Page 110 of My Five Daddies

“We don’t always do rings here inPolovia.”

“Ah,” I say. “So I should respect localcustoms.”

“Right.” He picks up a piece of his pancake and carefully tears it into a tiny little circle. “But you can have this ring, if you’dlike.”

I frown at it. “Might be a bitsticky.”

“You’d adapt, I’msure.”

I laugh and shake my head. “No thanks. I’d rather have no ring atall.”

“Suit yourself, princess.” He stands up and stretches. “We have an appointmentsoon.”

“An appointment?” Iask.

“You’re going to meet my mother.” He grins at me as he heads over to the door that leads into his apartment. “I’ll be back in a halfhour.”

“A half hour?” I ask. “That’s not enoughtime.”

“Get ready fast.” He grins again and waves as he disappears through thedoor.

“Shit,” I say to myself, but I don’t have time to beannoyed.

I rush into panic mode. I hop into the shower and clean up as fast as I can. I don’t have time to wash my hair, so I skip that. I can’t look like a slob for this littlemeeting.

I’ve seen the queen from afar a few times. Once, I almost stumbled into her in the hallway. She was very polite about it, and even apologized for getting in my way, which was nice of her since I was the clumsy one not paying any attention. Britta gave me so much shit for that. Otherwise, the queen is just a distant character who roams the halls as far as I’mconcerned.

People here love her. I don’t know much about Queen Magritte, but everything I’ve heard and read is very positive. She has an active role in the government, and apparently she’s very well respected internationally. I keep seeing pictures of her with foreign ministers and heads of state, shaking hands and smiling. Sometimes, it makes me wonder what the king is doing, if his queen is the one going on all the diplomaticmissions.

I get dressed in what I feel like is an appropriate “meet the queen” outfit. It’s a little conservative, but not overly formal, since she is my mother-in-law now as well as the queen. I don’t want to look like I’m trying to suck up but I don’t want her to think that I’m not excited to be a part of herfamily.

As I finish dressing with just a few minutes to spare, I wonder if I really am a part of this family. I mean, I am the Wife Consort, whatever that means. But I don’t know if I’m actually a royal now or what. His mother might see me as some American girl who’s taking her son away, and she might even hate me. I have no clue what I’m walking into, and frankly, it’s freaking me the hellout.

But just as my panic attack really sets in, Nolan comes in through the door. He’s dressed in his usual clothing, a simple white button-down and perfectly fitting slacks. He frowns when he sees me, practicallyhyperventilating.

He comes to my side quickly. “Hazel, are youokay?”

“I’m fine,” I say, waving him away. “Just give me asecond.”

He watches, concerned, as my panic attack slowly recedes. I take a deep breath and face him. “Sorry,” I say. “Sometimes, when I’m really nervous, I get panicattacks.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’re nervous to meet mymother?”

“She’s the queen,” I say, as if that should beobvious.

He smiles a little. “She’ll love you. Don’t worry.” He steps closer to me and takes my hand. “I promise, don’t be nervous. She approved of this, afterall.”

I nod a little bit, feeling slightly better. “Let’s go,” I say, wanting to get it overwith.

He grins and leads theway.

* * *

The queen has a really,really kind smile. I wasn’t expecting to feel comfortable right away, but Queen Magritte wastes notime.

“Please, call me Maggie,” shesays.

“It’s really nice to finally meet you.” I don’t know if I should bow or curtsy or what, but Maggie steps up and gives me a kiss on thecheek.

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