The kitchen staff is in a similar state of hushed gossiping when we enter, Marta’s eyes flying up to me. Making her way over, she curtseys.
“My Lady,” she says formally.
“Oh, no, please,” I tell her. “Just Haven is fine.”
“Lady Haven, what can we do for you?”
Liam eyes her suspiciously, “What are you old hens gossiping about back here?”
Her eyes dart from Liam to me and then back again. “Oh, you know how rumors travel in the palace,” she offers a weak laugh.
“Is it,” I ask cautiously, “About me? And, um... a thing that happened today?”
Her eyes widen but she nods, her mouth clamping shut, the edges turned up in a wry grin.
“What happened to you today?” Liam asks, turning his attention to me. “Besides getting your ass kicked my me?”
Ignoring him, I lower my chin toward Marta, “It’s not official yet, obviously.”
She holds up a hand in understanding.
“But,” I continue, “Aiden proposed.”
“What?” Liam says, taking me by the shoulder and spinning me to face him. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I did,” I tell him. “I said yes.”
Around us I can feel the eyes of the other cooks on me, so I raise my voice, “I said yes.”
I cheer erupts from the group and Marta claps her hands. “It’s just so wonderful. A royal wedding. I’m so happy for you, Lady Haven.”
“Thanks, Marta.” I turn toward everyone else, “But this is just between us for now, alright?”
They murmur in agreement, and set about returning to their positions.
“Isn’t it a little soon?” Liam says. “You haven’t even been officially welcomed to the council yet.”
I shrug, “They ratified the proposal to drop the requirements for eligibility. So it doesn’t matter now. I’m still joining, of course, but it’s not a hoop we need to jump through anymore.”
“Still, it’s just really fast,” he says, frowning. “I thought it would take more time.”
“We all did, I guess Aiden just couldn’t wait any longer.”
“Can I see the ring?” Marta asks, disappointed when she sees my empty hand. “He did give you a ring, didn’t he?”
I smile, “Yes, he did. I didn’t want to wear it doing my workout. It would have clocked Liam out cold with one punch.”
She laughs. Liam does not.
Turning back to her, I offer an apologetic glance. “Anyway, we were just wondering if there was anything we could munch on? I skipped lunch and I’m starving.”
“Of course, let me see what I’ve got.”
“What is it?” I ask Liam once Marta turns away.
“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m happy for you guys, really. I guess it just feels like…” he struggles for the word.
“Like waiting for everything to explode in our faces? Yeah, I feel that too,” I admit. “I know Genevieve is up to something. It doesn’t make sense that she passed the revision. She had literally nothing to gain from it.”
“Well, whatever it is, we’ll handle it,” he says, his expression determined.
Marta hands us each a plate of grilled salmon and rice pilaf and steamed carrots. “Here, this should take the edge off.”
“You are an angel from heaven,” I tell her, taking a long sniff of the plate, my mouth already watering from the scent of fresh lemon and creamy butter.
Taking the plates, we make our way to the now empty informal dining area and have a seat.
“You know, it might help if we had eyes on Genevieve,” he says around bites.
“Like, spy on her?” I ask.
He raises his fork, pointing to the camera in the corner of the ceiling. “I could probably get us in the security room, we can look over the recordings, see what she’s been doing.”
I push my rice around my plate with a carrot, “I don’t know. It’s not a bad idea, for sure, but do I really want to spend my weekend following her around, or should I just try to relax? It’s a tough call.”
“I mean, you probably deserve a rest, I’d just hate to see you get blindsided,” he offers.
“Yeah, I get that. But my foster mom used to have this saying, she’d tell me, don’t let people take up space in your head unless they’re paying rent.”
“What does that even mean?” he asks.
“It just means that people only bother you as much as you let them. I know she’s got something coming, but there’s literally nothing I can do until she throws the punch. Though, honestly I can’t imagine what it could be.”
“Maybe she’ll spill the beans that you aren’t really a red head?”
I snort, “I am really a red head.”
“Just checking.”
Rolling my eyes, I toss my balled-up napkin at him.
“I’m serious though. Put yourself in her shoes, Haven. What would you do now?”
“Honestly,” I say. “I have no idea.”
“You know, I’m beginning to think you’re not nearly devious enough for this job,” he says, stuffing a bite of chicken in his face.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, I think.”
“Ah, just the people I was looking for,” Aiden says, sweeping into the room and laying a chaste kiss on my cheek.
“Meeting over already?” I ask, finishing the last of my lunch.
“It is. I’ve informed the Prime Minister of our engagement and he’s drafting a press release as we speak.”
“When are you announcing?” Liam asks, sitting back in his chair.
“We are making a formal announcement to the council Monday. Once they sign the approval, we will send the press release.”
“Wait, what approval?” I ask, my head snapping up.
He waves a hand, “It’s a formality. They amended the restrictions to who I can marry, but the council still has to approve the union in writing. Without the restrictions in place to disqualify you, however, it becomes more of a gesture of support than anything. They can’t refuse to support you based on the old criteria.”
“But they can refuse to support me just because they want to?” I ask, not trying to hide the alarm in my voice.
