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I took two deep breaths while still at the mercy of his strength. Yet another aspect of his life that had changed. No longer the gangly teenager, his strength supported my weight with no effort at all.
“Leg cramp,” I whispered.
“Clearly.” Fitz made no move to right me to standing. Instead, his eyes wandered around my face, mapping the parts of me that had changed. With deliberate speed, his hand shifted along my back, supporting me between my shoulder blades. “Is it improving?” A flicker of a grin interrupted the concerned expression pinned on his face. “Your first curtsy was more than adequate. I’m afraid I couldn’t help myself for a bit of fun.”
“Well, your royal Fitz-ness,” I moved to stand, but he made no effort to help me, “I’m glad I don’t have to go into a full lunge every time I see you.”
“On that topic,” his mouth pinned shut for a moment as he planned his words carefully, “when we are in public, you should address me as Your Royal Highness, Prince Leonidas, or in informal situations, Your Highness. Though I can’t begin to imagine how strange that will be for both of us.”
Shifting once more, he pulled me back to my feet and stepped away to allow me a moment to right my sweater. A strange feeling tickled over my skin. Something I wasn’t accustomed to, unnerved, but not in a bad way.
“Why not practice? I’ll enter the room and you greet me.”
I wanted to roll my eyes because it felt stupid. How hard was it to curtsy and say hello? But since he was the prince, I figured I needed to take it seriously. Fitz returned to his bedroom and pulled the double doors shut. I drew in a deep breath to get my mind in the moment and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Oh my gosh, Fitz. Are you taking a nap first or something?” Internally, I berated myself. Pretty sure snapping at the Crown Prince was on the list of no-nos.
“I’m the prince, Coco. I enter when I feel like entering.“ The closed doors muffled his voice. “It wouldn’t be very accurate if I immediately showed up according to your whims, would it?”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re kinda high maintenance?” I teased.
“Royalty can’t be high maintenance. It’s merely part of the job.” He cleared his throat. “Now get ready. I’m coming.”
I crossed my arms and cocked my hip to the side, emulating every impatient mother’s best look. Before I could whine again, the double doors spread wide with an over-the-top flourish. Fitz entered, head high, shoulders squared, complete with an air of importance that had me debating between swooning or laughing. Instead, I settled on staring.
Seeing my faux pas, his shoulders slumped. “This is the part where you curtsy. When royalty enters the hall, all heads bow.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Don’t you feel weird with everyone looking at their shoes?”
“Actually, it’s quite lovely.” Fitz stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I could be picking my nose and no would ever know.”
“Gross.” I changed the subject. “And how do I know to stand up again? Do you give an all clear or an olly olly oxen free?”
Fitz eyed me with the faintest annoyance. “You know you take the fun out of being royalty.”
“I’m so sorry I’m making it hard for you to revel in being so much better than everyone.“ I left the sarcasm thick to make sure he understood.
“I’ll get over it.” He winked. “After all, I’m the prince.”
“You’re incorrigible.” I sank into a curtsy and stayed there. “Do I count to one hundred?”
“It depends.” He had to know my legs were still sore, but he took his time. “If we are in a great hall setting, you stand once all the royals have taken their seats. If I am greeting you individually, I’ll call by your name to bring you to your feet.”
“Well, don’t rush or anything. My legs love prolonged curtsy squats…”
“I forgot how much you whine.” He laughed lightly before he sobered. “Coco, rise.”
I looked up at him without standing. “I don’t think you can call me that in public.”
“Right.” He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “After you stand,” he waited for me to stand, “I’ll take your hand, place a kiss on your knuckles, and you’ll say thank you and then use one of the correct titles to address me.”
“Every single time?” I blew out my breath. “Don’t you find this exhausting?”
“Not incredibly, but it’s been this way my whole life.” His eyebrows rose. “Would you like to practice?”
