[English] The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Rrincess

The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Rrincess
The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Rrincess Page 40



The best thing about being part of a royal dynasty would be the glamorous lifestyle and the

opportunities for travel. The worst would be constantly being in the public eye with your every

move scrutinised by the media (Prince William and Kate Middleton spring to mind).

Are diamonds really a girl’s best friend?

Are diamonds a girl’s best friend? Well – I have been married to my lovely husband for twenty-

six years – and I’ve never owned a diamond. When we got engaged all those years ago he

couldn’t afford an expensive engagement ring. Something sparkly would be nice – but he is

definitely my best friend, and for me love is more important than “things”.

Two crowns, two islands, one legacy

A royal family, torn apart by pride and its lustfor power, reunited by purity and passion

The islands of Adamas have been torn into two rival kingdoms:

TWO CROWNS

The Stefani diamond has been split as a symbol of their feud

TWO ISLANDS

Gorgeous Greek princes reign supreme over glamorous Aristo Smouldering sheikhs rule the

desert island of Calista

ONE LEGACY

Whoever reunites the diamonds will rule all.

Turn the page to discover more!

THE KINGDOM OF ADAMAS:

A TURBULENT HISTORY

The islands of Calista and Aristo have always been a temptation to world powers. Initially this

was because of their excellent positions for trading and the agricultural potential of Aristo’s

luscious, fertile land. The discovery of diamonds on Calista in the Middle Ages made the

kingdom a target for invaders.

The kingdom passed through the hands of many foreign powers throughout the ages. Originally

part of the Ancient Greek Empire, Adamas then came under the control of Rome from 150 BC

onwards. Following the fall of the Roman Empire approximately four hundred years later, the

islands were annexed to Byzantine control.

It was not until Richard the Lionheart seized Adamas in the twelfth century that the family of

Karedes, local island nobility, was installed on the throne. When the republic of Venice briefly

took control in the fifteenth century the Karedes dynasty continued to rule as mere figureheads.

Thereafter followed a period of struggle for the royal family. The Ottoman Empire claimed the

islands in the sixteenth century and they were forced into an exile that lasted nearly two hundred

years. When the Turks finally sold the islands to the British in 1750 the royal family was finally

reinstated but the kingdom did not gain its independence until 1921.

The death of King Christos in 1974 marked the end of the kingdom of Adamas. The islands

have functioned under separate rule ever since.

THE STEFANI DIAMOND

Diamonds have been prized since the dawn of human history for their unique qualities. The

jewels were first discovered in India in 800 BC, and brought to Europe by Alexander the Great

five hundred years later.

In 1477, Mary of Burgundy became the first known recipient of a diamond engagement ring

given to her by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. This begins the history and tra***ion of

diamond engagement rings.

The Koh-i-Noor and the Hope diamonds were brought to Europe in 1631. In 1792, the Hope

Diamond was stolen from the French crown jewels during the French Revolution. In 1851, The

Koh-i-Noor diamond was re-cut to one hundred and five carats for Queen Victoria (Empress of

India). This famous diamond is part of the British Crown jewels.

In the medieval period, a beautiful pink diamond was discovered on Calista, and used in the

Karedes crown to symbolise the power of the Karedes’s rule. The jewel became known as the

Stefani (meaning: Crown) diamond. It quickly took on a deeply symbolic role in the kingdom of

Adamas. Believing that their power resided in the stone, the Karedes family vowed that it would

never leave their hands. If the jewel was lost, their kingdom would fall. The existence of this

diamond fuelled treasure-hunters’ dreams for centuries, but no other diamond of any size was

found on Calista until the 1940s.

In 1972, faced with increasing tension from his kingdom, the islands of Aristo and Calista and

with family pressure, King Christos announced that after his death the two islands would split. In

the presence of his children Anya and Aegeus, witnessed by the court, Christos declared:

“You will rule each island for the good of the people,and bring out the best in your kingdom, but my wish isthat eventually these two jewels, like the islands, will bereunited. Aristo and Calista are more successful, morebeautiful and more powerful as one nation, Adamas.”

