Page 31 of A Royal Arrangement
She didn’t want tosurprisehim…she wanted toimpresshim. Maybe it would help him see her in a new light and realize she could be a motherly figure in Addie’s life.
But really, she just wanted Addie to feel celebrated and loved. At the end of the day, Addie’s happiness was what mattered the most to Rosalie.
She got out of bed and put on a flowy lilac dress and minimal makeup. After her personal hairstylist added a few curls to her hair, Rosalie grabbed the giant stuffed unicorn from the corner of her room—a birthday gift for Addie—and headed downstairs to the bakery kitchen.
Edgemont Palace was so huge that it had one kitchen where they made baked goods and desserts and another kitchen where all other food was prepared.
The smell of freshly baked pastries hit her nose as soon as she walked into the hallway that accessed the kitchens. Her mouth immediately started watering as she inhaled the scent of sweet dough, cinnamon, and vanilla. Rosalie was on a birthday mission right now, but she would definitely be coming back to grab a fresh cinnamon roll later.
The head baker, Gloria, greeted Rosalie with a kind smile when she stepped into the bakery kitchen.
“Thanks, Gloria,” Rosalie said in a sing-song voice as she took the plate the baker was extending to her. On top of the plate sat a perfectly round donut covered in light-purple icing and rainbow sprinkles. She had specifically requested it for Addie, hoping it would help her have the best possible start to her special day.
Who wouldn’t love to start their birthday off with a donut?
“You’re welcome, sugar. Princess Adelaide will love it.”
“I hope so.” Her eyes hungrily took in the pan of gooey cinnamon rolls she had smelled from the hall. Pointing her finger at it, she said, “I’ll be back for one of those.”
Gloria rested her hands on her hips, her plump cheeks turning rosy. “For you, I’ll save two.”
“That’s why you’re my favorite.” Rosalie set down the unicorn so she had a free hand to give her a side hug. She’d been investing a good chunk of her spare time in getting to know the palace staff over the past few weeks.
From experience, she knew it was important to have positive relationships with the people who worked for the royal family, and she especially wanted to make a goodimpression as the new queen of Edgemont. If she could gain the trust and respect of the palace staff members, surely she could gain the same from Colin, Addie, and the citizens of Edgemont.
“You go have fun.” Gloria shooed her away with a flour-covered hand. “I’ll have the rainbow birthday cake ready for this afternoon.”
“You’re the best.” Rosalie walked back to the door and picked up the unicorn, balancing it carefully under her arm. “Thanks again,” she called out over her shoulder.
When she reached Addie’s room, Rosalie was buzzing with anxious energy. Addie’s happiness had quickly become one of the most important things in her life. That little girl deserved the world, and Rosalie hoped she could help show her that every day.
She knocked on the door, balancing the plate in the crook of her arm. Luna opened it and welcomed her in. Rosalie smiled at the scene before her. Addie was in bed, wearing a birthday hat—with a unicorn horn—while Colin sat on the edge, listening to her as she talked to him with animated movements and exaggerated facial expressions.
Colin raised a brow when he noticed her standing in the doorway.
Rosalie lifted the sprinkle donut and giant stuffed unicorn into the air. “I come bearing gifts for the birthday girl.”
Addie bounced up and down on the bed, reminding Rosalie just how young she still was.
“Fow meeee?” Addie dragged out the final word, in awe as she stared at the unicorn Rosalie held.
“All for you, my girl.” She placed the plate on the nightstand as Addie jumped off her bed and tackled her and the giant unicorn in a hug.
Once shereleased her hold, Rosalie watched as Addie’s eyes moved to the donut. The girl licked her lips and picked it up off the plate, looking to her dad for permission to eat it.
He gave her a curt nod, and she stuffed a large bite in her mouth, leaving an icing mustache above her top lip. She polished off the donut faster than Rosalie thought humanly possible for a girl that small. Colin tenderly rubbed away the icing and crumbs from her face with a tissue once she finished.
Watching him be so gentle and kind with Addie sent Rosalie’s heart fluttering. Seeing a man who was good with kids was attractive. But seeing a man be a good dad and take care of his own kid? Now that was a heart-stopping, hubba-hubba, I-wanna-have-your-babies level of attractiveness.
“Why are you stawing at Daddy?” Addie asked her, pulling her out of her real, live heart-eye-emoji moment.
“I wasn’t staring, sweetie.” Rosalie pulled her eyes off Colin to look at his sweet daughter.
“Then what’s it called when you look at someone fow a long time?”
She felt a blush climb all the way up her neck. Her whole face was likely as red as a tomato at this point. Rosalie glanced at Colin and saw that he was watching her with an amused expression. She slowly started backing out of the room.
“I’ll leave you two to your father-daughter time. I’ll see you this afternoon, Addie.” She waved a quick goodbye before practically sprinting out the door.
