Chapter 2
For the first time in the past year since Anna Camila Bruno left the palace grounds to drive home after work, she hummed the entire way. She didn’t touch her horn; traffic on the twisting two-lane asphalt road was light despite the hour.
She felt at peace with the world, like nothing could pierce through her bubble as she went over and over Leopoldo’s marriage proposal. Anna, well aware of the law and that his thirtieth birthday was fast approaching, had even set him up on dates with noble ladies, but he’d rebelled.
So when he’d asked her, her heart had almost stopped.
She touched her mouth, knowing she hadn’t imagined that kiss.
No man had ever made her veins buzz--and Leopoldo wasn’t just a man, but the Prince of Avce, next in line for king.
She half expected to arrive at her grandmother’s condo and for a camera crew to yell out ‘gotchya’ like a prank television show.
Her, married to Leopoldo?
After her parents’ boat had capsized and they’d drowned while she’d been away at college, Anna Camila hadn’t truly hoped for anything, other than her next vacation.
Leo could have asked one of his models that he enjoyed spending time with to marry him but for some reason he’d ignored physical attributes and asked her. Not that she was ugly, but she wasn’t a heart-stopping beauty. Starting tomorrow that kiss might happen every day for the rest of her life!
Her lips tingled at the idea and she laughed aloud as she turned into her grandmother’s retirement community, where she and Maria shared a two-bedroom condo. She parked, the white-washed palace, blue flags flapping in the wind, visible against the aqua sky just starting to turn a myriad of colors now that evening approached.
Today she was late as the tailor had taken her measurements and showed her various fabrics to choose for a wedding dress. Then she’d hand-picked the best of the office personnel for her position and spoke with her new replacement, Pierre Lievre. When Leo was in town, Anna would work late, so she didn’t worry that her grandmother was concerned by her delay.
Tomorrow, she would not only work at the palace, but live there.
She entered and put her shoes into the closet by the front door. The house smelled like garlic chicken and lemon sauce. Not only was her grandmother home, but she’d cooked one of Anna’s favorites.
She put her pocketbook in her room, still in a daze, and then joined Grandma Maria on the balcony. Her grandmother rocked in her chair, her eye on the castle in the distance and the mountains even farther out of the city. From the fourth floor of their building, they had one of the better views.
Closing the screen door behind her, Anna met Maria’s welcoming gaze and said, “Grandma, I’m getting married.”
Grandma put her hand to her thick belly and laughed as if Anna had told a joke. “Why don’t you get us some tea and we’ll talk about it.”
Fair. She’d expected her grandmother to laugh. The idea of Anna, who wasn’t even dating, getting married was funny. Anna with Leopoldo was surreal but true. She put her hand on the screen door. “Okay, I’ll get the pot started, but Grandma, you have hair and makeup appointments tomorrow.”
“Our monthly visit at the salon is weeks away.”
“I moved it up and we’re being treated at the palace.”
“You must have gotten a bonus and they don’t want to pay you in cash for the extra work you do.” Grandma rolled her eyes and wiped a tear of mirth from her rosy cheek. “Still, I don’t need that much fuss on these grays.”
Anna headed inside and filled the electric kettle, then washed tea leaves in the pot. She hummed as she waited for the water to boil, then she poured it into the pot, and set it on the gas stove.
Anna opened the screen door to the balcony and stuck her head out. “I’m marrying Leopoldo Aussa, the next king of Avce.”
Her grandma chuckled and snapped her fingers as she shook her head. “Now that sounds like a tale I can’t wait to hear. Get the biscuits from the fridge.”
Maria wasn’t really listening. Anna had a hum in her heart and a spark in her step as she returned with a plate from the refrigerator. “Grandma, here’s your cookie.”
Her grandmother pouted like she’d just been caught as she said, “It’s not-”
Anna laughed and interrupted her grandma. “Chocolate chip anything is not a biscuit.”
Grandma nibbled on her cookie while Anna sat back in her own chair and just smiled at her until the cookie disappeared entirely. Grandma loved her sweets. Who would play this game with her once Anna was gone? Maria said, “You’re in a mood tonight.”
The silence of the evening broke when the kettle whistled. Anna hopped up. “The tea is ready. I hope you are when I give you the cup. My wedding is tomorrow.”
Her grandmother rocked and selected another cookie as Anna went inside to prepare the tea.
