" Ding!

Princess Alpacca, pronounced like the animal, first in line to the throne of Alieya Island, a small nation below the south of France. The Queen invited her to Wessco after an attempted coup forced her family into exile last year. She doesn’t speak English and I don’t know a word of Aliesh. This is going to be a challenge.

Guermo, her translator, glares at me like I’m the bubonic plague in human form—with a mixture of hatred, disgust, and just a touch of fear.

She speaks in Aliesh, looking at me.

And Guermo translates. “She says she thinks you are very ugly.”

Princess Alpacca nods vigorously.

She’s pretty in a cute kind of way. Wild curly hair, round hazel eyes, a tiny bulbous nose, and full cheeks.

“She says she doesn’t like you or your stupid country,” Guermo informs me.

Another nod and a blank but eager smile.

“She says she would rather throw herself off the rocks to her death in the waves and be devoured by the fish than be your queen.”

I look him in the face. “She barely said anything.”

He shrugs. “She says it with her eyes. I know these things. If you weren’t so stupid you would know too.”

More nodding.

“Fantastic.”

She says something to Guermo in Aliesh, then he says something back—harshly and disapproving. And now, they’re arguing.

But they can stay.

Guermo is obviously in love with Alpacca and she clearly has no idea. My presence will force him to admit his feelings . . . but does she return his infatuation? It’ll be like living in a Latin soap opera—dramatic, passionate, and over the top. I have to see how it ends.

Ding! "

― Emma Chase , Royally Matched (Royally, #2)