JENNIE
The three hours of sleep I had managed to get did not go well with my hatred for mornings. All my stuff was piled into the cars waiting outside and I was looking around my room for any last-minute items. My outfit was dressy yet casual—jeans, riding boots, and a comfortable shirt with a big chunky scarf—since I knew the press would be taking pictures. Somi was standing by the door holding my new black pea coat and looking a little misty-eyed. Tears this early in the morning were scary.
"I've got your coat." Somi sniffed and I looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Oh no."
"You're going to need it. I checked the weather and it's snowing there." She sniffed again. "Don't want to get sick right when you get there."
"Somi, don't do this." I shook my head, frozen in place.
"I know that good-byes aren't your thing, so I'm just going to give you this and then go to my room." Sniff. Hiccup.
"C'mon, you're killing me." I felt the skin around my eyes tighten and I blinked quickly.
"I'm going to miss you." She thrust the coat out in front of her.
"You're going to come see me this summer, right?" I didn't take the jacket. "This isn't good-bye forever."
"But I'm going to miss your grumpy morning face and the way you double-check all the dishes I've cleaned." She pouted.
"Bert's grumpy in the morning, you'll be fine."
"Am not." He grunted.
"Right. Not grumpy at all." I shook my head. Somi gave up waiting on me to take the jacket and threw her arms around me anyway. I hugged her back, knowing it would be a while before I got to see her again. No one else would understand me the way Somi did. I squeezed her a little tighter and then let go.
"I'll send you a souvenir. Maybe one of those little figures that's pooping in a lawn." I hugged Bert too and turned quickly to walk out the door. The news vans that hadn't left in the last few days were still there, the reporters standing on the curb with cameras and microphones.
"Jen! Jen! Are you excited about going to Lilaria for the first time?"
"Are you going to stay in Lilaria?"
"Are you and Princess Lisa an item?"
"Jennie! How do you feel about being Korea's Duchess?"
I couldn't help but laugh at the last comment and looked over at the reporter. "Korea's Duchess?"
"Our very own royalty! What do you think?" He seemed elated I had found his comment funny.
"I'm a grad student." I shook my head and ducked through the open door of the car. It was weird that I had gotten used to having a driver already. Even though my truck was a pain in the butt, I did miss the old thing. Bert and Somi were going to use the truck to move the rest of my stuff to my dad's house and then leave it there.
The trip to the airport was surreal. We passed some of the landmarks that had been part of my life for the last ten years, buildings I had known forever, it seemed. Vans full of reporters and cameras followed us at a respectable distance—thank goodness. I'd hate for them to photograph the tears that were running down my cheeks.
Duvall had come to escort me and I was starting to wonder why I was being protected by the head of the detail. Thankfully, he hadn't said anything about my crying, just handed me a tissue and turned back to the front of the car. As we neared the airport, I checked my bags again to make sure I had everything I would need. It was pointless because I had already checked twenty times while at the house. The anal retentive in me was satisfied, so I sat back and wiped at my face to make sure there was no moisture left to betray my emotions.
When we pulled up to the drop-off point, there was a huge area blocked off by a police escort. Lisa was standing at the curb, smiling and chatting with a few people wearing press badges. I wondered how she could look so chipper talking to the people who would just as happily post embarrassing pictures of her. When Duvall exited the front seat, Lisa excused herself with a wave and came over to my car. I put on a small smile and let her help me out.
"Ready?" Her eyes studied my face and I wondered what she saw there. I was a giant ball of emotions and wasn't even sure myself what the most prominent was at this moment. Sadness, definitely, but there was also a thread of excitement, and to be honest, I was happy to see Lisa.
"Think so." I took a deep breath and shouldered my bag.
She smiled at me, but I could see a little guilt in her eyes. "Nothing is ever as good or as bad as you think it will be. Lilaria is just a place. It's what you make of it that counts."
