Page 53 of Royally F*cked

“Thank you, Princess. It’s a pleasure to meet you, formally.”

“Beth, have you seen Willow?” I ask. My little sister is the only one missing at the moment.

Beth looks around the room and looks back at me with a puzzled look on her face.

“She was here with Nan. I don’t see either of them now.”

“They must be up to something,” I muse.

Charlie and I make rounds through the room, speaking with everyone before her father joins us to let everyone know dinner is ready. It’s clear that Mr. Wilson was given orders to remain professional and not acknowledge Charlie who is visibly upset by the notion.

I make a mental note to resolve that issue as soon as possible.

My grandfather can find a new head chef and my grandmother can hire a new lady in waiting. I will not allow my soon to be in-laws to be separated from Charlie. I should have thought of this sooner. They should be sitting at this table with us.

I pull out a chair for Charlie and wait for her to sit before I take my usual seat at the table which is to Charlie’s left.

“Charles, could you have the staff prepare two more place settings?” My grandmother floats into the room with Willow and Mrs. Wilson on her heels.

“Will someone else be joining us, dear?” My grandfather pretends that he’s not phased but I can see the uncomfortableness on his face from his perch at the head of the table.

“Yes, dear,” my grandmother takes her seat on my grandfather’s left and pats his hand.

Willow starts to sit in her usual seat to the right of my grandfather, but he stops her. “Henrietta, why don’t you take a seat here,” he nods to Willow’s seat.

My sister immediately looks to my grandmother for guidance.

Charlie speaks up first. “There’s a seat right here, Willow.”

Her eyes light up when she realizes she’ll get to sit next to Charlie tonight.

“Diane, please have a seat,” my grandmother turns to Charlie’s mother. “You can sit across from Charlie. Georgie and Beth can both scoot down to make room.”

Charles comes back into the room with a platter in his hand while his kitchen staff scrambles to set two more places.

“Charles, you’ll join us as well. There’s an empty seat right next to your wife,” Nan says to Mr. Wilson.

“Your Majesty, I couldn’t,” he protests.

“You can. And you will,” she tells him. “I’ve already handled everything else. This is Prince Julius’ birthday dinner and as his soon to be father-in-law you have a seat at the table.”

Beside me, Charlie sniffles. I look at my grandmother and mouth a ‘thank you.’

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