Royally Screwed

Chapter 21

LOUIS

"Your Royal Highness?", Dominick knocks at the door of my room. I arrived back in Boston a few days ago, and even though courses start in more than a week, I wanted to take my time to go through the notes and revise again. Parting ways from Sylvie has been like a dagger to my heart. I couldn't help but hold her hand and kiss her until the plane arrived in Arlette.

Although we text every moment, it still isn't the same. Not seeing her. Not hearing her laugh. Not being able to watch her smile. It's killing me softly, the memories from our time in St Moritz the only ones keeping me sane.

What started as a bad idea, turned out to be the best trip of my life.

Edmund couldn't help but notice my good mood and has been placing some knowing questions from time to time, but that's it. He didn't push the topic, only told me to be careful. I haven't heard from him ever since he went to a bar last night. He's been acting weird ever since St Moritz. He barely talks, always drinks and insists we go out as much as possible. I kept up with him the first few days, yet at one point, it was too much. I can't drink as much, my bones were exhausted from dancing every night and I will never bring another girl that isn't Sylvie to bed again.

I meant what I told her. She is mine but I'm hers in the same measure. I'm not touching any other girl. If I will, for heaven forbid what reason, I will personally cut off my hand.

I have always known that the only one for me is Sylvie. And now that I have her, I don't plan on ever losing her.

"Yes, Dominick?", I ask, inviting him inside.

He stops in front of my desk, as if debating if he should say the next thing. With a head shake, he places a magazine on my desk. I immediately recognise the name. The magazine Danny works for.

But the cover picture has my hands sweating. It is a picture of Sylvie and me.

Kissing.

Oh Lord

I can't even begin to imagine how her family will react to the picture. It isn't indecent, but it hints towards romance. Both of us are fully clothed, but her sweater slid a bit, revealing some bare skin of her shoulder. Our heads are turned, our mouths glued to each other. Definitely with tongue.

From her sweater, I recognise it must have been on our veranda, in one of the last nights before we left.

"When?", I ask, suddenly the book all forgotten as I stand up to get ready. I take out a small suitcase and start packing, already knowing what Dominick will say.

"This morning", he answers. "I got one of the first copies, but the internet is already spiralling. More and more pictures are being posted by an anonymous account. The Palace already reported him and we're working our best to stop the storm. Yet it's made the headlights."

I open the TV, the first channel already showing a picture of Sylvie and I at the party. The next channel shows the one on the cover of the magazine, with the title "From Princess to Queen? Are we looking at Cordelia's next monarch?"

"Any news from Arlette?", I finish my suitcase and make Dominick a sign to follow me outside. As my hand goes on the doorknob, he stops me and hands me some sunglasses and a cap. "You might want to use this, Sir."

It tells me enough about what is outside. After I put them on, I do step outside and am greeted by a bunch of reporters, photographers and students all asking questions and taking photos.

"Is there anything between you and Princess Sylvia?

"Is Princess Sylvia the next queen of Cordelia?"

"How did Queen Olivia and King Nathan react?"

Dominick tries his best to cover me, and I spot I got more bodyguards than usual. Four of them.

I can't breathe until we are sitting in the limousine.

"Trying to deny it", my assistant answers to my previous question. "Yet the pictures speak for itself."

"Sir, I got the Queen on Line One", one of the bodyguards tells us from the passenger's seat, handing Dominick a phone.

I take a deep breath before I take the phone. "Hey, Mom."

"Oh, baby", I can hear the worries in her voice. "Are you alright? Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"I am so sorry. I didn't want to bring neither you and Dad, or Cordelia in difficulties. This is my fault. And I understand if you'd never want to see me again or-"

"What are you talking about?!", she stops me. "Never want to speak to you again? Louis, I was literally about to tell you how happy I am for you. Isn't she the girl you always loved?"

"Yes, she is. But I understand that I fucked up, and-"

"Don't curse in front of your mother", she seems to be more pissed about that than the whole scandal altogether. "Look, is the situation fucked up? Yes, it is."

"You just cursed", I point it out at her.

"But are you happy? Was the time there worth it?", she continues, pretending she didn't hear anything.

"I really think I love her, Mom", I confess. I feel so stupid for not telling it to Sylvie when I had the chance. Who knows if I'll ever see her again? I tried texting her and calling her already, yet I got no answer.

"I know you do, baby", she answers. "Yvonne called me earlier because apparently Zoey and Maddie couldn't stop going on and on about their amazing new cousin-in-law."

I roll my eyes, making a note to myself I'll have to have a very serious talk with the twins soon.

"Look how we're going to do this", she answers. "Your Father and I already made a plan together with that friend of yours, Edmund."

"Edmund knows?", I let out surprised.

"He called me as soon as he saw the news."

"Is he-"

"Mad?", she reads my thoughts. "A bit. At you for not telling him. But he seems to be more pissed with that Danny guy."

"I want to-"

"Kill him?", she ends amused. "God, you really are like your grandpa. You should call him and ask for help."

Alec Dunn, Mom's father, is what people would call morally grey. He literally hates everybody but his wife, daughter and me.

I can hear some talking at the other end of the line, then Mom talking back to me: "We have a problem, I have the King of Arlette on the phone." She must have heard the way I gasp for air, for she quickly adds: "But baby, remember: everything will be okay. Love you, Louis."

"Love you too, Mom."

As the line drops, I give the phone back thanking the bodyguard, then take out my phone to try to reach Sylvie again.

Something bad has happened. I feel it in my bones.

I start counting down the seconds till I arrive in Cordelia.