Page 34 of Royally Rivalled

I admired so much about her. As much as she frustrated me, I found her intelligence sexy. Astrid was so damnclever. She caught onto everything. She was good with the students. She listened and assisted them. She was faster at programming than I was. And when she knew something, she never felt terrible telling you. I was sick of her showing me up. I couldn’t deny her mathematical gifts, but that wasmything! In a sea of qualitative political scientists, I’d stood out. Why did she have to be so damn good? Andfit?

“Well, perhaps she will be around?”

I hoped that, dear God, she would not be. The last thing I needed tonight was Astrid Deschamps.

“Let's attempt to make a serious effort, alright, Parker?”

A serious effort.I wanted to tell my mother how much that pained me. I couldn't describe how badly I would have liked to make aserious effortbefore, but that ended poorly.

“Do you think I don't want to meet someone and be happy?” I asked. “Eventually?”

“Wasn't that the issue? You are more married to school than?—”

“It's work, mother,” I said. “And it is important. But don't you think if I found a perfect woman, I would want to cherish her and make it work?”

“I do not know, Parker, because you rarely try.”

“Mother, I have yet to find a woman who so perfectly meets my needs and is trustworthy. I need someone who can handle my intellectual pursuits and the consuming task of managing the estate. It is a lot for a woman in her twenties. I would never want to rush someone.”

“You could try harder,” Mum said.

Her words always wounded me. Ididtry. I tried hard. I wanted to, anyway. There were just so many things in the way. I wanted to finish my thesis above all else. After that, I knew things would be better. Then, I could turn to the task of whatever was next. Until then, I'd make a lousy partner. Why did everyone assume I was good enough—so wonderful—that any girl should give up everything?

twenty-two

ASTRID

“Perfection,”Alexandra sighed, staring at me like I was a beautiful work of art.

In a way, I might as well be one. I appeared this way after loads of hair, makeup, and tiara placement. Add an evening gown, and I was a force to be reckoned with. As I stared in the mirror, I didn't recognise this girl, but I wanted to. Could I be this beautiful and elegant? I hoped it wasn't the last time I saw myself like this.

“Look at you! Beautiful! Come on. We've got to get moving. Ed and Natalie want to get to know you more. And you can properly meet Duncan.”

I took a deep breath and nodded.

I'd never been to a royal event like this before. We’d not hosted people in this way because Alexandra was either pregnant or recovering from pregnancy after her wedding. The last time I’d been so beautifully turned out was for her engagement dinner, but that was pre-tiara.

“Ah, here they come,” Rick stood as Alexandra and I entered thesitting room.

He gave her a long kiss before stepping to assess the final product. “You're stunning, baby.”

“Thanks.” She beamed.

They were adorable and sickening all at once. I cleared my throat.

“Astrid, how is the tiara?”

“I love it,” I answered. “Thanks.”

My debut diadem was an impressive, imposing scroll behemoth. Alexandra knew I'd never settle for something half-baked or delicate.

“Well, it looks great.”

“Don't say I look grown up,” I giggled.

He'd done that before. Alexandra was only a year older, and we looked alike.

“I won’t. Glad it suits,” Rick offered his arm to Alexandra. “Ready to go?”

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