Page 34 of Royal Darling
She gives my arm a squeeze. “Good for you. Just know this, best-case scenario, you and Jackson together, which is only a slim possibility, but, let’s follow it through, the family would never approve of him for you. Gabriel is a definite no, as is your mother. It would cause a lot of…tension.”
“I can’t always live my life according to royal dictate!” I burst out. “Sorry,” I add, my cheeks burning.
A slow smile spreads across her face. “Yeah, girl! You’re going through the rebellious stage you should’ve went through when you were sixteen. Better late than never.” She points at me. “I’m going to try to get you a little breathing room.” She goes back to the stove.
The tension drains from me. “Thanks for running interference. I know I’ve made a mess of things. I’m a mess too.”
She turns to me and smiles. “You’re perfect.”
I shake my head. “I’m far from perfect.”
“Perfectly imperfect, as we all are.” She sets the spatula down and returns to my side. “So whatcha been up to?”
My jaw goes slack, shocked at her easy acceptance of my current situation. I’m so lucky to have her on my side. “Well, it’s only been three days, but I’ve been listening to music and learning a little guitar. Jackson’s been teaching me.”
She looks at me expectantly, nodding, so I go on.
“And thinking a lot. Actually, today was the first time I’ve had time to myself in my life. I’ve always been surrounded by people. At home it’s family, staff, and guards; at university it was other students and my guard; and out in public, there’s always a crowd and guards. I blasted some music and danced like a crazy woman. I never felt I had the freedom to do that before. I know it’s a small thing, but it felt wonderful.”
She shakes her head. “What a sheltered life you’ve led. Not your fault, though, your mother kept you on a tight leash.”
“You don’t know my mother. You don’t understand—”
She holds up a finger. “I love your mother. Since I was never adopted by a mom, I’ve adopted her as my own. And I know your mother didn’t like me as a choice for Gabriel at first, but I’ll tell you what, she brought me under her wing and very patiently taught me royal protocol and what my responsibilities as queen would be. I was well prepared, and there was not one word of malice between us. I respect her greatly and she appreciated my willingness to take on a role she wasn’t comfortable doing alone. Having said all that, it’s different with mothers and daughters. She molded you into her own image when she should’ve let you fly.”
I’m quiet, thinking this over.
“Doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you, though. All parents make some mistakes with their kids, right?”
“I have no idea.”
She gives my hand a squeeze. “They do.” She glances down. “You’re still wearing your engagement ring.”
“It’s too valuable to leave lying around. I plan on returning it to Abdul when I apologize back in Villroy, assuming he’s still there.”
“Oh, he’s there, along with his family.”
Gabriel strides in, his jaw tight. I straighten up in my seat.
Anna turns and smiles at him. “Hey, handsome. Could you set the table? The dishes are up there.” She points to a cabinet across the way and goes back to cooking, assuming he will do the chore.
Gabriel goes to Anna, cups her jaw, and kisses her. “I had no idea you could cook. Is there nothing you cannot do?”
She laughs. “Well, when you set the bar that low—”
“You’re magnificent,” he says, and then the king of Villroy attends to the humble task of setting the dishes on the dining room table. It might be the first time in the history of Villroy it’s ever been done.
It’s a whole new world. One I’m not sure I belong in anymore.
Jackson
Emma called me to dinner, so I go, even though I feel like I’m intruding on family time. When I get to the dining room, Gabriel is at the head of the table, Anna to his right, Emma to his left. Lucas sits at the opposite end. I take a seat next to Emma, which makes Anna send a pointed look to Emma, who blushes furiously. Wearejust friends. I bet Anna has the idea that I’m about to defile the virgin princess, and maybe she’s cool with it since she’s a big fan of mine. Vicarious living.
Anna offers me a platter of chicken marsala.
I help myself. “Thanks.”
“You must address her as Your Majesty,” Gabriel snaps. “She is the queen.”
