The Royal Romance - By My Side

Can I ask you a question?

He put his phone away and took in a little more of what was going on around him. Rick was dancing with Madeleine, a very serious expression on both of their faces. It was so frustrating to watch. Dancing was supposed to be fun. Maybe he'd show them how it was done a bit later on. When Bertrand wasn't glaring disapprovingly over at him, anyway.

He was definitely in the double bad-books with Bertrand right now. The fact that they had no suitor for selection tonight was a reminder of his incompetence a few months ago, while the fact that he'd attempted to embezzle an envelope of cash to send Savannah's way had also incurred his brother's wrath. Jen had been right though, it would have been the perfect time to tell him. But, he had to talk to Savannah first. And he would do. Soon.

He found Drake, skulking around the buffet, moping.

"Hey buddy."

"I'm not your buddy."

"No, I guess not, I mean, Rick's your best buddy."

"Huh." Drake glanced over at Rick and Madeleine. "I don't even know why I bothered coming to this damned ball, y'know."

"Because your best buddy's getting crowned tonight and you want to be here to support him. Obviously." He reached for an appetiser. "Think these'll stack up to the appetisers we made the other day?"

Hana wandered over to them. "Oh, the shrimp. Excellent choice,"

Drake took a bite. "Okay, it's delicious.."

"But nothing compared to our caviar and paprika creation!" he said, with a wink in Hana's direction.

"Practically a Michelin starred restaurant," Drake said with an eye-roll in Hana's direction.

"House Beaumont personally ensures quality," he said with a nod. "You know how thankful I am to you two for everything you did to help."

"What are friends for?" Hana asked, looking at Drake. "I'm going to miss you two."

"Miss us?"

She nodded. "Tonight's my last night at court. My parents have officially called me home. I must depart tomorrow morning – assuming I don't get selected, of course."

"That sucks!" Maxwell said, giving Hana a hug.

"I'm really sorry to see you go, Hana," Drake agreed.

"Thanks Drake," Hana said from behind Maxwell's shoulder.

"But hey," Maxwell said, as he released her. "If this is your last night here, then you've got nothing left to lose.."

"Except my dignity," laughed Hana.

"Dignity is overrated," Maxwell urged.

"Maxwell.."

"I'm just saying, you know how people are always saying 'party like there's no tomorrow..' well, for you, there really is no tomorrow! So we should really party!"

"I don't know," Hana sighed, looking at Drake.

"Come on. There must be a few things that you've been dying to do, or say, since you came here,"

Hana pulled a face. "Well, there are a few things I never checked off my list, but I don't know."

"Come on Hana... it'll be fun for all of us!"

"Well, okay!" Hana said with a giggle. "What should we do first?"

"Tonight should be about what you want to do," Maxwell told her. "Let's make some memories!"

"It'd be nice to have a special moment with both of you," Hana admitted. She turned to Drake first. "Drake, my special moment with you should definitely involve whisky."