“I’m afraid we’ve got off on the wrong foot.” She stood and offered a reluctant hand. “A truce, my dear, at least until the New Year when the consequences of Ryannaus’ impulsive behavior shall strike back and bite him in the heals with a force he cannot deny.”
That sounded like a threat, but Megan ignored it and presented a strong and solid handshake; one the woman of state did not expect. Megan’s eyes penetrated the mother’s glare and did not back down. War had been silently declared and Megan felt heartsick and outraged at the same time. “Good day, Your Majesty. And thanks for the tea.”
Pleased that Ryan was not waiting in the hallway, Megan rushed with as much dignity as she could muster toward her room. Memory of the castle layout served her well and she arrived out of breath a few moments later at her suite. Once inside, she slammed the door shut and collapsed on the bed, crying her frustration into the pillow. An hour later, a knock came to the door. She’d just crawled out of the tub and tried to ignore the summons. The nagging persistence continued.
“Jasmine said you were angry and ran to your room after tea. Please, Megan, open the door and speak to me.”
Knowing she couldn’t ignore the man forever; she donned a housecoat and with her hair wrapped in a towel opened the door to the surprised caller.
He raised his eyebrows, surprised at her appearance. “The evening meal is at six-thirty. Should I leave you to get ready?”
“I’m not hungry. If any morsels fall under the table, please send them up to the lowly commoner.” She hated the tears that erupted and turned back into the room. He moved in behind her and pulled her sagging shoulders back against him.
“Was it that bad?”
“I’m afraid your mother considers me the enemy and my stay under this roof will be greatly tested.”
He rotated Megan to face him. “Can you find it in your heart to understand a broken woman? Her husband is dead, the father of her children is dead, her king is dead; and now she attempts to balance the three roles while settling the grief that rages in her heart. It’s not an easy task.”
Megan exhaled. “Why didn’t you spout that piece of tenderness before sending me into the lion’s den? I’ve ruined any chance for her accepting us. You told me not to back down and I didn’t.” Megan rested her head on his shoulder. He pushed the towel aside.
“I’ve learned something new about you.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “The bath tub is the comforting place you run to when you’re upset. A good thing to know in the future.”
She pushed away from his arms, annoyed at the smirk lodged on his face. “Have you not been listening? There is no future with me, Ryan. If I didn’t know before, I certainly know now.”
“Chef serves a wonderful pasta dish with Cesar salad, cheese and garlic bread sticks, and a side of grilled asparagus. I believe puffed pastries are for dessert and our baker is second to none in the world.”
“Suck it up, is that what you’re saying?” asked Megan.
“My mother will be impressed that her rebuff did not send you running for the hills. It’s a backdoor point in your favor.”
“You want me to compete for your attentions? I won’t do it. I told you I will never come between you and your family.”
“Jasmine and Eramosa love you and given time, my mother will as well. Work to find that sweet spot and ignore her digs. If it helps, I promise not to leave you alone with the lioness again.”
Megan groaned. “I love pasta, and I lied – I’m starving. The fight always brings an appetite on.”
“Another thing for me to remember. Let’s see what you can do with twenty minutes left to prepare for dinner. Don’t think the tumbled hotel look you passed off to me will do in this case. Semi-formal – like those gorgeous summer dresses you’ve been wearing this week and your hair pulled back in combs. Sitting next to you, I’ll be lucky if I can manage to eat a bite.”
She slapped him. “Get out of here or I’ll never be ready.” He planted a quick peck on her cheek before he dashed for the door. “I’ll send Jasmine for you. I want to be surprised when you walk in the dining room.”
The door shut leaving Megan alone again, her upside down world somehow finding a balance-act between her domain and his. It was too late for her heart to turn back. She’d fallen hopelessly in love with the Prince of Edstrom Isle.
The evening transferred from dining to family room without a hitch. The girls talked non stop about the Christmas tree and Suzanne filled everyone in on the news in town.
