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“No problem,” I said. “I can cancel the order for the peonies and search for ethically cultivated Adana Orchids from reputable growers.”
“You won’t find them,” Oliver said. “The Adana Orchid is one of the rarest flowers in the world. The only way to get them is to go directly to the source.”
I blinked twice. “You want me to go to Romania?”
“In my private jet, of course,” he said. “With as many people as you need to complete the task. Bring the flowers back and get them situated in our garden shade house, so they can slowly adapt to our climate in time for the wedding.”
Speechless, I glanced down at his phone, scrolling for more information on the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. What I found did not look encouraging. Steep mountain slopes and valleys. Rocky outcrops, cliffs, and elevation changes. Trails requiring climbing over boulders and up inclines. Mossy rocks, muddy trails, wet leaves, and even occasional snow patches that would make footing slippery and unstable.
I glanced back over at Oliver. “It says here that accessing remote, rugged Romanian locations to collect these flowers in large numbers would be extremely difficult logistically. It would take careful planning, several permits for access, collection, and importation, and experienced local guides for the rustic conditions.”
Oliver nodded. “I have every faith in you, Grace. Whatever you need to make it happen. Georgina can accompany you on the trip and document everything.”
“It would be a pleasure, Your Highness,” she said.
If I did not put my foot down, this would turn into another wedding disaster. I was sure of it.
“No,” I said, handing his phone back to him as my heart rate picked up speed from my defiance.
Oliver cocked his head to the side. “Pardon me?”
I turned to him and squared my shoulders. “This is not realistic. There are a million flowers under the sun. You heard the queen, unique is for the weak. Please choose something that is more easily accessible. Your guests won’t know the difference between the Adana orchid and a hundred other beautiful orchids that are available for your wedding.”
“I will know the difference,” Oliver said, standing up. “And the queen will know as well, since the Adana orchid was my father’s favorite flower. This will be our way of honoring him at our wedding. And just so we’re clear, this is non-negotiable. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to meet with Dante.”
Just like that, the meeting was over, and I was sitting there on the terrace alone. As much as I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I could pull off the most spectacular royal wedding Verdana had ever seen, I couldn’t help but worry about the possibility of making one tiny mistake that would bring it all crashing down around me. The last thing I needed was another viral video, or to be splattered across the front page of the Royal Gazette because I could not fulfill the prince’s wishes to honor his father.
I had no other choice in the matter.
“Looks like I’m going to Romania,” I mumbled to myself.
Chapter Eight
PRINCE OLIVER
Two Days Later . . .
The large white tent in the parking lot at the Royal Children’s Hospital had been transformed into a magical wonderland, with twinkling lights, colorful murals, and balloons arching high above the dance floor.
My gaze swept over the space, taking in the sights.
A juggler was surrounded by a circle of delighted kids, his clubs twirling hypnotically through the air. At a face painting station, a volunteer carefully traced a butterfly across a little girl’s cheek. By the photo booth, children waited their turn to strike silly poses while pop music played from the speakers near the makeshift dance floor, where kids were showing off their best moves.
How Grace could make this happen with fewer than three days of preparation was beyond me. Especially since I had sent her on that impossible task of finding the rare orchids in Romania.
“Can you believe how quickly this all came together?” Veronica said. “Grace has turned a simple tent into a vibrant, joy-filled space where these children appear to have forgotten about their troubles and are simply having fun. It’s just what she said she wanted to do. Her vision came to life.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” I said sincerely, even though my eyes scanned the room for something amiss.
Everything looked perfect.
“Grace said she would return in time to see the children,” Veronica said. “It doesn’t worry you that you haven’t heard a single word from her in the last forty-eight hours?”
“Not at all,” I said. “She was adamant about doing things her way and not being managed. I respect that.”
Veronica thought about it. “What if she were to actually get those orchids?”
I shook my head. “Impossible. I chose one of the rarest flowers in the world, in a location that few have traversed. The only thing I expect is for her to return to tell me she could not accomplish the task, and for Georgina Masterson to write about it.”