After King Christos died in 1974, the one Stefani diamond was split into two, to form two stones

for the coronation crowns of Aristo and Calista and fulfil the ancient charter.

THE TOURIST’S GUIDE TO

ARISTO AND CALISTA

The island of Aristo

The island’s name itself means best – and it certainly lives up to that as a holiday destination!

The sunny climate and beautiful coastline have made it a favourite destination for jet-set

holidaymakers. It is an incredibly rich principality, a world-renowned financial centre and

provides tranquil luxury and a decadent party scene, complete with fabulous restaurants and

nightclubs, a golf course, a marina and a casino.

Things to see

Don’t miss the impressive Royal Palace in the centre of the island, just inland from the bay of

Apollonia. The beautiful old quarter and port of Messaria are well worth a visit – especially to

spend your casino winnings in fabulous boutiques! Long white sandy beaches on the north-east

coast are banked by fertile plains. A number of fabulous tourist resorts are dotted along the

north-east coast where the rich and famous can relax in five-star hotels and spas, or in gated

mansions with infinity pools, private tennis courts and landscaped gardens. If your taste is more

for city life, enjoy the ultra-modern city, Ellos, where high-rise corporations reach for the sky.

Things to do

Ellos is packed with exclusive bars, restaurants and spas and is famous for its glittering nightlife.

The Grand Hotel is the centre of Ellos’s nightlife – don’t miss your chance to spot celebrities in

its fabulous restaurant!

The island of calista

Calista (meaning: beautiful one) is the destination of choice for more laid-back tourism. The

sleepy island is an unspoiled paradise with an understated tourism industry. In contrast to

neighbouring island Aristo, Calista has a hot, dry climate and arid terrain. The central portion of

the island is entirely desert and inhabitants reside on the more hospitable north-facing coast. As

its agricultural prospects have never been great, the island has retained its stunning natural

beauty. Famous for the wealth of diamonds below the surface of the rock, the main river Kordela

is also source of glittering diamond deposits.

Things to see

Modern Calista has an intact historical centre called Serapolis which is still the beating heart of

the city. It retains a strong middle-eastern influence both culturally and architecturally and noisy, colourful markets fill the labyrinth of winding streets. Don’t miss the beautiful Royal Palace.

Things to do

You’ll pick up bargains and enjoy some delicious street food in the marketplace of Serapolis.

Explore the Azahar desert – on the back of a camel for the intrepid – and spend a night in an

oasis. Walk the diamond fields and try to find your own glittering stone as a souvenir of your

stay in this peaceful place. For an injection of glamour and luxury, visit the new town and resort

of Jaladhar.

The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Rrincess
The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Rrincess Page 41



LETTERS FROM

THE HOUSE OF KAREDES

A hastily scribbled note to Andonis, grounds keeper at the Royal Palace, from Princess Anya:

Andonis,

It is all over. I have lost our baby because of Aegeus. Mybrother discovered our affair and he

was angry – so angrythat he hit me. I fell and now our child is gone, Andonis.I cannot bear it.

My brother has ruined everything. I willnever forgive Aegeus for the hurt that he has caused, but ourlove is cursed. We cannot be together.

Anya

Aegeus to Lydia, his maid, in 1974 on the death of his father:

Dearest Lydia,

Love, you must put me from your mind. Forced by dutyand by circumstance, I must go through

with my betrothal.Tia deserves better than this, but my family and my loyaltydemand this farce of a wedding.

It would be better if you were to go to Calista for now. Idon’t trust myself to remain near you and remember my duty.We must part. But come to me in Aristo every year on theanniversary of

our wedding. It is not enough. It will never beenough. Wear the diamond for me.

I know you will understand, my beautiful Lydia. It is ason’s duty and the king’s command.

Yours eternally,

Aegeus

Who will reunite the Stefani Diamond

and rule Adamas?

