“Really? That’s sweet.”
“Ophelia picked it out. We wanted you to feel a sense of belonging right away.”
“Great. Where is it?”
“In the closet. Come.”
We walk into the bedroom where Lathan opens the closet doors revealing a light blue dress. It’s halter style with a form fitting silhouette. I look back at him, fingering the material.
“I like it. It’s really pretty.”
“You will always wear dresses in public.”
“All women or just me?”
“Just you and women of the royal family.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll get used to that.”
“You look lovely in dresses.” He grins. “You also look lovely riding my cock like you did earlier.”
I laugh. “Did I tell you my new nickname for you?”
“I don’t believe you did.”
“The Kinky Prince.”
“Am I kinky?”
“A little.”
“Do you like it?”
“A lot.”
“Well then, we’ll have to see what sorts of kink we can get ourselves into over time.”
“Yeah, we should do that.”
“We will.” He pats my butt. “Freshen up and get dressed.”
“Okay.” I walk back into the bathroom and wash my face, brush my teeth, then my hair. I apply full makeup then put the dress on. Standing in front of the mirror, I gaze at my reflection. I look like me, but older, more elegant. I just hope to everyone in Havendon, I look like a possible princess.
As the plane lands, pulling up to its spot, I stare out the window. The sun still shines, and all I can see is green grass everywhere. So far, it’s really pretty. I look across where Lathan sits watching me.
“We’re home.”
I nod. “We are.”
“In just a few minutes, a whole new life for you will start. Don’t be scared, but if you ever are, just remember I am here for you.”
I smile. “I know.” I exhale slowly. “Well, let’s do this.”
We wait a few minutes while the plane comes to a stop. After unbuckling my seatbelt, I stand, grab my handbag, and wait while Lathan addresses Margaret and Elizabeth. The doors open and as I pass, Margaret’s voice stops me.
“Madam, may I address you?”
“Yes.”
“You look lovely. Blue is very becoming.”
My eyes briefly widen. “Thank you, Margaret.”
“Welcome to Havendon. We do hope you’ll stay.”
I smile. “I intend to.”
Lathan places his hand on my lower back and both women curtsy as he passes them.
Outside, I inhale the air for a moment before descending the stairs. “It smells really clean here.”
“It is.”
An older man stands in front of a car waiting for us as several men load our luggage into the trunk.
“Harold,” Lathan says to the man. “This is Delaney. She will be staying with us.”
“Please to meet you, ma’am.” He bows his head slightly. “Welcome. I am at your service.”
“Thank you.” I climb in the backseat waiting for Lathan. As we ride, I stare out the window taking in my new surroundings. Wide open spaces fill the landscape, dotted with Cyprus trees here and there. It’s nothing like when I visited Rome, and it’s definitely not like Boston. After driving for a while, Lathan unrolls the window.
“Inhale that.”
Leaning toward the open window, I take a deep breath. “Nice.”
“What do you smell?”
“The ocean?”
“Exactly. On one side, it’s agricultural with farms and crops and green rolling hills. On the other, the ocean with white sandy beaches and turquoise water.”
“Amazing.”
“I’ll take you to see it when I can.”
“I’d like that.”
Some time later, we drive through two huge wrought iron gates and pull up in front of a massive stone building. It looks exactly how I think castles in Europe look.
“Your palace, my princess.”
I turn and look at Lathan, wide eyed. “This is Havendon House?”
“Yes.”
“It’s huge.”
“I told you.”
“Wow.”
“Let’s go inside.”
Climbing out of the car, he leads me across the gravel circular driveway. Before we even reach the door, it swings open and a young woman with a mass of blonde curls bounces out toward us, with a grin on her face. She stops when she reaches us, looking as though she wants to touch me, but not actually making the attempt.
I glance at Lathan who shakes his head. “Delaney, meet Ophelia, my enthusiastic cousin.”
I smile and curtsy. “It’s so nice to meet you, Your Royal Highness.”
Ophelia giggles and it’s a delightful noise, almost childlike in its joy. “Please, call me Ophelia. May I hug you?”
“If you wish.”
“I do.” She throws her arms around me. I look up at Lathan who laughs in response. Ophelia steps back looking at me. “What a joyful day. I will remember it always as the moment I met the woman who finally captured Lathan’s heart.” She loops her arm through mine. “Come inside.” I walk with her as she leans close. “I have always been on your side. Everyone will love you. I’m sure of it.”
“Ophelia,” Lathan chides. “You’re overwhelming her.”
“I’m sorry.” She releases me. “I’m just so excited to meet you finally.”
“I feel the same about you.”
“We’ll be fast friends. I’m here to help you navigate the terrain.”
“I appreciate it.”
Ophelia’s eyes roam the length of my body before she looks at Lathan. “Oh, cousin, I do see why you fell so hard. She is lovely.”
Lathan chuckles. “She can hear you, sweet cousin.”
“Yes.” Ophelia laughs. “Do you like the dress?”
