Prize winner. Which she was. “It’s quite obvious you aren’t sleeping well. It was obvious before yesterday’s incident.”
“At least we got the ceremony done. Thank God the press wasn’t there anymore.”
“Yes, that’s exactly the thing we should be worrying about right now. You’re a beautiful woman, Princess Alexandria, but you’ve got bags under your eyes the size of tea cups.”
“Partying,” she suggested. “The wild royal lifestyle.”
“Nice try, but you weren’t anywhere in that issue of People.”
Alex shrugged and looked around the large office. “It’s not a problem for me. It’s just…how things are now.”
“I disagree.”
“There is something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you.”
Dr. Pohl raised white eyebrows.
“It might seem personal.”
“Try me, Your Highness.”
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to bring it up for months.”
Dr. Pohl leaned forward. “You’re safe here, Princess. You can discuss anything with me.”
“What’s with all the ducks?” There were pictures of mallards on the wall, wood duck statues, antique painted duck decoys, pinheads, spoonbills, and mergansers. Two framed duck prints from America. “I’m having waterfowl overload. Is it a special thing with you? Were you raised by mallards?”
Dr. Pohl settled back, admirably masking her sigh. She ran a hand through her white curls, adjusted her glasses, and put her pencil down. “You’re changing the subject, Your Highness. Not surprising, given what happened yesterday, but not helpful, either.”
“Well, I can if I want. I can talk about anything in here I want. I’m safe, remember?”
“You say that like you don’t believe it.”
She looked away. “Like I said, I can change the subject to whatever I want.” She drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair, striving not to sound like a spoiled palace brat, and failing. “Current events. Waterfowl. The state of the Union. Prince William’s upcoming marriage, which my dad actually thinks he’ll be invited to. My niece. She’s brilliant, you know.”
“So you’ve said. Your Highness—”
“She’s already talking and she’s only one.”
“Yes, Your—”
“She’s practically toilet training herself and she’s only one. Isn’t that amazing? Don’t you think that’s amazing?”
“Fortunately, she won’t ever have to worry about Devon.”
Alex felt herself tighten. “That’s a little obvious for a supposedly subtle analyst, isn’t it?”
“I suppose.”
“And there’s always a Devon,” she said bitterly. “Always.”
“So your niece isn’t safe? Your brother? Your father? If someone turns up late, they’ve been kidnapped?”
“Look, I overreacted yesterday, okay? Let’s move on.”
“You’re not,” Dr. Pohl said quietly, “or we would.”
“B-besides, when has safety ever been a guarantee? For anyone, never mind someone in the public eye? Even for the good guys? My family didn’t take this country from Russia by being nice. I’m sure felony assault was involved.”
“So this is how it’s supposed to be? You’re a closed-off wreck who can’t sleep because people aren’t nice?”
“But my family’s okay for now. If that’s the trade-off, I’ll take it.”
“Princess Alexandria, it wasn’t a deal.” Dr. Pohl was leaning forward, her gaze so compassionate Alex had to look away again. “In fact, it’s not a trade-off. Why shouldn’t your family be alive and well—all respect to your late mother, the queen—and why shouldn’t you have a happy and fulfilling life?”
“Well, for one thing, if I did, you’d be out of business.”
“Hardly,” she muttered. “Your sister-in-law keeps me on my toes.” Then, louder, “How is the medication working for you?”
“Fine.”
“It’s amazing,” Dr. Pohl said, amused. “You look like a perfect angel when you lie.”
“Thanks.”
“But I think we should try to make some kind of progress.”
“Why?”
“Your Highness.”
“What?”
“Your Highness.”
“None of this is my idea.” Alex crossed her arms over her chest and jiggled a foot up and down. “Have you seen my schedule? I’ve got other things to do. Like I said, this wasn’t my idea. Blame my father, the big hen.”
“I think it’s safe to say I have never heard the king referred to as a chicken. Your Highness, in all seriousness, I can’t help you if you won’t let me.”
“Then it sounds like we’re done,” she said, cheering up.
“Sit back down, Your Nice Tryness.”
Glaring at the duck pencil sharpener, she did. She wondered if Congress would give her the power to have Dr. Pohl beheaded. Or at least suspended.
“Have you given any more thought to my suggestion?”
“No.” This was another lie. Some nights, it was all she thought about. But ultimately…“It’d be like running away.”
“I disagree, Your Highness.”
“Of course you do. By the way, you should return that blouse. Babyshit tan is not a good color for you.”
“Your transparent attempt to pick a fight about my admittedly eclectic wardrobe so we get off the subject won’t work.”
“Whatever you say, cotton ball.”
“There’s nothing wrong with trying something new, getting a little perspective. You’ll be doing good work and at the same time, if you got out of the country for a while, it could do you a world of good. And since your brother can’t go, it seems almost…fortuitous.”
“Everything I need is right here.”
“You don’t have to stay to keep an eye on them, Alexandria.”
And Alexandria,
