paying my debts.” She pulled his head down to whisper in his ear. “But take me home first, Alex. Not here.”
“Anything for you, my love,” he said as he helped her up and they headed for the door. “Anything for you.”
Chapter 7
After a long night of talking and making love to his fiancée, Alex finally felt on solid ground again. He sensed that Rebecca did, too; why else would she find it hard to hold back a smile today? He was having a hard time himself, and only years of practice helped him now.
After a quick conversation with Marcello, Alex was ready to address the press. He entered the press room, his face seemingly stoic, and strode up to the podium as all in the room rushed to stand and bow or curtsy as needed. Rebecca positioned herself behind him.
Alex waited for the murmurs in the room to quiet before beginning. “Please be seated. I am here, in person, the day of the Holiday Ball and my engagement party, to address the allegations of my infidelity.”
One reporter jumped up, unable to wait for the Prince’s statement. “Ms. Campo,” she said, surprising them all by addressing Rebecca, “could you tell us why you’re smiling? Are you pregnant?”
Alex simply held up a hand. “Quiet, all of you.” The bearing of a ruler came in handy when he wanted to quiet people, as he did now, and the reporter sat down again.
“I consider myself a gentleman, therefore I am not a man who will ‘kiss and tell’. I think that’s been clearly established. However, I refuse to have the name of my fiancée, who is also the future princess and queen of Valleria, be dragged through the mud. Nor will I allow my name to be handled in such a fashion.”
Alex paused for dramatic effect and reached back to pull Rebecca up beside him. “The shadowed picture that has caused this ridiculous uproar? That was a photo of me and my fiancée sharing a private moment on the very private grounds of the palace.”
Murmurs swept through the room. “Your Highness, what about the other photos?” another reporter piped up.
“As I said, I am a gentleman. I will say that I did know the woman making those claims at one time, many years ago. I am disappointed in her behavior and her attempts at attention, but she has no bearing and no place in our lives. In fact, such slander is basis for permanent removal and disbarment from Valleria, which has been the action taken with her. In addition, as she has some outstanding warrants in Italy, she has been extradited to face her charges, which is required per the terms of the extradition agreements in effect between Valleria and Italy.”
“Your Highness, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”
“I’ll tell you what I think is a bit harsh. I think it’s a bit harsh that I, as a man in love, cannot enjoy a private moment kissing my beautiful fiancée, in the privacy of lands surrounding my own home. Long-range lenses were used for those photos, and that is completely unacceptable. The credentials for the Vallerian Star have been revoked, along with the credentials for the reporter and photographer associated with taking the photos and writing the story.”
Astonished gasps and more murmurs trickled around the room, but Alex simply continued speaking. “Furthermore, the actions of one will now dictate the future of many. Until the press have shown that they value the privacy of the royal family – whether they be current, future, or associated members – they will not be allowed inside the royal palace.”
Despite the uproar, Alex simply spoke over it, barely raising his voice. “Any and all press conferences will take place outside the palace walls, and your credentials for entering the palace will now be removed.” Several agents appeared in the doorways to collect credentials; they would then visit individual offices to remove credentials for those not in attendance.
“Any press previously scheduled to
“Anything for you, my love,” he said as he helped her up and they headed for the door. “Anything for you.”
Chapter 7
After a long night of talking and making love to his fiancée, Alex finally felt on solid ground again. He sensed that Rebecca did, too; why else would she find it hard to hold back a smile today? He was having a hard time himself, and only years of practice helped him now.
After a quick conversation with Marcello, Alex was ready to address the press. He entered the press room, his face seemingly stoic, and strode up to the podium as all in the room rushed to stand and bow or curtsy as needed. Rebecca positioned herself behind him.
Alex waited for the murmurs in the room to quiet before beginning. “Please be seated. I am here, in person, the day of the Holiday Ball and my engagement party, to address the allegations of my infidelity.”
One reporter jumped up, unable to wait for the Prince’s statement. “Ms. Campo,” she said, surprising them all by addressing Rebecca, “could you tell us why you’re smiling? Are you pregnant?”
Alex simply held up a hand. “Quiet, all of you.” The bearing of a ruler came in handy when he wanted to quiet people, as he did now, and the reporter sat down again.
“I consider myself a gentleman, therefore I am not a man who will ‘kiss and tell’. I think that’s been clearly established. However, I refuse to have the name of my fiancée, who is also the future princess and queen of Valleria, be dragged through the mud. Nor will I allow my name to be handled in such a fashion.”
Alex paused for dramatic effect and reached back to pull Rebecca up beside him. “The shadowed picture that has caused this ridiculous uproar? That was a photo of me and my fiancée sharing a private moment on the very private grounds of the palace.”
Murmurs swept through the room. “Your Highness, what about the other photos?” another reporter piped up.
“As I said, I am a gentleman. I will say that I did know the woman making those claims at one time, many years ago. I am disappointed in her behavior and her attempts at attention, but she has no bearing and no place in our lives. In fact, such slander is basis for permanent removal and disbarment from Valleria, which has been the action taken with her. In addition, as she has some outstanding warrants in Italy, she has been extradited to face her charges, which is required per the terms of the extradition agreements in effect between Valleria and Italy.”
“Your Highness, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”
“I’ll tell you what I think is a bit harsh. I think it’s a bit harsh that I, as a man in love, cannot enjoy a private moment kissing my beautiful fiancée, in the privacy of lands surrounding my own home. Long-range lenses were used for those photos, and that is completely unacceptable. The credentials for the Vallerian Star have been revoked, along with the credentials for the reporter and photographer associated with taking the photos and writing the story.”
Astonished gasps and more murmurs trickled around the room, but Alex simply continued speaking. “Furthermore, the actions of one will now dictate the future of many. Until the press have shown that they value the privacy of the royal family – whether they be current, future, or associated members – they will not be allowed inside the royal palace.”
Despite the uproar, Alex simply spoke over it, barely raising his voice. “Any and all press conferences will take place outside the palace walls, and your credentials for entering the palace will now be removed.” Several agents appeared in the doorways to collect credentials; they would then visit individual offices to remove credentials for those not in attendance.
“Any press previously scheduled to
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