Chapter 3 #2
The most magnificent castle she had ever seen stood imposingly in front of them.
Turrets adorned with white Christmas lights pierced the golden sky.
Endless yards of garland hung from the privacy walls.
Through the security gates and into the courtyard, Emma’s mouth was agape.
A beautifully decorated Christmas tree that must have been thirty feet tall stood in the middle of it all.
So there really was a castle, and a royal family, and presumably the biggest job of her entire career waiting behind the impressive front door. Time to panic.
When they jerked to a stop, Maya finally looked up from her phone. “Huh. Not bad.”
Understatement of the century.
They exited, and Emma snapped a quick picture to send to her mom and Lola. Cooper sat in the freshly fallen snow next to her, panting happily.
“Here.” Maya handed over her phone. She struck a pose next to the Christmas tree.
Of course. She had nearly forgotten that half her job here was being Maya’s professional photographer.
Emma captured a couple pictures and handed the phone back. The driver dropped off their bags and drove away, leaving them staring at the castle.
Maya marched up to the front door and knocked on it. It swung open, and they were greeted by a maid. Cooper followed Emma inside and sat on her foot.
The hall was luxurious, with mile-high ceilings and art in ornate frames lining the walls. Polished marble floors stretched into the distance, where a double staircase covered in rich garland curved gently to the second floor. Was that a suit of armor? She was definitely going to get lost here.
Heels rang down a long hallway to their left, and another woman appeared. A navy dress flattered her trim figure, which helped distract from the fact that her smile looked like it was plastered on.
“Ladies. Thank you so much for joining us. How was your journey?”
“Comfortable enough,” Maya said. She leaned forward and shook the newcomer’s hand. “Nice to see you again.”
“I’m Beatrice, the royal publicist,” the woman explained to Emma.
How had Beatrice beaten them back? The royal family must have a private plane.
“We’re going to meet with Her Majesty, and then I’ll show you where you’re staying.”
Cooper let out a low woof.
She glanced at him, then called for a maid.
“The dog—”
“Cooper,” Emma clarified.
“Cooper can stay here while you have your meeting.”
A knot formed in Emma’s stomach as she passed his leash to the maid.
She certainly had not planned to meet the queen fifteen seconds after arriving.
She hadn’t slept or showered, and she was in leggings and a sweatshirt covered in dog hair.
Not exactly apparel for meeting a world leader.
She would have to hide behind Maya, who always dressed like someone was going to leap out from behind a bush and put her on the cover of Vogue.
“Follow me, please.” Beatrice turned and marched down the hallway. They passed room after room. Harried-looking people scurried by carrying linens, feather dusters, and candlesticks. It was hard to believe that people actually lived like this.
Eventually, they arrived at some fancy room—a parlor? A drawing room? Whatever it was, it was bigger than her entire apartment.
“Your Majesty,” Beatrice said with a bow.
Emma almost tripped. Shit, what was she supposed to do? Bow? Curtsy? Handshake? Definitely not handshake. She’d end up in the dungeon. She mimicked Beatrice’s curtsy, and her knees creaked. Maya curtsied in an exaggerated sweeping motion as though she had practiced for hours. And maybe she had.
The queen was as stately and imposing as the castle itself.
Even though it was barely eight in the morning, she wore an expensive-looking dress with a cropped jacket, and her hair was gathered in an elegant chignon.
Her back was ramrod-straight, and her walk was more of a glide as she left her desk and approached them.
She paused to take them both in, with a lingering glance on Emma’s outfit.
Emma swallowed hard.
“Ladies,” the queen said. “Thank you for joining us on such short notice.”
“We’re honored to be here, Your Majesty,” Maya said. Her voice dripped with honey. She was definitely vying to be the queen’s future daughter-in-law.
“Please, sit.” The queen indicated two chairs in front of a desk.
They sat, and the queen moved behind the desk. “You’ve been briefed on the anniversary party?”
Maya nodded enthusiastically. “We’re looking forward to hearing your ideas for the dessert. The rest of the royal family won’t be joining us?”
Emma almost kicked her. Now was not the time to be shopping for a husband.
“Regrettably, no.” The queen put on a pair of jewel-encrusted reading glasses.
“The king tends to leave such matters to me. My direction for you is simple. I want the most magnificent dessert that’s ever been served at a ball.
I want people to talk about it for the next year.
I want it to be delicious, opulent, artistic.
An unforgettable centerpiece that celebrates the rich history of Lynoria and the strength of the monarchy. ”
Oh. Was that all?
“Did you have a budget in mind, Your Majesty?” Emma asked. Maya almost always forgot to ask.
“There is no budget. You’ll give your shopping list to the head maid. We’ll have a meeting tomorrow to discuss your ideas. Samples would be helpful. A basic version is fine. There are staples in the pantry you can use, but you’ll need to wait until the dinner service has ended to use the kitchen.”
“Wonderful,” Maya said.
Wonderful? What, were they supposed to bake in the middle of the night while already completely jetlagged?
The queen rang a bell, and a maid hastened into the room. “Could you escort Miss Farrell and Miss Clark to their quarters?”
They both curtsied on their way out of the room.
Anxiety flared in Emma’s chest, but she barely had time to register it before the maid stopped in her tracks and curtsied at a teenage girl. Shit, who was this now?
“Good day, Your Highness,” the maid said.
Oh, it must be the princess who liked their croissants.
“Are you guys from Crumb and Get It?” The girl’s blue eyes sparkled.
“We are,” Maya said before turning her attention to the stretch of hallway behind her.
“I had the best espresso croissant of my life when I was in your bakery last year.”
Emma glowed on the inside. Croissants and showstopper cakes were her specialty.
“Thank you so much,” Emma said. “They’re a little labor-intensive, but I love making them.”
“Do you guys want a tour?” the princess asked.
“That would be awesome,” Emma said. “Are you sure you have time?”
The princess tilted her head. “Who’s going to stop me? I’m Ruby, by the way.”
“Emma.” She held her hand out, then snatched it back. She was pretty sure no one was supposed to touch royalty. Instead, she administered another awkward curtsy.
“You don’t need to do that,” the princess said. She reached over and shook Emma’s hand.
Emma turned to Maya, who was back to staring at her phone.
“Coming?” Emma asked.
“I think I’m going to take a nap and then do some exploring on my own,” she said, scanning the halls again. “Don’t be gone for too long. You have homework to do.”
Of course Maya wasn’t planning to help. It figured.