“They would have to show valid reason for refusal, Haven, something serious. So long as you don’t have a secret husband out there somewhere you’ve neglected to tell me about, they would have no grounds to object.”
“They could claim she’s a danger to the monarchy,” Liam says sternly.
Aiden shakes his head, “Again, on what grounds? For them to not support my choice now would be a serious infringement—and I doubt any of them want to risk alienating the good will of their new King.”
Liam and I exchange a knowing glance. Aiden may not be worried, but we know better. She’ll come up with something, even if she has to make it up herself.
It’s her only play.
“Tell you what,” Liam says, standing and pushing in his chair. “You two go have fun. I’ll do a little digging and see if I can find out what the demon wench is up to.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, even as Aiden lays a hand on my shoulder.
With a stern nod, Liam bows. “Anything to keep her from beating me up again.”
He stalks off and Aiden takes his spot, “What was that all about?”
I shrug. “He’s just mad I almost broke his arm sparring today.”
Aiden raises one eyebrow, “Is that so?”
I life my hands, “In my defense, he asked for it.”
“If you say so. As you requested, I’ve had the most recent council transcripts brought to the library. I thought we could begin your studies with that, then I can show you around some of the historical sights nearby.”
“And I can show you my new house,” I beam a smile at him. “It has goats. You can help me name them.”
“It would be my pleasure,” he says, reaching across the table and laying a hand over mine. “I see you aren’t wearin
g your ring.”
I snatch my hand away, clutching it to my chest, “I didn’t want to damage it sparring. It’s just in my room. I can go get it.”
“Actually,” he says, his voice soft, “much as I love seeing it on your hand, we should perhaps wait until the official announcement is made, lest the media catch sight of it prematurely.”
“I understand,” I say.
He exhales, “I’m glad. You know, it hasn’t been a great year of Onah-Napor. Last year’s harvest was devastated by a terrible tsunami, the economy has been suffering since my mother ended a long-standing trade deal with Japan. Our wedding could be just the thing to give our people a reason to celebrate again.”
“A wedding won’t fix any of those issues,” I say bluntly.
He grins, looking down before meeting my eyes again, “No, that is quite true. But sometimes people just need a glimmer of hope. That’s what our union will represent. The coming of better things.”
“Leave it to you to use your own wedding to the benefit of your country,” I tease and he flushes.
****
After I shower once more and change into something more comfortable, we spend the rest of that day and the next pouring over history books, visiting statues and monuments, reviewing the laws—recent and ancient. Sarah joins us as well, giving me a detailed account of each house, their current political positions and their business basics. Tommy fills me in on all the ongoing charitable causes, the proposed ones, and the organizations who still need assistance. By Sunday night I feel like I’ve been cramming so hard my brain can’t handle another drop of information. Between the studying and the ever-ticking clock, I’m feeling ready to explode. Sarah tries to help me relax with a shopping trip to her favorite boutique, and while I admit its fun loading up on fancy new clothes, the tension remains long after I’ve hung it all in my closet.
Aiden must sense my growing unrest because Sunday night he drags me from the library. Taking a car, we ride along the coast until we arrive at a small beach illuminated by a dozen or so tall tiki torches protruding from the sand.
A bonfire has been built from twisted branches, and a table covered with various snacks and drinks sits not far away. Sturdy beach chairs sit unfolded on the edge of the dry sand, an old-fashioned radio resting on a stump of driftwood.
“Surprise,” everyone yells, stepping out from a shadowy area beneath some plumeria bushes.
But there’s one voice in the crowd that I’d know anywhere, one that makes my heart jump into my throat.
“Liz,” I scream, leaping over the rock wall and onto the sand. She runs too and we crash into each other like thunder.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, squeezing her so tightly I’m afraid I might actually break her.
“Are you kidding? My best friend gets engaged and I have to hear about it from some weirdo who shows up at my door in the middle of the night,” she says, slapping me as she pulls free. “Just cause you’re a fancy lady now doesn’t mean you don’t call—or at least shoot me a text. I honestly thought you wound up in a bathtub full of ice missing a kidney or something.”
Neil steps around her, hugging me with one arm. “I tried to tell her you were fine. But there was no way I was letting my girl fly off to god knows where with this yahoo without me.”
He motions over his shoulder with his thumb to Liam, who stands sheepishly at the back of the group.
“Liam,” I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. “Thank you. Thank you for bringing them here.”
He squeezes me gently, then releases me back to the sand.
“Now then,” Sarah announces, holding up a bottle of champagne, “I believe a toast is in order.”
With a skilled move, she pops the cork, bubbles pouring down the side as Tommy holds out glasses for her to fill. Walking back to Aiden, I bring him back down with the rest of the group.
“I know this was your doing,” I say.
He smirks and I pull him against me, whispering in his ear. “Thank you for this.”
“Once it’s official, we can invite your family too, your foster parents and sisters,” he offers. “I want to meet them all.”
I bark a laugh, “No way are you getting my foster dad on a plane, he’s terrified of heights. And planes. And bodies of water wider than the Mississippi.”
“Then we will go visit them.”
