Chapter 25
Liam was on cloud nine even though they still had to deal with the annoying press. The sooner they dealt with the press the sooner he could spend time with his wife and their little secrete. Soon they arrived at the palace he got out of the car first. Then he helped his wife out of the car. He took her hand kissing it as she mumbled "Flirt" causing a soft smile on his face. He led her over to the podium already set up so that they could address the press and the people of Cordonia.
Liam stepped up to the microphone holding his hand up to get the gathered crowd to quiet down. Once it had quieted down he started speaking, "What is in that paper is all untrue. The queen is fine if anyone is to blame for waisting the crowns funds it is me. Despite the new security measures in place, I have been concerned about my wife. As you all know my mother was poisoned while in the palace. I have feared that she was being poisoned and despite reassurances by her and doctors I couldn't stop worrying. I have come to the conclusion that I need to end my fears so from now on all food will be tested before we eat. The life of a noble is never easy. Now there is nothing wrong with the queen. She has been at my side helping me work. My parents will be returning soon from their trip around Cordonia. I will be encouraging them to go abroad to promote Cordonia around the country while enjoying themselves. They have served our country for a long time and it's time for them to enjoy what time they have left."
Liam could hear talking amongst the crowd as well as questions being thrown in his direction. He held up his hand again silencing the masses. He again spoke, "It's publications like this with anonymous sources and extreme reactions from the Cordonian public and press that fuel my concerns for my family. As king, I have to produce an heir I have always known this. But, let's be honest here whom among you would want to do so if you were in my place. The queen works harder then I do and just because she doesn't work as long as I do someone has chosen to attack her suitability as queen. It was our queen who suggested the tour my parents are on and the commoner council. We have already benefited from this council and have discovered some issues with education and our farms. Riley has been working hard on a farm to table program as well as a farmers market. The farmers market to be held three times a year to start with. Once in Spring, Summer, and Fall. We hope that it will be popular enough to boost to a monthly basis. We rely on other counties way too much for our food. We as a country need to purchase food grown at home before overseas."
Liam takes a deep breath before adding, "We can't have our farms failing as much as they are now. Most farm families are uneducated simply because they can't afford to send their kids to school. Riley with the help of others has created a program for homeschooling the children raised on farms. For now, the commoner council is offering to teach both the children and adults. The royal council and I are considering aiding the farms to ensure they have enough product to sell to the stores. Once they are stable the crown will stop providing aide and we as a country will be one step closer to being able to feed ourselves. In return for the aide, these farms will be supplying the palace kitchen. Once the aide is no longer needed the palace will be purchasing food from Cordonian farmers first and foremost."
With a chorus of cheers, Liam stepped away from the mike. He took Riley's hand and headed into the palace. Liam was angry, one comment from one person and the whole Country was suddenly at his doorstep demanding answers. There wasn't even anything backing up the claims given to the paper nor a discussion with them for their side of the story before going to print. He was seriously reconsidering Riley's press initiative where they didn't publish without authorization for the crown. If the crown didn't authorize the publication they gave them a new story that would sell papers. It had been working well until this new attack with the attempted prevention of an heir to the throne. Liam looked at Riley saying, "I don't like this I know we let this go to print but, there has to be a better way."
Riley frowned replying, "I can't think of a better way to draw the accuser out into the open. Kiara will never admit this to our face and she will deny it to her parents. She can easily claim it was a female pretending to be her and then she will get sneakier. We need her to continue to be bold and not become cautious. Otherwise, we won't get the evidence we need to arrest her. We can continue to think of a better way to go about this."
Liam nodded sighing he couldn't think of anything either. His current restrictions on the right of succession that was passed would help a lot. However, there were still many ways to take the throne. One was getting the public to demand they be removed leaving Riley in a weak position. He had a clause that secured her position once she delivered an heir to the throne. Something only the royal council knew and wasn't supposed to share. Someone was leaking the information for someone to be trying to keep her from producing that heir. Riley looked at Liam not liking how tense he was at that moment. She gripped his hand and tugged at him.
He silently followed his wife into their bedroom. He arched his eyebrow at her not that he minded he'd love to make love to her again. However, she moved him to where a decorative rug hung and pulled it back revealing a door. He slowly entered the room behind Riley unsure of when the room got there. He looks around the room finding furniture and boxes. Riley smiles saying, "With a little help I found all of your baby things. I thought we could use some of this or all for our nursery." Liam smiled as he took in the room moving over to his old cradle. His fingers touching the wood a moment before gently pushing.
Liam looks to Riley saying, "I don't know what to say, love. I am so touched. I love the idea we can go through this together and decide what should go back into storage." Riley nodded she really hadn't wanted to buy all new things for the nursery if it wasn't needed. Liam pulled her into him wrapping his arms around her. He smiles down to her saying, "Every time I think I couldn't love you more. You go and prove me wrong." Liam vowed right then that his wife and child were the most important things in his life. Nothing else mattered and he'd die protecting both.