I'm the Princess of Wales; He's a Prince of Belgium

Under the Gaze of the World

Chapter 2

Under the Gaze of the World

Caroline held onto Harry's arm as they walked down the steps of Olympic Stadium. Flashes of camera bulbs swam in her vision as the occupants cheered at their arrival. She could barely see her face on the big screen nor feel her personal guard Joe behind her. Suddenly, the tiramisu from the hour before did not seem like a good idea. Black spots began to form on the edge of her vision. Caroline lost her grip on Harry's arm as he made sure Maria got safely into her seat next to her family.

Caroline distantly heard an American announcer. "Prince Harry is now helping his girlfriend into her seat. Caroline has also entered Olympic Stad—"

Why had the announcer not finished her sentence? Joe and the surrounding guards stiffened as a person pushed their way between him and Caroline. Suddenly, she had lost her grip on the railing and her footing slipped.

Harry barely had time to turn around as the surrounding crowd gasped at the falling princess. He reached out to grab his sister but came up with air.

"Car!" Harry shouted.

"Anyone catch her!" Will yelled in panic to the onlookers, trying to push his way back up the stairs.

Caroline could not hear them over the roar in her ears. Her vision continued to tunnel as she slipped down the stairs. But then she was wrapped in warmth.

The crowd watched in relief as Caroline laid her head on the shoulder of the boy.

"And Princess Caroline has been caught after a scary tumble down the stairs. We are awaiting confirmation on who caught her," the American announcer spoke to her viewers.

Caroline groaned as she felt something cold placed against her forehead. Her vision came back as her brothers reached her side. She looked up at the boy who had caught her and immediately stilled.

It was him. Oh f it all! I've just made a huge mess of myself in front of him! But he caught me...Whoa has he always been this toned?

"It is confirmed. Prince Joachim of Belgium is Caroline's saviour."

"Caroline, honey, are you alright?" Princess Astrid of Belgium placed a hand over Caroline's fist that was clenched to her son's shirt.

"Hey-yo. Sorry about that. Hey! Aren't you a ro—" The man who had pushed her down the stairs was cut off as Joe pushed him against the railing, away from Caroline.

Caroline flinched into Joachim at the man's sudden presence. The man got over the shock of Joe and slurred, clearly drunk, "Aren't you a pretty princess? Why don't I make it up to you?"

Harry and William growled. Caroline hid her face in Joachim's shoulder. The onlookers watched as their fierce protectiveness over their baby sister came out. The man's sight of Caroline was blocked. William whispered darkly to the man and watched as he grew pale.

"Get him out of here," Joachim ordered Joe after William finished his threat.

Not caring that he technically couldn't take orders from the Belgian prince, Joe hauled the drunk man away followed by security. Once out of sight, Caroline's rigid body did not relax. Seeing her shaken niece was not calmed, Aunt Sophie came to stand next to Harry and Will.

Astrid squeezed Caroline's hand and whispered, "Your brothers have dealt with the man."

"You are safe, Caroline," Joachim agreed. "Will? Harry?"

Astrid fondly watched as her son gently passed the young princess to her brothers, his hand lingering on her waist. He then fixed the Team GB hat over her blonde curls. The crowd twittered at the interaction.

Caroline let Harry hold her in his side and walk them to their seats. Aunt Sophie played with her hair in comfort. Dad awkwardly patted her shoulder as she sat down. Caroline kept her hand in Harry's as they watched the Opening Ceremony. She could not stop herself from standing up and cheering at Grammy's video and her side-splitting laughter.

~~~IPWHPB~~~

Several days later, Caroline bubbled with excitement as she followed her brothers, Catherine, Maria, and Philippos into the Aquatic Center. A Team GB hat once again covered her blonde curls. She didn't care that she was a British princess; she was bouncing to see Michael Phelps in real-live action. Once inside, the royals waved to the clapping crowd as they found their seats. They sat with the young Belgian, Lichtenstein and Luxembourgish royals. Caroline watched in dismay as her family sat down, leaving the only spot left open next to Joachim.

Bloody hell. Time to make an absolute fool of myself. Cautiously, Caroline took her seat. Catherine quickly squeezed her hand before letting go. Caroline looked at her sister-in-law and Catherine winked causing Caroline to blush.

Alexandra giggled from behind her best friend and whispered in her ear, "You look hot, Car. Get in there."

Caroline stared at the pool as her family and friends kept up conversations around her. The butterfly meet was scheduled to start any minute.

"Hey, Princess. This is for you." A voice spoke from the end of the aisle.

Caroline looked around Joachim and his sister Maria-Laura to see a boy around her age holding a scrap of paper in his hands. He was smirking as it clearly contained his number. He stepped around Maria-Laura and Joachim stood blocking his path to the British princess.

"Get lost," Joachim stated.

The boy sneered. "What are you, her bodyguard?"

This time Caroline spoke. "No, thank you. I'm here to watch the meets and spend time with my family like everyone else."

Philippos chuckled and said, "Bea—Caroline's not interested, mate. The stairs are that way." He pointed behind him.

It was not missed that Philippos covered up his special nickname for Caroline in public. Sneering, the boy finally left as the stands darkened. It was time.

Caroline stood as Michael Phelps walked out and cheered, "I can't believe it's Michael Phelps! Pinch me, Lexa. He's real. GO PHELPS!!"

Press turned their attention to Caroline and snapped pictures of her excitement. One lady gently smiled when she noticed the Belgian prince staring at Caroline with a sappy smile adorned across his face. Caroline sat back down as the race started. Her attention was kept on the greatest Olympian until she noticed Joachim yawn next to her and set an arm on the back of her chair.

Oh my goodness. How am I supposed to concentrate on anything now? Okay. On the count of three, take a deep breath Caroline and pay attention to Michael Phelps. One. Oh, wow. Joachim smells really good. Two. Do not lean into his hand. Three. MICHAEL WON!!

Caroline shot back to her feet as the Aquatic Center roared. She jumped up and down, cheering for Phelps. Their group joined in and clapped for the Olympian. Caroline stood on her seat as Phelps walked past. Looking up, he waved at her. This time, Alexandra pinched Caroline and laughed as she stumbled on the seat, grabbing onto Joachim.

Joachim chuckled and gently took Caroline's hand, helping her down.

Harry said to no one in particular, "Michael Phelps waved at my baby sister. She's a legend."

Maria giggled at her boyfriend's awestruck expression, hugging his waist. She whispered, "I'm surprised you and Wills wanted her to sit next to Joachim."

The couple glanced over to Caroline and Joachim. They watched as Caroline placed her hand on Joachim's knee in excitement as she talked about the meet. Joachim covered her hand with his own and a blush dusted over Caroline's cheeks.

"Wills and I had this conversation a long time ago. We decided we would sit back when the right guy came for Car," Harry looked at Maria but his eyes were overtaken by a memory of the past.

Maria kissed his cheek and asked, "And Joachim is the right one?"

Will leaned around Harry and replied, "At the moment, he is. She's always lit up when he's around; turned shy. Who knows if he is the one?"

Unknown to the group, the press kept an eye on both the races and Caroline and Joachim. Every interaction was frantically photographed and recorded. They were under the gaze of the world.