Princess Thief: Stealing Your Heart (9 page)

“Oh,
my prince, the average woman’s heart contains far more secrets than you can
imagine,” Juliette chuckled.  “But, in a sense, you are correct — you do learn
to be comfortable with keeping secrets from an early age.  I guess it
is
a
‘secret
identity’ in the sense that one is a character you play on the stage, the other
is real life.”

“I
envy you that skill,” Guillermo said, ”I was always ‘me’ growing up, whether I
was wearing a uniform with a crown or running around in shorts playing soccer. 
I could never quite get the hang of being royalty.  I still can’t, quite
honestly. 

“Now,
my sister-” his face lit up, “She’s amazing.  She can turn it on and off like a
light switch.  One minute, she’s Princess Sofia Genoveva de Valdivia y
Beaumont.  The next minute, she just my little sister, Sofia.  She’s always had
that skill.  She’s a natural.”

Seeing
his face beaming with pride, Juliette couldn
’t help but smile.  “I’m looking forward
to meeting her.”

“With
any luck, she should be back from America by this evening.  Which is good
because I need her here for tomorrow night.”

“What’s
tomorrow night?”

“Oh,”
Guillermo sighed, “a state dinner with the San Morrando aristocracy.  It’s
basically going to be a sit-down version of the royal ball.  Armand will give
you all of the details later.”

“You
sound excited,” she said sarcastically.

He
chuckled. 
“Yes,
well, these functions are always so stiff and formal.  But enough about that. 
Tell me more about you.  What was it like, growing up in a circus?”

Juliette
smiled,
“It
was truly great.  The wife of the ringmaster was a retired school teacher.  All
of the children would gather in one of the tents in the morning and she would
teach.  We had children of all ages in there so it was a lot like a little red
schoolhouse from the 1800s where every grade was packed into one room — but
none of us cared.  Then in the afternoon, the girls would have gymnastics or
dance lessons or rehearsal; a performance in the evening, and at night I would
fall asleep reading.  It was honestly like middle school but with a very long
gym class in the afternoon.

“When
I found out that I needed a proper high school diploma in order to get into
college, I enrolled in a public high school for my junior and senior years.  I
loved it — but I did find it a little boring some days.  Where’s the fun if you
don’t have a lion walking by the window?” 

Juliette
giggled; Guillermo chuckled.

“Enough
about me.  When did you decide to become a doctor?”

“Quite
early on, actually, right after my little sister was born.  She had a slight
heart arrhythmia; nothing serious — she’s just fine now.  But I really admired
the doctors who delivered her and looked after her.  I thought it was amazing
to help young children. 

“You
see, I was lucky in a way — everyone knew from a young age that it was a real
long shot that I would ever ascend the throne — so I was expected to choose a
career for myself.  I had so much more freedom than my older brother Arturo
did.”

“I’m
afraid I don’t really understand much about who becomes king and who doesn’t.”

“It
can get quite confusing.  Let me try to explain.  My father, King Arturo the
First, had three children — my older brother Arturo the Second, myself, and my
little sister, Sofia.  Whenever the king dies, the throne gets passed to the
eldest child — which was my brother, Arturo the Second.”

“That
much I get.”

“Ah,
but what you may not realize is that once a new king takes the throne, the
entire thing gets reset.  In other words, once my brother Arturo became king,
then his
children
became next in
line for the throne, and after that, his
grandchildren
.  Sofia and I
were out of the picture.
”

He
paused then, and his smile slowly faded.  He looked sad. 
“At least, that
was the plan.  No one could have imagined that when Arturo died, his only heir
would die, too.”

And
that
’s
when it suddenly hit her: this wasn’t just some historical figure in a
textbook, some character on a bad reality TV show.  To Guillermo, this was his
older brother that had died.  His older brother
and
his young
nephew. 
“I- 
I don’t know what to say,” Juliette stammered.  “I’m sorry about your loss.” 

He
gazed at her, long and hard, then his facial expression relaxed, and a wry
smile came to his lips. 
“Well,
if you feel that badly about it, why don’t you tell me who you give all your
burglary money to?”

She
hesitated for just a moment, then said,
“I can’t answer that,” her tone
serious.  Then, catching a glimpse of his smug smile, she grew instantly
irritated.  “I can’t believe you’d ask that.  I should have known, all this
sweet talk-”

“But
you
do
give the money
away, don
’t
you?” he grinned.

“Believe
what you will,
your
majesty
,
” she turned up
her nose and stormed off.

She
could hear Guillermo laughing behind her.

Oh,
that man!

