Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Thirteen

While their journey only started a few days prior, Meredith didn't feel the exhaustion yet. It was mostly nerves that followed her around, but even though were starting to dissipate as she became more relaxed in her role here. Queen Letizia had been very helpful the night prior, sharing the secrets of royalty, and this allowed for Meredith to learn more about Letizia. However, when the night was over, it was back to the British consulate in Madrid. It was a late night and an early morning, like how their journey looked to be. When her head hit the pillow, Meredith was out.

Waking up before the crack of dawn, Meredith was hustled around with her hair and makeup done, and she slipped into a jacket. Her shoes were slipped on her, and her stomach grumbled.

"This way, your highness," Jessica said, and they walked out.

Paparazzi waited for them at the airport, and Meredith and Harry joined hands and smiled as they exited the car and stood on the tarmac. They waved to the paparazzi and others that came to bid them a farewell. Harry motioned for Meredith to go up first, and she did. It was another wave and smile before getting on the airplane, and she was used to it by now. The airplane door closed, and immediately Meredith shed her jacket and shoes. She glanced around.

"The food is in there, ma'am," Jessica whispered, and Meredith nodded, going into the back room.

Harry followed her, settling down into a chair. Meredith swallowed quickly. He smirked. "They didn't feed me this morning," she said between gulps. "There wasn't enough time."

He laughed and looked at the agenda. "I had a wonderful breakfast."

She glowered. "Next time you get the hair, makeup and dress."

"I would look lovely, I'll have you know."

"I can only imagine." Meredith wiggled her eyebrows.

Putting down the schedule, he smiled mysteriously at her, with one corner of his mouth upturned and the other side slanted down with the of question "What am I thinking?" His eyes gave him all away too. The way he looked over her, he had an idea.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing." Biting his lip, he returned to the agenda.

Meredith didn't believe him.

It was a two hour flight, and after filling her belly, Meredith curled up on the couch beside Harry. Her head rested on his shoulder, and her fingers intertwined with his. Her eyes traveled over the itinerary as he read his speech. Before Harry knew it, Meredith was asleep on his shoulder, and she calmly did so.  Harry planted a gentle kiss on her head, and he practiced his speech again.

When they were a few minutes out, Jessica appeared in the doorway, and Harry carefully woke Meredith up. Her hand reached up to wipe her eyes, but she stopped it an inch in front of her face, careful not to ruin her makeup.

"Good morning," he said with a smile.

"Good morning," she groaned.

"We land in five minutes, your highness."

"Thank you, Jessica."

Jessica retreated.

Arching her back, Meredith rolled to her feet, and the airplane started to rumble. Immediately, she fell down beside Harry, clasping his hand hard. Her body became strict, like she was ready for impact, but Harry smiled. "It's just a bit of turbulence."

Once again, Meredith wasn't convinced. "I would much prefer to be on the ground already." She settled beside Harry today. "It's just Paris today, right?"

"Just Paris?" he asked. "Is that how most people react, just Paris?"

Meredith arched an eyebrow. "Should I start jumping up and down?"

"How's your French?"

"No thanks." She snuggled next to Harry again. "Are you ready for your speech?"

"It's the trying that counts, right?"

"You'll be marvelous. Don't worry about it."

When the airplane landed, it was another look over Meredith, whose hair had come undone from perfection due to her nap. It was a quick fix. Another thin layer of lipstick was applied to her lips. Jessica ran through the schedule again. Meredith slipped on her shoes and her jacket.

"Do you remember the French I taught you, your highness?" Jessica asked Meredith.

"Howdy," Meredith responded automatically, and Jessica's eyes peeled. Harry stifled laughter as Jessica moved along with the schedule.

The doors opened to a cloudy sky in Paris, France.  Snowflakes fell from the sky, and a burst of wind came in. It was yet colder, which meant just a heavier jacket. The concept of pants didn't occur yet, even with the wind and snow. She was reduced to heels as they exited the airplane. Meredith was just happy to see snow again, even if it was light an fluffy instead of the heavy flakes.

The President of France waited at the bottom of the stairs, and Harry went down first on the narrow staircase. Meredith came after him. Her dress flapped in the wind. Greeting the president, Harry shook his hand, and they exchanged friendly. Harry remembered his French, and Meredith listened carefully as she descended down the last few steps. However, when Meredith's heel hit the bottom step-- just more more left-- she slipped.

Letting out a yelp, Meredith fell on her bottom as her heel slipped on the slippery step. Her jacket was soaked, much like the rest of her backside. Meredith was sure that she had panic on her face, but she remembered her teaching: pretend to be a princess. Harry's face held shock as he extended a hand, and Meredith was sure that Jessica was horrified.

Taking Harry's hand, Meredith stood strongly. Her whole back side hurt, but at least it was cool. She smiled gracefully as she reached out and shook the hand of the President of France, which he graciously accepted, whispering, "Are you all right, your highness?"

"Oh, yes, just a bit damp. Thank you."

The president smiled broadly. "Welcome to Paris."

"Thank you for having us." Instead of walking a step behind him, Harry kept a tight hold on his wife, deciding that if she was going down, he was going down with her.

When the time came, they got into separate cars than the president, and Jessica looked over, putting a bag in the back. "Are you okay, your highness?"

"I fell, I'm used to it. Is it trending yet?"

"Yes, ma'am. It sprung up online very quickly." Jessica sighed. "We'll get you changed before the next stop."

The change was welcomed because it meant her whole outfit. Bodyguards Bella and Bill watched as police surrounded the car to keep people at bay. Blankets were placed against the windows as she changed with her dress too soaked to go on. Thankfully the backup wasn't ready, so Meredith slipped into some nice dress pants and a nice shirt. A new jacket replaced the wet and ruined. The final touch of boots made walking so much easier. Meredith slipped out of the car and onto a busy street in Paris.

Gracefully, Meredith smiled and waved, joining her husband as they walked in front of the Eiffel Tower. A tour spread out before them as they walked in front of it. Harder snow began to fall, blanketing and blinding them. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor smiled in front of the Eiffel Tower, even though it wasn't easier seen behind them.

Harry shivered, and Meredith laughed. "A bit cold, are you?"

He laughed. "Just a bit." Harry's arm tightened around her.