𝑅𝑂𝑌𝐴𝐿 𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐷𝐴𝑅𝐷𝑆 ~𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛

Chapter 3: Friendly Fire

Charles Leclerc had been dreading this moment all day. Not the part where he had to limp around the palace with a bruised ankle and ribs-that was annoying, sure, but manageable. No, what he really dreaded was the arrival of his best friend, Pierre Gasly.

Because if there was one thing Pierre excelled at, it was merciless teasing. And Charles had just handed him the perfect opportunity on a silver platter: a brand new, brooding bodyguard named Max Verstappen, and an injury that could easily be blamed on his own questionable life choices.

When Pierre arrived, he didn't even bother with pleasantries. He strolled into the grand salon like he owned the place, his sharp eyes immediately zeroing in on Charles, who was sprawled on the couch with his bandaged ankle propped up.

"Well, look at this," Pierre drawled, grinning from ear to ear. "The Prince of Monaco, reduced to couch duty. What did you do this time? Attempt a triple somersault off the palace roof?"

Charles groaned. "Please, Pierre, not today."

"Oh, I'm just getting warmed up," Pierre replied, plopping down on the arm of the couch. "But really, Charles, how did you manage to do this to yourself? You've got an entire security team, and you still end up like this?"

Charles hesitated, not quite sure how to explain that his new bodyguard had essentially saved him from getting crushed by a mob of enthusiastic concertgoers. Before he could come up with a decent story, Pierre's grin widened.

"Wait a second," Pierre said, leaning in with a gleam in his eye. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that new bodyguard you've been trying to keep under wraps, would it? Verstappen, right?"

Charles inwardly cursed whoever had let that bit of information slip. "Who told you about Max?"

Pierre's grin turned wicked. "Oh, so it's *Max* now, is it? First name basis already? This is too good."

Charles sighed. "It's not what you think, Pierre."

But before Pierre could unleash a fresh round of teasing, the door to the salon swung open, and in walked Max himself. He gave a polite nod to Pierre before zeroing in on Charles with that laser-focused gaze of his.

"Your Highness, you need to keep your ankle elevated," Max said in that no-nonsense tone that Charles was reluctantly starting to respect. "It'll help with the swelling."

Pierre's eyes darted between Charles and Max, and Charles could practically see the gears turning in his friend's head. "Oh, this is fantastic," Pierre muttered under his breath.

"Max, this is my friend Pierre," Charles said quickly, hoping to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Pierre, this is Max-my, uh, bodyguard."

Max nodded. "Nice to meet you."

Pierre, always quick on the uptake, immediately leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So, Max, how's the job going? Charles keeping you busy?"

Max glanced at Charles, and for a split second, Charles thought he saw a flicker of amusement in those usually serious blue eyes. "You could say that."

Pierre chuckled. "I bet. Charles has a talent for finding trouble, doesn't he?"

Max's lips twitched, just barely. "It keeps things interesting."

Charles groaned again, sinking further into the couch. "Pierre, please."

Pierre, of course, ignored him entirely. "Interesting? I'd love to hear more about that. Any good stories yet?"

Max didn't miss a beat. "Nothing too dramatic. Just a few minor incidents."

Pierre laughed. "Minor, huh? Well, considering Charles is still in one piece, I'd say you're doing a great job."

Charles shot Pierre a look that said, *Please stop,* but his friend just grinned wider. Max, for his part, seemed to be taking it all in stride. He adjusted the pillow under Charles's ankle, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his stoic demeanor.

"You should really rest," Max said, his voice softer now, almost like he was genuinely concerned. "You don't want to make it worse."

Charles looked up at Max, and for a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of something more in those blue eyes. Something that made his stomach do a little flip. He quickly brushed it off. This was Max's job, after all-nothing more.

"Thanks," Charles said quietly. "I'll try."

Pierre, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned in close to Charles, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, he's not bad. For a bodyguard."

Charles rolled his eyes, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, he's alright, I guess."

Max, standing just out of earshot, seemed oblivious to their exchange. Or maybe he wasn't. Either way, he remained calm and composed as ever.

"Well, I'll leave you two to your... duties," Pierre said with a wink, clearly enjoying himself far too much. "Don't let him get into any more trouble, Max."

Max gave a small nod. "I'll do my best."

As Pierre headed for the door, Charles threw a pillow at him, but Pierre dodged it with ease, laughing as he disappeared down the hallway.

When the room finally quieted down, Charles glanced over at Max, who was standing by the window, his gaze focused on the gardens outside.

"Sorry about Pierre," Charles said, feeling a bit awkward. "He likes to stir things up."

Max turned back to him, a faint smile on his lips. "It's fine. I've dealt with worse."

Charles tilted his head, curious. "You have?"

Max nodded. "You'd be surprised."

Charles chuckled softly. "Yeah, maybe I would be."

For a moment, they just looked at each other, a strange but not unwelcome silence settling between them. There was something comforting about Max's presence-something steady and reliable that Charles hadn't expected.

"You should get some rest," Max said finally, breaking the silence. "You need it."

Charles nodded, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah, fine fine."

Max gave a small nod, and as he turned to leave, Charles found himself smiling. Maybe, just maybe, this whole bodyguard thing wasn't so bad after all.