The British Princess

Part 12

After helping Merida to put the horses away and heading into the palace, I go towards the billiard room to see if I could find any of the other guys that weren't outside playing cricket.

I had changed my shoes back to my heels and walked into the corridor, finding it was pretty quiet. Or at least as quiet as it had been in the past few days.

Entering the billiard room at first I think it's empty. None of the guys that weren't outside appeared to be in the room. But then I hear a grumble from around the corner, so I walk over to see who's there.

Axel, his face planted on the serving table as he sits on one of the bar stools, is groaning quietly. I scan the table as see quite a few empty glasses surrounding him. Has he been drinking?

"Axel?"

He shoots up, glancing over to me with a dazed look in his eyes. As he sees me he grins, "Hey there gorgeous." He says and turns in his seat to face me.

"Are you alright?" I ask, looking at him with concern.

"Ehh." He stands, wobbling a bit, "How about a kiss to make me feel better?" He says and stumbles towards me.

I quickly take a step back, "How much have you had to drink?"

"Shh." He says and moves towards me again.

Axel reaches out and clasps onto my wrist. He's got a strong grip, and is holding tightly onto me. My eyes go wide and I try to squirm my way away from him.

"Please let go of me Axel." I say, a little concerned at his state.

Why was there no staff around? There shouldn't be free access to the alcohol.

"Kiss?" He asks again and puckers his lips in a stupid way that would almost make me laugh if I wasn't so worried about him overpowering me while being drunk.

I shake my head, "No chance."

"But I'd love to kiss a princess." He wines in a drunken manner, and sways slightly, trying to get closer.

"I didn't want to do this." I say and grab his arm with my free hand, twist it until he squeals in pain. I then round my leg so it hits him from behind, his feet easily falling away under him and he tumbles to the floor. He groans as he lands on his side with a grumpy frown.

Telling by how drunk he seems, he probably won't be able to get up very easily. One bruise on him is much better than him trying anything on me.
Axel is lying on the ground now, like he's given up, letting out the occasional grunt.

I couldn't believe the sight of him. Drunk in a palace for God's sake.

"I'd appreciate if you don't grab at me like that Mr McCathy. And try not to get so drunk in the future." I say, giving him a firm glare before leaving the room, shutting the door after me.

I move to the closest guard who is standing far off down the hall, "Please keep an eye on the man in the billiard room. He's drunk and should stay under supervision until he's sobered up. Don't let him go roaming around the palace." I command and the officer nods.

"Of course Miss." Officer Troy says and paces down the corridor until he reaches the billiard room. I make sure he's gone in and shut the door before I relax.

I move to the closest seating area, a small cushioned bench on one side of the corridor that overlooks the windows out to the gardens. I sit down and run a hand through my long brown hair.

God what if Axel had tried to seduce me while drunk? What if I wasn't able to get away? If he was a little less drunk he would have easily overpowered me. That scared me.