Unexpectedly Royal

by Jennifer Domenico

As Arlan and Fallyn sit down, the rest of us join them. Lathan lifts his wine glass.

  “I propose an American style toast.” All of us lift our glasses. Lathan glances at me, smiling. “To all of life’s possibilities.” We clink glasses and sip.

  “I have an addition,” I add, looking at my friend. “To bravery and rebellion.”

  Lathan grins. “I’ll definitely drink to that.”

  We start our meal, everyone drilling Fallyn on her life in Boston and listening with awe to her strong Boston accent. I just smile, watching Arlan watch her. Later I’ll tell her to go with the flow and see where it takes her. It’s worked out well for me so far.

  After we finish our light dinner of grilled fish and salad, Arlan offers to walk with Fallyn. We say goodbye to the remainder of our guests, then Lathan walks me up to my room.

  “May I stay with you tonight?”

  “Why do you ask? You know the answer? Always yes.”

  “Until you are my wife, I will always ask. After that, I will assume it’s okay.”

  I laugh. “Your choice, but if we were in Boston, we’d sleep together every night, no questions asked.”

  He steps closer. “That’s a fair point. Perhaps, I’m just checking that you haven’t changed your mind after everything you’ve been subjected to here.”

  “It hasn’t been bad at all.”

  “So, I can stay?”

  “I’d be sad if you didn’t.”

  “Consider it done. We can’t have you be sad.”

  We undress and climb into bed, snuggling close. “I hope Fallyn doesn’t need me tonight.”

  “If she does, we’ll work it out.”

  “Yeah.” I kiss his cheek. “This is the best gift I’ve ever been given.”

  “Just you wait, my darling. I have so much more planned.” He kisses me softly. “Are you ready for the ball?”

  “As ready as I’m gonna be.” Snuggling closer to him, I remind myself that no matter what happens next, Lathan is worth it.

  The next morning, I turn around when Franco enters my office. “Your Highness, your guest is here.”

  “Thank you. Show her in.”

  Fallyn steps in the room, a look of bewilderment on her face. I walk over and give her a big hug, then step back. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah,” she says. “I’m just sort of blown away by this place. I’ve never seen anything like it in real life.”

  “You get used to it.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” She looks up at me. “You wanted to see me?”

  “I did. First, how did last night go with Arlan?”

  She sighs softly as a smile spreads across her lips. “He’s really sweet.”

  “Yes, he is a good man. Did you sort out your earlier disagreement?”

  Fallyn nods. “We did. Do you know what happened?”

  “I do. Arlan told me.”

  “Yeah, so, I’m not used to that, you know, men that don’t want to go bed right away.”

  “You mean, men that cast aside their desires in order to treat a woman the way he should? Because I am positive he does want to go to bed with you.”

  Her cheeks flush a little. “Yeah, that. So many American men just go for it, and then once they get it, that’s it. They’re out. I don’t really know what to do with anything else.”

  I nod. “I understand.”

  “So I thought he would be the same, but he’s not. He wants to court me, like you did to Delaney.”

  “And how do you feel about that?”

  She grins. “I think it’s wicked awesome.”

  I chuckle. “It is. Delaney and I thought the two of you would hit it off, and I see we were correct.” I squeeze her hand. “Just be patient with him. He’s not used to courting a woman, so it’s new for him.”

  “That’s what he told me.” She shrugs. “I’m cool with it.”

  “Good.”

  “Is that why you wanted to see me?”

  “No. I need your help with something regarding Delaney.”

  Her eyes light up. “Sure. What?”

  “Well, you know the ball is coming up on Saturday, right?”

  “Right.”

  “I have a huge surprise planned for her, but I need your help to pull it off. Are you in?”

  “Do you even need to ask?”

  “Excellent. Let’s sit and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Sitting at my window seat, I gaze down into the garden waiting for Fallyn and Ophelia. Now that the day of the ball is here, I’m a mess. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my entire life. My future is completely dependent on this night.