Don’t miss the next book in the fabulous

ROYAL HOUSE OF KAREDES:

THEFUTUREKING’SLOVE-CHILD

BYMELANIEMILBURNE

The prince’s baby of shame

Cassie Kyriakis was wrongly accused of murdering her father and jailed , leaving her wild-child roots and Seb, her one true love, behind her…

Now the throne awaits Prince Sebastian Karedes!

Seb had once loved Cassie so passionately he would have chosen her over his kingdom. But she

rejected him. Now she’s been released from prison, he discovers that she may be innocent of her

crime – but she gave birth to his baby in her cell! Sebastian must choose between his own honour

and his duty to his kingdom. He will claim his love-child – but what about his bride?

Turn the page for

an exclusive extract!

Cassie was just congratulating herself on getting through two hours of successfully shielding

herself behind the Aristo palace’s pillars and pot plants, dodging both the press and Prince

Regent Sebastian Karedes, when she suddenly came face to face with him.

She swallowed thickly, her heart coming to a clunking stop in her chest as her eyes went to his

inscrutable dark brown ones so far above hers. She opened her mouth to speak but her throat was

too tight to get a single word out. She felt the slow creep of colour staining her cheeks, and

wondered if he had any idea of how much over the last six years she had dreaded this moment.

“Cassie.” His deep voice was like a warm velvet glove stroking along the bare skin of her

shivering arms. “Have you only just arrived? I had not seen you until a few moments ago.”

Cassie moistened her dry-as-parchment lips with the tip of her tongue. “Um…no,” she said

shifting her gaze sideways. “I’ve been here all evening…”

A small silence began to weight the atmosphere, like humi***y just before a storm.

“I see.”

Cassie marvelled at how he could inject so much into saying so little. Those two little words

contained disdain and distrust, and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“So why are you here?” he asked, his eyes narrowing even further. “I do not recall seeing your

name on the official guest list.”

Cassie swept the point of her tongue across her lips again, trying to keep her gaze averted. “As

part of my…um…parole programme I took a job at the orphanage,” she said, loathing the shame

she could feel staining her face. “I’ve been working there for the last eleven months.”

When he didn’t respond immediately Cassie felt compelled to bring her gaze back to his but

then wished she hadn’t.

A corner of his mouth was lifted in an unmistakably mocking manner. “You are looking after

children?”

She felt herself bristling. “Yes,” she clipped out. “I enjoy every minute of it. I’m here tonight

with some of the other carers and educational staff. They insisted I attend.”

Another tight silence began to shred at Cassie’s nerves. She would have given just about

anything to have avoided coming here this evening. She had felt as if she had been playing a

high-stakes game of hide-and-seek all night, the strain of keeping out of the line of Sebastian’s

deep brown gaze had made her head pound with sickening tension. Even now the hammer blows

behind her eyes were making it harder and harder for her to keep her manner cool and unaffected

before him. His commanding and totally charismatic presence both drew her and terrified her,

but the very last thing she wanted was for him to realise it.

She surreptitiously fondled the smooth pearls of the bracelet around her wrist, the only thing she

still had left of her mother’s, hoping it would give her the courage and fortitude to get through

the next few minutes until she could make good her escape.

“Well then,” he said, as his eyes continued to skewer hers, that sardonic half-smile still in place,

“as the royal patron of the orphanage you now work for, I would have thought you would have

made every effort to include yourself in this evening’s proceedings rather than hide behind the

flower arrangements.”

Cassie’s chin came up. “And have the press hound me for an exclusive photo and interview?”

she asked. “Not until my parole is up. Maybe then I’ll think about it.”

His eyes began to burn with brooding intensity. “I must say I am surprised you haven’t already

sold your story to the press, Cassie,” he said. “But perhaps I should warn you before you think

about doing so. One word about our…” he paused over the word for an infinitesimal pause, “past

involvement and I will have you thrown back into prison where the majority of the population of

Aristo believes you still belong. Have I made myself clear?”

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have

no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly

inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure

invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This

e***ion is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B. V./S.à.r.l. The text of this

publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information

retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.