Race for the Throne | Formula One

73. You Came, You Called

I woke up with a start when someone banged on the study door. Taking a moment to orient myself, I realized I had fallen asleep at the desk. Picking up my phone, I checked my texts as I opened the door.

Unknown Number
Let's see if the crown fits

I didn't respond to him. The text from Nick was what excited me.

Nicky
She talked

Kat
Was it enough?

Nicky
I turned her over to the security agency.
Any further news on Lucas?

Kat
No, but still hoping

Nicky
We'll have a presence at the coronation, this is the end

Chelsea clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "You're getting crowned and it looks like you haven't slept in a week."

"I actually did sleep some last night." Her comment stopped me though. In a week. It had only been a week. One week ago today, my family was killed. Only one week. It felt like ages. One week ago my world fell apart.

I let them lead me to the bedroom where they did my hair and make up. I had selected to wear only my star necklace and my mother's wedding ring on my right hand. I wanted to feel like they were with me somehow.

Chelsea smoothed the skirt of the dress on the bed. It was a white gown that I was expected to wear.

I walked up to it. "That's not the dress I'm wearing."

"What? Why not?" She asked in surprise.

"I might not be observing the proper mourning time but I'm still in it." I went into the closet and returned with a black gown. "I'm wearing this."

"You can't wear a black dress for your coronation," Chelsea said frantically.

"I can and I will. My family died a week ago, I'm not wearing white. None of this is happening how I want it to so I will at least wear the dress I want."

With much disapproval, Chelsea helped me into the dress. "You look stunning but I still think you should wear the other dress. People will talk."

"Let them." I walked out of the room.

Mateo arched his eyebrow. "Black?"

I nodded. "Black."

He fell into step with me. I handed him my phone, showing his the texts.

His eyes widened. "She talked."

"Have you heard anything from Lucas?" I asked.

Mateo shook his head. "Not yet."

"We're out of time so we have to hope that this works." I slid into the waiting car.

"Have you heard from Charles or the others?" Mateo asked from the front seat.

I stared out the window. "No, but I haven't reached out to any one."

"You still could. We're about to go into the coronation, you could text him everything." Mateo looked back at me.

"I can't, I don't want him involved. I don't want him knowing anything that could put him in danger." I crossed my arms, wincing slightly at the pinch in my shoulder.

Mateo turned back to face the windshield. "Your shoulder isn't going to heal if you keep messing with it."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I tensed my jaw.