Royally Benevolent (Resplendent Royals #4)

23. Prior Authorisation

23

PRIOR AUTHORISATION

ODETTE

I made it back to the palace in the evening. After the meeting and two parties, I crept in. Unfortunately, Alexandra and Rick were still awake. Alexandra was splayed on the couch, feet in Rick’s lap. She ate a bowl of ice cream as they watched yet another bit of Scandinavian Murder Porn. For such nonviolent countries, their shows were very dark. She looked adorable, and a little bump started showing through her clothes.

I kicked my heels off and climbed onto the chair right of her.

“You look knackered,” Alexandra said.

“I am,” I chuckled. “But I did some cool things.”

“I heard the music conservatory went very well,” Alexandra said.

“How do you hear things?” I asked.

“I hear everything,” Alexandra said.

“How was your first meeting as a patron?” Rick asked.

“It was good. I got to vote. And I got my curb bump out.”

“I have no idea what that means, but good for you,” Alexandra said.

“That bad intersection Wyatt and I targeted is getting a fix that protects pedestrians and cyclists better. We were successful.”

“Beautiful,” Rick said. “Who doesn’t love some trickery?”

“Don’t get too political,” Alexandra warned. “This benevolent billionaire brings out something competitive in you.”

I set my jaw. “Wanting to protect people from being killed in a traffic accident isn’t political.”

Rick gave her The Look. As expected, she backed off.

“I look forward to hearing more about your adventures while I’m mostly sidelined,” Alexandra said.

“Well, about that…” It was time to suffer. “I can attend a summit on the matter. The Vision International Summit is happening next weekend.”

“Oh, interesting. Here in Neandia?”

I shook my head.

“Brussels?”

“Cologne,” I winced.

Alexandra held her tongue, glaring at Rick like, “I told you so.”

Rick spoke. “It would be good for visibility’s sake, right?”

Alexandra took a deep breath. “Is this all that important to you?”

“It is,” I answered, leaving out that the object of my affection also attended.

I was no longer denying it. My heart leapt the minute the opportunity graced me. I’d have days alone with Wyatt. Whatever sad, youthful, hopeful dream this was, I wanted to take a chance on it. He was worth the risk. We were on a mission, but it was more than that. I wasn’t about to tell Alexandra any of that. She’d frown upon it and tell me I was silly.

“Well, if it is important and security can clear it, I will allow it. Security will be?—”

“The Minister of Transport of the UK and the American Vice President are attending,” I said.

I’d again done my research. I looked at the list of keynote speakers, and diplomatic attendees confirmed.

“That could be good for the government,” Rick said. “Let’s drop a line to the PM in case he wants to send someone.”

Ugh! That would be a disaster. I wanted Wyatt to myself , not to have a minister or deputy minister involved. I held my poker face.

“I’d prefer to keep this in-house. It’s a chance for Odie to shine,” Alexandra said. “She doesn’t need a stuffy government official there. She understands this situation and cares about the cause.”

I could have cried happy tears. Alexandra trusted me !

I didn’t want to feel like the broken toy everyone believed me to be. My psychotic break scared everyone, so knowing my family believed in me mattered most.