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I continued watching more videos, including one of a bride approaching the altar to get married, then tripping into the officiant. They both lost their balance and fell into the swimming pool. And another video of Grace making the national news.
“Apparently, Grace caused the break-up of a bride and groom before their actual wedding day,” I said. “She gave unsolicited advice to the groom, and then he called off the wedding.”
“And that bride is now suing her,” Miss DuPont said. “Everybody at the International Society of Wedding Planners has been talking about it.”
I nodded, thinking about it, then glanced over at Veronica and smiled.
“You smile at her misfortune?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “I smile at our good luck. Grace is the answer to our problems.”
“No!” Dante pointed at me, his mouth hanging open. “You want to hire Grace to be your wedding planner?”
I nodded. “Absolutely.”
Veronica laughed. “First of all, she’s over six thousand miles away. And secondly, what are you going to say to her exactly? Hello, Grace. I’m Prince Oliver from Verdana. Would you be interested in sabotaging my wedding?” She shook her head, clearly amused. “She’s not going to agree to anything that would get her into even more hot water, or end up landing her in jail.”
“That’s just it,” I said. “She doesn’t have to do anything illegal or immoral. She just needs to be herself, nothing more. Then we will sit back and watch as nature takes its course and she ruins everything.”
“Your highness,” Dante said, then gestured to Miss DuPont. “You already have a wedding planner, and I seriously doubt Miss DuPont would want to work with someone of that low caliber. Plus, the queen would never approve of this.”
“The queen is out of town,” I pointed out.
Miss DuPont stiffened and nodded. “If you’re still seriously entertaining this idea of sabotaging your own wedding, I regret that I would have to resign as the royal wedding planner. People would talk, there’s no doubt. Wonder why I walked away from the opportunity of a lifetime. Although walking away is far better than me being connected to a failed event. That cannot happen.”
“Okay—let me think about this for a second,” I said, standing, then walking to the window, hoping to find some inspiration in the view.
The vast lawn that stretched out before me was meticulously maintained, spanning the length of an entire football field. In the distance, I could see the palace gardeners busily tending to the vibrant flower beds, their bright colors a stark contrast to the dull feeling in my gut if I didn’t come up with something good.
Luckily, inspiration struck when I glanced at the yellow roses.
I flipped around and snapped my fingers. “Miss DuPont, do you still have relatives in France?”
She nodded. “I do. I even have a great-grandfather who will be celebrating his one hundredth birthday soon.”
“That is amazing,” I said. “When was the last time you saw him?”
Miss DuPont thought about it, then sighed. “It has been far too long. Almost seven years ago.”
“Well, have I got a proposition for you then,” I said with a grin. “Would you consider taking a leave of absence? To attend his party?”
Miss DuPont studied me. “He’s not having a?—”
“Yes. He is,” I said. “In fact, it will be the grandest birthday party France has ever seen, because I will pay for it, and you will plan it. You will travel first class, all expenses paid, of course. That would give me time to contact this Grace person and hire her, without raising my mother’s suspicions.”
Miss DuPont considered this, then a smile slowly grew on her face. “I suppose I could arrange a brief sabbatical. It sounds quite wonderful, but I do also have the charity event to tend to.”
“I’ll take care of that as well,” I said. “With my mother conveniently out of the country and you in France, I can bring Grace in swiftly and quietly.”
“If she accepts your offer of employment,” Dante said.
I grinned. “Since when have you known me to fail when I put my mind to something?”
Dante gestured to the painting with the dart still stuck in the dashing knight’s heart. “Since about five minutes ago?”
I chuckled. “Trust me. This is going to work.”
“Very well, Your Highness,” Miss DuPont conceded with a sigh as she stood to leave. “I don’t approve of deception, but I understand matters of the heart cannot be reasoned with, especially when you and Princess Veronica feel the same way. And it would be a thrill to see my relatives again.”
