Suddenly Royal (16 page)

After lunch, Alex had to leave for some diplomatic engagement I was entirely too overwhelmed to even think about. He lifted my hand to his lips and I felt my breath catch at the feel of his mouth on my skin again.

“
I hope to see you soon.” I didn’t respond, just nodded my head. Words had failed me.

Once he was gone, Sarah had me cornered on the couch and was giving instructions on what to pack.

“
You won’t have to worry about any immunizations, just your passport. Do you speak any Lilarian?” When I shook my head she sighed slightly but didn’t look too put out. “That’s fine. I will get you one of the audio programs to listen to. For the most part, we are a bilingual country, but all the formal ceremonies will be held in Lilarian.”

“
Of course.” I swallowed and questioned my decision for the umpteenth time.

“
Samantha, I have to meet with the Governor tonight. If you need anything, let Sarah know. We’ll send you a copy of the press release in the morning. The sooner we get that done, the sooner we can try to keep things in check.” Rose came out of her room dressed in formal wear.

“
You look spectacular.” She was wearing a small diadem in her hair and a long, plum-colored dress that made her silver hair shine.

“
Thank you, sweetheart.” Rose smiled, pleased with my compliment. She patted her hair gently. “I hate wearing these, but since it’s a formal event it’s part of the uniform.”

“
Is it heavy?” I eyed the diamonds.

“
This one isn’t too bad, but even after an hour it starts to weigh on you.” Sarah stood up and helped Rose into a dressy winter coat. “You’ll have to practice at home so you learn how to hold your neck and get used to the weight for your ceremony.”

“
Excuse me?” I looked at her like she’d grown a second head.

“
You will have a choice of jewels for the ceremony, but the Rousseau family jewels would be the most appropriate.” Rose picked up a small purse from a table and laughed at my expression. “You look like I told you you’d have to wear a bear head, not a crown.”

“
You guys don’t wear bear heads, do you?”

“
Only for the secret ceremonies.” Rose winked at me as she left in a whirlwind of purple and black.

“
She was kidding, right?” I looked at Sarah but she only smirked
.

The Weight of a Crown

—
New York Constant

“
You’re going to Lilaria?” Jess sat on the couch next to me.

“
Yeah. I think I need to do this.” I looked over my shoulder to where Becca sat in the kitchen. “Jess, there are millions in the bank accounts. And there’s a specialist to work with Dad.”

“
What did Geller say?” Jess crossed her legs and leaned toward me.

“
He gave me the name of someone he knows in Lilaria and seemed to understand. It’s not like I can teach any of the classes right now. It was a fiasco.”

“
It could calm down.” Jess frowned. “Okay, not any time soon, but it just seems like a huge decision.”

“
I know.” I picked at the blanket over my legs.

“
Look, if you think this is a good idea then you should do it.” She sighed and flopped back on the cushion.

“
I thought you would be excited. You told me I needed to know more about my family.” I leaned my head against the armrest and closed my eyes.

“
I’m playing devil’s advocate. I just want to make sure you’re happy.”

“
You really need to stop hanging out with Bert so much.” I opened my eyes and glared at her.

She just laughed at me. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me. Who am I going to torture?”

“
I’m sure you’ll find ways of bugging me.” I chewed on my thumbnail for a minute. “Are you going to have someone else move in?”

“
Bert and I talked about it. I think we’re just going to make it official and stop paying rent for two places.” Jess smiled, her face bright with excitement.

“
About time. I guess I’ve been holding you up, huh? No wonder you don’t look upset I’m leaving. You get to officially shack up with your boy toy.” I laughed when she threw a pillow at me.

“
You guys realize I’m sitting right here, right?” Bert was sitting in the ugly old recliner by the curtain, a book opened on his lap.

“
Shut up. I’m upset you’re leaving and you know it.” She frowned at me. “Will you be back here at all? If your dad is going there you won’t have a reason to visit.”

“
Of course I’ll have a reason to visit.” I shoved her shoulder. I wouldn’t throw Bert under the bus, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before they were mailing out wedding invitations.

“
Speaking of boy toys, how’s Prince Yummy?”

I heard Becca sputter in the kitchen and I kicked Jess.

“
What? Don’t act like you haven’t thought it.” Jess raised her voice and craned her neck to look at Becca. She smiled and got up from the table to go to the sink. “Fine. Pretend if you want to.”

“
Alex is fine.” I tried to keep my tone normal.

“
Mmhmm. He sure is.” Jess wiggled her eyebrows and I groaned.

“
Please tell sixth-grade Jess that I’d like to talk to adult Jess.”

“
Fine. Has he kissed you yet?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Oh ho! Your silence speaks volumes!”

“
Bert, stop letting her read your textbooks. I’m begging you.” He didn’t respond other than to shrug.

“
C’mon. You have to tell me!” Jess looked at me with pleading eyes.

“
It’s not going to happen again.” I sighed, knowing I had to spill if I wanted any peace.

