Quincy laughed. “Magic, of course.” Her lips thinned as her eyes narrowed. “Your mother,” he said. “Before she left, she gave your measurements to a few local seamstresses, bought you quite a few outfits, and then left them in their hands. I’m assuming you like everything?”
“I do. I was sad I couldn’t wear one of the gowns today,” she told him with a sigh. “I’ve never worn anything that beautiful.”
“Good,” he said, then stopped their walking and whispered in her ear. “I picked those out for you.” He winked, and Olivia prayed he had nothing to do with the undergarments that had appeared in the wardrobe, too.
The walk through the rest of the palace was quiet except for Quincy pointing out which halls led where and what each room was. By the time they reached the grand entrance hall, Olivia couldn’t remember any of it, and she was pretty sure her face was still red from thinking things she shouldn’t be about the man whose arm she held.
He stopped and bowed his head, and Olivia glanced up to see King Lamont and her mother walking towards them. She waved at her mom and quickly curtsied to the king, making sure she didn’t tumble over in her heels.
“There they are. A wonderful image of royalty they make,” Lamont beamed.
“Morning, Father,” Quincy said lightly, but Olivia saw how his face tightened.
“Morning, King Lamont,” she said, trying to not notice the stare-down happening between the two men. She disentangled herself from Quincy to give her mom a hug.
Melinda hugged her back tightly and held her at arm’s length. Her eyes glimmered, and Olivia smiled even wider because she was still so happy this early in the morning. Melinda had never been much of an early riser and usually needed a whole pot of coffee to get her going. “Those clothes look amazing on you. Do you like everything? I had some help picking things out.”
“I love all of it,” she said. “Really, it’s beautiful, Mom.”
“Good, because while you’re here, you have to always look your best,” Melinda told her. “There’s lots to do these next few months and so many people for you to meet. We have to make a good first impression.”
Olivia’s nerves tightened, her hand started to sweat, and her heart thudded in her chest as if it were trying to escape. “I know, it’s just so different.”
“You’ll learn to get used to it. Now, today you’re going to go with Quincy into the city, then tomorrow night there is a dinner to meet with all the high-ranking officials of the court,” her mom explained as they walked to the men. “And then, next week, there is another ball that will be held for many of the citizens of the city so that they can see their future queen and princess.”
“That’s all, huh?”
Melinda held her daughter’s face in her hands and smiled as she kissed her forehead. “I know, sweetie, it’s a bit much.”
“No, it’s fine, Mom. I’ll be just fine. Quincy has been great so far.”
“Good. His father will be pleased to hear that. Well, we have to run. We’re meeting with the caterer and musicians today, along with a few other legal matters that must be addressed if I am to become a full-fledged citizen of Bijoux.”
Olivia hadn’t thought about that, but her mom would no longer be a citizen of the US. “As long as you’re happy, Mom, that’s all I care about.” She squeezed her mom’s hands before turning back to see if Quincy was ready to go.
The stare-down with his father had gotten worse, and both men were glaring at each other though they smiled. Melinda called out to Lamont, oblivious to the tension, and asked if he was ready to go. Lamont tugged on his grey suit jacket and nodded as he turned to his soon-to-be queen.
“For you, my love, I am always ready,” he said, and Olivia felt her heart flutter at the look they gave each other. “Quincy, Olivia, we shall see you both at dinner.”
Olivia simply nodded as Lamont and Melinda headed for the front doors with at least ten men trailing behind them. Her mom was too in love to notice all the people around her and the king. She wished she didn’t notice the bodyguards that had suddenly appeared near her and Quincy as soon as they reached the front doors.
“The weather is wonderful today,” Quincy commented as he glanced up at the partly cloudy sky. “Shall we walk into the city?”
Olivia glanced down at her heels and bit her lip. “Sure. Have to get used to walking in these things anyway.”
“Sir, we advise that we take the car,” a man in a black suit said quietly next to Quincy.
“And I say we are walking, Theo. I’m sure there is no one waiting in the crowd to assassinate me.”
“But sir, your father—”
“Has already left. We are walking, and we will be fine,” Quincy said, sterner this time. “Now then, Princess Olivia, care to take a stroll with me?” He offered his arm again, and she took it. Time to meet the Isle of Bijoux.