AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“OK, this goes without saying,” she said as we made our way through the crowd. “But your dress is a hit. Actually, that’s not right…you’rea hit.”
I laughed. “That’s nice to hear, don’t get me wrong. But they barely know me aside from the fact that I’m the princess and I’ve got purple hair.”
“Sure, but you’re knocking this whole first impression thing out of the park. Let me ask you this, when you look at all of these people around you, how do they make you feel?”
The question struck me as a little strange, but I decided to indulge her. I glanced around the room, seeing a seemingly endless number of men and women all dressed in finery.
“I don’t know. They’re just people, I guess.”
She smiled, as if that was the answer she’d been hoping to hear.
“These are the wealthiest and most powerful people in Edoria, some in all of Europe. If you feel comfortable being yourself in front of a crowd like this, then there’s nothing you can’t do.”
I realized what she was getting at. The more I thought about it, I realized how right Kinley was. I felt good. I’d come strolling down the stairs fully ready for everyone to reject me, to tell me to go back to wherever the hell I’d come from.
I smiled, feeling more and more comfortable with each passing second in my role as a princess.
“Alright,” I said. “Let’s do some schmoozing.”
Kinley laughed. “Lead the way.”
I stepped over to the bar, ordering a club soda and lime before making my way into the crowd with Kinley at my side. I felt fearless zipping from one group of guests to another, making small talk and joking, chatting and getting to know the upper crust of Edoria. Far from a room full of fuddy-duddies like my father, everyone was eager to get to know me, eager to find out all they could about this American princess.
In spite of myself, I was having fun. Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was on a first-name basis with just about everyone there. Now and then I spotted my father, his countenance as serious as ever. Part of me wondered how he felt seeing me flitting from one group to another in my purple dress and purple hair, tattoo visible for anyone to notice. He avoided me, almost seeming to go out of his way to not make so much as eye contact.
After a time, Kinley and I needed a break. We refreshed our drinks and headed out onto the huge veranda, the view looking out over the gardens and the city beyond. The air was crisp and cool, though a few outdoor fireplaces kept us warm. I made my way to the railing, looking out over the landscape beyond as I tried to wrap my head around the idea that this wasmykingdom.
Well, almost.
“How are you feeling, Princess?”
I turned toward Kinley, the glass doors behind her looking in on the ballroom. Warm, orange light poured out from inside, the view like watching a movie. Little knots of people were chatting with one another as they stole glances at me.
“I feel… weird. Less than two months ago, I was just some girl living in a studio apartment making crab cakes for a living. Now I’m…this.” I swept my hand down my dress. “And the strangest part is I think I’m good at it.”
Kinley smiled. “Youaregood at it. Do you want to know why?”
“Because everyone secretly wants a tattooed, purple-haired princess?”
She laughed. “Because you’re you. And you are fantastic just the way you are.”
“Not to mention that it’s impossible to look at you and not see at once that you’d be one of the best queens this country has ever had.”
A very familiar voice spoke out. Kinley and I turned to see Luc approaching. The man lookedgood. He was dressed in a sharp tux that fit his gorgeous body perfectly, his hair was slicked back, and his face freshly shaved.
Kinley blushed. “Good to see you, Luc.”
“And you as well. I think it’s safe to say that your dress has been a hit.”
“My pleasure. And the tux I fitted for you seems to be working, as well.”
He laughed. “I’m a fan. Anyway, do you mind if I steal the princess from you for a moment?”
A coy little smile appeared on Kinley’s face, one that suggested that she knew Luc and I were going to discuss more than palace matters.
“Not at all. I’ll see you in there, Your Highness.”
She flashed me one more smile before heading back inside.
