“Bianca, is everything all right?” The prince’s deep, smooth voice drew her from her thoughts.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“You looked worried.”
She bestowed upon him her brightest smile. “Not worried at all.”
And if he believed that she had a Christmas elf to introduce him to. But she was a professional. She could do this. She kept telling herself that as the plane touched down on the tarmac.
* * *
Had he made a mistake?
He didn’t care what Bianca said. She was worried.
As a dark sedan moved them from the airport to the palace, Leo couldn’t tell what it was about this trip that bothered her. And he had yet to tell her about the tension between his mother and sister. Perhaps he should have, but he hadn’t wanted to scare her off. He’d already had all the qualified wedding planners in Patazonia turn him down when they realized the queen already had her own planner.
He needed someone on his sister’s side. And Bianca was that person. He was pretty adept at reading people. She may be apprehensive now, but he’d seen her in action. He knew when she was in planner mode that nothing ruffled her.
Maybe he should warn her about the exact details of this wedding. He didn’t want her totally blindsided—
“I will need an assistant,” Bianca said.
“Don’t you already have one?”
Her gaze didn’t quite meet his. “I thought by hiring one here, they would be able to help with the local customs.”
He had to admit it did make sense. “I’ll have my assistant provide you with a list for you to choose from.”
“Thank you.” She glanced down at her list. “And I assume I’ll have an office. I mean I could work out of my room, but that would be crowded and awkward—”
“Yes, I’ll see that you have a set of private offices.”
Bianca rattled off a couple of other items on her list and he was able to appease her. Nothing she’d asked for had been outrageous or over-the-top and by the time she’d checked off everything on her list, they’d pulled up to the palace. His explanation of how things would work would have to wait.
When he’d spoken to Giselle last, he’d told her he had a big surprise for her. He knew how much his sister loved surprises. Even though she was now in her twenties, she was still the first one up on Christmas morning, eager to find out what was in the garishly wrapped packages under the tree.
When the car pulled to a stop, the doors were opened by the staff. Leo stepped out of the car into the late afternoon sun. It didn’t matter how many times he traveled, returning home always felt amazing. This place was in his blood—it was a part of him. He couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else.
He rounded the back of the car and stopped next to Bianca as she craned her neck, staring up at the palace. “What do you think?”
She continued to take in the enormity of the very old structure with its detailed stonework and its soaring turrets. He stared up at the palace, trying to see it as she did. The gray stone with the ivy climbing up it against the blue sky with the sun’s rays peeking out was portrait worthy. Along the border were flowering shrubs. The fuchsia pink blooms added softness to the hard stone. The grounds were perfectly manicured in distinct designs. This place looked the same as it had when his father was alive. Leo couldn’t decide if the lack of change was good or bad.
The enormous wooden doors to the palace swung open. The rest of the staff, in black-and-white formal attire, rushed out to greet them.
Leo stopped just outside the doorway next to one of the maids. “Bianca, this is Zola. She will see to anything you need during your visit.”
The young woman briefly curtsied.
“Thank you.”
Just then his sister came rushing to the doorway. Her long golden-brown hair fell over her shoulders. Her face lit up at the sight of him. He didn’t know whether to be flattered that he was missed or concerned that yet again, something was amiss with the wedding.
“You’re home.” Giselle hugged him, as was her nature.
When they pulled apart, Leo said, “I wasn’t gone that long.”
“Long enough.” His sister frowned. “You should hear what they want to do for the wedding now—”