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I shook my head in disbelief. “I must be losing my mind.”
There was no other explanation.
I immediately called the company in charge of the dove release and told them about the mix-up, then requested they get to the palace as soon as possible to corral the peacocks and remove them from the property. I also informed the royal gardeners about the half-eaten flowers and droppings, which they got to work on immediately.
After getting the mess cleaned up, I met Marco out front to go into town.
I marveled at the quaint beauty of Verdana City, the capital. The cobblestone streets wound through the heart of the village, lined with charming old buildings with terracotta rooftops, adorned with ornate iron balconies. The impressive cathedral towered over everything, its steeple reaching for the sky like a divine beacon. It reminded me so much of some of the small towns I’d visited in the north of Spain a decade earlier.
“Wow, there are so many people out walking,” I commented to Marco as we passed by throngs of pedestrians on both sides of the street.
“It’s common here, even in winter,” he explained. “In Amsterdam, everyone rides bicycles. Here, we walk.”
We pulled up to Verdana Jewelry, nestled between a cafe and bakery.
“We have arrived,” Marco announced as he parked the car in front of the shop. “I’ll get the door for you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Marco opened the door, and I stepped out of the vehicle and took a deep breath. The air was crisp with the faint smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the bakery.
I entered the jewelry shop and was greeted by a friendly, middle-aged woman with warm brown eyes and hair pulled back into a bun. She wore a simple yet elegant dress with a diamond necklace.
“Hello! You must be Grace,” she smiled. “I’ve been expecting you. I’m Isabella, the owner.”
“Nice to meet you, Isabella,” I replied, shaking her hand. “How did you know it was me?”
She gestured to the black SUV that was visible through the front window. “I know Marco, and he doesn’t drive around just anyone.”
“Ahh . . .” I nodded. “Of course.”
“I have Princess Veronica’s tiara for you,” she said excitedly, leading me to the back of the shop.
As she retrieved the tiara, she proudly told me about the history of her shop, showing me photos on the walls of royalty and socialites wearing her family’s designs dating back generations. “Our shop has been hand-crafting jewelry for royalty and the people of Verdana and other countries for generations. Notice the intricate filigree metalwork and gem settings on each piece.” Her fingers traced the delicate patterns. “Few jewelers do this type of detailed work by hand anymore. It’s a form of art.”
“It’s truly stunning,” I said, feeling honored to be tasked with transporting such a precious heirloom.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes glimmering with pride. “I’ll pack it up for you, so you can be on your way back to the palace.”
I smiled. “I was told to try the banana bites at Verdana Sweets.”
Isabella placed her hand on her chest. “Heaven. That’s all I will tell you. And do not get a large bowl unless you want to explode. It is enough for three to four people.”
I nodded. “Thanks for the tip. Can’t wait to try it.”
As Isabella carefully placed the tiara in a velvet case, I chatted with her about the royal wedding and my role as the substitute wedding planner in charge of a small team following my orders. She wished me luck and assured me that everything would be perfect. I liked her even more after her kind words of encouragement.
“Next stop, Verdana Sweets!” Marco announced as I set the velvet box on the seat next to me. We drove through the picturesque streets, my head practically hanging out the window like a dog, admiring the beauty and grandeur.
We arrived at the sweets shop, and Marco pulled up across the street, then opened the door for me to get out. “Please take your time to enjoy your Verdana Banana. I will be here after you have finished.”
“Thank you,” I said, then crossed the street, walking by the pet shop and the bank, and finally parking myself in the long line outside of Verdana Sweets. I inhaled the overpowering scent of tempering chocolate from within.
Once inside, I was greeted by another smiling face, an older gentleman with a neatly trimmed white beard and round spectacles perched on his nose. I tried not to stare at the chocolate stains on his green apron, but for some reason, they made me smile.
“Welcome to Verdana Sweets—what are you in the mood for today?” the man asked.
“Someone told me you have the best frozen banana bites on the island, so I’m here to try them.” I said.
