If You Ask Me I'm Ready

Chapter 1- The tom foolery of the gods

The camera shutters clicked at a phenomenal rate. Click. Click. Click. There was a grim determination in his eyes as he continued to stride forward towards the waiting limousine.

Click. Click. Click.

Violet looked at him, amazed at his calm and coolness. She was dazed by the bright bulbs and flashes, unused to this attention. This unwanted attention. A bitter smile settled itself on her lips.

He was ALWAYS cool and calm. How could he not be he was the -.

Click. Click. Click.

"Prince Philipp! How has your family reacted to this scandal?"

"Prince Philipp! Do you intend to marry this woman?"

'Prince Philipp is she carrying your child?!"

The world momentarily stopped.

Violet bit her lip, suddenly feeling woozy. No one was supposed to know.

Philipp temporarily lost his stride and stared the zealous reporter who had asked the question down before uttering coldly,

"No comment."

Click. Click. Click

The paparazzi went crazy at the response, speculation already rife about the situation. Violet could see the headlines now.

Philipp continued to walk ahead of her with more determination. She scurried after him, head bowed, as a wave of hot embarrassed tears flooded her eyes and spilled to her cheeks.

The chauffeur ahead had his hand poised on the door, ready to allow the fleeing pair into the car and away from the prying eyes of the press.

"Good afternoon Your Highness, Miss Chambers. Our journey should take no more than twenty minutes," he said, with his impeccable manners.

Philipp gave a barely perceptible nod of approval and gestured for Violet to get in. She climbed in as quickly as she possibly could, making sure to plaster herself at the other door.

Philipp pursed his lips and followed her in, keeping the great distance between them.

The chauffeur unperturbed shut the door with a soft thud and the sounds of the camera's clicking disappeared almost instantaneously.

Violet gave a small sigh of relief.

The atmosphere in the limousine was tense but it was better than the hoard outside. She looked out the window as the vehicle pulled away into the street, as smooth and as silent as the royal sitting beside her.

She was aware of Philipp's eyes boring into the side of her head.

"Is it true, Violet," he said.

She didn't need him to clarify what he meant. She already knew.

The silence was pregnant with expectation. She giggled deliriously to herself noting the unintended pun.

"Yes. I'm pregnant."

She hadn't dared say the words out loud before. Hearing them for the first time from herself caused an uncomfortable clench in the region of her heart.

Philipp laughed long and hard, caught in the same disbelief as she. The sound was unpleasant in what now seemed a very small place.

He stretched his long legs, clad in a black tailored suit. He had such a beautiful physique and such style. She couldn't help but notice how shabby she looked next to him. Her pink mud stained sneakers were an offence to the car and the man.

Violet stared down at her hands, noting dispassionately her chewed up nails.

Next to her Phillip seemingly relaxed, poured himself a glass of champagne and toasted,

"To the future queen of Italy. Long live the queen."