Page 18 of Forbidden Prince
Kristin took her hand. "It's fine now, Renee. Antonio and I made plans to see each othertonight."
If they both ended up with princes, did that mean they both ended up with the happily-ever-after bit like in all the movies she'd ever watched? Renee shook the thought out of her mind. She was destined for dying in suburbia with two children and a dog. Her plan wasn'tthatbad.
Kristin had no plans for marriage and now look at her, trying on weddinggowns.
Queen Anna said, "He has already informed me that he will not be available for tonight's foreign affairsdinner."
"Ohh." Marco had mentioned no formal dinner tonight too, but he hadn't said what they'dskip.
Kristin gestured to the others, "Are these your foreign affairsguests?"
"No." The queen waved her hand. "These are designers and they wish to know your taste in clothes. Some have samples foryou."
No pressure, choosing the dream frock she wanted to imagine her lifein.
Kristin hugged her waist. "I thought we were here to discuss the wedding? The ceremony?Expectations."
Perhaps when they were alone, she'd ask Kristin what she thought about a long term idea of sisterhood instead of just bestfriends.
For now, Renee smiled. "Valentino, next to me here, is a top designer, and there are a few other brands we both know. Everyone wants you in their line of clothes. At press conferences or just out in public, you are to always look fabulous!" Renee met Queen Anna’s gaze and released a small laugh. Today wasn't about her. It was about Kristin and Antonio. "But the primary purpose for today is to choose yourgown."
"The truth is I never thought about getting married to have a dress picked out, so I'd like to try on a few different styles to really see which one Ilike."
Renee walked into the next room and waited for Kristin to follow. "This sounds awesome—and I’ll go through the designs of the my maid-of-honoroutfit."
The queen and one of the designers stared at her, and it was obvious they both thought she was next. The haughty designer said, "The other room is already set up for you to try things on. Right now, we'll just choose from different whites and basic bodytypes."
Renee smiled. "Try the mermaid on first, Kristin. You have the perfect figure forit."
"Glad you're here,Renee."
Renee linked her arm with hers as they proceeded to a rack of wedding dresses. "Once the wedding is over, I'll go back to my normal life but you'll start living in this world forever. I'm excited foryou."
Kristin passed her a few minutes later, a gown over her arm. "I’ll go try thison."
"Wanthelp?"
"It seems easyenough."
"Just yell if you change yourmind."
Renee rummaged through the Balenciaga designs and wondered if she really could marry Marco and get more than she ever imagined for herself. Kristin soon returned in the mermaid dress Renee had suggested earlier and stood in front of her. "Renee, I'mhappy..."
Renee dropped all the dresses as Kristin turned suddenly. She was about to say something, but the main door of the room opened and a cold wind felt like it brushed against herspine.
The queen walked toward the door and blocked the threshold, her arms crossed. "Sophia, we discussed that you would not cometoday."
Kristin moved to the main room to see what the commotion was about, and Renee joined the queen in case she neededbackup.
Sophia said, "Your Highness, I came to apologize. My own wishes..." As she spoke Sophia stared through Renee and right at her best friend, who was standing behind Renee and the queen. "I shouldn't have put the ring on. I wanted..." Sophia seemed menacing. Renee tensed. "I hoped to be the one, but he choseyou."
Kristin smoothed the white satin at her waist. "Okay. Don't worry about it,Sophia."
Clearly, Renee had missed a few things between Sophia and Kristin. She'd not be so wrapped up in a man next time her friend was in trouble. Sophia wrung her hands. "Before you start trying on more dresses, can I talk toyou?"
No.Renee kept that thought to herself. Kristin nodded. "Of course." She handed the next dress she'd try on to Renee and exited with Sophia. "Be rightback."
This wasn't a good idea. Should she go after her best friend? What did she know about palaceintrigue?
