Page 14 of Royally Matched

“Well, you shouldn’t do it that way, but if you slowly work your way over to his side, it can be done in a natural way.”

Lily let out a heavy sigh as she shook her head. “Mother, I don’t know why you are acting like it’s so important. You’ve gotten what you’ve always wanted; I’m engaged to the Crown Prince.”

“Unofficially,” her mother leaned in and whispered. “That can change in an instant if you don’t keep yourself relevant. A better option can come along and steal him right out from under you. It’s your job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Time, it seemed, had not tapered her mother’s desire for social advancement. It didn’t feel good to be a piece of bait on a hook to make her mother’s plans a reality.

“If you will excuse me,” Lily stated, moving away from her mother. Instead of heading towards Max though, Lily headed towards the restroom. She needed a break from everyone.

As she headed down the long glass corridor, she tried to muster up the courage to approach Max. The iciness between them had not thawed, and Lily wasn’t sure if it ever would. Perhaps she was doomed to be in a marriage in name only rather than find a way to have a true connection. She wasn’t naïve enough to hope for love, especially with Max, but she had hoped they could at least find a way to be friends. But over the past few days, their silent war had not ended. She saw no sign of a white flag on Max’s part.

Lily stepped into the restroom and made her way over to the counter. She glanced at herself in the mirror, knowing her appearance needed to be spot on for photos that were sure to follow. From the side, she heard three women enter the restroom. They were giggling and whispering between them. As they got closer, Lily realized they were talking about Max.

“I heard that Starla and Prince Maxwell are secretly married, and that he’s returned home to tell his parents,” one woman stated.

“No, that can’t be the case or she would be with him,” the second woman countered. “I think he’s home to help rule the kingdom. His father is getting older and probably needs the Crown Prince to pick up the slack.”

The third woman snorted as she rolled her eyes. “No way, Layla. Prince Maxwell can’t manage to be photographed without being drunk, let alone run an entire kingdom.”

Though part of her agreed with the women, there was no way she would stand by and let them bash Max. It was that type of gossiping that was causing negative reactions to Max and the royal family.

Lily turned around to face the other women. “I think all of you ladies are mistaken. I’m sure Prince Maxwell has returned for the right reasons.”

“And who do you think you are, exactly?” the second woman challenged, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. “You sure seem to think you may speak on the prince’s behalf.”

“Wait a minute, I recognize her. She was standing behind the prince during the ceremony,” the third black-haired woman stated. Turning her attention to look at Lily, she asked with curiosity, “What’s your connection to the royal family?”

“I’m Lady Liliana Lockhart, the daughter of the Earl of Northrop. My father is an advisor to the king.”

“That means you know all sorts of privy information regarding the family. You can answer all the questions about why the prince has returned to Triola,” the second woman stated. “This will be perfect for my blog.”

Lily hadn’t realized that she was talking to someone connected to social media. She needed to be extra careful with what she said. “I’m only at liberty to say that the Crown Prince has returned to reconnect with the people of Triola.”

“Well, he’s doing a lousy job so far,” the first girl stated with bitterness. “Over the past few years, he seemed more preoccupied with globetrotting around the world with celebrities than being our prince.”

“He came today after all,” Lily pointed out. “That has to count for something.”

“Right, he showed up and stood by quietly as his father handled everything. Sounds like the same old routine,” the second girl scoffed. “It’s clear the prince hasn’t changed.”

Lily had wondered the same thing. Was Max capable of change? She hoped he was, knowing that to make their marriage work, he would need to. Though she had her own concerns, she needed to do her part to convince the public Max was capable of change as both their futures depended on it.

“I know it seems that way, but you really should give the prince a chance to prove himself before passing further judgment on him,” Lily requested of the women.

“What I’m finding interesting is how much you are defending him,” the second girl observed. “You mentioned your father’s connection, but we never got a straight answer from you what your connection is to the royal family, or more pointedly, the prince.”

“My family is part of the royal court, and therefore I spend time around the royal family,” Lily stated, before adding, “I have to be getting back. I hope all of you will enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Lily made her way back down the hallway, before she reached the lobby though, she heard laughter nearby. She followed the noise and noticed through the glass windows, Max was outside on the patio playing with several of the children who had been on the stage earlier in the day.

He was playing his version of “Simon Says,” but instead was using the phrase, “The Prince Says.”

“The prince says, clap your hands three times,” the children did as he commanded.

“Crow like a rooster,” he said next.

Two of the children did it, and Max laughed as he shook his head. “Oh, no, I didn’t say the prince says. That means the both of you are out.”

All the children erupted in laughter, and Lily realized the kids were loving it. Without thinking, Lily quickly pulled out her phone and secretly started videoing the playtime.

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