Authors: Nichole Chase
I bit my lip and looked back at the crowds. I raised my hand and gave a small wave when we passed a group of children holding a sign with my name on it. They jumped up and down, the little girls giggling. Soon the gates for the palace came into view. I leaned forward in my seat and craned my neck so I could see out Alex’s window. He scooted over a bit so I could see better, his hand never letting go of mine.
It looked like something out of a fairy tale. The walls were made from stone and old brick. When I finally got a good look at the castle, I smiled my first real smile since landing. The palace was made from the same stone as the walls. A huge door was in the center of the old building, flanked with guards in ceremonial dress. It was breathtaking. Duvall opened our car door and Alex helped Rose and me out. A man in a tux took pictures as we climbed out and I tried to not look frustrated. I had hoped we would be through with the photographers at this point.
“
That is the palace photographer. You can trust Cecil.” Alex seemed to sense my hesitation.
“
Duchess Rousseau, may I have you stand here in front of the car? Look up at the castle for me. That’s perfect!” Cecil snapped pictures quickly before standing up. “Duchess Sverelle, Your Highness, will you stand with Duchess Rousseau for a moment?”
They moved next to me and gave practiced smiles for the camera. Alex didn’t put a hand on my back like I was growing accustomed to, but kept a friendly but respectful distance. I blinked at the flashing and hoped my smile didn’t show all my teeth.
Once Cecil was satisfied, the guards saluted Alex and opened the front door for us. I digested everything around us, staggered by the amount of history contained in the walls. Rose and Alex looked like they were just coming home. Their relaxed expressions made me wonder if they were going to kick their shoes off and go dig through the fridge. Instead, we were greeted by a group of people just inside who bowed and curtsied to Alex before taking our coats.
“
It’s good to have you home, Your Majesty.” An older man smiled at Alex. “And lovely to see you, as always, ma’am. Welcome home, Duchess Rousseau.” He dipped his head at Rose and me.
“
How are things tonight, Ryan?” Alex asked.
“
Good. Dinner should be ready shortly and your mother is waiting in the front sitting room.” The man checked a clipboard he was carrying. “The prime minister and his wife are here along with your sister, Duke Constal, and Duke and Duchess Marion.”
“
Excellent.” Alex smiled at the others. “Chadwick, let me introduce you to Duchess Rousseau. Samantha, this is Chadwick. He’s offered to be your assistant until you decide on something permanent.”
“
A pleasure to meet you, Duchess.” Chadwick was a tall, thin man. He bowed his head in a formal greeting.
“
You too, Chadwick.” I held out my hand to shake his. His hands were gentle, but firm. “I think you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“
I do love a challenge.” He smiled.
“
Well, then. Let’s go meet Mother, shall we?” Alex turned away from the aides he was speaking with and looked at me.
“
Let’s.” I took a deep breath.
Alex held his arm out to me, and I slipped my hand in and let him lead me down a long, formal hallway. Portraits of monarchs lined the walls, interspersed with images of gardens and forests. There was a man in a tailcoat waiting next to golden double doors. He stood to attention when we neared and opened the door.
“
You’ll enter last, but we’ll be waiting inside.” Rose patted my shoulder as she nodded at the man. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. When he heard what he needed, he opened the doors and stepped inside.
“
The Duchess of Sverelle, Your Majesty.” Rose followed closely behind him, curtsying once just inside of the door. She walked out of sight and I fought the desire to peek around the corner.
“
His Royal Highness, the Duke of D’Lynsal.” Alex stood up straight and winked at me before turning the corner. I could hear voices inside, but not what they were saying. Or maybe they were speaking in Lilarian.
“
The Duchess of Rousseau.” The man announced my name and I took a jerky step forward. There were ten or eleven people standing in the center of the room. The queen was right in the center, complete with tiara and flowing dress. She was an attractive woman and I could see a great deal of Alex in her features.
I remembered to curtsy once inside the door and took a few more steps before pausing and doing it again. I didn’t curtsy too deep, scared I would fall in my heels. When I looked up, the queen was smiling. When I reached her, she held out her hand and I shook it.
“
Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I looked down at her, surprised that such a small woman had given birth to such a tall man like Alex.
“
Welcome home, Duchess Rousseau. We’re very glad that you’ve come.” The woman smiled. “We were very excited when we found you.”
“
Thank you, ma’am.”
“
Let me introduce you to everyone.” The queen placed her hand on my elbow, gently guiding me away from Rose and Alex. I tried to keep a hold on the beating of my heart. It was beating faster than that of a kitten facing down a dog. “This is my daughter, Catherine.”
A tall girl with blond hair and Alex’s bright eyes smiled at me. She held out her hand and I shook it. There was a lot of handshaking in my future, it seemed.
“
Nice to meet you, Samantha. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Catherine smiled widely. She was breathtaking—model perfect. Her eyes were bright and she seemed genuinely happy to see me.
“
Nice to meet you.”
“
I’d be happy to show you around the city if you’d like. It can be a bit confusing the first time you visit.”
“
I’ve already set up some time to take Samantha around.” Alex’s voice rumbled behind me. I looked over my shoulder and into his eyes. “I promised I wouldn’t throw her to the wolves.”
“
I’m not a wolf!” Catherine shook her head and laughed.
“
You would want to take her shopping, and I have it on good authority that Samantha is not a fan.”
“
That’s because she hasn’t been with me.” Catherine smiled and I wondered if men threw themselves at her feet. “Well, we can just go sightseeing if you’d like.”
“
You could come with us,” Alex replied. I hadn’t known he was planning on taking me around town.
“
Not letting her out of your sight, hm?” Catherine gave me a thoughtful look. “Okay. It’s a date.”
“
Sounds like fun.” The queen was already leading me away from Catherine, but Alex stayed with his sister.
