Page 45 of The Heart of the King

What surprised Jazz more than anything was the way Mrs. Sneedly and Zellie seemed to hit it off. The older woman softened and seemed almost friendly with the girl, though she reprimanded Zellie when necessary.

For the most part, both full days had been spent just hanging out. They watched some movies and played a few games someone scrounged up once Zellie mentioned she enjoyed games.

But when David was around, Zellie was a different person. She only answered when spoken to directly and then only one-word answers unless she had to use more.

Jazz suspected her mother had badmouthed David non-stop, but Zellie didn’t hate him quite enough for that, so there must have been a mitigating force somewhere. Maybe the nanny? Maybe her collusion had been involuntary for a long time, and then she’d been too caught up in it.

Something would have to happen for Zellie to trust that David really was a good guy, but it would have to be one of two things: him coming through for her during a major traumatic experience or simply proving over a very long period of time that he wasn’t out to get her.

Either way, it wouldn’t happen overnight.

This third day, though, was going to be different. Today, she was going to have to start working on how to be a princess with Zellie.

Technically, because Zellie’s father had never legally claimed her, she wasn’t a princess, but since she was living with them, she needed to be able to act the part.

And she needed to be in school. It seemed unlikely that she’d attend an actual school, so they needed to start looking for a tutor. Jazz said as much to Mrs. Sneedly.

Mrs. Sneedly stood up straight and took a deep breath. “Allow me.”

Jazz blinked. “What?”

“With your permission, ma’am, I’d like to step down, at least temporarily at first, as palace stylist. I would like the opportunity to work with Miss Hazel on her schoolwork and learning to behave as a ward of the king should.” Her hands were clasped at her waist, and she looked almost scared Jazz would say no.

Jazz hesitated for a moment. “Let me discuss it with David. I don’t see why not, but I’m not sure about making such a momentous decision on my own or what the protocols are for hiring someone to do schooling with the king’s ward.”

Mrs. Sneedly looked like she wanted to protest, but instead simply nodded.

“I’m having an early lunch with him...” And several other people. “...so I’ll talk with him then.” If she had a moment with just the two of them. Maybe she’d send him a text that she needed to talk to him privately for a few minutes. “However, if you would spend some time with Zellie this morning, I would appreciate it. I have some work I have to get done.”

Mrs. Sneedly simply nodded even as Jazz thought about how odd it was that she had work to do as a queen. She knew queens worked, even queen consorts, but it was odd thatshehad those things to do.

A few minutes later, she’d changed into slacks and a flowing top with heels and headed to her office. David had already replied to her text and told her he’d have a few minutes whenever she arrived.

When she entered his office, he held up a finger as he talked to someone on the phone. She hung back until he hung up.

“Good morning.” David stood, his suit coat hung up somewhere and the sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled up several times. She’d never seen him so casual in the office.

“Good morning.” She took his outstretched hand as he led her to the sitting area.

They both took a seat. “I don’t have a lot of time, but I do have a few minutes. I wasn’t sure if I’d have enough later.”

“Hopefully, it’ll only take a couple of minutes. I was talking with Mrs. Sneedly this morning. She said she wanted to step down as the stylist, at least temporarily, and take over as nanny or tutor or caretaker or whatever the appropriate term is for Hazel.” She clasped her hands together and prayed this went well. In some ways it seemed to be an answer to prayer. “I wasn’t sure what my authority would be in that kind of situation.”

“In general, you don’t need to run personnel decisions past me. The Human Resources office can work with you if you need them to. In fact, you probably need to schedule a meeting with the head of Human Resources about how everything works.” He leaned back in his chair. “I haven’t handled any real personnel issues yet, so I probably need to have a meeting with them as well. Maybe we can schedule one together. I don’t see any reason why this position would be publicly posted when we already have a candidate. Who would handle the stylist part?”

She doubted he cared about that part, but appreciated that he thought of it. “Sarah, again for the time being. I think Mrs. Sneedly wants to give this a try and if it works out, make it permanent, but if not, she can move back.”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t have an issue with it if Human Resources doesn’t. Give them a call and clarify, then talk to Mrs. Sneedly.”

“I will.” She stood as David did. “Thank you.”

After David kissed her cheek, she went back to her office and made the phone call, then contacted Mrs. Sneedly to let her know it had been approved.

When she reached the door of the dining hall where David’s lunch meeting would be held, Jazz took a deep breath and smoothed one hand over her stomach then touched her hair to make sure it was still partly pulled back properly.

She reached for the door handle.

Here went nothing.

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