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“Oh, that,” Dante said. “Queen Annabelle asked me for a few favors. She said she would take care of the dog.”
Take care of the dog?
I certainly did not like the sound of that.
What if she sent him back to the pet store? That would be a nightmare because I was serious when I told her I would be happy to take Freddie back to the US with me. I needed to find her before it was too late.
“Have you seen Queen Annabelle?” I asked him.
Dante nodded. “She’s presently on the terrace.”
“Could you do me a huge favor and have someone take these bags to my room?” I asked.
“It would be a pleasure,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said, dropping the bags and running as fast as I could out onto the palace terrace, my chest heaving, hoping the dog would still be on the premises. My eyes darted around, desperately searching for Freddie.
Suddenly, I froze, not believing the sight before me.
There, under an umbrella, sat Queen Annabelle, gently stroking a wriggling Freddie on her lap. She was murmuring softly to him, a hint of a smile on her usually stern face. I did a double take, wondering if the summer heat was causing a mirage. The formidable Queen Annabelle was being affectionate to Freddie? To a dog she did not want or like? I couldn't wrap my mind around it.
As the queen laughed lightly at Freddie licking her face, she said, “You’re such a mischievous little boy. All you need is some training and you’ll be fine. Lucky for you, you have an adorable, forgivable face.”
It was like she was a completely different person.
The queen’s gaze hardened when she saw me.
I approached and gestured to the dog. “I can take him off your hands.”
With pursed lips, she handed him over without a word.
I let out a sigh of relief, clutching the squirming dog to my chest. “Come on, Freddie. Let’s go get you some food.”
“What did you call him?” Queen Annabelle asked.
“Freddie,” I said. “Why? Do you not like the name?”
“I did not say that,” she said. “Why on earth would you name him Freddie?”
I shrugged. “I like the name.”
Queen Annabelle glanced at the dog, then back at me, speechless.
“Well, then . . . we’ll be going now,” I muttered, still reeling from the discovery that even the coldest of queens could not resist a cute puppy.
I quickly dropped off Freddie and his things to Adriana, then went back to my room to change into the purple dress, and touch-up my makeup and hair.
Fifteen minutes later, I paused outside the art studio door, my heart pounding. Why was I so nervous?
I took a deep breath and knocked.
When the door opened, Oliver froze, his eyes trailing over my dress.
“Wow,” he breathed.
My cheeks burned under his admiring gaze.
Last night came flooding back, the flirty glances, his smooth voice whispering playful compliments in my ear.
