Suddenly Royal

I handed it over, feeling na**d without anything to do with my hands. Alex 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?” Alex smiled widely to illustrate just how little I was supposed to smile and I laughed. I could see all his teeth.

“Got it.”

“That’s my girl.” My breath hitched at his words and he seemed to catch my response because his smile widened even more.

“Samantha! Samantha!”

“Sam! 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. Alex walked next to me, not touching, but close enough I didn’t feel alone.

“Well done.” He winked down at me. “You’re already slipping into the part.”

Rose was speaking to some officials near a door and I let myself be guided toward her.

“Yes, thank you. That will be perfect.” Rose 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 Alex. “Good morning, Highness. Duchess.”

“Good morning.” Alex 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.

“Samantha, have you ever been on a private jet?” Rose 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 America.” 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. Rose 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 Alex 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 Alex, 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.” Alex ducked his head so I could hear him 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, Rose entered first, taking the steps smoothly. Alex motioned for me to go ahead of him. 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 Rose. I’d always enjoyed flying. One of my favorite parts was watching the takeoff and landing.

Alex nodded to the woman at the door before taking the seat across from mine, a small table separating us. The attendant brought him a satchel and a stack of newspapers, which he flipped through quickly. Rose had a similar stack of things on her table. She was watching me and Alex, though, her shrewd eyes moving back and forth as if searching for invisible strings.