Page 44 of The Romance Adventure

“The Lost Crown of Tears.” Royal shakes his head as if it’s nonsense.

CJ, smiling greedily for the spotlight to tell this story, says, “Long ago, in Portugal, a branch of the royal family took to the sea to settle in Brazil.”

“The Régia Casa de Sousa,” Magnus says off-handedly.

“The plan was to rule there and expand the royal family’s territory. However, once João, his wife Márcia, and their four children arrived, they were cut off from their rightful line to the throne. Discarded, forgotten.”

“Why?” I ask, rapt by the story.

“If you’re smart, you’d stop listening right about here,” Royal says.

Undaunted, CJ continues, “Rumors were that there was an illegitimate child. It was a lie because, like Ryan and Royal, the two heirs to the throne were twins. Sending João to the new land was Adão’s ploy to get rid of him.”

“Sinister,” Ryan says, eyeing his brother.

“You realize that’s a load of baloney, Chip probably told you. Tall tales. Campfire stories,” Royal says.

“Baloney?” Ryan asks.

“Your insatiable appetite can wait, Ry,” Magnus says.

“Actually, my sister has some frozen pizzas and said we can stay at her place,” I chime in. “Er, Mr. Edmonton’s mansion.”

“I was going to bunk here on the boat,” CJ says, tapping the gunwale.

“Don’t you have a house around here?” Ryan, now on his feet, spins in a circle, pointing.

“Eh, yeah. It’s occupied at the moment.”

“By raccoons?”

“Renters?”

“Squatters?” I suggest.

“It’s complicated.”

“Meaning you lost a bet or something and it’s in foreclosure.” Royal frowns.

“It’s nothing, but you guys go ahead and check out Mr. Edmonton’s place. It’s nice.”

Bean appears. “You’ve been there?”

He wears a roguish grin and unties the lines to the dock. “Of course.”

“Everyone, meet my sister, R—Bean.” I wink at her because I’ll explain later and lead the way to the house before she changes her mind.

“Another Miss Pratt?” Royal asks. “How many are there of you? Do you multiply?”

Bean smiles. “I thought he was the surly one.”

“Oh, trust me. He is.”

Magnus chats with Bean to make sure spending the night is okay, while Ryan trails behind Royal and me.

“So, does all this mean we were disinherited?” Ryan asks.

“It’s not like any of us are struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, except maybe CJ,” Royal says.