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“They’ll love that I found someone strong and smart and who cares about other people the way they do. They’ll love that you’re a hard-worker and that you’ve whipped their lazy, loafing around, no-good son into shape finally.”
I smile even though I have a sense of dread. “I hope so.”
***
One Month Later
So this is really happening. I am sitting on a private jet, staring out the window as we fly over a small island that my fiancé will rule one day. As it comes into view, I suck in a deep breath at how beautiful it all looks. There’s a fresh blanket of snow and the houses and shops are like something out of a fairy tale. There are no skyscrapers, only two- to four-story buildings that I can only describe as quaint. Beyond the small city, mountains stand tall, lined with evergreen trees.
“There’s our house,” Henry says, pointing to an enormous palace set on the top of a huge hill. He smiles excitedly, then points to a nearby mountain. “Oh, and we can go skiing while you’re here. Have you been skiing before?”
I shake my head, feeling very nervous. Last week, Henry broke it to me that we’ll be attending his cousin’s wedding, which to be honest, has me freaking out. It was one thing when I thought I’d be spending a quiet Christmas with his parents but this is a whole other thing entirely. I’m going to be introduced to every royal and otherwise rich and important person in the kingdom. And I just know they’ll take one look at me and know I’m trailer trash.
Henry kisses my cheek. “Well, I’ll teach you to ski. You’ll be wonderful at it.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I’ve seen you wind your way through a busy café with a tray of hot drinks without spilling a drop. You have excellent balance,” he says, rubbing his thumb on my chin. “Relax. You’re going to be brilliant.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
“Tell you what. Borrow some of mine until you have more of your own.”
The plane touches down and slows to a stop on the runway. I run my hands over my hair, hoping it looks acceptable in the chignon I put it in a little while ago. I glance at my ring and realize suddenly that wearing this when I meet his parents is a very bad idea. I slide it off and hold it up to Henry. “You keep this for now. Just until your parents have time to get used to the idea of us together.”
He opens his mouth to speak but changes his mind and takes the ring. “You’re so smart. Of course, that’s the right approach.” Sighing, he puts it into his inside jacket pocket. “I hate like hell to have to hide the truth from anyone though. If I had my way, I’d shout it from the roof tops.”
“Soon enough,” I say, with a smile. “But for now, it’ll be our little secret.”
Popping a mint in my mouth, I tell myself to calm down while I wait for the door to open, but my heart is beating so wildly, it feels like it’s going to pop out of my chest. When the door finally opens, the sound of bagpipes comes from outside.
“Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you there’ll be a royal greeting for us.” He stands, pulls on his wool jacket, and holds his hand out to help me up. “You’ve got this, Addison. I promise.”
He helps me put on my black vicuna wool coat that he bought me for the trip, then grips my hand firmly and leads me to the top of the steps, stopping to wave and smile at the crowd. I plaster a smile to my face and give a little wave, hoping I look sophisticated in this new outfit. We make our way down the steps without me tripping over my own feet, so I have to call that a victory. But then, I come face to face with his parents and my heart drops to my knees.
His mother is beautiful, she looks far too young to have a grown son. She’s dressed in a long fur coat and a matching hat, and her eyes are icy when she gla
nces at me.
Henry gives her a kiss on each cheek and says, “Mother, lovely to see you. This is Addison Cooke.”
Her mouth drops open for a second, then she clams it shut, looking furious as she nods at me. I curtsy awkwardly but don’t say anything because Johan told me only to speak to the king and queen if they address me first. Since she hasn’t said anything, I hold my tongue.
The king and Henry then shake hands, as though they’re business acquaintances instead of father and son. The King says, “Henry, glad you could make it home.” He looks at me and nods. “Ms. Cooke, welcome to Tanovia.”
But I feel anything but welcome…
***
“You all right?” Henry asks as soon as we have a moment alone. It’s late evening now and he has sneaked into the guest bedroom where I’ve been told I’ll be sleeping. We haven’t had a chance to talk since we got off the plane. We were taken to the palace where a large group of Henry’s relatives and some family friends were waiting to greet Henry. I found myself standing alone against the curtains for the better part of the afternoon while well-dressed people whisper and stare at me from across the large living room. At dinner, I’m seated about twenty people down and across from Henry at the enormous table. He was seated next to a young woman who very clearly wants to be the future queen. He kept looking at me with a very apologetic expression as she fawned all over him and glared at me.
He crosses the room quickly and pulls me in for a long hug. “I’m so sorry. I had hoped my family would be more welcoming, but they’ve been just awful to you.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” I tear up and fold myself into his chest, not wanting him to see my face. I need to be brave.
“We can go if you want. First thing in the morning. We’ll just fly home and spend Christmas alone in my apartment, watching movies and making love.” He pulls back and lifts his hands to my face, then kisses my tears from my cheeks. “Let’s just go. I can’t bear to see you this upset.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head and clearing my throat. “I’m not going to tuck my tail between my legs and run off. They don’t have to like me but they will eventually have to accept that I’m going to be your wife. And if we’re going to be married, I need to hold my ground and stand tall because that’s what you need.”