Twenty-nine
year old Lady Olivia Adana Amsel stood on the shoulder of Mount Serrera Road
and peered through her binoculars at La Ma
çana Park below, the light breeze gently
rustling her tightly curled brown hair.  “So, that’s what you look like,
Juliette Thierry.  You are pretty enough when you smile, I’ll give you that. 
Just who are you?”

“Oh
my God, Olivia, can we please go?  We’ve been up here almost 2 hours,” Lady
Cordelia Roslynne O’Duinn Gothieu, a 27 year old redhead in a black mini-dress,
complained from the backseat of the red convertible.

“I’m
sorry, Olivia, but I have to agree with Roslynne,” Countess Marie Isabella de
Fuensaldaña y Prevot interjected, a cute 23 year old blond in a blue pattern
dress.  “I have to be at the yacht club by 3 PM for the Viscount’s party.”

“Stop
whining.  You’ll make your party at the yacht club,” Olivia snapped.  She
squinted her brown eyes and continued to peer through the binoculars.  “Just
where did you come from, Juliette?”

“Oh,
who cares, Olivia?” Roslynne moaned. 

Olivia
lowered the binoculars and walked back towards the car. 
“Don’t you think
it’s odd that no one in the castle has seen this woman before the Royal Ball
three days ago?”

“So? 
The prince must have met her in North Africa,” Roslynne replied.

“Possibly. 
But I’m not buying it.  A flower shop girl?  In North Africa?  Something smells
fishy.  And I intend to find out what it is before it goes too far.”

“If
you’re so concerned about her, why don’t you hire a private detective?”
Roslynne asked.

“A
private detective?  Hmpf.  Who do you think you’re talking to?  I already have
a source planted inside the castle.”

“Really?”
Roslynne raised her eyebrows.

“That’s
amazing, Olivia!” Marie exclaimed.  “How did you do it?”

“Remember
that cute little maid we had about a year ago named Emilia?”  Olivia was met
with blank stares.  “Well, it doesn’t matter if you don’t remember her.  It
turns out that Emilia went to work at Palais d’Or.  And, as it happens, her
dear old dad is actually one of my father’s butlers!  It took some convincing,
but I managed to secure her services.”

“Some
convincing, hunh?”  Roslynne grinned.

“Well,
I may have intimated that her father’s job could be in jeopardy if she didn’t
cooperate.”

Roslynne
threw back her head and laughed. 

“Olivia!”
Marie gasped.  “You didn’t!”

“Oh,
grow up, Marie,” Roslynne said.  “Do you really think royal marriages just
happen all on their own?”

“Indeed,”
Olivia said.  “You should be prepared, Marie.  There are a lot of girls who
wouldn’t mind getting their hooks into your Viscount Nicolas.”

“Well,
I think it’s deplorable,” Marie pouted.

“Yes,
well,” Olivia slid behind the wheel of the convertible, “that’s the difference
between a Countess and a future Queen.”

Juliette
headed straight for the kitchen when she returned from the charity picnic.  Her
personal maids, Alicia and Emilia, along with several of the kitchen staff,
were crowded around a portable TV.  Juliette peered over the top of Emilia
’s head.  “Oh,
is the princess back?”

Emilia
turned around, startled. 
“Oh, miss!  You’ve returned!  Can I help you with
something?”

“In
a moment.  Is that Princess Sofia?”  Juliette nodded towards the TV.

“Yes,
miss.”

Juliette
looked at the beautiful girl on the screen: long blond hair, blue eyes, slender
figure, pale blue dress, and a wan smile — neither happy nor sad, but somehow
very content, very regal.

“She
looks tired,” Alicia sighed.

“Really?”
Juliette responded.  “I think she looks wonderful.  She always seems so elegant
and put together.  I’ve always thought she made the perfect princess.”

“Hmmm,”
Alicia tapped Juliette on the shoulder.  “You’ll see for yourself, soon
enough.”

“When
will she return?”

Alicia
pointed at the screen,
“This
is live from Paris.  She still needs to fly to Barcelona, then the royal
guardsmen can bring her here.”

One
of the cooks interjected,
“I don’t understand why she can’t just fly into
Morrando la Vella.”

“Because
the airport is too small,” Alicia responded.  “It’s a jumbo jet from America to
Paris, the private jet from Paris to Barcelona, and then the helicopter from
Barcelona to Palais d’Or.”

“I
had no idea,” Juliette said.

Alicia
nodded. 
“The
poor thing is going to be exhausted when she gets here tonight.”

Emilia
asked Alicia,
“Did
she really have to drop out of college, ma’am?”

“That
was the rumor,” Alicia said, straightening her apron.  “I guess we’ll find out
for sure tonight.  All right, everyone, let’s get to work.”  She faced
Juliette.  “How can we help you, miss?”

