The Alpha King Call Boy
Chapter 219

Lexi cooed in approval as I made a selection from the fabric samples Isabel had laid out on the table in front of us. It was a super-soft forest green velvet. I handed the little rectangle of material to the baby, who squealed with delight and made a determined effort to keep her tiny fingers tightly clasped around it. 'Well, that seemed to be an easy choice," the decorator said, smiling at Alexis.

The fabric was for a big couch that would fill one of the side rooms in the suite that used to be Scarlet's. Isabel and I had been mostly focused on tricking out this room this morning, since it was the largest one in the East Wing renovation project.

Scarlet had had the suite set up with two rather formal sitting rooms on either side of the main bedroom area. That concept seemed quite pointless to me. (Who needs so very many tables and chairs just for sitting?) I was now turning one of these little rooms into a kind of mini movie theater, with a plush, comfortable couch and a big screen TV. That seemed like something that guests, especially if they had traveled a long way to meet us here at the palace, might enjoy for relaxing.

The overall theme of this suite was a forest aesthetic. The gigantic, dramatic four-poster bed was crafted of ornately carved and polished wood. Linens on the bed and other furniture were in varying complimentary shades of greens and blues, with sleek black, soft gray and natural wood accents everywhere. Artful black and white photographs of forest scenes hung in expensive wooden frames against walls freshly painted deep green. All the décor finishes had a warm, cozy vibe. After looking over a few more fabric samples, Isabel, Lexi and I got up and resumed our tour of the construction in progress.

We peeked into the bathroom in the master suite first. It had been demolished and completely rebuilt already, with most of the space's square footage now devoted to oversized, luxury spa features; the big soaker tub had jacuzzi jets and was spacious enough for two (or more) people to relax comfortably. The spa shower lad porgeous, smooth gray stone walls and more nozzles than I can count that released water both from overhead and from the sides.

The East Wing halls were full of commotion. Dozens of workers were installing hardwood floors in the new conference rooms. The smell of fresh paint filled the air.

Isabel, Lexi and I traveled upstairs next, to the other in-progress guest suite. This one used to be Alexander's stepbrother Lucas's old bedroom.

Since this space was up in a tower, with a big balcony that overlooked a gorgeous view, I opted to give its décor a theme centered on a feeling of being up in the clouds. The bed linens were white and fluffy. The furniture featured an elegant mix of sleek gold and rustic light wood. The huge, plush rug stretching over the amber hardwood floors featured a sophisticated abstract pattern of orange, purple and pink colors. I also picked out some impossibly soft and fluffy pillows and throw blankets in similar shades of rich, dramatic sunset hues.

Isabel and I paced the room and chatted about what sort of artwork to purchase for the walls. I decided that I wanted to use framed mirrors to make the suite look even more spacious and elegant. And asked her to add houseplants to both rooms, too, to brighten and liven them up.

Alexander happened to be converging upon our bedroom at the same time that Lexi and I were returning from our morning with Isabel. He was coming back from that visit to Iris that we had discussed.

Alex beamed when our eyes met. A good mood boded well, in terms of how that visit had gone. Or so I hoped, at least.Once we were inside, with him helping me to remove the baby from her sling, he Eave me a summary of their interaction.

"She apologized profusely," he said, "for the way that she behaved the last time we spoke. And said that she has made her peace with leaving, and even has begun to look forward to reuniting with her cousin." "Well, that sounds like a step in the right direction."

He nodded, taking the baby from me and making some funny faces at her. He succeeded in getting her to release a tiny little giggle.

"I also told her that I want to give her a one-time payment," he continued. "A large sum of money that should sustain her and her cousin for many years. I'll write her a check when she is leaving. She seemed happy with this offer. I'm glad I told her I'd support her, but I do want to be done communicating with her once we say goodbye."

"Very good. Did you discuss a date? Or travel arrangements?" Alex focused his gaze on the baby, who met his eyes and then narrowed hers critically.

"I did bring it up," he said. The tenor of his voice made it sound like he was attempting to remain calm while perhaps truly feeling otherwise. "She got a little sensitive again though, when I did. Said she wants to meet with the doctor once more, for one thing. To discuss what she should do in the future should her 'symptoms' return. I called the doctor up and arranged for her to come over to Iris's room to talk to her tonight. I'll need to follow up on the travel details with her... another day."

I nodded. And did not press the point.

"She needs to be changed," I said, giving the baby a sniff.

"I know. I got it." He laid Lexi down on the changing table and started on the task.

I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I was feeling a bit frustrated, though 1 also felt 1 ought not have been. I just needed a moment alone to right my mind.

The truth was that this update on Iris only had me cautiously, tenuously optimistic.

Because I knew this woman pretty well by now. Well enough to know that she was entirely unpredictable. And a shameless liar.

I went to the sink and threw some cold water on my face, trying to force a change in my mindstate. Then I did it a second time. And a third.

I patted myself dry with a plush white towel and sighed, meeting my own eyes in the mirror.

I wanted to be excited about the prospect of Iris leaving soon, but my instincts just had me hesitant to trust today's compliant mood would last.

But I did mean it, all that I said about Iris the night before. I felt guilty when I thought about rushing her out against her will... because of whom was responsible for the damage to her brain that probably made her so unstable in the first place.

I pledged, when I learned about what my father had done to Iris and Alexandra, to do whatever I could to right his wrongs. To atone for his sins, if I could.

Letting Iris stay at the palace just a little longer seemed like a small price to pay, in consideration of all my scoundrel father took from this world before he left it. And so I was going to bite back my irritation and pride, and pay it.