Royally Screwed

Chapter 2

SYLVIE

"Did they blackmail you?", is the first thing Vicky tells me as I arrive at school on Monday.

"Good morning to you too, Sunshine", I tease, taking my usual spot next to her. The Assembly is about to begin, yet my bestie seems zero concerned about that. Not judging the way she looks at me with worries.

"Don't Good morning to you too, Sunshine me", she counters, piercing me with her green eyes. I also notice she's having curls, her blonde hair usually falling straight. "Not when I still believe they blackmailed you", she insists, her worries only getting bigger.

"What are you even talking about?", I ask.

She holds a finger in the air to make me a sign to wait, pulls out her phone and opens the link she saved in her bookmarks. The one to the interview I gave for CNN. It's then Vicky skips forward until the part they ask me about Louis.

"A decent guy?!", she asks me shocked. "Syl, what were you thinking?! Nothing about that guy is decent."

"Well, what was I supposed to do?", I let out. It's like every thought I had during those seconds erupts now. "Say Oh, actually I find Prince Louis a complete asshole, who clearly has an ego bigger than his dick?"

"You know how big his dick is?!", Vicky asks a bit too loud. I can't help but notice some students look at us surprised, before they turn back to their business. Even though it is one of the most exclusive private high schools in our country, hosting the children of international superstars and celebrities, the others still treat me otherwise because of my title. Because they know that if they do me wrong, this is my country. And they might not get away with it.

Prince Jasper of Vos is also here, and the students adore him. But that might also be because he leads the football team.

"No", I answer Vicky's question, keeping my voice low this time. "And I don't think I'll ever want to know."

"But?", she continues.

"But what?!"

"I felt like there was a but coming."

"No but."

"Oh come on, there for sure was a but coming."

"No but", I answer, my voice firm. "Prince Louis and his dick are none of my problem. I only speak with him because of Edmund."

"Okay", Vicky replies, not really convinced.

I want to ask her what she meant with that tone, yet then I decide that if I keep digging that topic, then I might not like the results. So I go for a topic change instead. "Have you talked with your Dad? Are you allowed to come to the polo game next weekend?"

"Yeah", she answers, and the way her voice falls gives me the rest. "I'm not allowed to go, sorry."

"Have you told him I'll be there too?", I try my best.

Vicky's father is the Prime Minister of Arlette. Howard Cabot is the definition of an overprotective parent. Ever since Vicky's mom left, Mr. Cabot barely lets her go out. He does make some exceptions when it comes to me, given the fact that wherever I go there is a security team coming with me. But he'd never allow his daughter to travel abroad. Hence why from the moment I invited her to be my plus-one to the polo game in Deauville, I knew I might be reaching too high. Still worth a try though.

"I did", she answers. "But you know how he is about all these things." She then takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Anybody you know coming with you?"

"Edmund wanted to come. He and Louis had planned to take the plane from Boston and come together. However Edmund had to cancel last minute since the Palace asked him to attend a conference in London. Meaning Louis will probably go with him there instead, since he doesn't give two shits about horse races."

"Oh, Sy", she lets out, sounding sad. "I am so so sorry. I would have come. Truly." She takes an angry sip out of her coffee. "You know how Dad is."

"It's alright", I assure her. "It's not your fault. And I'll be fine. Really."

"Text me the whole time", she adds.

"I will", I answer.

She smiles pleased and hands me her coffee cup as reward. "You have to try this. Apple Pie Latte. Found it at the coffee shop today."

I chuckle, not being able to say no to coffee and take a sip from it. A bit too sweet, yet not bad. You can clearly taste the apple. "Not bad", I let out.

"Right. But I also got you something", she says, pulling another cup from her tote bag. "Vanilla Latte."

"I love you, Vicky", I say falling with my arms around her neck.

"I love you too, Sy", she answers smiling.

It's then we can hear our principal's voice toning through the room, announcing the Assembly has started. With a sip of the coffee, I force my mind to focus on what the principal is saying.

And not a certain Cordelian royalty. One I amthankful to not see at the polo game.