Royal Pain in the Ass, page 4
“I don’t really want to go down to dinner.” I admitted, feeling sheepish. Since when was I nervous around people? This was weird of me.
“Why not?”
“I’m not comfortable around Millie and Angelica to be honest.”
Laurel nodded. “They are a bit much at times.”
My stomach growled.
Laurel gave me a knowing look. “I could bring you something from the kitchens, or you can brave them.”
I nodded. She was right. I was a guest, I shouldn’t have to hide. “Let me change really quick and I’ll head down there. I pulled my suitcase into the bathroom and took the fastest shower of my life and was pulling on clothes that I was comfortable in. I had a pair of cropped shorts that had started life as jeans and a crimson fitted top. I was as ready as I was going to be to head downstairs. Laurel looked me over and there was something in her eyes I couldn’t quite place, because as quickly as I saw it, it was gone. She governed her face back to the polite mask she always seemed to wear.
“You will definitely change things around here.”
I smiled. “Can you show me to the dining room? I may forget to eat, but my stomach sure doesn’t.” I laughed.
Laurel showed me to the dining room and disappeared around the corner, leaving me alone. I took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. Millie, Angelica, and James were sitting at the table with a woman I’d never met before.
“Ah, how good of you to join us,” Millie snorted sardonically.
“Juliet, this is one of my advisors, Carolynn.” He indicated the plump woman sitting next to him. She had a cheery smile and was the only woman in the room not sneering at me.
“It’s a pleasure,” I smiled.
“Carolynn has helped Angelica and Millie with images and appearances. I’d like you to go shopping with her tomorrow. And she can help - ” James started.
“I have a question.” I interjected.
“Yes, love?”
“Are you planning on trying to change everything about me?”
James looked taken aback, Angelica covered a laugh up with a cough and Millie was staring at her dinner with an uninterested gaze. “What do you mean love?”
“Just what I said. I have my own clothes. I have my own style. I am who I am. I don’t plan on changing who I am. If that’s what you want me to do, I’m sorry, but I won’t.”
James stared at me for a long moment, then his face softened into a smile. He let out a sigh. “There is no denying you are her daughter. Very well, Carolynn will go with you, and you may pick out what you like, but some things are just not appropriate in our society as they would be in America.”
“Yeah, like what?”
“Like certain mannerisms and . . . terms that Americans use so freely.”
“Like what?”
“Cursing, my dear,” Millie interjected. “Your foul mouth is embarrassing. A proper lady doesn’t behave in such a way. That mouth of yours could make a sailor blush.”
I stared straight at her. “Oh, you haven’t heard anything yet, should I call you Mum?”
Millie tensed. “I’ve already told you what to call - ”
“That’s a marvelous idea,” James beamed. “I’m glad you two are getting acquainted. Now I have a meeting to attend. You ladies should continue chatting. Good evening.” James stood and hurried out.
“So, what’s for dinner?” I asked, choosing a seat. “It looks delicious.” I smiled.
I started fixing myself a plate and dug in while everyone else stared at me. I think I might just enjoy being here for a while.
I listened to Carolynn’s suggestions, most of which I shot down, and watched as Millie and Angelica tried to ignore me and pretend I wasn’t there. In these instances, I would feel the need to make my presence know.
“Mum, darling, would you pass the salt?” I smiled, just as sweet as pie. It would be rude for her to ignore me in front of Carolynn. Millie just didn’t seem the type to let the world see her snakelike side.
Millie gave me a flat look and harshly handed it to me.
“You’re the best, Mum.” I smiled, I knew the grin was cheeky, but I couldn’t help myself. I personally had a lovely dinner. Millie and Angelica didn’t seem very hungry. I talked with Carolynn for a while after they left, and she seemed like a nice lady. I really felt bad that she thought she could change me. Unfortunately, she had no idea what she was up against. I told Carolynn goodnight and managed to find my way back to my room, all by myself.
