Page 7

I turn toward the door as the press conference ends. Jackie, my assigned agent, follows behind me. Jackie and Dominic have been my assigned Secret Service agents since I was a kid. But mostly, when we are out and about, it’s Jackie who is with me. She’s closer to my age and looks more like a friend than a Secret Service agent. My father would not be pleased that I don’t always have two agents with me, but there have been perks to living on the other side of the world in anonymity compared to my former residence of New York City and Washington, D.C.

I know Dominic is milling around here somewhere, but only Jackie is by my side as Prince August extends an arm for me. I take it because that’s the socially polite thing to do.

“The Grand Ballroom is this way,” he says as he leads us across the giant main entrance of the castle and down a large hallway with gold trim and enormous paintings. Double doors that are about two stories tall open into a ballroom that would dwarf the rooms at the White House.

There’s a line of dignitaries including King Michael, who I’ve met previously when he visited D.C.

“Kate, it’s wonderful to see you,” he says warmly, kissing my cheek.

I curtsy. “Likewise, Your Majesty,” I reply. Sharon had debriefed me on the proper etiquette again this morning. I hate it. I can never remember what to call various people and curtsy or bow. Every country has its own rules and customs. But I can’t hide behind teenage ignorance any longer. I’m now expected to be a representative of my father’s administration when I attend such functions. It’s…difficult.

“I hope Auggie is making your evening enjoyable. I’d love for you to join us at the Summer Palace this week, that is if you are available. We just renovated it, and we haven’t had many guests there yet. It would be a pleasure to show you more of our nation.”

I bow my head slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I would be honored.”

He claps his hands. “Excellent. I’ll have my staff get in touch with details. My daughter, Anna, will be home this week. I’m sure she will enjoy showing you around the estate.”

I nod politely as Prince Auggie leads me down the line to greet other dignities. Prince Auggie…it seems foreign to me to say his nickname yet it suits him.

What did I just agree to? I’ve heard Princess Anna is not like the stuck-up bitchy princesses that I have met in Europe. But still, I’m unsure if this will be an enjoyable week. I will agree to a two-day stay since I have classes and finals are approaching, it will be an easy out.

I’m momentarily brought out of my thoughts as Prince Auggie lifts two glasses of champagne off a server’s tray and hands me one.

“To new acquaintances,” he says, clinking glasses with me.

“To new acquaintances,” I repeat as I take a sip of the champagne. I see the prince look across the room and my gaze follows his. There’s a woman, not much older than me, who is glaring at him.

“A friend of yours?” I ask. He slowly turns his head back toward me.

“You could say that.”

“What else could I say?” I ask, raising my eyebrow. An orchestra begins playing music. The king, escorted by a woman I recognize from another royal family, starts the first dance before others join. I watch the pomp and circumstance. It’s familiar yet foreign.

Prince Auggie takes the champagne flute from my hand and sets it on the tray of a passing server. He places his hand on my lower back and leans into my ear.

“Let’s see if you can dance as well as you can deceive members of the royal family,” he whispers. Goose bumps form on my skin, and I’m not entirely sure if it is from his hot breath on my skin, the intoxicating smell of his cologne, or the fact that he just called me out.

I don’t answer him, but I allow him to lead me to the dance floor. He takes me in his arms as we begin to waltz to the classical music being played. I glance around the room. There are a few flashes from a nearby photographer. I try to keep the polite smile plastered to my face, something I learned from years of White House state dinners.

“Your friend doesn’t seem too happy,” I say to him, breaking the silence as I eye the woman from earlier.

He doesn’t even glance in her direction. “You bored of this pageantry yet?” he asks me, ignoring my question.

“I-I…but we just…” I trail off, unsure of what to say.

His Cheshire cat grin has shivers of excitement running down my spine, even though the intellectual side of me says to ignore his clever, playboy ways.

He leans forward so only I can hear him. “I promise you my tour of the palace is much more entertaining than this ball. Plus, we’ve done our duty.”

He pauses when a hand taps my arm. I look up to see the king himself.

“May I cut in?” he asks. Prince Auggie does the best he can to not roll his eyes.

“Of course, Father.”

The king takes my arm, and we begin to dance. King Michael is extremely attractive. It’s very easy to see where his children get their looks from, between him and his late wife, it’s amazing his children aren’t all supermodels.

King Michael whirls me around the floor with expert dancing skills. I giggle as he spins me.