not a fairytale

twelve

 I soon found Katherine, Meghan, and Alex in the corner by the table where they had some water and lemonade sitting out for us.

"There you are, we were starting to worry you got lost," Meghan remarked.

"Yeah I actually did," I laughed, "But I had some help with directions, and I'm here now." 

"Have you ever been to a Derby?" Katherine asked.

"Plenty, not that I paid much attention," I replied with a laughed, "My dad likes to go to horse races, we always had a box at the ones in Sicily but I liked the social aspect a lot more than the actual race." 

"Well then you fit right in because that's definitely all we're here for," she laughed.

We all grabbed a drink and then took seats in window of the box where they were getting ready to start the race.

They introduced each of the jockeys and their horses before they brought Logan out onto the middle of the track for a short ceremony where he spoke about becoming King and how much he loved his country, that kind of thing.

I guess I was staring just a little bit because I could hear Jeanne and some of the other girls whispering and giggling at me. I could give a shit, I knew I genuinely had a connection with Logan and one that they never could have no matter who their parents were.

The race was over fairly quickly and then there was a ceremony to present the winning jockey with their winnings and trophy and everything, all of which Logan was there for to be the photo op. He had on his best PR smile but I could tell he was bored out of his mind.

After nearly everyone else was clearing out, we were all led back to where our cars were waiting for us to take us to the private gardens where the "picnic" lunch was held.

The picnic was being hosted by a beautiful nature conservatory with acres of beautiful gardens and tree orchards straight out of a storybook. There were beautiful white tables scattered throughout the garden where our picnic was complete with a bigger table up front for Logan and his parents.

There were placards with our names on them at each place setting for us to have assigned seating. I expected to find my name back in the back with the other girls who got stuck in the back away from the important tables, but I by some miracle wasn't over at what I thought was the worst table.

"You find your seat yet?" Anthony asked as he found me looking through the tables.

"No," I replied.

"Up at the front," he said with a smile.

Sure as shit, I found my name written on a place card up at the front table, sitting next to Queen Maria.

So much for just being the trash from Italy or whatever else Cheryl called me behind my back, God only knows what she said when I wasn't listening.

"Lady Lombardo, I'm so happy you could join us," Queen Maria smiled as we sat down to eat.

"I'm happy to be here Your Majesty," I smiled.

"It isn't coincidence that you were seated up here my dear, I chose you to sit with me today," she remarked, "I don't say that to expect any thanks, I say that to warn you that the other ladies may not take kindly to it." 

"Well I appreciate both your choice and your warning ma'am," I said.

"Juliette I'd like to be as frank as I can with you," she said, "I think you are a wonderful young woman, strong and independent but also with a deep admiration and respect for my son. I think that your lack of a royal or noble background is a good thing, not a bad one like the other ladies here or the press may try to make it out to be."