“You deserve a cookie,” came a familiar voice I couldn’t place. I turned to see Gwen.
“Hey!” I smiled. She actually had a cookie for me. “Chocolate chip! I love chocolate chip cookies. Oh my god, and it’s still warm. Have I told you you’re amazing?” I asked around a mouthful of cookie.
“No, but you’re welcome to. I figured I’d make sure you got here okay, and cookies just make everything better.” Gwen shrugged. “So I talked to Ben today.”
“He seemed pretty cool,”
“Yeah, he can be,” Gwen smiled, a far off look in her eye. I cocked my head to the side. “Are you two?”
Gwen’s smiled widened as she nodded. “Yeah,”
“He’s your boyfriend?”
Gwen shot me a look of disgust. “Ew, no, he’s my brother.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No problem,” Gwen laughed. “ I have to get started on my chores. Good luck tomorrow. Word on the grounds is that we have some very important guests coming. It’s going to be an early morning. Get some sleep if you can.” Gwen sauntered off and I went into my room. I changed into my bedclothes and managed to fall asleep almost instantly.
The next thing I knew, Laurel was gently shaking me awake.
“Dude?” I looked around. “What time is it?”
“Time to wake up.” Laurel smiled. “We have some very important guests coming.”
“Who the hell is so important?”
“The Royal Family” Laurel replied flatly.
“No, really,”
“Really.”
I sat up. “Why is the royal family coming here?”
“Because the queen is visiting her baby brother.”
“James is the queen’s baby brother?”
“Master Eastgate is, yes.”
“Hmm, so my aunt is the queen?”
“My, you are a fast study,” Laurel laughed.
“Well, what does one wear to meet a queen?”
“Do you have nice clothes?”
I shrugged.
Laurel covered her face with her hand. “It might not mean much to you, but it does to us. The queen is kind of like your favorite grandmother. You may not agree with everything she says, but you do your best to be polite and appease her. Appeasing her is of the upmost importance. Your best bet is probably not to talk, to be honest.” Laurel covered her mouth. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“It’s cool,” I shrugged. “I have a big mouth. I say stupid things.” I pulled my butt out of bed and started rummaging through my suitcase. I did bring a dress with me. It was white with a black belt around the chest. It went to about mid-thigh and I even remembered to bring shoes for it, a pair of black heels. I pulled it out and showed it to Laurel. “What do you think?”
“It works a lot better than ripped jeans.” Laurel smiled.
“Is it queen worthy?”
Laurel shook her head. “No, but for you, that’s marvelous.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”
“I’m sorry, I just, it’s just - ”
I burst out laughing. “I’m only joking. I’m a mess and I know it.”
Laurel sighed. “Well, I’m actually supposed to basically brief you on proper procedures and etiquette and such.”
An hour later I had my hair styled, my make up done and felt nothing like myself. I wasn’t comfortable in what I was wearing or why but I put on a smile and decided to try to fake it as best I could. We were all gathered in the sitting room and Eleanor brought me tea. “I’m happy Aunt Cassandra is coming, are her children coming?” Angelica cooed.
“I’m not sure,” James sighed, sipping his tea.
“Oh,” Angelica sipped hers and her eyes shifted to me. “This will be interesting.”
Not long after a beautiful woman strolled in. There was an air of power around her, but she didn’t have to flaunt it. There was something about her that if she whispered an order, everyone would jump to action. Everyone stood.
“Cassie,” James smiled and pulled her into a hug.
“James,” Her smile was soft and genuine. There was something about her. She was simply . . . radiant. I saw a lot of James in her. “I got your message. What surprise do you have for me?”
“A niece.” James beamed. “I’ve just recently found out I have another daughter.”
Cassandra frowned at him. “James,” she started cautiously. “explain yourself.”
James sighed and smiled. “Do you remember, about twenty years ago, Rose?”
Cassandra’s eyes went wide. “Yes . . .”
James gave a sheepish smile.
