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“You’re special.”
I laugh, appreciating that. “Okay, well, I think those are synonyms. But anyway, when I was growing up, I eventually realized that everyone was going to just think I was strange. No matter what. I am different. I’m smart and I can’t change that or hide it. And I don’t really fit in a lot of the time.
“So I just started doing things my way. Collecting flowers and frogs instead of swimming and boating. Enjoying hide and seek because of the hiding part and being able to get wrapped up in reading while they looked for me. Going home from parties early or not going at all. Growing my own food instead of worrying about what to buy.
“I realized that I wasn’t breaking rules. I was just bucking norms. And norms are only considered ‘normal’ because a lot of people do them, not necessarily because they’re better.
“So anyway…” I pull in a breath and my gaze roams over his face, then I look out the window at the enormous structure—the palace—that we’re pulling up to. “People think royals are different, right? They’re going to talk about me no matter what I do. But…I’m used to that.” I press my free hand to my stomach. The butterflies have calmed. I meet Torin’s gaze again. “I’m not what the king expected for you. But I’m good at being different.”
Torin cups my face and kisses me. Then sits back, looking at me adoringly. “You certainly are, Princess Abigail.”
And hey, even if I’m a little weird, at least I landed myself a prince.
The car is met by several staff members. One man directs the others on where to take the bags, greets Linnea and Jonah, and then turns to Torin.
“Welcome home, Your Highness.”
"Hi, Samuel," Torin greets.
He turns to me. "Abigail, this is Samuel. He's my butler. Takes care of everything I need and is kind of a personal assistant. Samuel," he says, looking at the older man. "May I introduce you to my wife. Princess Abigail."
Samuel actually gives me a tiny bow, bending at the waist. "Princess Abigail, pleasure."
He’s the first person, other than Jonah or Torin, to call me that. It feels weird.
"We'll have all your things taken up to your rooms," Samuel says. "You can freshen up and then the king will see you in his office."
I assumed that we would see the king fairly soon, but it had occurred to me that possibly we would wait until tomorrow. I guess not.
"After you meet with the king, everyone will retire, but your mother and grandmother would love to see you for breakfast."
"Of course." Torin looks at me. "We'll be happy to speak with the king. And breakfast is fine, obviously."
I let out a little breath. Waiting until breakfast to meet Torin's mother and grandmother does sound nice.
The staff all precedes us into the castle with our bags and boxes. Linnea and Jonah have already disappeared. Now it's just Torin and me standing at the base of the steps looking up at the huge front door.
"Are you ready?" he asks.
"No. But does that matter?"
He laughs and puts a hand on my lower back. "I'm right here with you. Are you nervous about meeting the king?"
I check my feelings. "Not nervous. I just don't want to."
Torin laughs and nudges me forward. "I completely understand."
The doors open for us as we approach, and I step into the O'Grady family castle.
And whoa...
I'd looked the castle up online, so I knew what I was going to find, but coming through the doors in person completely takes my breath away.
While it is an old stone castle, they have made the inside much more modern, and warm. There are rugs all over the stone floors, the woodwork is warm browns and highly polished, and artwork adorns the walls. There are thickly upholstered chairs and tables holding colorful bouquets of flowers, and warm golden lighting everywhere.
The ceiling rises several feet above me and there are windows everywhere. A staircase wide enough that four adults could stand side by side and take the steps at the same time is about twenty yards in front of us, yet the space we’re in still feels welcoming.
I had expected something colder. Something definitely more museum-ish.
