Page 22 of A Royal Arrangement
“Oh, wow, I don’t know if I can do it as well as you, but I’ll try.” Rosalie winked at her and did a crazy wave that looked like something between her trying to swat at a fly and doing the chicken dance.
Addie laughed, and Rosalie joined in with her until tears streamed down both their faces.
“You might want to stick with smiling.” His daughter patted Rosalie on the shoulder with pity in her eyes.
Colin hid his own laugh behind a cough. “We don’t want our people to think I married a chicken.”
“Har-har.” Rosalie nudged his side with her elbow and ran her hand over Addie’s silky hair before clucking like a chicken, pulling a giggle out of Addie again.
They were already becoming two little peas in a pod, and it made Colin happy that Addie finally had a mother figure in her life. Someone she could look up to. Someone who could support her in different ways than he could.
All three of their bodyguards walked over and let them know the area was secure. They escorted them to the parade route, and a footman assisted Rosalie and then Addie into the white horse-drawn carriage before helping Colin up.
“Wosie, now I’m weally like Cindewella.” Addie bounced up and down excitedly in the seat between them, rubbing her hands along the leather seats. “Can I pet the horses?”
Rosalie draped her arm around Addie’s shoulder, lightly brushing her fingers against Colin’s arm. “I’ll take you to see them after the parade.”
“Promise?”
“Pinky swear.” Rosalie reached out and wrapped her pinky around Addie’s.
“Are you ready to move, Your Majesty?” the footman asked.
He nodded, and they were off, moving slowly down the street as they waved to the crowd.
The citizens of Edgemont had really shown up for this celebratory parade. People were packed into the street like sardines, everyone wanting to see their new queen with their own eyes. Colin typically hated being amongst large groups, but he’d forgotten how much he enjoyed being with his people.
His eyes scanned over the crowd. Most guests held mini versions of the Edgemont flag. The sight of the light-pink-and-white flags waving in the wind filled him with patriotism, knowing the people were there to support them.
Others in the crowd brandished flowers of the same colors, tossing them into the road as the carriage passed by. A footman walked alongside the carriage, collecting the flowers. The attendant formed a small bouquet and a larger bouquet and handed them to Addie and Rosalie, who beamed at the gifts.
They continued riding along the road, waving at the crowd and accepting gifts. Suddenly, Rosalie stood from her seat, rocking on her feet. Colin instantly reached out to steady her. His hand grabbed her waist, and his face immediately heated at the contact.
She looked over at him and whispered, “Thank you.” Turning to the footman, she said, “Please have them stop the carriage.”
“Is everything all right, Your Majesty?”
Rosalie nodded. “I just see an opportunity we can’t pass up.”
The whole parade came to a sudden stop at the motion of the footman. Rosalie went to step down once the carriage stopped moving, but Colin’s hand was still on her waist from when he had steadied her. When he realized it, he quickly dropped his hand, shoving it into his pocket. Rosalie turned around and walked down the stairs before he could say a word. Once she was on the ground, she reached back up and lifted Addie out, gently placing her on her own feet.
The footman looked to Colin, and he shrugged. He had no idea what Rosalie had up her sleeve, but he intended to find out. He stepped out of the carriage and joined them, their bodyguards following behind.
Rosalie stopped walking once they reached a group of people who had been dancing in a large circle, twirling pink and white streamers and performing Edgemont’s signature freedom dance. The dancers stared in awe when they realized the royal family was approaching them.
“Do you mind if we join you?” Rosalie asked.
The dancers responded with a resounding yes, and Rosalie walked out to join them, still holding Addie’s hand. She looked back over her shoulder at Colin once she reached the middle of the circle. “Aren’t you coming?”
“I don’t dance.”
Rosalie sauntered back over to him, smiling wider with each step. Stopping right in front of him, she placed herhands on her hips and aimed her heart-stopping smile right at him. “You do today.”
Before he had a chance to object, Rosalie grabbed his hand, pulling him out into the middle of the circle where Addie was already twirling a pink ribbon around her. Colin pressed his lips firmly together. There was no way he was about to do this, especially in front of his entire nation.
Addie ran up and tugged at the bottom of his suit coat. “Come on, Daddy. You can stand beside me.”
All right, it looks like I’m doing this.
