The Prince and the Wedding Planner

The ceremony, as well as the extensive security, had been planned down to the finest detail. And though it’d been a heated meeting with the queen and her wedding planner, they’d finally struck an agreement where the queen would get to keep her extensive guest list while the princess got to have a sense of intimacy with lots of candles and curtains that would be lowered over the stained-glass windows just as the ceremony was about to begin.

Bianca smiled as she entered the office.

“There you are.” Sylvie glanced up. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

Bianca pulled out her suspiciously quiet phone. The battery was dead. No wonder she hadn’t gotten any responses to her inquiries from that morning.

Nor had she heard from Leo. Not that there was any particular reason she should hear from him, but that hadn’t kept her from hoping. Just the thought of him had heat rushing to her face.

“What has you blushing?” Sylvie asked.

Bianca swallowed hard. No one could know about the stolen kiss. Not even Sylvie, who was quickly becoming a good friend. The kiss had been a mistake. A moment of passion.

“I’m just warm,” she said, hoping Sylvie would believe her and let the subject drop. “I was doing a lot of rushing around. For some reason, I imagined a palace would always be cold and drafty but that isn’t the case here. Perhaps I should have packed more summer clothes.”

“There are some great shops in the village. I could write down their names.”

She didn’t have time for shopping. It wasn’t on her list of things to do. And she had something to do every minute of every day. The wedding was so close and there were still so many details to take care of, including the after-party.

Still, Bianca didn’t want to be rude. “Sure. If you could jot those down for me that would be great.”

Sylvie smiled. “I’ll do that.”

Bianca glanced at the time on the wall. “It’s getting late. I’m surprised to find you still here.”

“I didn’t want to go home before you got back. You know, in case you had something that needed done ASAP.”

Bianca glanced down at the stack of work she’d placed on her desk. “I do have a lot that needs done, but not tonight.”

“Are you sure? I don’t have any plans.”

“I’m sure,” Bianca said. “I need a chance to sort through my notes. I’ll have a list for you in the morning.”

“Okay. As long as you’re sure.”

“I am.” The truth was she was so accustomed to working on her own that it was taking her some time to get used to having an assistant. “Go get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Sylvie grabbed her things and headed for the door. She paused and turned back. “I hope you have a nice dinner with the prince.”

There was a look in her eyes like she knew what had gone down between Bianca and Leo. Was it possible rumors had started?

“I don’t know what you’ve heard?”

“Heard?” A look of confusion came over Sylvie’s face. “I haven’t heard anything. Oh, gosh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything. I just—I meant that I hoped everything goes well.”

“Oh. Yes. Me too.” She felt so ridiculous for thinking her secret had gotten out. She was going to have to be calmer going forward. “I think the prince will be impressed with what I was able to negotiate between the princess and her mother.”

“I know that I am. I’m really enjoying working with you. I will see you in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Sylvie closed the door behind her. Bianca moved to sit down at her desk. She’d put an extra charger cord in her desk. She’d been meaning to replace her battery as it didn’t last nearly as long as it once had. But one thing after another kept her from going into the village to buy one. She supposed she could order it online and have it delivered to the palace. Yes, that sounded like the best idea.

She plugged in her phone but it was so dead that it didn’t immediately turn on. She set it aside to do its thing. But she didn’t want to be late for dinner. Leo did have a thing for punctuality.

They hadn’t discussed what time dinner would be tonight. If it was to be at the same time as usual she had to get moving. She didn’t even have time to stop at her room and change clothes.

Bianca checked her makeup with her compact. She powdered her nose before reapplying her shimmery lip gloss. One final glance in the mirror and she decided it would have to do. It wasn’t like she was going on a date. Right?