Page 9 of Mistaken as His Royal Bride
But of course Laia had, over the years, albeit infrequently.
Maddi clamped her mouth shut. Then, weakly, she said, ‘It just...never fails to take my breath away.’
The car had come to a stop now, and King Aristedes stepped out. A man in what looked like a butler’s uniform stepped forward and opened Maddi’s door. She saw his eyes widen when she got out in her garish outfit.
Thankfully there didn’t seem to be many other staff waiting for them, apart from the entourage from the airport and the security men. God only knew what they were thinking.
The palace up close was even more intimidating. A vast soaring entrance led into an open courtyard with another fountain. Off the inner courtyard there were numerous passageways.
A woman about her own age approached Maddi, smiling.
King Aristedes said, ‘This is Hannah. She will take you to your rooms and show you where to find other clothes.’
Suddenly, at the prospect of the King leaving her to her own devices, Maddi felt very alone. ‘Where are you going?’
King Aristedes looked at her as if she had two heads. Clearly he wasn’t used to being questioned.
‘As you can imagine, I have some work to take care of,’ he said. ‘We will have dinner together this evening. I will send for you.’
And then he walked away, flanked by about a dozen very officious-looking people.
Hannah said, ‘Please come this way, Princess Laia.’
Maddi followed the girl through a warren of corridors, each more sumptuous than the last, with murals painted on the walls depicting scenes from around the island. They passed more inner courtyards with a distinctly Moorish influence. Evidently they shared the same marauding ancestors...
Then they took an elevator up a few floors. This level was hushed and even more opulent. It had to be where the bedrooms were. Hannah stopped outside some massive double doors and opened them with a flourish. Maddi stepped inside and it was like stepping into a dream.
A vast bedroom with a carpet so soft underfoot it felt like walking on air. A huge four-poster bed dressed in crisp white and blue linen.
The sleek bathroom featured two sinks, a walk-in shower, and a bath that oozed decadence, with shelves stocked with exclusive products.
There was also a lounge area, with a couch and a TV, books on shelves and all the latest glossy magazines spread out on a coffee table.
But the jewel in the crown of this room was the terrace, just beyond the open French doors. It was wide and generous, overflowing with colourful flowers from pots and planters trailing over the edge of the stone balcony. From there, Maddi had an unobstructed view out to sea, and far down below to where the city shone in the sunlight.
The palace spread out on either side of her...majestic. She could see formal gardens. An inviting pool. There was a larger terrace, presumably used for social gatherings but for now it was empty except for a peacock, which chose that exact moment to puff up its gloriously hued feathers, as if showing off just for Maddi.
She couldn’t help smiling at the sight. And then she promptly stopped smiling when she thought of Laia.
Hannah cleared her throat behind her. ‘Princess Laia, would you like some lunch?’
Maddi turned around just as her stomach rumbled. She made a face. ‘Yes, please. I’m starving.’
Hannah’s eyes widened. Maddi cursed silently. She had to remember she was pretending to be a princess. Well, shewasactually a princess, but...
Her head started to throb lightly.
Hannah asked, ‘Anything in particular?’
Maddi was about to say she’d eat everything and anything, but she stopped herself and said, ‘A chicken salad would be lovely. With some bread. And fruit...and cheese. If that’s okay?’
Hannah smiled. ‘Not a problem. I’ll return shortly. Please help yourself to whatever clothes you like in the dressing room. They’re part of your trousseau from the King.’
Maddi had almost forgotten she was still in the King’s jacket, which reached only to the top of her thighs.
Hannah left and she went into the dressing room. It was huge and stuffed with clothes as far as the eye could see. And shoes and jewellery.
Maddi touched the iridescent colours of an evening gown. It shimmered as it moved slightly. She let go, afraid she might dirty it. With a growing sense of futility she searched in vain for some more casual clothes—jeans and a T-shirt, or athleisure wear.