POV: Cat
I stepped into the palace and my mouth dropped. My gaze moved from the floors, to the walls, to the ceilings, bouncing off white marble tile, frescoes and paintings, and dripping crystal chandeliers.
"Mademoiselle," Mr. Arsenault called.
I realized I'd stopped moving and was preventing men in fancy-looking military outfits from shutting the doors.
"Sorry," I said, and scuttled to Mr. Arsenault's side. I'd quickly learned it was best practice to simply stay as close to him as possible.
I pointed over my shoulder, to the helicopter, and the crowd that was disappearing as the heavy palace doors slid shut behind us. "Do we need to get the luggage or something?"
"No Mademoiselle, it will be taken care of. Now you will have tea with the Royal Family."
I looked down the silver and ivory hallway to the backs of the Royal Family of Solis.
They looked like models for Dior, or Burberry, or Channel. Like sexy billionaires. Like...well Royalty.
Just before I'd reached the top of the palace steps, they had all begun to filter inside, like the figures of a cuckoo clock when they finished announcing the hour. Now, they walked ahead of me and Mr. Arsenault, silently leading us through the halls.
I plucked the hem of my hoodie. "Do you think I could change first?"
"No need to be concerned about that, Mademoiselle. Their Majesties simply wish to welcome you. Then I will escort you to your chambre to settle in."
I was pretty sure if all their Majesties wanted was a simple hello, we could have handled that in the marble foyer.
Suddenly, my palms grew sweaty.
I was here. I had arrived at the palace. I was about to meet the people whose ancestors were besties with my ancestors.
Three days ago all I had was a mom, a new step-dad, and Luce. Now, suddenly, these strangers had appeared out of nowhere, claiming we were family. Really attractive, probably not blood related, extended family.
Who wanted to pay me to stay in their castle.
Who were going to pay off my college loans.
Up ahead, the royal family finally slowed in front of a pair of dark wood double doors. On either side of the entryway was another man in a navy suit and hat, with a sword on his hip. As the family approached, the guards each stamped a foot, drew their weapons, and then pulled open the doors.
"Why don't you get to wear fancy jewelry and fuzzy hats like them?" I asked my Arsenault.
"I am a bodyguard, Mademoiselle. Those are highly trained members of the military. Their positions are passed down through the generations. Their ancestors have been guarding this palace for decades."
"Ah," I said, feeling a bit silly after such an important-sounding answer to what was supposed to be a jibe.
We entered a seating room that was even more glamorous than the foyer. Lush silk and velvet sofas, mosaic-tiled tables, and Persian carpets decorated the bright space.
I was so busy taking in the decor I almost forgot about the people.
Almost.
The Royal Family stood before me at the center of the room. I stopped just inside the doors, resisting the urge to retreat back into the hall under the weight of their gaze.
There were five of them in total. I recognized each of them from the research Luce and I had done.
Directly in front of me stood the King. He was a handsome man, with grey streaks in his black hair, warm brown eyes, and strong shoulders that suggested he was an athlete when he was younger.
Beside him was his wife, Queen Charlotte. She was beautiful in the way you would expect any queen from a fairytale to be. Her caramel hair twisted into a perfect chignon, eyes blue like forget-me-nots, a smile that made you think of chocolate chip cookies and hugs and home.
To the right of them, was the man Luce had shown me the photo of, Prince Henri. He looked even more like Superman in person. Or a Kennedy. The same genuine smile and perfect hair that made you want to both lick whipped cream off their naked body and say no to drugs. Simultaneously.
He was in a three-piece navy suit that fit him perfectly. From the pull of the fabric at his chest and biceps, I could tell he was in good shape.
The woman online gushed over him, all hoping that they might have their one-in-a-million chance to meet and fall hopelessly in love with the man fit to inherit the crown...at least until a month ago.
On the other side of the king and queen was Princess Phillipa. Lupa, the 'people' called her. She terrified me in the best possible way. She danced ballet, was an Olympic level horse rider and had recently started her own fashion line.
