They were merely born royals; they hadn’t done anything to earn their status or the respect they thought it demanded.
I didn’t argue this withCatla.Shewas a royalist, through to the bone.
Gayliliel didn’t really care one way or the other, but if forced to lean in a direction,Iknew she’d lean toward the royals because she adored pageantry…and gossip.
I would have done the same, untilIwas forced to curtsy to a male who was just a male, doing this with the attention of a room full of rich people, and then made to feel like a fool by him.
A shadowy streak jumped up to the counter from the floor, and my flame-pointCometasked, “Meow?”
“No, it’s not time for breakfast.”
“Meow,” he disagreed.
“I think you’ve well learned these last few months, just becauseI’mawake, it doesn’t mean you get food.”
“Meow!”
I set the glass aside and took hold of my cat, tucking him under my arm.
Comet wasn’t a fan of being held (because usually, me carting his heft around induced me to telling him he was too chonky), and therefore his next, “Meow!” was filled with insult.
As usual,Iignored it, and we went to bed.Theminute we were ensconced, he shared he was still nursing his affront by jumping away.
Nova, my cuddle muffin, took his place, already purring.
I rolled into her, stroking.
She made biscuits on the duvet.
I sighed and forced my eyes closed.
I hadGayle.Cat.Monique.Lancet(the designer who’d made my pink dress).Otherfriends.CometandNovaand their brother,Jupiter.
I was not alone.
And yet,Iso very much was in a wayIalways would be.
Forever.
At the pain of that thought,Iopened my eyes,Nova’saffectionate drone humming in my ears.
“Just tonight, baby,”Iwhispered to my cat. “Butthis is the last time.Ican feel sorry for myself tonight.Tomorrowwill be the day afterImet theTrueHeirto the realm.Sure, it had been annoying, and weird, but he’s even better looking in person than in digital, and it’s a storyIcan tell for the rest of my life.Andtomorrow will be the day afterIpulled myself together and got back out into the world, which meantIhad the opportunity to meet theTrueHeir, even if it was in an annoying and weird way.”
I cuddledNovacloser, and my voice dipped lower.
“They took her, they didn’t take me,”Imumbled. “Shemade it soI’mstill here.Iowe it to her to behere, not back there, when she sacrificed herself for me.”
Nova head butted my chin.
“Yeah,”Imurmured. “Wemiss her.Butwe’re here.”Idrew in a breath to steady my emotions and repeated, “We’rehere.”
Nova continued to knead and purr.
I continued to feel sorry for myself and listen to her.
EventuallyIfell asleep.
It wouldn’t be long before someone woke me up.
