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But of course they are. I’ve got to be the biggest story of the year in Malveaux: Prince Nicolas tells everyone he’s going to abdicate and they drag some random girl out of Texas to plunk her into the position of first-in-line to inherit the throne.
Only I'm not just some random girl out of Texas. I'm a princess, daughter of Princess Josephine, a member of the Manchois royal family, who have ruled Malveaux for well over 1000 years.
I huff out a breath at the enormity of it all.
Just think, if I had included this part of my family history, I could have blown the socks off Ms. Bayer when we did our family trees in elementary school.
I wonder if I can get a do-over?
“Ready?” Dad asks me, punctuating my thoughts as he unclips his seatbelt and rises to his feet.
“No.”
He chuckles. “At least you're honest.”
I glance at Vladimir. He’s still dressed like Undertaker #1, only I'm getting a little used to having him around. Probably because he's been a permanent fixture in my life since he turned up at my office and turned my life upside down. But also because underneath his undertaker-slash-CIA-operative vibe he seems like a good guy. And he sure as heck knows what he's doing.
Two very important things in my new world.
“When you’re ready,” he says as he gestures at the door.
It's now or never.
With a deep breath I push myself up from my seat, ready to face my new life, only to come literally crashing straight back down when I find I haven't unbuckled my seatbelt.
“Whoops. My bad,” I mumble, heat flaming my cheeks.
Not the start I was looking for.
Dad smiles kindly and Vladimir's face doesn't crack.
Get it together, Maddie.
In one swift move, I unclip the belt, climb out of the seat, and pad across the plush carpet—the plush monogrammed carpet, of course—to the door, where Gino is looking around as though to ensure there are no snipers or Paparazzi lurking in the shadows.
As I step onto the stairs, blinking in the bright Malveauxian sun, a few people wielding cameras call out my name. As their shutters click, it strikes me for the very first time that I'm a princess now, and my life will never be the same again.
Chapter 4
Alexander
Ladies, listen up. Our delicious Prince of Gorgeousness is back in Ledonia and oh, my, are we ecstatic about it. He has conquered America, as we never doubted he would, and now that he’s back at the Palace, I for one am hoping we’ll see much, much more of him.
I wonder what he thinks of this new American princess, spotted arriving at Tleurbonne International earlier this week. In her jeans and baggy sweatshirt, she’s quite the Peasant Princess, wouldn’t you all agree?
Some say she’s an opportunist, cashing in on her newfound royal status. Others say she’s nothing of the sort. Who knows? Time will tell on that front. Let’s grab the popcorn and watch this royal soap opera unfold.
#HomecomingHero
#MalveauxInAPickleStill
#OpportunistOrVictim
As ever, your devoted royal correspondent,
Fabiana Fontaine xx
I slip off my blazer and drop it on the back of one of the chairs in my living quarters, loosening my royal monogrammed tie. Kicking off my shoes, I instruct Carl, the footman who carried my suitcases inside, to leave them. I might be a prince, but I’m more than capable of unpacking a suitcase like a grown man.
