Fighting For A King

Chapter One

Waking up slowly I stretch my arms out feeling my pillow above me. At least I made it to the bed this time. With my eyes open I scan my room. Most teenagers my age have posters all over the walls and pictures everywhere. Not me my room has lilac walls, a bed with plain sliver covers and a bedside table with my laptop resting on it. Only nine more months and I officially turn eighteen and inherit my father's fortune.

Groaning I roll over forcing myself off of the side of the bed and landing on the balls of my feet with my fingers steadying myself. Even with the dull ache at the back of my head as I continue my morning routine. Five push-ups, ten sit-ups, eight squats and twenty jumping jacks before hitting the shower. Even my ensuite is bare just a walk-in shower, sink and toilet. Once I'm free of my mothers control of course that's all going to change.

Unlike most girls I don't take hours to get ready. Not because I have any real skills at looking beautiful I'm just lazy. CJ my stylist has picked out all of my outfits since I was nine. As a present for my thirteenth birthday my mother had my hair chemically straightened so that's never an issue. Also I tend to keep my make up to a minimum literally just covering the bags under my eyes. All in all it takes about ten minutes for me to get ready.

Today's lucky outfit consists of my school uniform. A navy pleated skirt that wraps around my waist done up by buttons, a white chiffon top with red buttons and peter-pan collar, and a navy blue blazer with red piping. Although CJ has obviously put his own spin on it, my blazer has been altered so that the sleeves look as if they've been rolled up making them half sleeves showing off the red silk lining. Also instead of tights he's given me black stockings with a line running up the back. Pretty sure he's had the skirt taken up as well it barely comes half way down my thigh. Meaning when I sit down I'm going to end up flashing someone my suspender belt. Rolling my eyes I slip my feet into the two-inch black bowknot heels. I really need to remind CJ that I don't attend St Trinians. At least he took my advice on the heels no way am I going to school with nine-inch heels again. Grabbing my leopard print satchel I head out of my bedroom.

My mother and I live in a penthouse with four bedrooms and a kitchen that over looks the living room. The décor is very minimalist my mother hates clutter. I can't wait till I turn eighteen and this place becomes mine. Three white sofas face a fake fireplace with black cushions scattered on them and a glass coffee table in the centre. The kitchen is a pristine, grey cupboard's with white countertops and all the modern appliances scattered around. Jenny our housekeeper is at the cooker making breakfast. Without even thinking I head straight towards the coffee machine where a mug is already waiting before pressing the on button.

My eyes close in pure ecstasy as the smell of coffee fills the room "you don't have to cook for me I can make myself breakfast" I announce taking my coffee over to the breakfast bar and siting on one of the stools. Continuing with her task Jenny doesn't even spare me a glance as she replies "so that you can sneak out of here without eating? Tough chance and considering the time you got in this morning you need to eat something" she teases. A lot of people in my position wouldn't take that type of talk from a servant but Jenny's like family to me even if she has only been with us for three years.

As she cooks I can't help but watch her with a smile on my face. When I first met the red head I didn't really expect much from her she seemed really shy but then again my mother intimidates everyone. Unlike her predecessors however Jenny tends to dress casually wearing jeans, cosy jumpers and vans with her hair up in a simple ponytail. That is while my mothers away at least. Plus she's not afraid to talk to me like the others were. Most of the time she even acts like a mother figure within my life. Although being in her early twenties she's much more like a sister then anything.

Glancing at the time I frown "didn't you have a lecture this morning?" I ask watching her stiffen slightly as she dishes up. In return for working for us we pay for Jenny's university fees. At the moment she's just started her masters in Business management "you're mother requested that they put me in the afternoon lectures so that I could properly attend to my duties here" she replies softly. My entire body tenses at the mention of my mother "are you okay with that?" I ask trying to contain my anger. Nodding she places the food in front of me "honestly it's fine who wants morning lectures anyway. Now eat up before it gets cold" she reassures me smiling slightly. Knowing I've already lost the argument I begin to devour the blueberry pancakes she's made me. I'm pretty sure Jenny could be a five star cook if she really wanted to. Damn these are good.

