The Royal Heir - Dancing with my eyes closed

Escape from Applewood

Hana and I entertain ourselves on the car journey to Applewood by watching the chaos unfold via livestream as Dad delivers his press conference without his precious princess. It's completely clear to us all now that Madeleine is totally team Crown. She knew exactly what she was doing when she decided to let this carnage out into the wild live and unedited. I'm sure Rick's just as amused as we are.

The gathered public are raging; they wanted to see the princess to make sure she's doing okay, and the press have questions too as to why the Great Houses voted to take her away from me. Dad's just sprouting all this guff about how he's advised me to take her on a trip to the countryside to ensure her wellbeing. Ha! By now he must know we've slipped through his fingers. And while Dad was definitely the inspiration for this road trip, there's a beautiful irony in the fact that he's now trying to spin it in his favour.

When my phone rings just after the livestream ends, I half expect it to be my dad. But it's Eirik. I answer it. "Eirik, hey!"

Hana and Drake both look nervous, they clearly don't want me to reveal our whereabouts. But I think we can trust Eirik. He's pretty harmless, right?

"Ah, Duke Maxwell. I just watched your father's address. I gather you and your daughter are vacationing?"

"Um, you could say that, Eirik..."

He sighs. "It's just that the Porsche is on its way to you. I sadly did not have time to drive it one final time over to Valtoria, so Stefan is doing the honours for me. He and his colleague Gareth are already in Cordonia. A shame Stefan won't see you to hand the keys over personally..."

Oh hell, I really hope Tommy can't overhear what Eirik's saying. "Listen, Eirik, how about you ask him to take it to Applewood Manor? Not that we're going there, but..." Ahh, this is tricky. Everyone's ears have pricked up now, even Bella's. "It just might be a good place to store it secretly until...."

"Oh, I see. You mean to surprise your boyfriend with his gift?" Eirik enthuses.

"Yes! And Rick will be 100% cool with that..."

"I would imagine so, after all there is an extensive garage there. I have had the pleasure of seeing the Applewood car collection in the past, back when Constantine was alive. Very well, I will advise Stefan to divert his journey accordingly. He and Gareth will be at Applewood Manor first thing tomorrow morning. I know they are hoping to be back in Hidar by tomorrow night for the big soccer match, so they won't stay long."

"Thanks, Eirik, that works perfectly. And listen, if anyone asks....." I lower my voice to a mutter. "This is our little secret."

"Yes, of course, Maxwell. Please, do let me know when the new owner has been informed, so that I can relay the relevant hints and tips on the car's history and care."

When I hang up, Drake's first to comment. "What the fuck was that all about? What little secret have you got going on with King Eirik the Monotonous?"

I chuckle, in an attempt to change the subject. "I see what you did there, Drake! That's very ironic use of a similar sounding but much more appropriate manacle..."

"Maxwell. No changing the subject."

Errrkk. "It's nothing major. Just a little, uh, business deal."

I glance nervously at Tommy via the rear-view mirror, and sure enough his eyes are narrowed in suspicion. "Business? What kind of business?"

Mind your own, actually.... "Uh... book business?" I suggest in desperation. "Hey, speaking of, this little escapade is gonna make for an exciting conclusion to my book, don't you think?"