Their chatter faded as they moved down the hall. Megan inhaled deeply and crossed the threshold. She pulled the door closed and leaned against it for support. The hotel had been luxurious beyond her wildest dream but this suite surpassed extravagance and bordered on overindulgence. A fairy-tale world took on a whole new meaning.
The wardrobe was huge, her garments on hangers using only a quarter of the allotted space, and the base platform below provided an area to lay out her shoes. Next to the main section of the free-standing closet, Megan opened another door where a row of pull out drawers waited to be filled. She stored a few things there, which depleted the contents of her bags. A huge white vanity, trimmed in gold held her hair essentials, make-up, and jewelry. The chair that slid underneath, was round and swirled. Unable to deny the child in her, Megan pushed off, allowing her body to do a 365-degree scan of the room. On her second time around, she ground her feet into the plush carpeting as her eyes encountered the bed. A full queen-size four-poster bed with heavy curtains around the circumference to close the sleeper in, providing total darkness. She suspected she’d need it, lest she stay awake all night staring at the splendor of the tile work and detailed design of the countless distractions placed around the room.
Megan stood to her feet and moved toward an adjoining room. She peeked inside and smothered a squeal. The bathroom décor was a mix of old and new; the clawfoot soaker tub with the water spout extending from the ceiling and a curtain one could pull for privacy. The imperial family crown-design centered on the middle wall of a stand-up shower, which was bigger in size than the open unit her entire gym class in high-school had shared. An eight-foot-long marble counter filled one wall, complete with a drop sink, gold-plated taps and two ceramic baskets containing items a visitor might forget to pack. A soft relaxing blue on the walls, complemented the yellow-gold details. The necessary toilet finished the space, not at all like the one the tour guide had described for rich people during the middle ages. They’d perched on what he called garderobes jutting out of the sides of the castles with a hole in the bottom that let everything just drop into a pit or the moat. Megan appreciated the modern touch.
As she turned to leave, her image displayed in a full wall mirror. She smiled at herself and spoke. “Well, Doctor Fairchild. This is a grand mess you’ve got yourself into. A fairy-godmother you do not have, and stringing Ryan along will not change one drop of your bloodline.” As soon as she said the words, the ornament from the North Pole popped into her mind and she silently cussed it, even more so because she’d brought it along in the top zipper of her bag. Ms. Claus had planted the princess idea into her head and she needed to shake free of its spell. She’d tell Ryan this move was a mistake the moment he came for her, and that would be that.
Megan answered the door and immediately laughed. “You look like the cat who swallowed the mouse.” The boy-prince stood with a bouquet of flowers dressed in a navy work suit, his face displaying everything contrary to his grown-up attire.
“I am thrilled you are here and can’t wipe the grin from my face. It made quite an impression on council this morning but all was forgotten when I gave them the rest of the year off. Emergencies and obligations only – all else are erased from the schedule.” He planted a quick kiss on Megan’s cheek. “All selfishly because I want to spend every available moment with you during the holidays.”
“Minus the induction ceremony, Christmas and the ball, and all the preparations that will go into those,” Megan teased.
“What I can’t do with you, will not get done. The future King has spoken.”
“I daren’t challenge the amendment of the future King,” she said in fun while all thoughts of leaving this man she adored blew to the wind. “Do I have a container to put these in water?”
“Likely not,” he said. “let’s bring them to the table and Louise will put them in a vase for you to bring back later.” He reached for her arm. “Did I mention how pleased I am to have you in my home?”
“Yes, but you may have to pinch me on occasion, as my good sense refuses to believe my eyes.”
“I am done with deception; I promise,” he said.
“This whole world you’ve thrust me into is a fairy-tale dream that others are born to and live successfully. But not me, Your Majesty. I am far too grounded for such a life-style.”
“Ryan, remember? Formal titles are used in public or when entertaining the snobby hierarchy who get a high over such distinction.” He reached for Megan’s spare hand. “And never fear that you don’t fit in, my dearest Meg. The Kingdom of Edstrom needs grounding and their thinking modernized while still preserving the old. A tight balance, but achievable.”
“Don’t worry, Ryan. I will not embarrass you while I’m here – not on purpose, anyway,” Megan said.
“So now that my everyday mundane job has been put on hold, let’s start this vacation with lunch on the terrace.”
Ryan held Megan’s arm as they descended a different set of steps to the main floor. It brought them into a homey sitting area.
“This is where we meet after dinner to talk and drink tea. If the castle housed young children, the nannies would bring them in at this time, which in the past has provided both chaos and enjoyment to end the day. On the flip side, with no youthful distractions, topics often slip into state