Her voice was quiet, so I knew no one else could hear us except for Duvall, who hadn't left my side. Becca was standing close as well, but she had given Lisa a little space when she obviously wanted to say something privately. I nodded to let her know I had heard her. She was right—I could make this as good or as bad as I wanted.
"My lady, may I take your bag? I'll see to it that it's on the plane before you leave," Becca said quietly.
I handed it over, feeling naked without anything to do with my hands. Lisa was wearing a suit and I suddenly felt underdressed in my skinny jeans and boots. At least I would be comfortable on the flight. I frowned and hoped I wasn't breaking some kind of protocol by not wearing a dress. Okay, so I wasn't going to wear a dress just to please them, but I could have at least worn nice slacks.
"Smile at least a little, okay?" Lisa smiled widely to illustrate just how little I was supposed to smile and I laughed. I could see all her teeth.
"Got it."
"That's my girl." My breath hitched at her words and she seemed to catch my response because her smile widened even more.
"Jennie! Jennie!"
"Jen! Over here!"
"Are you excited?"
The last question made me stop and I turned to smile at the cameras. It was early and I'd only had one cup of coffee before leaving, but it was time I at least said something to the press. Especially if I was leaving. I might not like being a news story, but I loved my home and saying good-bye seemed appropriate.
"I hate leaving Minnesota, but I'm looking forward to seeing my homeland." I smiled widely and let them take a few pictures. Not exactly a good-bye, but I hoped it would work. "Hopefully it won't be as cold there."
My last statement produced a few chuckles and I gave a quick wave before going through the sliding doors to the airport. Lisa walked next to me, not touching, but close enough I didn't feel alone.
"Well done." She winked down at me. "You're already slipping into the part."
Reese was speaking to some officials near a door and I let myself be guided toward her.
"Yes, thank you. That will be perfect." Reese smiled graciously and I studied the way she handled the people, mentally taking note of how she spoke to them. Friendly, but with a small sense of detachment—most likely to keep them from overstepping any bounds. "We appreciate all you've done for us."
"It's been a pleasure, ma'am." The airport official smiled at her before turning to me and Lisa. "Good morning, Highness. Duchess."
"Good morning." Lisa reached out and shook hands with him.
"Morning." I was still on the fence over how good it was. I let him shake my hand and tried to hide my nerves.
"Jennie, have you ever been on a private jet?" Reese leaned forward and kissed my cheeks in greeting. She linked her arm through mine and led me toward a side terminal.
"I flew on a Cessna once while on a trip to South Korea." Did that count? Not exactly a jet, but it was privately owned.
"Oh, you're in for a treat. We have a Gulfstream. The seats are comfortable and much better than flying long distances in those of a large airline." She patted my arm, her fingers squeezing gently, and I knew she was trying to put me at ease. Reese did make me comfortable and I didn't want her to think I was unhappy, so I smiled enthusiastically. Probably a little too enthusiastically because I heard Lisa snort.
The security guards didn't even stop us. There was no going through the metal detector, they just unclipped a rope and led us straight past. I smiled at the men and women gaping at us. Airport workers were peeking out of shops, the cleaning crews had parked their carts in the hallway. At the end of the terminal, we were led out onto the tarmac.
The plane glowed a beautiful pearl white in the early morning light. A long pinstripe of blue and green ran along the plane, matching the flag that hung in the cockpit window. A blue rug led straight from the exit all the way to the jet. A row of Marines stood along the rug, saluting us. There were also a few members of the press, but I was more shocked by the military. I looked up at Lisa, the confusion in my eyes obvious.
"It's customary when a member of royalty comes to a country that the military serves as an honor guard." Lisa ducked her head so I could hear her over the wind. "I believe they are also showing their support for you. The Governor was very taken with your story and excited you are from his state."
"Um, wow." I smiled at the men and women who lined the carpet. They had gotten up at a God-awful hour just to stand in the cold for us. I murmured thank-yous as I passed them even though I knew they wouldn't be able to respond since they were at attention.
