I was here, I was doing it. And I was so nervous I wanted to puke.
“How do I greet Queen Felecia?” I scrubbed my hands together.
“When you’re introduced, you’ll curtsy once just inside the door and then again a few steps into the room. Go straight to her and introduce yourself. She will shake your hand and welcome you to the country. After that, you’ll be introduced to several other people.” Rose waved her hand in the air as if she was explaining how to get to a class in a new building. “A few of the nobles that are in town will be there, as will a few key members of parliament. They always love a good reason to come to the palace. After the initial introduction, it will be less formal. This isn’t the official ceremony for your reinstatement.”
“Okay. Curtsy, walk, and curtsy again. Shake her hand.” I took a deep breath. “Monopoly. Why did we play a board game when there is so much I need to know?”
“You needed to relax.” Alex grinned devilishly. “It was one of the only ways I could come up with to help.”
One of the ways. I could imagine the other ways he could have done to help me relax. Shaking my head, I pushed aside the thought and frowned. “And what do I call her? Your Majesty?”
“That’s appropriate the first time you meet her. Then you can switch to something simpler. Ma’am is the most common.” Rose smiled at me. “You’re going to be fine. No one is going to expect you to know everything tonight.”
“The staff is used to walking people through first meetings. Don’t worry,” Alex said.
The plane was taxied to an open area and I was shocked at the amount of people. A blue rug was rolled out to the plane and a line of cars pulled up. There was a military honor guard in place and a sea of flashing cameras. The door to the plane was opened and an official in a suit stepped up to the entrance.
“May I enter?” His voice held the interesting accent that Alex spoke with.
“Please,” Alex said. Even though Alex had been laid-back in the States, I realized that as the highest-ranking royal, everyone would defer to him.
“Welcome home, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Jeremy.” Alex stood up and shook his hand. They must interact with this official often.
“Welcome home, Duchess.” Jeremy shook Rose’s hand and then turned toward me. “A heartfelt welcome to you, Duchess Rousseau.” Jeremy smiled warmly at me.
“Thank you.”
“I’m afraid I need to see your paperwork.” He looked embarrassed.
“Of course.” I handed him my passport.
“Excellent.” He looked over the passport, and I found it oddly comforting that he hadn’t just waved me on. He pulled a stamp out of his pocket and quickly used it. “I hope you find Lilaria to your liking.”
“I’m sure I will.” I smiled at him and tucked my passport back into my bag.
Alex stood up and held my coat out for me. I slid into the sleeves and buttoned up the front. I was about to set foot on Lilarian soil, the homeland of my ancestors and my new life. Rose walked to the exit and waited for Duvall and Becca and Sarah. Duvall jogged down the stairs to the cars, a finger to his ear as he listened to something on his earpiece. Rose turned to me and smiled.
“Welcome home, Samantha. I’ll be waiting in the car for you.” Rose winked at me and then quickly made her way down the stairs. There was a cry from the photographers, calling her name, but she simply waved and went straight to the vehicle. The air blowing in through the open door was cold but that wasn’t why I shivered.
“I’ll be right behind you.” Alex put a hand on my back.
“You promised you wouldn’t throw me to the wolves.” I tried to smile, but it came out weak.
“Trust me.”
“I do.” I took a deep breath and stepped out into the cold night air.
Chapter Sixteen
The Reluctant Royal
—American Today
The sound was almost deafening. The flashes of the camera were blinding. I froze at the top of the steps and looked out at the people chanting my last name. Alex’s warm presence at my back jarred me back to reality and I started down the steps, careful to not trip on my dress. There was a roar from the crowd at the sight of Alex, and it grew when he stepped down from the bottom step next to