Libby's heart might pound its way right out of her chest. "It was love at first sight. When it's right, there's no point in waiting."
Isla's eyes narrowed. "Well, I smell something fishy, and I will get to the bottom of it. We aren't done until I say we're done, Prince Alexander."
Alex paled and Libby took a step closer to him, holding her breath. "I could have you arrested for that kind of threat," Alex said.
Isla smirked. "I'd like to see you try."
Libby rested her hand on Alex's arm, her entire body flush with heat. "She's not worth it. Please, Alex. Let's go."
Alex shot Isla one last look, then gave a sharp nod. Libby took a step away.
Isla let out a scream and fell dramatically on the ground. Libby turned back, staring at the beautiful movie star that laid prostrate on the floor.
"She tripped me!" Isla pointed a shaking finger at Libby. "She stuck out her foot, then shoved me to the ground before I could regain my balance."
Libby glanced around, horror shooting through her. "What? That's crazy. I didn't-"
A man in an attractive gray suit rushed forward and helped Isla to her feet. A few of the women comforted the distraught movie star, shooting glares at Libby as cameras clicked away, capturing the entire scene.
"She's jealous." Isla let out a hiccup. "Alex doesn't love her. He loves me."
"Isla," Alex said harshly.
"It's the truth!" Isla held out an arm, motioning to the room. "Are you going to continue lying to these people?"
Alex took Libby's hand in his and tugged her forward. "Let's go," he said in a low whisper.
"But-"
"Let's go," he repeated, and tugged her from the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Alex tightened his grip on Libby's hand as they walked briskly toward the family's private quarters. He had an odd sense of déjà vu as they made the trek, vividly aware of the last time he and Libby had sat in that room, shortly after their engagement. Had that really been less than two weeks ago?
"I didn't trip her," Libby said, her words tumbling over each other as they made their way down the hallway. Guards stood along the wall, their gazes straightforward and betraying no hint of interest. But Alex had no doubt that they were listening closely to every word.
"I know you didn't do anything," Alex said, keeping his voice low. "Whenever Isla is involved, you can be certain the guilt lies solely with her."
But he doubted his parents would see things that way. In his mother's mind, this would be another strike against Libby. A twinge of unease had Alex's stomach churning. He so badly wanted them to like Libby.
He pushed open the door to the living room and found his parents and brothers already inside. Oliver and Emma were missing, however, as was his sister, Charlotte.
Nicolette rose, her fiery gaze making Alex draw Libby closer to him. He heard a small intake of breath and felt her hand trembling in his. He squeezed it, hoping she understood the promise he made with that simple touch. This time, he wouldn't desert her.
"What in the world happened tonight?" Nicolette snapped.
Alex clenched his jaw, ready to do battle. "That's what I'd like to know. Who put Isla on the guest list? Because it sure wasn't me."
Henry held up his hands. "Don't look at me."
"Of course it wasn't anyone in the family," Stefan said, his tone mild. He stood in one corner of the room, his shoulders rigid and hands tucked in his pockets. "But someone had to have let her in."
"Maggie's looking into it now," Geoffrey said. He leveled his gaze at Libby. Alex shifted his stance, standing in front of her. An intense need to protect her clouded everything else from his mind.
"We need to know exactly what happened with Isla tonight," Geoffrey said. He folded his arms, his expression clearly saying they'd better start talking or things would get unpleasant fast. "Don't leave anything out."
Alex swallowed back a laugh that felt a little bit unhinged. He knew his parents loved him, but they'd never had the sort of relationship where they talked about their feelings. Ever since the breakup with Isla, it felt like his entire life was constantly on display. He was used to that in public, but at home he'd always been able to keep things more private, as long as his actions didn't reflect badly on the crown.
Alex reluctantly turned to Libby. She stared up at him with those doe eyes and he suddenly hated himself for getting her tangled up in this disaster. "I guess you'd better take this one," he said. "I didn't really see what happened."
Libby cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly pink but the rest of her face very pale. "I'm still trying to figure that out. I guess Isla was upset with me or something. Maybe because we're engaged? I don't know. The next thing I knew, she fell to the ground and insisted I pushed her. But I wasn't standing anywhere near her when it happened."
"And security cameras will verify this?" Nicolette snapped.
"Mother." Stefan placed a soothing hand on her arm and shot Alex a warning look.
"It doesn't matter what the cameras show," Henry said. "It's not like we can share the footage with the press."
"Libby didn't do anything wrong." Alex glanced back and forth between his parents. Why didn't they believe her? "You know Isla does this sort of thing. Or have you forgotten her version of the breakup?"
"Whether or not Libby actually pushed her is beside the point." From Nicolette, this was practically a signed affidavit that Libby had done no wrong. "What matters is that everyone believes she did, and this will doubtless be the top story across the globe by this time tomorrow. Henry's already pointed out that we can't say anything thing in defense."
"And why not?" Libby threw up her hands. "You've let this … this shrew call all the shots for months. Why can't we show the security footage to the press? Why can't we make a statement and say it's all her fault?"
Henry snorted. Alex sent him a quelling glance, and he quickly rubbed a hand over his jaw, his expression properly solemn.
"The Royal Family doesn't get to tell their side of the story," Stefan said quietly. "It only gives the public more ammunition against us. It's best to keep silent and let the storm pass."
"I'm not sure it'll ever pass," Alex said, frustration making him see red. He fought the urge to pound a fist through the living room wall. "Isla will never let me rest. She won't be satisfied until I'm ruined or she's queen. Honestly, I think she'd be happy with either outcome."
Libby blinked, eyes liquid with tears-tears Alex was responsible for. "I'm sorry," she said, and Alex's heart lurched at her quiet, timid tone. "I don't know what I could've done differently."
Alex pulled Libby to him, wrapping an arm tightly around her shoulders. He wanted so badly to take away all this pain and stress. To take her in his private plane and disappear to a remote island where nothing could touch them. "Don't blame yourself, Libby. There's nothing you could've done. Isla is determined to ruin me. Apparently she doesn't appreciate that I've moved on so quickly."
"But you haven't moved on," Nicolette broke in.
Alex whipped his gaze furiously to his mother.
"The whole thing is a lie," Nicolette continued. "And we can't discount that Isla will somehow dig up that information and use it against us."
"So the solution is, what, to call off the wedding? Come clean?" Alex shook his head, hardly able to believe he was having this conversation.
"Of course not," Nicolette said. "Stefan's right-we can't make a statement. But we have to do some kind of damage control."
A knock sounded timidly at the door then. Beside him, Libby froze, and Alex gave her hand another squeeze.
"Enter," Geoffrey said, his voice rough.
Maggie slipped into the room and quickly closed the heavy wooden door behind her. "I found out how Miss Martin was allowed entrance to the party, Your Majesty."
Nicolette's attention snapped to Maggie. "And?"
Maggie pushed her red glasses up the bridge of her nose and took an unsteady step forward. "Scarlett Campbell, the First Lady, wanted to meet Miss Martin. Mrs. Campbell's personal secretary contacted Miss Martin's, and she was added to the guest list at the last moment. A junior secretary here at the palace approved the addition."
Fury exploded in Alex's chest. This time, he did slam his hand against the wall. Beside him, Libby jumped. "And no one thought that perhaps having my ex-girlfriend, who's been blasting me in the press, at a reception that I'm attending with my new fiancée might be a conflict of interest? A teeny, tiny bit of a problem?"
"I'm so sorry, Your Highness," Maggie said quickly. "I will personally review every guest list from here on out to make sure nothing like this happens again."