𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬

xᴠ || ᴛʀɪᴄᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋꜱᴛᴇʀ

Astrid was unsure of how exactly she was going to get Sara to comply with her brilliant (or horrible, she was yet to decide) plan; all she knew was that she wasn't leaving until Sara agreed to help.

Which is how she found herself sneaking into Sara's dorm room via the window during the third period lesson that Wednesday.

Astrid knew that she and Sara shared a free period, and Astrid was hoping that the girl would make a step back to her dorm before heading somewhere like the library or grounds. Was it a foolish stupid plan, yes. But Astrid needed a way in, and Sara was that way.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Astrid was halfway through the window, her upper half of her body inside while her legs dangled outside. She raised her head to see Sara standing above her, her lips set in a thin line, hands on hips defensively.

Hurling the rest of her body through the window and moving into a seated position, Astrid fixed her hair. "Do be sure to close the door, and maybe lock it. I've heard August has a tendency to just barge into people's dorm rooms, a bad trait of his".

Sara did not look pleased. "You don't get to talk about him, especially after you told him to fuck off and threw a vase at his head," She said. Astrid wasn't even sure why she was surprised that Sara knew about that; August would have to keep her informed if he wanted to use her for information.

"You want to talk about doing shit we shouldn't?" Astrid challenged, as she stood from the ground, "How about running your mouth on private royal affairs?"

"Your wedding? It's going to come out in the news anyways, and besides, August would find out anyhow. He's going to be the best man. The Queen has already organized it". She spoke with confidence.

"The Queen has her head up her ass, considering she doesn't even realise both her kids are gay as fuck," Astrid said. "I didn't come here to argue with you about August. Just to convince you to go against him and your little relationship".

"And why would I possibly do that?" Sara asked, crossing her arms.

"Because when August goes down for this, and he will go down, trust me, I have the power to keep you safe, and your record clean. A criminal offense isn't exactly what we want to carry around for the rest of our life, now is it?"

Sara straightened her shoulders, as she glared at Astrid. "What do you want me to do?" She asked curiously.

"A couple things," Astrid replied, "First, I want to ask you a few questions". Sara scoffed, but didn't object. "You and August," Astrid continued, "What's happening with that? Surely he can't be that special, the guy's an asshole".

"He loves me".

"You're delusional. August loves August, and no one else," Astrid retorted, "What else?" Sara picked at her fingernails, but Astrid wasn't giving up. "What else?"

"He said he could get me a place here, as a resident. That he could get me in the manor house," Sara said, finally breaking. She didn't seem pleased with sharing that information.

"Alright, I can understand why you would stick by him," Astrid said, "Especially if you felt indebted to him for getting you in. But I paid for your and Simon's tuition, not August. You have no reason to stay with him. So why are you?"

"Because he can get me out!" Sara exclaimed, and Astrid was caught off guard. Up until this point Sara had been mostly calm, but now her voice was raised and strong. "He's rich and has connections. He can get me out".

Astrid truly felt bad for the girl, but that couldn't stop her from laughing. "Oh, Sara, Sara, Sara," Astrid said, shaking her head, "August is fucking broke".

"You're lying," She replied defensively, "You just don't want me to be with him, because of what he did".

"I would think that you would have the comment sense and the dignity to leave his ass because of the whole brother's sex tape thing, but I guess I overestimated your intelligence," Astrid said, "Though you would probably know that August is, in fact, broke as all hell. His family's assets have been liquidated, and the Crown has paid for this year's tuition. The man is poor, Sara. He can do you no good".

Sara refused to look at Astrid. She pulled out her phone as if to call or text someone, but thought better of it and threw it onto the bed. "What do you need from me?" She asked instead.

"We need you to get something to August; we know that you relay information to him, so don't even try to change the story," Astrid said in a hurry, not allowing Sara a word to defend herself. "Once you have the video, you need to get August to release it, and then you need to cut him off. We'll wipe the evidence from your phone so you can't be incriminated".

"Who's 'we'?" Sara asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"You kept referring to yourself as 'we'. As in, more than one. Who else is in on this? Prince Wilhelm?" She questioned, "Simon?"

"Considering your current situation, I suggest you stop asking questions and do as I've asked. I can protect you from the cops and public humiliation, but only if you work with me".

"Does he know?" Sara asked, as Astrid made her way to the door.

"Does who know what?"

"Does Simon know about August? And that I know he was the one to release it?" Sara clarified.

Astrid's hand was on the door handle, but she didn't pull the door open just yet. "I'm unsure," She lied, "You'll have to figure it out for yourself". Sara nodded solemnly. "I'll send you the video in the next couple of days. If August hears even a whiff of this before he needs you, or finds out that we're behind it, your ass is going straight to the cops. With him".

"I understand," Sara promised, "I'll do it right".

"You better. It's your ass on the line as well as his". Astrid walked over the threshold and started down the corridor as she fished her phone from her pocket. Clicking on Jasmine's contact, the phone line rang all of two times before the call got connected.

"Give me the good news, Miss Princess," Jasmine said. Astrid could hear commotion on the other end of the line; everyone must be gathered somewhere together.

"She's in," Astrid confirmed, "Ready to give August the video whenever we have it ready".

"You sure she won't go against us?" Felice asked over the phone.

"No, I don't think so. I threatened cops, exposed August for being the broke bitch he is," Astrid shrugged, opening the door to the outside grounds, "She's on our side on this".

"Let the chaos begin," Wilhelm said. 

*             *               *

(1170 words)