Recklessly Royal(13)

“When do we get to eat?” Max picked up a cracker from the table and popped it into his mouth. “This isn’t going to cut it.”

“You just had breakfast.” I rolled my eyes.

“A small breakfast.” He frowned. “Tiny.”

I didn’t take his grumpy attitude personally. He hated being in the public eye as much as, if not more than, Sam. The fact that he had agreed to be Alex’s best man without a fuss was a big deal. It was a large testament to how much he loved our brother.

“There will be snacks after the ceremony.” I walked over to the table and poured myself a glass of water. I needed to go downstairs soon.

“I see the motorcade.” Alex’s voice was quiet. One of the oldest Lilarian traditions was the ride the royal bride took through the city. Thankfully, Sam was able to do it in a car and not in a coach. However, this had meant she had to get ready at a local home before starting her ride to the palace.

“Get away from the window!” I ran over and pulled on his arm. He let me drag him over to a chair. I pushed his shoulders so that he sat, and I turned to look at Max. “Don’t let him peek.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it, Max! If you let him peek I will find out. And I will make your life a living hell.” I pointed at him.

“Breathe, Cathy. It’s going to be fine.” He shrugged. “I don’t know why it matters anyways.”

“Max,” I warned. “I have to go.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re welcoming her to the palace.” Max waved his cracker in the air. “Blah, blah, tradition, blah, blah.”

“It’s fine, Cathy.” Alex gave me a more normal smile. “I promise to not peek.” He lifted three fingers into the air.

“Okay. I have to go.” I shot Max a glare before darting out of the door. I’d have my hands full with Sam and really needed him to make sure that Alex didn’t have any problems.

Selene was hurrying toward me, her clipboard clutched in her hands. When she saw me, her face relaxed. “The duchess has arrived.”

“I’m coming.” I reached up and touched my tiara. I’d worn a very small one so that it wouldn’t in any way compete with what Sam was wearing. I didn’t want to wear one at all, but it was expected that I represent my title.

The cheer of the crowd could be heard through the castle walls. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, which made me worry even more about Sam. If I was nervous, she must be ready to run and hide. No wonder Alex was scared.

As I rounded a corner I ran into the suit-clad shoulder of a man. “Excuse me.”

“Cathy?” The deep American accent made me pause.

“David?” How did I manage to keep running into him? I looked up at him and felt my stomach tumble for a completely different reason. The man cleaned up nice. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m lost.” He smiled. “Chadwick only gave me a map for Rousseau.”

“Catherine.” Selene’s voice cut into the conversation, reminding me of the time crunch.

“Come on.” Grabbing his hand I pulled him with me. It would take too long to explain how to get to the seating outside. His fingers curled around mine and for some reason my mouth pulled up into a smile.

“Where are we going?” He picked up his pace to keep up with me.

“To welcome the duchess into the royal family.” I winked at him.

He didn’t say anything, but I saw him gulp. I squeezed his fingers to try and reassure him. Mother was waiting at the bottom of the stairs talking with one of her attendants. She looked up as we thundered down, and raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, I was with Alex.” I leaned forward to kiss her cheek. She looked amazing in a pale green dress that showed her support of the Rousseau family. It was a similar shade to the dresses Jess and I wore at Sam’s wedding party. Everything had been worked around the colors of the Rousseau family crest. Thankfully, Sam liked green.

“Who is your friend?” She smiled at David.

I let go of his fingers quickly. “Mother, this is David Rhodes, Samantha’s friend from Minnesota. He will be working at the FBT and staying at Rousseau while Sam and Alex are away.” Angling my body toward David I smiled. “David, this is my mother, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Felecia.”

I watched his face as he took in what I was telling him. There was no panic, which I had been expecting. Instead, he bowed his head and gave my mother a small smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.

“The pleasure is mine. It’s always nice to meet Sam’s friends.” Mother turned to me and adjusted the neckline of my dress. Years of practice kept me from rolling my eyes. “Are you ready to step outside?”