Soon there's nothing left but an empty plate which Jenny takes over to the sink. Before washing up Jenny turns to me with smile "have you got everything for school?" she asks in her motherly tone. Nodding I refrain from rolling my eyes as I get up from the stool "I'm literally only going in for an hour to get my timetable and meet with this years student council what could I possibly need?" I ask confused. Smirking she reaches into the pocket of her jeans pulling something out before sliding it across the breakfast bar towards me. Catching it my eyes widen in surprise "can't forget that now can you? Oddly enough I found it in the bin" she announces mockingly. Our gaze meets as stare her down "yeah funny that" I mumble attaching the shiny red badge to the collar of my blazer. Crossing her arms Jenny smiles proudly "there that wasn't so difficult was it? Have a fun first day at school Head Girl" she sniggers the last part.

Without replying I head towards our private elevator. You probably think me throwing my Head Girl badge out was snotty but I'm only Head Girl because my mother wants me to be it's not like I earned it. At Pinehurst Academy the only thing that matters is money and status. To them the Queen name is all it takes for me to get respect and power. Glancing at myself in the mirror I can't help but wonder if I'll ever actually manage to earn someone's respect not just be served it on a golden platter. Again I'm acting spoiled I should be grateful for what I have even if it's only money. Making my way out of the elevator I enter the parking garage. Okay so maybe I should be a little more grateful. I mean how many seventeen year olds own a Porsche?

Slowly I approach my baby as my phone begins to ring within my bag. Fishing it out of the front pocket I immediately answer it "hello?" I murmur. Juggling my keys I almost drop them when the voice replies, "Hello my dear I know your probably on your way to school but I was hoping we could have a quick chat?" he asks almost mockingly. Automatically my voice smoothed out as I went into my fake persona "Dr. Pentworth you know I can always spare a few minutes for you" I schmooze perkily. The way he chuckles makes my skin crawl "I knew you'd say that my dear. You see I've been thinking about our conversation last night the one about you teaching Caspian manners." There's an edge in his voice that puts me on guard.

Hesitating I'm slow to reply, "you mean your step son?" I attempt to play off my hesitation as ignorance. I can all but feel him rolling his eyes at me "yes him. His mother and I are only recently married and it really would be beneficial for all of us if he could learn basic etiquette so that he doesn't disgrace his mother any further. Given that you are the pinnacle of well mannered I was hoping you might take him under your wing." He doesn't bother to disguise the venom in his voice. At that he had my full attention "I'm flattered you thought of me but I'm not sure how qualified I am" I reply with fake modesty just to taunt him. It takes him a few seconds to respond "my dear I'm not in the mood to play games with you. I want the boy under control. Utilise those charms of yours to bring him to heel or I guess I'll have to inform your mother about your nightly escapades. Do we understand each other? I can only imagine what an annoyance it would be for you to wait another three years for your inheritance" his tone is deadly cold.

Everything within me freezes at his threat. If my mother could prove that I'm currently too irresponsible for my inheritance they could potentially keep her as my financial guardian until I turn twenty-one. That cannot happen. All these years of compiling with her rules just so that I could escape would be over. Dr. Pentworth had my freedom in his grasp and he knew it. Closing my eyes I take a steadying breath "okay I'll do it" my voice comes out firmer then I thought it would. Cursing his entire existence I mentally promise to get revenge on him when I'm finally free. Again he laughs this time it's a villainous chuckle "I knew you'd see things my way. Have him in order by the New Year Ball." With his last demand he hangs up.

The New Year Ball is the highlight of the year all as the adults try to find suitable matches for their offspring. Of course Pentworth wants him coming to heel by the ball he needs to boost his reputation. Marrying a disgraced King might have given him a semi status but he needs to fix his wife's reputation and how better then to marry her son to a true heiress. Unfortunately I don't turn eighteen until the end of May meaning that I have to keep playing along. It also means that I only have four months to turn the Rebellious Reject into a Princely Prize.