Race for the Throne | Formula One

28. Secrets Never Die, We Bury Them Alive

I slid off of the couch early the next morning. Charles was still asleep after his panic attack. Since I still couldn't sleep, I figured I would make sure breakfast was prepared for everyone when they woke up. Checking the kitchen, everyone was already bustling about so I stole a croissant and wandered off. The light was on in my father's study so I raised my hand to knock on the door but his voice stopped me.

"Lucas, I am not even entertaining the thought... I don't care what it would mean... We don't need to discuss this in person or with them... You know if you come here, I will see you but I'm not changing my decision... I'm not doing that to my daughter, I don't care what you are offering...Goodbye."

I walked in. "What was that about?"

My father was sitting behind his desk, head in his hands. "Lucas Beaufort."

"What the fuck did he want?" I dropped into one of the seats in front of the desk.

"To see if I wanted to arrange a marriage between you and Jacques."

My jaw dropped. "What the actual fuck? The fucking audacity!"

"I obviously told him no and that I wasn't even going to consider it but he's still coming for an official visit and I can't turn him away." My father kept his head in hands, unable to look at me.

I jumped to my feet. "He knows exactly what his fucking son did and he has the fucking balls to suggest a marriage? I'm in a relationship already, for fuck's sake!"

"He thought he'd jump on it after the interview and the article. I'm sorry, Kat." He looked up at me. "I'm so sorry. I can't stop him from coming here, but I also don't have to stop you from leaving here. He'll be here Friday."

"I'll go to Qatar with the guys for the race. I really want to support Charles right now because of everything."

My father nodded. "I think that would be a good idea. You'll need to tell him what's going on."

I ran my fingers through my hair. "I will, but not yet. He's going through so much right now and I don't want to make it worse."

"The longer you wait the worse it will be," my father advised.

"I'm going to go wake the guys up and let them know I'll be going with them." I changed the topic.

I stalked through the palace, rage radiated off me like heat. But I quickly schooled my features before knocking on Carlos' door. He mumbled something so I opened the door.

He was sprawled out on the bed. "Don't make me get up, this is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in."

I tackled him. "You know that this bed will always be here for you if you ever want to stay here again."

He held up a hand. "Pinky promise?"

I laughed. "Pinky promise."

"I'll be here every time I'm in Monaco."

"Ok but how about breakfast so that you know your way around your new Monaco home?" I suggested.

"I can't get up with you on top of me," Carlos muttered.

I climbed off him and sat on the edge of the bed while he disappeared into the bathroom.

"Hey Carlos," I asked suddenly. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did," he said around a toothbrush, leaning against the bathroom door frame

"A real question." I rolled my eyes.

He nodded for me to continue.

"So say, someone received news of something that was never ever going to happen even though someone else really wanted it to happen. But there was someone not one of the first two someone's that was also involved-"

Carlos held up a hand, cutting me off. "You're talking in riddles. Just say it for real."

I twisted my fingers in my lap. "Someone proposed a marriage to my father that involves me. It's never going to happen, my father has already made it very clear. But that someone is coming to Monaco next weekend for a formal visit, most likely to try to convince my father in person but he's not going to move. So I'm hoping to go with you all to the next race so I don't have to be here. But I just found all of this out this morning so I haven't told Charles yet. And I know Charles is all over the place right now and I don't want to make anything worse for him so I don't think I should tell him right now but I can't wait too long because if he finds out from anyone else it would be awful."

Carlos was quiet for a moment as I caught my breath. "Are you absolutely sure it won't happen? Can you guarantee that no matter what this other person says, your father will refuse it?"

I nodded firmly. "He will not budge."

Carlos sat on the edge of the bed next to me. "Then tell him. It's not going to happen so when you tell him, you don't have to be worried about the outcome or waiting to hear what might happen. You already know what is going to happen so just tell him, he would rather know. "

I looked down at my hands and whispered, "but with everything going on, I'm scared."

Sensing my mood change, Carlos pulled me into a hug. "I know this is a very hard time for you with the media right now and Charles and now this, but you'll make it through and you'll do it together. And we'll all be supporting you along the way. You might be Charles' girlfriend, but you're our Princess, don't forget that."

"Carlos! You're making me cry." I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. "Seriously though, thank you for the advice."

"Always." Carlos helped me to my feet. "Let's wake the other sleepyheads and get breakfast."

Carlos went next door to wake up Arthur while I went to my room to brush my teeth and freshen up. I walked the two of them to the breakfast room. Arthur was not a morning person unless he woke up on his own terms and guessing from his wet hair, Carlos had not opted for a civil wake up call. Once I dropped them off there, I returned to the movie room for Charles.

He was sitting up, hair sticking out in every direction.

"Good morning love," I said softly, standing in front of him.

Bleary eyed, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "How long have you been up?"

I rubbed his shoulder. "Not very long, I woke up Carlos and Arthur. They're waiting for us for breakfast."

Charles leaned forward, wrapping his arms around my hips and resting his face on my stomach. My heart ached for him as I smoothed his hair.

He mumbled something.

"What was that love?" I asked.

He moved his mouth away from my stomach for a moment. "The first time we met you fixed my hair."

"And you caught me when I fell."

He took a deep breath before standing up and stretching his arms above his head. "Let's go, Carlos and Arthur will be impatient."

We made our way back to the breakfast room where we were also joined by my brother and parents. I sat back sipping coffee, holding hands with Charles, watching my family interact with the drivers. There was no awkwardness as my father, Alex, and Carlos discussed golf or as Arthur talked to my mom about his own mother.

"Hey Kat," Charles said softly.

I turned to look at him.

"I was thinking, we've been together for a bit and I've met your family. I know you've met Arthur but would you like to, I'd like to introduce you to my mom and older brother," he asked hesitantly.

"I'd love to meet them." I smiled.

He looked relieved. "Would you maybe want to meet them today? I know it's short notice."

"Let's do it."

He squeezed my hand. "I love you."

"I love you too." I kissed his cheek.