Royal Obligations

Chapter 26: Practice Makes Perfect

"You look absolutely stunning, Cordelia. But then again, you usually do." Harlan smiles as he pulls out my chair for me. 

Thanks Forrest

"Thank you," I say, forcing myself to blush. It actually didn't take much. I've been doing it so much lately I have become an expert. 

I had to admit this was very beautiful. For a girl who wanted to be here, this probably would have been enough to make her faint. We were in the gardens under a willow tree. Lights were hanging from the branches and the whicker table and chairs were cute. 

"I actually made this," Harlan says with pride as one of the help carry over a trey, but whatever he made was hidden.

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow. 

The large round plate was set in front of us, and when Harlan lifts up the cover I couldn't help but laugh. 

"You like pizza, right?" he asks with a smirk. 

"I love it," I say as Harlan cuts me a piece. He places it on my plate before doing the same for himself. 

"Do I still have to eat it with a fork and knife?" I joke and Harlan lightly chuckles. 

"Yes. Totally." 

I always found it interesting how easy it was for me to talk to Harlan. For some reason, we just fit into this comfortable conversation. I never knew what it was or why that was. 

I'm pretty sure our date lasted hours, but I really wasn't keeping time. Maybe I should have, because I apparently had to be ready by five in the morning tomorrow. 

As Harlan was walking me back to my room for the night, I couldn't help but think about Forrest's crazy words. 

If my idiot brother doesn't make a move soon, believe me, I will.

But hasn't Harlan technically already made a move? We were out on a date tonight, after all. But Forrest wrote the letter before he knew about our date... 

No. I wasn't doing this. I always tell myself to get a grip, but it never works. Since when did it not work? Isn't that how Cordelia was created? By me telling myself how to behave? 

"Cordelia, are you alright?" Harlan asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. 

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. Sorry, I spaced out... I'm just a little tired-"

"You don't need to explain yourself," he says, his voice concerned. "Are you sure you're alright?" he cups my cheek in his hand.

No tingles. 

Stop it!

"I'm just tired." I sigh, trying to think of a way to change the subject. "I had a wonderful time tonight, Harlan." I smile up at him. 

"Me too," he leans down to kiss me but I back away.

What the hell? Get it together!

He gives me a look of confusion and a hint of embarrassment. 

"I have to ask you something before I forget." I quickly say, trying to cover up my mistake. 

"What's that?"

I clear my throat. "Well, um, you see..." I glance at my bedroom door and an idea suddenly pops into my head. "My maid, Elise... She's never been to a ball before. She's just seen them from afar."

A soft smile spreads over Harlan's face. "Yeah?"

"And I was wondering if maybe, I don't know," I break eye contact for good measure. "If you could get her an invitation?" I look back up at him, making sure to seem anxious. "You don't have to. I don't want to ask for something that-"