Page 45 of Learning to Love

“While you are here, if you want to lean against a wall and do a yoga pose, go for it. As the love of my life, no one can tell you otherwise.”

Elodie comes over to where I’m standing, and she forms the pose as well.

“I don’t think I’ll go the whole way in this skirt. I’m likely to rip it or show off my panties.”

“Agreed. Your panties are for my eyes only.”

We both quieten for a moment and synchronize our calming breaths. My mind feels settled already. I could face anything now—even my parents. I really should have discovered yoga years ago.

When I open my eyes, my personal assistant, who stayed behind with my father when I was exiled, is standing next to Hinchbootie. The latter has a smile on his face while the former looks incredulous at what he’s seeing.

“Get used to it, Felix, there’ll be a lot more yoga around here…and it’s mandatory,” I inform him as I take Elodie’s hand in mine.

The 16th-century grandfather clock chimes midday. Punctual as ever.

“I assume my father is ready to see me now.”

I don’t wait to be introduced but march straight into the room. Elodie tries to loosen my grip from hers as we enter, but I keep a tight hold of her and more or less pull her forward with me.

“Your Majesties,” I bow first to my father and then to my mother. She raises an eyebrow at me. I can tell she’s drunk already by her flushed cheeks.

“Dalton, it’s good to see you looking well.” My father smiles with all the politeness of a snake preparing to attack his prey.

I’ve never stood up to him before, like I did on the yacht, and he’s not going to let me forget about it. There will be retribution.

“The break did me good.” I motion for Elodie to come out from where she’s hiding behind me. “I’d like to introduce you to Miss Elodie Nash.”

I nudge her forward, and Elodie gives them both a low curtsy and keeps her chin down, as Hinchbootie has taught her, waiting for my father to address her.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Nash. It’s nice to meet you finally. I hope you will enjoy your stay in Janastria. It’s a beautiful country. Have you liked what you’ve seen so far?”

My father knows full well Elodie’s experience of Janastria solely comprises of the short journey from the airport to the palace, which is nothing compared to what the rest of the country has to offer.

“It’s vastly different from Florida.” Elodie takes my father’s questioning in her stride, and I want to give her a big kiss. Her chin is held high now in a regal pose. We bow to no one. “I can’t wait to explore more of it, though. His Highness, Prince Dalton, has expressed a particular wish to take me to the mountains.”

“They’re one of our country’s best features,” my father mutters, checking his watch.

There’s a knock on the door.

“Enter,” my father commands.

I turn to see who it is, and I’m surprised to see my childhood friend Marianne standing there. She’s a member of the royal court and has been through as much hassle with her over-bearing father as I have with mine. This was especially true when she decided she was more into girls than boys at the age of fifteen. Her father is one of my father’s oldest friends.

She comes forward and curtsies to my parents before turning to me and doing the same. Elodie looks at me to see if she needs to curtsy to Marianne when the latter turns to her. I shake my head, and both women give each other a smiled greeting.

“It’s lovely of you to join us, Marianne. Miss Nash, Marianne is my goddaughter and is living at the palace-”

“You’re living here, Marianne?” I interrupt my father, who coughs his displeasure.

“I am, Your Highness,” Marianne replies.

When away from the formality of court, she would never call me Your Highness, and it sounds as strange on her lips as it does on Elodie’s.

“Why?” I ask.

Marianne turns to my father. I can’t read the emotion on her face. It’s not happiness, but it’s not anger either.

“Because Marianne is due to marry you next year,” my father responds.

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