Page 39 of Royal Daddy (Silver Fox Daddies #21)

Ava

I ’d never been one for the spotlight, but there was something about that night at the Harvest Ball going down the stairs in that dress that made me reconsider.

All eyes were on me, people speaking in hushed whispers to one another, studying me as they tried to wrap their heads around the fact that a princess was wearing a dress like that. I was more than pleased to blow away their expectations. Not only that, but I also loved showing my father that I was my own woman, princess or not.

The crowd parted as I stepped off the stairs. I took a moment to glance around, to appreciate just how beautiful the ballroom looked. It was decked out in fall colors and décor, a fire roaring in the fireplace that made the large space seem cozy. I couldn’t fathom how gorgeous it must be at Christmastime.

“A pleasure to see you all here tonight,” I said. “How about we get this party started?”

I turned my attention to the band, gesturing for them to start playing again. Music filled the air in earnest, the crowd doing their best to stop staring. I made my way further into the ballroom, spotting none other than my father standing among the guests, an expression of tight, white-hot anger on his face.

He beelined over to me, forcing a smile as he placed his hand on my shoulder. As nervous as I’d been about his reaction, I was happy that he’d wasted no time in confronting me. I was eager to get everything out in the open.

“What the hell is this?” the words came out in a sharp tone, a total contrast to the easy smile on his face. No doubt that a king was well-trained in saying one thing and looking like he was saying something else.

“This is my debut to the kingdom, remember?”

“Don’t get smart with me. You know damn well that this sort of dress is completely inappropriate for a princess. What were you thinking?”

I let an easy smile form on my lips. “I’ve decided that if you want me to be a princess, you’re going to get me , the way I am in my natural state, as a princess. This is who I am, and I won’t change. Not even for you.”

“This isn’t America,” he shot back. “There are standards that a princess must embody.”

“You’re right, this isn’t America. But it’s not freaking eighteen-fourteen, either. Women can wear what they want, express themselves through their clothes. This is me. Take it or leave it.”

He narrowed his eyes for just a moment, offering me a very brief glimpse into the anger that he was just barely keeping below the surface.

“Make the rounds,” he said. “And try not to embarrass me any more than you already have.” The easy smile still on his face, he waved to someone in the crowd and broke away from me, leaving me standing there alone.

That was it. My father had cornered me, said his piece, and seemed to realize that there was nothing he could do. That is, unless he wanted to publicly strip me of my title for the crime of wearing a sexy dress.

A squeal sounded out from behind me, and I turned to see Kinley approaching, three of the other girls from the service staff with her.

“My God!” she shouted, looking me up and down with excited eyes. “You look amazing !”

“You look so good,” one of the other girls said.

“Hottest princess ever,” said another.

The third pulled out her phone, not saying a word before hurrying over to my side and holding the camera out for a selfie.

“Please can I take this for Insta?”

I laughed. “Sure.”

We both smiled as she snapped a picture.

“Alright, alright,” Kinley said, waving her hands in front of her. “You all got your princess time. Let’s give her some breathing room, OK?”

The girls, disappointed, took their leave. A tinge of relief washed through me once Kinley and I were alone. As confident as I was feeling, all the same it was nice to be around a friend.

“OK, this goes without saying,” she said as we made our way through the crowd. “But your dress is a hit. Actually, that’s not right… you’re a hit.”

I laughed. “That’s nice to hear, don’t get me wrong. But they barely know me aside from the fact that I’m the princess and I’ve got purple hair.”

“Sure, but you’re knocking this whole first impression thing out of the park. Let me ask you this, when you look at all of these people around you, how do they make you feel?”

The question struck me as a little strange, but I decided to indulge her. I glanced around the room, seeing a seemingly endless number of men and women all dressed in finery.

“I don’t know. They’re just people, I guess.”

She smiled, as if that was the answer she’d been hoping to hear.

“These are the wealthiest and most powerful people in Edoria, some in all of Europe. If you feel comfortable being yourself in front of a crowd like this, then there’s nothing you can’t do.”

I realized what she was getting at. The more I thought about it, I realized how right Kinley was. I felt good. I’d come strolling down the stairs fully ready for everyone to reject me, to tell me to go back to wherever the hell I’d come from.

I smiled, feeling more and more comfortable with each passing second in my role as a princess.

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s do some schmoozing.”

Kinley laughed. “Lead the way.”

I stepped over to the bar, ordering a club soda and lime before making my way into the crowd with Kinley at my side. I felt fearless zipping from one group of guests to another, making small talk and joking, chatting and getting to know the upper crust of Edoria. Far from a room full of fuddy-duddies like my father, everyone was eager to get to know me, eager to find out all they could about this American princess.

In spite of myself, I was having fun. Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was on a first-name basis with just about everyone there. Now and then I spotted my father, his countenance as serious as ever. Part of me wondered how he felt seeing me flitting from one group to another in my purple dress and purple hair, tattoo visible for anyone to notice. He avoided me, almost seeming to go out of his way to not make so much as eye contact.

After a time, Kinley and I needed a break. We refreshed our drinks and headed out onto the huge veranda, the view looking out over the gardens and the city beyond. The air was crisp and cool, though a few outdoor fireplaces kept us warm. I made my way to the railing, looking out over the landscape beyond as I tried to wrap my head around the idea that this was my kingdom.

Well, almost.

“How are you feeling, Princess?”

I turned toward Kinley, the glass doors behind her looking in on the ballroom. Warm, orange light poured out from inside, the view like watching a movie. Little knots of people were chatting with one another as they stole glances at me.

“I feel… weird. Less than two months ago, I was just some girl living in a studio apartment making crab cakes for a living. Now I’m… this .” I swept my hand down my dress. “And the strangest part is I think I’m good at it.”

Kinley smiled. “You are good at it. Do you want to know why?”

“Because everyone secretly wants a tattooed, purple-haired princess?”

She laughed. “Because you’re you. And you are fantastic just the way you are.”

“Not to mention that it’s impossible to look at you and not see at once that you’d be one of the best queens this country has ever had.”

A very familiar voice spoke out. Kinley and I turned to see Luc approaching. The man looked good . He was dressed in a sharp tux that fit his gorgeous body perfectly, his hair was slicked back, and his face freshly shaved.

Kinley blushed. “Good to see you, Luc.”

“And you as well. I think it’s safe to say that your dress has been a hit.”

“My pleasure. And the tux I fitted for you seems to be working, as well.”

He laughed. “I’m a fan. Anyway, do you mind if I steal the princess from you for a moment?”

A coy little smile appeared on Kinley’s face, one that suggested that she knew Luc and I were going to discuss more than palace matters.

“Not at all. I’ll see you in there, Your Highness.”

She flashed me one more smile before heading back inside.

“I’ve missed you, Ava,” he said.

“Buddy, you’ve got no idea.”