by Meg Cabot
It was really cold out on the terrace, and none of us had our coats on because we’d given them to the footmen. So while we stood watching the show, some of us clustered together for warmth. I clustered together with Princess Komiko, Nadia, and Victorine, who was hugging Rocky (he’s so snuggly when he wants to be. Other times he will fart on you and laugh).
Luisa clustered with Prince Gunther. He put his jacket around her and hugged her.
It was disgusting.
I tried not to notice that Prince Khalil was standing by himself only a few feet away from me, his hands in the pockets of his suit trousers. He didn’t once look my way during the fireworks, unlike the Duke of Marborough, who stared at Lady Luisa Ferrari the entire time.
All Prince Khalil looked was sad.
I couldn’t help wondering if visiting Prince Gunther’s house had reminded him of nice times he used to have with his family back in Qalif, a place he’ll probably never be able to return to again. Wondering that made me feel a little sad, too, and homesick for Genovia.
After the fireworks show, it was time to leave. Remembering my manners, I curtsied to Gunther’s parents and thanked them for the meal, mentioning again how much we’d enjoy seeing them in Genovia.
They told me again how nice it had been to meet me, and asked me to come back and visit them in Stockerdörfl anytime I wanted.
“What was that all about?” Luisa asked sourly as I climbed onto the bus.
“What was what all about?”
“That little meeting you and Gunther’s parents had back there.”
“Oh,” I said. “Nothing. I just said thank you, and they invited me to come visit them again sometime.”
“They didn’t invite me to come visit them again sometime,” Luisa said grumpily.
“You’re not the princess of the country whose school their son goes to,” Victorine reminded her.
“Hmph,” Luisa said, and looked around the crowded bus for the duke.
But before she had a chance to find him, Jasmine, the coolest senior girl in our school now that Queen Amina had graduated and gone back to her country to rule, waved to her and said, “Luisa! Here’s a spot. You can sit here.”
Luisa, looking startled—she’d been scanning the bus for a certain person, not a seat—gave Jasmine a smile. “Um, thank you so much, but I don’t really—”
“No, take it,” Jasmine said. “It’s fine!”
“Um, thanks,” Luisa said, and slid into the available seat. “Uh … Jasmine, is it?”
Jasmine is the goalie on our school’s girls’ hockey team, so for Luisa to have pretended not to know her name was pretty insulting. She’d only done so because Jasmine isn’t royal.
Jasmine is very patient and kind, however. She said, “Yes. Will I see you at the finals tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there,” I said, even though no one had asked me. I often find that inserting myself into other people’s conversations is a good way to help with diplomatic relations. I held up my phone. “I’m taking photos for the school paper and yearbook. I hope you kick FARs’ butts! Especially that goalie of theirs.”
Jasmine laughed and raised her knuckles to fist-bump me. I fist-bumped her back … just as Prince Khalil walked by to find a seat on the bus.
I’m pretty sure he overheard me tell the star goalie of our girls’ hockey team to kick the butt of the girl Victorine says he liked last year.
So much for diplomatic relations.
Oh well. Even though I’m a princess, I’m not good at everything. Yet.
Friday, November 27
7:00 A.M.
Eis Schloss
Something weird just happened. I mean, even weirder than usual.
Nadia and Princess Komiko and I were having breakfast in the hotel when Prince Gunther came up to our table, carrying a steaming mug of coffee.
“Hi, Prince Gunther,” I said. “Do you want to sit with us?”
We scooted our stuff over to make room for him, but it turned out he didn’t want to sit with us. He wanted to talk. To me.
Alone.
I swallowed and threw the girls a panicky look behind the prince’s back. “Um, sure, Prince Gunther.”
I got up and followed him to a nearby table. It was beside one of the enormous picture windows looking out across the mountains, snowcapped and majestic against a sky that was already promising to be as clear blue as yesterday’s.
“I really do love your village,” I said as I sat down, since I got the feeling he could use some cheering up. He hadn’t smiled once since coming into the dining room. “It’s just so charming. And the people are so kind. And I so enjoyed meeting your parents last night. They are the nicest people.”
I was aware that I was babbling, but that’s what you do when the boy your cousin is cheating on asks if he can talk to you alone at breakfast.
“Thanks,” he said. “Pastry?”
“Sure,” I said, and took one to be polite. “So what’s the matter?”
I already knew what the matter was, though. So when he said it, I wasn’t surprised.
“Luisa.” He exhaled, and a plume of flaky crumbs flew out of his mouth and landed in a gentle fan pattern across the table. “Have you seen how she is acting? What am I saying, of course you have, she is your cousin. Olivia, I am sorry to put you in the middle, but I do not know who else to turn to. There are times—like yesterday, at the skating event, with Goo Goo Bear—when I think she does not even like me. That maybe … this is hard for me to say, but sometimes I think that she likes someone else. And the truth is … well, there are times when I think I like someone else, too.”
“Gunther!” I cried, reaching out and grasping his hand. “I’m so sorry! But if you like someone else, that would be amazing! I mean—”
Seeing the look on his face—a mix of wonder and alarm—I quickly let go of his hand.