“It was such fun dodging the media. James is so good at it. But we did get cornered once and I stated that the royal family were treating their guests wonderfully and all was in preparation for the Prince’s Induction.” She looked at the Queen. “That was okay to say, right?”
“Fine, Suzanne. You’ve surpassed my expectations. I thought all Americans spouted their mouths freely.” If that was a jab at Megan, she chose to ignore it.
“Did you get the snow in the can?” Jasmine asked.
“We did. All set to spray it on tonight after supper unless your mother has other plans,” said Suzanne.
“No plans. Let’s see if my daughters prefer a frozen white Christmas or a hot tropical one.”
“I vote for tropical with the look of cold,” Megan said. “Although, as a child, the after-dinner activity was to sled down the slippery slopes close to our home. The exercise tended to wear off the heaviness of all that food at lunch.”
“But then you all came back to feast on dessert tossing that weight-loss program out the window.” Suzanne said, her laughter ringing through the air and refreshing Megan’s spirit.
“I remember. Those were fun times.”
“Suzanne, did you always celebrate the holiday meal with the Fairchild’s?” asked James.
“After my folks died, they took me in. Meg and I are inseparable and blood sisters.”
The Queen broached the subject under dispute. “And what do you think of Megan and Prince Ryannaus dating.” She asked Suzanne but cast her son a look of mock humor.
“Super excited! She loves the guy. Who am I to interfere?” That got a smile out of Ryan but it was extinguished in his mother’s next breath.
“A good friend might, if she suspected the match wasn’t right.” The Queen Mother was on a roll.
Megan groaned inwardly: Here they go again.
“Not for me to say. They’re both grown ups and she signs my paycheck so I know where to draw the line.” She laughed, oblivious to the new tension in the room. “Besides, Ms. Claus, the ultimate matchmaker, does not make mistakes and she sent us here. Two lonely hearts waiting to be united. So romantic.” Everyone at the table was amused, except the Queen.
“Shall we go destroy another tradition and test out the snowy touch on the royal tree?” said the Queen Mother, standing to her feet.
Ryan scraped the chair on the bare floor and shot up. “It’s just a Christmas tree, Mum, same decor everyone in the world places in their home this time of year.” He reached for Megan’s hand and she took it timidly.
Megan could hear the anger in his voice and hated that his annoyance stemmed from his feelings for her. They led the party from the dining room, with Suzanne and James waiting to follow the Queen in the rear. The children ran to the tree. “Look, Mum, the tree is finished and beautiful, just like always.”
“It is. You did a fine job helping the staff get it just right.”
Jasmine grabbed Megan’s hand and started to point out all the memories trinkets that adorned the tree. “And this one Papa gave me last year. A pair of skates. We have artificial ice at Tames Park in the village and we’d often sneak there after they closed to the public. He’d spin me and Eramosa round and round. He loved talking about the cold wintry Christmases when he visited other countries, but Mum not so much.”
Everyone in the room, including the Queen, took a turn spraying the end of branches with the white snow. The girls giggled at each modification, and when completed
, they all stood back and surveyed the changes to the traditional family tree.
Queen Mum broke the silence. “Impressive. It actually makes me think of Julius – he loved the atmosphere the icy touches on foliage created in a landscape. It’s a wonder he never brought the can of magic snow home before.” She looked at Megan and smiled. “Thank you for the suggestion and the comforting memory of my husband.”
Megan offered a slight curtsy and the woman turned to her children. “Now, come give Mum a hug before I retire. I have a feeling my dreams will be more of a jolly nature tonight.”
Megan’s time with Ryan was interrupted over the next few days as preparations for the Coronation on Saturday fast approached. At times she sat at the back and watched rehearsals like a fly on the wall expecting the shadow of a swatter to come smacking down on her commoner backside at any minute. Other times she walked the grounds with Suzanne and listened to her fairy-tale love story with James. But her favorite time had been decorating the wee tree Ryan had delivered to her room. She, Jasmine, and Eramosa strung popcorn and cut out multi-colored snowflakes. After they left, she’d placed the pearl Tiara ornament on the top and underwent all the warm fuzzies of Christmases past.