“Very much.”
“It looks wonderful on you.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay,” Lathan interjects. “We’ve had a long day so I’m going to get Delaney set up and ready for the night.”
“Right.” She winks at me. “That’s his nice way of kicking me out. I’ll be back in the morning and we’ll get started.”
“Wonderful.”
She takes my hands in hers. “I will make sure you are a perfect princess. The people of Havendon will love you as much as Lathan does. You are in good hands.”
I nod. “I can tell.”
“Good night, Delaney.”
“Good night, Your—”
“Ah.” She raises her finger. “Ophelia. We are practically cousins and family would never be formal with each other.”
“Right. Good night, Ophelia.”
She hugs Lathan before leaving. He turns to me, shaking his head. “She couldn’t stand to wait.”
“It was sweet. It feels good to know I have a sort of friend here.”
“She is your friend, but more importantly, I am.”
“I know.”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
We ascend a stone and marble staircase until we reach the top where an older woman, maybe in her sixties, with dark hair tucked neatly in a bun stands dressed in a white maid-like uniform.
“Hello, Olivia,” Lathan greets. “This is Delaney.”
Olivia immediately curtsies, confusing me. Lathan just winks at me.
“Welcome, madam.”
“Thank you.”
“Your room is prepared. When you are ready, I will draw your bath. His Royal Highness will share with you the details of how to contact me should you need anything else.”
“Thank you,” I repeat unsure of what to say.
Olivia steps to the side as Lathan leads me down a long hall. “I’ve asked Olivia to treat you as part of my family. I wanted you to feel like the role you will have.”
“Got it.”
We
arrive at a tall wood door and Lathan opens it. I step inside and my mouth falls open. This room is the size of five apartments. Lathan apartments. It’s a hundred of mine. I walk in farther, dragging my hand over the four poster bed dominating the room. Next, I run my hands across the soft pink bedding. Turning around, I look at Lathan.
“This is for me?”
“Yes. Until the day I join you. Then we’ll move to the marital suite.”
“Suite.” I nod. “It’s so beautiful.”
“I’m happy it pleases you.”
“Definitely.”
“Let me show you something.” He motions for me to walk across the room with him to a huge bookshelf covering an entire wall. “Find The History of Havendon.”
I look over the books, finding the title on the second to last shelf. Picking it up, I gasp and jump back when the shelf moves and a door is revealed.
Lathan smiles. “This is how I will come to you and you to me. It leads directly to the palace.”
“That is wicked cool.”
“Yes, it is. Every room has one. They were built hundreds of years ago in the event we needed to get out of the palace quickly. Of course, they aren’t used for anything anymore, but now I will use it to hold you in my arms at night.”
“I like it.”
“Come to the window.” We walk across the room and Lathan opens the shutters to reveal an expansive green courtyard. “There is the palace. I am not far from you.”
Peering out the window, I take in the massive castle that makes Havendon House look like a shack. “I can’t imagine what it looks like on the inside.”
“You won’t have to imagine it. You will see it. To the people of this country, it is a beacon of pride. It is grand, filled with the finest art, covered in gold and marble and the best materials. To me, it is my childhood home. It is part of me. I ran the halls playing with my cousins, my brother, sitting at my grandfather’s feet while he conducted important business.” He turns to me and cups my cheek. “Someday, my children will run through those same halls. My grandchildren will visit me. This home will be part of them too.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“You’ll see it soon.” He kisses my forehead. “I must go and check in with my mother. She’s anxious for my arrival.”
“Okay.”
“Olivia will draw a bath for you. If you want to reach her, here is what you do.” He walks over to the nightstand and opens the top drawer, pulling a small remote out. “Hit the red button, and it will buzz in her room. She’ll be here within minutes, day or night.”
“Okay. Are we the only two people in this big house?”
“Right now, yes, but during the day, there is a great deal of activity. Cleaning, cooking, etcetera.”
“Okay.”
“Until you dismiss her, Olivia will linger. Even while you bathe, so when you want privacy just say, that will be all, Olivia.”
“Uh. Okay.”
He cups my face. “I cannot begin to explain what your presence here means to me.”
“You don’t have to, Lathan. I know.”
“I love you, Delaney, so much it astonishes me.”
Rising up on my toes, I kiss him softly. “I love you, Lathan, so much I can’t remember a time when I didn’t.”
He smiles. “Rest tonight, my darling. I will see you again very soon.”
After Lathan leaves, Olivia appears in the doorway. “Ready for your bath, madam?”
“Yes, thank you.”
She walks past me to the bathroom and I follow her, surprised once again at the size and splendor of the space. I sit on a round tufted cushion in the middle of the room, watching Olivia do her work.
“What was your job before I came?”
Olivia glances at me, stopping her work, and bowing her head slightly. “I worked in the palace, madam. I was responsible for the East Wing.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“The palace is divided into zones and has its own staff. I oversaw the staff for that wing ensuring the maintenance is completed daily.”
“You’re a manager?”
