Page 28 of The Unlikely Heir

“It’s very different from California,” I say honestly.

“I can imagine,” she replies with a smile.

I continue to smile and greet wave after wave of people as they enter the Reception Room. The faces and names all blur together.

Finally, after what seems like hours, the flow of guests dries up. The Grand Reception Room is filled to the brink with people chatting.

Raymond sidles up to me. “Now it’s time for you to circulate the room.”

I stare at the ocean of people, all these world leaders, the cleverest and smartest from their countries.

Cliff’s voice comes into my head with sneering derision.Callum has always been the joke among our friendship group.

“I…ah…I’ve just got to use the restroom first,” I say.

Once in the restroom, I lock myself in a stall with shaking hands.

I put the toilet seat down and sit, trying to pull myself together.

I’m okay. I managed the reception line with no issues. I didn’t embarrass myself. I can get through the rest of this evening with no mishaps.

The restroom door opens, and I hear two men make their way to the sinks.

“What do you think of the new Prince of Wales?” one asks. His British accent is so sharp, he could use it to cut glass.

“Well, his handshake was incredibly enthusiastic,” the other says. “And he looks the part.”

“Unfortunately, you can dress a pig in a wig, but it doesn’t change the fact it’s a pig.”

“You’re not a fan of our new heir then?”

There’s a mocking laugh. “Have you listened to him speak or watched the footage with the swan? He’s a vapid, airheaded American. He’s the worst thing that could happen to the monarchy and the Commonwealth.”

There’s a rustling noise and then the noise of a tap being turned on. Unfortunately, I can still hear their conversation over the running water.

“You don’t think the Commonwealth countries will embrace King Callum as their Head of State?”

“I’d wage a bet that republicanism will be the fastest-catching disease in the world once Callum is the king.”

“What other disease do you expect an American to spread but republicanism?” the other chortles.

The faucets switch off, and there’s the brief sound of the hand-drying machine before the door thumps shut.

I’m suddenly aware that I’m clenching my fist so tightly that my fingernails are digging into the flesh of my palm.

I take a deep breath, but it’s shaky when I exhale.

I can’t handle this.

ChapterNine

Oliver

The last thing I fancy doing tonight is attending a state banquet.

I have a mild headache from attending Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings all day. The Commonwealth is a diverse group of fifty-three nations that spans continents, all tied together due to our shared history.

Looking at the faces around the table, it seems impossible that Great Britain, a small island off the coast of Europe, once ruled such a vast empire, a quarter of the world’s land area at its greatest extent.