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“She’s blunt,” Dagny whispered. I got the feeling she didn’t realize she said it out loud because she looked around like her own voice had startled her.
Blair ignored Dagny and answered my question. “We are social pariahs. We’re the token fillers. We look good to the outside world but won’t make it very far. I’m the chauffeur’s daughter. Carline’s father is the royal baker. Sadie won a raffle.“ She sighed and shook her head. “Tell her why you’re here, Eirene.”
The mousy wisp of a girl sucked both of her lips into her mouth and stared with wide eyes. After a moment, she must have realized no one was going to rescue her because she spoke. “The queen’s puppy was in the road. It was going to be hit so I ran over and saved it. She offered me a spot in gratitude.”
“Sprained her wrist doing it, too. The queen could have given her money or medical attention, but no, how about a shot at her son?” Blair scoffed. “I grew up at this palace. It’s the same story every time. Throw some goodwill everyone’s way and see if it’ll quiet them. That’s all this is anyway, a publicity stunt. The next queen has been chosen.”
Eirene shook her head. “I disagree.” She considered leaving it at that but found some bravery and kept going. “Everyone thinks he’s destined to marry the queen’s choice or even Lady Esmerey, but he’s just as likely to marry Lady Lilith.”
My eyes flitted to Gwendolyn and Fallon where they gossiped against the wall. “Not either of those two?” The rest of the group followed my gaze and Blair tipped her head as if to think about it.
“Not Lilith,” Eirene piped up. “With a face like that, they’d have to burn the royal portrait.”
Blair covered her mouth to hide her laughter, but Sadie quickly elbowed Eirene. “That’s not kind.”
Eirene’s mouth turned downward, a new bravery in place as she shared her inside information. “Her father was the duke charged with our town’s care. He’s content to make sure she has the best of everything while the rest of us fight tooth and nail to get what we need. I figure her unfortunate face is the result of karma.”
I didn’t think she looked that bad. Lilith wasn’t nearly as pretty as Gwendolyn, but I didn’t cringe when looking at her. Her features weren’t ugly, just… sharp. Maybe if I knew her better, I would see what the others were seeing.
“And Gwen,” Blair shrugged, “she’s nicer than the rest of them, but I’ve never seen anything from Leo’s side that shows he might be interested. Have you, Carline?”
The baker’s daughter shook her head. “Not from his side, but Gwen always looks ready to claw some eyes out when any female gets close to him. I think,” she gasped and lost her train of thought. “Dagny, no tassels. We talked about this.” She rushed forward and pulled the tapestry tassel out of Dagny’s mouth. “They are definitely thirteenth century. You proved your point.”
“I just think they taste better because of the tallow.” Dagny noticed me for the first time. “How rude of me. I didn’t offer you a taste.”
“Uh, no I’m… full.” I’d turned down my share of weird food, but it was the first time having to say no to licking a tapestry.
“You know what I think?” Blair hardly skipped a beat over Dagny’s odd behavior. “This whole ordeal is nothing more than a—“
The large double doors parted with a rush of wind. Guards entered first, in full attire, with Reginald hot on their heels. “Announcing his Royal Highness, Prince Leonidas Ignatius Fitzborough III, Crown Prince of Nolcovia.”
Now that was how you made an entrance. I kicked myself internally for not recording it for reference for princess parties. We could make way more in tips if we… my thoughts trailed off as all the women rushed forward like the defensive line getting ready for the next play. Me, always the weirdo outsider, stumbled in-between Blair and Dagny.
“What are we—“ My words cut off as the entire line of ladies bent into a low curtsy. It was better than the wave at Fenway Park. Absolute precision, one after the next, to show their devotion to the crown.
And then.
Me.
Fitz entered within seconds. His gaze landed on me, and I swear, my body went into autopilot. Down like a fallen tree, my knee bent, and I dropped into a full curtsy. Face turned toward the ground, I focused on my shoes as I tried to understand the phenomenon. I had not consciously made the decision.
Was there something in my genetic code? Did he press the genome trigger that immediately recognized his regal stature? My family was originally from Britain. Maybe that side of me recognized a crown better than I thought. And if so, where was the American rebellion within me that refused to be conquered, because something about him had me wanting to sing “God Save the King.” Or at least the drop-dead gorgeous prince who was headed toward us.
My brain went blank. What came after the curtsy? Fitz gave me multiple scenarios, but I wasn’t sure which one I’d landed in. Thankfully, no one moved, so I took it as a clue to stay put as well. Fitz had an aura about him, something I never would have predicted from the boy I knew. All-encompassing and demanding, a presence that could not be ignored. It was hard to believe this was the same guy I’d spent a good part of the afternoon goofing off with, teasing each other and throwing pillows.
No, this guy, he was the future king and there was no denying it. I felt it all the way to my bones.
The deep rumble of his voice murmured three women down from me. Then I heard him speak to Dagny beside me.
“Dagny, arise.” She stood and he caught her hand. “How are you this evening, Dagny? I trust you’re having fun?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Out of the corner of my eye I watched her knees bend slightly in a smaller curtsy. “The tapestries have been delicious.”
If he reacted, I didn’t hear it. Granted, if she was an old family friend, perhaps he was used to her behavior. For some reason, knowing he was coming to me next had me holding my breath. That was stupid. This was Fitz. We used to sleep out on the trampoline in the summer and we’d make up new constellations. We dared each other to make prank calls. He loved tree frogs and cheese puffs. There was no reason to feel any differently just because he was acting as the prince.
“Michaela Caldwell, arise.” His voice cascaded over me. I tipped my head up and locked eyes with him. I’d heard about men in uniforms being irresistible, but what about a guy in a crown? Because it was doing things to me that I hadn’t expected. His fingers wrapped around mine and he lifted my hand to his lips. Good gracious. I was about to giggle and pass out. If Dagny asked me to lick a tapestry, I felt lightheaded enough to try. I watched his mouth touch my knuckles and when I thought he would release my hand, he kept it.
“I trust your travels went well?”
