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“And freedom.” Ingrid grinned. “Freedom to be yourself.”
I cupped Ingrid’s happy little face. “You will go to school—properly. The both of you will.”
“He won’t police you,” Astrid said. “The manneedspolicing.”
I snickered. “He’s aware.”
“Mamma would be proud of you, Alexandra,” Astrid said. “I miss her. It makes me sad she didn’t get to see you this beautiful, but she knows. She knows.”
“She does, yes, Your Majesty,” Marta agreed. “She would be proud of all of you for making it out of this. Let’s think only happy thoughts.”
“Okay. Time for me to take all of this off!” I dried my eyes. “I have things to do.”
Much as I wanted to stay in my beautiful dress, there was much to do before greeting Rick’s family for dinner. I left the salon to retreat to my room. That was when there was a knock.
“Come!” I called.
Rick popped his head in. I stared, not sure what to say.
“I come in peace,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure the dress?—”
“It will be down to the wire, but the dress will work,” I said.
“Good. Okay great. I wanted to give you this before things get to be crazy.”
He brought over a small box.
“Rick, you don’t?—”
“It’s okay if you’re still angry with me. I don’t expect things to be perfect overnight. However, itisyour birthday. They are a big deal in my family. Usually, you get cake in bed, but seeing as I don’t think we are anywhere near there at present, I am satisfied with you accepting this token of my respect and reverence.”
“Reverence?” I joked.
“I tried, Alexandra.” Rick’s voice was deflated.
It made me sad. If I didn’t give some credit, I was cruel.
“Sit.” I patted the bed “Sit. She won’t run in here now.”
“And even if she does? She can go fuck herself. I told her as much.”
I gaped.
“Yeah, I went off on the old battle-axe. Sorry. The woman is a lying piece of shit. And she ruined your wedding dress. Fuck her! Also, we’ll be getting her quarters. I made that demand and said it was yours. I swear I did it for you, but… I couldn’t allow her to sit up there so smug while you’re back here with the girls.”
I was surprised. “Well, I suppose it makes sense.”
“I’ll have the other set of rooms. You’ll have yours. There is no pressure?—”
“Understood.”
I peeled the paper back to see the mark of a local jeweller.
“Rick, you needn’t spoil me always,” I said.
“I vehemently disagree with you. If I cannot spoil you? Who can I spoil, Lex?”
I blushed upon opening the package. I unveiled the simple silver necklace with two pendants. One was a birdcage with the door open. The other was a bird flying away. I picked it up and looked at the inscription behind the birdcage.
