The Royal Heir - Dancing with my eyes closed

Sure about you

As soon as we're off the plane and through security, we rush to the Porsche and speed off towards Beaumont Manor. I'm feeling sick, and it's definitely not due to Tommy's driving. We arrive just after seven in the morning, and the electric gates open for us. Dad knows we're coming.

The front doors creak open as soon as the Porsche pulls up in front of it, and there he is. My father, draped in that horrible gilded suit, a smug grin on his lips. My fists clench at my sides as his eyes meet mine, the satisfaction in his gaze unmistakable. I can feel heat rising in my chest, but I know I can't lose my cool.

"Well, good morning, gentlemen. I trust you had a pleasant time away in Monterisso."

"Oh, yeah, it was all just splendid until we heard you'd kidnapped my daughter," I hiss.

"DADDY!!" I can hear Bella's voice screaming from inside the manor, and all my anger deflates in an instant. I just need to get her out of there.

"Bella!" I shout, running past him and into the hallway.

"I did tell you, Maxwell, that leaving the country would have consequences," Dad says as he follows me inside, his voice smooth and unhurried like he's explaining something trivial. "And yet, here we are." He tuts softly, shaking his head, disappointed with me as always. "Such a shame you didn't heed my well-intended warning."

I pause, unsure of where to go. But I'm pretty confident she might be in the ballroom, seeing as there's three guards in front of its door. "Bella! Are you in there?"

"Daddy..." I hear my girl sob in response.

That's enough to encourage Tommy to bolt towards the ballroom door. But, unsurprisingly, before he gets there, about three of Dad's guards get to him. One pushes him back forcefully; he just about manages to stay on his feet. For a second, I think he might snap and do something reckless. But then his shoulders slump, and he steps back, defeated.

"If you think you're taking the princess home, think again," Dad growls. "Not only have you defied me and proven yourself a flight risk, but you left her in the care of a convicted criminal. It pains me, but I have no choice but to take emergency custody of Princess Annabelle from here."

I take a big step towards him, my resolve toughening. "Over my dead body."

"Come now, Maxwell, let's not be dramatic. I am the duly chosen Crown Regent, after all."

"Not yet you're not," Tommy spits.

"No, not technically," Dad says, glaring across at him, before addressing me again. "But I am within my rights to make decisions regarding the safety of the royal heir. Decisions that I have previously warned you I would be forced to make if a situation such as this arose."

My legs are shaking, but I force myself to step forwards until I'm practically nose to nose with him. Every inch of me wants to punch him, to tear that smug look off his face, but I have to stay calm. For Bella. "Hand her over, Dad," I growl, my heart beating out of my chest. "This is your final warning."

"Hold it right there." His guards surround the two of us now. "Step away from the regent elect."

"I know you mean well, Maxwell. But you've brought this on yourself. You evaded the additional security that I had installed in Valtoria for you, at my own personal cost, to keep Annabelle safe, and headed off on some dangerous mission to who knows where? Imagine my surprise! I had no choice but to personally ensure Annabelle's wellbeing, as per my authority as Regent elect."

"Getting her out of that prison did more for her wellbeing than you'll ever do," Tommy growls, stepping closer to the two of us.

"I'd dispute that, in that old banger of yours. Hardly suitable to transport a princess, is it? I see you've upgraded on your travels. But we digress. I traced your car to Applewood, and headed there to check in on the heir. But from there the trail went dead. So I spent some time thinking, who might they go to? Who could they trust? I went through all of your courtly friends and acquaintances. But then I realised." He turns to Tommy, and shoots him a sinister glare. "It would be far less obvious if Annabelle was placed with someone close to you."