KENSINGTON PALACE
APARTMENT OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL
LONDON, ENGLAND
"Are the two of you seriously considering holding the show in the states this year?" The Princess of Wales, Princess Melody, sat primly on the sofa. Melody detested all things American, including her father-in-law. She had only been invited as a show of family unity. The press, and thus, the public had begun to pick up on the tension between Princess Melody and the rest of the royal family. For the sake of the monarchy's continuation, they had to make it look like everything was roses when it wasn't. That's why Melody had been given a token seat on the planning board for the annual Royal Rock Show.
The Royal Rock Show was an event that had been the brainchild of Princess Cordelia and her younger brother, Prince James. The show was held in a different country every year. It was a great way to strengthen diplomatic relations with ally nations. The concert brought together some of the most popular musical artists of the moment to benefit charity. Half of the money raised went to the Prince's Trust, a charity headed by the heir to the throne, Prince Rhys. The trust granted start-up grants to young men and women with unique and/or worthwhile business ideas. Since its inception, the trust had been responsible for the launches of one hundred and seventy-five businesses in Great Britain. The other half of the money raised was evenly distributed amongst a handful of charities that operated in the concert's host country.
"What's wrong with the states?" Princess Cordelia, better known to her family and friends as Cordie, challenged. Out of everyone in the family, Cordie probably disliked Melody the most. It was Cordie who always got stuck picking up the slack for her work-shy sister-in-law. Melody thought being royalty was all about looks and taking exotic holidays. She didn't understand or often partake in the charity work required of their positions…and this disappointing woman would one day be queen.
"Don't you think it's a bit low class?" Melody looked like she had something smelly under her pointed nose.
Cordie had to take a deep breath and count to ten to avoid saying something she (might) regret later. Melody was the mother of Cordie's nieces, so she tried to keep the peace as best as she could for their sake. "My father was born in that 'low class' country, Mel," she spoke through slightly gritted teeth.
"And, yes," James spoke up from his place seated on the bench of Cordie's baby grand piano. "We've settled on Mississippi for the show this year, Biloxi, to be exact." He turned to look at Cordie. "I was making a list of performers to invite this year, and I was thinking of asking Paxton Raney to open the show. He's from Mississippi."
Cordie got a bit excited, but she avoided showing it to her little brother. James' green eyes and platinum blond hair certainly made him look the part of an angel, but he was far from it. As much as she loved him, she would admit, he could be downright devilish when he wanted to be. She'd been a closet Paxton Raney fan since she was a teenager, but she didn't want James to know in case he decided to take the mickey out of her about it.
"We're going with an all-around white trash theme this year. Terrific." Melody threw her unwanted opinion in once again.
Cordie had had enough. She stood from the sofa and addressed James while completely ignoring Melody. "I'll send out an invitation to Paxton Raney. Do you care to join me in my garden at four for a bite to eat? We can continue our plans in private."
Melody sent Cordie a death glare, but she held her tongue.
James smirked and nodded. "See you at four."