CHAPTER 13
P aris in the winter was magical.
At the Christmas market lining the Champs-élysées, snow glittered on the rooftops of charming wooden stalls filled with handcrafted holiday gifts and festive treats like delicious pastries, spiced cider, and mulled wine.
Across from the Christmas market, in the window of a chic Parisian designer boutique, a glittering gold couture gown was displayed next to a lavish gold-themed Christmas tree. Underneath the tree were dozens of beautiful gold-wrapped presents, tied with crimson bows, promising even more treasures.
Inside, the boutique was just as opulent with floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflecting dozens of stunning, elegant gowns.
Sipping a glass of champagne, the queen sat back on a plush white velvet couch, studying three models as they paraded before her.
Each model wore a different dazzling red cocktail dress.
Celine, the designer, refilled the queen’s glass. “Your Majesty, what do you think of the dresses? I followed the design ideas we talked about. I can make any changes you want or need.”
“These are all amazing,” the queen said with a bright smile. “As always, Celine, you did a phenomenal job. These are even more spectacular than I imagined.”
Celine smiled back at the queen. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re pleased. It has been my honor to create original gowns for you and the princess for your special occasions. Which dress do you think she’ll like best for your Christmas party?”
Celine motioned for the models to do another spin in front of the queen.
“First of all, to the models, you are all perfection,” the queen said as she tipped her champagne glass to them.
The models beamed. Their smiles lit up the room. As they continued to twirl slowly, showing off the dresses, it was clear they were in awe of the queen.
As the queen sat back and studied the girls, she thought it was very smart of Celine to use models who looked similar to Ava.
This way, she could truly imagine how the dresses would look on her.
One model had her hair down and the two others were wearing their hair up, so you could see what options would be best for each dress.
“This is a very hard choice,” the queen said.
“Is there one dress that stands out more than the others? One that catches your attention?” Celine asked.
The queen took another sip of champagne as she thought about it.
“Our Christmas party is the event of the season. I know Ava wants everything to be perfect, including herself. This is why I came to you. You always do such spectacular work. But when it comes to Ava…honestly, I never know what she’ll like the best.”
Celine nodded.
The queen’s smile grew. “So, I’ll take all three. Ava can decide.”
“Brilliant. I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Celine said. She motioned for the models to leave the room.
As soon as the models were gone and they were alone, the queen stood up and gave Celine a heartfelt hug. All the formalities were gone.
“Thank you for doing this, my dear friend. I’ve missed you,” the queen said.
Celine hugged her back. “I’ve missed you, too. How are you holding up?”
The queen took a deep breath and forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m…okay. Losing Fredrick has been devastating, especially seeing what it has done to Ava. I’m worried about her and her future.”
“Is she still planning to marry Duke Henry?” Celine asked.
The queen rolled her eyes and finished her champagne. “Yes. Unfortunately. Since her father arranged it years ago, she feels it’s her duty.”
Celine gave the queen a knowing look. “An arranged marriage—something you understand well.”
The queen set down her glass. “Too well, and that’s why I want more for Ava. I don’t want history to repeat itself…again.”
“Have you ever talked to her about your marriage, what it was really like?” Celine asked.
The queen shook her head. “No. She loved her father so much. He was everything to her. How could I tell her I never really loved him, at least not in a romantic way? When we were first married, I hoped we would grow to love each other. But as you know, our marriage was never more than a business merger. Before I was with Fredrick there was someone I cared deeply about, but he wasn’t an aristocrat, so my family didn’t approve.
Then, when my father died suddenly and I was only twenty, and had to take over the monarchy, I was matched with Fredrick.
He was a lot older and came from a distinguished noble family.
He was well-versed in the traditions and expectations of royal life.
He understood the weight of duty and the responsibility that came with the crown a lot more than I did at the time. ”
The queen paused…remembering.
“I was still shell-shocked from losing my father. I felt like I didn’t have a choice. I had to marry Fredrick because I was terrified of ruling our country alone.”
Celine nodded.
“After Ava was born, Fredrick basically took over raising her,” the queen continued. “He molded Ava into everything he wished I could be but never was. She became a mini version of him. Stoic, driven, dedicated, and above all else, duty bound.”
