The Prancing Horse

II

I saw his eyes soften at his name,but then they turned cold. 

"It should've been you." He whispered and walked away. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Daniel. 

"Can we visit one more person, he's like my class clown partner," Daniel asked and I obliged following him yet again to a different garage. 

"Daniel!" A voice exclaimed with a cute accent.  A younger driver came out with curly brown hair and mocha brown eyes. "

Hey Lando!" I said winking. 

"Hey Princess." He said softly with a warm hug, but he kept my back pulled into his chest. 

"Wait a minute.." Daniel trailed off. "Are you two..." he trailed off again confused.

 I started laughing, "This is why I didn't want you setting me up with anyone." I huffed. 

Daniel's eyes got really big, "how long have you been dating?" he exclaimed. I thought for a moment. 

"Going on four years this June," I replied and Daniel almost fainted, while Lando laughed. "I didn't tell you because I would be breaking a long-standing rule. When a royal starts dating a non-royal they have to make sure the relationship will last because they will be under scrutiny when they do go public. So we take the first years to ourselves and just enjoy, but I guess everyone is going to find out tonight at the ball."I explained. 

Daniel looked sad, "I never got to threaten him or call you when you were nervous for your first date." he pouted. 

Lando laughed, "Well mate when the time comes you, lewis, and Sebastian can be her bride's men." 

 I looked into the mocha eyes of the Brit and he gave me a kiss on the forehead. "I love you," he whispered as I wrapped him in a hug. 

"I think you two are now, my favorite royal couple," Daniel exclaimed.

 I scoffed playfully, "Who was your favorite before us?" I asked. 

"Harry and Meghan," he said in a duh tone, this time Lando and I both scoffed. 

"She is going to tear a hole in that family, just you wait." I hissed. "Honestly how do they not see it," Lando added. Daniel realized that there was more to this story, but he decided to let it go since the race was starting soon. 

"Please promise to come home safe," I said clinging onto Lando a little tighter, a bit like a koala bear. "I promise." he smiled down at me knowing my deepest fear was any of the boys crashing. I landed a kiss on his lips, but we both broke into smiled as Daniel gagged. 

"Good luck baby! Meet me at Ferrari or Mercedes hospitality when you're done." I called turning to walk back with Daniel. 

When we got to his garage I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. 

"Lando won't kill me for that?" he asked. 

I smiled, "Nah, it's our old tradition for whenever you race in Monaco for you to get a good luck kiss on the cheek." I replied. 

"Well I'm glad you remembered because I need luck," he said. 

"No you don't, you're the Honey Badger." I said with a wink and went to Mercedes garage. "Lewis the Loser!" I joked calling for the 4x champion. 

"The greatest driver of our decade, I think you meant!" he shot as he showed up with his helmet in hand. 

"You ready for the race?" I asked. 

"Oh yeah! Plus it's almost like me second home with all the times I've stayed here" he exclaimed. 

"Well we got to spread the black magic." I joked as he put his helmet on letting out a snort. I walked him out, and even though the media could see us I kissed his helmet, then walked to hospitality. Soon the red lights came on, then it was lights out and away they go!

During the whole race I was so nervous I couldn't stop shaking, but it was winding down and I ran back down to see the whole team celebrating Lewis' win. A representative came to me to take me up to present the trophies to the winners. I waited while England's national anthem played the I walked out smiling and waving. 

"Now presenting the trophies, Her Royal Highness the Princess Scarlett Rossi of Monaco!" the announcer exclaimed and the cheers were deafening. "Any words to the crowd before the trophies?" the man asked and I took the mic. 

"Hello everybody and what a wonderful race!"I cheered. "I am so proud of each and every driver, and especially my team, Scuderia Ferrari who managed to take P2!" I added winking. "Congratulations to my good friend Lewis for winning in my home town race I am very proud! I hope that your future in formula stays at the exponential rate you are traveling at!" I said directed at him and handed the mic back. "Now without further or do the trophies!" I was handed the gold, then silver, followed by bronze. 

I took pictures with everyone and chatted with the boys before they had to leave for press conferences. While I waited a reporter came up to me, she was young and shy looking. 

 "Your royal highness...uhm could I do a live stream interview with you?" she asked quietly. 

"Yes Ma'am you may," I said smiling sitting at a cocktail table in the sun, while she and her cameraman set up. 

She sat across from me and gave me a nervous smile. "Before we start let me give you and any other women in this sports advice. This is a man's game. They rule it. If you want to make it you need to be bold. Don't be shy, and follow what they say. Take the risk and show them they don't own this." I said looking dead in the camera and the old Princess was coming out. 

"Thank you!" she said confidently. "So you seem to have a close relationship with the drivers, any love interest out there?" she asked. 

I smiled, "Yes, but not who you think." I said with a cheeky grin and they laughed. 

"Ok! So our viewers want to know what you think about Charles Leclerc in Ferrari?" she said. 

I nodded, "Charles is an amazing driver. I have total respect for him. He and Sebastian are a great fit for Scuderia Ferrari and we are proud to have them representing the Royal Family in Formula 1 as well." I said carefully.

 "Videos have come out about you and Charles having an argument, and I believe Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo were included," she suggested and I let out a breath. 

"Well you know tensions are high in this sport and sometimes outburst happen, but at the end of the day, it is all over," I replied. 

"Even when he allegedly wished you we're dead?" she asked. 

"How much?" I asked and she was taken aback. "How much did he pay you to try and get me to say bad about him?" I asked and she looked down. "Honey you were doing so well," I said fuming and marched away from the table.