Page 15 of Royal Player
“It may look familiar from the James Bond movies,” Lucas says.
I’ve only seen the most recent one, and I don’t remember the casino in it.
“Turns out he’s been here before,” Alice says to me. “He just wanted to let me have my fun.”
Lucas grins. “True, but I’ve never been here while considering a casino of my own. Different perspective.”
Adrian and Oscar remain quiet, but they look eager. My maid, Lina, practically has her nose pressed against the glass of the limo window.
The moment we step out of the limo, Alice says, “Let’s take in the view across the street before we go in.”
We all head to a gorgeous courtyard across the street, with a beautiful fountain, marble statues, and multiple palm trees and greenery. The palm trees remind me of home.
I turn and take in the casino view from the courtyard as Alice exclaims and takes picture after picture. Itisa stunning building, large and multistoried with a beautiful facade made up of windows with balconies, statues, and cupolas. A large dome farther back on the building is flanked by two more cupolas. It reminds me of a French chateau, and it’s a far cry from the casino I imagined, which I now realize was mostly drawn from seeing Las Vegas on TV. This is old-world glamour. A shiver of excitement races through me. With something this beautiful, it makes me think a casino could be a great addition to Beaumont. I wonder if I could get the prohibition on gambling lifted at home. Doubtful. While our monarchy embraces prosperity, we uphold a strict moral code. Our traditions are what make our kingdom strong. It’s been drilled into my head since birth. Sort of the Lyon family motto.
My guard, Vaughn, waits behind me. Adrian and Oscar are in quiet conversation, while Lucas smiles at Alice, seeming to love her enthusiasm. Finally, Alice has enough pictures.
“I bet the inside is even better,” Alice says. “Let’s go!”
“You can’t take pictures inside,” Lucas says. “They frown on that. Besides, there’re a lot of famous people who come here that don’t want their picture taken.”
“I’m with a celebrity!” Alice says, gesturing to him. “Therefore, I’m one of them and they won’t mind.”
“Yes, they will,” Lucas and I say at the same time.
“Be chill like me,” I tell Alice and then gape and point like I’ve just discovered a hugely famous movie star.
She laughs. “Please tell me I don’t look like that.”
I smile. “No, that’s the obnoxious tourist we won’t be. We’ll blend with the high rollers.”
“Su-u-u-re, blend,” Alice says.
“It’s about the right clothes and attitude.” I’ve had a bit of experience learning to blend going from my traditional kingdom to boarding school to college. Not to mention my brief time as a princess-in-hiding wearing a cute wardrobe from Target. I love that store.
“We’ll be staying there,” Lucas says, pointing next door to another beautiful building in the same Belle Époque architectural style. “Hôtel de Paris.”
“Yes,” Alice says on a long sigh.
Alice and I lead the way back across the street, everyone else following behind. She whispers to me, “Anna says you have to marry soon to take your place as queen. Do you have a fiancé?”
“I will soon,” I reply. “When I return to Beaumont, I’m supposed to marry Peter after our mandatory six-week courtship with chaperone. You can see why I want a little freedom here before I’m tied down.”
“Oh, Polly, you sound so resigned. And that is the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard!”
“It’s not meant to be romantic. I’m meant to do my duty, forge a favorable alliance, and produce the next heir.” I fill her in on the traditional expectations placed on me, working hard to hide my frustration with my current situation. I don’t want further questions about Peter.
I feel someone staring at me and turn, my gaze colliding with Oscar’s. His eyes are sympathetic. I don’t want his sympathy.
I turn back to Alice and say firmly, “I’m pleased with the match. Peter has the right royal bloodlines, he owns half the resorts on our island, and our marriage will bring all of the holdings together. Our family owns the other half.”
“Do you love him?” she asks.
“No, but I know my duty.”
She slices a hand through the air. “You should only marry for love. Even in my Regency romances, I make sure their favorable alliances are balanced by love.”
I press my lips together. “That’s the difference between fiction and reality.”
