Page 50 of Rags to Royals

“No,” Mariah says quickly. “I mean, yes, it would be awesome to be a princess and be able tofinallyprove to Leah that I wasn’t lying about any of this. But—” She reaches out and grabs my arm. “I’m talking about the amazing things we coulddo. And the people we’d get to know! Look at Abigail! Her indoor farms are going to feed so many kids! And Princess Fiona saves endangered animals! And Linnea is working on green energyprojects! And even Princess Saoirse has started doing some work as a spokesperson for a youth climate change group!”

I stare at my daughter. Then I look at Cian.

“Well, that’s more because she knows a senator and he’s big into climate change and wanted an enthusiastic young person who knows all about social media and doesn’t have trouble talking in front of groups or on camera,” Cian says. “Not so much because Saoirse is a princess.”

Mariah looks at me with a “told you” look. “She knows a senator?” Mariah asks Cian.

“She does. One of her mom’s friends is married to one of the senators from Louisiana. In fact, her bodyguard, Colin, also works for the senator.”

Mariah looks at Greta and they both mouthOh. My. Godsilently to one another.

I’m not surprised that she knows Cian’s sister’s name or even his niece’s name, I suppose. I know them both because of the podcast and web searches I’ve done. But it sounds like Mariah knows thingsaboutthem. And she’s not just impressed with their relation to royalty. She’s not talking about their clothes, or the private jets, or the palace in Cara that we got a look at through photos on the podcast’s site. She’s talking about the work they do.

I’m…proud of her. And I love her enthusiasm about the projects they’re working on.

“I just—” I start.

“Oh!” Mariah cuts me off. “If Cian was my stepdad,Icould do stuff like that!” Her eyes are round and she’s nearly bouncing now. She turns to Cian, then back to Greta who is watching her as if Mariah has just announced that she is going to be on the next space mission. “Oh myGod, I’m sure Linnea knows people who work for WHO!”

“Who?” Ruby asks.

“The World Health Organization,” Mariah says. “I think I might want to be an infectious disease specialist and travel around the world helping with epidemics and stuff.”

I look from my daughter to my sister. Ruby is watching Mariah with clear pride.

“You should totally do that,” Ruby says. “You would be amazing at that.”

“Or I might want to work on clean water initiatives,” Mariah says. “Or building schools. Or I might stay here and run for President.”

We all just grin at her.

Henry looks at Cian. “She and Saoirse are going to get along great.”

Cian nods. “Not sure the world is ready, but we definitely need to get you two together.”

Mariah looks thrilled.

I sigh. They’re making plans. For the future. That involves Cian’s family.

And I want to see these two girls together. Ugh.

“We’d be cousins, right?” Mariah asks. “If you and Mom get married.”

Cian coughs and shifts on his chair. Oh, did someone finally surprisehim? He looks at me and gives me a slow smile.

“You would,” he confirms. “And even if your mom and I didn’t stay married, you would still be an O’Grady princess.”

I frown. “What? How?”

Do not encourage him. But I tell myself that too late.

“Once a part of our family, always a part of our family,” he says simply.

Henry nods.

“But that’s notlegallytrue,” I feel the need to protest, for some reason.

“Oh, it will be,” Cian says. “My grandfather and brother will love Mariah.”

---