But her romance novels were the biggest draw.Women practically squealed when they saw the shelf space dedicated to the old paperbacks.She got compliment after compliment, and Lilian was sure her heart was going to burst with pride.It was a whirlwind that kept her busy for hours.When she finally found the time to look down at her phone (hidden behind the counter in her purse) it was well past lunchtime, and she hadn’t eaten a thing.
“I’m gonna take ten,” she called to Margo.
“Take thirty, you need a break!”
She smiled to show her appreciation, but there was no way she was going to be away from her shop longer than she needed to be.She grabbed a water bottle and the lunch sack she’d packed before setting out.She found a picnic table down the road where she could sit and still keep an eye on things.
She’d barely sat down when a trumpet blared across the treetops.Lilian froze, the sound catching her off guard, before her brain realized what was happening.
The royal parade!
Everyone turned toward the top of the hill, where the red cloth of the king’s banner peeked over the ridge.A crier led the way, announcing the arrival of the king and queen, followed by a gaggle of nobles.Ladies-in-waiting wore wide, bustled dresses.Men followed in tunics topped with oversized frumpy hats.Behind them all came a line of stoic guards, closing ranks around the king and queen.
The king waved and smiled at the visitors, bidding them a good day at the faire.Russ and the couple from the stationery shop stepped out to bow as the procession passed.The king’s eyes passed over the shopkeepers, sliding past them until they lingered where Margo stood, and Lilian was very noticeably absent.
The smile never left his face, but there was something cold in his gaze as he took everything in.Then his attention landed on the small picnic area.On Lilian, frozen in place like a startled rabbit.
Shit.
The rules didn’t say shopkeepers had to be present at the parade.But she’d heard enough stories about Hawk and the king berating vendors for not partaking in the spirit of the faire.
He stopped short.The sudden halt rippled backward through the parade, an accordion effect that brought the entire procession to a standstill.
He didn’t seem to notice.His focus stayed locked on Lilian as he broke away from the crowd and started toward her.
Oh god.What did I do?Panic seized her at the newfound attention, but the years of faire training kicked in.She gave a deep curtsy in greeting.“Your Highness.”
He nodded, eyes judging her hasty curtsy and her lunch sack she still held in hand.“Ms.Bodice, it seems the new addition to our kingdom is doing well.”
Marcus Carlisle knew every actor and shop owner in his faire, but it still surprised her that he knew her character name.She’d worked at the faire for years, and the man had never once acknowledged her presence before.
Her face flushed in embarrassment, but she quickly remembered the character she was supposed to portray.“Yes, Your Highness.Thank you for the opportunity to open my shop in your kingdom.”
The king’s gaze was fixed on the shop and the crowd of people outside of it.His lips pursed, but before he could say anything else, the queen let out a loud exclamation of joy as she joined their small circle.
“Oh, look at that, darling.I knew the bookstore would be a grand idea.It makes a marvelous addition to the faire.Don’t you agree, my king?”
“It certainly makes… an addition.”
Lilian‘s throat tightened.There was no mistaking the disapproval in the king’s tone.
The queen didn’t seem to notice the tension.A warm smile graced her face as she turned to Lilian.“I am so excited for your shop to join the faire, Ms.Bodice.My ladies and I will be stopping by when we can.”The queen leaned in close to whisper, “Do you happen to have Jude Deveraux?I do love her medieval stories.”
“Yes, my queen.”Lilian gave another low bow.Unlike her husband, the queen was all warmth.If they hadn’t been playing these parts, she could imagine herself geeking out over medieval romance novels with this woman.But all she could say was, “I’ll set some aside for you, if you’d like.”
“Marvelous.”
The king made a low snort.“Come, my queen.We should be off.There is much of our kingdom yet to see.”
“Of course.”The queen grinned at her husband, then wiggled her fingers at Lilian as they bustled back into the parade.Within a breath, the procession started again, disappearing deeper into the woods.Lilian watched them go until the trumpet faded into the distance.But even after the king and queen were gone, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the king… didn’t like her.
And she had no idea why.
Was it something she’d said?
No, she’d barely spoken two words to the man.There was only one reason why the king would be upset with her.
Hawk had said something.
