Royalty Secrecy

Off To The Races

Back in Lauren's room, Dinah is giving the green-eyed girl tips on how to conduct herself. 

"So let's review. At the lawn picnic, you'll have to eat with perfect civility," Dinah says.

"I've got this, Dinah. I won't stuff my mouth, pick my teeth, or stab Zayn with a fork... No matter how tempting that last one might be," Lauren says.

"Right. Well, Victoria said I should go over everything. Speaking of which, how would you address Victoria?" Dinah asks.

"I'm supposed to address Victoria as 'Your Grace'," Lauren says.

"Correct. And in case it comes up, her full title is Duchess Victoria of Ramsford, also known as Duchess Ramsford," Dinah informs.

There's a knock on the door and Dinah answers it.

"Dinah. How's progress?" Tori walks in.

"As planned! Lauren and I were just about to review her entrance to the Derby and how to get out of a car without flashing the press," Dinah says with a smile.

"Adjust skirts before moving and keep your knees and feet together while swiveling out," Lauren says.

"Anyone who can run an internet search can spout off that kind of protocol. We're asking you to be a lady. Dinah, I hope you don't mind if I take the liberty of testing Lauren myself," Tori says.

"Pretty sure it doesn't matter whether or not I mind," Dinah says.

"Indeed," Tori says. She walks over to the green-eyed girl. "Lauren, let's pretend I'm meeting you for the first time," Tori says. She puts her acting face on. "Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lauren Jauregui," Tori says.

"The pleasure's all mine, Duchess Ramsford," Lauren says.

Lauren does a curtsy as Tori returns it before standing up straight again.

"Now. What did I do wrong?" Tori asks.

"You didn't bow your head," Lauren says.

"Very observant of you," Tori smiles.

"You thought I wasn't learning anything," Lauren smiles.

"Don't get too complacent. You're only ever one mistake away from a scandal," Tori says firmly.

"Thanks for the reminder," Lauren's face hardens.

"Anyway, the real reason I came was to inform you that our limo awaits to take us to Honeyhill Dawns," Tori informs.

"Limo?" Lauren asks excitedly.

~~~~~~~~~~

A few minutes later, Lauren and her hosts are riding in a limo towards the Honeyhill Dawns.

"Now as we mentioned earlier, how you come across to the Cordonian people is very important and the press can make or break you. What the press writes, the people read. If the people love you, then it'll be easy to convince them you deserve their princess," Tori says.

"So you've got to impress the press, so to speak. You'll be surrounded by them as soon as we pull up to the Dawns," Dinah says.

"Okay... What kind of questions should I be expecting?" Lauren asks.

"It'll depend on who's doing the interview. They'll start with easy questions, asking who you are, where you're from, that sort of thing," Tori says. 

"People want to understand your story... So think about how you want them to see you," Dinah says. 

"Then the hard questions... I don't know what they'll ask but..." Tori trails off.