Royal Ruse - Emma Lea Page 0,28

to represent not only the king, but Lucas in the best possible light and not to embarrass either of them. You are no longer an independent individual, you are part of something bigger, something grander, something far more important than just yourself.”

I opened my mouth to defend her attack on not just me but my entire country, but she went on without letting me speak.

“I don’t say this to offend you but merely to point out that you now have a higher calling and as such, you need to do better. You can’t yell at the press. You can’t leave your house wearing ripped jeans and ratty t-shirts. And for the love of all that is holy, please, I beg of you, do something with that rats’ nest you call hair.”

My hand lifted to my hair, and I had to admit it resembled a bit of a rats’ nest. I had done nothing with it since I got out of bed and no doubt the short curls were rioting all over my head.

“While I understand your concern—”

“Do you, though?” Maya asked, tilting her head to the side as she looked at me. “Because if you did, if you really loved my son, then you wouldn’t be about to tell me to mind my own business. I do understand, Francesca. Believe me, I do. I was not born to royalty. I married Lucas’ father when I was a poor commoner on Kalopsia. I was wide eyed and naïve about marrying a markissios, just as you are. I had ideas and plans of how my life would look and then I fell in love with Demetrius and I had to make a choice. His mother was far from as accepting of me as I am of you. So please understand that I come to you with the very best of intentions. I love my son and I want the best for him and that means helping you to do better. For his sake.”

“Are you saying you would interfere with our engagement if I don’t do as you say?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Maya looked down at her perfect manicure and I shot a quick glance to my far-from-perfect one.

“All I’m saying is, if the king were to see you behaving the way you did the other day with the press, then perhaps he would withdraw his invitation.”

“Well then maybe we should let the king decide if I’m an appropriate partner for Lucas? You haven’t been back to Kalopsia in twelve years, in fact, you pretty much turned your back on the country so forgive me if I can’t take your experiences as relevant in this situation.”

Maya stared at me for a long moment and I bit the inside of my cheek, cursing myself for letting my anger and indignation get the better of me.

“You would risk Lucas’ future in the Kabiero royal court because of your pride? You would put your own concerns ahead of those of the man you have agreed to marry?”

I hated that Maya made a valid point. The last thing I wanted was to change who I was, but none of this was real. By not playing nicely with Maya, I could in fact ruin Lucas’ chances to go to Kalopsia and for what? I was already pretending to be engaged to Lucas, what was a little more pretending? I could play ladies with Lucas’ mom if it meant getting him the title he deserved and getting him the hell away from his parents. If my stubbornness somehow jeopardized Lucas’ opportunity, I couldn’t live with myself. I loved my independence, but I loved Lucas more.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked, keeping as much dignity as I could.

Maya Andino lit up like a Christmas tree. “I have made an appointment for you at my salon.” She checked her watch. “And we had better leave right now if we’re to make it on time.”

I looked down at myself. “I need to change—”

“No time for that, dear,” Maya said, standing to her feet. “I’ll have a change of clothes waiting for you at the salon and we’ll burn those.”

I didn’t know if she was joking or not…I thought maybe not.

I sighed and got to my feet. It was only for a couple of weeks and then Lucas would be free. I could do that. I could pretend to be a posh lady for a couple of weeks. Once we were on Kalopsia, I could once more be Frankie.

“Come along,