Royal Arrangement

XVI

Annie

If you think Daniel's afternoon went poorly, wait until you hear about mine. Sure, I didn't punch anyone, but I came close.

"Oh Dear, you look absolutely stunning." Queen Clarita coos at me from across the lacy table. It's set with gold-dipped chinaware, silverware that looks like it costs more than my entire house back home, and topped with an elegantly intricate floral arrangement made up of lilacs and roses I couldn't possibly imagine recreating.

I nod and smile at her politely and take a silent sip of my tea. I've never been a fan of it, but it seems that everyone else here is so I suck it up and enjoy it anyways. As for my appearance, I don't see what the fuss is about. I'm wearing a blush pink gown that is tight to my body and then flares out at the waist into a skirt that drops just below my knees. My hair is expertly done up in a hairstyle I can only describe as expensive with it's swooping curls and braids, and two large diamonds dangle from my ears, matching my diamond necklace of course.

I feel... fake. This isn't the real me. For one, I'm not a huge fan of the color pink, and for another, I feel out of place wearing such expensive jewelry. Nonetheless, I do it all to keep up appearances. Daniel and I must play the part of royal couple. Sadly, it seems as if I'm not playing anymore. I've come to terms with it: I'm in love with Daniel, my husband, the one man I'm not supposed to love.

And it sucks.

That night of the party, I was fully ready to confront him on all of it. I was going to ask him about Vanessa and then confess all of the feelings I've been hiding away.

Then I got cold feet.

I know, pathetic, right?

But don't worry, I am still going to have that conversation with him. I've been buying my time, seeing how things are going, and now I finally feel ready. Tonight, I'm going to do it. I'm going to tell my husband that I love him.

I'm only completely terrified.

"Annie, Dear? Are you alright?" The woman who wants me to call her Mother interrupts my thoughts.

I practically jolt back to attention and plaster on a fake smile at her. "Yes, Mother?"

She smiles warmly, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Are you sure you're doing alright, hun? You seemed to be off in space there for awhile?" She leans in from me across the table.

I go to open my mouth, to express all my concerns, then I remember. I see the ladies of the court all sitting around me, practically on the edge of their seats, seeking out the newest gossip I'm surely about to spill, and I shut my mouth and smile once more. "Apologies, I was thinking about trivial things. My mind tends to wander." I brush it off with a fake laugh and take another sip of the tea I can't stand.

She stares at me for a moment and then nods, laughing back. "I see. Don't worry, Darling, it happens to the best of us. If we all had a handsome man waiting for us at home as you have my son, I'm sure we'd all have our heads in the clouds."

The ladies all giggle, it's a sound so shrill and full of platitudes that it makes me inwardly cringe and I hide my reaction behind another sip of tea.

This is going to be a long afternoon.

