No way. This was a…a…
“This is a castle,” she said, forcing the words from her tight throat.
“Yes, Miss Kat. Fortunately for guests, the interior has been remodeled and upgraded several times over the centuries. You should find the accommodations most comfortable.”
She stared in disbelief.
Talk about fairy-tale worthy.
Turrets jutted into the sky. An image of a beautiful princess standing at one of the windows in the tower formed in her mind. She could be waiting for her prince to arrive or, as Sophie had, making a mark in the world on her own.
Against the gray sky, the spires sparkled and the roof tiles gleamed as if sprinkled with pixie dust. The sight made her think of a fairy tale with a happily ever after ending. Perhaps her once upon a time wasn’t as far away as she thought.
Unbelievable and so unexpected.
She didn’t see a sign or placard anywhere. “What’s the name of the hotel?”
“This isn’t a hotel.”
Sophie had never mentioned anything about a castle in Alistonia. That was something Kat would have remembered. She had a soft spot for Cinderella movies.
“I think there’s been some kind of mistake,” Kat said.
Claude opened the trunk. “No mistake. Your room was chosen by Princess Sophia herself.”
No mistake.
The two words echoed through Kat’s head.
She should be excited—Jojo was going to love hearing about this—but the hair at the back of Kat’s neck prickled. She straightened her tote bag. Alistonia was a more formal country than the US. She’d packed accordingly, but she felt underdressed in her black yoga pants, oversized turtleneck, and long sweater. Comfortable clothes for the flight. Not appropriate attire for a magnificent castle.
She swallowed.
“Is there a problem?” Claude asked.
“No problem.” Not really. Just surprised.
Kat had imagined staying at one of the picturesque inns on the hillside that Sophie had described during their six summers together—the first four as campers and the last two as counselors.
Not…this.
If staying here was supposed to be a surprise, Sophie had succeeded. Kat was speechless.
Her friend had never spoken much about being royalty. They’d known each other a full year before Sophie confessed she was a princess. They used to joke about marrying princes, but that was in fun. Kat had never wanted to pry and ask her friend too many questions about royal life. She still didn’t.
Claude picked up her luggage. “I’ll take you inside where it’s warmer.”
She followed him.
Up ahead, tall Christmas trees decorated with red ribbon and white lights flanked the entrance. As if on cue, the imposing arched wooden door swung open.
A man in his late twenties or early thirties walked out. His tailored gray suit showed off wide shoulders and an athletic build. His yellow-and-red tie bounced slightly against his white button-down shirt. Light brown hair curled at the ends and framed a handsome face with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips.
Looking at him made her feel warm and tingly inside.
Who was she kidding?
She was downright toasty now.
