Page 80 of Royally Rivalled

A server arrived and asked if all was well.

“I would like some coffee. I am not a tea person,” I said.

Stunned looks crossed every face, but the server only appeared kind. I may have confused her, but I didn’t care.

“Merci,” I said.

She left, and I continued, perfect as ever, never letting their faces get to me.

“They do not… drink tea?”

Carolyn’s face suggested I’d done something terrible like I’d dumped a puppy on the roadside.

“No. We don’t. I find it dreadful if I’m being honest.”

No response. They did not like my opinion, but I did not care.

“And if you were to go to someone’s house?” Lady Westfall asked. “Or, say, the Palace. Would you not drink tea?”

“No,” I answered. “If my opinion was requested. And when you visit the house of another monarch, your staff makes your opinions clear ahead of time. Her Majesty serves tea and coffee to us when we attend things. Last I checked, this was a restaurant, and Parker was the head of the household. He knows better than to force me to consume tea.”

Parker looked slightly horrified but nodded in agreement. “It is true she won’t take tea. I have tried. It’s one of her few flaws.”

My coffee arrived—my refusal to let anyone walk all over myselforParker hanging heavy. Lady Westfall’s face conveyed her discomfort. I’d ruffled her expensive little feathers all before the planner arrived.

As the well-heeled planner appeared, we began with the venue. The couple wanted to host it at the Devon family estate and be married in their home city at the Cathedral in Westnedge. I’d never been, but I was sure it was all lovely.

“We must secure hotels and such, of course, but I did ring them, and June 15this available.”

Everyone was satisfied with that.

“Now, venues are good, but we must discuss the budget before I can lay out much else,” said Pippa the Planner.Yes, her given name was actually Pippa.

The room turned to Parker, who kept it simple. “I can manage 1 million, but that’s the limit.”

Carolyn glowered. Lady Westfall angered.

“Parker, society weddings cost money.”

“One million dollars is more than some people will make in a lifetime with manual labour—many, in fact,” Parker countered. “It’s downright extravagant.”

“So, if you marry Astrid, you’ll stick to that budget?” Carolyn protested.

I knew Parker jumped out of his skin internally, but he played it cool with a poker face. He said nothing, and I never lost my neutral expression. I wouldn’t say I liked the suggestion either—not that I didn’t care for him, but because the mention was premature.

“It’s my budget. I have set it. Take it or leave it. Or, Fred, perhaps your parents could assist with everything above and beyond?”

Oh, so hewasrich. I was right!

“Astrid, would you be satisfied with that?” Lady Westfall asked directly.

“We have no intent to get married presently,” I said. “This is all new. However, royal weddings are a different bag. I was not privy to my sister’s budget. I suspect the main costs are associated with security. But one million seems entirely too generous, if I am being honest. I always thought I’d be a marry-at-city-hall kind of girl.”

Parker could not stifle a smile. His mother, appalled, sipped her tea aggressively—something I didn’t even know was possible.

“Don’t be ridiculous. He will not be married at a registry office!”

“As I said, do not worry, Lady Westfall, for I have no intent to run off with your son.”

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