We all sit and chat about everything and nothing at all and I find myself missing my best friend. I haven't seen her in months and I replay our last meeting in my head. 

~~~

"Ah! Oh. My. Gosh! I can't believe it. My best friend, married to The Prince!" She squeals. "That makes me the best friend of the Prince's best friend! I'm the Princess's best friend!"

We both laugh and one of the guards clears his throat so we both sit down. She grabs my hands and there's nothing but excitement in her warm eyes. "So, tell. Me. Everything!"

I want to. Oh Lord do I want to, but I see the guards, they're standing awfully close and I clamp my mouth shut for a moment before opening it, fully ready to lie like a cheap rug. Of course, Aline frowns and turns to one of them. "Excuse me? Can't we get a little privacy?"

He clears his throat. "Apologies Ma'am. We must be near her at all times per His Highness's orders."

Aline rolls her eyes. "Well you can tell His Highness that we needed girl time to talk about private things."

"I'm sorry but we can't do that."

Aline groans. "Fine." Then she turns to me and in her loudest voice... "So, I'm on my period you see? And yesterday I found the biggest glob in my underwear! So, of course I---"

Aline can't get out another word, because the guards stand up and cough awkwardly. "We're going to wait outside Your Highness."

We both hold in laughter until they leave, and then we let loose. "Oh my god! Aline? That was amazing!"

She grins and flips some of her hair over her shoulder. "Men are all the same." She leans over across the table at me and grins. "Now, leave no stone un-flipped. Tell me everything!"

So, I do. I tell Aline about the stupid contract and how he blackmailed me into marrying him. I tell her about him threatening not only my job, but hers too. I tell her about the domination and about how he likes to punish me. The further into my story, the more excited she gets. Finally, I stop and bite my lip. "Al, I... I've got a problem."

"Other than being married to a man who likes to spank you?" She deadpans.

I grimace. "That too but... I'm in love with him."

She's silent for a moment and then: "Did my best friend, my single-pringle-for-life-don't-need-no-man-Love-isn't-real best friend, just use the L word?"

"...Yes."

Then, she squeals. "Oh. My. Goodness! This is amazing! No, this is more than amazing, this is fantastic! No, not fantastic, we need a new word for this! This is fan-ta-stic-al-ma-gic-a-ma-zing! I never thought I'd see the day!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" I hiss.

She grins and shrugs. "Sorry, but not sorry. This is wonderful, yes?"

I shake my head. "No. This isn't wonderful. This is horrible. This wasn't supposed to happen, Aline!"

She frowns. "What do you mean, you're married to the man you love, what is the issue?"

I roll my eyes and sigh. "I love him, but I don't think he loves me. Plus, he's..."

"Demanding?" She supplies.

"No, well that too, but that's not it. He's very... closed off. I'm afraid that if I tell him how I feel he'll get angry."

Her face twists. "Wait, you aren't afraid he'll hurt you, are you?"

I rapidly shake my head. "Oh, God no! Daniel may... spank me... but he never hits me. And, if I'm being honest, I don't completely hate it either. I know him better than to be afraid of him. What I am afraid of is him leaving, him rendering our contract null and void."

She takes a sip of her latte and nods. "I see. It seems the Prince doesn't know what he wants."

"No, it's not that... He doesn't want a wife, never did in the first place. All this is has been for nothing but the throne. He wants to be King and is using me to get it." I shrug at her look of sympathy. "I know, I know, it sounds horrible."

"Honey," She reaches across the table and grabs my hand. "I think you need to tell him. From what I have seen, this man loves you."

I go to open my mouth in protest but she squeezes my hand. "No. Listen to me. I've seen the way he acts with you. This is not an indifferent man. No. This man loves you. He got you that puppy. He puts his arms around you. He never lets you leave his side. Daniel loves you, even if he's too stupid to admit it."

I squeeze her hands back. "I wish it were true. I wish this all wasn't so complicated, Allie. Figures, right? The one man I love... doesn't return the sentiment."

"Pigwash! You're tempting me to spank you for saying such things! How can it be clear to everyone around you but the both of you that you're stupidly in love with each other? Honestly, Annie. This man loves you. You love him. You must tell him before it's too late."

"You're right."

She scoffs. "Of course I am."

"I'm going to tell him."

Aline smiles. "You go girl!"

I'm going to tell him. 

~~~

So, here I am, months later, surrounded by ladies of the court that I don't particularly like, feeling as stressed as ever. I feel like a bottle of shaken soda. If anyone was to unscrew my cap, I'd pop and all my secrets would spill out. Which, of course, isn't good.

Recently, I made a vow. I'm going to talk to Daniel tonight. I'm going to let him know about everything. I've been observing him, and in my spare time I've been searching "how to tell if a guy likes you" on my phone. It's juvenile, I know, but I have to be sure. I've even been checking to see if his feet are pointed at me when we speak. It's lame. Based on my research and observational study, I have concluded...

There is a slight chance Daniel also loves me.

Slight.

It's enough for me. Aline was right. It's now or never and if I don't tell him, then it could be too late. I'm not willing to wait and miss out on the man I love. Daniel may be a domineering ass, but he's my ass, and I can't picture myself with anyone but him. I'm not willing to give him up without a fight. I'm even willing to stay in this royal life for him.

For Daniel, I'd do anything. I'd let him spank me and boss me around if it meant we could stay together, if I knew he loved me too.

