PRINCESS 2 [Charles Leclerc]

68. I can do it with a broken Heart

*2 MONTHS LATER*

Charles POV

I'm sitting outside in the Ferrari hospitality, waiting for the race to start. We're in Austin. Carlos and Pierre are walking over with a snack in their hand, sitting down next to me.

Carlos: How are you today? You look bad.

Charles: It's one of these days again. Couldn't sleep all night. Was thinking...

I sigh. It's hard to loose a baby. It's haunting you every night. Pierre puts a hand on my shoulder.

Pierre: I wish we could help you in any way, mate.

Charles: Nobody can help, need to get through it on my own. But thanks.

Carlos: How about Betty?

He looks at me with a raise eyebrow. I shrug my shoulders. She stayed in Monaco, preparing to became the next queen. She avoids talking about it. I wish she would talk about it more. I'm sure she could need it just like me.

Charles: She's acting like she's okay. I hear her crying at night. I pull her into cuddles, but we don't talk about it. I show her I'm there, feeling with her.

Carlos: At least she doesn't hide it completely.

Charles: I think we learnt a lot from last year. We need to be there for us and Grace.

Pierre: Let us know if we could do anything, okay?

He gives me a soft smile and I nod slowly.

Charles: Wish us luck, nanny number 5 is trying her best with Grace today.

I look down on my phone to see if Elisabeth texted me back. No text yet. I really hope this is working out. Grace is shutting everyone down.

Pierre: No luck yet?

I shake my head.

Charles: No, she's rejecting every nanny. It's the last one from the royal nanny academy now. Betty is even more stressed. We need a nanny for Grace.

Carlos: Betty is becoming queen. Can't she just choose a nanny she wants? Why from the royal academy?

Charles: Royal protocol. They need to have this special training to be a nanny for a royal child.

I roll my eyes annoyed about this royal protocol rules.

Carlos: She should just change that stupid protocol.

Elisabeth POV

I walk with Jacques through the hallways of the palace, just coming out of a meeting.

Jacques: Alright, the president is waiting for us now.

Elisabeth: Wait, I told you I need to check on Grace now.

He looks at me before he looks at his watch.

Jacques: You have 15 minutes.

Elisabeth: It's her first day with the new nanny. I need to check on her.

Jacques: 14 minutes.

Elisabeth: This is not how it works.

I stop as he continues to walk and cross my arms infront of my chest.

Jacques: 13.

I was about the answer as my brother coming over. He was talking to someone on the hallway and probably heard our conversation.

Simon: 30 minutes to check on her daughter. Go Betty.

He nods with her head into the direction. I don't even wait for Jacques to complain. I mouth thank you to Simon before I run away.

I nod to the guards to let them open the door for me. Grace sees me and runs over.

Grace: Mommy!

Elisabeth: How is it going baby girl?

I pick her up, giving her a kiss on her cheek. I look over her shoulder as she wraps her arms around my neck to the new nanny. It's a younger one this time, more like Simon's age. She's dressed very traditional and formal.

Grace: No, no, mommy.

She whispers in my ear with even putting her hand before so she tells me in secret. I make sure to face her now. Her eyes are red from crying. I sigh. Another one who's not getting along with her. I move her hair strain behind her ear.

Elisabeth: You're gonna stay her for a bit, okay? I'll pick you up after a meeting.

Grace: Now!

Elisabeth: I'm sorry Gracie.

I give her a kiss on her forehead and let her down. But she starts a tantrum and pulls on my dress to get picked up again, not wanting to let me go.

Grace: Mommy!

I put my hand on her head while she still pulls on
my dress crying. I look to the nanny, who feels more than uncomfortable. My mum also sits to watch them since we can't leave them alone for the first time. My mom shakes her head showing me it's really not working. Again.

I kneel down to Grace, looking to her eye to eye.

Elisabeth: Grandma is here as well, love. You can go and play with her too. Mommy needs to work now. I love you.

I give her another kiss on her hair and go to the doors which are getting open for me. But Grace is running after me crying.

Grace: Nooooo

My mom appears behind Grace and holds her back.

Queen Sophia: I'll do it. Go.

Elisabeth: Thanks mom.

I nod to the guards for them to close the door quickly. I go a few steps but stop as I hear my daughters crying. I lean with my back against the wall. My heart is shattering in pieces. I can't help and start crying. Grace is struggling so much.

I struggle.

Jacques: Princess Elisabeth of Monaco!

I hear his voice through the hallway. I need to make it work. I have to. My heart is broken and I start to hyperventilate. But I need to keep going.