  I’ve tried everything to relax—a massage by the palace masseuse, a pedicure, even the exfoliation treatment by Olivia. I have to admit, it was no more unusual than a spa treatment, and I feel amazing. On the outside. On the inside, I’m a hot mess.

  I turn around when I hear a knock and Olivia enters. “Madam, I brought you some tea to calm your nerves.”

  “Oh, thank you so much.”

  She sets it down for me and smiles. “Tonight will be wonderful, madam. Everyone has anxiously waited for the prince to choose someone, and now he has.”

  I nod. “Bet I’m not what people expect.”

  “No, and that’s what is so wonderful about it. You are interesting, exotic, different, and that is good. The younger generations will be so pleased to have someone like you among them. They are tired of the stuffy monarchy currently in place. Don’t get me wrong, madam, the people love their king and queen, but some of the policies are stifling. We are ready for change.” She smiles. “Even I am.”

  “Well, that’s Lathan’s territory not mine.”

  “You will have more influence than you know, and just by Lathan choosing you, he is setting the tone for the modern monarchy he will lead. It’s an exciting time for us, so don’t be nervous. The people will love you.”

  “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

  “You have my complete support.”

  “Thank you, Olivia.” I look up as Ophelia and Fallyn enter the room, their hands full of various items. “What’s this?”

  Ophelia grins. “This is making a princess.” She turns to Olivia. “Can you prepare a pitcher of Sangria for us please, Olivia, and keep it flowing. We’ve got work to do.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  Olivia leaves and Ophelia hangs my gown on the hook on the armoire door, then unzips the garment bag it’s in. “Fresh from alteration, here is it.”

  As she reveals the gown, I start to smile and bounce in my seat. “Oh, it’s lovely. So beautiful, Ophelia.”

  “It’s the colors of the crown, royal blue with cream accents. It’s perfect.”

  “You haven’t seen it before?” Fallyn asks.

  “No, I tried on the same style for size, but this had to be custom made because of the colors. Only members and special guests of the royal family are allowed to wear this color combination to the ball.”

  “That’s cool,” she says. “It’s stunning.”

  “Wait until you see it on,” Ophelia says. “Va va voom.”

  We all laugh. “Let’s just say my assets, as Lathan calls the girls, are on full display.”

  “Really? Is that cool? You don’t have to be all propah and demure?” Fallyn asks.

  “Not at all,” Ophelia answers. “I received approval for the gown from the Queen. She loves it.”

  “And if she loves it, everyone else will,” I add.

  “Exactly. It looks like something someone in Hollywood would wear, which couldn’t be more perfect, really, if you think about it.”

  “I can’t wait to put it on.” I look at all the bags on the bed. “What’s the rest of this stuff for?”

  “You need more than just a gown. It’s makeup and accessories. We should get started now.”

  “Now? Isn’t it too early?”

  “Not at all. Lathan has requested you be ready at three o’clock. I’m sure he has pictures or
something planned so the palace can release official press releases tomorrow.”

  “Oh. Okay. Well, let’s get started then.”

  “Strip down,” Ophelia says. “I have lingerie for you.”

  “Lingerie? Really, Ophelia?”

  “Really. A pretty gown like this requires equally pretty underthings.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I imagine His Highness will appreciate it later.”

  I shake my head, laughing. “I’m sure he will.”

  Olivia enters carrying two large pitchers of the requested Sangria, while Karina follows with a tray of glasses and some appetizers for us. After they leave, Fallyn uses her phone to put some music on, and my transformation from commoner to princess commences.

  “Is everything ready?” I ask the committee of women standing in front of me.

  “Yes, Your Highness,” Agnes, the one in charge, answers. “We’ve checked and double checked, sir. It is all set.”

  I exhale slowly. “Excellent. Thank you for your service. That is all for now.”

  The women leave, but as I turn to go back to my desk, my parents enter.

  “Hello.”

