Page 44 of Royally F*cked

“Perfect. This is going to be SO perfect!” Willow squeals.

At least someone is excited for us.

“Ah, Your Highness,” Oscar rejoins us. “Your snacks.”

He’s brought us a plate of mini pastries and cakes as well as three cups of tea.

“Ozzy! Did you know about this?” Willow gives him the stare down this time.

“Know about?” he plays coy, but the tiny twitch of his lips gives him away.

Willow nudges him with her hip. “The engagement. A royal wedding. All of it!”

“Now Princess Willow, you should know that your big brother doesn’t make a single move that I am not aware of.”

“Good point. So, I can be mad at you for keeping this news from me too,” she giggles and narrows her eyes at him.

“Somehow, I’m always the one who ends up in trouble,” Oscar shrugs good naturedly.

“Ozzy, sit. Enjoy some snacks with us,” Jude orders.

“Yeah, we’re going to be here awhile because I still have lots of questions,” Willow flops back in her chair and pops a bite size piece of cake in her mouth. “Ooo! I need to see the ring.”

Goodness. If I had half of her energy, and enthusiasm.

Jude takes my left hand in his and raise it up. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was nervous by the way his hand trembled underneath mine.

Willow ooo’s and ahh’s over the sparkly diamonds. “That looks familiar. Which heirloom collection did you choose it from?”

His voiced quivers. “It was Mum’s. It was passed on to me when Mum and Dad died.”

“Oh, Jude. That’s…” Willow’s eyes fill with tears. “That’s so special. And perfect. Charlie, do you love it?”

“I do. It means a lot that your brother wants me to wear it.” And that’s the truth. Regardless of the situation. “Is that okay with you?”

“What? Oh gosh. Yes. Of course. I like knowing that you’ve got a symbol of our family’s love with you. It’s so perfect.”

Her words choke me up. “Thank you, sweet girl.”

“Does this mean you’ll call me Willow all the time now?” Her eyes light up at the notion.

“I guess it does,” I tell her with a wink.

She squeals and does a little dance in her seat. “Shoot! Charlie, what about our girl’s day that we were going to have this week? And what about you coming back to the palace? I guess you can’t possibly be my lady in waiting now that you’re going to be my sister,” she pauses for a split second. “I’m getting a sister!”

I trying to quickly thing of a solution for the girl’s day I promised her, but I highly doubt the king will let me take Willow anywhere now.

“You can go out together on Thursday,” Jude answers for me while typing something on his phone. “I’ve already blocked your schedule. I may have to go with you both, but I can get lost once we get to town. And I’ll see to it that your new friend Hazel has other plans.”

“Best. Big. Brother. Ever.” Willow tells him.

“Don’t you forget it, kid.” Jude winks at her.

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