Rebecca led many of the conversations and Alex was so fucking proud of her. The partners of a country’s leader were so often asked to diminish themselves. Yet, both she and Alejandro took over the rooms they walked into in different ways.
Alex knew Rebecca had worried prior to this trip—it was a big political test for them both—but she had passed with flying colours as far as he was concerned and the public agreed.
So far, at least.
seventeen
REBECCA
Rebecca carefully turned this way and that in the long mirror set up in their sitting room, while Mason looked for any loose beads on her dress. It was a long, glittery, beaded, soft silver dress with a flowing skirt and boatneck that made her seem taller than she was. The dark purple heels—the same shoes she’d gotten married in actually—would also help and put her closer to her husband’s height.
Mason nodded. “It looks good from this side. Rose?”
Rebecca’s lady’s maid pursed her lips. “Just one spot here. The sash will likely hide it, and it’s not very noticeable, but we should tighten it up just in case.”
Mason grabbed the sewing kit and set to work.
Rebecca gestured to some jewelry they’d set out. The tiara was still in the bedroom where Alex was getting ready, but they’d brought everything else out to the sitting room. “Rose, let’s get the jewelry on while Mason finishes that up.”
Amethyst—a favorite of Valleria’s royals for many centuries—featured heavily in the jewels they’d brought and would look great setagainst the dress. They’d discussed the best necklace for seemingly hours, but finally settled on a long string of pearls looped a few times, then artfully pinned together on the side with the Lover’s broach—a series of diamonds and amethysts twined together to resemble a knot. The broach would also serve to pin her dark purple sash to her dress and secure it in place.
Next came a set of earrings, each of which featured a long string of amethyst and diamond next to each other, and which looked good with her hair partially pulled back, making her neck seem longer.
Alex walked out of the bedroom, his valet and Tavin trailing. He looked sinfully handsome in his white tie suit, a similar purple sash draped across his chest, which was pinned in place by a demure broach signifying his military service.
“Darling, you look amazing.” He pressed a barely-there kiss to her lips, careful not to ruin her makeup.
“Thank you. You look deliciously handsome yourself.”
He gave her a grin that said ‘I’m going to have my way with you tonight’, and she gave him a smile in return that said ‘Not if I have my way with you first’.
She turned back to the mirror as Rose began to add the bracelet and watch—a matching set from a famous designer collaboration she’d arranged, also in diamond and amethyst. Though it was newer, it still looked like it came from the family vaults and matched the other pieces. Rebecca had learned early to wear a watch—a princess could not be seen taking out or looking at her phone, or repeatedly asking people what time it was, so she’d commissioned the pieces not long after she and Alex had wed. It was far easier to feign adjusting the watch on her wrist while actually glancing at the time instead.
“Are Ethan and Anda on their way?” she asked. “Could they come up?”
“They wanted to make an entrance through the main gate,” Alex said. “That way they’d already be in the audience when we made our entrance.”
She’d known that, of course, but she’d wanted Anda’s help goingto the bathroom in this dress. She’d done the dress-bathroom thing with Rose and even Mara before, but she knew how awkward it must be for them. Still, there was nothing for it. She wouldn’t have a chance to go again for hours. “Rose, before we do the tiara, let’s head into the other room for a minute. Is the bedroom empty?”
“Yes, darling.”
It took several minutes, mostly because they needed to put the dress back in place. Luckily, with this fabric, it hadn’t wrinkled at all.
The tiara was gorgeous—it featured diamond, amethyst, and pearl—and was a favorite of Genevieve’s. Rebecca’s hair had been arranged to hold it well, and they secured it in place. She tested it by gently shaking and nodding her head, looking down and up, and it stayed in place.
After a last arranging of hair and a final touch-up of makeup, they exited the bedroom. “Rose, could you put the lipstick and powder in my purse? Thank you.”
“Ready, darling?”
“Yes, I think so. Let me just do one last check in the mirror. Mason, can you give it a once over? You, too, Mara. Have you sent out the press release about the outfits?”
Mara nodded as she gave the outfit a critical eye. “Yes, Ma’am.” She untangled the long earrings from a strand of hair. “I’m worried that may happen all night.”
“I’d already expected as much, but I love these earrings. They’re so light and I’m wearing so many other heavy things.” Rebecca gestured to the dress and tiara.
Alex frowned. “It’s going to be a long night. Are you sure you’ll be all right? We won’t be seated together, so I can’t keep an eye on it for you.”
“I’ve dealt with long events before, it will be fine.”
