"Good evening," Lucia said again, offering a small, practiced smile.
This time, her greeting was directed at a pleasant-looking couple in their early to mid-forties. Judging by their elegant attire and poised demeanour, Lucia guessed they were either royalty or closely tied to it.
"I thought you weren't in the country," Michael said, surprising Lucia as he addressed the couple directly.
"We weren't supposed to be," the man replied, his tone even, "but we were called back."
Lucia glanced curiously at her fiancé, waiting for an introduction. Would he explain who these people were?
"We heard about your engagement," the woman said warmly. "Congratulations. I assume this is the lovely young lady?"
"Yes," Michael replied with a smile, "This is Princess Lucia of Rhodes. Lucia, meet Lord Friedrich Ekberg and his wife, Princess Rosalie."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Lucia said politely, immediately recognising the names.
