Don't Promise (Don't 3)

She patted the sofa. I sat next to her, making sure my ankles rested against each other in a slight slant as she had taught me. I was amazed at how quickly I had started to adapt to the nuances of acting royal.

“As Royal Consort you’ll have to reconcile what is important to the king against what you’re accustomed to as an American. I don’t pretend that it’s easy. If it were, there wouldn’t be a position for someone like me. Royal expertise is an honored and respected profession in Galona. I trained for years, Molly. Becoming royal isn’t something to be taken lightly.

“It’s not any of my business to know whether that’s something you need to consider. It’s my job to make sure that you have every tool you need to be on the king’s arm. I’m here to help you.”

Ayla was too polite to be rude. She wouldn’t be callous like Sutcliffe. She wouldn’t push me like Damon. I believed she genuinely wanted me to succeed, but I heard her subtle messages. This role was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. And it wasn’t for everyone. Dominic’s story had taught me that some relationships weren’t strong enough to withstand the cloud over the crown.

To Ayla, spending hours to choose fabric and accessories wasn’t a waste of time. It completed the package. Being dressed in a well-known designer with a stunning clutch held just right was equally as important as knowing the names of foreign dignitaries.

“Ayla, I’m not actually becoming royal. This is for show. For Damon.”

It must have sounded sacrilegious. But why should we all continue with the charade behind closed doors?

“You are going to be the king’s Royal Consort. That is not a show.” She flipped open the leather cover. “Let’s get started.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you, Ayla. Or the crown.”

“First we will cover the differences between the king’s cabinet and the royal advisory board. One is a part of Galona’s government and the other is part of royal tradition.”

“And where do I fall as the consort?”

“You are under the royal side. But since the ball tonight includes both, you’ll have to study each group and understand how they fall under the king’s rule.”

“All right. I can do that.”

I’d spent the past year doing nothing but studying. I was a professional student. If I thought about tonight like an exam I had to cram for, I could nail the details down, no problem. I twisted my hair into a bun and grabbed a pencil from the desk, jamming it into place. Now I was almost ready.

“Ayla, can I have some note cards?”

She tilted her head sideways. “Note cards?”

“Yes. I need note cards if I’m going to make this work.”

“Anything else?”

“Coffee?”

She grinned. “Coffee is a must.”

I wanted to think I had found a new friend in this woman who advised me, but there was a noticeable distance between us that I feared Ayla would never let me shorten.

31

Damon

Who wore fucking tails anymore? I shirked the jacket off and searched through my closet, banging hangers together looking for a different tuxedo. I reached for a fitted coat, but Sutcliffe’s voice nagged in my ear. If I didn’t show up ready to present the new Royal Consort in true Galona style, I’d essentially be slapping everyone in the face.

I didn’t know if I was willing to do that. Molly was the goal. The reason the palace had turned into a circus today.

Guests were arriving. Champagne was being poured.

I threaded one arm through the jacket and then the other, grumbling as I buttoned it together. When the fuck had I become this man?

There was a knock at the bedroom door. I turned to see Sutcliffe glance over the tux with approval.

“Your Majesty.” He bowed.

“Did you pull it off, Sutcliffe?” I smirked, knowing he was containing his anger.