I laugh softly. “So Lathan’s mother—”
“The Queen. We always address the King and Queen that way even in casual conversation.”
“Okay.” I nod. “So the Queen was a princess?”
“Yes.”
“Do I call her Your Majesty at all times?”
“Unless she tells you otherwise, when addressing her directly you will say that. Indirectly, you will say the Queen or Her Majesty.”
“What is best?”
“To people outside of the family, Her Majesty, the Queen. Same with the King.”
“Lathan never corrects me when I say mother and father.”
“He probably doesn’t wish to overwhelm you, and he knew you’d be meeting with me.” She pats my hand again. “This is just the purest of formalities. As you settle in, you and Lathan will navigate things. The King and Queen will tell you how to address them.”
“Is that what you call them?”
“Yes, but Tristan does not.”
“Tristan isn’t family.”
“Not blood, but it’s almost like he is. He calls the Queen, Aunty, and the King, he calls him, er…” she taps her chin. “Actually, I think he uses formal terms with him. He’s not a warm man, but he cares deeply about the country and his family.”
I nod, rubbing my forehead. “There’s so much to learn. When I met the Queen this morning—”
“What? You met her?”
“Yes. She stormed Lathan’s office because she heard I was there and she wanted to see me.”
Ophelia grins. “What did she say?”
“She put her hands on my cheeks, and—”
Ophelia’s gasp interrupts. “She did not?”
“She did. Then she said I was lovely and that she wanted to meet the woman that enraptured Lathan. She only stayed a few minutes.”
“That is incredible. She doesn’t initiate physical contact outside of her children very often. In my life, she’s maybe patted my back or my hand a few times. Nothing more.”
“Really?”
“She already likes you. This is wonderful. Did you return the contact?”
“Oh, god no. I was horrified. Lathan was… um, we were kissing right before she came in, and I just wasn’t prepared. I did my best based on what Lathan had shared. I called her Your Majesty and said ma’am a lot.”
“Perfect.”
“Lathan told me she said she was impressed with me and that I was lovely and elegant.”
“You are both.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, this is wonderful. Her Majesty approves and that will make it all the easier to get His Majesty’s approval.” She smiles. “But if that never happens, do not fear. The Queen is extremely influential. Her approval will go far.”
“Cool.”
“Yes, cool. Back to our lessons. I made this chart to help you understand the monarchy.” She picks up a large, white poster board with all sorts of squares on it, setting it on the coffee table in front of us. “These squares over here are Lathan and Arlan, the first and second in line for the throne until Lathan has children.”
“Does he have to have a son?”
“No, either sex may take the throne, but every man wants a son.”
“Of course.”
“It’s easier for a man when he becomes king. He has more options for a partner. It is much more difficult to find a suitable husband for a woman because, well, it’s nearly impossible to find a male that all the men in her family will approve of. There are high standards set for male behavior in Havendon, even higher than for women. If he’s made even one mistake, his chances to marry well diminish.”
“Interesting. Women can make mistakes?”
She glances around for a moment. “Not exactly, it’s just that the criteria of what constitutes a mistake are different. Women are forgiven quickly because our nature causes us to behave in ways we sometimes regret.”
“Our nature?”
“Yes, we are emotional and passionate. Men are logical and should know better.”
I crinkle my brow not sure I’m digging this explanation. “Give me examples, please.”
“Well, for instance, last year the Duke and Duchess of Borough Seven, their daughter was caught in a scandalous situation with a boy from school. She is seventeen and unmarried of course, so she is expected to maintain her virginity, but it was quite clear she had not.”
“Uh huh.”
“The boy, two years older than she, was in quite a lot of trouble for seducing the young girl. She was readily forgiven and even pitied for falling prey to his advances.”
I blink several times trying to figure out how to respond to such archaic ideas. “I see.”
Ophelia looks around the room even though we’re alone and leans closer. “Do you want to know what I think?”
“Yes.”
“I think it’s ridiculous. I think she wanted to have sex with him, and it was just an issue because she was caught. Many of us pretend to carry on with all of these outdated traditions out of respect, but we mostly do whatever we like.”
“I see.”
“I was a virgin when I married, but I was not inexperienced. You understand?”
“I do.”
She pats my hand. “The younger generations are far more liberal than the previous ones, but we are such a close knit community, it is necessary to mind public appearances, especially when part of the royal family.”
“I understand.”
“Lathan was forgiven for his dalliances, because he is so loved, but he is an exception to the rule.”
“Got it.”
“So we smile and pretend we are so weak we cannot possibly be responsible for any bad behavior. It must have been a man that led us astray.” She laughs softly. “But we all know the truth.”
“Okay. See, where I come from, I’d lose my sh—” I stop myself, realizing I was about to swear. “I wouldn’t respond well to someone telling me I was too emotional and passionate to be responsible for my own actions.”
Ophelia smiles. “All the more reason why Havendon needs you. Lathan thinks it’s pure shit. With you by his side, perhaps we can reform these old ideas. Although, it does work nicely for women when we want it to.” She opens her eyes wide. “It wasn’t my fault I put his cock in my mouth. He made me.”
