"Good morning, little blossom!" Maxwell's chipper voice woke me the next morning as he poked his head through the door of my room. "Time to get up!"

I groaned and sat up, my head pounding. "How are you so chipper after last night?" I asked.

Maxwell shrugged as he stepped all the way into the room. He shut the door behind him. "Partying is, like, all I do. I'm used to long nights and early mornings."

I sighed. "Okay, so what's going on today?"

Instead of answering me directly, he asked me, "How are you at baking pies?"

I groaned and fell back onto my pillow.

About an hour later, I managed to make it to the boutique, thanks to one extra large, double-shot espresso. Bertrand was waiting for me, smiling, which did nothing to improve my mood. "I have a surprise for you," he said.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to sound less suspicious than I was.

"Well, as you know, today is an important day, and a chance to impress the royal court, the press, and the people of Cordonia." What else is new? I thought as he continued. "If you want to win the Apple Queen contest, you'll need to show some national pride. More-so, since you aren't from Cordonia." I nodded, that made sense. Bertrand reached into the dressing room behind him and pulled out a dress. "Through a series of promises and threats, I was able to procure this – a historically accurate rendition of a Cordonian peasant's best gown – from the country's most prestigious stage production company."

I took the dress and held it up, looking at it in the mirror. It was bright blue with long, puffy white sleeves, and a white apron-looking square in the front. The bust had a stripe of green and yellow, and the hem of the skirt had little yellow flowers all the way around it. It was cute, but definitely felt a little Ren-Faire. "Isn't it a little...silly?" I asked.

"It's perfect," Bertrand beamed. "You can thank me later." He shooed me into the dressing room to change, which I did, and we quickly headed off to the festival.

My first event of the day was a baking contest – thankfully, one that involved teams, since I had never baked a pie before. My old New York apartment didn't even have a working stove – everything was either microwaved or toasted. Queen Regina was to be the judge, and I didn't need Bertrand's constant reminders to know how important it was to impress her. Even though she always seemed pleasant to me, I could never tell if she really liked me, or if she was just good at being diplomatic.

Anyway, the Queen chose Madeleine and Olivia as "team captains" and I ended up on Olivia's team. Thankfully, Hana was there with me, so at least I had some company. Especially since Olivia sent us both to culinary exile, making us peel and cut apples while the rest of the ladies made the crust and the rest of the filling. I was grateful, but Hana seemed disappointed not to have a bigger job. "Sorry, Hana," I told her as I passed her an apple. "I bet your culinary skills are TV-chef worthy."

She smiled at me as she began cutting. "I don't know about that, but I do love to bake." We made quick work of it, and soon we were done. I went to see what else we could do, but I found Olivia in a corner, messing with some salt shakers.

"What are you doing?" I asked. She spun around, looking guilty. She quickly composed her face into her trademark smirk.

"Official captain business," she said. I scowled at her, and she quickly glanced around, checking for eavesdroppers, before she confessed, "I'm switching the salt and sugar labels for Madeleine's team." I looked at her aghast. "Now that you know," she said, "You can spare me your moralizing and leave. I don't have much time."

"Olivia," I said, hesitating. On the one hand, I was really tempted to sabotage Madeleine. But on the other hand, I didn't like the idea of resorting to dirty tricks. I'm sorry to say it was actually pragmatism that won the day; I didn't want to risk getting caught cheating by the Queen. "You can't do that," I hissed. "You know it's wrong."

"You say that like it's going to stop me."

"We can win this bake-off fair and square."

Olivia looked over my shoulder and saw Penelope, from the other team, walking over. "Ugh," she groaned, "Fine, you ruined my chance anyway." She brushed past me to return the salt and sugar shakers, and I rejoined Hana.

Hana was working diligently over a table when I found her. "Whatcha doing?" I asked.

"Oh," she was startled out of her concentration. "I thought since we have extra time, we could do some fancy decoration for the crust!" I looked at the table and she had several balls of dough out. "I was just trying to decide what design to do. What do you think the Queen would like?"

"Do you think you could do the Cordonian Royal Seal?" I asked.

Hana's eyes lit up. "It's rather intricate, but I love a challenge. And it'll be sure to impress the Queen!" She bent over the table and started working with the dough. I could only watch in awe as she quickly created a very decent representation of the seal.

I shook my head in wonder. "Is there anything you can't do?"

"Ride a bull?" she said, gently nudging my shoulder. Just then, Lady Kiara came up with the rest of the pie.

"What are you two doing?" She said, irritated. "I need that dough for the..." she stopped when she saw what Hana had done. "Woah. Tres beau."

