Royally Screwed

Chapter 30

SYLVIE

I smile for the camera as I feel the need to puke. There is Father's hand on my shoulder, probably making sure that I won't run away. Two months ago, Louis told the world he loved me during an interview streamed all around the planet. Two weeks ago, Cordelia and Arlette signed an agreement that high school students will be allowed to do exchange programs from one country to the other.

Two hours ago, Father and I arrived at the Cordelian embassy in Briar, to celebrate this agreement at a gala.

I know this is all one of his games. Take me to the embassy of the country the man I love happens to be prince of, to see if I am still affected or not.

Of course I am. There hasn't been a minute, a damn second, I haven't thought of Louis. There hasn't been a breath I didn't regret to take and not be next to him. Hasn't been a beat of my heart I didn't dedicate to him.

The guy who holds my heart.

My downfall and my salvation.

The one I can't have.

"Smile for the camera, Sylvia", Father demands of me, knowing just how much that hurts.

I do as he says, putting on my fakest smile, the one I use on a regular these past few weeks.

I stand there for a few other shots, until my Father leads me away to parade me around. With Edmund gone, I am his only shiny toy. He explicitly said that it's good I'm pretty, otherwise I couldn't even attend ribbon cutting ceremonies.

I keep that fake smile plastered, making small talk with the guests, telling them what a good time I'm having. Since it is an event that has to do with Cordelia, I can't help but notice the many gazes in my direction. I'm the one who dated the future Cordelian monarch. A certain Cordelian monarch who didn't bother showing up at said event. I knew he wouldn't be here thanks to my Dad who was so kind to announce me he asked the Cordelian Royal Family to not call Louis from college to be here. He might not even know of the event.

We're talking with a member of the Congress as my smile suddenly slips abruptly, my eyes setting on the person who just entered the room.

Queen Olivia.

Louis' Mom.

The one who almost welcomed me to the family and called me her future daughter-in-law.

The urge to dig a hole in the ground and sink inside it grows exponentially with every step she takes in our direction.

"Father", I announce him. "Her Majesty Queen Olivia arrived."

Father nods, excusing himself from the conversation, and turns around to greet the queen.

"Your Majesty", he says, bowing to kiss her hand. I see Olivia nod, her eyes set on one specific point though.

Me.

"Your Majesty", she greets my Father in return. "Your Royal Highness", then turning to me.

"I'm sorry", I mouth at her, my head starting to shake. I can feel tears burning my eyes, yet I know I can't cry. Not here. Not in front of him. "Tell him I love him", I continue mouthing. "I am so sorry. Tell him I love him. Please tell him I love him."

"What are you doing there, Sylvia?", Father notices how I started shaking. He places his hand back on my shoulder, probably assuming it would stop me, but I only start shaking harder. "Please excuse my daughter", he turns to Queen Olivia, a pressed smile on, his hand pressing harder, at the point it might start to hurt. "She forgot her manners."