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“You two look like you have seen a ghost.” Theo’s gaze once again bounced back and forth between me and Grace. “Why would it be a problem that Mother is returning early?”
“Who said it was a problem?” I gave a valiant effort to play off the shock reverberating through my body before saying, “It’s no problem at all.”
Which was a flagrant fabrication.
This was a problem of epic proportions.
Chapter Five
GRACE
I felt all the energy drain from my body.
Queen Annabelle was already returning home.
Today.
Panic settled in like an unwelcome guest as I recalled Oliver’s reassurances that I’d have at least a week of wedding planning before the queen found out about the change in personnel. My mind raced with wild and absurd possibilities of what she might do to me when she discovered the truth. I only hoped the contract would protect me before she thought about having me killed.
“Miss Fullerton, allow me to show you to your chambers,” Henri said, guiding me through the opulent halls of Verdana Palace.
Lining the walls were oil paintings and tapestries dating back centuries, and classical statues of Greco-Roman busts. Everything dripped with luxury and history.
I stopped in front of a display case that featured an ornate jeweled egg. “Is that what I think it is?”
Henri stopped, glanced at the end, then nodded. “Fabergé.” He continued to lead me down the hall. “If there is anything you require during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.” His voice was calm but firm, the perfect antidote to my spiraling thoughts.
“Thank you, Henri,” I choked out, since my nerves were still frayed like a worn-out rope.
“Indeed, it is my pleasure,” he said as he opened the door to my bedroom and rolled my suitcase over next to the bed, placing it on top of a rack. “I’d be happy to unpack your suitcase for you.”
“That’s not necessary, but thank you,” I said.
“Very well,” Henri said. “Dinner will be served in one hour. And I recommend you take a moment to enjoy the view from your terrace and from the tower. They both are quite spectacular, if I may say so myself.”
“This room has a tower?” I asked, confused.
Henri walked over to the door in the bedroom’s corner and opened it, revealing a spiral staircase. “Right through here. Please watch your step and hold on to the handrail as you ascend and descend.” He smiled before leaving me to settle into my luxurious new home for the next month, or until the queen killed me, whichever came first.
I sank onto the edge of the massive four-poster bed, its plush duvet puffing up around me. I imagined the queen bursting into the room, her hair flying as she shouted and pointed one long, manicured finger toward the door. A burly guard would grab me by the collar and drag me down the stairs, my head bumping on each stone step, until he tossed me out of the palace on my butt.
Unless . . .
Was beheading legal in Verdana?
I shook the negative thoughts out of my head. I had dealt with my fair share of Bridezillas in the past. The queen couldn’t possibly be any worse.
I decided to video-call Cristina for some moral support, but when her groggy face appeared on the screen, I winced, forgetting the time difference and that she usually sleeps in.
“Grace?” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“I’m so sorry! No, nothing happened,” I said. “I didn’t remember you were in a different time zone until after I dialed your number.”
“It’s fine,” Cristina said. “It looks like you’re already at the palace. How are the accommodations?”
“This place is outrageous,” I said, flipping the camera around to show the expansive space. “Look at this bedroom! It could fit our entire apartment in it.”
“Show me the bathroom!” Cristina said.
