They Call Me Princess

Chapter Seven: Tabloids

I don't know how I was able to get up to change last night, but I managed apparently. Not even bothering with heels, I wore flats over my ankle brace as I walked out of my apartment and dropped my extra key in the potted plant.

I watched as my neighbors gave me strange looks and began to make comments to one another. I was probably just overthinking it.

I continued my walk out of the building and slowly managed to get on the busy sidewalk. Everyone seemed to look right at me as I walked the usual path to work.

I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with all of the attention so I looked to the ground and walked as fast as my legs would allow at the moment. "Jeez what's with everyone today, I'm dressed normally."

As soon as my destination was in sight I let out a sigh.

Until I noticed all of the photographers that came into my line of vision. I was about to ask Paul, but as soon as he saw me he began to escort me around the building.

"You caused a lot of fuss Miss Richards."

I looked at him confused but before I could ask anything I was tackled into a hug by Mr. Leroy.

"Thank goodness we found you before they did. Come on, we need to get you inside." He ushered me in and the three of us rushed into an elevater.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" I asked once the doors shut.

Mr. Leroy suddenly became serious as he let out a sigh. "Isabelle, you just became apart of one of the biggest tabloids of the century."

Shocked, I didn't say anything. What tabloid?

The doors opened, and the two men immediately sandwiched me between them as we quickly walked to the conference room.

Even at our brisk pace I could feel the glares from the other women.

Inside the conference room was none other than the four princes, each with a serious look on their face.

"Well Miss Richards, it seems as though you've caused quite the scandal." Ankor spoke first with his usual poker face.

I was completely confused right now.

"Will you people just tell me what the hell is going on!? I'm sick of not knowing!" Dimas inspected my face from his seat before sighing.

"She's actually telling the truth. She doesn't know what's going on." Everyone seemed to take a sigh of releif when he finished speaking.

"Well Izzy-"

"Don't call me that Mr. Leroy."

"As I was saying." He smack the back of my head slightly for intrupting him.

"A famous gossip column, Show Girl, started a tabloid with pictures of you and Prince Alexei last night." He handed me a magazine with the two of us on the front cover.

'Mysterious Girl becomes Modern Day Cinderella!!!'

Was printed in bold letters on the front. As I flipped through the magazine multiple stories claiming that 'The prince had fallen in love at the ball and took the mysterious woman home after being attacked by a crazed noble man.

“After the unknown woman fell into him, the Prince couldn't keep to himself anymore and carried her all the way to her apartment and didn't come out until almost an hour later, his hair a mess and his hand bandaged. What happened? I think we can take a guess.”

I looked up with wide eyes. The world probably thinks of me as a gold digging slut.

"B-but half of this isn't true! The rest is taken out of context!" They all looked at me with mixed emotions.

Mostly pity.

"They don't care. The media gives what the people want to hear. Who doesn't want to know about a steamy royal romance?" Jac replied while day dreaming with a loud sigh.

"Well then, what do we do?" I mostly aimed my question at Alexei who has been watching me the whole time. "Usually, we deny what is untrue and move on."

I nodded my head and took a seat at the end of the table. "However, due to the conflict in Czechavani the council wants me married to produce an heir."

My head snapped up at Alexei. Czechavani? Again?

"After they learned that you have family from there and that you know how to act in tough situations,"

Oh God have mercy on my soul.

"They wish for us to accept the tabloid and continue with the fake romance."

I was silent. I couldn't fully process the situation. If only they knew.

"I can't let you do that to her!" Mr. Leroy shouted as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "If I had a choice in the matter I wouldn't. My country is in turmoil, if their crown prince doesn't listen to the council then why should anyone else?"

The room went silent, leaving me time to think.

If my father had his way, I would be married with kids, whether or not I was in love was up to him. I wouldn't be general- my brother would, but I would still be high ranking.

"Under what terms?" I asked the silent Prince with my eyes squeezed shut.

"We would have to be married at some point, fake happiness and have interviews filled with lies, you may have an affair if you wish. As long as you give me a healthy son no one will care."

I slowly nodded my head thinking. It was better than my no good life here. I had no love life, I only care about work, and my closest friend was a cat.

What do I have to lose?

"If I agree?"

"You don't have a choice in the matter. I've broken enough rules as it is being here." I looked to my hands that were folded neatly in my lap.

"Izzy?" Mr. Leroy quietly called out to me while squeezing my shoulder. "I'll be fine. This is me, my life never has been nor ever shall be normal."

He gave the faintest of smiles and let go. "As long as you're okay with it."

"I never thought that Alexei would be the first one married out of all of us." Dimas broke the tension with a slightly funny comment, which earned him a few chuckles and a glare.

"I never did like tabloids."