So far, the afternoon tea has been going well. There's been minimal stimulating conversation, but that's alright because I've been too occupied in my thoughts to pay any attention anyway. The ladies occasionally include me in their conversation, but it's minimal. That doesn't bother me, since I prefer it that way. It's smooth sailing, until she walks in.

"Oh! Vanessa! Come sit by me!" Lady Margarite practically jumps out of her chair in exclamation. Her chocolate curls bounce on her shoulders.

Vanessa enters the patio with a scowl on her face, as usual. She looks Margarite up and down before rolling her eyes and taking the empty seat beside her. It's clear that she isn't happy with sitting beside the perky young Lady of the court. We make direct eye contact and I see the anger swirling in her eyes before she looks away and smiles widely at Queen Clarita. "Forgive me, I never expected to be this late."

To my utter surprise, she smiles widely and waves her hand dismissively in the air. "There's nothing to apologize for, my dear. We're all just glad to have you here."

Um. Excuse me?

Did I just fall into another universe? Why is Daniel's mother so friendly with her? Something fishy is going on here.

Vanessa nods, her mock-up smile never faltering. "Thank you, Your Highness. How have things been? It seems like I haven't seen you in ages. How's Daniel?"

The green-eyed monster takes ahold of my body and before I even know what's going on, I've already opened my mouth and the words just spill out. I couldn't have stopped them if I tried.

"Daniel's doing great. As you know, my husband's looking to become King so all of his efforts have been put towards that."

All heads turn towards me. You can practically hear the record scratch. One of the waitstaff pauses in his movement to clear a plate away from the table. I clear my throat awkwardly. s**t. What the hell came over me?

Vanessa laughs. "Ah. I see. So, you must be feeling a little neglected, aren't you? That surely explains your rude behavior." She leans across the table and covers part of her mouth with her gloved hand so only I can hear her. "It looks like Daniel's having issues keeping his little wife in line. Should I tell your master you've been misbehaving?"

Have you ever watched a movie where the main character says something that makes you physically say "oh, damn"? Well, that's what happens here. The Ladies all gasp and then it falls silent. The funniest thing is that they didn't even hear the last part. Vanessa made damn sure that that was specifically for my ears only.

I twist up my skirt with my left hand under the table. Relax, Annie. She's just trying to bait you. She wants a reaction, so don't give her what she wants.

Of course, I know I should be listening to my inner voice, but something about Vanessa makes me want to reach across the table and rip those expensive pearls from around her throat. Maybe it's because she used to sleep with Daniel? Whatever it is... it makes me do crazy things.

"You're single, so what's your excuse for your behavior?" I shoot back. "Since, clearly my irritability is due to my man not spending enough time with me. What am I? A dog."

"Well, that isn't exactly the word I'd use, but the meaning is the same, I suppose."

At first, I was willing to be civil. I wasn't going to start anything, but mamma ain't raise no quitter. It's clear to me that Vanessa wants a fight, and she's about to get one. I didn't start it, but I'm about to finish it.

"You're just jealous. Let me tell you, green isn't your color." I retort, fully aware that I'm stooping to her level, but no longer caring.

Vanessa lifts her chin. "Clearly someone didn't tell you that pink isn't yours. It clashes too much with your vampiric skin tone."

I clench my jaw. Wow. It's like arguing with a teenage girl. "What's your problem?" Stand up abruptly. "What happened to respect? I am your Princess and you will treat me as such. There is no reason as to why we can't be civil."

Vanessa stands and scoffs. "I don't respect you. I will never respect you. Before Daniel came along, you were nothing but a maid, scrubbing toilets. Then suddenly, you're married to the Prince and now you expect us all to bow down?" She rolls her eyes and crosses her slender arms. "Not going to happen. It's time to face the truth; Daniel picked you out of the pound, gave you a flea bath, put a pretty bow on your head, and paraded you around in front of The Court like a prized spaniel." Vanessa bares her teeth. "You'll never be anything more than The Help."

I go to open my mouth and retort but shut it quickly. She's right. Of course she's right. I'm barely a Princess. People only respect me because I'm married to Daniel. I was a maid for Christ's sake. A nobody. Nothing she said is a lie. I am nothing but a stray. I don't belong here. I'll never belong here.

