Royally Screwed

Chapter 5

SYLVIE

I think I traded one devil for the other one.

Because there is no other explanation why after I changed back into a cocktail Chanel dress, a small white one with a huge black bow hanging from my chest, checkered tights and some black heels with platform, I had to bump head first in Danny Cornwell's chest.

The one I had to sleep with a few days ago to convince him to keep the dirt about Edmund and Louis for himself.

I hate Danny. Hate how even now when I am trying my best to get rid of any memory I have of him, I still have to see him. Let him kiss me.

But seeing my brother safe means more to me than my heart breaking all over again.

"What a lovely surprise", Danny says as I managed to take a step back and refind balance. "Sylvie, might I say you look lovely as always."

"Thank you", I excuse myself, planning to go as far away from this man.

The man I once trusted, only for him to spill secrets about my family to the press. He then realised he loved me and ever since, he hasn't told the press anything else. But he did break my heart.

Meaning I feel no regret in doing what I do to keep Edmund safe.

"Is that how you greet me? After what happened Monday...", he places a not so subtle reminder.

"I can hardly recall", I take a glass of freshly pressed orange juice from a tray and greet a few guests with a smile, while trying to walk fast enough to give Danny a hint he should go away.

"Oh come on, princess. You clearly were in a better mood as now when you were sucking my dick Monday night."

It's this moment that I start choking on the orange juice.

A hand immediately goes on my back, one that doesn't belong to Danny, since both of his hands are in his back pockets. No, the hand doesn't belong to Danny, and not to Fred either. He is busy gripping his weapon, in case Danny might do something.

No, the hand belongs to someone else.

I keep choking, the inability to get some air at the memories of Monday night only making things worse.

"Breathe, Trouble", a deep voice whispers in my ear. The hand presses tighter on my back. His other hand goes on my chin, turning my face around to stare into a pair of chocolate brown eyes."Breathe for me, baby", he seems to beg me now.

"Baby?", Danny must have listened to us. "Seriously, Sylvie?! You're screwing him too? What are you?! Such a little-"

Something dark flickers in Louis' eyes. "Sir, respectfully, shut the fuck up." The way he said it. His tone. That wasn't Louis saying it. But Prince Louis Grayson Nathaniel West Estair-Dunn. The Third.

"Seriously, Sylvie?", Danny asks me. "I could sell this to the press."

Because that's what I need right now. A story about dating Louis. It's not enough that I hate the guy.

"I said that's enough", his voice turns to blades. "And besides, there is nothing you can sell to the press, considering nothing remotely romantic ever happened between Princess Sylvia and me."

"Is that true?", Danny asks me. His eyes bore into me, as if searching for any hint in them.

"It's what I've been trying to tell you", I whisper. I can't face him anymore. My eyes are piercing the floor.

"Good", Danny ends. It's then Monica Yearst enters, the car heiress who recently got pregnant from her husband's brother. A scandal too big for a reporter to miss. "If you'd excuse me", he tells us, not before eyeing me out before. Something Louis clearly noticed, since his hand now slides to my lower back, making that spot burn for some reason.

I watch Danny walk away, trying to keep my shit together. Louis' hand on my lower back is making a noticeable presence in my body. I don't even know why. I can't even stand the guy.

He did save me from Danny.

"He's gone now", I breathe, giving him a hint he can remove his hand. One he takes, although that hand seems to linger for a second too long on my skin. I decide not to read too much into that. "Thank you for helping me out. You shouldn't had. You almost risked yourself a scandal."

"So did you", he answers, coming to step in front of me, shielding me from the rest of the world. "Is everything okay?"

"I am the one stupid enough to have dated a reporter", I mumble. "I kind of got used to see myself in scandals by now."

"Yet you still helped Edmund and I get out of one", he answers. His hand seems to hesitate, before he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Thank you." Something dark flickers in his eyes as he catches my gaze again. "Don't put yourself in trouble like that again."

"You're not my brother", I whisper, taking a step back. "And besides, I did not do it for you."

"I can imagine", he says. It seems like his voice is hiding another emotion. A more vulnerable one. Like pain.

"Your Royal Highnesses", a voice interrupts us. Both Louis and I turn to look at the same time, as if the thought of being seen together is so unbearable, we would have to go separate ways as soon as possible.

"Yes, Dominick", Louis is the first one to answer. It's then I recognise the owner of that voice. Blond hair, brown eyes, tux perfectly styled. Dominick Irvine. A sort of personal assistant for Louis. When he travels, Louis usually travels with three people. A bodyguard called Theo. A PR manager called Nora. And Dominick, who is there to assure that Louis attends all meetings, books the hotels, sends the emails to the officials... Dominick is like his right hand man. Quite like a secretary. At least that's how Edmund and I called him.

I notice it ain't Dominick Louis is looking at though. His eyes are still stuck on me.

"I was just wanting to let you know that the race is about to begin. I secured some places in the first row for you, Sir. I also got Her Royal Highness Princess Sylvia a seat next to yours."

Louis graces the world with a mouth twitch. "What do you say, Trouble? Care to join me?"

"Do I have a choice?", I sigh, faking being exhausted. I will sit next to him. Even if just as a thank you for stepping up for me.

"You always have a choice", Louis whispers.

And even with his words, I still follow him to the seats Dominick got us.