Royally Screwed

Chapter 4

SYLVIE

Coming to Deauville was a terrible idea.

I started my morning with being part of a heated discussion whether Schnitzel or Bratwurst is better. The Austrian ambassador won. I then had a short coffee break I spent discussing the impact of developed infrastructure in one of our neighboured countries, Dermetra. The princess, Giulia, is twenty-four, so only seven years older than me, which still makes it better than most people here. Well, six, considering I'll soon turn eighteen. But still.

I then attended the opening ceremony, watched the first race. Now it is the break between the two games. The next one will happen later on in the afternoon, meaning I can finally take a few hours for myself.

I chose to spend them riding on the beach. Since I have no intention of anybody recognising me, which is pretty easy when you have such an intense hair colour like me, and people can usually spot the red anywhere, I'm wearing a hoodie, hood on, and a pleated white skirt. My navy hoodie is one of the only items I managed to smuggle here.

Holding my horse tight, I take in the landscape. It really is beautiful. The calming sound of the waves, the pigeons flying in the air. I look over to my left, seeing the Hotel Barrière Le Normandy, where most of us guests are accommodated during this weekend. It's then I keep riding, passing Les Planches and returning my gaze to the sea.

It's then I notice something else. Another person riding a horse. Passing right past me. I can't notice their face thanks to the quick movement, but I do notice the way they tilt their head at me. As if an invitation to a challenge. Then how they turn to look at the one pole as if to symbolise the goal.

I turn my horse around, joining the stranger's race. Fred is next to me, keeping watch from the boardwalk anyway. It's not like something can happen.

Taking speed, I start galloping on the beach. The stranger does the same, the two of us being on the same level at one point. I don't dare a glance at him, focusing on winning instead. He must have lost focus for a second, since he gets slower for a few moments, allowing me to overtake them and put some distance between them and me.

The win is a no-brainer starting that point.

Smirking bright, I hop off my horse and wait to see my competition.

My breath stops as I meet a pair of familiar brown eyes.

Louis.

"I won", it's all I manage to let out as I try my best not to check him out. It is unfair that he is so hot. A worked body, light brown hair he now reveals as he takes off his helmet. His muscles are hidden by the navy Polo Ralph sweater he matched with some beige pants. Riding boots on, he works at the button of his shirt, rolling up his sleeves.

He should not have done that.

"Hello, Trouble", he winks at me.

Oh yeah, and then there is that. Because from any nickname he could have possibly given me, he chose the worst one. My name is Sylvia. He could go for Sylvie, like everybody is calling me. Or Syl. Via. Sy...

But he has to go for Trouble.

My blood starts boiling in my veins just at the way the nickname rolls with familiarity off his tongue.

"Didn't expect you to grace us with your presence", I counter, hopping back on my horse. I fully plan to run away, but as if he would know, Louis starts riding at the same pace with me, making running away seem more and more impossible. Especially with the people watching. I know by now that a picture of Louis and I riding together will reach the newspapers by tomorrow morning, yet it's nothing scandalous. People love Louis. And Arlette and Cordelia are on good terms. So nobody will care. Or even worse, they will love it. "I thought you'd join my brother in London."

"Wanted to get rid of me, sweetheart?"

"I was counting on it", I let out annoyed. Of course he had to be here and ruin the only free hours I had.

"I couldn't let this opportunity slip", he says. "I love escargots."

"You hate escargots", I point out at him.

He twitches his mouth at how I knew something about him. I just see it as general knowledge. Louis hates escargots. I bet anyone would know.

It doesn't mean anything.

"No, but there are other sweet things I could feast on here", he lets out.

What the-

I blame my slight addiction for Wattpad that I interpreted more into that sentence than he probably even meant.

"Try the pain au chocolat ", I tell him. I feel sorry for the girls he meant in his previous sentence.

That would be if he meant it like that, obviously.

I highly doubt it.

"Your favourite pastry?", he asks me.

For some reason, I admit the truth to him and nod.

"Any cafés you'd recommend?", Louis continues.

"There is this one close to the beach. At the harbour."

He nods pleased, and whistles at his horse to turn around. "Louis, what are you doing?"

"I suddenly caught the craving for a pain au chocolat", he tells me. "Care to join, Trouble?"

"No", I answer, until I realise how damn rude that must have sounded. "I mean, no, thank you."

He winks at me. "No need talking pretty with me, baby."

"Is that so?", I use my chance.

He just nods, waiting for it.

"In that case, fuck you, Louis."

"Have you been waiting to say that a long time?", he asks amused. "I bet you fantasised about telling me the word fuck. Dreaded it. What a good girl."

Okay, now I really have enough. Taking some air, I start speeding back along the beach. My horse is galloping, I'm feeling the wind in my hair, my heart chasing highs in my chest. I allow myself one glance back. Louis hasn't moved from the spot I left him, keeps staring at me. It's like I can almost see that smug grin on his face, although I am not even next to him.

"Always a pleasure, Trouble", he shouts after me.

I don't care who might be seeing us as I show him the middle finger.

His rich chuckle follows me all the way back to the stands.