Page 113 of The Backup Princess

In the red corner, ladies and gentlemen, we have Brain, weighing in at 1.5 kilograms. Logical, pragmatic, Brain has the well-deserved reputation of not diving in head first, of calculating risk, dispensing with messy emotions. Brain reminds me I've only known Maddie for a couple of weeks. I can’t possibly have such big feelings for someone so quickly. It doesn’t make sense to meet someone and fall for them in an unprecedented way in such a short space of time.

Brain shoots me a knowing look. Trust me, I should be in charge here it tells me in no uncertain terms.

In the blue corner we have Heart, weighing in at only about half a kilo. Heart is no match for the much heavier Brain, surely. But pesky Heart will not be silenced. My heart is telling me to go after what I want, to put aside logic and run with my feelings for this beautiful, smart, funny, kind woman at my side.

Now’s the time, my heart whispers. She’s The One.

I glance at Maddie. She’s riveted as she watches her grandparents move gracefully around the dance floor. Her eyes are soft, her mouth slightly parted, and I can tell she's moved by them, just as I am.

Is she thinking that she wants what they have, too? Perhaps with me?

That I do not know.

What I do know is the idea of spending my life with Maddie, loving her and cherishing her the way her grandparents love and cherish one another, gives me a deep sense of calm, of knowing. I've been searching and searching for something without even really knowing what it is, and now, I've finally found it.

I’m falling for Maddie.

It looks like Heart has beaten Brain with a decisive knock out.

The King and Queen finish their dance, and others join them on the dance floor.

“Would you do me the honor, Princess Madeline?” I ask. “If that’s okay with you, Chloe?”

She waves her hand in the air. “Go for it.”

“I would be delighted, Prince Alexander,” Maddie replies with a twinkle in her eye.

I lead her to the dance floor, where I can finally pull her close in the way I've wanted to since the moment I laid eyes on her in this dress. I place one hand on the small of her back and hold my other hand out for her to take in hers.

As we begin to move, I go one way and she goes the other. Realizing her mistake, she takes a step toward me and immediately steps on my toes.

“Sorry,” she says and she bites down on her lip.

I laugh. “It's fine.” I resume the dance only for her to stand on my foot once more, her hip crashing into mine.

“Do you know how to dance, Texas?”

“Of course I do. Just not like this. I’ve started learning, but I've only done it a couple times,” she admits.

“Well, in that case, why don't you let go, and allow me to lead us around the floor?”

“Let go? How far do you want me to take that? Ragdoll level let go?”

“Perhaps not quite that far? I don't want you going limp in my arms. Here, I'll show you.” I tighten my hold on her to reassure her I know what I'm doing, and after a couple of missteps, she does as I asked. She lets go—just the right amount, no ragdoll in sight—and we begin to glide around the dance floor as though we’re one.

It feels amazing to hold this beautiful woman in my arms, dancing with one another in a romantic setting, the music filling the air. People around us watch and stare, and I can almost feel their minds ticking over.

Is Princess Madeline his newest conquest?

How long will this last? One week or two?

Doesn't the new Princess know his reputation?

I push the thoughts away. All that matters is her and me, here, together on this magical night, my heart full.

Eventually, we break for a late supper, sitting at the tables with their crisp white tablecloths and floral displays, enjoying finger sandwiches, canapés, and fruit and cheese. I watch Maddie as she talks easily with Sofia, Amelia, and Max, her friend Chloe ever present, delivering witty one-liners.

Maddie is all ease and grace, and a far cry from the frightened woman I met that night in the hallway cupboard.

---