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I'm not exactly thrilled to be referred to as an ugly duckling, but in my comfortable “boyfriend” jeans, sneakers, and monogrammed sweatshirt telling the world about my hobbies, even I know I’m not exactly princess material.
“Grandmama!” I exclaim with genuine delight when I see her sitting in one of the reception rooms. She has her ankles crossed and a cup and saucer in her hands—her little pinkies at just the right angle, I'm sure.
There is a collective gasp among those present: Vladimir, Alice, some guy who looks like he should be in a 90s boy band, and a couple of women in elegant dresses and pearls.
“What? What did I do?”
Vladimir leans in. “Even though she is your grandmother you must greet her with a small curtsy and address her as Your Majesty. You may call her ‘Grandmama’ after the initial greeting.”
“Good to know.” I turn to the group and give them a wave that even feels dorky to me. “Hey. Sorry to get it wrong. I'm new at this,” I explain to everyone before I hook one foot behind the other and dip down, my head lowered, just the way Alice showed me on my first day here.
Man, am I lucky to have Vlad and Alice in my court.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I say before I straighten, saying a little prayer that I got it all right.
My grandmama smiles at me as she places her cup and saucer on a side table. “It's very nice to see you again, Madeline. Please, take a seat.” She indicates a chair opposite her. “How have you found your last couple of days, my dear?”
“It's been good. I’m getting to know the place and Alice and Vlad have been helping me with stuff. It’s been fun.”
“I'm very glad to hear it. Do we meet with your approval?”
“My approval?” I laugh and it ends in a deeply unladylike snort. I throw my hand over my mouth in embarrassment as the pearl-clutching ladies regard me in surprise.
I don't look at Vladimir.
“Apologies for that… sound.”
“It's quite all right, dear. I’ve been known to snort when I laugh, occasionally,” Grandmama says kindly, and I remember why I like her.
“What I was going to say is what's not to like about this place? It's beautiful, my rooms are incredible, everyone is super nice, and I live in an actual palace. Chloe, my best friend back in Texas, would kill to live in this place.”
“Would she indeed?” Grandmama’s lips quirk. “Perhaps you should invite Chloe for a visit once your investiture as Princess takes place. But tell her she needn’t kill anyone beforehand.”
I laugh. “I’ll do that.”
“But how rude of me. I haven't introduced you to my ladies-in-waiting. This is Lady Foster,” she says as one of the pearl-wearing women nods at me. Or is it a bow? It's unclear. “And this is Lady Chesterton.” The second woman does exactly as the first, and I nod and smile at both of them.
“Great to meet you, ladies. Although you’re actual Ladies as well as being ladies, so that's cute.”
Why am I talking?
“Both Lady Foster and Lady Chesterton have been meeting with me about some other business, but it will be just you and I for the fitting with Gustav,” she explains.
“Gotcha.”
“Thank you, ladies,” Grandmama says and they curtsy before they leave the room.
“I'm sure you will be talked about around the city very shortly following that,” Grandmama says.
“A couple of gossips, huh?”
“They do enjoy circulating information.”
That's a euphemism if ever I've heard one.
“Would you like a cup of tea before we invite Gustav in?”
There is no way on this sweet earth I am drinking Malveauxian tea. Not now, not ever again. “No, thank you. I'm good. I just had some coffee so I'm fully caffeinated.”
