Chapter 19 (Rosie)-

It's been a couple weeks since Petros and Megrin offered to take over Carter's birthday party planning. I'm starting to think that accepting was the best decision I've ever made. I have trade agreements to negotiate and budgets to balance and staff salaries to distribute and a new recycling campaign to launch. The work of a queen is never done.

"Delivery for Her Royal Highness, Miss Queen Rosie," Ed announces in his worst British accent as he comes into my office, balancing a tray on his hand like a waiter.

I laugh. "Come on in, Ed."

He walks over to my desk and sets the tray down. "Lunch for the busy queen," he announces in the bad British accent.

"Lunch?" I rifle through the stacks of paper on my desk in search of my watch. "What time is it?"

"12:35," Ed replies.

"Dang it! I was supposed to have lunch with Carter by the pool at noon. I must have lost track of time."

I look over the lunch tray. There's a grilled cheese sandwich, one glass of ice water with a sprig of mint, a sliced mango, some pita chips and a small bowl of café latte gelato. All of my favorites.

"You seemed stressed." Ed looks worried.

"It's nothing." I push a stray strand of hair out of my face.

Ed settles into the chair across from my desk and pulls a can of Coca-Cola from his pocket. I push my paperwork aside and start eating my lunch instead.

"You work too hard." Ed opens his Coke and drinks some.

"Someone's gotta run this place," I joke.

"And you're doing a great job," Ed assures me. "But you are only seventeen. It's okay to act like it sometimes."

"Not really," I admit. "My entire country's counting on me. I don't get to take time off. Being queen is a full-time job."

"What about when we were in Bellissimare?" Ed questions. "You weren't doing queen stuff then."

"No. I was giving back to the organization that I owe my life and country to."

Ed leans back in his chair. "You know what you need?"

"A hobby?" I guess.

Ed shakes his head. "You need a man in your life."

"I do not have time for romance," I argue.

"You don't make time for romance," Ed argues. "If you stopped long enough to bat those long beautiful eyes lashes and smile with those pretty brown eyes, you'd have guys all over the world lining up for the chance to be the king of Costa Luna."

My face gets hot and I'm not sure why. "That's sweet of you, Ed."

He leans back in his seat again and takes another swig of soda. I take a big bite of my sandwich. The bread is perfectly crispy and there's just the right amount of cheese. I really must remember to thank the kitchen staff before the end of the day.

"Brooke called," Ed says and I sit up a little straighter. "She can't wait for Carter's party. She already bought her plane ticket and everything."

"So she got the invitation I sent. I'm glad." I say with a smile.

Ed stops and studies me. "When's the last time you took a day off?" he asks.

"Never," I answer cautiously, not sure I like where this is going.

"Played hooky?"

"Never," I answer again.

"When's the last time you actually went out and enjoyed your kingdom outside of these palace walls?"

"It's been a while," I admit.

"You're way overdue for a ditch day," Ed declares.

I try to protest, but I already know it's useless.

"I'll take care of everything," he assures me. "Just meet me tonight at eleven in front of the palace."

"I can't be out late tonight. I have to give a speech early tomorrow morning at the grand opening of the new library in the children's hospital."

"Excuses, excuses." Ed gathers up the leftovers from our lunch. "Fortunately, I'm not taking no for an answer."

"See you at eleven!" he calls over his shoulder. "Wear something nice!"

Against my better judgment, come eleven o clock, I'm standing in front of the palace in a long halter dress, green with red tropical flowers, and a cream colored shawl I knitted during some free time I had a couple months ago. Ed shows up a couple minutes later in a dress shirt and dark wash jeans. Petros, Megrin, Armando and Carter are also waiting for me. They all look like they're ready for a night out. The boys are all wearing dark jeans, Petros' with a blue green Henley and Armando's with a black button-up shirt and charcoal grey suit jacket. Petros' dark hair is getting really long. He has it pulled back in a ponytail tonight.

Megrin's dress is barely long enough to be called a dress. She looks a bit like a ballerina in the spaghetti-strap black bodice and floral skirt that flares out like a tutu with her caramel colored hair piled on top of her head, and the straps of her super high heels wrapping themselves around her ankles and snaking up her calves. Carter looks surprisingly girly in a cranberry red dress with a daring v-neck and knee-length skirt. She's eve wearing black pumps.

"Where are we going?" I ask cautiously.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ed laughs.

There are three Vespas parked by the palace steps, one helmet looped around each handle – 6 altogether. Ed hands me a helmet and the rest of the boys follow suit. Then we all climb on the Vespas – me on the back of Ed's, Megrin on her brother's and Carter with Armando. Then we drive off into the night.