To top it all off, she looked like she belonged on a Victoria's Secret runway. Her flawless skin, perfect curves, light blue eyes, and deep brown hair had flagged her as a beauty icon online.
Princess Lupa was the second oldest child, but only by a few minutes.
My gaze shifted to the figure behind her. To her twin, Prince Leopold, and my breath caught in my throat.
I could feel the hairs of my arms stand on end beneath the sleeves of my hoody as our eyes met.
The Prince leaned against a marble column, his full lips turned down in a pout, the lines of his cheekbones sharp as ice, his intense gaze like a shot of whiskey.
Unlike his brother's, Prince Leopold's hair was disheveled. The curls thick and messy like he'd run his fingers through them. Or just been fucked.
He was taller than Prince Henri and leaner, but I knew from the grainy nudes caught of him in Portugal last summer that there was a very toned body beneath his suit.
The most shocking part of him was his eyes. I'd seen pictures online, but it was nothing compared to their true colors in person.
The right eye was dark brown, like his father's. The left, as blue as the sea.
It was supposed to be some kind of family trait, inherited through the kings of Solis. Whatever it was, it was breathtaking.
"Your Majesties," Mr. Arsenault said from beside me, breaking the silence. "It is my honor to present for you to Mademoiselle Catherine Daphne Sinclair. Mademoiselle Sinclair, please allow me to introduce their Royal Majesties King Bellamy and Queen Charlotte of Solis, and their Royal Highnesses Prince Henri, Prince Leopold, and Princess Phillipa."
The double doors thud as they shut behind me, locking me on the inside with the Royal Family of Solis.
Mr. Arsenault, my betrayer and lifeline, was shut out in the hallway.
I turned to face the royals now and gulped.
"Mademoiselle Sinclair," said the King in a steady voice, "it is an honor to meet you and to welcome you into our home."
Though he had the same olive complexion as the rest of his family, his skin seemed to be paler than the rest. Maybe from too much time in court.
"Uh hi," I said and pulled my yellow beanie off my head. I attempted what I hoped was a half-decent curtsy. "Nice to meet you. You can just call me Cat."
"Please, sit down," the King said. "Let's all become acquainted with one another."
HE held out an arm, indicating the group of furniture at the center of the room. I took the armchair closest to me. At least, I thought it was arm hair. There was only one arm and no back, so I perched on the edge of the pinstripe cushion.
The King sat across from me on a velvet couch.
"Sorry about my outfit," I found myself saying. "I, uh, wasn't expecting such a fancy arrival."
"For that, I must apologize," the King said. "The news of your arrival got out to the public. They flocked to the airport and the palace hoping to see you. You are like a fairytale come true to them."
"To us as well," the Queen said.
Someone muttered something quick in french, drawing my attention to the far corner of the room.
Prince Leopold ran a hand through his hair, scowling. In his other hand, I noticed him turning a golden ring over and over through his fingers.
My stomach clenched at the small action. I crossed my legs, praying that my leggings were thick enough that the wetness I was suddenly feeling wouldn't stain the silk chair. "A fairytale?"
"The story of the lost Princess of Arcadis is a bedtime story that all children in Solis know," the King explained. "Our family's were once great allies. It is a dream of our people to see the family united again."
Prince Leopold spoke quickly in french then and the King tensed.
Henri replied low and deep from beside me. There was something reproachful in his voice.
A muscle in Prince Leopold's jaw jumped and he crossed his arms over his chest.
I could feel his mismatched eyes on me. The pleasurable tightness in my stomach twisted into an uncomfortable tightness in my chest.
"Mr. Arsenault kept saying that word too," I replied, trying to focus on the King. "What do you mean, the families were united?"
Leopold laughed lightly.
"Lo," the Princess said quietly, a clear warning in her voice.
Prince Leopold pushed himself off the column and licked his lips. His blue-brown eyes locked fully on my green ones. "Has no one told you the good news? You and I are engaged to be married."