“Is Rose here now?” Cassandra asked looking around.
James’s face fell and he shook his head. “No, she’s . . .”
Cassandra nodded and her face grew solemn. “I see.”
“This is Juliet,” James pulled me forward.
“It’s a pleasure, your highness” I curtsied to her.
Cassandra let out a laugh that rang like bells. “Juliet is it? I am your aunt, you do not have to be so formal. You may call me Aunt Cassie if you like.”
I smiled. “That works for me, Aunt Cassie. I’ve got to be honest, I was really worried about meeting you. I’ve never met a politician let alone a queen.”
“You’ll do fine, child. Is this why you asked me to bring Ian and Christine along?”
James nodded. “I thought they might teach her a little about our world. She’s been in America for the past twenty-one years.”
“Speaking of, why didn’t you tell me about her before?” Aunt Cassie’s eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t know.”
Cassie slapped him across the back of the head. “You should have been smarter back then.” She turned to me. “I’m glad my baby brother was an idiot. You’re a lovely young lady, I’m sorry he wasn’t more responsible. I’d like you to meet two of my children. Ian? Christine? Where are you two?”
Four people strolled in. There was only one boy, I could only imagine he was Ian. He was tall, lean muscled and had gorgeous blue eyes. I noticed he had the same brown hair as Cassie. One of the girls had the same blue eyes as Ian, and other than her hair and eyes was the spitting image of Cassie, that had to be Christine.
“Here they are, Cassie,” smiled an official woman in a business skirt suit.
“Thank you Patricia.” Cassie turned to me. “Juliet, this is Ian, my son, Christine, my daughter, their advisor, Lana, and my advisor, Patricia. Everyone, this is Juliet, my newest niece.”
Lana was slender with mocha skin, and dark hair but what really caught my attention was her hazel eyes. They looked foreign in her face, but made her look all the more beautiful.
“It’s a pleasure,” I smiled, feeling awkward.
“Children, the adults need to speak. Lana would you take Juliet into the city with Ian and Christine? I believe some shopping was promised to her.”
Lana paled slightly. “Of course,” Lana looked to Ian and Christine. “And we’re all going to behave ourselves?”
“I believe the latest negative tabloid of us featured me carrying you out of a club, drunk.” Ian replied with a simple shrug.
Lana’s cheeks flushed. “I thought we agreed not to talk about this again.” She huffed.
“Sounds like you guys know how to have a good time.” I smirked. “If we’re going out, can I change?”
Everyone looked taken aback. “I suppose so,” Lana nodded. “But please hurry,”
“I’m coming,” Christine smiled.
I shrugged, “Sure, if you want to.”
Christine followed me to my room and I started to pick out an outfit only for her to interrupt.
“No, I think this top suits your figure much better.” She smiled handing me a baby blue halter top. “Oooh, with these!” she handed me a pair of black denim leggings. “Oh, and wear those!” she pointed to my heels. I let out a nervous laugh.
“Um, okay.”
I changed quickly and Christine gasped.
“What?”
“You have a tattoo!”
“Yeah, I know.” I laughed.
“That’s cool.”
“Thanks.” I looked over my shoulder at it. “I like it.”
Christine eyed me for a long moment. “Does your dad know?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe you should change one more time.”
“Why?”
“Tattoos are . . . frowned upon.” Christine started rummaging through my suitcase and pulled out a yellow and black babydoll top and handed it to me. “This way you don’t shock them too much.”
I nodded and put it on. “What’s the big deal. They’re just a couple of tattoos?” I called from the bathroom.
“A couple?” she asked barging in. “Where?”
I showed her the one of my shoulder clearly now. “I got this one for my mom, about two weeks after she died,” I felt a sad smile on my face.
Christine looked at me with a strange look. It’s wasn’t pity, but it wasn’t far off. “I can’t imagine my life without my Mum. I’m sorry you lost yours.”
I shrugged. “You learn to live with it. I guess it’s kind of cool to have found my father.”
