Page 18 of Royally Matched

“Fine, suit yourself,” Lily said, grateful to at least be free from his physical touch.

They spent the next half an hour making their way around the room, talking to members of the Triola nobility, local celebrities, and friends from boarding school. It was like walking down memory lane of their childhoods.

Towards the end of the appetizer time, Margo found Lily and squealed with delight as she approached her. “I can’t believe you’re here, Lily. I mean, I had hoped you would be because I knew you were back in Triola.”

“I’m glad to be here too,” Lily said, giving her oldest friend a smile.

Richard joined his fiancée, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “It’s good to see you, cousin,” he said, nodding towards Max. Glancing at Lily, he added, “I have to admit, I’m surprised to see the two of you here together.”

“Not as much as we are, but things change,” Max stated, his vague answer not really shedding any light on the situation.

“Well, since you are both here, it makes one decision much easier. We hoped that the two of you would agree to be our Best Man and Maid of Honor,” Margo stated, reaching out and taking Lily’s hands in hers. “It would make the wedding perfect if you would agree.”

“I’d be honored to be your Maid of Honor,” Lily said, grateful for one positive outcome from her return home.

“How about you, cousin? Are you willing to stand up for me?” Richard asked with a hopeful grin.

“Of course I would be willing to,” Max said, “as long as the king and queen approve.”

“I’m surprised you care about anyone’s approval,” Richard mused.

“It’s a recent development, born out of necessity. My parents have made it clear I need to fall in line, or else.”

“Or else? What?”

“I kiss my royal rear goodbye,” Max stated dramatically.

The group of friends burst out into laughter. A few moments later, the announcement for dinner was made. Lily and Max made their way over to the table where they were seated with the future bride and groom.

The meal passed by pleasantly, though it was long with seven courses, and the tedious, continuous prattle of the Triolan social elite. She wished the meal would end, but they were barely to the final meat course.

“How are you doing?” Max leaned over and asked Lily.

“I’m muddling through,” she said dryly. “I’ve forgotten how long royal meals could be. I’ve spent the last several years eating mostly on the go while working on projects.”

“Do you miss being over there?”

Lily let out a small laugh and shook her head. “It’s only been a little over a week. Kind of hard to miss something in that short of time.”

“Still, with this new arrangement, you must have considered that you won’t be able to go as much. You must stay here for royal duties.”

“Well, I agree I won’t be able to go as much as before, but the king said I will run the Triola Philanthropic Foundation.”

“That’s true, but you’ll be running it from Triola. You won’t really have time to go on trips to the places the foundation is supporting,” Max countered.

“Are you trying to talk me out of marrying you?” Lily asked, with an arched eyebrow. “Because pointing out what I will miss is a fantastic way to do that.”

“I’m sorry. I can see I upset you. That wasn’t my intent. I was simply concerned about what you would give up by agreeing to marry me.” Max took a sip of his sparkling water before continuing. “Even if you can’t leave the country as often, there is still plenty you can do here in Triola. Take for example, the Grace Memorial Children’s Wing that just opened.”

Lily tried to push away the frustration the conversation was bringing to the surface. Part of her knew being stuck in Triola for longer periods of time would come with being married to the Crown Prince, but she had purposely avoided thinking about it. Her feelings on the matter hadn’t changed, so instead, she turned the tables and focused on Max.

“Speaking of the children’s wing opening, how did you handle the comments by the public? They were pretty awful.”

“They were, but honestly, I deserved it. I haven’t really done my best at presenting a proper public image.”

“Well, you did a good job of not showing it bothered you. It was admirable.”

“Thank you, Lily. I appreciate you saying that.”

---