I nearly choke on my coffee.
“What?” she asks.
“Uh, nothing. I just wasn’t expecting you to use that kind of language.”
“We are friends. Friends can be real with each other.”
“Right. I like that.”
“When penis-piercing-gate happened, it was utter chaos, but the people love Lathan so much he was quickly forgiven. Any other man, definitely no.”
“Penis-piercing-gate?”
“I assume you know of this incident.”
“I do.”
“Imagine scrolling through your social media account to find a picture of your own cousin’s pickle on the screen.”
I burst out laughing. “Pickle?”
“Everywhere you went for months, girls were talking about the terrible twosome of Lathan and Tristan and all sorts of dirty bits about size and such.” She shakes her head. “I knew about it before it became public, of course, but it was much different having it shoved in my face. He’s my cousin, for god’s sake, and not a distant one.”
“I imagine that was uncomfortable.”
“It was. What were you saying about losing something?”
“Oh, nothing. Just a saying.”
“Oh, please tell me.”
“I was saying I would lose my shit if I was told to pretend I’m weak.”
“Lose my shit,” she repeats slowly. “I have no idea what this means, but I like how it sounds.”
“Shit in this case is like saying temper. I’d lose my temper.”
She laughs again. “Tonight, when my darling husband leaves his glass on the counter, I will tell him to put it away before I lose my shit. Th
at should get a good reaction from him.”
I laugh softly. “Definitely.” After a moment, I glance at Ophelia. “Lathan said you like everyone except Gemma.”
Her eyes open wide. “He spoke of her to you?”
“He did. He said she was a manipulative whore or something like that.”
“Yes, that’s accurate.”
“What has she done that’s so bad?”
“What hasn’t she done? Ever since I can remember, she’s been trouble. Bossy at school, mean to her parents, and a woman only interested in what a man can give her in terms of money and status. She cares of nothing else.”
“Oh. So she’s a gold digger?”
Ophelia laughs. “If gold digger means she uses people for her personal gain, then yes.”
“That’s exactly what it means.”
She pats my leg. “There is no need to worry about Gemma. Everyone knows what she is and no one falls for it. Besides, she’s away right now in Africa with some new man she’s tricked into dating her.” She scrunches her nose as if she smelled something bad. “She’s an insecure, desperate, conniving twat wart.”
I start laughing again. “I’m starting to like your version of English more than mine.”
“What would you call someone like that?”
“I’d probably call her a trick. That’s my go-to word.”
“That doesn’t sound very scathing.”
“Well it is. It’s basically like calling her a whore.”
“Oh, yes that is bad. What do you call a man like that?”
“A douche. Or douche bag. Douche canoe. Anything along those lines.”
“Hilarious.” She giggles. “So funny.”
Olivia enters the room to check on us, all bowing and formalities. After she leaves, I turn back to Ophelia.
“You have staff?”
“Not full time. I don’t like people fussing about me all the time. In fact, I hate it. I couldn’t even dress myself the first fifteen years of my life. Then I threw a proper tantrum and my nanny quit over it.” She smiles. “I begged my parents to let me care for myself and they let me since finding a new nanny was becoming a challenge with my difficult personality.”
“I cannot imagine you being difficult.”
“I’ve mellowed since I married and became a mother, but as soon as I was old enough, I was often right beside Lathan and Tristan during their antics.”
“I see.”
“Want to know what I did to my last nanny?” she asks.
“I do, actually.”
“It’s terribly scandalous.”
“I’m sure I can handle it.”
“Well, I was very frustrated at being treated like I was still a child. In my eyes, I was a proper woman and did not wish to be bathed and dressed any longer. My nanny was old and mean and strict, so when she came to bathe me one morning, I had just started my menstrual cycle, and I was cramping and feeling terribly cranky at that moment. Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes. You’re killing me.”
She giggles. “Well, I asked her to leave me because I wasn’t well and she refused stating a bath would make my cramps better. She pulled my arm until I was out of bed even though I cried and resisted. I got so mad that I reached between my own legs and slapped her across the face with my blood covered hand.”
I gasp, opening my eyes wide. “You didn’t.”
“I did. Then I sat down on the bed and smiled at her. She told my mother it was a scene out of a horror movie.” Ophelia smiles. “Not my finest moment, but I got my way. No more nannies.”
“I guess so.”
“After that, I tolerated only minimal interaction. I have a nanny to care for Grace when I cannot, but for the most part, I tend to her needs. I have a staff for a few hours a day to clean and prepare meals because my house is too big and I’m a terrible cook, but outside of that, we live on our own. Harris finds it liberating.”
“It feels like a luxury when you’ve never had it, but I can see how it would be oppressive if it’s been forced on you.”
“I’m glad you like it. You will have less choice than I did. The palace is full of staff twenty-four hours a day, and it’s necessary.”
“Olivia tried to wash my hair and exfoliate me, whatever that means, last night, but I declined. Too weird for me.”
