The Queen of England

Chapter 9 The Queen

Cody's lips tasted like mint, which I expected. The second they touched mine, my whole body felt like it was on fire. Unable to help myself, I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck to keep him at my height while I kiss him back.

He smiles against my mouth and kisses me for a few minutes longer until he pulls away.

"Do you believe me now?" he whispers.

Laughing quietly, I nod and peck his lips again.

"Prince Cody!" someone yells.

I jump and step out of his arms. He pulls me back to his side. It's a maid. I recognize her from my first day here. Her name is Henrietta.

"Yes?" Cody calls.

"The queen has sent me to fetch you. She's in her throne room-I can tell her you're indisposed-" she says.

"We're coming, Henrietta." Cody cuts her off.

She smiles and scurries off. I pull away from Cody again.

"Oh my god! How embarrassing!" I exclaim.

"Relax, Britt. We're engaged. Don't forget that." He says.

I blush. "Right. Sorry." I say.

He chuckles. "Oh my. Let's go and meet my mum so she can go back to bed." he says.

It's then I realize what's happening. I'm about to meet the Queen Of England.

*****

I am wearing a silver gown that touches the floor all around, hiding the heels I wear. My hair is left down in perfect ringlets, and my crown is on my head.

As soon as the maids are done helping me dress the door is opened to reveal Cody outside of my bedroom. He is dressed up as well, wearing a black suit with a tie.

He looks amazing.

I can't help but feel like I don't belong here, in a palace, next to a prince, no matter how pretty they dress me.

"Brittany, I must say you look lovely." he says.

"Must you?" I murmur so only he can hear me.

He grins. "I must." he says. The maids begin to make their way down the hall as he pulls me into his side.

"But if I could, id say you looked so sexy right now I could rip that dress right off you." he whispers in my ear.

His words have the effect I'm sure he was hoping for, sending a shiver up my spine. He smiles and kisses me rather roughly as he leads me down the hall.

"Are you drunk again?" I ask, praying he will say no.

"Of course not. You think I would go before my mother with whiskey on my breath?" he asks, astounded.

I can't help but laugh. He smiles again and presses his lips to my temple.

"I still think you're drunk." I breathe.

"I swear to drunk I'm not god." He jokes, making me laugh too loud. He puts a hand over my mouth.

"Shhh, Britt. What will my mother think if you're already screaming for me?" he teases.

"Cody!" I exclaim, swatting his arm. He laughs. I decide to get payback. I stop walking, and so does he. Then I stand on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear.

"We are engaged, Cody. Don't forget that."

My words cause him to tighten his arm around my waist and suck in a breath.

"Don't tease." he growls low in his chest.

"Then you don't tease." I fire back before beginning to walk again. He catches up with me quickly.

"You're going to get me in so much trouble." He says.

I smile. "That's what I'm here for." I say.

He shakes his head at me and we finally reach the doors that I know will lead to the queen. We're alone.

Cody stops and turns to me. "Don't be nervous," he says, as though he can read my thoughts.

"Remember, mum chose you specifically the day you were born. She knew from the minute she saw you that you were special. She just wants to see if she can still see that. And I know she will." He says.

"How do you know?" I ask quietly, so nervous I think I might explode.

He kisses my forehead. "Because I see it. I see what she saw the day she chose you." He says.

This makes me so happy that for a moment I'm not nervous.

But only a moment.

Cody touches my hair and strokes my cheek. "You look amazing. Just go in, curtsy, and look at me like you've already fallen in love with me. Answer any questions she asks honestly, and don't act like you're scared of her. She's your future mother in law, act like it." He says.

"Curtsy, be sappy toward you, be honest, don't be scared. Got it." I say.

He chuckles. "Let's go." he says.

Then he opens the door and we walk inside. "Mother?" Cody calls.

"Hello, Prince Cody." The queen calls back. She sits on a throne in the center of the room. Her body looks thin and frail, but her attitude demands the respect of everyone who speaks to her.

I'm going to learn something from her today.