“Like us stumbling drunk out of a bar.” Catherine shook her head. “Like we would ever do that.”
“It happens.” Alex frowned at her. “Kyle is often photographed acting like a baboon at nightclubs.”
“Kyle just likes to have a good time.” Cathy looked out the windows. “Look, Samantha! There’s the Rousseau monument!”
I looked out the window surprised. “Really?”
“Yes. Your family fought off a northern invasion and gave the capital enough time to rally troops.” Alex looked out the window with me as we drove past the large statue. A man rode a rearing horse, sword held high.
“How about that.” I felt a little bubble of pride in my chest. My family had faced down invaders.
“Just down the road here is the Lilarian library. There are paintings of some of the earliest families inside. You should go visit them when you have time.” Cathy was proving to be an excellent guide. “Oh! And that’s the Sverelle Bridge. Our mother’s family is responsible for it being here. It’s one of the few that survived the Nazis occupation.”
“Wow.” And I meant it. There was intense pride in her voice for the work of their family and that of their country, and I understood. This was their home and they could literally trace their ancestors back to massive historical moments or places. It gave the history a life, a face.
We pulled up to a small family style restaurant situated between two buildings. There was faint music spilling out of the door, and I could smell food as soon as Duvall opened the car door. The press were on us immediately and I felt my hackles rise. I was trying to get used to the idea, but they certainly weren’t giving me any adjustment time. Alex opened the door for us and a tall thin man greeted us inside.
“Your Highnesses, Duchess. A pleasure to see you.” He bowed to us.
“We’ve been coming here since we were kids, Luca. Why are you suddenly bowing?” Cathy pulled her coat off and hung it on a rack near the door. A few of the patrons inside turned to look at us, but for the most part seemed more interested in their food.
“Ah, but this is Duchess Rousseau’s first visit!” Luca smiled widely. He motioned us to follow him, and he sat at us at a booth in the back. It was far from the little window at the front and I knew he was used to dealing with public figures.
“You’re going to love this place.” Cathy smiled at me over the table. She pushed a menu at me. “I already know what I want.”
Alex eyed the booth for a minute before taking a seat next to his sister. I was relieved. Sitting next to him in the car had been difficult enough. It’s amazing the little things you notice about someone when you have the hot’s for them. Like the way he smells or how long his legs are compared to mine. Then there are the other things, like wondering how his hands would feel running over my skin. Things I wouldn’t think about sitting next to just anyone, but here I was thinking about them and trying to pretend that I wasn’t.
I opened the menu and looked over the selections. I frowned when I realized it was in Lilarian. There weren’t even any pictures to help me pick. I looked up at my companions and Alex was watching me with shrewd eyes.
“Need help?”
“A translator would be nice.” I winced and laid down the open menu on the table. “I have no idea where to begin. I want to try something new.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. You don’t speak Lilarian, do you?” Cathy shook her head. “You need a teacher.”
“I have a teacher.” I raised my eyebrow at Alex. “I won one in a bet.”
“Really?” Cathy looked at her brother. “You lost at something?”
“Don’t.” He shook his head. “It’ll never happen again.”
“What was it? The bet?” Cathy looked at me, her large eyes wide with curiosity.
“I beat him at Monopoly.” Alex groaned and leaned back in his seat.
“No way!” Cathy leaned forward. “Did you figure it out? He has to be cheating. There’s no way he’s won that many times otherwise!”
“Maybe the karma gods thought it was time he lost.” I shrugged.
“Karma gods, huh? Well, it’s about time.” Cathy sat back in her seat.
“So, foreign-language teacher. Tell me what this is!” I pointed at the first thing on the menu.
“Well, that is the word for stuffed.” Alex grinned while Cathy laughed.
“Oh.” I looked at the menu and wondered if there were any words that wouldn’t trigger naughty thoughts.
“And I said I’d be your teacher, not your translator.” Alex shook his head.
“Well, you’re not doing such a good job. I’ve been here a day and know nothing. I think I should get the drawing as forfeit.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Luca brought over three glasses of water, wineglasses, and a bottle before quickly departing.
“Drawing? Is that the one I saw on your desk?” Cathy turned toward Alex with a small smile.
“Miss Nosy wanted to know what I was working on, so I made a bet. I won.”
“So she hasn’t seen the picture?” Cathy narrowed her eyes at Alex.
“No. But she does owe me a week of volunteer work for the FBT.”
“Then how did he end up being your Lilarian teacher?” Cathy looked at me, confused.
“It was a long flight. He lost the second game.”