Chapter 22
Riley fell asleep on the way to Castelsarreillan. It wasn't the first time she had fallen asleep in the car or on the train. Liam looked at her with concern in his eyes. He was worried Riley had never fallen asleep when they were traveling up until recently. He wondered if all the traveling and work as a Monark was catching up to her. Perhaps, when they returned home he could schedule them a day off together. He knew he'd enjoy having a full day to spend with her.
Bastine broke the silence saying," Sir you should worry so much. Just think all she's been through in a short amount of time. First, she moves to another country and I am sure her diet changed once she got here. The social season isn't easy when you're used to it. Then the pressure to always come out first since being a commoner wasn't a benefit for her. Second, the engagement tour where she traveled all over the globe crossing international datelines. I doubt she has ever traveled so much in her lifetime. Plus she was actively trying to get to the bottom of her scandal on top of everything else. Then when we return to Cordonia she's shot and has to take on the role of the queen quickly."
Mara chimes in saying, "Don't forget the obstetrician visit. Where she told Riley to drink more water and gave you a letter for the kitchen staff for her new dietary needs until she becomes pregnant. So the meals for your wife have changed yet again. Plus, she's drinking way more water. Sure it's fruit infused water since she can't stand the taste of plain water. Then we all got the Cordonian flu shot about a week ago. She warned you she'd likely get the flu from it. The doctor even said it was possible for her to get a mild case of the flu from the shot."
Liam nodded taking everything his guards had said. He trusted Bastien and he knew everything that was said was true. Liam looked back down at Riley his fingers gently moving through her hair. He spoke softly, "I just worry you know what happened to my Mother. I'm not my Father if something happens to her. I don't think I can continue without her. I am already working on finding a way to name Drake my successor should the queen and I die without an heir."
Bastien sat forward in his seat saying, "Sir pick a drink please." Liam looked confused but picked a bottle of scotch. Bastien poured a little in a glass. He then takes a box out of his coat inside pocket. He puts a strip in the glass and waits a moment. He then removes the strip in moments it turns blue. Bastien smiles saying, "It appears there is alcohol in your drink sir." Liam asks, "When did you get that and what does it test for?" Bastien smiled replying, "It was your Queens idea. It's a basic test that will tell me if the foods been tampered with. This is for travel only we have a different method at the palace. It's a part of the new security measures in place. She wanted a safe home for your family sir."
He smiled down on Riley he didn't know what he'd do without her. He reached into his pocket and brought out a bag of cookies. He smiled at Bastien saying, "Can you test these a servent gave them to me for a snack. I didn't want to be rude so I took them." Bastien took the bag saying, "Always give this kind of stuff to me or Mara. If Riley had found these she may have believed they had already been tested and eaten them." Bastien took the kit out again and a small bottle. He opened the bag taking out a cookie placing it on the bar. He placed the strip on the cookie and then took the bottle using dropping a drop of liquid onto the cookie. Then he waited soon the strip turned red and slowly turned to black. Bastien looked at Liam saying, "this has drugs in it. Possibly a lethal dose but definitely an overdose." Mara handed Bastien a second kit and Bastien repeated the process. The strip remained white Bastien let out a breath of relief saying, "There is no poison in these. I will have to check for medical drugs."
Bastien opened the bar cabinet bringing out a large case. Once the case was open Liam could see it was a testing kit. Bastien smiled saying, "This is the travel version it won't be as accurate as the one at home. But, it will give me an idea of what drug is in those cookies. This test took longer and Liam waited impatiently he hated how careless he had been with his wife's safety. Bastien paled at the first test results moving on to conduct a second test causing Liam to sit on the edge of his seat. Once the second test was complete Bastien took out his phone calling the duchy they just left. "It's Bastien we have contaminated chocolate chip cookies from your duchy. Make sure they are tossed out unless someone has eaten them. Take anyone who has eaten them to the hospital as a precaution."
He hung up the phone turning to the king. Seeing the regret and concern on his face Bastien knew he didn't need to lecture the young man. Bastien said, "It's laced with birth control medication. Enough to make anyone eating these sick. But, for a possibly pregnant woman, it would lead to termination of the pregnancy. Someone just tried to kill your possible heir." Unshed tears were in Liam's eyes as Liam's hand made its way down to Riley's stomach. He rested his hand where his child would be once she conceived.
Mara spoke up saying, "It could be someone trying to have you see the Queen as unable to have your child. Perhaps wanting to be a surrogate or a mistress to have your children with. Thinking that if you were willing to have both a wife and Queen once you'd consider it again. Is there anyone at court who could think you're interested in them sir?" "I.. I have no idea," Liam managed to get out over the lump forming in his throat. Bastien spoke up saying, "His majesty has been careful not to send mixed messages to the ladies. Perhaps this lady just has a thing for the king. This could also be a power play too. One to gain your favor and perhaps an alliance."
Liam wanted to punch something there was no way he was making an alliance for a blood-related child he'd adopt one first. Plus, there was no way he'd give up Riley or marry another woman. He couldn't do that to the love of his life. The wedding band on his finger meant a great deal to him. While he had no issue with the typical Cordonian marriage he didn't want to be a part of it. His marriage was traditional it was even in the vows he took for all of Cordonia to see. Thankfully he had time to calm down before they arrived at Castelsarreillan.