“Something
to eat, please.  I haven’t had anything all day and I’m starving!”

9:30
PM.  Juliette lay on top of the bed, staring up at the purple silk canopy, her
uncle
’s
words echoing in her head.  “You’ll be shocked to find out how quickly your
royal friend
Guillermo
will abandon
you if the truth ever comes out.
”

I
’ve known uncle
since I was a child.  He’s always been so, so good to me.  Why am I fighting
him on this?  Why did I defend Guillermo to him?  It’s like I’m choosing
Guillermo over my own flesh and blood.

She
rolled over onto her side and idly flipped the pages of her Latin book back and
forth.

I
can
’t
let this drag out any longer.  Being with Guillermo is making me lose focus. 
I’ve got to grab the necklace and get out of here tonight, while I still have
my sanity.

She
pushed her books and notes to the floor, hopped off the bed, and changed into
her workout clothes: tank top, shorts, and running shoes.  She paused in front
of the vanity and looked at herself in the mirror.

Still,
it was fun playing princess for a few days.  I wonder-

Her
thoughts were interrupted by the sound of multiple people scrambling in the
hallway.  Before she could open the door to investigate, she heard it: off in
the distance, the mechanical whirl of helicopter blades.

Oh,
right, the princess.

Juliette
opened the curtains and was startled; the entire castle was bathed in bright
white light.  A military chopper lightly touched down in the center of the
courtyard.  As the blades slowly spun to a stop, the servants lined up in two
rows leading to the front door of the castle.  A young woman stepped off the
helicopter, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and partially covering her
face.  Juliette could see the top of her blond head.  Alicia rushed to help her
off the helicopter, then gently guided her into the castle.

Juliette
sighed heavily.  Escape was impossible as long as the castle was lit up like
this.

How
do you like that?  I finally work up my courage to leave and then this happens.

1AM. 
Juliette sat on the side of the bed, waiting.

The
room was still bathed in bright light; the royal helicopter was still parked in
the courtyard.  Out in the hallway, she could hear footsteps as someone
shuffled past her door.

Well,
that
’s
that for tonight I guess.  No escaping with this nonsense going on.

She
sighed and began to dress for bed.  As she tossed her running shoes on the
floor, she heard another noise coming from the hall; this time it sounded like
muffled voices arguing.  Curious, she cracked the door open and peered
outside.  At the end of the hallway stood Guillermo, his arms wrapped around a
young woman who was crying.

Much
to her surprise, Juliette felt a pang of jealousy.

Who
’s he holding
like that?!

“Please,
Memo, it’s not fair to dump it all on me,” the young woman begged.  “How can
you be so cold?”  She pounded his chest with her fists between sobs.

Guillermo
whispered something to her and she shook her head from side to side.

With
a start, Juliette realized Guillermo was holding Princess Sofia in his arms.

The
princess?  Having a temper tantrum?  It can
’t be.

Sofia
buried her head into her brother
’s chest and bawled.

Juliette
quietly closed the door and stood for a moment in shock.

I
can
’t
believe that’s the princess.  What was that all about?

“Good
morning, miss.  Your breakfast is ready,” Emilia chirped cheerfully from the
doorway.

A
sleepy Juliette waved her hand from under the covers. 
“Just put it on
the vanity, please, Emilia.”

“Very
well, miss.  Armand has requested some time with you at your earliest
convenience.  It seemed rather urgent.  Miss, are you awake?”

Juliette
moaned,
“God,
what time is it?”

“It’s
nearly 7:30, miss.”

“Really? 
Because it seems like a whole lot earlier.”  Juliette reluctantly sat up in
bed, feeling as if she needed another 4 hours of sleep.

“Do
you need some help, miss?”

“Coffee,”
Juliette croaked.

“Oh! 
Yes, miss.”  Emilia rushed over with the cup of coffee and a saucer; Juliette
took a tentative sip, then a gulp.

“So,
as I was saying, Armand would like a word with you at your earliest
convenience, miss.”

“Do
you know what it’s about?”

“No,
miss.  I’m afraid I don’t.  But when you’ve showered and changed, just use the
bell pull and he will come by for you.”

“Thank
you, Emilia.”

“Do
you need any help dressing, miss?”

“No,
that will be all.”

“Very
well, miss.”  Emilia left.

Juliette
drained the cup of coffee, then got out of bed.  As she stood at the vanity
pouring herself a second cup, she caught her reflection in the mirror.

I
look terrible.  I
’ve
got to get out of here.  No more excuses — tonight is the night.

