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“That's a big party,” I reply with a tense laugh. A ball in my honor sounds like a lot of pressure.
“We encourage you to form friendships with the Ledonian royal family, my dear,” she adds. “There are four children, and they’re all delightful.”
Ledonian royal family. Huh. The name tugs at my memory. An image of a self-satisfied—but I’ll begrudgingly admit, handsome—prince flashes before my eyes. “Is Ledonia where Prince Alexander is from? You know, the prince who just visited America?”
The Queen looks pleased. “You know Alexander?” she asks hopefully.
I snort laugh. “Sure. I ran into him down at Taco Bell last Thursday.”
Her mouth forms a perfect oh.
“I'm joking. He's famous, that's all. His image gets splashed around all over the place. My friend, Chloe, has a huge crush on him.”
“I understand many young women find Prince Alexander appealing,” Grandpapa says.
Most of all himself. I don't say it out loud, but that doesn't mean it's not true.
“You'll have the opportunity to meet him and his delightful sisters, Sofia and Amelia, and his brother, Maximilien. As a family, we spend quite a lot of time with them. Our two countries having what we deem a ‘special relationship’ that stretches through the centuries. We often say Malveaux and Ledonia are what ebony is to ivory on a piano,” Grandmama says.
I plaster on a smile, feeling more than a little daunted. I'm going to hang out with Prince Alexander of Ledonia at this ball? And my family has a special relationship with his? Chloe will die on the spot, right before she demands to meet him.
“So, I guess we're cousins?”
“Very, very distant. There have been surprisingly few marriages between our two families throughout time,” she explains.
“Right. Not cousins.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I guess. It's been just me and Dad for so long, and I kind of like the idea of having a bigger family.”
She reaches out and places a warm hand on mine. “I hope your grandpapa and I can help fill that void for you in some small way.”
Her unexpected sincerity and kindness make my heart squeeze. I may be here to fulfill a role, but it means more than that to them. They’re not just the King and Queen. They’re my grandparents. They’re family.
I lift my lips in a smile. “Way more.”
“I'm glad. Your presentation ball will be a wonderful evening. I promise you.”
“It sounds…fun.”
“Would you say it sounds cool?” she asks.
“Totally cool,” I confirm, wishing she wasn't trying so hard to relate to me, but also quietly happy that she is. It's endearing and it's sweet and it shows she genuinely wants to create a rapport between us.
“It will be a cool ball for a cool princess,” Grandpapa adds with a satisfied smile.
Now the King’s getting in on the act? I try not to cringe.
“When’s this ball?” Dad asks.
“It's scheduled for Friday evening,” Grandmama replies. “Will you still be here, Douglas?”
“I will.”
I open my mouth to remind him that he told me he has to get back to the hardware store in a couple of days.
“I'll change my plans, honey. I want to make sure I’m here for your big night,” he says when I shoot him a questioning glance.
