A Royal Adventure [Ongoing]

Seven

Despite my developing friendship with Penelope, those first few days at school were bewildering. Pen stuck to me like glue, almost like she'd been instructed to do it. I was grateful, but I was desperate for some time to myself.

I didn't manage to get it until later in the week when Penelope was at an extra art class. I took the opportunity to slip out the back where I knew I would find Gustave, the security guard who had come over from the castle with me. He looked startled to see me but nodded at me as if nothing was amiss. As if I regularly slipped out to stand with the security. 'Is everything okay?' he asked.

I nodded. 'Just needed some air.'

'Of course.' he fell silent and just stood there, staring at the gates, while I sat on the step, listening to the distant roar of traffic.

After a few moments, he took out a cigarette and lit it.

'Have you got a spare one?' I asked, looking up at him. The temptation was too strong.

He looked at me, startled, his hands frozen on the lighter.

'Please. I'll get you some more.'

'It is a filthy habit princess.'

'I know.' I rubbed my eyes and held out my hands. 'Please.'

He hesitated before handing one over, adding, 'it is not just your brother who would be mad, but your headmistress. Aren't there rules?'

I smiled. 'Rules are to be broken.'

'You are turning into an English wild child your highness.'

'I know. Don't you like it?'

He didn't say anything, but lit my cigarette for me.

We agreed on many things at the start of the year, Gustave and I, and as the year went on he became a father surrogate figure, chiding me about my smoking habit and reminding me to be careful, which I always assured him I would be.

Penelope never asked about the smell of smoke, or the way that I disappeared so frequently. I was glad. I assumed that she thought that I snuck out to smoke, and I guess that wasn't far from the truth. I don't know what she would have said if she had found out I was hanging out with my security guard.

The days and then the weeks fell into a routine and they had a rhythm that I liked. I liked the different pace of life, the concentration on academia, and although I felt left behind in some of my subjects, I didn't mind. It was enough just to be there.