Page 124 of Loyally, Luke
Chapter21
The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other
Our Prodigal Princess Elliana has taken another hard fall this week. Only two days before the most illustrious social event of the season, the Wild Hyacinth Ball, the Earl of Tallon has been taken to hospital and will no longer attend. Appendicitis appears to be the culprit, but some sources say that the princess’s most recent snowy escapade with her “American country boy” forced Tallon’s hand and he doesn’t wish to have his reputation at risk by her behavior.
With the ball only two days away, will the King and Queen still continue with their plans to give our scandalous princess back her royal duties? And if so, who will be her plus-one for this notoriously coupled ball? Our tattlers want to know.
Text from Maeve to Ellie:I hate The Edge. Not only are they doubting poor Timid Timothy’s health report, but they’re digging at you again.
Maeve:You have access to a whole host of torture devices in the archives of the castle. Maybe it’s time to see if they still work.
Ellie:I think you may need to stop watching medieval documentaries or cut back on the caffeine.
Maeve:Seriously, they’re trying to hit your reputation wherever they can. Do they even consider how youfeel? No! You don’t have a date for the BIGGEST ROYAL EVENT OF THE YEAR! Jerks! Plus, I’m calling them a few very creatively nasty names in my mind.
Ellie:Putting things in capitalizations doesn’t help my nerves, Maeve. I’m fully aware of the importance of this occasion. Not only as a highly anticipated event but as a night for me, in particular.
Maeve:And your parents are still going to restore you? After everything?
Ellie:Yes. In fact, my mother even said something about growing from her own mistakes to stand by the woman they know I am, regardless of what the world may say.
Maeve:Your mom said that?
Ellie:The journal really impacted her. Grounded her, I think, in her past and the value of being loved well. She even said that being loved makes us stronger, but loving well does too. And she wants to love me well in this moment and in the future.
Maeve:I’m not crying, you’re crying. Wow. Ellie. That’s amazing.
Ellie:There was something different in both of them today. I can’t explain it. It was almost like they were attempting to contain their excitement for me, despite everything.
Maeve:I’m so glad to hear it. You ARE ready for this moment, friend.
Maeve:So do you need me to be your plus-one for the ball? I am willing to drop the total ten I’m bringing if you need me. I just want you to know how much I love you.
Ellie:Your willingness to sacrifice humbles me, but I just had a talk with my parents and... I’ve decided to go alone.
Maeve:Is there even a precedent for that? The Hyacinth hasbeen around for two centuries, and I’ve never heard of anyone, especially royalty, showing up alone.
Ellie:I admit I’m terrified, but I’ve been living in the fear of what people think for much too long, and I think it’s time to set a new precedent. At least to show the skeptics I’m not afraid of them anymore.
Maeve:I am so proud of you, my friend.
Maeve:But if you do get extra nervous, look my way. Or take my arm. Or whatever you need to do. I’m here for you.
Ellie:Just pray I don’t stumble down the stairs along with walking alone. If I’m going to enter on my own, I would love for it to be grand, glorious, and accident-free.
***
This was crazy.
Luke pulled at the collar of his button-down as he waited for the door in front of him to open.
Ridiculous. Probably the craziest thing, outside of college, he’d ever done.
He looked over at Jackson, the PR person for the king. He’d been good enough to give Luke a thorough review of what would happen during the press conference. Once Taugen House released a part of the video of Ellie breaking through the ice to their trusted news sources, then every other network would snatch it up like chocolate at a junior high girls’ sleepover. He shuddered. He’d been witness to too many of those in his lifetime.
“We will permit a few questions,” Jackson relayed, dipping his head in Luke’s direction. “But only a few. Enough for the reporters to feel somewhat engaged, and then we will finish.”
“Ten minutes at most, you said,” Luke repeated back to the man from their earlier conversation.
