“So, what brings you to Denver, Colorado during finals?” I eyed him suspiciously as I peeled off the top of my container. The spicy smells of chicken tortilla soup hit my nostrils as I breathed in deeply. My favorite.

Mason clutched his chest as if I’d offended him greatly, causing me to arch an eyebrow at him. “Can’t I do a romantic gesture for my girlfriend without having an ulterior motive?”

I snorted. “Nice try. Seriously, just shoot straight with me. I can take it.”

Mason winced before retrieving a cream linen envelope from the inside of his sports jacket and handed it to me. I wiped my hands with a napkin before taking it from him. On the front were the words: To Mistress Reese Fitzgerald in beautiful gold calligraphy, and on the back was an honest-to-God golden wax seal that had been stamped with a crest. It was a shield with a horse, a mountain, a sword, and a cross on it flanked by two lions and a crown of jewels resting at the bottom. I eyed him warily before breaking the seal and retrieved the embossed invitation from within.

“Coronation Reception. Their Majesties request the honour of the company of Miss Reese Fitzgerald at the Coronation of Prince Mason Royce Livingston, II on the evening of Friday the 4th December 2018 from 6:30 to 7:30. Reception to follow at Grobertiger Palace from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight. Evening Dress Required,” I read aloud and then blinked several times.

“This is an invitation to your coronation?” I asked rhetorically.

“Ah, technically it is an invitation to the reception. Only the royal council, the Court, and family are allowed to attend the coronation, but Mother has promised you will be permitted to attend it as well if you’d like.”