Page 154 of Rags to Royals

Just then, my grandmother moves to the center of the room. She holds up her hands and the room quiets. “Everyone, it’s been such a long day,” she says. “I’m so very happy to have you all here. Thank you so much for rushing to be with us. There is one thing I want to make you aware of tonight so that you can prepare for tomorrow.”

I tense. Is there something going on with my grandfather that we need to prepare for? Has he taken a bad turn?

“While Diarmuid continues to improve, we feel it is very important to ensure that he has joy and hope all around. We want to give him everything to live for. To fight for.” She turns to Astrid and me. “We will hold the wedding tomorrow morning.”

I just stand there for a long moment. I stare at my grandmother. Then I hear Astrid mutter, “Told you we need a plan.”

I glance down at her. She tosses back the rest of the drink in the glass she’s holding. She doesn’t seem shocked. Apparently, this is what they talked to her about earlier.

I look back to my grandmother. “My wedding to Astrid?”

“Of course, dear,” my grandmother says. “It will be smaller than anticipated, but still lovely. The important thing is that it will make your grandfather happy.”

I am, of course, all for making my grandfather happy right now.

But I’m in love with another woman. I can’t marry Astrid.

“There is a problem—” I start.

My grandmother gives me a look that instantly reminds me that she is Queen.

“I expect that the ‘problem’ will be taken care of by tomorrow morning at ten a.m. when the ceremony begins.”

“That’s not enough time,” I protest. We need to at least stall until we can think of something better. “Astrid needs a dress. We’ll need to announce it so people can get here.”

My grandmother waves her hand. “Don’t be silly. This is an emergency. Astrid has several lovely dresses and looks like a vision in anything.”

Well, hell, how can I argue with that? Say it’snottrue? Sure, that’s the princely thing to do.

I glance at Astrid. She just rolls her eyes.

“And,” my grandmother continues as she gestures around the room, indicating all of our family members. “The most important people are already here.”

Of course she’s right. Dammit.

“But shouldn’t we be focusing on Grandfather?” I take a step toward her, my tone sounding as desperate as I feel. “How will it look for us to be planning a wedding, a party and frivolity, while he’s struggling?”

My grandmother frowns at me and I’m very glad Cara doesn’t behead people who annoy the monarchs.

Though, there’s a very quick and easy process to rewrite the rules around here.

“Thiswillhelphim,” she says firmly. She points a finger at me. “Youwillbe standing before your grandfather, theking, tomorrow morning at ten a.m. Sharp.”

“Fuck,” I mutter as she turns and sweeps from the room.

“Wedefinitelyneeded a plan,” Astrid says.

“I’m not doing this,” I tell Henry as I shrug into my suit jacket at nine fifty a.m. the next morning. “Do you have the plane ready?”

We’re not doing the full wedding dress and tux thing. The ceremony will be family only in my grandfather's quarters.

“I do not,” Henry says. “The pilots all tell me they are under strict orders from the queen to not transport anyone anywhere without her permission.”

Of course they are.

“A hide out somewhere on the island then?”

“Not that either,” he says.

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