American Royals

As Beatrice mingles with her potential suitors at the Queen’s Ball, she grows bored and impatient with their “eagerness to brag about their own accomplishments” (79). She notices that Lord Theodore Eaton is the only one from her parents’ pre-approved list that hasn’t come to talk to her yet, so Beatrice decides to introduce herself to him. Instead of bragging about himself, Teddy sympathizes with Beatrice and how stressful her night must have been. As they talk about etiquette, their families, and their mutual love of a bakery in Boston, Beatrice finds herself relaxing around Teddy, and although she “[doesn’t] feel butterflies” for Teddy, there is something “genuine” (86) about him. Beatrice asks Teddy to join her and her family at the premiere of a new musical next weekend, and Teddy agrees.

Later that night, Connor is upset with Beatrice and asks her why she is going along with this and trying to find love among her parents’ choices. As they argue, an explosion sounds from somewhere nearby, and Connor presses against Beatrice to protect her. Word spreads that a stray firework caused the sound, but Connor and Beatrice remain close, and they share their first kiss. The king comes to find Beatrice and asks her about the young men she met at the ball. Beatrice dodges the question and promises to discuss it with her father the next day, but as she prepares to turn in for the night, she is overwhelmed with “thrilling, terrifying new feelings” (91) about Connor.

The morning after the Queen’s Ball, Sam wakes up early and tries to learn more about Teddy through social media. She finds her father about to start his morning run. Although the king usually runs with Beatrice, Sam volunteers to take her place when Beatrice is late. The king agrees, and as he and Samantha jog around the park, “daydreams of Teddy [keep] spinning through her brain” (95). The king decides to talk about Samantha’s future: He points out that it’s been six months since Samantha graduated from high school, and although the king allowed her to take a gap year, he is disappointed that she seems to have no focus or sense of direction for her life. He encourages her to find something she can get excited about and “channel all that tremendous energy into something positive” (99). They return to the palace and meet Beatrice, who tells her father that she invited Teddy Eaton on a date. The king is delighted, while Sam is horrified. Their father leaves, and Sam rounds on Beatrice and accuses her of choosing Teddy “for his face and his title” (103). Beatrice is offended, but she doesn’t explain why she is dating Teddy Eaton, and Sam is hurt that Teddy seems to have chosen Beatrice instead of her.

Daphne volunteers at a hospital to earn charity hours and make herself look good to the American people. On this particular Sunday, Daphne brings along Natasha, a reporter for the Daily News with whom Daphne has “reached a silent understanding” (107): Daphne slips Natasha gossip about people at court, and Natasha always makes sure to “[portray] Daphne in the most dazzlingly favorable light” (107). Daphne visits with the children in the hospital and poses for photos, and as the parents of the sick children praise Daphne for being beautiful and kind, Daphne privately gloats.

However, when the reporter leaves, Daphne visits one more person: Himari Mariko, Daphne’s best friend who was left in a coma after falling down the stairs at the Washingtons’ graduation party six months ago. Daphne files Himari’s nails for her and remembers how much she enjoyed spending time with Himari and her family, even though Daphne’s mother didn’t approve of their friendship. Mrs. Deighton urged Daphne to “surround [her]self with girls who make [Daphne] shine, not girls who compete with [her]” (111). Daphne defended Himari and remained friends with her, but after Daphne and Jefferson started dating, Daphne learned that Himari also wanted a shot with the prince. Quietly, Daphne tells the unconscious Himari that she “never meant for this to happen,” but Himari “didn’t leave [her] many options” (113).

One night, Nina works her library job at King’s College. Nina has carefully separated her palace life from her college life, and no one knows how close she is to the Washingtons. Suddenly, she gets a phone call from Jeff, who invites her to have dinner with him at one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. Nina reluctantly agrees, and when she arrives at the restaurant, Nina discovers that Jeff rented out the entire place for the night since Nina “[doesn’t] really like the spotlight” (119). Still, Nina feels stifled by the environment and explains that such extravagance isn’t her style. Jeff agrees, and instead, they end up at a taco shop and a Wawa convenience store for dessert. Nina explains how much she loves Wawa milkshakes with M&Ms, and Jeff explains that although his family expects him to go to King’s College next year, he admits that he isn’t sure he wants to. As Nina and Jeff share a kiss, Nina worries that she isn’t a suitable girl for Jeff because she’s a commoner, and she wonders how Sam will react when she finds out that her best friend is dating her twin brother. Jeff assures her that everything will be okay and that he likes Nina exactly how she is.

