AllFreeNovel
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It’s odd, but for the first time since I got to Malveaux, I begin to feel like an actual princess, like I can do this role.
It’s a nice feeling.
We make our way over to a marquee on one of the palace lawns. Stepping inside is like stepping into another world. There are tapestries on the walls, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, with wait staff in their black and white uniforms holding trays of nibbles and drinks as a string quartet plays soft classical music.
It sure isn't like any tent I've been in before.
A waiter offers me another glass of champagne, but I ask him for a Coke instead, which I drink down gratefully after the heat outside.
Grandmama walks me around the marquee, introducing me to people.
When we find ourselves alone, she puts on a casual air and says, “Speaking of which, have you made any decisions you’d like to share?”
I recognize the glimmer of hope in her eyes. It’s the one I see every time this topic is raised. The truth is, I'm growing to like not only the princess role, but Malveaux more and more. Sure, the idea of being a princess and heir to the throne totally freaked me out to start with, and having to look and behave like a member of the royal family was more than a little daunting in an unfamiliar country with their own rules and standards. But I'm growing into the idea, and with both Alice’s and Vladimir’s guidance and the love and support I get from my grandparents, I think I might just have this royal thing down.
My old life in Houston feels like a distant memory, and although I’ll always miss Chloe and my dad, here I’ve begun to feel so much more at home. I fit.
“It’s gone from a 50-50 to a 60-40. In favor of staying, that is, in case you were wondering,” I add.
Grandmama’s face breaks into a smile. “Oh, my dear. I am so very happy to hear that.” She pulls me into a hug and I breathe in her perfume. “In fact, I would go so far as to say that’s lit.”
I press my lips together to keep from laughing. “It’s totally lit, Grandmama,” I agree.
The polo players join the party, all freshly showered and changed, and although Alex moves around the room, talking with different groups of people, I'm always aware of exactly where he is. It’s kind of a hot guy telepathy, as Chloe might put it.
Eventually, I turn around from speaking with one of Grandmama’s ladies and come face to face with him. Instantly, my heart bounces into 4th gear as his magnetic pull draws me into his orbit.
“Hey,” I murmur, my voice soft and breathy.
“Hey, yourself,” he replies with a smile that does nothing for the state of my knees.
“Do you want to get out of here?”
I burst into laughter.
“What?” he asks.
“That is the corniest line ever.”
His deep laugh rolls through me, tickling my belly. “I admit there’s a hint of corn to it, but I mean it. I've had enough of people for one day.”
“I'm people,” I tease, feeling suddenly brazen.
I’m flirting. Get used to it.
“No, you're Texas.”
I love the way my nickname sounds on his lips.
“You can call me Maddie, too, you know. All my friends do.”
“And your enemies?”
“Oh, they call me Maddie, as well.”
He lets out another low laugh. “Let’s go for a walk down by the pond.”
“Are there any peafowl down there?”