Christine sighed. “Let’s go, they’ll wonder if we’re gone too long.” Christine grabbed me by my hand and pulled me back to where everyone was waiting. “We’re ready.” She beamed.
I followed them out to a limo. Two advisors, two royal children, and me in a limo.
Chapter VII
“So, you guys are the Prince and Princess?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ian looked at me like I was an idiot, and that look made me feel like I was.
“Hey, I’m new to the idea that I have a father let alone that I’m related to anyone important, let alone a queen.” I looked around. “My cousins are the prince and princess . . .” I let that settle for a moment and sighed. “Nope, it still sounds weird even if I say it out loud.”
Christine let out a bubbly laugh. “Relax.” She smiled. “We’re just like any other family.” She assured me as we walked down to the limo.
“Except that my aunt and uncle rule a country, yeah,” I shook my head.
“It’s only a big deal if you make it one.” Ian chided. For some reason, I felt like a toddler around him. I didn’t like it.
“Let’s go!” Christine grabbed my hand. “Lana, are you coming? Let’s go! I need some new shoes anyway!”
“Wait, Christine, these shoes aren’t meant to run in!” Lana gasped, breathless.
“Why did I have to come?” Ian groaned.
“Because I can’t leave you alone,” Lana started, “especially with that Amelia,” she continued under her breath. I don’t think Ian heard, but I did. We got into the limo and I sat next to Lana.
I nudged her side. “Who’s Amelia?”
“What?” Lana asked surprised.
“Who’s Amelia?”
Ian looked at me. “My girlfriend.”
“Oh, is she nice?”
Ian looked around. “I think so.”
Christine made a face. “When she isn’t being a brat,” Christine offered with a smile.
“She’s meeting us there,” Ian grumbled hitting Christine across the back of the head.
“Cool,” I replied looking around. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to react. These were the royal children. But . . . they were also my cousins? I figured, if nothing else I could ask. “So, I’m kind of new at this . . . what do I do?”
Lana looked at me confused. “What do you mean?”
“How am I supposed to act? I’m kind of used to just saying and doing whatever I feel like. I get the funny feeling that’s a bad idea.”
“That would be because it is,” Lana replied looking at me like I was an idiot. I couldn’t argue with her response. “You must be new at this,” she offered with a small laugh. “Just play it cool in the beginning. You don’t have to change yourself but . . . you can be more discreet. And hold back a little bit.”
I nodded. “Um, what if I haven’t done so yet?”
“Start.”
I nodded again.
We pulled up to the shopping district. “Are you ready?” Christine asked looking to me.
“Nope,” I shook my head. “But then again, I never will be,”
“This will be fun,” Christine giggled as she pulled me out of the limo. Ian held a hand over his face. I think he was dreading shopping as much as me. We weren’t in the store ten minutes before Christine handed me an armload of clothes and pushed me into a dressing room.
I walked back out handing her a pastel pink shirt which had too many holes for me to be comfortable with. “Do I wear it or wrangle tigers with it?” I asked holding it up, to which Ian laughed. Christine let out a bubbly laugh and Ian just shook his head.
“You’re so silly,” Christine smiled as she pulled me into the dressing room. Before I knew it I didn’t recognize myself. Christine had dressed me. To my surprise a pastel purple dress actually didn’t look horrible on me. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t exactly hate it.
“This doesn’t suit me,” I grumbled.
“It does though, it suits your figure.”
“But I hate it,”
“Oh, me too! I hate these kind of clothes, but I have to wear them for events. It’s good to have a few in the closet.” She beamed.
“But, I hate it.”
“No one under fifty likes these kind of clothes,”
“Hey,” Lana muttered from somewhere outside.
“Except Lana of course,” Christine called. “Carolynn, you’ll hardly recognize her!” Christine beamed as she shoved me out.
“Oh my, you look like quite the young lady,” Carolynn sighed, a huge smile across her face.
