The Crown Prince's Bride (Royal Duology 2)

Raoul disappeared into his office and Stephani opened up her spreadsheet, too glad for the help to turn it away.

“My brother looks good,” Lucy remarked quietly. “Is he doing okay?”

Stephani’s pulse took a little jump, surprised that Lucy would ask her such a question. “Um, as far as I know, I guess.”

“Don’t sound so surprised that I asked. You know him better than anyone, including Father or Diego. And he trusts you.” Before Stephani could absorb that statement, Lucy continued. “He was really, well, dark for so long. He looks . . . I don’t know. Lighter, somehow.”

Stephani shrugged. “Maybe it’s wedding fever?”

“Or maybe it’s letting go of some of his grief. He has to move on sometime.”

Stephani’s fingers paused over her keyboard. Raoul moving on . . . of course he must. Marazur needed a queen when the time came for Raoul to sit on the throne. He couldn’t remain a bachelor forever. And the idea of seeing him with someone else made her stomach tangle up in knots.

“Something wrong?”

“Oh no, of course not.” Steph clicked on one of the task lists and brought it up on the screen. “What would you like to help with, Lucy? We have Rose’s family arriving from Heathrow tomorrow morning. Maybe you can help with that?”

Lucy nodded. “Rose has a niece, right?”

“She does. A little older than Emilia. And there’s Rose’s sister, brother and sister-in-law, and parents.”

“No grandparents?”

“None that could make the trip, no. And Diego’s friend Ryan and his sister are flying in tonight.”

“Give me the details. I’ll organize their welcome and get them settled and make sure they’re where they need to be for tomorrow. The day of the wedding, though, I’ll be trying to get my own family whipped into shape.”

“That would be fabulous.” Steph printed off the details and schedule for Rose’s family. “There’s also a family dinner tomorrow night. Formal but not overly so.”

“You’re attending, of course?”

Steph looked up to find Lucy’s gaze steady. “Well, I wasn’t planning on it.”

Lucy frowned. “Stephani, I know you’re Raoul’s assistant, but you’re also Ceci’s cousin. You meant a lot to her, and you’ve been with this family for what . . . seven, eight years? But you’re always in the background.”

“Where I belong,” Stephani asserted.

“Not always. Look, at public functions, that’s one thing. But you’ve been through it all with us. You should be at the dinner to celebrate, too. I insist.”

Stephani reached for the papers coming out of the printer, then spun her chair back to face Lucy. If she were honest with herself, she’d love to go to that dinner. It would be relaxed, and far less structured than the official reception the next day. Rose and Diego would be happy and nervous. There would be children, and lately she hadn’t had much time to spend with Max and Emilia. She missed them. All things she loved about the Navarro family and enjoyed vicariously since she had no real family of her own.

Lucy touched her hand. “Come on. You know you love us.” Stephani choked out a laugh as Lucy added, “And we love you, too.”

“You are so used to getting your own way.”

Lucy smiled softly. “It’s being a baby sister that does it. And having a husband like Brody. But seriously. I’ll have your name added to the list and seating plan. Leave it all to me. In fact, leave the rest of the dinner to me. I’ll check with Señora Ortiz and all you have to do is put on a pretty dress and show up.”

She should say no. After all, it wasn’t Lucy’s job to show up and go straight to work. But the offer meant taking several items off her list for tomorrow. And it meant actually enjoying at least part of what was to be a joyous occasion for both the family and the principality. A new princess.

“I shouldn’t, but I’m going to let you do that. Though if anything comes up—and I mean anything—I want you to let me know. You have the children with you, and jet lag, and you need to enjoy the wedding, too.”

“Leave it to me. Do you have a dress for tomorrow?”

Stephani raised an eyebrow. “I think I can find something in my closet.”

There was a sound from Raoul’s office and Lucy looked at his door for a moment, and then turned back. “Make it pretty. None of those straight, businessy lines you’re used to. And no black. That’s fine for state dinners but this is different. Make it . . . celebratory.”

Stephani laughed. “Usually I’m the one playing fairy godmother.” She’d picked out the dress Rose had worn to Raoul’s birthday party, as a matter of fact, and that night had ultimately led to Rose and Diego’s engagement. It was also the party where Raoul kissed Stephani senseless and then run away with his tail between his legs.