Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Twelve

At the British consulate, it was another state dinner. While the Irish one quite recent, this one proved to have more glitz and glamour. There wasn't a need to hide when Queen Letizia was ready to shine all the time. It was rather if Meredith was able to step up to the plate with her own. Like the designer wanted to rival the Queen of Spain, Meredith was dressed like she was meant to take on an army in high heels and a flowing dress. The designer had especially stated that this dress was meant to show off Meredith's best aspects, and it wasn't her personality.

The off the shoulder dress of red lace was tight around her breasts, pushing them and up, so much so Meredith was sure it was inappropriate. However, Jessica had checked the dress off. Meredith's long arms were covered in the same rose-patterned lace. With a matching red under dress, eventually the two reds came together as it grew outward when it came to her waist.

The Queen of the United Kingdom had hesitantly lent out one of her most expensive tiaras, which strapped onto Meredith's head like a helmet. Never in her normal days was Meredith allowed to wear this one with only two smaller tiaras to her name, which Meredith was fine with. There were perks to being the Duchess of Windsor; tiaras were one of them.

Other jewelry was slipped onto Meredith's body, but none of it matched the tiara that was on her head. It was a lot of pressure that sat on her shoulders. Her face had been beautified, and now she stared into the mirror again, seeing a princess more than Meredith. And Meredith knew that no matter how stunning she looked now, she was not as gorgeous as Queen Letizia. It rocked her to the core as she tried to suck in her stomach again. Her fingers tried to push in as well. The diet that the monarchy had her on wasn't working fast enough for their standards, and now she felt it didn't work fast enough just for tonight.

"You look stunning, so why are you doing that?"

Meredith gasped, and her stomach fell out again. She twirled around to have Harry standing in the doorway. "I'm just--"

"Mere." He walked over and kissed her. "You're gorgeous, more than that, more than anyone can describe. Please believe me."

She so badly wanted to believe him. "But Letizia--"

"So what?" he asked. "Why is she more beautiful that you?"

Meredith opened her mouth to explain it, but from his face, he didn't want that. "You know I didn't use to care."

"Then why care now?" Harry wondered, arms circled around her. "Because of Letizia?"

"No, it's not her." Meredith brushed back her hair, accidentally touching the tiara. "The monarchy has me on a diet, and what if I am fat? Does that make me un-beautiful? They seem to think so. They seem to think that it makes me less. So what if I am less?"

"You're not less, and fat doesn't define you." He touched her chin gently. "You told me that." 

When Harry realized it wasn't working, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room. Meredith stood there stunned and confused. She swallowed as tears began to burn in her eyes, like somehow she had disappointed him, and her heart began to race. Her hands curled around her body, and she stared at herself in the mirror, like she-- Harry walked back into the room, holding a book in his hand.

"You read poem earlier to me, do you remember?" he asked. "It was before we left, but you carry this poetry book wherever we go." Harry held the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace, and he began to twist through the pages. "I guess this poetry does speak to you on a princess level." He cocked a smile. "Ah, here."

Meredith tried to take the book from his hands, but he crossed the room so quickly that Meredith wasn't able to keep up in her long dress and heels. There was no running with a tiara on anyway, one of the golden rules.

Harry held the book up so he was able to read it better.

"fat

"/'fat/

"adjective

"1: a descriptive word.

"it has no deeper meaning.

"it should not determine

"the worth

"(or lack thereof)

"of a human being."

Harry finished and put down the book. "Remember, Mere, I love you until forever and always, no matter what, and people will try to tear you down and the monarchy will tell you to do something that is so absurd that even I will scream it is wrong-- but you are my love of my life. I will do everything for you and I will do anything that you want. And if every day, if I have to tell you that you're beautiful-- gorgeous-- stunning, I will. I will do it every day." Walking over, Harry stood in front of Meredith until she looked him in the eyes. "It's time to go, and I am ready to show you off."

Meredith scoffed.

"Come on, Mere. I am ready to show the world that you're my wife, and have them all go 'Damn.'"

Rolling her eyes, Meredith grabbed him by the arm. "Let's just go."

It was a twenty minute drive from the British consulate of Madrid to the Royal Palace of Madrid, where the state dinner was being held. Politicians and royals from around Spain were meant to come out tonight and show support. Hosting was King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and there was meant to be fanfare. The old cobblestone streets of Madrid made the car rock back and forth, and then when it finally pulled up the palace, vomit bubbled in Meredith's stomach. Nerves mixed with excitement started to get to her.

Queen Letizia and King Felipe waited on the steps of the palace.

Harry smiled. "You're much more beautiful." He got out of the car before Meredith was able to say anything.

The door opened for Meredith, and carefully she slid out, hoping not to knock off her tiara or ruin her dress. Harry waited beside her, and she took his arm, sliding her arm through. Her large engagement ring glittered in the light. Walking up the few steps, Harry bowed and Meredith curtsied in front of the King and Queen of Spain. They welcomed the newlywed royal couple with open arms. 

Cameras flashed as the two royal couples stood side by side. Queen Letizia looked beautiful as always, but as Meredith looked stunning beside her, she felt the confidence boost. Harry's eyes remained on Meredith for the whole night.