“I
do apologize,” Armand began.  “I intended to meet with you last night but with
the princess’s late arrival from America, I simply did not have adequate time
to prepare.”

Juliette
was following Armand to the west wing of the first floor.  From the foyer to
the ballroom, they passed three men dressed in white uniforms, each one
carrying a platter over their right shoulder. 
“Is it my imagination or are
there more people here today?”

“You
are not imagining things, miss.  Today is going to be a hectic day.”

The
pair arrived at their destination: the formal dining room. 
“Oh, I really
love this room,” Juliette breathed.  The formal dining room contained a long
oak table with enough space to comfortably seat 14.  An ornate silver
candelabra stood in the center of the table with 6 fresh white candles.  The
floors were stained wood; the table and chairs were set on a large Persian rug
with a purple and white floral design.  The salmon pink walls were decorated
with painted plates of various sizes.  To the left of the fireplace was a
4-person contemporary black table and chairs with a large porcelain vase set
right in the center.

“King
Arturo used to take all of his meals in here,” Armand reminisced.

“I
can see why.  It’s lovely.”

“Yes,
well,” Armand motioned her inside.  “Tonight is the night we put some of your
training to the test.”

“Oh? 
How so?”

“We
are having a royal banquet.”

“Oh
yes, Guillermo mentioned something about that.  But — really?  In here?  I only
see 14 chairs.  Well, 18, if you count the table in the corner.”

“Ah,
yes, well, you see,” Armand seemed slightly embarrassed, “the actual banquet
will be taking place across the hall in the royal ballroom.  This is the room
for the children and ladies.”

“You’re
kidding.”

“No,
miss, I am afraid not.”

“You’re
segregating the women and children into another room so the men can have their
party?  You are aware that this is the 21st century?”

“I
am, miss, but our hands are tied.  It’s all very irregular in this day and age
but it came as a request from Baron Amsel himself, the Senior Senator of the
Parliament.  I won’t go into all of the intricate details of parliamentary
procedure and court etiquette but suffice it to say that there is ancient
tradition to support his request.”

“It’s
like being stuck in the kid’s tent for Christmas dinner,” Juliette mumbled.

“I’m
sorry, miss?”

“It’s
nothing, Armand.  Never mind.  Here I am trying to force my own ideals onto
Palais d’Or again.  Just ignore me.  Please continue.”

“Very
well.  Now, as Princess Sofia is considered the hostess, she will be seated at
the head of the table, here.”  Armand indicated the end chair closest to the
fireplace.  “You will be seated immediately to her right, here. 
Lady Olivia
Adana Amsel — the senior senator
’s daughter — will be seated directly
across from you.  To your right, Countess Marie Isabella de Fuensaldaña y
Prevot — a lovely young woman, by the way.  Her family has been a friend of the
monarchy dating back for generations.  Next to Lady Olivia-”

Juliette
held up her hand,
“Armand,
I can’t possibly remember all of these names.”

Armand
grew gravely serious. 
“My
lady, you
must
.  I am afraid I
have to insist.  You must learn these names.  Even a small mistake could be
viewed as a slight against their honor which would reflect on poorly on Prince
Guillermo, the royal family, and even Palais d
’Or.  Please, I implore you, take
the time to memorize these names.”

Inwardly,
Juliette screamed.  Outwardly, she smiled gently and said,
“All right,
Armand.  Go on.”

“How
are we doing in here, Emilia?” Alicia asked.

Juliette,
wearing a formal gown, was standing in the middle of her bedroom with Emilia on
her knees beside her, straightening her hemline.

“Oh,
you look just lovely, miss,” Alicia raved.  “Emilia, don’t forget the
bracelets.”

“Yes,
ma’am.”

“How
are things with the princess?” Juliette asked Alicia.

“Oh,
that girl,” Alicia sounded exasperated.  “Not good, I’m afraid.  She slept all
day but she’s still exhausted.  Yet she insists on attending the banquet
tonight.  She can be such an angel when she wants to be but when she’s in a
headstrong mood-”

Armand
poked his head through the doorway and interrupted. 
“Ladies, I need
Miss Juliette downstairs in 15 minutes, please.”

“Yes,
sir,” both Alicia and Emilia chimed simultaneously.

Armand
continued,
“Miss
Juliette, Princess Sofia sends her deepest regrets but she won’t be able to
meet you before the banquet tonight.”

“Thank
you, Armand,” Juliette replied.

“Well,
I better go finish up with the princess, then,” Alicia said.  “You really do
look lovely, miss.”

“Thank
you, Alicia.”

Guillermo
stood just inside the door of the King
’s Study listening to the
Sergeant-at-Arms announce the banquet attendees one by one.