Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Then again, after last night, we all knew it.
Because—and I had to remember this above everything—something amazing had happened.
A gift I’d always wanted, I had received.
Through destiny and circumstance, we were now one big family.
Chapter 38
Dismissed
Aleksei and the king did not join us for pre-dinner drinks.
They also didn’t join us for dinner.
Though, the king came into the parlor we’d all retired to for after-dinner drinks, mostly, it seemed, to show his face to his guests, give his wife’s cheek a kiss and leave.
He appeared distracted and troubled, which meant the queen’s gaze was sharp on him, but he did at least show his face.
Aleksei didn’t do that.
By the by, Timothee had come to dinner, and he seemed aloof, but there were no outbursts, and he didn’t act like a horse’s behind once.
Errol was still MIA.
I’d been feeling better about things, but with Aleksei a total no-show, I was back to more than a tad insecure.
Thus, when the queen announced she was going to bed, I decided to leave with her.
We said our goodnights, and my insecurity lightened when she curled her fingers around my elbow as we walked out of the room.
It wasn’t the gal-clutch Cat and I’d been in on the way to pre-dinner drinks, but I sensed it was Queen Calisa’s version of it.
“Dita had a conversation with Nata today,” she shared as we walked to the staircase.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Nata mentioned to her your idea of loaning the wedding garments to the Musée de Vêtements.”
Oh boy.
“I was going to talk to you about it at tea yesterday,” I told her. “And it wasn’t my idea, unless your use of ‘your’ was collective. The idea was Nata’s. But I thought it was a good one.”
She nodded to indicate she heard me, but she didn’t address that.
“Alas, we didn’t get to have that riveting conversation over tea,” she replied as we started up the steps. “But I think it’s a marvelous idea. So does Germaine. I’ve spoken to Fillion about it, and he agrees with me and Germaine. The timing couldn’t be better.”
Timing?
“Sorry. What timing?” I asked.
She stopped us when we were halfway up the steps and looked at me.
“If you’d be willing, we’d like to send someone with you to the Catalogues. Tomorrow. They can vid you among the displays, and you can talk about the different eras of the garments, who wore them, pick two, maybe three to focus on. Then explain that there will be an upcoming exhibition of them, and the royal family will be discussing more such exhibitions of the priceless relics of our realm, introducing them to our beings in the coming years.”
I saw this play. And she was correct, it was great timing.
Another indication of, All’s well here, no worries, onward, and look! Something fun is coming your way.
“Dita has already spoken with the Director of the MdV. They’re ecstatic about the opportunity,” she informed me.
As they would be.
“We’ll do a ball. A fundraiser for the musée,” she decreed. “Along with a contest. Citizens can buy tickets, maybe five marks apiece. A chance to win two entries to the ball. Perhaps for ten beings, five winners. Then we can seat them with dignitaries, noblebeings, celebrities. Raise more money but make it inclusive. Share the message this is not just for those who can afford it. Everyone can feel involved.”
This idea terrified me, because I’d be the face of it.
But it was an excellent idea.
“I can do that.”
It was then, she removed her hand from my elbow and took my own, giving it a squeeze.
And that was out-and-out affection that, in my current state, made me want to burst out crying.
I did not.
What she said next, though, didn’t help.
“I know these types of things will be hard on you, Laura. I’ve always been an extrovert. Gregarious. I get my energy from being around people, thus, I don’t understand, but I do understand it’s there.”
“I’ll be okay,” I assured.
“That is not in question. You’ve done swimmingly so far. I simply wanted you to know I understand.”
Okay.
Yeah.
I totally dug Queen Calisa.
“Thank you, my queen,” I whispered.
She gave my hand another squeeze before letting it go. “And as for that, I believe we’re beyond it. You may call me maman from now on. In private, of course.”
Yep.
Still on the verge of tears.
This time, my nose stung with holding them back, but I managed a smile and mumbled, “Of course.”
She took my elbow again and led me up the rest of the stairs, turning toward the north hall, where, apparently, her and the king’s suite was also situated.
“I need an official tour of the Palace,” I told her as we went. “Who should Nata arrange that with?”
“I’ll have Dita talk to Nata.”
“Great.”
Aleksei’s suite was getting closer, and it was the perfect time to stop and ask her about his behavior.