Page 43 of Prince of the Palisades

“And your speech for the Sunset Ball?”

“Working on it,” I lie.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Jadon,” I prompt. “Remember?”

The smile on Samuel’s lips isn’t very convincing. “I’ll add it to your itinerary.” He whips a tablet out of thin air. “Should I set up something soon?”

“Can we work it around my rehearsals?” I request.

According to Dr. Garza Villa’s email, the play’s opening night is after Willow Wood’s holiday break. Well, their first one. Why do Americans celebrate so many holidays? We got our production calendar yesterday. Read-throughs start next week.

For reasons I don’t completely understand, I still want to go through with this.

To have a little more time not being Prince Jadon.

Samuel’s expression remains neutral, even if I can read the indifference in the corner of his eyes. “Noted. Perhaps the night you and the crown princess are having dinner with Senator Miller and his daughter?”

Another of Annika’s suggestions. Exceptshewasn’t the one who had to propose the idea to Grace.

“Sure,” I say.

Samuel smiles apathetically. “I’ll send out communications.”

When he’s out of sight, my shoulders sag. This is fine. I can convince Réverie to love me.Respectme. There’s still time to make this right.

“Grace,” I say, smiling, cheeks stretched to the limit. “About your Halloween bash.”

She squints against the high sun. It’s lunch hour. A trio of girls wave, trying to snag her attention, but she merely fixes the buttons on her cardigan, head tilted at me.

“Yes?”

“Is there going to be any…” I tug on my earlobe. “Press? Photographers?”

Despite how many people were crammed into Nathan’s house party, no major media outlet reported about me being there. Only local gossip bloggers picked it up. Even Kip Davies barely gave it a mention on his nightly show.

But this is bigger. It’s apolitician’s daughter’sparty. A significant event at a premier LA location. It’s bound to attract more attention.

The kind that Réverie will notice.

Grace hums. “A few. Last year, my dad demanded a step-and-repeat outside. For the memories. He’s always too busy to attend.”

“Dude.” Nathan laughs. “No one wants your dad there.”

Grace looks like she’s considering shoving him into the fountain. She turns back to me. “Why? Scared to be seen hanging with us normies?”

“No,” I quickly say.

“I’m kidding, Your Highness.” She lightly smacks my shoulder. I try not to scowl. “Seriously, if you need a backdoor entrance, I can—”

“No,” I repeat, resurrecting my smile. “Photos are fine.”

They’re perfect. Especially if someone on the inside gets a video of me mingling with classmates. Surviving a party without incident. It’s a small step, but I need Réverie’s people to see me being the congenial, charming, down-to-earth prince theydeservearound important people like Grace.

“I was just checking,” I say. “For security purposes.”

Grace nods like she understands. “It’ll be small.”

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