Page 41 of Royally Benevolent

Alexandra held her tongue, glaring at Rick like, “I told you so.”

Rick spoke. “It would be good for visibility’s sake, right?”

Alexandra took a deep breath. “Is this all that important to you?”

“It is,” I answered, leaving out that the object of my affection also attended.

I was no longer denying it. My heart leapt the minute the opportunity graced me. I’d havedaysalone with Wyatt. Whatever sad, youthful, hopeful dream this was, I wanted to take a chance on it. He was worth the risk. We were on a mission, but it was more than that. I wasn’t about to tell Alexandra any of that. She’d frown upon it and tell me I was silly.

“Well, if it is important and security can clear it, I will allow it. Security will be?—”

“The Minister of Transport of the UK and the American Vice President are attending,” I said.

I’d again done my research. I looked at the list of keynote speakers, and diplomatic attendees confirmed.

“That could be good for the government,” Rick said. “Let’s drop a line to the PM in case he wants to send someone.”

Ugh!That would be a disaster. I wanted Wyatt tomyself, not to have a minister or deputy minister involved. I held my poker face.

“I’d prefer to keep this in-house. It’s a chance for Odie to shine,”Alexandra said. “She doesn’t need a stuffy government official there. She understands this situation and cares about the cause.”

I could have cried happy tears.Alexandra trusted me!

I didn’t want to feel like the broken toy everyone believed me to be. My psychotic break scared everyone, so knowing my family believed in me mattered most.

PART TWO

APPRECIATION

24

ROYAL ROAD TRIP

WYATT

Ajourney to Cologne took just over two hours. However, royal travel was complicated. I wanted to drive myself—as I liked to do on a road trip. Instead, Odette’s security instructed me that we would be taking an “escort” to Cologne with marked cars. It was silly to protest—even more so once I climbed in the car and saw Odette’s cheerful face. Sunshine incarnate, her infectious smile put me at ease. Moreover, she had Grieg with her. That was a pleasant surprise.

“Sorry again for the fanfare.”

“Don’t apologise,” I turned to the dog before buckling up. “We have a third wheel.”

She chuckled. “I couldn’t bear to leave him. Rick had a field day, but I’m too weak. He’s sad without me. My entourage will watch him, and the hotel said it was fine.”

“Good,” I agreed. “He’s such a cheerful little dude.”

“He’s everything,” Odette cooed.

I clipped my seatbelt. The driver rolled out of the gate. Grieg, a pleasant companion, settled in between Odette and me.

“I never had a dog growing up,” I admitted. “I always wanted one. I am sure Theo would flipif he had one.”

“I never got one, either. Dogs were forbidden in my grandmother’s world. She hated animals. Anyone who hates animals should be suspect to good people.”

“You’re right,” I said. “No, it’s not like that. My mother is not anti-animals. We just moveda lotand rented.”

“Can you not have animals if you rent?”

It was a silly statement. I almost laughed before I realised Odette was a princess who couldn’t comprehend a cramped two-bedroom rental.

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