On the night of the musical, Beatrice, her family, and Connor meet with Teddy at the theater. Since their kiss, Beatrice and Connor have barely spoken to one another, but Beatrice can’t stop thinking about it. When she notices people staring at her and Teddy, she starts to wonder why she chose such a public space for their first date. The musical, which tells the story of Beatrice’s ancestor Lady Emily Washington and her determination to claim the throne without marrying, has a startling effect on Beatrice. As the actor playing Emily Washington sings about “how she would need to give up the person she loved, for the good of her country” (133), Beatrice is overwhelmed and flees from the theater.

Connor follows her and tries to talk to Beatrice, but when Teddy joins them in the hallway, Connor backs down and assumes the role of faithful Guard. Teddy comforts Beatrice, who, despite her feelings for Connor, still appreciates Teddy’s honesty and compassion. Teddy tells Beatrice that he respects her and knows she will be an excellent ruler someday. Teddy admits that he’s “under the same kind of pressure” (136) as Beatrice, and both of their parents want them to be together regardless of how they might feel about one another. Still, they agree to give dating each other a fair chance, and Beatrice returns to the theater with Teddy.

During the musical, Sam is furious that Teddy Eaton is sitting beside her as her sister’s date. Sam feels like she was once again put to the side because Beatrice was seen as the better option, and after the show, Sam is cold to Teddy when he tries to talk to her. Sam is momentarily distracted from brooding over Teddy when she remembers that her brother and her best friend will always be there for her. Later that night, Sam is surprised when Beatrice knocks on her door and wants to talk. Beatrice mentions their Aunt Margaret, their father’s sister, who was once in love with an airplane pilot but had to give him up because he wasn’t noble. Aunt Margaret could have married the man, but being with a commoner meant she would have to give up her titles and her place in the order of succession. Sam argues that “if she’d really loved him,” she would have “chosen him anyway” (145) and adds that if Aunt Margaret had been the heir to the throne, she would have been exiled.

Beatrice looks unsettled, but the king and queen arrive and praise Beatrice for a successful first date with Teddy Eaton. They have invited Teddy to spend New Year’s in Telluride with the family on their annual vacation, and Beatrice appears panicked. Sam, who “[has] no desire to spend her New Year’s vacation watching Teddy on an extended date with her sister” (146), argues that things might be moving too fast. The king and queen insist, and reluctantly, Beatrice agrees.

The Washingtons arrive in Telluride and pose for photos for the press while Nina waits in the wings and avoids the cameras. For the last few weeks, Nina has kept her relationship with Prince Jefferson a secret from everyone in her life, even Sam. Although most of the Washingtons are in Telluride, Beatrice will arrive later than everyone else. Nina, Ethan, and Teddy are there as guests to the Washington family. As the reporters call out questions to the royal family, Nina is stunned when someone asks Jeff who he is dating because “[they] keep hearing rumors that [Jeff is] seeing someone,” and “all of America keeps hoping [Jeff] and [Daphne] will get back together” (152). Jefferson avoids the question, and Sam reveals that according to social media, Daphne Deighton is in Telluride. Sam disapproves of Daphne and thinks she’s being desperate, while Nina worries about having to see Jeff’s ex.

Jeff and Nina privately meet on the ski slopes and share an intimate moment away from the cameras. Later that night, they meet up again, and Jeff admits that he “wanted [to] shout about [Nina] to the whole world” (157), and he doesn’t like all the secrecy. Nina explains that she’s not ready to face the inevitable backlash from the press, who won’t approve of Jeff dating a commoner. Jeff agrees to keep their relationship status private for a little while longer.