When we arrive at Luther’s palace, his parents are there waiting. The king greets me the same way as before, by kissing my hand. Lela eyes Luther. “I hope you greet Lexi this way back at the school.”
Luther nervously runs his fingers through his hair. “Not exactly like that, but it’s similar.”
We’re talking full on the lips action.
“Put your bags just… somewhere… right there’s good, by the grand staircase. I’ll have someone…” Lela trails off, completely getting distracted. “Arthur,” she says, cocking her head. “you know, you look very nice today.”
Arthur smiles. “Thank you, my love.”
Luther, pulls me close to his side and whispers, “She has a tendency to forget whatever she’s doing and start talking about something else. You get used to it after a while, so during dinner tonight, don’t get offended when she doesn’t quite answer or say anything right.”
I smile. “That’s perfectly fine.”
His parents lead us into a parlor down a few corridors. We sit. Luther sits next to me, his hand in mine.
“Well, since you two are engaged,” says Arthur. “Will you need a room together?”
He’s teasing, but I sit up straight from slightly leaning against Luther. “Uh, no thank you.”
Luther laughs. “No, Dad. We’re not going there. If the school found out, we’d be suspended.”
Arthur laughs. “It used to be quite common back in our Castleside Academy days. One girl was pregnant when she graduated.”
My eyes widen. “Uh…”
“Lexi’s a little uncomfortable with this, Dad. Can we please—”
“Son, I just want her to know that it’s okay to be young and have a child, especially if you’ll be living with us after you finish school. I mean, Lela was pregnant when she was eighteen. She had Luther when she was about… what? Twenty-two?”
“I thought we weren’t going to tell him that?” she hisses at Arthur.
“Well, the girl needs to know!” he hisses back.
As they have a little hissing bickering, Luther looks at me. “Sorry about them. They talk to me about having children of my own all the time. I should’ve warned you before we came…”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. I mean, I’m only uncomfortable if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“I’m completely used to it. You know they even have the talk with me every time I come to visit. If they give it to us both this time, we’re just leaving and going somewhere else in the castle.”
I giggle.
Finally, the Willard parents stop fighting and turn to us, smiles plastered on their faces. “Sorry…” Lela glares at her husband. “We didn’t mean to frighten you Lexi. You’re such a kind girl… We hope you enjoy your Spring Break here.”
I nod. “Thank you. And it’s perfectly fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m still sorry, dear,” says Lela. “Oh, Luther, honey, help Lexi with her things. The room next to yours is empty, isn’t it?”
Luther and I stand as he nods.
“Great. Go have fun now, kids. Um… dinner’s at six o’clock sharp.”
“Sweet,” Luther breathes.
We head out of the parlor and back to where our luggage is.
“You know, you actually don’t need to help me. I have one bag and my cinch bag.”
YOU ARE READING
Castleside Academy
RomanceLexina Talon has always tried to be the best princess she can be. In a school full of princes and princesses, though, it's pretty simple. Just don't mess up, and you'll be fine. The goal is to graduate and at least be engaged to someone. That's the...