"You think the Queen will like it?" I asked her.

"She'd be a fool not to," Kiara said with a smile. "Nicely done, Lady Hana."

We added the top crust and put the pie in the oven to bake. It was done just in time, and Olivia took the pie with a smug smile and not a word of thanks to any of us. She presented it to the Queen at the same time that Madeleine presented her own team's pie.

Queen Regina judged the other team first, and seemed like she liked everything well enough. But before Madeleine could look too self-satisfied, the Queen turned her attention to our pie, and gasped. "Oh, that's beautiful!" she said, which was the most enthusiastic I had ever heard her be about anything. "This design is amazing, who did this?"

I nudged Hana and she spoke up. "I did, Your Majesty."

"You're exceptionally talented, Lady Hana."

Hana blushed and curtsied. "Thank you, ma'am, but I had help from Lady Riley."

"Then let me extend my compliments to both of you."

She finished judging the pie, taking a small bite and appreciating the flavor, and finally declared our team the winner. Me and Hana hugged as Olivia thanked the Queen, but we had no time to dwell on our victory, as we were immediately herded to the next event.

As we walked, I was surprised to find the Queen approach me and pull me aside. "Walk with me, Lady Riley," she said as she led me a little ways off from the rest of the ladies. She first complimented me on my authentic costume (and I made a mental note to thank Bertrand later), then she told me she was impressed with me and wanted to get to know me better. I thanked her, and she started asking me of my opinions about the other suitors. I figured she wanted to see if I would talk bad about people behind their backs, so I tried to keep my statements truthful, yet diplomatic.

"Madeleine is one of your strongest competitors. What's your opinion of her?"

"Madeleine is...a valuable asset. She has the pedigree and the skills to thrive at court, and she uses that to her advantage. I think she could either be a valuable ally or a difficult enemy."

"Interesting," Queen Regina said, not looking at me. "Hana has been a competitor since the beginning, and you two seem closer than the others. What do you see in her?"

I wasn't expecting that, since she obviously wasn't expecting me to say anything bad about Hana. I decided to just be truthful. "Hana is extraordinarily loyal, and very talented. She's basically a court prodigy, and she's helped me find my footing when I didn't know where to step."

"She's someone you'd want to keep in your inner circle, I assume."

Ah, I thought. That's what this is. Am I wise enough to know who to trust and how to use people? "Definitely," I said with conviction.

"I've had a similar thought about her myself," the Queen admitted. "What you say about your friends can reveal more about you than about them." She paused a minute before asking one last question. "And Prince Liam's commoner friend, Drake Walker? You're by his side quite often despite him having little to do with the competition."

Now I was really thrown off. Was she insinuating something about my relationship with Drake? Again, I had to just tell her the truth and hope it was what she wanted to hear. "Drake is reliable...if rough around the edges. He can be moody, but he'll come through for his friends in a pinch. Drake's loyal, and I understand why Prince Liam trusts him. I trust him too."

She nodded thoughtfully, and I let out a breath of relief. "It's important to surround yourself with people you can trust." She thanked me for my time as we reached the site of our next event, and then encouraged me by saying once again how she was impressed with me. I thanked her and curtsied before joining the other suitors in the crowd.

Queen Regina stood at the front and addressed us all. "The Apple Blossom Festival symbolizes the growth vital to keeping our small nation thriving. Now, as is tradition, we will honor one distinguished, best-dressed lady as this year's Apple Queen. This is a ceremonial position for the people to decide. Last year, it was our very own, Lady Madeleine."

Madeleine stepped forward to stand next to Regina. "And I very much appreciated the honor," she said.

"As for this year," the Queen continued, "Citizens of Cordonia, who do you wish to honor with this title?"

A huge noise erupted from the crowd, a frenzied mix of cheers, boos, and names. Eventually, one name started being heard in a chant that overpowered and silenced any other names. "Riley! Riley! Riley!" My jaw dropped as I looked around. I saw some of my friends cheering for me, Drake, Maxwell, Bertrand...but there were a lot of other people shouting my name too. The Queen raised her hands to silence the crowds, and then announced, "I think we have a clear winner. Lady Riley will be this year's Apple Queen."

I stepped up towards the Queen and Madeleine. A few reporters took our picture, and the Queen handed me a scepter with a golden apple on top. "Lady Riley, I pronounce you Queen of the Apples." She turned me towards the crowd. "Long live the Apple Queen!"

"It's an honor," I said, still in shock. "Thank you all for electing me to represent you as the Apple Queen. I'm happy to accept this esteemed position, and I will treat it with the utmost respect." I looked back at Regina. "What now?" I asked quietly.

