Her Majesty's Bad Boy

7: SENDING A TWELVE YEAR OLD TO HELL

CHAPTER 7: SENDING A TWELVE YEAR OLD TO HELL

ANASTASIA

"Hello Father" I greet quietly as I walk into his study.

My father, the king is seated at his desk, his table piled high with documents and files.

His reading glasses are perched on his nose and there's a furrow in between his brows, a result of his frowning.

When he sees me however, his eyes light up and a smile appears on his lips, causing the crease in his forehead to disappear and reappear around his eyes.

He closes the file in his hands and gestures for me to come closer.

"There's my baby girl"

I smile at his words. I absolutely adore my father and he adores me. Complications during my birth destroyed my mother's womb and so they couldn't have any other children after me. So you could say I am the light of his life.

He gets to his feet when I reach him and envelopes me in a warm hug.

King Benjamin Frederick Winsdale the fifth is one of the best kings England has ever had. He is fair, just, kind, smart, loyal and wise.

But he is an even better father.

I inhale his familiar scent before pulling back with a smile, "now what is my little princess doing here?" He asks, cupping my cheeks, "I thought you'd be resting in your room"

I shrug, "today wasn't really so stressful and mother told me you've been in here all day and I thought I'd come keep you company, maybe help a little"

He smiles at my explanation before placing a sweet kiss on my forehead.

I smile and step back, before taking my seat opposite him.

I place my hands on the desk and rest my chin on my hands, smiling at him cheekily.

He just chuckles, shaking his head before handing me a file, "here, look through this for a while okay?"

"Yes, Your Majesty" I say formally, making him laugh once more. I love putting a smile on my father's face, his job doesn't allow much of that.

After about thirty minutes of flipping through documents, he speaks, "lest I forget, your mother and I will be attending the Duke's son's wedding next week, would you like to come?"

I smile and nod, "okay father" I love weddings, the churches, the beautiful brides and just the magic of being joined to someone you love for the rest of your life makes me happy.

"Father?" I ask, to get his attention, he looks up at me and nods for me to continue.

I fiddle with the hem of my blue skirt nervously before continuing.

"I know I'm supposed to marry someone noble or with a noble background" I pause before I continue, wondering the best way to put my question, "but if I fell in love with an absolute nobody, but I really loved him and he's a good man, would you approve?"

My father raises an eyebrow and leans backward a little, "Anastasia, you are aware that this 'nobody' will one day become the king right?"

I nod, "I know but can you really help who you fall in love with? Besides I'm not stupid, if it ever happened, he'd be a good, honest man" I promise.

A small smile lights up my father's face, "if you really loved him, and I am convinced of his good character, then his background means nothing to me, only your happiness, darling"

A smile breaks out of my face, "thank you Father"

He leans forward and tweeks my nose, "I wonder though, is there a nobody at school my daughter has her eye on?"

My eyes widen and I feel my face flush red, "Father! Of course not! Nobody knows who I am remember? I have no friends, definitely not a crush"

He leans back, smirking, smirking. "Whatever you say"

I huff before looking back at the folder, unbidden thoughts of a certain dark haired boy floating in my mind.

***

"Hell-"

"Oh my God, Mrs Dodds could have killed him, he's just a kid how can they think he'd steal something like the lightening bolt? And now they're sending him to Hades, that's hell Ana, they're sending a twelve year old to hell! Not to mention the fact that his mom is gone too, like that's so much pressure on a kid and I know a lot about pressure, but-"

"Jack" I cut him off with a laugh, "I see you started on the books"

"Of course I did! This book is awesome"

A smile finds its way to my lips, "you're welcome" I answer smugly.

"yeah yeah, just tell me nobody dies, please"

"I don't know" I tease him.

He sighs, "okay okay, no spoilers,  I get. But at least, nothing bad can happen at Aunty M's emporium right?"

I stifle a giggle at his statement,  "what?" he sounds appalled, "nothing can happen right? I mean, it's at night and the place is empty and oh no."

I burst into laughter at his realization and he groans, "those kids can't catch a break"

I shrug, "you could say so. But Jack, I'm glad you're reading the books"

He pauses before he replies, "I'm glad too, thanks for giving them to me Ana"

"it was my pleasure"

"I have to go now and find out what happens but I'll call you when I need to rant again."

I smile, "you do that, goodnight Jack"

"Good night princess"

My heart skips a beat,  "Dont-"

"call you that, I know but when I imagine you sleeping, I imagine you sleeping like a princess"

Then he hangs up.

My hands fly to my cheeks to confirm that they are indeed blazing.

I'm smiling again and I welcome it, I welcome the fluttering at the bottom of my belly, I welcome my irregular heartbeat and I welcome the overwhelming urge to see Jack right this moment.

I welcome it all, because tomorrow, I'll have to let them all go.

***

Ugh,  I feel so bad when I post short chapters but oh well...

I hope you guys liked this one🙂.

Question: What's your dad like?

💕Sophie