“Oh, but you should let her do the exfoliating treatment at least once. Your skin will feel as soft as a baby’s. Even I allow that once a month.”
“I’ll consider it.”
She smiles, searching my eyes for a brief moment. “You have lots of sex with Lathan, don’t you?”
Okay. Did not see that coming. “Um, why do you ask?”
“Because you’re not like us here. You’re independent and lived in your own home and had a job. You must be free to do as you wish sexually.”
I have no idea if this kind of information is okay to share. “Um, that’s sort of private.”
She grins. “Okay. I shouldn’t have asked. You barely know me, but I feel like I know you. Lathan told me about you the first time he met you.”
“He did?”
“Yes. I was so excited for him. Maybe I’m wrong, but I believe he needs a woman as adventurous as he is to be truly happy. He has found that in you.”
“I hope so.”
She takes my hand in hers. “Do you love him? Really, love him. Enough to stand by his side as he navigates this next chapter of his life? He will need you.”
“I do, Ophelia. I love him deeply. Even though I have no idea what will be asked of me yet, I’m prepared for whatever it is. If I have to pretend I’m an emotional virgin, then I will. As long as Lathan knows he can count on me, then that’s all I really need.”
Surprising me, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. “I am so excited to see what the future holds.”
“So am I.”
Hours later, after spending the whole day with Ophelia learning about royal etiquette, I plop down on my bed and stare up at the frescoed ceiling. Hearing a soft tapping noise, I prop myself up on my elbows to see Lathan coming through the secret door.
“Hello, my darling.”
“Hey, handsome.”
He walks over, climbing into bed next to me. Wrapping his hand around mine, he lifts it to his mouth and kisses it softly.
“How was your time with Ophelia?”
“Good. I learned a lot.” I look over at him. “Uh, she asked me if we had lots of sex, but I didn’t know what to say.”
He rolls to his side so that he’s hovering above me. “She is a curious one.”
“She is. She thinks we must because I’m so independent and you would need an adventurous woman to be happy.”
“She is right.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know if you’d think that was too private.”
“You can trust Ophelia as you trust me and tell her whatever you like. It’s important for you to have a confidant if I am not available. I don’t mind if she knows that we have the most mind blowing, epic, truly spectacular physical connection that only pales slightly to our emotional one. I would tell the world if I could how perfect a mate you are for me. In fact, when our engagement is announced, I will tell the world.” He brushes his fingers over my cheek. “Tell her whatever you wish.”
“Okay.”
“Are you hungry?”
“No. They feed me all day here. You?”
“No. I am fed all day as well.” He leans forward, kissing me softly. “May I lie here with you, soaking in your beauty and being grateful you are mine?”
“You may.”
“Good. At the end of a long day, all I want, all I need, my sweet princess, is to be with you. As long as you’re here, all is well.”
“I’m here, my prince.” I always will be.
When I open my eyes in the morning, I’m alone. I roll over to where Lathan was and smile when I see a stack of chocolate squares and a folded note. I open it and read it.
L
eaving you is the worst part of my day, coming back to you the best. I restlessly count the minutes in between. I love you, my darling princess.
After reading it a second time, I sit up and am about to climb out of bed when there’s a soft knock on my door and then Olivia is there.
“Good morning, madam. His Royal Highness Prince Lathan requested a delivery.”
“Uh, okay.” I clutch the blanket over my nakedness.
Olivia motions into the hallway and another, much younger, woman walks in carrying a tray over to me. It’s a simple cup of coffee sitting on a saucer.
“His Highness says you will understand coffee in bed, madam,” Olivia explains.
I nod, smiling. “I do.”
“If you’d like, we can arrange this service for you daily.”
I look up at her and the woman standing beside her. “I’ll think about that. What is your name?”
The woman looks at Olivia who nods. “Karina, madam.”
“Nice to meet you.”
She bows her head slightly. “The honor is mine, madam.”
I sigh, slightly put out with all this formality. Olivia excuses Karina then turns back to me. “I’ll prepare your bath, madam.”
“Can you ever call me by name?”
“No, madam.”
“Even if I insist?”
Olivia shakes her head. “It would be most unusual.” She smiles slightly. “And very uncomfortable for me.”
“I see. Okay, well I don’t want that, so I’ll just try to get used to it.”
“You will, madam. It is not so bad to be respected.”
“No, it’s not. It’s just that Karina looked frightened by me.”
“She’s very shy and not used to being addressed directly.”
“Okay.”
“Her Royal Highness Princess Ophelia will be here around ten this morning. After your bath, I will have breakfast prepared. May I do anything else for you today? Perhaps a foot rub.”
I look up at her like she just turned green in front of me. “A foot rub?”
“Madam, I am your lady in waiting. It is my responsibility to ensure your absolute comfort at all times.”
“Right. I’ll let you know if I want that.”
She smiles. “I’ll prepare your bath now.”
“Thank you. Oh, you know what I could use? Is there a phone around here? My cell phone reception has been very spotty.”
Unexpectedly Royal Page 27
