JENNIE
The sound was almost deafening. The flashes of the camera were blinding. I froze at the top of the steps and looked out at the people chanting my last name. Lisa's warm presence at my back jarred me back to reality and I started down the steps, careful to not trip on my dress. There was a roar from the crowd at the sight of Lisa, and it grew when she stepped down from the bottom step next to me and placed her hand on my back.
"Smile and wave." Lisa ducked her head down so she could speak in my ear.
I did as I was told, completely overwhelmed. I smiled and waved because I had no idea how to handle all this attention. For the most part, I ignored the people shouting my name and made eye contact with no one. When we got to the car, Duvall opened the door and Lisa helped me in. My skirt made it difficult, but I finally managed to take a seat. Reese was sitting on a bench across from me, a smile stretching from ear to ear.
"Brilliant. I knew people were excited, but I hadn't expected it to be quite this large of a reception." Reese patted my knee. "You did great. It's very overpowering at first, but you'll get used to it."
I didn't say anything. I had no words to explain what I was feeling. Terror with an edge of excitement and adrenaline pumped through my system. I just looked out the windows at all the people and tried to not jump when Lisa slid into the seat next to me. She kept her gaze focused out her window, smiling at the people, but where no one could see; her fingers slid over mine and clasped my hand tightly.
Some of the panic fled at her touch and I didn't feel so alone. The pressure of her fingers helped ground me. If Reese noticed, she didn't say a word, but I saw her smile at us before turning her attention back to the crowd. The trip through the city was winding and I had a chance to see some of the buildings and statues. It looked a lot like the pictures I had seen of France. People lined the route with signs and cameras, hollering our names.
"Are they always this excited when you come home?" I looked at Lisa.
"That's not my name they're shouting." Lisa met my gaze with an easy smile. Her fingers tightened on mine. "This is an important day for our country. For your family."
I bit my lip and looked back at the crowds. I raised my hand and gave a small wave when we passed a group of children holding a sign with my name on it. They jumped up and down, the little girls giggling. Soon the gates for the palace came into view. I leaned forward in my seat and craned my neck so I could see out Lisa's window. She scooted over a bit so I could see better, her hand never letting go of mine.
It looked like something out of a fairy tale. The walls were made from stone and old brick. When I finally got a good look at the castle, I smiled my first real smile since landing. The palace was made from the same stone as the walls. A huge door was in the center of the old building, flanked with guards in ceremonial dress. It was breathtaking. Duvall opened our car door and Lisa helped Reese and me out. A man in a tux took pictures as we climbed out and I tried to not look frustrated. I had hoped we would be through with the photographers at this point.
"That is the palace photographer. You can trust Cecil." Lisa seemed to sense my hesitation.
"Duchess Kim, may I have you stand here in front of the car? Look up at the castle for me. That's perfect!" Cecil snapped pictures quickly before standing up. "Duchess Sverelle, Your Highness, will you stand with Duchess Kim for a moment?"
They moved next to me and gave practiced smiles for the camera. Lisa didn't put a hand on my back like I was growing accustomed to, but kept a friendly but respectful distance. I blinked at the flashing and hoped my smile didn't show all my teeth.
Once Cecil was satisfied, the guards saluted Lisa and opened the front door for us. I digested everything around us, staggered by the amount of history contained in the walls. Reese and Lisa looked like they were just coming home. Their relaxed expressions made me wonder if they were going to kick their shoes off and go dig through the fridge. Instead, we were greeted by a group of people just inside who bowed and curtsied to Lisa before taking our coats.
"It's good to have you home, Your Majesty." An older man smiled at Lisa. "And lovely to see you, as always, ma'am. Welcome home, Duchess Kim." He dipped his head at Reese and me.
"How are things tonight, Ryan?" Lisa asked.
"Good. Dinner should be ready shortly and your mother is waiting in the front sitting room." The man checked a clipboard he was carrying. "The prime minister and his wife are here along with your sister, Duke Constal, and Duke and Duchess Marion."
