She shakes her head. “No. It’s heaven on earth here. It’s not easy being the spare.”
Calm takes over me. “I know what it’s like to live in my brothers’ shadows. Don’t know how I survived having two.”
“I don’t either. Louis is more than enough. Guess it could be worse.”
We keep drinking until we’re both tipsy. The warm breeze brushes against my cheeks, and it feels freeing.
“So, that’s really happening? Louis is getting married?”
She nods. “I’m still holding out hope.”
“I don’t understand.”
“For the two of you.”
I shake my head and laugh. “That’s absolutely not happening.”
“Really?” She lifts her brow. “I’ve been watching you sneak around. It’s been quite entertaining. Better than reality television.”
My mouth falls open. “You haven’t.”
“When you’re together, you’re both oblivious. But going forward, now that the princesses are on the premises, you’ll need to be a lot more careful.”
“I ended it,” I whisper.
“No, you haven’t,” she says, shaking her head. “Louis won’t give you up.”
“He has to.”
She shrugs. “Things aren’t always as they seem. My brother is more cunning than he lets on. He has a very special talent for always getting what he wants, rules be damned. He’ll find a way, Addy.”
It’s encouragement I didn’t know I needed. “I’m here to paint. That’s all.”
“Of course you are.” She lets out a long breath. “I can help you, but you have to win the contest legitimately. Do you know what you’re painting?” She studies me.
“Your brother,” I mutter.
She nods. “That’s the royal who will win this for you. Give it your all. Win. After that, the pieces will fall into place.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, studying her, noticing how similar the two of them are. They have the same blue eyes and smile. “You shouldn’t be helping me.”
“I like you a lot. But it’s for my personal benefit as well. It’s important that I stay in the good graces with the future queen of Montclaire,” she says, squeezing my hand.
“That’s ridiculous. I could never?—”
“It’s not. You are the one for Louis. His true match. I knew the moment I saw you together at the gallery. He’s never looked at anyone else that way.”
“I don’t know how you can be so sure. We barely spoke.”
“How can you not be sure? You look at him the same. You both have stars in your eyes anytime the other is close. It’s a powerful connection.” She stands and curtsies to me. “Anyway, I have to go. Win the contest, Addison. Everything is riding on that. If you don’t, this ends in two weeks. Paint like you’re trying to win my brother from these skanks.”
When I laugh, I feel something spark in my chest. It’s hope.
Before she goes, she gives me a tight hug. “Everything will work out. I have a sixth sense for these things.”
She strolls down the path, and I watch her until she disappears. I turn back to the sea, watching the sunrays glitter across the water, allowing my mind to wander. When I’m fully relaxed, feeling like gelatin without a worry in the world, I walk back to the cottage. It takes me twice as long because I’m drunk.
When I return to my home away from home, I look at Louis’s half-finished face staring at me from the canvas. I throw a sheet over the easel because I can’t look at him right now. I’m frustrated, but also, I understand.