At the plane, Reese entered first, taking the steps smoothly. Lisa motioned for me to go ahead of her. I had to duck in the door and there wasn't much space between my head and the ceiling of the plane in the center. Even with the height restrictions, there was a spacious feel and sense of opulence. Leather seats, all the electronic conveniences, and special lighting. Soft classical music played over the speakers and there were throw blankets on some of the chairs.
"Good morning, Duchess." A woman smiled at me and motioned for me to move to the center of the plane. She was wearing a flight attendant uniform with a little Lilarian flag attached above her heart.
"Morning." I looked at the seats, not sure where to sit. Finally I decided on one of the large seats next to a window, opposite of Reese. I'd always enjoyed flying. One of my favorite parts was watching the takeoff and landing.
Lisa nodded to the woman at the door before taking the seat across from mine, a small table separating us. The attendant brought her a satchel and a stack of newspapers, which she flipped through quickly. Reese had a similar stack of things on her table. She was watching me and Lisa, though, her shrewd eyes moving back and forth as if searching for invisible strings.
"What do you think?" Reese asked.
"It's beautiful. Certainly puts flying coach to shame." I ran my fingers over the buttons on a panel next to my chair. "None of these will accidently open a door or flush the toilet, will they?"
"Don't worry about the doors, but I'm not sure about the toilet." Reese laughed.
"You can use your new phone to control the lights and call the attendant." Lisa looked at me over the paper she was holding. "Even turn on the television, if you want. There is a large selection of movies. The little icon at the bottom."
"Oh." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the new phone. There was a text message, so I opened it quickly. There was a picture of Bert in my bed eating cookies, with crumbs everywhere. I laughed and pointed out I wasn't the one who was going to have to clean it up. I showed the picture to Lisa, who smiled.
"Will they come to visit you sometime?"
"I think they're going to try to come this summer. I'm betting I'll be back for a wedding soon too." I smiled thinking about it. "I'm kinda relieved I won't have to go dress shopping with Somi." I shuddered.
"Isn't that supposed to be one of the enjoyable parts?"
"Not for me." I shook my head. "Somi would drag me to every store in the country to go dress shopping if she could. Of course, I'll probably end up wearing a puke-green bridesmaid dress now."
"How long have they been together?"
"Almost four years." I sighed, remembering how Somi had hated Bert at first. "She thought he was a pompous putz; he thought she was a spoiled shopaholic. Love at first sight. Couldn't keep their hands off each other."
She laughed, amused by the obvious contradiction. "Sounds like a movie."
"A book. Classic love story." I laughed. "Very Jane Austen."
"Do you read often?"
"Not as much as I'd like. Lately it's been all journals and textbooks." I looked around for Becca. "Actually, I brought my e-reader for the flight. Thought I might actually read something fun for a change."
"And what kind of book will it be? Romance? Science fiction? Mystery?"
"Mystery Prof-Student romance." I sighed. "Mortui Vivos Docent by mylalisanity. The book came out a while ago and I haven't had the time to read it yet."
"So, Prof? Student?" Lisa smiled like this amused her.
"Hot, sexy Prof with a good helping of historical mystery. Perfection." I leaned back in the chair when the engine started. Sarah came up the steps, followed by Becca and Duvall. Sarah took the seat across from Reese and Becca handed me my bag before moving to a couch in the back. A pair of guards came up the steps carrying one of my garment bags and carry-on. I sighed in relief. When the engine had started I'd worried I would have to meet the queen in my blue jeans. As it was I wasn't sure how I was going to change into my dress in the plane.
"I wish I had been able to meet your father before we left," Reese mentioned while going over her papers and I realized she was talking to me.
"You were very busy. Maybe you'll get to in Lilaria."
"That would be wonderful. Perhaps if he is feeling up to it, you could come out to my estate for dinner."