"Excellent." Lisa smiled at the others. "Jimin, let me introduce you to Duchess Kim. Jennie, this is Jimin. He's offered to be your assistant until you decide on something permanent."
"A pleasure to meet you, Duchess." Jimin was a tall, thin man. He bowed his head in a formal greeting.
"You too, Jimin." I held out my hand to shake his. His hands were gentle, but firm. "I think you've got your work cut out for you."
"I do love a challenge." He smiled.
"Well, then. Let's go meet Mother, shall we?" Lisa turned away from the aides she was speaking with and looked at me.
"Let's." I took a deep breath.
Lisa held her arm out to me, and I slipped my hand in and let her lead me down a long, formal hallway. Portraits of monarchs lined the walls, interspersed with images of gardens and forests. There was a man in a tailcoat waiting next to golden double doors. He stood to attention when we neared and opened the door.
"You'll enter last, but we'll be waiting inside." Reese patted my shoulder as she nodded at the man. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. When he heard what he needed, he opened the doors and stepped inside.
"The Duchess of Sverelle, Your Majesty." Reese followed closely behind him, curtsying once just inside of the door. She walked out of sight and I fought the desire to peek around the corner.
"Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Manoban." Lisa stood up straight and winked at me before turning the corner. I could hear voices inside, but not what they were saying. Or maybe they were speaking in Lilarian.
"The Duchess of Kim." The man announced my name and I took a jerky step forward. There were ten or eleven people standing in the center of the room. The queen was right in the center, complete with tiara and flowing dress. She was an attractive woman and I could see a great deal of Lisa in her features.
I remembered to curtsy once inside the door and took a few more steps before pausing and doing it again. I didn't curtsy too deep, scared I would fall in my heels. When I looked up, the queen was smiling. When I reached her, she held out her hand and I shook it.
"Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to meet you." I looked down at her, surprised that such a small woman had given birth to such a tall one like Lisa.
"Welcome home, Duchess Kim. We're very glad that you've come." The woman smiled. "We were very excited when we found you."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Let me introduce you to everyone." The queen placed her hand on my elbow, gently guiding me away from Reese and Lisa. I tried to keep a hold on the beating of my heart. It was beating faster than that of a kitten facing down a dog. "This is my daughter, Ryujin."
A tall girl with blond hair and Lisa's bright eyes smiled at me. She held out her hand and I shook it. There was a lot of handshaking in my future, it seemed.
"Nice to meet you, Jennie. I've heard a lot about you." Ryujin smiled widely. She was breathtaking—model perfect. Her eyes were bright and she seemed genuinely happy to see me.
"Nice to meet you."
"I'd be happy to show you around the city if you'd like. It can be a bit confusing the first time you visit."
"I've already set up some time to take Jennie around." Lisa's voice rumbled behind me. I looked over my shoulder and into her eyes. "I promised I wouldn't throw her to the wolves."
"I'm not a wolf!" Ryujin shook her head and laughed.
"You would want to take her shopping, and I have it on good authority that Jennie is not a fan."
"That's because she hasn't been with me." Ryujin smiled and I wondered if men threw themselves at her feet. "Well, we can just go sightseeing if you'd like."
"You could come with us," Lisa replied. I hadn't known she was planning on taking me around town.
"Not letting her out of your sight, hm?" Ryujin gave me a thoughtful look. "Okay. It's a date."
"Sounds like fun." The queen was already leading me away from Ryujin, but Lisa stayed with her sister.
"This is Prime Minister Tomas Derry." Ryujin smiled at the man. He had lively eyes and curly gray hair. "Prime Minister, this is Jennie, Duchess of Kim."
"My pleasure." He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.
The queen didn't waste any time moving me to the next few people. The members of parliament seemed very interested in the fact that I was Korean and then I met a couple with two small children.
"This is the Duke and Duchess of Marion."
