I watched him leave silently, willing him to come back, but in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving me with his mom and sisters. I wondered if this was the plan from the start, and was I about to get grilled and interrogated? I tensed up, waiting for the onslaught. Surprisingly, she stood and stretched out a hand for me to take. I only hesitated for half a second before taking it and standing as well.
"Walk with us a bit," She stated. "I will give you a short tour, since it is almost time for dinner."
I walked beside her, our arms intertwined as she told me about their family history. Their home was not as grand as the palace in LeCresha, but it was beautiful and large. It had all the amenities of a small town, including a post office and cafe. The main house was basically a business full of offices and meeting rooms. We passed men, who all bowed before being introduced. We passed servants who hurried out of the way and smartly dressed women.
The west wing is where the Royal Family lived. This area was very homely and looked lived in. There were shoes by the door, and coats on a rack. Not a servant in sight. Everyone relaxed a notch, and the girls collapsed on the sofa. Jasmine picked up a book, while Amena picked up a controller and started playing ... Call of Duty. I relaxed for the first time since being left with them.
"In here we are not the royal family, "Queen Alicia said. "in here we are simply a family. Come, I will show you to your rooms."
"This is all so comforting," I said, ascending the long stairwell. "Back at the palace, things always seem tense. The only place I can be me is in my apartment."
"It's the same here." She said. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown. We are thought to be perfect beings, and everyone is appalled when we make mistakes. You have not done badly. I have heard nothing but great things about you."
The word that was left unsaid was 'Lately'. The newspapers had done an about face on me. Lately, everything had been great. I was praised daily, and they loved seeing me and Cornell out and about. Which was most days. I smiled, thinking that most of my progress was because of him.
"I think that has a lot to do with Cornell. He's been great the last few weeks."
"But not at first?" She asked, stopping at a door. "He can be difficult. Lord knows he was not the most obedient child. However, I am so relieved you two have come to some common ground. Your grandmother was so worried for a moment there. Something has changed, though. I can tell by how comfortable you both seem together. There is a spark and, dare I say, a love match?"
I gasped, prepared to deny that last part, but the words stuck in my throat and I closed my mouth. She gave a knowing smile and opened the door. The room was lovely, almost like my apartment back home. Sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and a small kitchenette with a breakfast nook. Sadie was there putting away dresses and Nevaeh was running bathwater. I narrowed my eyes at them both, for keeping secrets before turning back to the Queen.
"This is lovely," I said, taking in the blue and gold decor. "Thank you for having me."
"It was important to us you get to know us. We will be seeing each other a lot, I think. You are marrying my son. That makes you a daughter. All that you see will be yours one day. Consider this a second home. I know we will be great friends."
"Thank you."
She pointed to an intercom system on the wall. "If you need anything, just ask. Dinner will be at eight, so you have an hour to refresh. Come down when you are ready and Anna, You never answered my question. Is this turning into a love match?"
Good, questioned Queenie, I thought. It was the question of the day. "I don't know," I answered honestly. "It could be."
"I can work with that," she said, smiling, and turned away.
I flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling until Anna blocked my view.
"It could be?" She asked. She was smart enough to move before I could hit her with the nearest pillow.
Cornell
"So things are getting better between you two?" King Pole asked.
I sipped my drink and looked into my father's eyes. I had missed them, all of them. The brandy in my glass had a welcome warmth, and it tasted like home, yet all I wanted to do was find Victoria and show her my favorite places in St. Marr. I wanted to whisk her away and get her away from all the drama and responsibilities, if only for the weekend. "There are definitely feelings, dad."
"Good," The king replied. "If you guys are attracted to each other, you will have no problem making babies. I want grandkids before I can't run anymore."
"Don't let him fool you, dad," Miah said, "He's absolutely head over heels for his American princess. She has him wrapped around her finger."
"Wrapped, huh?" My dad asked.
Wrapped? If wrapped was wanting to spend every hour of every day with her, then maybe I was. It was maddening, my infatuation with her. I missed her when she was busy and when I was busy, I couldn't help but think about her. I always wonder what she is doing and who she is with. Was she thinking about me as I think about her? Feelings were something we had yet to discuss, but I knew on some level we were on the same level. It was in her sighs when I held her close, or the way she melted into me when we kissed. We had something special.
There was something about her that just made me want to lock her away with me and not let her go until I had my fill. As if that would do it. It wouldn't. I knew that without a doubt. There was something about Victoria Duval, that drew me in. It was in the way she talked, the way she walked, and her flirtatious manner. Everything she did was attractive as hell. The sway of her hips, the way she looked over her shoulder to catch me looking at her ass, with that smirk of hers. She was even hot when she ate. She was a woman who appreciated food, but you'd never know it from her
Apart from the whole issue of Emma and Malcolm, things were great. If anyone had asked four months ago what I thought of her, I would have answered. It was my duty. Now, though, it was all about pleasure. Marrying her would be a pleasure, touching her and loving her would be a pleasure. It would be a fun adventure that never ended. She was nice, and smart and could handle my ego. I couldn't wait to possess her. Having her under me would be the cherry on top of the most delectable dessert.
"What if I am?" I shot back at my brother.
"Do you like her?" Jeremiah asked.
"Of course I do. We are together and dating. I wouldn't be with her if I didn't like her. We're taking things slow. She has made a lot of adjustments in the last few months, but we are fine."
Jeremiah sat forward with a wicked glint in his eye. "You know I'm nosey and you are my elder sibling, so I have to ask. Do you just like her or do you like her?" He wiggled his eyebrows for emphasis.
My dad laughed loudly, and I rolled my eyes and finished my brandy. "I like her Miah. I really like her, and not just because they were getting married. It's deeper than that. I love her presence. We haven't even had sex yet and I know it will be phenomenal. We talk about everything and yeah, I'm really feeling her."
"Bro, you sound like a girl," Miah said, laughing loudly. "We talk about everything. She's special. Never thought I'd see the day. Next, you'll be pulling me into your little web, wanting me to help you woo her. It's gross and frankly, I'm done with this conversation."
"Fuck off," I said, annoyed. "You asked."
"And your answer was the best answer a man could give," my father supplied. "I'm afraid Miah still has some growing to do. I am satisfied that you all will be great rulers. The next generation will prosper and you will grow old together. My only question is, do you love her?"
"It's been three months."
"You have always been very decisive," Dad said, sitting across from me. "You would know by now. Do you see a future with her?"
"Without a doubt I do, I really do. Is it too soon?"
"That is for you to judge, son. Don't ask the man who fell in love in a week. When I saw your mother, I just knew. I didn't hesitate. I went for it and proposed after a month. Here we are twenty-five years later, still as happy as can be. Anything is possible. Remember, women like grand gestures, and you're a prince. If anyone can do it, you can."
I thought about Vicki and how she always had a smile for me that didn't quite meet her eyes. Or how she would suddenly look off into space and look sad. In that instant, I knew what I had to do, and I needed it done before we got back to LaCresha. "Speaking of grand gestures, I may need a little help."
"Here we go!" Jeremiah exclaimed.
"Anything," dad answered.