Page 125 of Prince Charmless
“Melina,” she says to me, then outstretches her tiny hand. I take it and do my awkward little curtsy thing. Behind her, David nods slightly to indicate that I did it right.
Thank Christ.
“You’re very pretty,” she says.
The Queen thinks I’m pretty!
“Thank you,” I say.
Taylor discreetly pinches the back of my elbow.
“Your Majesty,” I quickly add.
The Queen smiles at my stumble and says, “I have something for you both.” She gestures to a footman, and he brings Taylor a small velvet box.
“You’re giving me this now?” he asks.
“You told me it was your intention to marry.”
“You told me I had to get your approval.”
“And I approve.”
“It’s been two seconds. She said four words.”
It almost sounds like hedoesn’twant to marry me. Leave it to Taylor to bicker with the Queen.
“Taylor,” she scolds like an endearing grandmother. “It’s a miracle you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who isn’t yourself. I say she’s a gift from God.”
Aw. I could blush. I’m guessing David has done some advocacy for me. Just like he promised he would.
“This just feels suspiciously easy,” Taylor says.
He must’ve been daydreaming about fighting for my honor with a passionate speech.
She turns to David. “I would like to announce the engagement tonight if possible. Everyone is here. I thought it would be a good time. I’d also like the wedding to happen before I kick the bucket.”
“Wait, we’re engaged now?” Taylor holds up the box. “You just gave me the ring.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? I’m not getting any younger.”
Taylor leans into my ear. “I was going to plan a whole thing,” he whispers. “Rose petals, doves, white horses.”
I shudder at the H word. “That sounds horrible,” I whisper back.
I know he’s not serious, but I’m getting better with my four-legged friends. Sometimes I feed our neighbors apples. Tom is trying to take me riding, but that might take a while.
“You have to do what she says,” I say. “She’s the Queen.”
And I’d like to make this thing legitimate so I can finally tell everyone. I’ve been bursting at the seams.
“I like the way she thinks,” says the monarch.
She seems not to have lost any of her hearing in ninety-five years.
Taylor flips the lid of the box. The ring is huge, obviously. Attached to the gold band is an emerald-cut diamond with two slightly smaller gems surrounding it. As if one stone isn’t enough.
“It was Charlotte’s,” the Queen says. “Isn’t it nice?”
