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“What?” she asked sharply. “Mariana said to treat her like a normal kid. Kids love to bake, right?”
“I suppose. Most do itwiththeir grandmothers rather than a professional chef…”
Francisca ignored him. “Please, have a seat. We’re so glad you could join us today.”
“Thank you for having me,” Ada replied as she and Arlo sat next to each other, facing his parents. “Your palace is lovely.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
Servers in tuxes brought out salads.
“As much as I appreciate pleasantries, we have some pressing business to discuss.”
“I should have known this wasn’t just a nice little lunch invite,” Arlo murmured.
His mother smiled with her eyes at him. “Your father and I have a proposal—pun intended, for the two of you.”
Arlo sat up straighter and put his hand on the back of Ada’s chair, feeling the need to protect her, even though he didn’t know from what yet. “What kind of proposal?”
“A business proposal. One that will benefit all involved.”
“How so?” Arlo eyed Ada who seemed to be nervously picking at her salad.
“Since you are already engaged in the eyes of the public, and said engagement has the potential to save the island from economic ruin—doesn’t it make sense to let it all unfold?”
Tilting his head, Arlo asked skeptically, “Could you be a little more specific?”
“We propose that you and Ada get married at the annual New Year’s Day Ball.”
Arlo blinked at his obviously insane mother. “What?”
Ada’s fork clattered against her plate.
Arlo turned to see her frozen in place.
“I’m not sure anything I said was confusing, but if you’d like further clarification we have all the details right here in this contract.”
She slid a packet of papers toward Ada and Arlo.
“You’ll see that as part of the agreement, you’ll each need to post once a day on social media for the month of January. Our team has prepared a schedule of places for you to visit throughout the island. You’ll also need to make a few royal appearances together.” Francisca took a sip of water.
“And of course it says that you’ll agree to get married at the New Year’s Day Ball, because everyone who is anyone will be there. It will be a ton of free press. You can spend the month of January traveling around the island. Think of it as an extended vacation. We’ll set up a spot for you to honeymoon, you can live at the palace, and in a month you can get an annulment.”
Ada gripped Arlo’s leg.
“Mom, stop. As if it weren’t crazy enough for you to expect us to get married, you’d have us do it at the New Year’s Day Ball? That’s only three days away.”
“Oh, I know it’s soon, but remember—the entire palace staff has been planning your wedding since the day we thought you got engaged.”
Arlo ran his hands through his hair. “I get that the island needs help, but you can’t expect Ada to give up her life. It’s not a one-and-done thing. Once the media knows about you, there’s no going back.”
His mom waved away his concern. “Please, in the social media-age, people move on every thirty seconds. Besides, there’s financial compensation for her too.” She flipped to the second page of the contract and tapped her finger on the bottom line.
Ada gasped when she looked down. “Ten thousand dollars per month for one year.”
Paulo spoke for the first time. “We’ve run the numbers. Based on the boost in tourism that your wedding and media engagements will bring into the country, we believe this is fair.”
Arlo rubbed his temple. “This is all so extreme.”
