Page 120 of Royally Benevolent

“Then why not try reaching out? What do you have to lose?” Stephen asked.

So much, I suspected. At the same time, she finally reached out. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t have.

Learning from my past mistakes, I knew what I had to do.

“Thanks, Stephen, I understand. I will see you on Monday.”

I called my car, packed up my laptop, turned off my lights, and headed to the ground floor. I gave the driver directions, and we sped the short distance to our destination. We stopped before we could get anywhere near it. People gathered and barricaded the entrance to the palace’s front gate.

“There’s the back way, sir,” Hugo said. “Remember?”

I did. There was a service entrance the long way around. I wasn’t sure what we could do. I figured they wouldn’t let me in, but it was worth a shot.

70

UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

ODETTE

Idrunkenly played the piano to pass the time, taking requests from Alex and Astrid. Astrid arrived from the UK directly, having boarded a plane to celebrate Celeste’s death faster than I ever imagined. They lay on the couches, giggling like school girls as they hadn’t in years. It was all very bizarre. Alexandra was day drunk and trying to make it through. In my delirium, I texted Wyatt a thank you for the flowers but mentioned none of them to the gallery. I knew my sisters would inflict their opinions on me.

The butler appeared. I assumed he checked to see if we needed more refreshments, but he had a message.

“Your Majesty, a visitor for Princess Odette is at the gate. Given procedures, they would like guidance. Mourning means no guests, and… though he is on the list of authorised guests, we should turn him away. I am here to request your opinion.”

My heart stopped. Somehow, that stupid text changed everything. I knew it was Wyatt. Alexandra was about to learn the same.

“Who is it?” Alexandra asked.

“Mr Worthington, ma’am. He would like to speak to your sister.”

Alex and Astrid sat up, staring.

“I didn’t ask him to come,” I said. “I merely thanked him for the sympathy card and flowers. I told him he shouldn’t have bothered.”

“Oh, that lovely bouquet over there is from him?” Astrid asked. “Lucky bitch. Parker is dreadful at such things.”

“I didn’t want them,” I said. “You could have them.”

“Let him in. He’s important.”

“Alex! Oh my god! You cannot be serious!” I flushed bright red.

The Butler hesitated.

“That is an order. Let him in,” Alexandra bellowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I glared at her, standing to pace.

“Odette, you’re in love with him. He’s here to see you. He still loves you. I will not sit idly by and let you waste this,” Alexandra said. “This is a good omen.”

“A death is not a good omen,” I countered. “It is a death. Can we stop celebrating?”

“Can’t stop, won’t stop!” Astrid said. “Hit me, sister.”

By that, she meant with the sparkling water on the table. Astrid was pregnant and due in autumn. Despite her protests about wanting to wait, she and Parker wasted little time getting the show on the road.

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