A Royal Outing

Amelia’s POV

As I stepped out of my etiquette class, my mind drifted to the previous night. Lucas’s words had lingered, giving me a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. His quiet assurance had somehow softened the anxiety I felt about Ethan’s presence at the upcoming meeting. I’d expected indifference or perhaps some level of detachment between us as time passed. Instead, his presence last night was grounding, supportive, and left me feeling steadier, more capable of facing what lay ahead. But I couldn’t let myself dwell too much on that—on him.

Just then, Cassidy’s excited voice pulled me back to the present. “Amelia!” she called, hurrying over with Lena by her side, both grinning like children let loose in a candy store. “Guess what?”

“What?” I asked, intrigued by the gleam in her eyes.

Lena crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. “We’re taking you shopping,” she said with a sense of finality. “And not just any shopping—this is going to be our day out in the city. We’re