Page 12 of Royal Catch
I pull on the only dress I own that covers my shoulders, white with black polka dots, with a plunging neckline and short skirt. A gold chain belt cinches neatly at the waist. Other than asking the queen for a new wardrobe, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do to fit in better. I suppose I could tuck a handkerchief or scarf into my cleavage to cover it, but that’s not who I am. I’m awhat you see is what you getkind of woman.But Polly the princess isn’t.I borrow the demure white shawl and arrange it diagonally across me like a long scarf. Cleavage and shoulders covered. Now the question is, nude high-heeled sandals or leopard pumps? I go with the sandals.
The elegant dining room doesn’t disappoint. A long gleaming dark wood table is set with china, silver, crystal, and a huge floral centerpiece. I’m quickly escorted in by a servant and offered a drink. Some of the princesses are already seated. There are small name cards. Assigned seating. I scan the names on the hunt for my own. Francesca, Elizabeth, Sophia, and Marguerite are seated closest to the queen and prince at the head of the table.
I make my way down the table to the other end and find myself at the furthest point away from the royal pair. Marguerite won the competition, so it makes sense for her to be seated closest to the queen. They probably need to discuss whatever the next challenge is. I debated speaking up about Marguerite’s dirty play with the fish, but decided at this early stage in the competition, it didn’t matter that much. I’m still in it, and the risk of getting on Marguerite’s bad side and further irritating the queen doesn’t seem wise. I’m sure the rest of the seating is random. After all, I was second place, and if it were place order, I’d be seated much closer.
I know everyone’s names now, having wrung it out of them on the raft ride back to shore. I’m good with names. It helps in the salon business to quickly warm up the customers. I’m sure the real Polly would be pleased I’m connecting with them. Though I have to say she must not have had much contact with the royal world because not one person questions me stepping in for her. She must’ve been kept on a tight leash. Her reckless undercover adventure makes a lot more sense now. Before, I would’ve said, how could you give up being a princess?
A hush falls over the room as the queen enters followed by the prince. Everyone stands. My eyes are drawn to Gabriel. He’s still too perfect, too haughty and arrogant, but there’s simply no getting around the fact that he is gorgeous. He’s in a dark blue suit custom tailored to his muscular body. I’m dying to get a look at those shoulders filling out the blazer so nicely, but doubt he’ll ever appear shirtless just for my leering gaze. Royal decorum and all that. The queen looks pleased, a small smile on her face as she takes her seat at the head of the table, wearing a long-sleeved pale yellow dress. Gabriel gestures for us to take a seat and then takes his place at the queen’s right.
“How nice to see you all,” the queen says. “I trust you’ve had some time to refresh after today’s outing?”
The women murmur politely. I’m dying to ask what the next challenge is because I was close to winning, and that means there’s still a chance to help out poor Polly, but the servants begin serving the first course, so I keep quiet.
The food, mostly seafood, is excellent. Better than I’ve ever had, fresh caught from the sea. The conversation is subdued. By the time I finish my third glass of wine, I’m feeling pretty,prettyrelaxed. I stifle a yawn. Who knew all this royal luxury could put me to sleep? Growing up, sometimes hungry after a meager meal—there never seemed to be enough food to go around at some of the foster homes—I imagined living in a royal palace would be heaven. I suppose I’ve been on my own for so long that being served and sitting passively instead of doing for myself is boring. My royal fantasy is dead, never to be resuscitated again. Le sigh.
I catch Gabriel’s eye. Something about his rigid demeanor makes me want to make him laugh, tickle him or surprise it out of him. His laugh would probably sound rusty like he hadn’t laughed in a decade or more. I’m pretty sure his teeth are ground to nubs from all the jaw clenching he does. I wink at him just to see what happens.
His lips twitch, and my stomach flutters in anticipation of his smile. The queen says something to him and he turns away. I’m ridiculously disappointed.
The queen stands, and we all rush to stand too. She gestures for us to take a seat again. “I have an announcement. Marguerite has chosen the next competition, and it will be a treasure hunt on the island. The clues are related to nature, and you’ll need to do some out-of-the-box thinking to figure it out.” She smiles unexpectedly. “Isn’t this fun?”
The women murmur agreement.
Fun? More like insanity for your entertainment.She’s probably watching us compete, like her own reality TV show from her secret royal lair.
The queen goes on in a dramatic tone, clearly enjoying herself. “I promised you riches beyond your dreams, and now I will explain. Crown Prince Gabriel is the real prize. Snag this royal catch and you will inherit the wealth of our kingdom. Provided, of course, you are the most qualified to be his bride after many more fun and challenging tasks.”
My stomach drops. WTF. The riches beyond our dreams are tied to a marriage? Everything in me screamsno!
No to giving up my life back home.
No to the rigid stick-in-the-mud.
No to a miserable soulless existence filled with duties and no fun at all. Thank God my royal fantasy was shattered earlier or I might be taken in.
All eyes turn toward Gabriel. His jaw is granite. His expression is brooding and maybe a little resigned.
The queen takes her leave, and everyone stands, murmuring polite goodbyes.
The moment she leaves the room, the women nearly knock over their chairs in their hurry to approach Gabriel. He towers above them, proud and regal. Even so, his expression is hunted. The women are all over him, a cacophony of high-pitched excitement.Gold diggers.
I loosen my clenched fists, surprised at the stab of jealousy. It’s not likeIwant to marry him. He’s rigid and haughty, part of a world that I could never fit into. Would the real Polly want to marry him? I’m not so sure. She’s similar to me—bold and free-spirited—and Gabriel is so not. He’s all buttoned into his rigid role, and I suspect he enjoys it in some tense weird way. On the other hand, the sleazy guy Polly’s parents are pressuring her to marry only wants her for her royal connections. He’s an older businessman on Beaumont, and she says he’s promised her parents to have a firm hand with her. That was a red flag to both me and Polly.
Even if I won Gabriel, I’m not Polly—the truth would come out for sure with an engagement—and then Polly and I would both be finished. Maybe I should bail. This looks like a no-win situation.
But then Gabriel shoots me a desperate look from across the room, practically begging me to save him from the princess posse. It almost seems like maybe he needs me. Like he’s just a regular guy trapped in circumstances beyond his control. Just like Polly.
Gah. I can’t be the royal rescuer for everyone.Man up and shake off the prissy women.I need to figure out next steps for Polly.
I turn and head for the door. I swear I can feel Gabriel’s eyes following me.
Chapter Five
Anna
After pacing the palace halls forever, I head outside, hoping the night air will clear my head. I take off my sandals as soon as I reach the palace courtyard, feeling the cool grass between my toes. I turn and take in the palace in the moonlight. It really is like something out of a fairy tale—sandstone with copper roofs, five stories, six stories in the two towers, multiple spires. The courtyard is surrounded on both sides by the two long wings of the palace. I turn and keep walking through the courtyard, heading to the large expanse of manicured gardens. It’s peaceful here, like everything is under control from the box hedges in straight lines to the perfectly shaped trees, to the four long terraces of grassy slopes leading down to the sea.
A whimsical marble fountain lit up with pink and blue lights comes into view. Up close, copper fish spout water at each other in playful arcs. I love it. I take a seat on a long wooden bench across from the fountain under a large arch of pink roses. The steady splash of water, the distant sound of waves, the scent of roses, all of it combined soothes me. I’m at a rare loss. Unsure which way to go, forward or retreat.
