Raymond's POV
I was struggling putting on my tie. Macy walked in shaking her head. "Wear the clip on bowtie." I shook my head. "This is lunch with the queen. Not going out to a nice restaurant. A full tie is more proper." She nodded before tying the tie for me. "At least you can wear the kingdom's colors." I looked at her, seeing she was wearing a pink dress. "Cici it looks good. It's not your fault we don't have the money for that." She nodded before taking deep breath. We walked out of the building, meeting Alicia and Damien in the car sitting outside and waiting for us. As soon as we were inside the car, it took off. In about 30 minutes, we were at the palace. I stepped out and helped Macy out of the car, Damien doing the same for Alicia. We walked up the palace steps and knocked on the door. It was immediately opened for us and we were escorted through the halls to the dining room. The queen and prince were already there, the queen at the head of the table and prince Edward to her left. and empty spot, without even a seat sat to her right, presumably for a future spouse. The royals stood up and bowed to us, as we reciprocated the motion. "Please, sit" The queen said in a sweet voice. We nodded and sat at the four chairs laid out for us. Name plates had been set out for us. Macy was on my right, and Damien across from me. I was to the right of the empty spot at the table. The royals sat after we had all done so.
The food was brought out to us and laid on the table. I looked at the queen as the others started filling their plates. The prince was filling his plate while the queen just sat there quietly. She looked at me and I realized she had the same piercing green eyes as her mother. "Please, eat and enjoy. It is just a lunch after all." I hesitated seeing that she hadn't picked up any food yet, but still got some food on my plate. Once everyone else was done filling their plates the queen hesitantly picked up some stuffing and chicken. We all began eating, the queen just playing with her food to my left. I looked up at her as she cleared her throat. "I called you all here so I could hear your complaints and help you all. I have heard horrible stories of my father and his treatment of you all. How can I make it up to you?" Edward looked disgusted with his sister but sat quietly none the less. Everyone was stunned silent. I guess I should speak first. "Well, our economy has failed for over 23 years. We could all use jobs somewhere in the city that could actually help us keep our homes and feed our families. Minimum wage was abolished under your father when he first took over the throne." The queen nodded and with a wave of her hand a servant appeared beside her ready to take notes. "Minimum wage must be reestablished. And remind me to take into account the cost of living." The servant nodded and walked away, still writing.
We were all led to the ballroom. There was more food and there was already music playing. The queen danced with her brother, before going to a table and sitting down. Macy and I danced for a short period of time, before the queen walked up to me and asked for a dance. I nodded and gave her a smile before taking her hand in mine and walking to the dance floor. Her green eyes pierced through my brown ones, seemingly searching but for what I was not sure. As we began dancing she spoke quietly to me. "I assume you are Raymond." I inhaled sharply before nodding. "Ray." She smiled. "I also assume you just call me the queen. Don't. My name is Maria." I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in the music and avoiding her gaze. She spoke again, her voice more sure than the last two times she spoke. "I want you to come work at the palace. You and your aunt can live here. I need an advisor who has actually seen the mess my father made, so I may fix it." My eyes shot open at that. She looked nervous and avoided my eyes. "You may decline of course, but it would be generous of you to agree." I shook my head and continued dancing with her, though the song had changed already. "I accept your offer. I don't know if my aunt will follow me, we have a corner store out there, and someone must run it. It's the only store for miles."
Queen Maria arranged a car to pick my belongings and I up from the apartment Monday at 8 am. Macy seemed ecstatic at the idea of me helping the town. So Monday at 8 am, I was ready and set off to the palace, with all of my stuff, and leaving the only home I ever remember just to save it.