gut tighten. She was supposed to be happy with the video because it meant her father’s plan would now be set in motion, but she couldn’t help but feel a tiny, tiny jealous pang inside. Then, her training slid into place like a mask.She abruptly stopped the video, pulled a sheet of parchment, and began to write.Your Majesty, Father,As Alden mentioned previously, there is indeed a rumor that the prince and a maid have an inappropriate relationship, but I am telling you. This is not a rumor, and I possess clear proof of this.Katarina could hear her father’s voice i

Catherine moved through the royal apartments corridor, heading towards Prince George’s chambers like someone walking on egg shells.It was barely bright outside. Most of the servants’ quarters were still dark. The corridors near the lower halls held only the soft scrape of a broom, the distant clink of a pot. Her steps sounded too loud to her own ears.Katarina had told her what to look for. A small black box on a side table near his inner door. It had the custom-made falconry glove she had brought from Drakonhelm. Gold with Eldoria’s crest.He won’t be there. That’s what she had told her.Catherine’s gut tightened as she continued on. “It’s just another errand,” she whispered to herself. “You’ve carried trays up here a hundred times.”But she had never been into his room before. Well, not if you count that night they spent together. But certainly not before dawn and at the risk of her job. She didn’t even tell her mother.The guard posted near the prince’s door looked half-asleep, hi

It was like everything when still in the pub, as if someone had thrown a blanket over the room. The only clear thing in front of Catherine while the room faded away was the two people in the center of it, Katarina’s mouth on George.Isla seemed to have seen it too, and her grip tightened around her hand.“Cathy,” she turned to her. “We don’t have to stay here. Let’s go.”Catherine couldn’t answer. She only nodded once. Alden, who'd just returned with three mugs in his hands, noticed the change in the air.“What happened?” he asked Catherine. “You look like someone died.”“It’s too crowded,” Isla said quickly. “Cathy’s arm is starting to ache, and my head is pounding. We should head back.”His gaze followed Catherine’s eyes, landed on the couple on the floor, then slid back to her face.“Interesting,” he said quietly. Then he turned to Isla and said more loudly. “Of course, we can go. I forgot not everyone thrives in crowded rooms as I do.”“I’m sorry,” Catherine managed to say.“You h

Her guest chambers felt smaller with her father in them. King Edward stood by the window, looking out over Eldoria’s courtyards as if they were pieces on a board. Alden lingered near the door, his hands clasped behind his back.“How did it go with the King and Queen?” Katarina asked as soon as she stepped in.“We had a fruitful discussion,” he said, without turning. “The alliance… and the matter of you and Prince George.”Katarina’s stomach tightened. “And?”“He will present it to his council,” Edward said. “ In the meantime, he proposed a banquet in my honor. To show the people how very fond we all are of one another.”“A banquet?”“Yes. The spectacle is useful.” Then, he turned to face her. “How are things progressing with the prince?”She hesitated. “Badly,” she admitted. “I misjudged. I kissed him in a pub, thinking it would make us look… connected, but—”Edward’s jaw tightened. “You had one task, Katarina.”“I am sorry, Father,” she pleaded, feeling disappointed in herself. “He i

“What are you doing back here?” Lucy asked again as she squinted her eyes.For a moment, it felt like their plan had been thwarted. Then Catherine smelled it. Wine. She looked at Lucy and saw that she swayed a little where she stood.“We’re on an errand,” Elizabeth said smoothly. “The Queen—”“Lucy! Where are you?”The voice came from the shadows of the side passage. A man’s voice, and it was low and urgent. Lucy flinched, half turning. She muttered something that might have been a curse and then looked back at Catherine.“You lot are always skittering around like mice. I wonder—”“Lucy,” the man called again, a little more desperate.She rolled her eyes. “Look, if you’re sneaking off to kiss kitchen boys, pick a better corner. Keep off this lane. It’s mine.”With that, she giggled and staggered towards the voice. For a second, none of them moved.The Isla let out a shaky breath. “Whew! That was a close one.”Elizabeth’s fingers briefly found Isla’s shoulders. “Move,” she said softly.