Race for the Throne | Formula One

3. Blown Cover

I winced. "Surprise?"

"You're Princess Kathrine?!" Ines' jaw dropped.

"I'm still the same person!" I said quickly, trying to defend myself. "We still had a great time at the race and I didn't mean to lie, I just..."

Ines pulled her phone out. "I guess I should update your contact."

I released the breath I was holding, relieved, before remembering Charles.

Turning towards him slowly, I smiled apologetically.

"I thought the princess would be more graceful after all the royalty training," he teased.

My eyes widened as I remembered. "Shit! Lando!"

"Hey, language," Alex said, disapproving.

"What about Lando?" Charles asked.

"We ran into Lando, he covered for me because I was here without a pass and I gave him Ines' number, and I was planning on going back to thank him."

Charles shrugged. "McLaren isn't far away, we could walk over."

James waved to Ines from by the exit.

"I should go, text me later." Ines hugged me goodbye before running off to join her father.

"Alex, can you wait here? I don't want a big deal or anything," I asked my older brother.

"Of course, but hurry back."

I left Alex at Ferrari hospitality and walked with Charles towards the McLaren garage.

"Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed. I didn't even recognize the princess of my home country." Charles bumped his shoulder against mine.

"That was the goal of the day and I succeeded." I bumped him back.

"To not get recognized by me?"

"To stay incognito, under the radar. If I hadn't run into Alex, I think I could have gotten away with it."

He laughed. "Then you probably shouldn't have been wandering around the paddock."

"Now I know for next time." I shrugged.

"No, don't say that. I'm glad you came back here."

"Oh really, is that a fact Mr. Leclerc?"

"It is indeed."

"I guess I'll take that into consideration."

We reached Lando's driver room and heard raised voices coming from inside. I was about to knock when the door swung open and the person speaking to Lando stormed off.

"Was that Zak Brown?" I whispered.

Charles nodded before knocking on the open door frame. "Lando, mate, can I come in?"

"What? Yeah, of course." The young British driver was sitting on the couch, head in his hands. "Just got chewed out for being a minute late to a meeting because I stopped to help two girls. Apparently that's unacceptable behavior especially because of the crash."

"About that..." I started, unsure how to continue.

Lando looked up quickly. "Oh, um, I didn't realize you would be here."

I sat next to Lando. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to get into trouble. I wanted to come back and say thank you. Is there anything I can do to help?"

He smiled wanly. "Nah. After seeing what the team did to Daniel, I guess I'm just worried they're going to do the same to me."

"Head up mate, you're an amazing driver and you're going to come back stronger next race." Charles put his hand on Lando's shoulder encouragingly.

"Were you here as Charles' guest?" Lando asked as he smiled appreciatively at us. "I'm sorry, I never even got your name."

"I'm Kat. Charles and I just kind of ran into each other. To be completely honest, I wasn't supposed to be back here so you really saved me when you came by because it would have been really bad if I had gotten caught. My family never would have let me hear the end of it."

Lando laughed. "Well I'm glad I could help, but next time you want to come back here just give me or Charles a shout and we'll make sure you can come legally."

Charles nodded and I exchanged numbers with the two of them.

"It was lovely meeting you both, I should get going, don't want to keep my brother waiting."

"Are you going to tell him who you are?" Charles asked as he stop outside the door with me.

"Not yet, he's upset right now and I don't think it would help him. You should stay and cheer him up, I can find my way back."

"There's a party tonight on my yacht. You should come."

"I should, should I?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I'd really like it if you came."

"Send me the details, I'll see if I can make it."

His face lit up. "I will, I hope you can Princess."