Chapter 1 Another Royal Gala

• Annie
• I remember the first time I was forced to mingle with the members of the Royal Court I was beyond awkward and uncoordinated. I practically hid behind Daniel the entire time, feeling more than out of place, like I was a rock, polished up and set to be surrounded by precious jewels. Now though, not only do I feel like I belong, I know I'm revered. If someone told me that I would be the next Queen of Verilia a few months ago, I would tell them they need to screw their head on straight. Now, I not only believe it, but I feel like I deserve it, like it's a title that the Verilian people would benefit from me having.
• Where I would once only speak when spoken to, now I walk up to nobles, starting conversations, speaking about anything and everything from politics, to the latest movies with nothing but the upmost confidence. Where I would once take cover behind my fake husband, I now stand beside him, proudly, with the knowledge that he loves me, and that I belong.
• All this being said, I'm still not a huge fan of parties, but I can now say that it isn't because I feel out of place, it's simply because I don't care for all the interactions. It can be tiring, and there's only so many times I can answer the same questions.
• I take a sip of my sparkling water while Archduke Bishop's wife, a skinny little thing with dark hair and a beautiful blue gown, asking me the same questions that every other woman has asked me.
• "How far along are you?"
• "Is it a boy or a girl?"
• "What are you going to name them?"
• "How do you feel about being a mother?" Insert motherly advice here.
• "How are you dealing with the morning sickness?"
• I don't mind telling people the answers to most of these questions, except one. Daniel and I have yet to inform anyone except our immediate family that we are having twins, or their sexes. We want to surprise everyone, and be surprised ourselves.
• Well, I do.
• Daniel is obsessed. Every day he mentions the tempting envelope. He wants to know what we're going to have so bad, but I refuse to tell him. I also refuse to let him look. One day when I told him that, he pounced on me, his hand around my throat and in a sexy growl that left me clenching my thighs together he proclaimed: "You don't let me do anything, Little American. I am your Master." Then he smiled small. "But since I want you to be happy, I promise I will not look."
• After that, he proceeded to show me exactly how much of a Master he was to me. So much so, that I could barely stand, let alone walk. I find myself having dirty thoughts often nowadays. I think it's the pregnancy hormones, because here I am, standing in front of a few royal ladies, thinking of nothing but the way Daniel's cock deliciously stretches me as he shows me how much he loves me and how much I desperately want him to do it again Right. Now.
• Apparently pregnancy makes me horny.
• "Excuse me ladies, mind if I cut in and have a word with my sister?" He's taken to dropping the 'in-law' after sister, and it isn't something I mind. It actually makes me feel like a part of the family and I can't help but smile every time I hear it.
• The ladies of the court nod politely and shuffle away, leaving us to our own devices. "You look absolutely beautiful this evening, Annie." I'm pulled out of my dirty fantasy by Michael, Daniel's younger brother. He smiles at me and gives me a polite nod of his head, slightly lifting his glass in my honor. I really like Michael, he seems like a very nice guy. Not to mention, he's a wonderful father, and he loves his kids so much. Every time I see them together, I can't help but imagine Daniel with our twins and it makes my heart swell.
• I smile back. "Thank you, Michael."
• "How are you doing? I remember my Cassie when she was pregnant. She hated going to these things, and she got tired easily." He says with concern in his voice. "At any time, feel free to dip. You're going to be the future Queen after all."
• I feel my eyes widen, but I try my best to school my features. "What do you mean? Don't you want to be King? I'm sorry if this comes off too strong, but shouldn't you be more upset?"
• Michael shakes his head. "This is going to sound like a shock, but I never really wanted to be King anyway, but I was willing to accept it if Danny didn't get his shit together." He laughs. "That being said, I'm really glad he did, because he's going to make a great King, and you a wonderful Queen."
• I can't help but wrap my arms around him in a hug. I give him a tight squeeze before we break apart. "That's really sweet of you, Michael, and very mature."
• He nods and shrugs. "What can I say? I'm a very mature guy, but the crown isn't mine to take. Besides, it's too much work, and I already have a full time job."
• I raise a brow. "Really?" I didn't know he had another career.
• He chuckles. "Yeah, I've got two kids and a wife. I sure as hell don't need the stress of running a whole kingdom!"
• We both laugh, clinking our glasses together. Daniel looks over at us from a circle of foreign dignitaries, looking nothing short of miserable, and if I didn't know better, a little jealous. I don't blame him, I don't think I'd want to be a part of that conversation either, and I know he wants to be beside me. Since I told him I was pregnant and he said he loved me, Daniel's been my shadow whenever he can. Whenever we are together, he makes sure he can see me, and he never strays so far that he can't run to my side if I need help.
• I flash him a genuine smile and he gives me a small one back before partaking once more in the conversation that I can only assume is super boring and full of snappy politics. I turn back to Michael and see him grinning around his champagne flute.
• I narrow my eyes playfully. "What? Don't you look down on me. I see the way you look at Cassandra."
• He chuckles and shakes his head. "I know, I know, I'm smitten, but that's not why I'm smiling. I'm smiling because I never thought I'd see my grumpy ass of a brother acting this way. I'm just really happy for him, and I'm happy it was you who got him out of his funk. Annie."
• I give him a watery smile. "Careful what you say around me! These dang pregnancy hormones make me cry at everything! It's ridiculous!" And I mean everything, just the other day I sobbed at a commercial on the television, and it wasn't even a sad one.
• Michael laughs. "Trust me, I'm aware. Cassie was an absolute wreck! But what I'm saying is true. You're a good person, Annie, and it will be an honor to live in your Kingdom. I know you'll do what's right. Being a royal is about sacrifice and duty, and I trust you to make the hard decisions, unlike me or Cassie. We aren't fit to rule. You are."