Olivia creases her brow slightly. “Of sorts, madam. More of a choreographer.”
“That makes sense. So is this a downgrade hanging out with me?”
Olivia smiles slightly. “No, madam. It is an honor to serve His Royal Highness’s most valued guest. I am the envy of my peers. It is my utmost pleasure to be at your service.”
I grin. That’s kind of cool. “Thank you.”
“May I continue, madam?”
“Oh. Yes.”
She turns back around and continues preparing my bath, sprinkling some kind of powder in the tub and splashes in a liquid that looks like milk. Finally, she tosses in a handful of flower petals. Actual flower petals. She turns and walks toward me, extending her hand. I take it, standing up then pull my head back as she starts to unzip my dress.
“What are you doing?”
“Undressing you, madam.”
“Oh.” I chuckle. “I can do that myself.”
She bows her head. “If you prefer.”
“Yeah, I do.” I look around the room for a moment. “Um, could you bring me my phone and a glass of water please?”
“Right away, madam.”
Olivia leaves and I shake my head laughing. Undressing you, madam. Seriously? After taking off my dress and undies, I climb into the bath, noting the perfect temperature of the water, and playing with the dots of color created by the various flowers. Olivia taps on the door a few minutes later carrying my phone and water on a silver tray. This is hilarious. She sets it down beside me.
“How may I assist you further, madam?”
“I’m just gonna soak for a while.”
“If you’d like me to wash your hair or exfoliate you, please let me know.”
“No, I’m good.” She nods. “I come from America, Olivia. Do you know anything about America?”
“No, ma’am. I do not.”
“Okay, well, I don’t have anyone who helps me undress or exfoliates me. So it’s gonna take me a little while to get used to this whole business. It’s not a reflection on you at all. I just want you to understand that.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand.”
“Cool. So, um, I’d rather bathe alone for now. That will be all, Olivia,” I add, remembering what Lathan told me.
“Of course, madam. I am available when you need me.”
“Thank you.”
Olivia leaves and I sink down into the water realizing how much of a change this is truly going to be. Picking up my phone, I text Lathan hoping I’m not interrupting anything.
Olivia tried to undress me. What’s up with that?
A few moments later, he responds.
Ah, a detail I forgot to share. Did you allow it?
No way. Only you get to do that.
A privilege I treasure.
Do people undress you?
They did until a few years ago when I insisted upon doing it myself.
It’s too weird for me.
You determine the level of interaction you wish. Remember that.
Okay.
What are you doing now?
Bathing.
The phone rings, causing me to smile. “Hello, my prince.”
“Hello, darling. You’re in the bath now?”
“I am. It’s perfect. Except for one thing.”
“What’s that, my love?”
“I’m all alone. I’d rather you be here too.”
“I will be soon enough.”
“Good. How is your mother?”
“Well. Pleased I’m home.”
“And your father?”
“Resting and stable.”
“Good news.”
“Very.”
I drag my hands through the silky water as we sit quietly on the phone.
“It’s amazing,” he says, softly, “knowing you are so close to me right now. I tried to imagine what it would feel
like to have you here with me. What it actually feels like has exceeded the limits of anything I could have dreamed.”
“I am here, and I am staying.”
“I am the happiest I have ever been.”
“So am I.”
“Enjoy your bath. I will be in your arms in just a few hours.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
After hanging up, I lean back again, admiring the view from my window. It’s a whole new world for me, but one I’m excited about.
The next morning, I look down at the sleeping beauty in my arms, just as the sun starts to come up. I have to get back to the palace, but how I wish I could just stay here with her all day.
I try to delicately remove myself, but she clutches me tightly even in her sleep. Feeling my arousal for her stir once more, I slide my hand down her sensuous skin and between her legs. She moves against me, brushing her incredible breasts on my chest. I wonder if she can even comprehend how I feel about her. Her beauty, her heart, her exquisite smile, those eyes, and… I shake my head, this body. I decide to leave before I no longer can.
“I must go, my darling,” I whisper, kissing her forehead.
“Nooo,” she murmurs.
“I must. I will see you again very soon.”
Opening her eyes, she looks up at me. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, my darling, my beautiful princess.”
She flashes that gorgeous smile at me. “I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you, because that is impossible.” I kiss her mouth softly. “I will see you soon, my love.”
Hours later, as I read through foreign policy in my private office, a knock on my door gets my attention.
“Enter.” The door opens and Delaney walks in, looking breathtaking in a cream colored summer dress. “Darling, you look amazing.”
“Thank you. Olivia said you requested me.”
“I did.” I tilt my head walking toward her. “How are you doing so far?”
“Good. It’s going fine. I had breakfast and took a walk in the garden. Ophelia is coming at ten.”
“So far so good? You don’t want to leave?”
“Not at all, but… well… ”
“What?”
“Do I have to wait to be requested to see you?”
“No, my love, not normally. Any time you wish to see me tell a member of your staff. They will relay the message, and I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
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