Page 43 of Regally Binding

“You’re well informed,” she replied. “I sprained my wrist, but it’s healing quickly. The painkillers worked their magic on my sleep last night, but I didn’t have the opportunity to put more effort into my appearance today.”

“We’d noticed,” Marianne replied with puckered pink lips. She looked like a cat’s anus.

Liss sucked her lower lip into her mouth. The urge to fight back clawed at her skin, but her mum taught her to ignore bullies.

“Don’t worry at all. That you’re here is more than we can ask for. Besides, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to dress up, including tomorrow night,” the King replied, clapping his hands together.

“Don’t forget to take your tea,” Marianne said, nodding at the cup on the King’s coffee table. Or was it a side table? Princesses should know the difference.

The King’s voice was raspy as he said, “These two are good to me. They’ve flown in the best doctor in the world to help me. Their caring is more than I could ask for.”

They didn’t seem caring, but Liss had infiltrated the family. She wanted to learn more about his illness but needed to ease the tension with Alex and Marianne. There would be time to talkto the King. “That is lovely. But did you say something about me dressing up tomorrow?”

“We’re having a party in your honour. It’s mostly for close friends and family. We will announce that you are part of our family and a princess.” Dread crept into Liss’s belly. “It won’t be a big affair but a way to celebrate you. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“I’m not sure I…” Liss stammered. “I haven’t decided if I’ll accept the role of princess yet.”

“This party isn’t you announcing what you want, although I’m sure we will consider that fact,” Alex said, rolling his eyes to Marianne as if Liss wasn’t there. “This is the opportunity for my father to recognise your place in the family.”

“Exactly,” the King rushed to add. Liss dropped her chin. The King wanted to do something nice for her. “It’s my way of welcoming you. Whatever you decide, you will always be family.”

“Is it because you think you’re better than us? Or are you one of those lower-class fools against royalty? How bloody imbecilic,” Marianne muttered.

The audacity of a stranger to say that to her. She should have graciously welcomed the King’s idea, which was her fault, but Marianne didn’t need to be offensive. Her mum would have told her to hold her tongue. Bear cleared his throat, and his chin hardened.

“Oh, she’s spinning her ring again. Watch out,” Marianne quipped before chortling.

Liss was thrown back to her last visit to the palace when they’d questioned her royal status, and now they expected her to welcome it with open arms. Her stomach burned, forcing words from her mouth. “You’re hardly making me want to participate in this family if you’re an example of it.” The corner of Bear’s mouth raised slightly. It only hinted at his amusement but allowed her gumption to flourish. “It’s a lot to take in, and I don’t want to enter into something rashly. I need to learn more aboutwhat it entails and what I will agree to first. My mum didn’t bring me up to avoid hard graft. Not that I’m saying that’s what—”

“How dare you?” Marianne snapped. Liss hadn’t meant for it to sound like that. Her pulse quickened, and her ears pounded. “Do you understand how humiliating it is for this family to have someone brought up like you associated with it? And you don’t think you want to be part of it?”

“Aren’t you marrying into this family? So you’re not technically part of it yet either,” Liss replied, butting heads. Words continued to tumble out of her mouth. “Besides, before I was rudely interrupted, I was trying to show my due diligence by ensuring I had all the information. It’s not like I want to let the name down. I want to be able to help people and not just cut ribbons.”

Bear cleared his throat loudly, and she took a breath. She went too far with the ribbons bit. She needed to be kinder.

Marianne’s eyes blazed, and Liss pressed her fingers against her lips, but at the King’s laugh, everyone stared at him.

“She’s disrespectful, sir,” Marianne fumed as she repeatedly smoothed her pleated skirt.

Between guffaws, he replied, “She has a point. You cut a ribbon yesterday.” His laughter became coughs that were like a dog’s barks. He winced, and tears leaked from his eyes.

Suddenly, a man dressed in white appeared. “Let’s pop you on a ventilator. You want to be at your best for tomorrow night,” he said in an accent Liss couldn’t place. The King gave Liss a brief hug before leaving the room. It was all so quick that she didn’t have the opportunity to thank him or ask how he was.

“The ribbon cutting was a hospital.” Marianne stood and stamped her foot. “I don’t have time for this, because instead of planning my wedding, I have a party for a pleb to organise. The utter disgrace.”

Marianne stormed out of the room, leaving a wide-eyed Alex in her wake. Liss stared at the gilt-edged mirror covering a wall. She saw both bodyguards and the rest of the room through it. Bear made brief eye contact and winked at her. Flutters filled her belly. She was supposed to be avoiding him.

Eventually, Alex sat close to Liss. “I’m sorry about that. She’s not normally so rude.” Liss bit her tongue at her retort. It seemed unlikely that Marianne was sweetness and light. But maybe it was time to give the family the benefit of the doubt, as they were her family now, and that was all she’d ever longed for. “But the wedding is in six months, and she’s found the organising stressful. This announcement about you has stolen some of her thunder too.”

That was fair. No one wanted their wedding ruined by a usurper, especially a reluctant, bratty one like Liss.

“But I should apologise for myself too. I was rude when you were here before and today too. It’s a lot to come to terms with. My father explained after he made the live announcement that learning he had another daughter he’d never meet and couldn’t be there for as she died nearly destroyed him. Our relationship is strained, but that’s not your fault. Will you forgive me?”

Liss nodded and took his hand in her good one. “Of course. It’s been a rollercoaster for all of us, and it must be painful to see your dad grieving and ill. I’m sorry that your mum died before you knew her.”

Alex nodded. “It is.” Liss expected him to share more; after all, they’d both lost their mums, but Alex moved to business. “Let’s discuss what being part of this family and an official princess will involve. I’ll get my secretary to make notes as it’s a lot to absorb. Then, you’ll have up to a week to consider it before we officially announce you to the press. You must sign documents and be given a new residence.”

“Okay,” Liss replied, fiddling with her ponytail. She wanted to be there for Alex, and maybe this was the best way to support the family and to give something back to the King, but it was all so fast.

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