"Enough!" Queen Clarita's voice booms throughout the table. She stands and walks over to Vanessa. "How dare you make a mockery of The Royal Court? Who are you to come in here and insult my daughter in law. She may have been a maid, but you're speaking to the future Queen of Verilia so you best learn to fake it. I am disgusted by your actions."

Then she does something completely unexpected.

The Queen rears back and connects her hand with Vanessa's cheek with a resounding slap that echoes throughout the patio. If the ladies weren't silent before, they're surely as quiet as church mice now.

Then come the gasps.

"Get out of my sight. I'm going to expect a full apology tomorrow. If you don't fully express your regrets adequately then I'll see your title stripped and your family excommunicated." With that, The Queen patiently walks back to her seat and places her napkin back on her lap, ever the poster for poise and grace.

And just like that, I have a new role model.

~~~

BREAKING NEWS: Like Mother, Like Son?!

The Royals had a pretty eventful afternoon. In fact, here at the Digest, we find ourselves wondering if we weren't watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians, instead of following the Royal Family?

According to our source, not only did Prince Daniel get into an altercation with one of his fellow Noblemen, but The Queen also got into a little spat of her own with one of the Ladies of The Court. What the hell is going on in the palace?

Reports say that Prince Daniel physically punched Lord William Morburn directly off his horse. Here at the Digest we honestly can't believe it. We've reached out to get a statement but so far nothing has been released. All we know is that Lord William is doing well and hasn't sustained any long-term injuries.

To add to this eventful day, reports say that Queen Clarita slapped fellow Noblewoman, and ex-girlfriend of her son, Vanessa Rowe across the face during their annual tea gathering in the royal gardens. An unnamed witness described it as "...shocking! Absolutely shocking". She goes to recount the event as "...incredible to watch. I never thought The Queen had it in her. It's clear to see why she's the leader."

Once again, Lady Vanessa Rowe is fine and has sustained no lasting injuries.

We have reached out to the Royal Family but they have yet to comment on this incident.

~~~

Annie

I can't help it. When I see him, I practically rush into Daniel's arms and wrap myself around him like a snake. He grunts and then chuckles. "Hey there, Little American."

I look up at him. "What happened? Are you okay? They said you were involved in a fight?"

Daniel shakes his head. "I'm fine, but you should see the other guy."

I sigh, not liking his joking attitude. "Daniel, seriously, what happened?"

He takes a deep breath and then lets it out slowly. "I... I'm not really sure, actually. One moment I was talking to him, and the next my fist connected with his face. I don't remember ever being so angry."

I pause for a moment. What made Daniel so mad that he actually hit someone? "It's actually kind of funny. Your mother slapped Vanessa at tea today. Looks like it runs in the family." I joke.

As usual, Daniel doesn't find it as funny as I do. "What? Why? My mother loves her."

"She was disrespecting my daughter, and that is something I simply cannot stand for." The Queen adds, walking into the throne room. She smiles at me. "Look at the family you've married into."

I grin at her, but I feel Daniel stiffen. I pull back from him. His lips are pressed into a firm line. "What did she say?" He practically growls.

"I-It's nothing... D-don't worry about it, really." I stammer, placing my hand on his arm.

He looks down at me and narrows his eyes before looking to his mother with a raised brow.

"She was being nasty. Saying things about Annie's past as a maid and calling her names. I handled it." The Queen supplies but I can tell Daniel still isn't happy.

I squeeze his arm. "It's fine. Honestly. It's been handled."

His eyes are full of intensity. "No one disrespects my wife. I won't stand for it. Is there anything being done?"

Swoon. No wonder I fell in love with him.

The Queen nods. "Yes. She will be made to apologize and will be fully reprimanded. If that fails, then she'll be excommunicated."

Daniel nods and plants a kiss on the top of my head that sends butterflies directly to my belly. "Good. That type of behavior will never be tolerated. See to it that she knows that."

Clarita nods. "Of course, you needn't worry about that. Now, may we speak about you punching Lord Morburn in the face?"

Wait.

Morburn?

My eyes widen.

Daniel punched William?!