ENCHANTMENT, Charles Leclerc

Chapter 3

"I'm sorry about the race," Genevieve said softly, leaning against the door to Charles' driver's room. "P4 isn't bad, but I know anything other than winning is nothing."

Charles sighed. "Thank you? I don't know how to react. They do this all the bloody time."

"I've decided I don't like Mattia," Genevieve said, walking over to sit beside him. "He's not the most competent man around here, is he?"

"He's not, but he's the principal. He makes the rules, no matter how dumb they are," Charles replied, leaning back.

"Why is he the principal, anyway? If he's at the job, I saw his blunder in person the first time, and I know he doesn't deserve the role," Genevieve said, her voice filled with frustration.

"Well, because he is, at the end of the day, Mattia Binotto. He's got the experience for it," Charles explained.

"But doesn't talent come above all of it, or at least the knowledge that should have come along with the so-called experience?" Genevieve huffed.

"Yes, but Italians don't think that way. Ferrari is all about legacy," Charles replied.

"What is legacy worth if he's going to destroy it all?" Genevieve asked.

"I don't know. I'm just a driver after all. You think I have enough power to move an entire board of Ferrari executives?" Charles questioned.

"You give yourself too little credit, Mr. Il Predestinato. All you have to do is ask," Genevieve replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ask? God, they're going to see it as me throwing a tantrum because he fucked my race up," Charles said.

"A tantrum, be it. Refuse to drive until they fix the mess. Fucking up the race is more than enough reason. If you want help, I know a president or two. I also seem to know a king personally," Genevieve replied, a sly grin spreading across her face.

"Oh, do you?" Charles replied, laughing.

"Can I take you out for dinner?" Genevieve asked, taking her chance the moment she saw him laugh, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"You want to take me out? Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" Charles replied, a smile playing on his lips.

"I'm a princess," Genevieve said confidently. "I'm always the first one to take initiative."

"Well then, Your Highness, I would love to go out with you," Charles replied.

"Great. I'll leave now. Join me after you change. Don't get me wrong, but the media can't get wind of this not this soon anyway," Genevieve said.

"I understand," Charles replied.

Genevieve stood up and was about to walk away when she turned around. "Your number. This is a Samsung phone this time. I heard it can withstand my clumsiness," she said, passing her phone to Charles.

Charles took her phone and entered his number. As he handed it back, he attempted to wink. "I'll see you outside, Princess," he said, closing the door behind her. Genevieve stood there for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't help but smile. This was going to be interesting.

.

.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Charles said as he slid into the car beside Genevieve. "Too many fans and cameras while leaving the paddock."

Genevieve had texted him that she would be waiting in her car, just a little away from the prying eyes of the paddock. "Do you have any special place in mind around here, where you're sure there won't be any cameras or fans?" she asked.

"Yes, there's this pizzeria I like. They have private rooms where no one would bother. We could go there unless you don't like Italian. Then we could go anywhere else," Charles replied.

"Oh, are you kidding me? I love Italian. Let's go, Louis. Please take us wherever Charles tells you," Genevieve said, turning to her bodyguard.

"Yes, Your Highness," Louis replied from the front seat.

The restaurant was a cosy little place tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The private room was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere. As they settled in, Genevieve turned to Louis.

"You and Emma should get food too. I'm safe here," she said, her voice firm.

Louis hesitated, but Genevieve silenced him with a look. He nodded reluctantly and left the room.

With Louis gone, Charles and Genevieve were finally alone.

"So, what do you do apart from your royal duties?" Charles asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm a PhD student at ETH Zurich," Genevieve replied. "I'm about to finish my doctoral degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering."

Charles' eyes widened in surprise. "That's incredible! You must be really smart, having to juggle your degree with whatever royal commitments you have."

"Oh, I'm not that smart," Genevieve said modestly. "I just have a passion for cars and aircraft."

"Oh, you don't have to be modest. I know how hard PhDs are, plus I'm quite surprised for a fact that you, a princess, could potentially design a car, a plane, or even better, fix my car if it gets undrivable at some point," Charles said.

"Oh well, isn't it lovely? Enough about me. What about you? What is your thing apart from racing obviously?" Genevieve asked.

"I'm more of a music person," Charles admitted. "I love listening to all kinds of genres, from jazz to classical. I love playing the piano. I'd love to produce some music or even release an album."

"Oh, that's lovely. Although for me, I was trained to enjoy classical music and sophisticated genres, but I do enjoy a bit of pop music here and there," Genevieve confessed. "I prefer the silence of the laboratory over music though, or the sound of my working engines."

"You're missing out if you're listening only to classical," Charles said with a laugh. "Pop music can be a great way to escape the stresses of life."

"Maybe I should give it a try properly," Genevieve mused. " You could make me a playlist?"

"I absolutely should," Charles said. As they continued to talk, Charles and Genevieve discovered they had more in common than they initially thought.

As the evening wore on, they found themselves lost in conversation, their laughter filling the private room.