Chapter 42

Eight weeks had passed since they had entered the duchy. It was time to return to the palace for the ceremony of anointing the heir to the throne. First, they'd stop at applewood before the palace to plant Kenna's tree next to his in the families orchard. Riley watched Liam as he dug a hole for the sapling. She enjoyed his rippling muscles as he worked to dig a hole. Liam placed the sapling into the hole he made then shoveled dirt into the hole. She took in the view of his ass as he squatted down to fill the hole with the remaining dirt. Riley licked her lips before saying, "Looking so good should be a crime."

Liam chuckled turning his head to wink at her before standing up and brushing his hands on his slacks. Liam takes Kenna saying, "It's your turn, my queen. You need to water the tree."

Riley took the watering can from the staff. She moved back over to the tree and bent over slightly. She tilted the watering can allowing her hand to slide on the spout as she tilted the can. She made sure to water all around the tree before returning the can to the staff. Liam swallowed hard as his wife watered the tree. His blood heated as he felt his body respond to the sight before him. Riley approached him taking Kenna from her father asking, "Shall we be on our way?'

Liam nodded and led her to the waiting car they would now head to the palace for the ceremony. The ride to the palace was uneventful and they arrived quickly to a gathered crowd in front of the palace. When the vehicle stopped Liam got out first and turned to hold his hand out for Riley. Riley took his hand as she eased out of the vehicle while holding Kenna. Liam slipped his arm around his wife both of them greeted by their new military. Riley loved the royal colors of their military. There were way more people than she had expected in uniform. Riley was glad that they had been able to put so many Cordonian's to work. They made their way to the podium Liam stepped forward to address the crowd.

Liam smiled saying, "We are thrilled to be back at the palace. We will be holding Princess Kenna's heir ceremony. We have spent the last six weeks adjusting to being parents while working on how we want to help Cordonia become the best country around. Riley and I have talked at length about creating events that would allow single nobles to meet each other. However, Riley doesn't want to create any new balls she feels we have plenty as it is. So it was fun figuring out how to encourage single nobles to come to balls. Our queen wishes to invest more money into our Country."

Liam paused for applause and cheers. He continued, " We both love Cordonia exactly how she is but, there seem to be some issues among the five kingdoms. So after much consideration, I have decided to remove the right of succession. Instead, I wish to have each of the five kingdoms in the council to give a voice to everyone in the kingdom. Should my family reign end the council will continue on making decisions for the country. Whoever would have been next in line will be head of the council."

Riley went through the ceremonies with Liam all while fighting the urge to roll her eyes when they asked her infant daughter to pick an apple. She loved Liam's traditions although some of them were ridiculous. Once the ceremony was complete they made rounds introducing the new princess to the nobles. Riley eventually finds Madeleine she smiles at her saying, "It's good to see you. I've heard that your health has improved enough to return to work."

Madeleine nods her head saying, "I am but I feel the lady you hired is handling things well. I was kind of hoping I could stay on here."

Riley smiled replying, "I'd love to keep you on Madeleine we could use the help. Liam and I would like time as a family your help will help us with that."

Riley moves on eventually running into Kiara. Riley smiled asking, "How did things go with the foreign ministry?"

Kiara blinks in surprise saying, "It went well they have offered me a position. I will be taking it."

Riley replies, "I'm glad you were able to get your dream job. We will miss you here. Liam and I are taking some language classes so we'll be able to understand those we work with."

Kiara nodded and left to go talk with Madeleine. Liam pulled me closer saying, "I'm glad she's happy. Call me selfish but I feel better with her no longer being here."

Riley replied, "I agree it's part of why I got her the interview. I figured if she was happy she'd have less reason to be pulled into someone else's plot."

Liam nodded in agreement. He hated the constant threats against his family and Country. They made a few more rounds around the room before leaving for the evening.

It took a few months before Anton and Lucretia's fates were decided. Anton was killed for his crimes after they tried to get information out of him. Lucretia was turned over to Olivia to decide her fate. Lucretia was stripped of her title and Olivia became a countess as the only noble in Lythikos. They had gotten no information from either Anton or Lucretia about the Sons of Earth.

The job of running a small country turned into a daily routine with Kenna in a cradle in the office. Riley and Liam took turns tending to their daughter throughout the day. Liam loves having Kenna in their office during the workday. It ensures that he has as much time with Kenna as possible each day.