Page 16 of Royally Scr*wed

“Agnes has enough on her plate today. I managed just fine.”

Rather than argue or take my sour attitude out on her, I kiss her cheek and say thank you instead.

By the time I’ve got my boxers, socks and slacks on Charlie is handing me the black dress shirt. While I finish dressing and tie my tie, she slips into the classic black dress that I had Agnes order for her in the first wardrobe expenditure.

The memory of how pissed she was that I bought an entire closet filled with clothes just for her is almost enough to being a smile to my face. After she calmed down, she reluctantly agreed to go shopping on her own with Willow as her ‘professional stylist’. Of course, my little sister jumped at the chance to help Charlie ‘dress like a Rexford’ as Willow put it.

“Could you zip me?” she asks, turning around to allow me access to the zipper.

I can only hope that she can’t feel my fingers trembling or my shaky breath. If she does, she’s kind enough not to mention it. In fact, no further words are exchanged as she slides her feet into a pair of black heels then touches up her makeup in the small vanity.

“Almost ready?” I ask after I’ve put on my cufflinks and jacket.

She stands and smooths down her dress then blows out a breath, “ready as I’ll ever be.”

I offer her my elbow and nod. “Ozzy will see to it that everyone cleans up this place and returns our things to their rightful places.”

“Jude…” she pauses, looking up at me with sad eyes.

“Not now, Charlie. I’ve got a country to lead.” I snap a little harsher than intended.

She doesn’t cower. Instead she scrunches her face and shakes her head. “Jude, your grandfather just died.”

“Yes. I know.”

“And everyone is going on as if it’s the most normal thing ever. Even you!”

“Because we have to. We’ve been trained to,” I confess. “There is no time to grieve right now.”

“That’s not the first time you’ve said something like that today.”

“It’s the truth, Charlotte.”

This time she winces at the sound of her proper name. “It’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard. Royal or not, you’re still human. A human with feelings.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I do my best to keep from raising my voice. I don’t mean to be angry with her. It’s the monarchy I’m pissed at. All the pomp and circumstance, and for what? For show. To make us appear superior.

“I don’t know. Do you? Because you walked in this room and acted like nothing happened. On with the day!”

“What else would I do?!” I yell. “I’m the damn kingandI need to be in the car in a few short minutes to follow my grandfather’s body back to the palace. Then I’ll need to meet with Ruby and prepare to speak with the people of Herefirth after tea. Surely you understand the process that must take place when the palace walls crumble. Have you not ran drills over the years?”

“I have. Only where Willow was concerned though. I wasthe help,remember? I’m not privy to all of the on goings. We were only told what we needed to do as it pertained to our respective job. And none of that could have readied me forthisside of things.”

“I guess you’ll have to just keep up then, Charlie. Learn as you go. I don’t know what else to tell you. Everything must continue to run like clockwork.”

“Hell of an introduction to the crown,” she grumbles under her breath.

“If anyone can handle it, you can,” I tell her with a kiss on the forehead in effort to somehow smooth over the shit I’ve no doubt stepped in right now.

“Maybe it’s not me I’m worried about.”

“Don’t waste energy worrying about me.”

Charlie snorts. “Who says it’syouI’m worried about?”

“Who else would you be worried about?”

She shakes her head as if the answer is obvious. “Uhm. Willow. She may be your little sister, but it’s not like I haven’t spent years caring for her.”

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