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“It ht not be that bad, you know,” Kih, because of all people, she knows She just knows I straightendown totooto a stop at the top of the steps when I see so my path to the open door of my car
“Happy Birthday, Addy” Eddie grins at me, a bunch of white roses held under his chin
“Eddie!” I virtually throw myself athome”
Catching ton Palace “Don’t get too excited” He placeslook “I haven’t bought you a gift”
“I don’t care,” I declare, looking at Da on the door handle I turn to Kim “Did you?”
“Heat the screen of her est of my two elder brothers My savior The only one who understands reen beret sitting perfectly on his gorgeous head Part ofour country, a daft notion, I realize, but at least he gets to escape this circus for nine months at a time when he’s on tour
“So let’s party,” Eddie quips, throwing his bag and my flowers by the door Olive, a member of our household staff, swoops them up before they’ve barely come to rest
“At the palace?” I grumble, utterly unimpressed by his enthusiasm
“Drink plenty of chane and sleam mischievously, and that will be his present to me Some fun
My birthday just improved tremendously I can always count on Eddie I watch as Kiton Palace and all other staff rin She’ll be juht on the phone to Felix as soon as we’re in the car Poor Felix is kept busy enough when I’m home alone With Eddie back, he’ll be run off his Italian loafers trying to keep our royal reputations perfect
“We had better be going before the King sends his minions to track us down” I link arms with Eddie and walk to the pristine Mercedes
“I believe Davenport has already called, ma’am,” Damon says as he holds the door open for us
“Now there’s a surprise,” Eddie breathes, giving Damon a friendly smack of his suited shoulder “Is that stick still stuck up his arse?”
I laugh Major Davenport, the King’s private secretary, is old school, just like the King I’m a thorn in his side, Eddie more of an itch, whereas our elder brother, Prince John, is the saint of the King’s three offspring The arse-licker The Heir Apparent, and the perfect prince with it
“I believe it is, sir,” Daet into the car I sht hate my royal existence, but I love e of personal aides, advisors, and servants, s It’s a iven my apparent flaws I smile and cuddle into my brother’s side, so relieved he’s home to lift my spirits
Happy birthday to me
AS WE APPROACH THE GATES of Claringdon Palace, the street is aith crowds of the British public and the Metropolitan Police lining the railings that hold them back Camera flashes are constant, the press out in force Damon slows the car to a crawl, and I hear the chants of my name, calls of birthday wishes
“They love you,” Eddie says softly, like a reminder that at least someone in this world admires me, because my family—present company excluded—certainly doesn’t
“They love you equally,” I reply, sest of my brothers has the public’s affection like me, he has our family’s fondness, too Unlikeuse of himself “Stop the car, Damon”
“Ma’am?” His eyes jump to the mirror, unsure
“Stop the car,” I repeat “I’d like to have a walkabout”
“But it’s not scheduled, ma’am”
I just about refrain froto catch a glimpse, and I don’t want to disappoint them”
; Eddie re to do, and Damon, albeit reluctantly, slows the car to a stop just before the closed gates I wait for him to exit and open the door forthe cars behind of the revised plan “Are you co?” I ask Eddie
“We’ll be late The King won’t be happy”
“By our lateness, or because I’ve stopped to say hello to some ishers?”
“Both”
I feign fright, widening , drawn, and quartered?”
“Very funny”
I s my dress as Kim dashes toward me from the car behind “Ma’am, this wasn’t part of—”
“I know” I dis toward the crowds Their excitement notches up a few decibels as I wander to the nearest railing Flowers are thrust attheir heads in respect I coirl, who has cliht barriers so she can see over thee, excited s her to crane her neck back to keepto the flowers She nods enthusiastically, thrusting the them to my nose “They are beautiful”
“Happy birthday, Princess,” she sings, and a few people close by chuckle
“Why, thank you”
“It’s my birthday, too”
“It is?” I mirror her excites, placing her on her feet I crouch in front of the barrier to get back to her eye level “Then happy birthday to you, too What is your name?”
“It’s Clara”
“And how old are you today, Clara?”
Her little chubby hands co theet “I’row up, just like you”