"Call me Heather." The woman held out one hand while keeping a tight grip on the smallest boy. "This is Leo." She pushed him forward and I leaned down to shake the young boy's chubby hand. He smiled at me before rubbing the back of his hand across his nose.
"Nice to meet you, Leo."
"Barry." The duke shook my hand with a friendly smile before motioning toward the little girl in his arms. "And this is Violet."
"Nice to meet you both." The little girl was leaning against her father's shoulder with her eyes half closed. "I'm sorry we got in so late."
"Don't be sorry! We're glad to meet you. I know you must be tired after all that travel."
"I'm happy to be here." The queen pulled me away from the young family and toward a grouping of young men. Two of them were smiling in a bored sort of manner, but one of them leered in a way that made me wish I hadn't taken my coat off.
"The Dukes of Minsington, Bowdell, and Sheferd. Otherwise known as Daniel, Barney, and Kai." The queen leveled her eyes at the men and they shifted where they stood. "This is Jennie, Duchess of Kim."
They all shook my hand, Kai lingering a little longer than was necessary. "A pleasure to meet you, Jennie."
I smiled at him, not really thinking the meeting was so pleasant. He reminded me of the school reporter. The one you wouldn't leave your drink with while you ran to the bathroom.
"Kai and Daniel both went to the university here in town. Perhaps you can find a program to finish your studies with." The queen smiled at me as if this was a brilliant idea.
"I'll have to look into it when I have some time." I really hoped I would be able to escape this conversation soon.
"Maybe I could take you to the campus and show you around. There are a lot of great places to study." He emphasized the last word so I knew he meant something else entirely.
"Right. I'll let you know if I need the help." I had no poker face and I was certain Kai could see my irritation.
"I look forward to it."
"Your Majesty, dinner is ready," a man in palace livery said. I hadn't even noticed him approaching.
"Excellent. Jennie, I will leave you with these gentlemen while I check on things." The queen squeezed my elbow gently before walking away. I watched her leave and my eyes landed on Lisa. She was laughing with the Marion family and was holding the little girl against her chest, patting her back while she drooled on her shoulder, sound asleep. I wanted to go to them and put as much distance as possible between myself and Kai.
"What did you study, Jennie?" Daniel looked at me, interested.
"Good God, Danny. Don't you read the papers?" Barney took a long sip from the tumbler in his hand. "She's a biologist of some sort."
"Wildlife biologist," I explained.
"You know I don't read that trash. It's a waste of time." Daniel frowned at his friend. "Good for you, Jennie. You'll have a lot in common with Lisa."
"Is that so?" A woman came over with a tray of drinks. I picked a glass of white wine and sipped.
"Yes, our illustrious future monarch has a degree in wildlife biology. She specialized in birds, I believe." Daniel smiled. "What's your specialty?"
"Raptors."
Daniel laughed and pointed at Kai. "You might as well give up right now."
I looked at them confused. "Excuse me?"
"Let's just say that there aren't many eligible female nobles right now." Daniel laughed at Kai's expression. "It's a lost cause."
"We don't know that." Kai winked at me. "I've got a lot to offer."
"Are you guys serious? I'm not looking to get married."
"You're fresh meat, sweetie." Barney leaned forward and I could smell the bourbon on his breath. "Daniel here could care less since he's not into skirts. But for every other eligible man in the country, you're a potential wife. With a lot to bring to the bank… and bed." He stared down at my breasts. I squeezed my hands into fists so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palm. All of the responses that popped into my head were wildly inappropriate for a queen's sitting room.
"Barney." Daniel glared at him. "That's enough. We're not all terrible, Jennie."
"What are you talking about?" Ryujin moved next to me. "You can't monopolize the guest of honor."
"I was hoping you'd come over here to check on her so I could enjoy that pretty dress up close." Kai tilted his head and looked up and down Ryujin's slim figure. She blushed, but didn't look all that upset with his perusal.
