Page 22 of Royally Benevolent

We paid and stepped away to wait. Theo talked Odette’s ear off about the dog and his trains, and she listened intently. Theo was always desperate to chat with women. I suspected he latched onto anyone he viewed as a maternal figure to fill a need. They called our order. Odette helped, instinctively taking Theo’s hand.

“I’d be glad to join,” Odette offered. “If that is… if I could help you get over there. I have a coffee carrier in my bike basket. I sometimes do coffee runs for my sister and I. I’ll walk with you.”

“That’s ingenious,” I laughed.

We loaded the bike.

“Can I ride in it?” Theo asked.

“If your Papa says you can,” Odie answered.

“Yes,” I sighed. “This is the only time you will go out without a helmet, and it’s only because I trust Odette, and she’s walking the bike.”

“Yes. Never leave without a brain bucket, kiddo.”

We walked on. As we were about to cross the intersection where we’d met, I stepped in front of Odette and saw a car coming out of the corner of my eye. She stopped short, protecting Theo and Grieg from the intersection. The vehicle turned right before us, pretending we didn’t exist.

“Just like that,” Odette sighed. “How did you?—”

“Spidey senses, I guess,” I chuckled. “I’m hypervigilant. Some might even call it paranoid.”

“Protective,” Odette said. “Daddy powers.”

We crossed the street. I wanted to say something interesting but had no idea what to say to a princess—especially one I’d silently cursed for a couple of weeks for ghosting me.

“The bike helps. It’s smart to put him in the bucket, Odie.”

“I figured it might corral him a bit.”

“I appreciate it… as well as the adult company,” I agreed.

We arrived at the park and divided the food. As expected, Theo demanded Odie follow him around and observe everything. I watched the dog, bundled in a coat, sleep on the bike like this was his typical day. Theo came back occasionally for bites of food and his coffee. I struggled to accept children drinking coffee, but a cafe au lait was common for children here.

Eventually, Theo made a friend, giving Odie a reprieve.

She sat. “He’d get on with my nieces like anything. Look, I am sorry I never emailed. I meant to, but… I wasn’t sure what to say. And there is something I should say.”

“Oh, it’s okay. Life is busy.“

“I’m sorry. Just wanted to clear the air.”

“I appreciate it, but… you have nothing to apologise for. I asked a lot?—”

“You didn’t, Wyatt. I have no idea how to fix this, but I want to get involved. I will be the official patron of Vision 360. So, if we want to make a splash, I will gladly do whatever we need to.”

I smiled. “That sounds great. Wait, what do I call you? I should have asked.”

“In public at a formal occasion, Princess Odette or Your Royal Highness. Here, Odie is just fine. I promise I’m not fussy.”

“Great to hear. Look, I don’t mean to overstep?—”

“You haven’t. You helped protect Grieg. You’re amazing. And you seem to show up and save my life regularly.”

I flushed red. “Well, when you make me sound like Superman?—”

“Isn’t hypervigilance a superpower?”

“If so, I’m Captain Paranoid.”

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