Entertaining love interests while in a new country, presented awkward transitions for both American women, as it was a no-brainer who would do the relocating to keep the romance going. Megan pondered the predicament often. To give up her practise, her life, and her homeland laid heavily on her heart; but not Suzanne’s. Each day Megan grew more convinced that when she returned to Springvale in the New Year, she’d be going alone, losing her best friend and receptionist all in one vacation.
And what of her? Ryan expected her to warm up to the idea of being his wife. The image of her reigning by his side as Queen of Edstrom always made her stomach queasy and her self-esteem plummet to non-existence. At home, she was confident in her roles – no, comfortable was the more accurate term. If only she could have fallen in love with a commoner. She sighed as she fingered the rose petal in the bouquet that Ryan sent to her room daily. She loved him desperately and wanted with all her being to throw caution to the wind, shrug her shoulders and thank Ms. Claus for the push from rags to riches. But the peace suggested in the matchmaker’s note had evaded Megan, and doubts overshadowed the fairy-tale magic. Merging two opposite worlds was no small feat.
A knock sounded at the door. The palace provided staff to come help Megan dress for the Induction – the day her Prince Charming became King of Edstrom and conceivably untouchable in her fearful estimate. With her shower completed and her hair wet and hanging limp, she ushered two ladies inside. They plunked her at the vanity and the pampering began. With a cart full of beauty supplies at their disposal, the ladies chatted and experimented with styles quietly amongst themselves with no regard for Megan’s opinion or preference. But she decided to let the experts create a product worthy of the Celebration and the King who adored her. She was a guest of royalty and should look the part.
Two long hours later, Megan stood spellbound in front of the full-length mirror. One of the staff asked, “Are you pleased?”
“You’ve done a complete make-over. I barely recognize me under there.”
“The Prince prefers hair loose, not bound tight like his mother’s, and he likes minimal makeup. I also overheard a comment he made once to the Lady Winslow that he was fond of a streamline dress style. And the color of the gown pops the blue in your eyes and gives the illusion of flowing water. Quite unique.” She looked to the other woman and she nodded agreement. “We’ve tried our best to make Prince Ryannaus happy and proud of his escort on his special day.”
The women gathered their things into the cart, gave a slight curtsy, and headed for the door. One glanced back. “The Prince will arrive at two-o’clock sharp to bring you to the Great Hall. Perhaps you should rest while you wait.”
They were no sooner out the door than Suzanne barged in. “You are gorgeous!” She moved to the mirror and tucked a loose strand of hair under a fancy comb that covered the side of her head in half-oval fashion. “I had to do my own fix-up, but it’s not too bad, right. James is the only one I care about anyway – him and the new King, of course.” She sighed and hugged Megan. “How did we get so lucky?”
“Luck has a way of running out,” said Megan. “Are you and James serious; I mean am I going to lose the only worker in the office and my best friend all in the span of eighteen days?”
“I’m serious. He hasn’t made anything official but I’m open to spending my life here. He even said there may be a job in the office once I settle in – one that will use all my skills, not just making appointments and keeping your life straight. My education does qualify me for more, you know?”
“I know. You will be hard to replace.”
“What are you talking about? Your Prince has already made his intentions very clear.” She crossed her feet and curtsied low toward Megan, “Queen Meg.”
“That doesn’t sound the least bit royal,” said Megan.
“Sure it does. It’s the modern short-form that commoners will relate to. I mean really – Ursula? Wasn’t she the wicked character in one of Disney’s movies?”
“Shush. You mustn’t talk like that. I think the walls have ears,” said Megan.
“That would not surprise me. Did you know James has his own suite of rooms on the third-floor? A complete apartment just for him. He doesn’t always have the privilege of hanging out with the family during their private times like he is now.” She chuckled. “We have managed to turn the castle-norm upside down; isn’t that delightful? But being the Prince’s right-hand-man does give him privileges. He’s also getting a raise once the Prince becomes King, and might I add, a fairly hefty one.”
