Page 45 of Forbidden Prince
Renee raised her head. Queen Anna Camilla, looking very royal in gray and blue, her gold crown nestled on top of her head, stared down her nose at them. "You're Renee'smother?"
"Yes." Mom still had her head down, so Renee elbowed her to look up. "Pleased to meetyou."
The queen snapped her fingers. "We must discuss the banquet and expectations for tomorrow. Renee, your wedding will be more open to whatyouwant rather than the strict formalities that Kristin had toendure."
"That soundslovely."
"My daughter will want her mother's help in picking a dress." Her mother lookedglum.
"Please say hello to Kristin, who has been my best friend these past few years." Renee gave a gentleprod.
Her mother took a deep breath. "Nice to see you again,Kristin."
"And Mom, I picked a dress myself already." Renee sat across from the queen, gesturing for her mom to take a seat next to her. "It's time we get to work on the little things,together."
The four of them opened the folders in front of their chairs. Renee read all about different flowers and meanings. "The peonies are ratherpretty."
Kristin added, "They'd look lovely on their own or with callalilies."
This was really happening. Her heart raced. "The florist will have some ideas on how to put ittogether."
"Good," Anna said. "Now, what aboutcake?"
"Chocolate of course." She and Kristin shared a smile. "With freshstrawberries."
"I don’t know, Renee. Strawberries?" Her mom questioned, her mouth turneddown.
"Yes, Mom. Strawberries." She held her mother’s gaze until she shrugged and went on to the next item on thelist.
"Where will the reception beheld?"
The sooner they finished, the sooner she could find Marco. She hoped whatever her father said or did hadn't frightened him off. She needed to see him again because he was her life preserver when it came to her parents—though she gave herself a pat on the back for standing up to her mom justnow.
Kristin pointed to her dossier. "Am I the onlybridesmaid?"
"Yes. So, you can pick your own dress like I did foryours."
"I'll get one rightaway."
Her mom and the queen murmured in agreement on something. Renee turned her attention back toward the two of them as they pointed toward the flower garden. Her mother said, "This spot is quite lovely for a reception area. Outside will benice."
Thank you. Renee said a silent prayer. If there could be one agreement, perhaps more might follow. "I can't wait to see what you both come upwith."
"Go now. Kristin, you too." The queen said, "Your mother and I will continue the finaldetails."
Renee met the queen’s loving gaze. Her mom had better behave, but she had no doubt Anna could take care of business. She took the hint and stood. "Come on Kristin, let’s take a stroll around thefountain."
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Renee laughedwith her best friend and for the first time that day felt light of heart. The sunshine calmed her frayed nerves. This might be the beginning of letting go, finally, to her parents and the pressure to be like them. She had confidence now that she’d stand up to them and tell them Marco was theone.
She and Kristin meandered through the garden maze and talked about Renee’s dream wedding. The light summer breeze kept it from being too warm or hot and sticky with humidity. Here the air wasdry.
They turned the corner of the hedge maze and ice raced down her spine as two men in masks grabbed them. Renee screamed, but Kristin went into self-defense mode and knocked down the man holding her. If only she’d taken that class more seriously. Renee struggled but whoever held her arms had a firmgrip.
She glanced to her side where Kristin and her attacker were, and she saw Henri's face under the mask. The man holding her squeezed tighter, but she tugged against him anyhow, though she wasstuck.
In school, the best way to diffuse a situation was to talk. She swallowed and asked, "What's going on,Henri?"
