Queen Elizabeth’s eyes went wide as saucers, sheer delight lighting up her face as if she’d stumbled across a new continent.
“You’re B-”
“Shh!”
Before Queen Elizabeth could finish, Niamh quickly pressed a finger to her lips, signaling her to keep quiet.
Queen Elizabeth caught on immediately and clamped her mouth shut.
Nearby, Jonathan raised an eyebrow in silent curiosity.
As far as he knew, this was the first time Niamh and Queen Elizabeth had ever met. Yet, there was something between them–a secret, perhaps–something he clearly wasn’t in on.
A strange irritation gnawed at his chest, as if tiny pebbles were being ground against his heart. Jonathan scowled.
“Sorry, Ms. Fraser…”
Just then, Queen Elizabeth turned to Susy. “I’d like to have dinner alone with this young lady tonight,” she declared warmly, “to thank her for repairing and upgrading my crown.”
The “young lady” she referred to was, of course, Niamh.
Marina’s face turned as sour as a crab shell.
“Upgrading“? Like Niamh’s craftsmanship was leagues above hers? The implication stung.
Queen Elizabeth figured she’d made her wishes clear enough. But Susy, Marin and Jonathan remained rooted to the spot.
“I’m afraid I must ask the three of you to step outside,” Queen Elizabeth said, smiling still, but her voice radiating unmistakable royal authority.
Susy had half a mind to protest, but seeing the look in the Queen’s eyes, she knew better. Without another word, she slipped quietly out of the private dining room.
Jonathan and Marina followed.
Jonathan carried a medical kit in his hand. At the doorway, he glanced back at
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But Niamh only had eyes for Queen Elizabeth.
“Jonathan?” Marina looped her arm through his, noticing his gaze lingered on the dining room behind them. But there was no one left inside except Queen Elizabeth and Niamh.
It was clear Jonathan’s attention wasn’t on the Queen.
“Come on, let’s go!” Marina urged.
Jonathan tore his eyes away and looked at Marina, his voice icy. “Alright.”
Now, with the others gone, Queen Elizabeth wasted no time and addressed Niamh by her true title. “Master BYC-”
“Your Majesty, please, just call me Niamh,” she replied quickly.
Queen Elizabeth could see Niamh had her reasons for keeping her identity under wraps. Choosing not to pry, she simply sat back and enjoyed the company, laughter and conversation flowing as they dug into the exquisite king crab laid out on the table.
They chatted about the crown as they ate, and before long, the last crab leg was gone, and the matter of the crown was nearly settled as well.
Outside the room, Susy was beside herself with frustration.
She’d gone to so much trouble–lavish preparations, sparing no expense–to host the Queen tonight. And for what? So Niamh could waltz in and reap the rewards?
Susy clenched her teeth in silent fury.
Marina was in no better mood. Her stomach grumbled–she’d barely eaten a thing, waiting instead to savor the rare treat of king crab. Now, she hadn’t even had a single bite. She could only watch helplessly as the whole feast disappeared into Niamh’s stomach.
Niamh, for her part, was well and truly stuffed. A king crab that size was more than enough for two, and even then, they couldn’t finish it all.
“You have no idea,” Queen Elizabeth said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “When you released your Grand Piano Collection, I very nearly chose it as the royal family’s official jewelry line. But the Solmaris royal family snatched it up first. Ever since, I’ve dreamed that one day, Master BYC would design a new crown for me…”
Niamh could sense the Queen’s sincerity, so she decided to be honest as well.
could sense the Queen’s sincer
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“Actually, the crown you’re wearing now was designed by me, too,” she admitted.
“But the blueprints were only ever half finished.”