“
This is Prime Minister Tomas Derry.” Catherine smiled at the man. He had lively eyes and curly gray hair. “Prime Minster, this is Samantha, Duchess of Rousseau.”
“
My pleasure.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.
The queen didn’t waste any time moving me to the next few people. The members of parliament seemed very interested in the fact that I was American and then I met a couple with two small children.
“
This is the Duke and Duchess of Marion.”
“
Call me Heather.” The woman held out one hand while keeping a tight grip on the smallest boy. “This is Leo.” She pushed him forward and I leaned down to shake the young boy’s chubby hand. He smiled at me before rubbing the back of his hand across his nose.
“
Nice to meet you, Leo.”
“
Barry.” The duke shook my hand with a friendly smile before motioning toward the little girl in his arms. “And this is Violet.”
“
Nice to meet you both.” The little girl was leaning against her father’s shoulder with her eyes half closed. “I’m sorry we got in so late.”
“
Don’t be sorry! We’re glad to meet you. I know you must be tired after all that travel.”
“
I’m happy to be here.” The queen pulled me away from the young family and toward a grouping of young men. Two of them were smiling in a bored sort of manner, but one of them leered in a way that made me wish I hadn’t taken my coat off.
“
The Dukes of Minsington, Bowdell, and Sheferd. Otherwise known as Daniel, Barney, and Kyle.” The queen leveled her eyes at the men and they shifted where they stood. “This is Samantha, Duchess of Rousseau.”
They all shook my hand, Kyle lingering a little longer than was necessary. “A pleasure to meet you, Samantha.”
I smiled at him, not really thinking the meeting was so pleasant. He reminded me of the school reporter. The one you wouldn’t leave your drink with while you ran to the bathroom.
“
Kyle and Daniel both went to the university here in town. Perhaps you can find a program to finish your studies with.” The queen smiled at me as if this was a brilliant idea.
“
I’ll have to look into it when I have some time.” I really hoped I would be able to escape this conversation soon.
“
Maybe I could take you to the campus and show you around. There are a lot of great places to study.” He emphasized the last word so I knew he meant something else entirely.
“
Right. I’ll let you know if I need the help.” I had no poker face and I was certain Kyle could see my irritation.
“
I look forward to it.”
“
Your Majesty, dinner is ready,” a man in palace livery said. I hadn’t even noticed him approaching.
“
Excellent. Samantha, I will leave you with these gentlemen while I check on things.” The queen squeezed my elbow gently before walking away. I watched her leave and my eyes landed on Alex. He was laughing with the Marion family and was holding the little girl against his chest, patting her back while she drooled on his shoulder, sound asleep. I wanted to go to them and put as much distance as possible between myself and Kyle.
“
What did you study, Samantha?” Daniel looked at me, interested.
“
Good God, Danny. Don’t you read the papers?” Barney took a long sip from the tumbler in his hand. “She’s a biologist of some sort.”
“
Wildlife biologist,” I explained.
“
You know I don’t read that trash. It’s a waste of time.” Daniel frowned at his friend. “Good for you, Samantha. You’ll have a lot in common with Alex.”
“
Is that so?” A woman came over with a tray of drinks. I picked a glass of white wine and sipped.
“
Yes, our illustrious future monarch has a degree in wildlife biology. He specialized in birds, I believe.” Daniel smiled. “What’s your specialty?”
“
Raptors.”
Daniel laughed and pointed at Kyle. “You might as well give up right now.”
I looked at them confused. “Excuse me?”
“
Let’s just say that there aren’t many eligible female nobles right now.” Daniel laughed at Kyle’s expression. “It’s a lost cause.”
“
We don’t know that.” Kyle winked at me. “I’ve got a lot to offer.”
“
Are you guys serious? I’m not looking to get married.”
“
You’re fresh meat, sweetie.” Barney leaned forward and I could smell the bourbon on his breath. “Daniel here could care less since he’s not into skirts. But for every other eligible man in the country, you’re a potential wife. With a lot to bring to the bank… and bed.” He stared down at my breasts. I squeezed my hands into fists so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palm. All of the responses that popped into my head were wildly inappropriate for a queen’s sitting room.
“
Barney.” Daniel glared at him. “That’s enough. We’re not all terrible, Samantha.”
“
What are you talking about?” Catherine moved next to me. “You can’t monopolize the guest of honor.”
“
I was hoping you’d come over here to check on her so I could enjoy that pretty dress up close.” Kyle tilted his head and looked up and down Catherine’s slim figure. She blushed, but didn’t look all that upset with his perusal.
“
Dinner is served.” A door off to the side of the room opened and I couldn’t have been more relieved.
“
Your Highness, may I escort you to your seat?” Kyle bowed to Catherine who accepted with a roll of her eyes.
“
Samantha?” Daniel held out his arm to me and I let him guide me to into the dining room. There was a long rectangular table, with place settings for each guest. Little cards, with handwritten names told everyone where to sit. Daniel leaned close when we got to my seat.
“
I may not be worried about finding a wife, but I am always happy to make a new friend.” He smiled at me, and I felt a little better.
“
That would be nice.” I let him pull my chair out and help me sit, before he went to find his own seat.
“
Welcome to Lilaria.” Daniel winked at me as he walked away.
“
Kyle is not someone you should befriend.” Alex sat next to me and leaned close. “He’s only interested in what kind of dowry you have.” He glared over to where his sister was joking with the young duke. “Among other things.”
“
Thanks, Captain Obvious,” I whispered. “Tell me you’ve told your sister this.”
“
Sisters don’t like to hear that kind of stuff from brothers, but yes, I’ve tried.” Alex opened his napkin and laid it over one leg. “You, on the other hand, have no one else to tell you this.”
“
Not true. Barney has already informed me that I’m fresh meat.”