"He would love that." And he would. Getting to go to another country had seemed to excite him.
"Then we'll set it up!" Reese smiled before turning back to her paperwork.
I fished through my bag for my e-reader and earbuds. I'd loaded the language CD so I could listen to it while I was reading or staring out the window. I really hoped some of it would stick.
Lisa settled into her paperwork and I watched out the window as the workers cleared the plane for takeoff. It wasn't long before we were in the air and I was watching my home disappear.
After a while I pulled my headset off and set down my book. Lisa was sketching in a notepad and I'd been curious to see what she was working on. "So, you draw?"
"Some. Not much." She looked at me over the pad of paper, her eyes thoughtful. "When something strikes me."
"Can I see?" I leaned over the table and tried to peek at the paper.
"Hm. I don't know." She tilted the book away from me. "I'll play you for it."
"Play me for it?" I sat back in my seat. "Play what?"
"Don't do it, Jennie. She never loses." Reese didn't look up from her paperwork.
"We'll see." I narrowed my eyes at her. Lisa was smiling like she had already won. "What is it?"
"Well, wait a minute. If you win, you get to see my sketch. What do I get if I win?" she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling.
"I warned you." Reese shook her head and stood up from her seat, stretching. "I think I'm going to try to nap for a while." She moved back to one of the open benches and pressed a button. It slid out from the wall to make a small bed. I shook my head at the idea of a bed on a plane.
"Well? My prize?" Lisa brought my attention back to her.
"What could you possibly want?" I had been thinking she had everything, but as soon as the words left my mouth I realized my mistake. Her eyes flashed with triumph and her smile made my blood race.
"Oh, there are a lot of things I want." Her eyes ran over my face. "What are you willing to give?"
"Friends, Lisa," I hissed at her under my breath, worried the others had heard her.
She chuckled and leaned closer. "If you win, you see the sketch. If I win, you have to volunteer at the FBT."
"Seems a bit uneven."
"Take it or leave it." She leaned back in her chair, her eyes watching me carefully.
"What would I have to do at the FBT?" I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Whatever I think appropriate."
I studied her for a minute, considering what she could possibly force me to do. Clean out bird cages? Been there, done that. Cut up mice? Didn't bother me anymore.
"Fine. But I get to keep the sketch if I win."
"Deal." She held out her hand and I shook it even though she still hadn't told me what we were going to play. Hopefully not cards. I hated poker.
She stood up and moved toward the back of the plane. When she came back with a box in her hand, I laughed.
"Monopoly?"
"What? You're too good for Monopoly?" She set the box down on the table and proceeded to set up the game. "What do you want to be?"
"The shoe."
"The shoe?" She looked at me doubtfully. "Are you sure?"
"My mom was always the shoe." The words popped out of my mouth without thought. I hadn't thought about that in a long time.
"Very well. The shoe it is." She set out the shoe and the top hat before distributing the money.
It didn't take long to see why Reese had told me to not take the deal. Lisa was incredibly lucky when it came to the game. Always passing GO, always collecting money, never landing on any of the spots normal people feared.
"You're cheating! Give me the dice!" My sad stack of paper money was shameful.
"How dare you!" she mock-glared at me.
"No one is that lucky. How are you doing it?" I reached over the table, trying to swipe the dice from her hand. She laughed while I tried to pry her fingers loose.
"I don't cheat! I'm just incredibly smart. And it's my turn again."
"Being smart doesn't get you to land on the Pass Go spot every time!" I sat down and Lisa opened her hand to show me the dice.
"Normal dice. Nothing to see here." She rolled double sixes and I groaned loudly. Another good move.
"You're so cheating. Magnets or something." I grumbled as I collected the dice for my roll. Eight spaces put me on one of her hotels. Cursing under my breath, I took half my remaining money and threw it at her.
She laughed. "Thank you. I appreciate your patronage."
"Shut up and roll, cheater."