The Royal Halo

Chapter 4

"Celeste! I'm going out!" I yell as I make my way towards the front door.

"Okay, I'll have one of the guards sent out front for you." She responds, walking into the foyer.

I shake my head, causing my hair to swing side to side. "No please. I'd like to go out on my own."

"Your father won't be pleased if I allow that."

I raise me brow, "Well then maybe father should come home and deal with it himself. I won't be home late." I say as I pull open the door. I give her a genuine smile before I shut the door and trot down the front steps as fast as I can before one of the guards manage to slip out and follow me just in time.

"Paul, how nice to see you again." I greet one of our many drivers as I slip into the backseat of the slick black car.

"Harmony, where to?" He questions.

"Town, and step on it before Celeste alerts the little stalkers and they manage to follow me." He chuckles before starting the car and pulling out of the driveway.

I press my cheek against the cool glass of the car window, soaking in the heat from the sun beaming against it and relaxing in it. These are the moments I live for. The moments when I can close my eyes and forget I have the weight of the world, more less France on my shoulders. I'm not queen I'm just Harmony, Harmony Maynard. A normal 20 year old girl with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes. Not Harmony Maynard, the future queen whose mother abandoned her at the throne.

Going to town always brings a feeling of comfort to me. Being able to slip in and out of different stores, restaurants, grab a frappuccino from Starbucks and sip on the sugary goodness without Celeste scolding me for drinking so much sugar. It's where I can pop into Barnes and Nobles and pick a random book out of the romance section, prop my feet up along the little couch and read for hours till I finish it, wishing I could shrink myself and jump into the scribbled world of the fantasy between two covers. The one I long for, the life I wish I had.

Being able to sneak away from the guards at least a few times every couple of months, rebel against my father sometimes when he sends me endless text on text and phone call after phone call demanding I get home. Him scolding me with a lengthy lecture when I do finally arrive home half past twelve and roll my eyes when I tell him I was out reading because I got tired of the books I've read a gazillion times in our private study.

"At least I'm not out doing drugs." I'd shoot back with my famous remark, every teenagers favorite remark.

"Ma'dam, we're here." Paul says, breaking me from my daydreaming session.

I frown at his choice of words, "Just Harmony today Paul." He smiles, nodding in response. "Be back here at three please. I'm not planning on staying out too late today, I just have a few things I need to do."

"Will do." I smile at him one more time before slipping out of the car and shutting the door behind me.

My first stop: Starbucks, I need some fuel to recharge me. I walk into the building, the cool air engulfing me, shielding me from the lingering hot summer air outside. I adjust my black sun hat and pull my sunglasses off as I walk up to the counter.

"One Venti Caramel Frappuccino please." I say to the cashier who greets me with a polite smile and a nod.

"Name?"

Which should I use today?

"Cat." I say in response with a smile and she smiles back before swiping my card and handing it back to me, saying my drink will be out shortly.

I nod and turn to find a seat to relax in for the few moments it takes to make my delicious crack in a cup.

Once I've finally received my drink I head off towards the book store, eager to get my hands on a new novel. One that I actually plan on purchasing and taking home with me.