POV: Cat
"There's no way I'm getting into that boat."
Leopold's eyebrows raised over the top of his sunglasses. It made the frames slide down the straight bridge of his nose, exposing his eyes. To say the least, he wasn't impressed.
He stood a few feet below in an old fashioned looking rowboat, hand extended towards me. There was a young boy in a suit sitting on the middle bench, where the oars were, looking very bored and uninterested about our conversation.
"Pardon?" It was one of those half-french-half-english words–Frenglish words–that gave away his emotions when he spoke. It was more French than English today, which I'd come to learn meant he didn't have a good hold on his emotions.
Well, that made two of us, and I wasn't budging.
I crossed my arms over my breasts', inadvertently making them push against the low cut bodice of the dress Angelique had stuffed me into for today's event. Leopold's eyes instantly fell to my chest.
Great.
Guess he wasn't that mad then.
Ignoring the heat pooling between my legs, I continued. "Have you seen the shoes I have on?"
I lifted the hem of my dress. Showing him the death spikes I had on my feet. Leopold's eyes ran from my boobs, down to my toes and then finally up to my eyes.
He licked his lips and pushed his aviators back into place. "We need to take the rowboat to get to the dock."
I looked behind him, to the middle of the river. There was a huge floating dock set up, crowded with so many people I couldn't believe it was still floating.
The whole family had been invited to attend the Governors' Regatta today. I'd been told it was some sort of fancy yacht race. Sounded more like a kind of cheese, to me.
Lupa'd called it the social event that kicked off the summer high society season in Solis. That all eyes were going to be on me this year as it would be my first introduction to the Governors, AKA the lower royals and politicians that made up the parliament and elite of the county.
Being introduced to a million snobby rich dudes and their stepford wives didn't sound like a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Especially not when I would be trapped on a floating island with no escape.
"Don't be ridiculous. It's completely safe," Leopold said.
There was nothing gentle or empathetic in his voice.
He knew what was wrong, though.
There was a crowd of people across the water who I couldn't understand. A crowd of people I needed to impress. And I was in a too tight dress and uncomfortable shoes.
It was the exact same reason he was cranky...minus the dress and shoes.
"Yeah, until the boat tips over and I'm pulled to the bottom of the river by the ninety layers of lace in my skirt."
He clucked his tongue. "If you fall in the water, I promise, I'll jump in and save you myself."
Somehow, the surety in his words calmed me this time rather than pissing me off. "Fine."
I stepped to the edge of the dock and placed my hands on his shoulders. Leopold's hands went to my waist and he lifted me easily down into the boat, not letting go until I was safely seated on the little bench, him beside me.
Leopold said something in french to the boy, and we began slowly moving across the water.
Nerves started fluttering in my stomach. I squeezed my fingers together in my lap. For some reason, I felt the need to reach out and take Leopold's hand.
There was no hand holding in our make-people-believe-we're-in-love agenda for today, though.
Plus, I was pretty sure it was a no-go for royals to hold hands. Even if they were nervous.
"You sure we shouldn't do something big today?" I said. "Seems like a missed opportunity not to with all these people around."
Leopold glanced briefly at the boy, then to me. "It's unnecessary. These people are like bloodhounds for gossip. The rumors will run rampant when they see that I am escorting you."
I sighed. Wonderful. I'd been reduced to pretty arm candy for the afternoon. The whole thing felt very Jane Austen. And not in a swoon worthy way.
Obviously, we were last to arrive at the dock. The rest of the Royal Family had already climbed out of their own boats and left the roped off boarding area for the party beyond. I caught Princess Lupa's eyes and she gave me a cheeky wink before she disappeared into the crowd.
"Okay," I took in a big breath, and let Leopold help me from the boat. "Let's make them fall in love with us."
I looked up, hoping to catch his eyes, and frowned. He looked stunning in his black tuxedo. His dark curls were slicked back from his face. His jaw freshly shaved. But the aviator blocked his expression completely. "Take those off."
He pointed at his face and I nodded.
"No." There was nothing harsh in the word.
"They make you look like you're in the men in black. How are we supposed to make people think we're the romance of the century when they can't see your face?"
Hiding behind sunglasses hardly screamed 'trust me'.
"My eyes make people uncomfortable."
"Well, I like your eyes." I stepped closer to him, reaching up to pull the glasses off, and dropped my voice to a whisper. "So fuck them."
One of Leopold's eyebrows raised a fraction, but he took the sunglasses from my hands and pocketed them without further comment.
Like the proper lady I was pretending to be, I laced my forearm through the crook in Leopold's elbow and let him guide me into the party.
As we reached the crowd, the people closest to us began to quiet. Eyes moved to Leopold and I, blatantly staring. They parted for us, curtsying and bowing as we passed.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I had to suppress the urge to run back to the boat. I couldn't help but feel like something very, very bad was about to happen. But what could these Versace and Hermès lovers possibly do?
Someone stepped out of the crowd a few feet in front of us, blocking our path. He was an older man, with a big belly and moustache. If monocles were still in, he could have been the twin of the monopoly man.
"Ambassador Richard," Leopold said, and held out his hand.
"Prince Leopold," the Ambassador said in an English accent. "A pleasure to see you again."
"Indeed," Leopold said, though he didn't sound very pleased. "Though I imagine it's not me you've left the mainland for. Allow me to introduce you to Mademoiselle Catherine Daphne Sinclair. Catherine, this is Ambassador Richard, the Solisian Ambassador of France."