“Doesn’t sound like he gets too much time off,” said Megan.
“Once you and Ryan marry, you can monopolize his evening hours and leave us alone – deal?”
“As nice as the Queen Mother has been to me lately, she is still not on board and Lady Francis Winslow will be at the ceremony today as well as the ball. The competition has not backed down.”
“Phooey. One look at you and that starch-tart will be history.”
“I’m not worried about Ryan. I know he loves me, but as a public figure, he has responsibilities I can’t even imagine, let alone shine a candle to the woman who has prepared her entire life to serve as Queen to her country.”
“Christmas is all about magic – or miracles should we need to go to a higher source for help.”
“I give it the Lord everyday. He is my only source of help and direction.”
“Good then. He’s into royalty. The whole kingdom idea started from Him so who better to serve this part of the world than one who is in tune with the higher source of power?”
Megan laughed and felt the merriment return to her doubting common sense. “You are a rare gem, Suzanne Spartan.”
A knock sounded at the door and the two girls stood to answer. “That must be our gentlemen callers. Break a leg, girl,” said Suzanne as she flung open the door and scooted past a surprised Ryan. “Excuse me, Your Majesty. I have an important date standing at my door.” She hurried toward James and they embraced. Ryan turned his attention to Megan.
“You look enchanting, Miss Fairchild, and right now I would love to spin you around the hallway and kiss you senseless like my colleague is presently doing to your friend.”
“James is not facing the most important day of his life, Sire. You are.”
“An important day for the kingdom; a public show for a position that has always been slated for me. The day I wed you will be my greatest conquest and the happiest in my life.”
“Conquest? Did you say conquest?” Megan frowned.
“I believe that is what you and my mother have created for me in your antics about who does or does not belong on the throne next to me.”
“So perceptive. A characteristic that will serve you well when dealing with opposing parties that want
to tear your policies to shreds,” she said.
“Do you enjoy politics, Megan?”
“Not in the least,” said Megan. She could hear Suzanne’s tittering as the couple came toward them, stopping a few feet away. “I believe the time has come for the prince to make his vows and swear complete and undying allegiance to the Edstrom flag.”
Ryan reached for her arm. “Good thing you’ve been listening. Might need a prompter in the background to remind me what to say.”
Ryan and Megan led the way, and at different points along the long walk to the Great Hall, delegates and bodyguards stepped in front and behind to begin the proper line up for the procession. At the closed doors, Ryan whispered. “This is where we must part but James will escort you and Suzanne to your seats,” he leaned in and whispered. “Close by so if I get cold feet you can give me that stern – do your duty – look and bless it with a smile that will spur me forward.” He patted her arm. “See you on the other side,” and passed Megan’s arm off to James’s free side. The trio moved off to the right and entered the Hall through a smaller door and found their reserved seats.
When the trumpet sounded the crowd that was gathered stood to their feet. Present were representatives of the House of Commons and Edstrom’s Prime Minister, a stately chap who stood proud as his country watched.
James nudged Megan’s elbow and bent close to her ear. “Prime Minister Jenkins is in full support of the new king. Ryannaus will not have any problems ruling with him.”
Megan smiled and continued her scrutiny of leading citizens and representatives that had flown in from other countries to witness the coronation. All were dressed in their formal attire.
She caught her breath as Ryan made his way down the lengthy red carpeted aisle. He kept his eyes focused straight ahead and his shoulders pulled back, every bit worthy of the appointed office that he’d been trained to take over. He wore the royal colors of Edstrom and looked more handsome than she’d dared to imagine.
He moved into place and faced the Archbishop of Edstrom who would conduct the ceremony. The formal words slipped into the background while Megan’s heart gazed on the appointed Sovereign, the one and same man who wanted to marry her. When the ritual ended and the flowing purple cape was placed around his shoulders, a man approached from the side with a jeweled crown resting on a pillow. The Bishop took it and placed it on Prince Ryan’s head declaring him the King of the land. You could have heard a pin drop as the final blessing was spoken over the new monarch.
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