Claudette said to the mother, “Take your daughter home for a nap. Royal orders.” When the woman smiled and nodded in feigned agreement, Claudette added, “Now.” The woman took her daughter’s hand and headed straight off.
“I have a busy day ahead. Thank you,” Claudette said to the crowd, and her guards helped her navigate to the entrance, where she stopped once more and waved to her adoring fans.
By the time I made it inside, Claudette was already sitting at a table in the secluded section of the restaurant. My whole attitude towards Claudette had changed from last night. I sat right across from her, but honestly, I wanted to be right beside her. It seemed so impossible that I had ever wanted to be far away from her. I’d ignored her little get-together last night. I shouldn’t have. I liked Claudette; how could you not? I mean, she was terrific. Enchanting. I didn’t know her, but I could tell we would be best friends. I’d never met anyone like her before, and I doubted I would meet anyone like her again.
“You should take off your hat and sunglasses,” she said, and as I did, the pull I felt to her moments before was stronger. Claudette oozed appeal. No, she was the definition of charm and poise. “Good. It is nice to see you properly, cousin.”
I smiled. That’s right. I was her cousin. Cousin. We’d have to be best friends. I was feeling happy and a little dizzy.
“Waverly, I must apologize for last night; I was out of sorts. I have a long history with Enzo and Manon, and my emotions got the best of me.”
“It’s okay.” I meant it. How could it not be okay? Claudette was here, and everything was right with the world.
Claudette laughed, and it reminded me of the tinkling of bells. “You haven’t met many Merrics yet, have you?”
“No, just you and our uncle.”
Claudette picked up her menu. “I can tell. Your mother must not have had the natural ability. It makes sense; otherwise, Uncle would have brought her here years ago. Helena was trained; she knew what she was doing, but you have been around her your whole life. You grew immune.”
She put the menu down and took hold of my chin, turning my face from side to side. Her fingers were warm, her touch, intoxicating. “You have it. In some form, anyway.”
“Have what?” I asked, not moving, happy to be near her.
“Tell me, have you ever noticed people being completely enticed by your presence? Compelled to follow your movements?” Her voice was slow, melodic.
“Like a dog following me around?” I said, nearly panting.
“Yes, like a dog, only a human.”
I swallowed. “No, not that I can think of.”
“So, Uncle brought you here unproven. Interesting.” She let go of my face. “We shall see then.”
“Can I ask you a few questions?” I said.
Claudette unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. “You may ask anything you would like, but I bet you haven’t even thought of the right questions yet.”
She was right. A good deal of the questions I had come up with since I first arrived there had all left my head except one.
“I was looking at the paintings and I noticed numbers. What are those?”
“Quantities and sums. It’s a symbol of our birthright. Now, I have a suggestion.” Claudette’s face moved closer to mine. “The minnow, I wouldn’t even bother. Bollard will be done with her soon enough.”
“Minnow? You mean Manon? I like Manon.” As the words came out, it all sounded feeble, and I was tempted to take Claudette’s word for it. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps, I shouldn’t like Manon. But as I thought those words, there was a little part of my brain, tiny but there, that said no. Manon was at the palace to be with Rudolf, and I liked her despite her ulterior motives. No. I liked Manon. “She’s nice.”
“For her purpose, I am sure she is.” Claudette ran her finger along the edge of her glass.
“I don’t understand. Do you mean dating Bollard?”
“Uncle Bollard. Call him Uncle.” She corrected me and continued. “There are things in this world you know nothing about. Our uncle is one of them. I can see from your face you still don’t understand. I can’t blame you. This world is new to you, and you are, what word am I looking for? Naive? No, inexperienced? No... innocent, yes, that’s the word I want. You are innocent, and I’m sure she appears sincere to you, but you will need to get used to this. As Royals, we will always have hangers-on. People who would use us for our positions and many talents. Manon is one of them, and she believes if she is one of your companions, it will save her from her… fate.”
“Fate? What fate?” I wondered if Claudette knew of Rudolf. I doubted her attitude was out of the honor of Bollard. It was something else.
“Oh, I’m not telling you, nor do you want to know at this moment anyway. It is your choice. I feel you should have some information before you make your decisions.” She said this in a sweet voice, but something about Claudette cracked. Her quality from before was weakened.
Several guards in weird uniforms came into the restaurant. And then I saw him. I had always pictured Lothaire DeLuce like the prince from Cinderella in regal apparel, young and handsome. I forgot to add time to the image. He was still handsome, in an old guy kind of way, like a much older George Clooney, and he wore a white button-down shirt, coat, and khakis.
The King of France didn’t bow to us. He took the seat next to me, but rather than greet me he peered ahead, not looking at either of us. “I requested that I meet with Waverly alone.”
“Uncle thought it was better if I joined you, seeing as you’re a stranger,” Claudette said. “I mean, we have not seen you.