“
Oh my God. Alex really did kiss you! How was it? Why on Earth is it not going to happen again? Was it bad?” Jess sat up straight. “That’s the saddest thought in the world.”

“
It was good.” I shook my head. “Really, really, good. The best. But it shouldn’t have happened. I have too much going on to deal with that too! I mean, I’m not interested in a fling.”

“
What makes you think it would be a fling?” Jess narrowed her eyes at me. “Did he say that?”

“
No.” I bit my lip and then blurted it out. “I’m an American! He’s a freaking prince! What use would I be? He probably needs to end up with someone from a royal family that can help him rule a country.”

“
Um, aren’t you from a royal family?” Jess raised one eyebrow and looked at me like I was stupid.

“
It’s not the same thing, Jess. He’d need someone from a respected family.” I wrapped my arms around my chest. “I’m not really royal. I’m an American related to someone who was a royal.”

“
That doesn’t seem to matter to Rose and Alex.”

“
Jess.”

“
Don’t Jess me. I saw the way you looked at him. The way he looked at you. Don’t be stupid, Sam. You overthink things.”

“
I do not! I make educated decisions.” I shook my head. “I have way too much going on to be mixed up in anything complicated.”

“
Complicated is the best kind.” Jess smirked.

“
I’m going to bed.” I threw the blanket off and stood up. “I have to pack tomorrow and get ready for the trip.”

“
I see my argument skills have forced you to retreat. I claim victory.”

“
Shuddup!” I looked over at Becca, who was leaning against the kitchen doorframe. “Do you need anything?”

“
I have everything I need.” She smiled at me.

“
Okay. Spill. Why do you have a Southern accent but work for Lilaria?” I frowned at her.

“
I went through training with the FBI. When Rose came over a few years ago, I was part of the team assigned to her.” She smiled. “I stopped an attempt to kidnap her and she asked me to work for her.”

“
Someone tried to kidnap her?”

“
Holy shit.” Jess stood up and walked over. “You stopped a kidnapper?”

“
Yes. Did you think I was just here for looks?” Becca asked.

“
Well, no. I just thought you were to keep people from bothering Sam.” Jess looked at Becca with weighing eyes. “I bet people underestimate you a lot.”

“
It works to my advantage.” Becca shrugged.

“
Do I need to worry about something like that?”

“
I’m just a precaution,” Becca assured me.

“
I’m so done for tonight. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I started to turn away.

“
You want help tomorrow?” Jess asked. She normally didn’t have any classes on Thursday and often worked from home.

“
That would be great.”

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. It had been one of the longest weeks of my life and it was nowhere near being over.

The next morning I was woken up by the sounds of voices in the living room. It was barely seven o’clock and I already had twelve e-mails according to my phone. I sat up and stared at the sun streaming through my window.

I grabbed some jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt, and tennis shoes. Once I was ready, I threw open my door and went in search of coffee. Sarah was sitting at the kitchen table with Jess and Bert. I nodded my head at them but went straight for the coffeepot. I didn’t have the brainpower yet to deal with why Sarah was in my house.

I poured a healthy amount of creamer and sugar in and stirred until my coffee was creamy brown. I took a sip and sighed. Just right. I rummaged around in the refrigerator and found some yogurt. Grabbing a spoon, I took the last chair at the table.

“
Good morning, Duchess.” Sarah smiled at me.

I grunted.

Jess snickered. “Wait until after the first cup.”

“
Ah. I understand.” Sarah smiled brightly. “It usually takes me two before I’m fully awake.”

I grunted again. I bet Sarah woke up ready for anything. She probably slept in her clothes with that notebook clutched in her hand. She had it open next to her with a bunch of notes scribbled in the shorthand I had noticed the day before. I took my time with my coffee and yogurt, listening while Jess asked questions and Sarah answered.

Finally I got up and threw away the yogurt cup and poured some more coffee. I turned to look at them and sipped from my cup. “Okay.”

“
That’s her way of saying tell her what’s going on,” Jess explained.

“
Well, I brought you some more information about your arrival in Lilaria. There will be a ceremony to welcome you home. After that there will be a delegation to bring you to the palace to meet Queen Felecia. You’ll be spending the night there before being given a small reception the next day where you will be introduced to some of the other nobility and members of parliament.” She took a breath and I waved my free hand in the air.

“
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I’m going to be presented to the queen after flying across the Atlantic for hours and hours? What type of plane are we taking? Will I be able to take a shower? I mean, I’m supposed to go meet the Queen of Lilaria just like
that
?” I turned around and fished through the cabinets. “Shit. I need a bigger cup.” I grabbed the giant mug with the saying
I said good day, sir!

“
It’s customary that the queen welcome visiting dignitaries or nobles. The fact that you are ‘coming home’ is an even bigger reason for her to invite you to the castle. Prince Alex also asked that you stay at the palace before being taken to your lands. I believe he wants to escort you to your home.” Sarah smiled politely, but I caught the twinkle in her eyes. Apparently my moment with Alex hadn’t gone unnoticed yesterday. Or maybe it was because he had spent the day before with me.