  Mother grins. “Son, your father has been cleared to make a brief appearance this evening. We thought it would be good for the people to see him.”

  I smile. “Wonderful.” Then my eyes shift to my mother. “Do you need any special arrangements?”

  “No, no,” Father, replies, waving his hand. “I had a full battery of tests and I’m fine, but I’m limited to standing for no more than five to ten minutes.” He smiles, taking me aback for a brief moment. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to him smiling. “I wanted to say something after you introduce Delaney. Something for the people to know you have my blessing.”

  I smile, full of excitement. “Really, Father? You want to do that for me?”

  “I want to do it for both of you. What is your plan?”

  “Well, Arlan is going to step in front of the crowd to quiet everyone down. Then he’ll introduce me, and I’ll come out alone and tell everyone that I want them to meet someone. Arlan will then escort Delaney to the stage with me.”

  I notice how my parents exchange glances. “We’d like to escort her in,” Mother says, as my eyes nearly pop out of my head in surprise. “That is a very old fashioned tradition, but we talked about it and felt it would really drive home Delaney’s acceptance into our lives. Will that work with the remainder of your plans?”

  My heart races with joy and excitement. The thing I feared the most, my father’s denial of my choice, is eradicated. “Yes, definitely. Thank you so much. It means everything to have your support.”

  My father nods. “Son, it means everything to us to have our family home, to see you coming into your manhood and your duties as you have. The least we can do is ensure the public understands without a doubt, that we approve your choice.” He squeezes my mother’s hand.

  I nod, then take another chance. “May I embrace you, Father?”

  He nods. “I would like that.”

  As I wrap my arms around him, he tentatively pats my back, then more fully returns my embrace. My eyes shift to my mother’s, who smiles as she watches us.

  “Thank you,” I say, releasing my father, then glancing at my watch. “Speaking of Delaney, I told Ophelia to have her ready by three so I could brief her on the night’s events.”

  “What time shall we be ready?” Mother asks.

  “Six. We’re going to do the announcement at the start so we can enjoy our evening.”

  “Good plan.”

  I smile at my parents, feeling a mix of nervous energy and excitement. “I hope everything goes as planned. Tonight sets the tone for the future.”

  My mother rubs my arm. “It will be wonderful. Delaney is an excellent choice.”

  “Oh, I know. I have no doubt about that. I just hope everyone sees what I do.”

  “They will,” Father says. “I didn’t even want to like her and I did anyway.” We all laugh. “In all seriousness,” he continues. “She does have a way of endearing herself to people right away. I understand why you fell in love. Perhaps, you didn’t have a choice.”

  Shaking my head softly, I reply. “No, I don’t believe I did. It just happened to me one day. I was so afraid that I would have to leave her, that it would be too shocking.” I pause. “That you would be too disappointed.”

  “But you persisted anyway.”

  “I had to, Father. She’s amazing, and because of her, I can be amazing too.”

  He looks up at my mother. “I completely believe in the power of a good woman’s love. In fact, I live and breathe at this very moment, because of this woman, your mother. My will is strong to remain here with her.” As she brushes her fingers across his bearded cheek, I realize I’m witnessing a rare moment of public intimacy between them. “I can’t bear to leave her alone. I can’t not hold her every night. I am not ready to leave her. If I could have nothing but you,” he says, now speaking directly to my mother, “that would be enough.”

  My eyes open wide as she leans forward to softly kiss him, then my father looks back at me. “I understand completely, son.”

  “Thank you both for accepting her, accepting me, for raising me in this beautiful place, and instilling the values you did. I am a content man today.”

  “That is all any parent wants for their child,” my father says.

  I nod. “I have to go to Delaney now.” I pick up the box sitting on my desk.

  “What is that?” my mother asks.

  “A gift for Delaney.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  “A surprise.”

  “Even from your mother?”

  “Just this once.”