"Lovely to meet you." I reached my hand out too, as Lupa had instructed me. The Ambassador took my hand and paced a scruffy moustache kiss across my knuckles.
"I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time, Mademoiselle," Ambassador Richard said. His light blue eyes were intent on mine. His hand still held my own. "I never imagined I would have the opportunity to meet a member of the Arcadian Royal House. I do hope you will have the time to see your family's palace this summer."
My eyes grew wide and I blurted, "Palace?"
"Yes," the Ambassador said. "Of course. Just because Arcadis was taken by the French doesn't mean the country ceased to exist. The land, the people, the traditions, your palace, are all still there, Mademoiselle." He turned to Leopold. "If you are too busy with your trainings, Your Highness, my nephew would be pleased to escort Mademoiselle Sinclair to her ancestral lands."
Leopold's arm flexed, pulling me slightly closer into his side. "Thank you for the offer, Ambassador. You will be the first to know if we plan a trip to Arcadis. Now, if you will excuse us."
"Yes, of course, I don't mean to monopolize the Princess's time. Enjoy your afternoon." Ambassador Richard bowed again as we stepped around him.
I let out a long breath. "I'm gonna need a drink if there are five more hours of that ahead of us."
Leopold hummed. "Agreed. Let's find a server."
"Prince Leopold," someone called in a very thick French accent. Leopold stopped and turned in the direction of the voice. His face dropped as he saw another grey-haired man pushing his way through the crowds towards us.
"Save yourself," Leopold whispered suddenly, while smiling towards the man.
"What?"
"That's the Governor of Agriculture," Leopold said, as if it explained everything. He released my arm. "He's a notoriously chatty drunk."
"So?" I took a step back from Leopold, though still confused about what was happening.
"Go find Lupa then save me in five minutes. Otherwise we will both be trapped speaking with him the whole afternoon."
"Got it. I'll just get drinks and be back in five," I whispered to him.
Two birds, one stone.
"No, don't–" Leopold's words were cut off as the Governor of Agriculture arrived and sloppily threw his arm over Leopold's shoulders.
I quickly vanished into the crowd around us, craning my neck as I looked for a server. Or the bar.
What did Leopold even like to drink?
Whiskey? That seemed royal.
Normally I just needed to order a round of beer. That didn't seem like the kind of thing a prince would drink at a regatta though.
I caught sight of a tray of drinks floating over hats and hairdos by the closest edge of the dock and quickly changed course.
"Excuse me," I called from behind the waiter. He didn't turn.
Shit. How the hell was I supposed to order drinks without speaking French?
"Excuse me?" I tried again, louder this time.
"Would you like some help?" said a smooth voice from beside me.
"Yeah," I said, relief filling me at the sound of the English words. "Thanks."
I turned to smile at my saviour and my mouth went dry.
The man beside me was hot. Like, really hot. His blond wavy hair, sea blue eyes, freckled, sun-kissed skin, and broad shoulders gave him a Captain America sort of vibe.
He grabbed two drinks off the waiter's tray, handing me one of them as I continued to stare.
"Thanks," I managed after a second. I grabbed the drink with one hand and stuck my other out towards him, remembering I was supposed to be being polite and stuff. "I'm Cat. Ah, Catherine...Sinclair."
Nailed it.
"I know who you are," the man smiled, taking my hand. "The whole country's been talking about you."
I blushed a little and he kissed my hand. "And who am I talking to?"
"Antoine DuBlaise," he said, standing again to his full height.
Oh no.
My stomach dropped.
Antoine DuBlaise as in, Henri's ex-fiancee's brother.
As in, the guy who punched Leopold.
As in, the guy who was gonna take over the throne if Leopold didn't.
As in, probably someone I shouldn't be caught talking to when I was supposed to be falling in love with Leopold.
This guy was basically his nemesis.
A very ruggedly attractive nemesis.
"Lovely to meet you," I reached for the glass of champagne he still help, hoping to pluck it from his hand. "If you'll excuse me, I really need to get back to Leopold."
Antoine smiled, lifting the glass of champagne higher, out of reach. "What's the hurry, Princess?" He nodded his head over the crowd. "Leopold is busy with Governor Lavigne. I'm sure he won't miss you for a few more moments. Tell me, what do you think of Solis so far?"
"Ah…" I sputtered, taking a step back, away from him. The people closest to us were watching him and eye. Their eyes evaluate the distance between us. The friendly way he leaned closer to me.
Call me crazy, but I'd watched enough episodes of Reign to know where this was going.
I'd made a deal to help Leopold. I wasn't about to throw all that out the window because of some guy with cute dimples.
"It's great," I said, taking another step back towards the edge of the dock. "I really shouldn't keep the Prince waiting…Shit!"
Champagne sloshed out of my glass and onto my hand as I wobbled.
Anotine's hand shot out, catching my bicep, steading me. "Are you alright?"
"My shoe," I muttered, panic filling me. "My heel is stuck in the dock."
"Let me help you, Antoine said, falling to his knees.
My eyes grew wide.
"No, no," I said, pulling hard, trying to lift my leg and shoe free. The amount of eyes on us were growing. People were whispering.
I pulled harder.
"I've got it." I stuck my hands out, trying to keep Antoine back. "It's really okay."
I was lying through my teeth. The damn heel was still stuck.
"Princess, please," Antoine said, reaching for me again.
I pulled my leg up as hard as I could. Apparently, it was a little too hard, because suddenly, my foot popped free from the shoe and the momentum sent me tumbling backwards. Falling. Straight off the dock and into the river.