As I made the two-hour drive home, I had the horrible thought that I really didn’t have anyone to help with Marty were something to happen to me. Before I had moved to Lilaria with Granddad, I would have thought my best friend, Karey, would take care of him, but now I wasn’t sure. We had grown apart as I’d tried to carve out a place of my own in this new world where I was living. Was she even in a place where she could raise a boy?

By the time I got home my stomach was in knots. I thought I’d feel better after asking Max to be a pallbearer but instead I had obsessed over scary things.

“Mom! I beat level six!” Marty ran down the stairs and held his arms up in victory. I clamped down on worries and focused on the happy little boy staring at me.

“Way to go! That’s the one with the evil robot doctor, right?” I followed him up the stairs so he could show me.

“Doctor Gear. He’s been kicking my butt for weeks!”

“Don’t say butt.” I frowned. Living in a home like Thysmer Manor and rubbing elbows with royals and rich people, I’d begun to realize how different we talked and behaved. I’d started correcting Marty so that he would fit in a little better, but at the same time, I didn’t want to change his personality. I wanted him to fit in, but not conform. No reason to lose his sense of self. After all, he was a pretty awesome little boy, if I do say so myself.

“Should I say a—”

“Don’t finish that if you want to ever see your game system again.” I raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, Ma.” He jumped on his bed, not even a little bit worried. “Look! I left it on the screen with the medal. I can’t believe it. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Completely.” I reached out and tickled his side.

“Mom!” He wiggled out of my grasp. “I’m being serious. This was hard!”

“Huh. We should celebrate.” I tapped my chin. “How about ice cream for lunch?”

“Really?” He looked at me with big eyes.

“Really.” I’d do anything to keep that happy look on his face.

“You. Are. The. Best!” He jumped off the bed and did a little dance. “Oh yeah!”

“I’ll tell Sarai.” I stood up off the bed. “Go beat level seven while I handle some stuff.”

“Okay, but don’t forget the ice cream.” He held out his pinky and I twined mine with it.

“Pinky promise.” I kissed his forehead and pulled his door half shut as I left.

“My lady,” the head butler called.

“Yes?” I turned to smile at Gerard. He was the one who had accompanied my granddad to the funeral home. I owed him so much for not leaving him alone.

“I wanted to let you know that the palace called and their aide is on her way to help with the arrangements. They’ve also asked that you be willing to say something to the town of Thysmer. It’s tradition that the next in line for the title address the people after a death.”

“I see.” He didn’t go to my father. He came to me. There was a lot left unsaid in his explanation. “And when do I need to do this?”

“Soon, preferably. Before the funeral, I’d say. The palace aide will be able to help you come up with an appropriate response.” He stood up a little taller. “I’d also like to offer my condolences. Your grandfather was a fine man.”

“He was a rambunctious old devil with bad habits.” I smiled. “But you’re right. He was a good man.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The doorbell chimed and he turned. “I’ll see to that.”

“Thank you.”

I walked down the hall to my room and kicked off my high heels. The things were making my toes go numb. I pulled on some slippers while peeling off the skirt and tugging on a pair of comfortable jeans. I might be a lady now, but I’d just lost a loved one, and all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and cry. Unfortunately, I had to take care of details. That meant I’d have to forgo my pajama pants, but I wasn’t giving up my jeans. I ditched the cardigan and unbuttoned the gray shirt I had been wearing to reveal the tank top underneath. That was more like it.

Pulling my earrings off, I put them in a small dish next to my bed, but left the pearl ring on my right middle finger. It was a small, cheap ring. Just wire wrapped around a small freshwater pearl, but I always wore it. Granddad had given it to me when I had Marty. It meant more to me than any of the new jewelry I had acquired since we’d hit the royal jackpot.

As I headed back down the hall, I heard a voice I hadn’t expected.

“Is Lady Meredith available?” Max’s deep voice rumbled up the stairwell.

“I’m not sure, Your Highness. Would you mind waiting a moment?”

I peeked around the corner before ducking back. There he was, standing there in khakis and an untucked button-up shirt. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Hearing the butler coming up the stairs, I ran back to my room quickly and kicked off the fuzzy slippers I’d been wearing. Why was Max here? Was he going to back out of being a pallbearer? I couldn’t imagine any other reason for him to show up right now. Or ever, really. Not that I was complaining. He was nice to look at and his smile caused parts of me that had been dead for years to heat up. But why?

“Lady Meredith?” The butler knocked on my open door frame. “Prince Maxwell is here to see you.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right down.” I looked around my room for suitable shoes. “Would you take him to the sitting room and order some tea?”