  “Oh, fine. I do like a good surprise.” She straightens my bow tie. “You are such a man, Lathan. You look so sophisticated and handsome in your tuxedo. It’s a good thing Delaney has captured you, or you’d be fighting off every woman in Havendon tonight.”

  “Thank you, Mother. I have eyes only for one.”

  “Go get her.”

  “I will. See you both soon.”

  “We must hurry,” Ophelia says. “He’ll be here soon.”

  Ophelia and Fallyn help me step into the gown and shimmy it up my body. Then Ophelia works on the corseted back, while Fallyn fluffs the skirt, and I tug on the bodice to get my boobs under control.

  “There,” Ophelia says. “All done. Look at yourself.”

  I walk to the full-length mirror and can’t believe my eyes. As my hands run down my sides, I blink back tears. The dress is perfect, even better than I remembered, as it hugs my shape. The tight bodice accentuates my boobs and small waist before flowing in waves of tulle and beaded embroidery to the floor, spilling around my feet.

  “I feel like a princess.”

  “You look like one,” Ophelia says.

  “Like freaking Cinderella,” Fallyn adds. “Delaney, you are stunning.”

  I look back at my friends. “Thank you.” Peering closer, I look at my make-up, smoky shadow that matches my deep blue gown, with thick black eyelashes, and a nude lip. My hair is swept up high on my head in an elegant bun, and I’m wearing a breathtaking diamond necklace and earrings from Ophelia’s collection.

  “The people will approve,” Ophelia adds, giggling. We hear a knock at the door and Ophelia claps. “Your prince is here!”

  I wait, nervously, while Ophelia opens the door. “Come in, Your Highness. Your princess awaits.”

  I walk inside, and as Delaney slowly turns to face me, I feel like the air is knocked out of me. She’s so beautiful. No. No. It’s so much more than that. She is…

  “Exquisite,” I say aloud. “Incredible.” I step closer. “Unreal.”

  “I take it you approve?”

  “Approve? Oh, my darling, I don’t know if you’ll make it out of here.”

  Ophelia shoves herself between us. “Oh yes, she will. We’ve worked all day to create this. She’s going to the ball.”


  I laugh. “I joke, cousin. Of course she’s going. May we be alone, please?”

  “Of course. I have to get ready.”

  “So do I,” Fallyn says, winking at me.

  “See you soon, girls,” Delaney says, waving as they leave.

  Once they’re gone, I set the box down on a nearby table, and pull Delaney into my arms, kissing her sweetly. “You’re always beautiful, but dressed like this, in the royal colors, you look like you’ve always been here. You are part of this place now.”

  She nods. “I am. This is my home because home is wherever you are.”

  I smile. “Will you stay forever?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely, Lathan. All this stuff, the castles and the ball gowns, and the fairy tale existence, it’s nice. I’m not gonna lie, but I know that if it was all gone tomorrow, I’d be okay, as long as you were still there. I could live in a shoebox with cookies, and wine, and books, if you lived there too.” She blinks her eyes rapidly. “I don’t want to mess up my makeup. Ophelia worked so hard.”

  “We won’t live in a shoebox, we’ll live in a palace, sometimes under a microscope. Not everything will always feel like a fairy tale, but I know that I have found the only person on this entire earth that was meant just for me. Knowing that puts so much into perspective. My father told me just today that the love of a good woman is all a man needs, and I have that.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Oh yes, my darling, but not for the reasons you may think.”

  “Why then?”

  “I just want it to be a good night.”

  “It will be incredible. I’m sure of it.”

  “Let’s take a walk in the garden. I have something very important to show you.”

  “Okay,” she answers. I pick up the box and start to walk toward the door, noting Delaney’s curious peek. “What’s in the box?”

  “It’s for the ball. You’ll see it soon.”

  She nods, smiling, as she hooks her arm around mine. I escort her down the stairs and into the garden where soft music is playing on the veranda. Setting the box down, I offer my hand to her.

  “May I have this dance, madam?”