Page 66 of The Prince and the Puck
We met Lambert the next morning on the royal lawn, where a small stage had been erected, and we had invited local press. There weren’t a lot of major news outlets in Murdan, but there were plenty of influencers who had a surprising amount of reach.
“What’s going on?” Lambert asked, looking around at the citizens and reporters milling about.
We might have leaked a little hint about today’s festivities on some of the palace’s social media channels last night.
“This is step one in your PR rehabilitation campaign,” Declan told his brother.
“You ready for your briefing?” I asked.
Lambert looked skeptical, but he nodded. Just then, a woman stepped up beside him—a tall, dark-haired, dark-skinned woman who might have been in her early thirties.
“Deck, Lizzy, this is Celeste.”
The way Lambert changed when she was at his side told me everything I needed to know. He loved her completely. And she was gorgeous, polite, and the way she looked at him told me she loved him just as much.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Celeste,” Declan said, smiling at the woman who clearly had his brother’s heart. “Has Lambert told you a bit of the plan?”
“I don’t know the plan,” Lambert said, opening his hands and shaking his head.
“The plan is this,” I told him. “In just a few minutes, you’re going to step up and announce the first annual Murdan Day of Play.”
“Day of Play?” Lambert looked confused.
“Yes,” Declan said. “Every employer in the kingdom will give their employees at least two hours off this afternoon to go to a public park—or come here, to the palace lawn—to play. You and I will be out playing with all the kingdom’s children, Mom and Dad will be here, and we will build goodwill with our citizens.”
“The big PR plan is to play?” Lambert asked, looking between Declan and me.
“It’s just the first step, Lambert,” I told him.
“It sounds marvelous to me,” Celeste said, smiling.
“I guess it’s worth a try,” Lambert said. He looked at me. “You’re the expert, after all.”
I didn’t want to tell him the truth—just like I hadn’t wanted any of the Wombats players to know I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when it came to PR.
So, I just smiled and nodded.
Within the hour, a patio had been set up for the royal family, with shade and refreshments, and the press and many citizens had gathered in front of the stage to one side of the lawn.
Lambert climbed the stairs and took his spot in front of the microphone, tapping it to see if it was on.
“Men and women of Murdan,” he called out, quieting the crowd. “I’m Lambert, son of King Erik and Queen Penelope. You all know I enjoy a good romp as much as the next guy, so I thought it would be fitting for me to be the one to announce Murdan’s first annual Royal Day of Play.”
The gathered crowd roared—clapping and cheering. Many were taking pictures of Lambert, standing with the royal banners waving in the air behind him.
“This afternoon,” Lambert continued, “I hope you’ll join us here on the royal lawn, or in one of the many public parks throughout the land, to celebrate and play with your family and friends. Though it’s often overlooked, play is an important part of being a whole human.”
Declan leaned in toward me. “He’s going off script.”
“I think it’s good,” I told him.
Lambert continued, “Though there is such a thing as too much play, I think having some time off—time to bond with those you love—is what makes us well-rounded people. And so, I’d like to introduce you to a new face here at the palace. The woman I love. This is Celeste.”
He gestured for Celeste to join him on the stage, and she did so—seemingly reluctantly.
Despite her hesitation, Celeste climbed the stairs gracefully and stood with poise at Lambert’s side.
“They’re the perfect royal couple,” Declan murmured, leaning close to my side.