"Dinner is served." A door off to the side of the room opened and I couldn't have been more relieved.
"Your Highness, may I escort you to your seat?" Kai bowed to Ryujin who accepted with a roll of her eyes.
"Jennie?" Daniel held out his arm to me and I let him guide me to into the dining room. There was a long rectangular table, with place settings for each guest. Little cards, with handwritten names told everyone where to sit. Daniel leaned close when we got to my seat.
"I may not be worried about finding a wife, but I am always happy to make a new friend." He smiled at me, and I felt a little better.
"That would be nice." I let him pull my chair out and help me sit, before he went to find her own seat.
"Welcome to Lilaria." Daniel winked at me as he walked away.
"Kai is not someone you should befriend." Lisa sat next to me and leaned close. "He's only interested in what kind of dowry you have." She glared over to where her sister was joking with the young duke. "Among other things."
"Thanks, Captain Obvious," I whispered. "Tell me you've told your sister this."
"Sisters don't like to hear that kind of stuff from older sisters, but yes, I've tried." Lisa opened her napkin and laid it over one leg. "You, on the other hand, have no one else to tell you this."
"Not true. Barney has already informed me that I'm fresh meat."
"He told you that? Those exact words?" The skin along her jaw tightened and she glared at where Barney was asking for a refill.
"Calm down. I'm not an idiot." I shook my head.
"He can be very convincing when he wants to be. I don't want to see you be taken advantage of." She looked at me with frustrated eyes. "Consider it a friendly warning."
"Are you upset that you can't stomp around like a caveman and pee on my leg?" I poked her shoulder. "I'm not a tree, Your Highness."
She laughed and several of the people at our end of the table turned their attention toward us. "What happened to my nickname?"
"That was an accident. Not going to happen again." I looked around the table, noticing how everyone was watching us. The queen was smiling behind her wineglass and Reese was decidedly ignoring us as she spoke with the prime minister and his wife. Ryujin, however, was grinning widely from her seat next to Kai, a complete contrast to the glower he was shooting my way.
The food was delivered quickly and no one wasted time before eating. I could understand why; the food was delicious. I answered questions about my schooling, my family, and what I thought of Lilaria. I answered everything with the simplest answers I could manage. I didn't want to tell these people my life story. By the time dessert was placed in front of me, I was exhausted.
When the queen stood to signal the end of the dinner, everyone raised a glass. "We're honored to have back among us one of our family. Jennie, may you find happiness in Lilaria."
She left shortly afterward with Reese and the prime minister, signaling that we could leave if we were ready. Ryujin and Kai made their way to where I was standing up. Lisa had her back to me, talking to one of the parliament members.
"We're heading out, want to come along?" Kai had his hand on Ryujin's back but smiled at me in a way that made me want to punch him. He was definitely a worm and the fact Ryujin seemed oblivious worried me. He was an attractive guy, but he oozed creep.
"Maybe another time. I'm ready to call it a night."
"Would you like me to show you to your room?" Kai dropped his hand from Ryujin and stepped forward. Her eyebrows pulled together as she watched him.
"I've already offered to show her to her rooms." Lisa placed a hand on my back.
"Is that so?" Kai glared at Lisa. "Is it the same room Tzuyu used? Or the one Lora or Maggie stayed in? Maybe the room Adriane used the last time she stayed at the palace? How about the one Tabitha used? Maybe that was the same room Tzuyu stayed in."
"Kai!" Ryujin gasped. Lisa's fingers stiffened against my back and I knew she was worried how I would react to a list of her conquests.
"I see pedigree has no bearing on whether or not you're an asshole." While it bothered me to think of Lisa with all those women, I was more disgusted by Kai's behavior. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get some rest."
Kai sputtered, apparently surprised I had spoken up. Ryujin looked at me with something close to jealousy and awe. Lisa nudged me gently toward the exit. I left Kai staring after us while Ryujin watched thoughtfully.