"My queen," Queen Regina said gracefully, "I will serve as your acting seneschal and guide you through the ceremony. Before we proceed, we must fill out the Apple Court. These are the courtiers who will parade behind you. Who will be your cup-bearer?"

"Uh...I choose Drake Walker as my cup-bearer!" I announced, pointing my scepter at his grumpy face. To his credit, Drake obliged by stepping up beside me.

"You know the cup-bearer checks your drinks for poison," he grumbled to me quietly.

"Oh, I know," I grinned at him.

Louder, for the crowd, Drake said, "I am blessed to carry out your agenda, my queen." He bowed and took his place at my right-hand side.

Next, the queen pulled out a goofy-looking fool's cap. "Next, my queen, if you'll name your court jester."

I grinned and pointed at Maxwell. "Lord Maxwell of House Beaumont," I declared, "Will you do me the honor?"

Maxwell literally jumped for joy. "Step aside, plebeians," he said as he donned his cap. "Three-time jester MVP, coming through."

"You're not supposed to enjoy this," Drake told him as Maxwell took his place in line.

"I'm sensing jealousy," Maxwell retorted.

"And now," said Queen Regina, "My queen, with your court assembled, it is your right to issue an edict before your people."

I turned to the crowd, my mind racing for an appropriate edict. "My people..." I started, "Thank you for choosing me as your Apple Queen. I'm here because of you, and I will be your faithful Apple Queen. The Apple Queen of the people!" the crowd cheered, and I beamed proudly. Next, a horse pulling a wagon of apples was led out.

"Oh, magnanimous Apple Queen," Regina said, "Please show your generosity and share your bountiful harvest with us."

She directed me to climb on the wagon to distribute the apples, and I did so with glee, putting on my best Oprah voice. "You get an apple, and you get an apple! Everybody gets apples!" As we weaved our way through the crowd, I tossed apples at people who were waving and reaching out towards me. Some people just seemed to want to touch my hand. It was surreal. Towards the back of the crowd, I spotted Olivia sulking. I threw an apple at her, but because her arms were crossed, she wasn't able to catch it in time, and it landed with a thud on her chest. I winced, but couldn't help laughing a little.

When we finally reached the end, I descended from my wagon and met Madeleine, who was standing by a potted baby apple tree.

"Your majesty," Queen Regina said to me, "Please honor your ancestor, last year's Apple Queen, and plant a tree for the next generation."

Madeleine curtsied as I approached her. "My queen," she said loudly, "Happy wishes for you."

"Thank you, my ancestor," I said with a tight smile.

"The labor of your forebears will help you build a better world," Madeleine replied mechanically. Then, just loud enough for me to hear, she leaned in and added, "Not many get the pleasure of being addressed as my queen. Savor these moments. You may never hear the phrase again."

"Madeleine," I said quietly. "Just let me plant the tree. This isn't about Liam."

She snorted. "That's the kind of naive thinking that proves my point." She smirked and stepped back to reveal the hole for the sapling. Aloud, she said, "The ground is yours, my queen."

I took the baby tree from its pot and carefully placed it into the hole, scooping dirt all around it. As I did, I felt like I should say something to fill the silence. "The work we do today will benefit future generations," I said solemnly. "They deserve something worth inheriting."

The crowd applauded as I stood and dusted my hands off.

"Thank you, gracious Apple Queen," Regina said to me. "As for your final honor..." she stepped back and Liam stepped forward, kneeling before me. I have to admit, my heart stopped for a second to see him on one knee like that. Especially with the way he was looking at me – bursting with pride and love and joy.

"You are entitled to a kiss, my queen," he told me with a smile.

"I humbly accept your offer." He rose and tenderly kissed me on the cheek.

"Congratulations, my queen," he whispered in my ear, just before pulling away. My face felt flush and I was a little breathless as he pulled away.

The ceremony wrapped up quickly after that, and soon enough I was back with Maxwell as he exuberantly congratulated me. "But that's not why I found you," he said quickly. "I happened to hear that Liam is headed to the conservatory right now. He's meeting with a few diplomats there. But I could distract them for a few minutes, if you wanted to sneak in a private moment with him."

I smiled and hugged Maxwell. "You're so good to me. Thank you. You're the absolute best."

Maxwell let out a stilted laugh. "Well, I guess someone has to think I'm the best to make up for Bertrand thinking I'm the worst."

I frowned at him, but he wouldn't let me waste time talking about his family troubles. He shooed me off and I walked as quickly as dignity would allow towards the conservatory.

As I stepped into the glass building, Liam turned to me, and smiled as soon as he saw it was me. "Lady Riley," he said warmly. "What an unexpected surprise."

