Page 111 of Of Glass and of Gold

I gazed up at him, my only steady constant. “What if—” I started to voice the string of doubts that crept up my spine.

“Not possible,” he said, coolly.

“But what if—”

“Still not possible.” He shrugged.

My stare turned glaring as I squinted, my look souring.

He caught sight of it and chuckled, that deep soothing sound. “Nora, whatever you were going to say, it doesn’t matter. We’ll learn how to navigate ruling together. Luckily, I’m fairly seasoned, you know.” A cocky smile flashed my way.

“It’s a good thing I’m here, then,” I breathed.

He laughed again, then pressed a kiss to my temple. “Good thing.”

He led us into the ballroom, only this time, a long running table centered the black-and-white checkered floor. Vases filled with flowers sprawling toward the ceiling dotted the middle, and the same amount of finely dressed staff as was at the ball appeared. Lining the room, servers waited for their cue near the staff corridor.

Fragmented light from the crystal studded chandeliers kissed every surface, even Nicholas’s beautiful face as I peered up at him. “I’m having a hard time believing this is real,” I admitted, hearing the echoes of gushing remarks from Kenzie and Eucinda trailing behind.

“Just wait until you taste the food. I made sure they put spinach artichoke puffs on the menu again.”

A few well-dressed attendees stood near the head of the table that I hadn’t seen beyond the garden that adorned the center. The cherub-faced man looked like he may burst, his cheeks rosied to vermillion against his fair skin, the bald spot on the top of his head shining from the light. Beside him, a devious, white-haired prince. Both of them bowed as we approached.

“Am I going to have to watch my back around you tonight?” I asked Nick’s cousin.

A child-like grin stretched across his face, and he raised a hand in the air, the other over his heart. “Future Queen of Highcrest, I solemnly swear to you, I shall only nudge you in the right direction if you’re taking too long to do it.”

Nick drawled, “That’s the closest to an apology you’ll ever get from him. I’d take it.”

I sized prince Marco up for a moment. He could barely contain his amusement. “I think, prince Marco, if I ever need to be nudged…” I glanced up at Nicholas, my arms still wrapped around his strong, centering muscles. “That I will trust your judgment.”

The cherub-faced man held in his breath long enough, essentially squealing with delight when he finally burst. “Oh, Lady Ellanor, I am so honored to be in attendance with you tonight. My name is Herschel Rickson, First Counselor to His Royal Highness. I can see why our beloved prince saw through the masses right to you. Elegant and sharp-witted. Excellent. Excellent!”

You’d think this was his own engagement lunch with how he was barely able to contain his excitement. He made a humming noise while he gestured toward the high-back chairs seated in the center of the long table running perpendicular to the one in the center of the room. “Please! Please, have a seat.”

Nicholas and I exchanged a glance. My first steps toward this new journey. I didn’t release him until we rounded the table and he pulled out my chair. Once I sat, I took in the sprawling view before me. Opulence and luxury, a prime view of every person in attendance, much different to how it would look actually sitting at the table, with a cornucopia of decorations blocking the way. All designed for the two people taking seats at the head of it.

Being favored in this way seemed extravagant, and something about it felt too…privileged. Nick took his seat beside me, scooting his chair marginally closer to mine. Hand extended toward me, palm up, I smiled and placed mine in his. I wasn’t in this alone.

A nod from him instructed the guardsmen across the room to allow our party to enter. I hadn’t noticed they’d been halted at the door, waiting for approval.

Their eyes sparkled in wonder at the gorgeous setting. Castle advisors and leaders I had yet to meet followed soon after. One, decorated in formal military wear, approached as our attendees began filling the room with conversation.

“Your future Majesty.” He bowed to me. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Sebastian Druller, Prince Nicholas’s head military advisor. Ms. Shen, was it?”

I nodded. “Yes. Someone’s done their homework. Lovely to meet you, Commander.” A surreal moment, realizing I’d just repeated the same formal introduction I once mocked Nick for.

He chuckled, his rusty facial hair framing his attractive smile. “Wouldn’t be very good at my job if I didn’t. I look forward to getting to know you better. It takes a special woman to tolerate this one.” He gestured to Nicholas beside me, and all three of us released amused laughter. “But I am so pleased he has found someone to share the mantle. I won’t take up more of your time. Enjoy your party.” As if he sensed the growing line behind him, he left us to the wolves. A string of introductions followed: the host of the treasury, the matron of staff, the royal seamstress.

I breathed a sigh of relief seeing how intimate they’d kept this event. Nicholas no doubt had a role in that, so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. It basically felt like this was simply to acquaint myself with the staff, and the staff with their future queen—still weird to think. Marco sat on Nick’s other side, and after all the introductions were made, Herschel sat next to me.

“I hope the decorations are to your liking, Lady Ellanor—”

“Please, Mr. Herschel, call me Nora.”

The correction seemed to zap him before he regained his composure. “As you wish, Lady Nora. I apologize for the error.”

“Oh. No, just Nora is fine.” I waved a dismissing hand.

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