“I mean, that’s so interesting. If you like someone else, and you think Luisa likes someone else, maybe it’s time for you two to stop being boyfriend and girlfriend, and just be friends. Then no one will get hurt. Right?”
He looked down at his wrist. “But … what about this?”
I remembered the bracelets Luisa had gotten them that said L + G.
“Oh. Well, you’ll have to give yours back. I think that’s the polite thing to do.”
He considered this. “And what about our matching evening wear?” he asked. It came out ewening vear. “We are both wearing Claudio to your birthday ball tomorrow night.”
“Oh, Gunther,” I said. “That’s all right. You can still wear matching clothes and just be friends.”
He thought about this. “Well, yes … I guess so.”
“Look,” I said. “You don’t have to do anything right now. Why don’t you talk to her first, and see how it goes. Maybe everything will work out.”
I knew everything wasn’t going to work out, but people could still surprise you.
Prince Gunther smiled for the first time since he’d sat down.
“All right,” he said. “Thank you, Princess Olivia, for this advice. I knew if I came to you, you would help me. You are the person who has always been nicest to me in the whole world … except for my parents, of course.”
“Aw,” I said, and patted him on the hand. “Thank you, Gunther. I’m glad we’re friends.”
“I’m glad, too,” he said. “My parents are also glad. They told me last night that they think you are the nicest, most polite girl.”
This was good to hear. Who doesn’t like hearing that someone thinks they’re nice?
“I liked them, too,” I said. “Are they going to watch you ski today?”
“Snowboard, and yes. Then they will hand out the medals at the closing ceremony.”
“That’s right!” I said. “I forgot. Then I can see them before we leave.”
“Oh,” Prince Gunther said, his smile growing broader. “You will see them for sure before you leave.”
“Great,” I said, and got up
to go back to my own table. “I’m glad we had this little talk.”
“I am, too,” said Prince Gunther, and waved at me, and at Snowball as well, because of course she was with me. She goes everywhere with me (that dogs are allowed).
I felt much better about things after that.
At least until Grandmère signaled to me from where she was sitting in the dining room and waved for me to come over.
“What was that all about?” she wanted to know.
No “Good morning, Olivia” or “How did you sleep, Olivia?” Just “What was that all about?”
But that’s how my grandmother is. She likes to get straight to the point, especially early in the morning, before she’s had her coffee, and of course her hot water with lemon.
“Well,” I said, “I think Prince Gunther is going to break up with Luisa.”
“Is he?” Grandmère asked, taking a sip of her coffee. “Because of the Duke of Marborough, I suppose.”
I was surprised. “You know about that?”
“I’m a chaperone, Olivia. Of course I know about that.”
“Oh.” I thought about this. “Well, I was worried about his feelings getting hurt, but he says he likes someone else.”
“Does he, now?” Grandmère sipped her hot water with lemon. “And who might that be?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I hope it’s Nadia. I think she likes him. She took the teddy bear he gave Luisa out of the trash and kept it.”
“Hmmm,” Grandmère said. “Well, let’s hope you are right, and that the young lady’s affections are returned. Run along now, or you will be late.”
I looked at the time on her diamond watch. “You’re right! See you later, Grandmère!”
Friday, November 27
1:00 P.M.
Eis Schloss
Ugggh. Nishi is going to drive me insane.
Friday, November 27
5:00 P.M.
Train Back to Genovia
We won!!!!
It was really close, but the girls from the RGA hockey team (plus Prince Gunther and the other snowboarders) pulled it off.
The RGA boys’ hockey team lost. Actually, they didn’t just lose. They didn’t even play. They were disqualified due to unsportsmanlike behavior for fighting (!) before the game even started. I am sorry to have to write those words, but they’re true. Grandmère is extremely disappointed in them.
Grandmère is extremely disappointed in a lot of people (and things), but thankfully I am not one of them.
When the fight broke out, I maintained my composure, and kept on taking pictures like a professional photographer is supposed to do (even if Nishi doesn’t like my photos).
But I also ran to the nearest responsible person and told them to call an ambulance.
Fortunately the ambulance was not needed because no one was seriously hurt, although the 12th Duke of Marborough does have a black eye. I think this is only fair, since he is the one who started the fight.
It was during the introductions, when the players from each team were announced. As the duke’s name was announced and he glided out onto the ice, someone on The Royal Academy in Switzerland team shouted, “Genovian Fondue-Fork Licker!”
I’ve never heard that it’s a breach in etiquette to lick your fondue fork (though Grandmère says you should never, ever lick your knife), and being called a Genovian … well, that’s a compliment.
But not to the duke, apparently, who skated over and punched the person who called him a Genovian Fondue-Fork Licker in the face.
I’ve been punched in the face before, and let me tell you: it hurts.
Resorting to violence is never the answer, but … well, I didn’t really blame the duke for punching that guy. No one wants to be called a Fondue-Fork Licker.
And the duke isn’t even Genovian! He’s 100 percent British.
The duke punching the guy (who turned out to be a Saudi prince—oops) caused all the other members of The Royal Academy in Switzerland boys’ hockey team to jump up to defend their teammate, and all the members of the Royal Genovian Academy’s boys’ hockey team to rush out onto the ice to do the same.