“All honorable traits,” Celine said.
“Yes, Fredrick was a very honorable man,” the queen agreed. “But there should be more to life than just following a checklist of rules, even a royal life.”
“So, tell her that,” Celine said.
The queen put down her champagne and wrapped her arms around herself, like she was giving herself a much-needed hug. “But Ava doesn’t have to marry a man she doesn’t love. She has choices. She can marry whoever she wants. I want her to have everything I didn’t have.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Celine asked. “I’m sure you have a plan.”
“Oh, I do,” the queen said, her eyes sparkling with determination. “But it’s risky…”
? ? ?
As a sleek black Rolls-Royce navigated its way through Paris traffic, the queen sat in the backseat, talking to Edgar on FaceTime.
“Edgar, I’ve tried calling Ava several times. She’s not answering. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is just fine,” Edgar said with a tight smile.
The queen’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Edgar closer. “Edgar? I know you. What’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?”
Edgar cleared his throat. “The princess has been working very hard on the Christmas party—”
“And you’re worried about her,” the queen finished for him. She knew how protective Edgar was of her daughter, and she was thankful for it.
Edgar sighed. “Yes, I am.”
“Do I need to come back and help?” the queen asked.
“No!” Edgar blurted out, then instantly backpedaled. “You know Ava—she wants to prove she can do this on her own.”
The queen sighed. “Yes, I know. But tell me the truth, do you think she can do it?”
Edgar nodded. “Yes, I think she can.”
“Okay, then please have her call me.”
Edgar looked relieved. “I will.”
“And how is Stormy?” the queen asked.
Edgar gulped.
“I miss him already. He’s gone with Justin, the trainer, right?”
Edgar hesitated. “Stormy is definitely… gone .”
The queen sat back, pleased. “Wonderful! Thank you, Edgar. I always know I can count on you. I’ll talk with you soon.”
Edgar nodded.
After she hung up, she happily scrolled through dozens of photos of Stormy on her phone. He was already bringing her more joy than she had ever imagined.
Her whole life, she had dreamed of having a dog, and now, finally, that dream was coming true.
As a child, her nanny had a border collie named Bandit.
She was allowed to play with him a few times and fell in love.
She’d never forgotten him. She had begged her parents for her own dog—any dog—but despite countless promises, it had never happened.
They would always tell her, “ It’s not the right time . ”
She hated that phrase.
When she married Fredrick, she’d thought she’d finally be able to get the dog she’d always wanted. But after he’d suddenly developed an allergy to dogs, that had never happened. Fredrick had declared no dogs, ever.
After giving up hope of ever having her own dog, she’d focused her energy instead on setting up royal charities to support animal shelters and pet adoptions. While it was one of the causes she was most passionate about, she never dreamed that someday it would lead her to finding Stormy.
She smiled, remembering the first time she had seen the rambunctious pup during a fundraising event at a shelter. He had been playing outside and when he’d spotted her, he’d raced toward her, barking like crazy, as if to say, “Take me home!”
The horrified shelter staff had chased after him, but not before he’d jumped up on her, his muddy paws ruining her white designer dress.
But instead of being upset, she’d been instantly charmed.
When she had knelt down to get a better look at him, he’d wagged his tail and licked her face, delighting her even more.
But it had been when she had looked into his soulful brown eyes that she’d known without a doubt that he was meant to be hers and Ava’s.
When she’d found out his original owners had been forced to give him up after being transferred overseas, she had been thankful she could step in and offer him a stable home.
She had been warned about his discipline issues, but that hadn’t deterred her. After meeting Justin and hearing so many people sing the praises of his Puppy Bootcamps, she’d known he could also work his magic on Stormy and help make him the perfect addition to the royal family.
As she zoomed in to get a closer look at an adorable selfie she’d taken with Stormy, she couldn’t understand what Ava’s problem was. Who couldn’t love this face? she thought.
Granted, she knew they hadn’t had the best first meeting with Stormy wrecking all the Christmas decorations, but she needed to find a way to get Ava to give him a second chance. She was confident that once Ava had some quality time to spend with Stormy, she’d fall in love with him, too.
At least that’s what she hoped would happen.