Staring up at Aiden, feeling like I could actually burst with joy, I realize for the first time what my life will him will be like. And it’s more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.
The seven of us wile away the evening in good conversation and good food. Tommy lets Liz and I burry him in the sand while Neil teaches three card monte to Sarah.
Finally, Liz drags me to the edge of the water, kicking at the bubbling surf with bare feet as she leans in, whispering.
“Have you told him yet? About James?”
I shiver at the name.
“He knows about the scars,” I offer half-heartedly.
“But not why?” her voice is soft, no hint of judgement.
I shake my head.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she assures me, reaching out to take my hand. “He’ll understand.”
She’s right, I know that. Still, the guilt twists in my gut. The little voice telling me that I deserved every miserable moment of it never really goes away. It’s always there, nibbling away at me.
“I know what you’re thinking, Haven. But you deserve to be happy.”
“If people keep telling me that, maybe someday I’ll start to believe it,” I mutter.
Looping her arm through mine, she pulls me to her side, looking out over the dark water. “That’s what friends are for. I’ll keep saying it until it gets through your stupid, thick skull.”
Resting my head on her shoulder I sigh, watching the reflection of the rising moon dance along the choppy water.
Monday comes quickly and my nerves grow into full blown apprehension before I even make it to the council floor. I opt for a charcoal grey pantsuit, complete with three quarter sleeve jacket and a simple white top. Paring it with s simple pair of black heels, I take a deep breath, looking over myself in the mirror.
A knock on my door draws me from my obsessively tugging at my jacket and hair and I move to answer it. Liam steps into the room, offering me a whistle.
“Good morning, Lady Sully,” he offers holding out an oversize giftbag. “A present for your first day of school.”
“Aww,” I say, taking it and motioning for him to sit. “You shouldn’t have.”
Opening the bag, I pull out a soft brown leather briefcase.
“It’s an executive bag,” he says. “It’s sort of like a briefcase, but with a strap like a purse. I figured you would need something to carry all your fancy pens and papers in. Plus, if things get hairy, there’s a slot just the right size for a set of brass knuckles.”
“Liam, this is amazing, thank you,” I offer, truly touched by the gesture.
“You nervous?”
I make a face, “Pfft. No. I mean, unless by nervous you mean feeling like a swallowed a beehive, because then, maybe.”
He chuckles, “You’ll be fine.”
“Oh, you should never underestimate my ability to screw something up,” I say, checking out the bag.
“Tommy and Sarah will be right there with you,” he reminds me.
“I wish you could be there,” I say with a deep sigh. “I always feel so much better when you’re around.”
He snorts, “Flattering as that is, I have other things to attend to today. But, we will meet you tonight for supper.”
“We?”
“Liz wants to see the island, do a little shopping. I’m playing tour guide for her and Neil today.”
“I’d avoid the raw fish for Neil. He’s pretty particular about his food being well cooked.”
“Noted,” he says, standing and slapping his thighs. “Come on, I’ll walk you.”
Grabbing my ba
g, I let him lead me from my room and down the hall toward the council chamber. It’s attached to the main palace by a narrow hallway, but has separate entrances from outside as well. It’s not a huge room, but inside its round with a central podium surrounded by nine tables, each with three high back chairs. Behind the initial row of seats is a second row of smaller chairs, the walls carved mahogany with tall narrow windows stretching up to a domed ceiling. It’s archaic in design, but boasting modern lamps, computers at each desk, and behind the main podium a drop-down video screen. From the front of each table a banner hangs, displaying the house coat of arms. Around me I’m greeted by familiar faces, most of whom I met at the ball, a few members of the houses who had come just for my announcement re are pleased to welcome me informally before we begin.
I untangle myself from Liam who offers me a quick peck on the cheek before releasing me to the chamber. Seeing my house banner, beautifully embroidered on a red cloth, I walk up to it. I hadn’t seen the final design, but this was stunning. Every bit as regal and noble looking as the others.
“Excuse me,” the Prime Minister says, his voice a low whisper. “Lady Sully, I’m so glad to have you joining us today. Would you like me to go over how this will happen?”
I smile. Aiden had gone over it with me, but he’s not here so just in case there are any changes…
“That would be wonderful, thank you.”
He walks me through the opening ceremony, and the announcement of new business. That’s when they will do my formal introduction. Then we will move on to any other new business the council wishes to discuss.
“I do expect King Aiden to come in at some point and formally announce your engagement as well.”
“He mentioned they have to sign a letter of approval?” I say, though I’d read all about it over the weekend.
He nods. “They will open the floor to objections once the King leaves. If no objections are rendered, then a letter is drafted, by myself, and signed by each house.”
A bell chimes and the doors to the hall close, the council members taking seats at their respective tables. I can’t help the feeling of vulnerability that eats at me as I realize I’m the only person at my table, with dozens of sets of eyes on me. Straightening myself in my chair, I force a placid expression to my face, the same one I used whenever I landed a particularly challenging table or was being poorly hit on by a drunk guy at the bar. It’s serine and pleasant, with a slight undercurrent of don’t screw with me.
Once Upon A New York Minute: Part 1 Page 20