“Come in for dinner with us,” I invited.
His older, dark face was comical in its terror. “I had the privilege of meeting the Bailiff’s parents already today, lady. I think I shall eat leftovers in front of my TV. Dancing with the Stars is on tonight.”
“I don’t blame you,” I whispered. “Thank you, good sir.”
Gus was at attention inside the doorway to the castle. He was dressed in his best armor, and saluted us as we approached. “Welcome Sir Bailiff and Lady Jessie. The king and queen wait within.”
Chase and I were led into the castle by Sir Marcus Fleck who was once the Black Dwarf. He’d also played the Town Crier for a while. He seemed to like the castle where he was a royal herald and major domo.
He inquired after our health as we walked into the castle. “Your wedding will be a joyous event! We’re all looking forward to it. I hope there’s plenty of champagne.”
King Harold and Queen Olivia were waiting for us in the sitting room. Chase’s family was with them. It made me wish I’d thought to invite Tony since he was my only living relative. It was probably just as well, though it made me feel a little alone. Tony can be crazy sometimes. It was hard enough coping with Chase’s family.
“Good evening, Sir Bailiff and Lady Jessie.” King Harold—Harry to those of us who knew him well—greeted us. “We are so glad to have you with us during this joyous time in your lives.”
Queen Olivia, Livy—when we were talking about her behind her back—agreed with him. “Yes! We are very excited about your wedding, and looking forward to spending the evening with you and your lovely family.”
Chase’s parents, and Morgan, sat like statues on the antique furniture that filled the sitting room. There were beautiful tapestries on the walls that had more life in them than Chase’s family did. Cold eyes regarded me as I was introduced to Chase’s parents, shook hands and prepared to spend some fun-filled time together.
The royal nanny brought Princess Pea into the sitting room for the king and queen to say their goodnights. She was a precious little thing who was partially named after me. I’d helped deliver her, after saving the queen’s life, but that was another story.
“Goodnight, darling Pea.” The king lifted his daughter and kissed her. “Sleep well.”
Pea was almost one year old. She struggled in her father’s arms, and said a few words that I couldn’t understand, but her proud parents didn’t care.
Queen Olivia laughed, looking younger and so much happier since the princess was born. “She wants a story, Harry,” she told her husband. “We can carry on without you for a few minutes. We don’t want to disappoint Pea.”
Harry also seemed much happier and, as far as I knew, had stayed faithful to his wife for the last year. It was a royal feat in itself.
“Storytelling is one of my favorite times of day.” Kind Harold grinned as he got up from his chair to accompany the nanny and his daughter back to her room. “I shall return.”
When he was gone, Mrs. Manhattan cleared her throat. “May I ask why you call your daughter Princess Pea? I mean, I get the princess part, but why Pea?”
Livy smiled graciously. “She has such a long name—Henrietta Olivia Jane Jessica—we just decided to call her Pea for short. It’s much easier to say than all of that, don’t you think?”
Mrs. Manhattan shrugged and looked bored.
“Let me ask why you decided to name your son, Chase, after a bank.” Livy returned the favor.
Mr. Manhattan glanced at his wife. “It seemed appropriate. I was a financial advisor for many years.”
Queen Olivia nodded. “And your son, Morgan, is also named for a financial institution. How quaint.”
I hoped this wasn’t going to get ugly. I knew from Chase’s tales of his family that they had always thought themselves a step or two above everyone else. It seemed as though his father going to prison for insider trading hadn’t changed that.
They’d always felt Chase was too good to live in the Village also, and was definitely too good to be with me. I’d hoped their attitude would change over time, but time had passed, and they’d remained the same.
Mrs. Manhattan’s smile was barely a slight upturn of her lips. “At least we don’t fool ourselves into thinking we’re actually a king and queen living in a real castle instead of one constructed from an old Air Force control tower.”
Livy’s right eye twitched a little. “For all intents and purposes, we are a king and queen. Our daughter is a princess. Your son is our respected Bailiff, whom we love dearly.”