Page 26 of A Royal Arrangement
She whipped her head around and saw Charlotte step out of a sea of people.
Her bestie had shown up for her. She wasn’t used to people showing up for her. But Charlotte had, and that meant theworld to her. Rosalie rushed over, throwing herself into her friend’s arms.
Rosalie held on for dear life as tears stung the corners of her eyes. She hadn’t realized how badly she needed this. How she needed to be held by someone who knew her and loved her just as she was. Sometimes friends were the ultimate soulmates—the ones who knew us, and loved us, and showed up when we needed them most. Charlotte was undoubtedly hers.
“Are you ever going to let go of my wife?” Liam asked with a chuckle.
Rosalie released her hold of Charlotte and grinned at Liam before pulling him into a side hug. “Sorry, I’m just so happy to see you both.”
“How is everything with…”—Charlotte paused, glancing at the people around them—“you know whogoing?”
“Progress is slow, but it’s better than nothing.”
“You just need to up the ante a little,” Liam added.
“How do you suggest she does that?” Charlotte smirked at her husband who melted at her gaze.
Liam nodded his head in Colin’s direction. “He hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off you since you came over here, Rosalie. Even if he doesn’t realize it yet himself, I think he must be interested in you on some level to be watching you from across the room. Now the next step is to do something to impress him. Show him something you’re great at. Beat him at his own game. Do something he wouldn’t expect.”
Rosalie shrugged shyly. “I mean, I’m pretty good at chess.”
Charlotte swatted at her arm. “Pretty good? You’re amazing. You could totally beat him.”
“That’s perfect.” Liam wrapped his arm around Charlotte’s waist. “Once you’ve impressed him, that means you’ve got him on the hook. Then you have to figure out how to reel him in.”
“He’s not a fish.” Charlotte’s nose scrunched up in disgust. “Also, Rosalie shouldn’t have to doanythingto ‘reel a guy in.’ Colin should love her for the amazing woman she is.”
Liam kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “Very true, angel, but he lost his first wife at such a young age. None of us can understand what that’s like. It’ll take time for him to get used to being married to someone new. I’m only suggesting that she make an effort to show him every side of her. If she shows him the things she’s good at and continues to reveal her heart and intentions through her actions and words, I think it will help her break down his walls and let him move on to this next stage in his life in his own time.”
“Nice save there, buddy.” Charlotte lightly punched him in the arm.
Rosalie grinned at their playful banter, hoping she would have the same kind of teasing relationship with Colin one day.
“I’ll invite him to play a game of chess soon. Thanks. I needed this.”
“Of course.” Charlotte squeezed her arm. “We’ll let you greet your other guests, but please signal for us if you need anything.”
Rosalie hugged her one last time and started making her rounds. She greeted the royal families of Glencrest and Westridge. Prince Andrew of Glencrest and Princess Brielle of Westridge were best friends, and the three of them had been close when they were younger—though, back then, she’d known them as Bri and Drew. They were both herage, and she had enjoyed hanging out with them at balls and events, but she’d always been the third wheel to their bestie duo.
She happily accepted hugs and congratulations from both of them.
“How is King Colin in real life?” Bri asked, her eyes wide.
“He’s a little bit like I expected him to be but also entirely different, if that makes sense.” Rosalie laughed. “We’re still getting to know one another.” She looked behind them and saw Colin watching her. “He’s actually right over there if you want to officially meet him.”
“Heck yeah, we do.” Drew fist-pumped the air.
“You’re such a child.”
“You know you want to meet him too.” Drew nudged Bri with his elbow.
She waited a moment before conceding. “Okay, let’s go.”
They waved goodbye to Rosalie and walked over to introduce themselves to her new husband. She continued mingling until a tight grip on her shoulder held her in place.
“Hello, Princess—or I guess it’sYour Majestynow.”
Her eyes slowly slid up from the man’s hand to his face. Deep wrinkles covered his forehead, and his white hair stood up in an unnatural way.