It was complete chaos.
“What was I supposed to do?” the duke demanded later. “I couldn’t let them get away with calling me a fork licker.”
“Actually,” Grandmère said, “you should have. Because by refusing to ignore something so idiotic, you’ve let down all your teammates, as well as your school. It is lucky for you that your fellow classmates are more mature, because that is the only way we’ve won today—though it’s a hollow victory.”
Grandmère said all this into the microphone during the medals ceremony, when she was supposed to be talking about the history of the Royal School Winter Games.
Instead she talked about how she considers our victory today hollow because they canceled the biathlon. This was due to the controversial issue of allowing young royals to have access to guns. Should young royals have access to guns? Grandmère’s opinion is yes, for sports, with supervision.
“In my day—”
Madame Alain stepped up to the podium and tried to take the microphone from Grandmère’s hand.
“So sorry, Your Highness,” she said. “But we need to move along. We only have the room until three.”
But Grandmère clung tightly to both the microphone and the podium.
“This generation of royals is going to grow up weak and spoiled, with no idea how to defend themselves when confronted by an enemy!” she cried as they dragged her off.
Though later Prince Hans jokingly reminded her, as he handed out the medals for best sportsmanship, that the 12th Duke of Marborough seemed to have proven that shouldn’t be a problem.
A lot of people—like Prince Khalil—are so mad at the duke that they are not even speaking to him. Prince Khalil is sitting with us (!!!!) here on the train, having a very nice time enjoying the picnic basket that Prince Hans and Princess Anna-Katerina prepared for our victory trip home.
I only wish everyone could be as happy as we are (well, I’m not COMPLETELY happy. Prince Khalil has been on his cell phone for a large part of the trip. I don’t know who he is texting, but I suspect it might be Princess Sophie. I am very sorry that her team was defeated by ours, but does she really need to spend THAT much time texting about her humiliating loss with a boy who goes to the school that crushed hers? That is simply sad, if you ask me).
The person I really mean is Prince Gunther. He is very unhappy, because after the fight was over, everyone saw how Luisa ran over to the duke and held a snowball to his eye to try to help him keep the swelling down and called him her “poor brave darling.” Even Grandmère saw it, and told Luisa to stop being so foolish and let the ski patrol handle the duke’s wounds.
I think Prince Gunther would have broken up with her then and there if he hadn’t had to go to his snowboarding event.
But after Prince Gunther placed first in the boys’ snowboard freestyle, and Luisa ran up to him and flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek and called him her “sweet Goo Goo Bear” (IN FRONT OF HIS PARENTS), we all saw the way he untangled himself from her and said, “Luisa, we need to talk.”
!!!!!
I didn’t get to see what happened next because Prince Gunther took Luisa by the arm and began walking her away (and Snowball started tugging on her leash, a sure sign she needed to take a pee).
Also, it’s considered unroyal to eavesdrop on someone else’s intimate conversation.
But the next time I saw the two of them, Prince Gunther was looking very grave, and Luisa had tears (real ones for once) running down her face.
“Is it for real this time?” Nadia whispered as we sat at the medals ceremony. Prince Gunther and Luisa were sitting several chairs apart. “Can they really be broken up?”
“Oh, it’s real,” Victorine whispered back. “I heard he gave her back his bracelet!”
“No way!” Princess Komiko looked shocked. “I never thou
ght he’d break up with her.”
Truthfully, I never had either … even though I’d sort of advised him to.
Do I feel guilty about it? No.
Because right now Lady Luisa is sitting in the back of our train car, sharing earbuds and a music player with the Duke of Marborough, their heads bouncing in time to the beat. She doesn’t look a bit sad … which is fine, I guess, since it’s her life.
But you think she’d feel a little bit sad, since they went out for a long time … almost six months!
And Nadia, Princess Komiko, and Victorine are fighting (in a friendly way) over who gets to cheer up Prince Gunther. Right now, they’re taking turns with Princess Komiko’s fingernail polish, doing his nails, a different color for each hand. They say they’re going to give him a pedicure next, if Grandmère doesn’t yell at them for stinking up the train car and “acting like feather-headed fools.”
Nadia has done a good job of hiding Goo Goo Bear in her luggage so Prince Gunther can’t see that she has him. Even though Prince Gunther and Luisa are broken up now, we all thought it might be a bit too soon for the prince to see that Luisa abandoned it.
I’m doing pretty well, too, I guess. Well, except for Prince Khalil, who is still sitting next to me, texting with another woman (I know it’s with a woman because I saw heart emojis).
Whatever. If Prince Khalil has decided to get back together with Princess Sophie, then I am happy for him. He’s had a lot of heartache in his life lately, so he deserves to have some joy. I’m sure she’s highly intelligent, an excellent hockey player (except for the time she was beaten by our immensely superior team), and extremely kind, as well.
So good for them. Who even cares about her, or Prince Khalil? There are way more important things to think about, such as:
Tomorrow is my birthday!!!
I already have an early birthday present in my pocket—Prince Gunther’s parents gave it to me after they were done with the medals ceremony, as we were all saying good-bye and getting on the buses to go to the train station.
