****************
She barely had time to inform a very shocked Luther of her changed status before the news broke.
She called and asked to meet him at the café next to the diner, leaving her ring at the palace.
His expression of happiness caused her a pang of guilt. She had unwittingly led him to think that he stood a chance, and she would be sorry to lose his friendship.
"I cannot stay long, but I wanted to tell you before you heard it elsewhere," she began without preamble as soon as he sat down and ordered his coffee.
"You look wonderful. In fact, you're glowing," he remarked, his eyes roving over her face. "I'm so happy to hear from you."
She fiddled with her coffee cup and avoided his eyes for a few seconds and then she told him.
His look of shock was so comical that if the situation wasn't so tense, she would have burst out laughing.
"I thought..." he sputtered. "You said you were not interested. He's the prince and you are... I don't understand."
"Neither do I," she acknowledged grimly. "I'm not his type and I won't be offended if you say it. I tried convincing him of it, but he refuses to listen. We're getting married." She heaved a sigh.
"I'm in love with him. Completely. I tried to stop it from happening." She shook her head and pushed her cup away. "I'm not asking to retain your friendship, but I hope we can still be friends."
He shook his head, his expression dazed. "You're going to be a princess. A very rich and powerful woman. Your husband has never been my friend, which of course is natural, because we're from different worlds. And not to mention you'll be my employer. It would not be appropriate."
"Luther..."
"I had designs on you." He stared at her accusingly. "And the prince knows that. We... we went out with each other. What if he decides to terminate my contract because of it? What will I do?"
"Luther!" she hissed. "Get a hold of yourself."
Passing a hand over his face, he nodded. "You're right. I'm in shock. Of course, his mother and certainly you would never allow that to happen."
"You're right about that." She rose. "I hope you'll be at the wedding."
"Of course." He rose as well and started to take her hand, drawing back as if remembering that she was off limits. "I wish you all the best."
***************
She did not have time to reflect on the friendship she had lost, because as soon as she got back to the palace, she was caught up in the backlash.
"Oh my dear!" Sofia gestured her into her office. "I've been trying to call to warn you."
"I'm sorry, my phone died..."
"I'm afraid the news is out. We have reporters calling all the lines." She gestured for Antoinette to take some of the messages. "The press secretary is coming up with a release, but this is, for those bloody reporters, something of an anomaly. Ah, here is your fiancé."
Before Antoinette could turn, he caught her around the waist and kissed the back of her neck.
"I'm aware of what's going on," he said. "We need to make a statement."
"Gloria is already doing that. I would like you to come together to see what you want to say." Queen Sofia beamed at the couple, before her expression sobered. "I'm afraid we won't be able to control the narrative that much. You're an African-American woman, and in the history of this family there's never been a case of a prince marrying one before."
"Not to mention I'm not exactly a size zero, as well as the fact that I work for you," Antoinette added dryly.
The woman nodded, not in the least bit fazed. "Precisely." She started issuing instructions to her son as well. "Go away, darling, liaise with Gloria, and Antoinette and I have some things to iron out."
Turning Antoinette to face him, he tipped her chin up and kissed her lightly. "I will see you later."
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