"I hope it's okay that I came to find you," I said shyly, thinking about how his kiss earlier had made me feel. "I hope I'm not disrupting your schedule too much."

"I am supposed to meet with some of my mother's friends to discuss the flowers. But I'm very excited to see you instead."

"Maxwell offered to distract your other appointment for a while."

"Then he's a very good friend, indeed." Liam stepped closer to me, taking my hand.

"You've been even busier than usual lately," I said.

Liam frowned apologetically. "Since my father announced his abdication, I've been overrun by nobles wanting to...well, congratulate isn't the right word. But they want to spend a few moments with the soon-to-be-king." I nodded, and he continued, looking down-hearted. "My coronation seemed like a distant, future event, but now it's actually happening. In a couple of weeks, I'll be King of Cordonia. I thought I'd have more time."

I rubbed his arm gently. "You're ready," I assured him. "You've been training for this for so long. If anyone is ready for this, it's you."

His frown lightened and faded into a small smile. "You say it so confidently, you make me believe you."

"You should," I said, and offered him a sly grin. "I'm almost always right."

"It's just strange to think that so many people will be counting on me. Depending on me."

"I don't think they could ask to be in better hands. You may not be able to see yourself clearly, but I do." I stepped closer to him, close enough to reach up and put my hands around his neck. "You're kind, compassionate, and responsible to a fault. But most of all, you're always thinking of others. As king, I know you'll be thinking of everyone in your care."

"Those with power have a responsibility to care for those with none."

I smiled, chuckling a little. "I love how you say that like it's common sense. But there are a lot of people who don't think like you do. And that's why it's so important that you're going to be the king."

His voice was soft and gentle. He reached up one hand to stroke my cheek, then let it rest, cupping my chin and turning it up towards him. "You see me so clearly...but what about yourself? I know there's so much still undecided, but let's say you were my selection. You're such a free spirit, Riley. I love that about you. But there are expectations that come with being queen. Royal events, life at the palace. Children." He frowned a little. "Do you see your place at my side?"

I still wasn't 100% convinced that Liam was going to say I love you at the waterfall that day, but in that moment, I knew that I 100% loved him. And I would do anything for him. "Liam, I can't wait for my adventure with you to start."

He broke out into a large smile. "That means a lot to me, Riley." His smiled softened, not because he was unhappy, but because he was looking at me so intensely. I saw the love in his eyes, even if he wasn't ready to say it. "Meeting you in New York was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. You changed my life."

"I've gone from waiting tables to waltzing with a prince. My life has changed, too. Thanks to you."

"For the better, I hope."

"Incomparably."

"Riley, whatever happens, know that I'm grateful for the time we've spent together." My stomach always turned when he said stuff like that; stuff that made it sound like love wasn't enough to keep us together. He looked over my shoulder and took his hand from my face, reaching behind me to pluck a light, pinkish-orange rose. We stepped back slightly as he handed it to me. I sniffed it and smiled. "Have you ever seen a Juliet Rose?" Liam asked. "Also known as the Five Million Dollar Flower."

My eyes grew wide as I looked at the flower in my hand. "Please tell me you didn't just pick a priceless rose for me."

Liam laughed, crinkling his eyes. "Not quite. It's rumored that the man who created this specific variety of rose spent fifteen years and five million dollars to do so."

"Wow," I said, looking at the flower intently. "That's a lot of dedication."

"Truly it must have been a labor of love."

"Thank you," I said, tucking the flower behind my ear.

"It's nothing," Liam said with a shake of his head. "After all, today is all about blossoms."

I shook my head right back at him. "It's not nothing," I said, and pulled him in close again. "Every time I'm with you, the world gets bigger. More adventurous. Better." He leaned in and kissed me then, like he just couldn't wait any longer. It was one of those rare times when he stopped listening to his head and just acted, and I pulled him in like I never wanted it to end. His hands tightened around my waist as his lips seared mine with his heat. All too quickly, he pulled away, a little breathless.

"Maxwell can't distract my mother's friends forever," he said.

"I should go."

He nodded, then kissed me again. His hands trailed up and down my arms, while mine tangled in his hair. His mouth moved from my lips to my chin, then my neck. I moaned his name softly, which only increased his movement, but then he pulled away. "We'd better stop, or I'll never leave you," he whispered. Promise? I thought.

My rose had fallen from behind my ear as we kissed, and Liam reached down to pick it up. He placed it back behind my ear gently, taking the time to tuck a few stray strands of hair back with it. "I'll see you later," I said as I headed for the conservatory's exit. I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.