Page 103 of Royally Rivalled

“We should take our seats,” Mary said. “Come along.”

The performance was a chaotic trip through a history full of unexpected easter eggs. The indomitable Leah Roughy and her fabulous vocal range carried the production, but the supporting actors were notable. The crowd went wild anytime Lourdes Lennon, the actress playing Princess Alexandra, came on stage. She had an “it” factor.

After the show, we met up with the cast backstage. Amara nearlyfainted. Once Leah, Lourdes, and Clive—Prince Albert—were packed and ready, we headed to a club. The Lyons kids werewild. Prince Duncan turned up at some point, mainly giving his older cousin shit. He looked like he’d come from an even wilder party.

“Come, come,” Leah grabbed my hand. “We’re moving along down the way!”

“Where the fuck are we going now?” Duncan groaned.

“You need to hold your liquor better, Duncan. We’re off to that Jazz place. Lourdes is dying to go! Come, come, Astrid, darling.”

I didn’t know how I made it to the front of the pack as we marched.

“You’re going to cause a scandal,” Duncan shouted. “If people see the two of you running around like that.”

“Let them talk!” Leah shouted.

I didn’t quite understand why this would be scandalous other than I was wearing a dress cut well above my knee. Living in the UK, I’d given up many clothing hang-ups, gladly donning short skirts and low-cut blouses. I didn’t care anymore. I liked feeling sexy when I went out.

“What was the best part of the show?” Leah asked. “You look like you had fun?”

“I had a wonderful time,” I agreed. “Honestly, it was so strange. You sound like… your aunt. At least with the accent. It was so uncanny valley.”

Leah giggled. “I’m sure it’s why they hired me.”

“No, they hired you because you are so talented. My younger sister—Odette—is a huge fan of musicals—and you. She’d have died to see your pipes are as ‘legit’ as she always swears they are. You’re amazing, Leah.”

“You’re too kind, sweetie. Lou!” Leah called back to Lourdes. “My pipes are legit!”

“Fuck you!” Lourdes giggled. “Fuck you both!”

I snickered. They had such a good rapport.

“You’re fabulous,” Leah said. “I’m so happy to see you out and about. You’ll have to drop by more often. Niall says Parker neverleaves the house. I was surprised he agreed to come out, but then I met you.”

“You know Parker?”

“Ish,” Leah laughed. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s a small fishbowl. I know more about the legend of Parker than the man you know. He’s awkward and aloof, and his mother is desperate to send him across the land with a glass slipper to find the right girl. Maybe he already found her, though?”

I blushed. Unfortunately, in this scenario, I might have been Parker’s Cinderella, but the real evil stepmother was instead his mother. No matter what I did, she clarified that she would prefer him to settle down with a quiet English girl who popped out babies.

We made it to the next club, and I finally put together what Niall said about the press wagging their tongues.

As we watched the live show, Leah was more interested in something else. I looked over at one point to see her making out with Lourdes. It took me by surprise. It wasn’t that queerness was illegal in Neandia. It was just that someone related to Alexandra making outopenlywith someone of the same sex would have caused a press meltdown. Leah was still a member of the family, and she had no shame about her sexuality. Of course, I now knew her father had been a gay pioneer and icon. I realised I’d justassumedLeah was straight, and that was probably a backwards, conservative assumption.

“I thought she was with Clive?” I asked

Niall snickered. “She is. But also with Lourdes. Polyamory or some such. It’s a drama fest with this cast. Everyone shags everyone. And no one here will complain about that.”

“Get a fucking room, Leah!” Duncan shouted, returning to the table with another drink.

Leah pulled back, flicked him off and sat on Clive’s lap.

“I cannot fathom it,” I said. “Part of me wants tobeher, but all of me knows I couldn’t take the heat in the kitchen.”

“She’s drunk,” Niall said. “She’s on a high after a great show. I wish I were this talented at anything.”

“Dance! Come dance! Amara!” Lourdes shouted. “Come, come!”

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