Audrey"So, you want us to stay in Penevia?" Ashley searched for confirmation. I had brought both Ashley and Kennedy together so they could listen to my request."Yes.”"As your... ladies-in-waiting?" Kennedy questioned."Yes," I repeated."And we'll get paid to stay by your side?" A small smirk appeared on Ashley’s lips. I knew she was never the one to turn down good money."Yes," I answered again, my heart fluttering with hope. I wouldn’t even know what to do without the two of them in the picture.They had always been there for me, and I hoped that wouldn't change now. Especially with Rina becoming one of my ladies-in-waiting. Who knew what the other ladies would be like?Kennedy was the first to break the silence. "Girl, you don't have to ask me twice.” She stated, her words put a smile on my face. “I had already decided before you asked me.”"I'm your sister, Audrey,” Ashley added. “Of course, I'm staying. There's no way I could be leaving you alone with these people!”Their word
Audrey“And this is the final stop of the cruise, Penevia.” The guide, Tony, grinned with a satisfied smile on his lips. He hadn’t been able to hide his happiness at the sight of his motherland.My sister, Ashley, was in awe and covered the sun with her hands to take a better look at the magnificent architecture while all the other cruise attendants joined her. “Oh my gosh.” She squealed. “I didn’t even know this island existed, did you?”I shook my head and squeezed Mars’ hand. Just like my sister, I had not heard of this island before. It might’ve been the biggest surprise in my twenty-six years on earth, and from what I could tell, the island was way too big for me to find Mars if he would get lost. Mars was an energetic five-year-old, and I didn’t even want to take him on this cruise in the first place.The only reason why I had agreed to it was because my sister forced me. It was a 30-day cruise with about a hundred others which started
Roman“I’m glad my dearest son, Roman, could make it to lunch for once, which shouldn’t be too hard.” Queen Mary spoke with a sarcastic smile on her lips.“He doesn’t have a wife or an heir, so he has all the time in the world.” She whispered the last part. I took a breath and ignored her words. Being the crown prince of Penevia was not easy and especially with Queen Mary as my mother.“If I may, your highness.” Lord Crawford cleared his throat. He was my uncle, the king’s younger brother, and a close friend of the queen. He had named himself prime minister, and it was all because he would never get to the throne. “Of course, uncle.” I smiled politely, placing down my fork. “Please, speak.”My father, King Edward, who was just as curious to hear what his younger brother had to say, placed his hands on the table and followed the conversation. “As you know, your father’s fourth cousin, King Abel of Soliste, has been trying to put a claim on this thr
Audrey“Look!” Mars pointed out the horses. We were on a tour bus on our way to the palace. The streets were filled with royal guards, who were walking their horses, and it indeed seemed like a scene from a fairytale movie.“One of the biggest sports in Penevia is sword fighting!” Tony called out through the microphone. I tried my best to listen to his words, but it was hard to do so with Mars pulling my sleeves.“Mars, stop it!” I hissed. He followed my instructions and looked at me with his big innocent eyes. “I’m sorry, what is it?” I changed my original approach.“Mommy, can I go sword fighting?”“No, absolutely not.” I laughed at his crazy suggestion while Ashley laughed along. Mars had a cute and confused look on his face. “Who even does sword fighting? We have guns nowadays.” Ashley snickered just loud enough for Tony to hear.“You’d be surprised at how much damage a sword can do, but yes—it’s the 21st century, so we
AudreyI had to get out of here.“Ash, come on!” I pulled her hand, waking from my trance. Roman turned around and tapped a man’s shoulder before pointing his finger towards my sister and me.“Ash, come on!” I spoke one more time, but Ashley held me by my arm to stop me from walking. “We won’t move, we’ll stay here, and we’ll see what he does.” She decided. I looked down at Mars, who was still in my arms and seemed completely unfazed.“Ash, let’s g—““Audrey Sinclair?”Ashley and I stared at the man who called out my name from a distance. It was the same man Roman had spoken to. I moved my eyes to the balcony, but Roman had already disappeared. Vanishing into thin air seemed to be his talent. What was his game? What was he up to?The mysterious man made his way through the crowd and made eye contact. “Audrey Sinclair, that’s you, right?”“Yes?” Ashley spoke. “I’m her sister. Can we help you?”The man sm
Audrey“So, who is that little boy?” Roman asked in a demanding tone. He looked at me as if I owed him an answer.“What? What little boy?” I glared at him. That was definitely some way to start a conversation. He had a lot to explain, and the last person he should be asking about was Mars.Roman sighed. “We both know it wasn’t a ghost, I meant the little boy who just went with your sister.”“Oh, that’s my little brother.” I couldn’t help but smile at his remark. The way he carried himself hadn’t changed much. He sounded just as demanding, but back then in Vegas, I had found it to be attractive. He had a doubtful expression and looked me up and down, judging me. Maybe it was my T-shirt, perhaps my ripped jeans or the sneakers underneath? Who knew?“Y-your brother?” Roman spoke, relieved. By his reaction, I could tell the idea of Mars being his son would be like a nightmare to the prince. “He looks so much like…for a second I-I thought
RomanThis must be the best fucking day of my life.Quite frankly, that was all which was going through my mind as I paced back and forth with a succeeded smile on my lips. It felt like I had just won the lottery, and no one could take that away.“Are you really my daddy?” The young boy who would be the answer to all of my problems asked. I knelt, reaching for his hand.Thirty minutes had passed, and in those minutes, Mars’ had shown me how confident and brave he could be. The right qualities for a crown prince. Mother would like this.“I sure am.” I nodded. “Which makes you a prince as well.”He was a prince, no doubt. I would make him my crown prince. I would use him as a pawn and shape him into the young heir my family always wanted.As for Audrey? I would have to make her my crown princess, at least until I had Mars and all the officials under control.“When is mommy coming back?” Mars asked. I was at a loss
AudreyThis is not my bed.I rubbed my eyes and yawned before scanning the large bedroom. That’s right. I was at the palace.After Mars insisted on staying here, I could not decline his request. I would not take away the opportunity for him to have a relationship with his dad, no matter how much I despised the so-called crown prince.With a smile on my lips, I turned to wake my son, but I couldn’t find him beside me.“Mars!”I sat up straight and panicked as I looked around the room, but I could not find my son. “Mars!”In a hurry, I jumped from the bed and opened the large door leading to the hallway. “Mars!”My worst nightmare became a reality.A young maid ran over and bowed. “Excuse me, miss.” She spoke. “Are you looking for the boy?”Desperate, I grabbed her hands. “Yes, do you know where he is?”“Yes, miss.” The maid nodded. “He’s having breakfast with the royal family. The crown
Audrey"So, you want us to stay in Penevia?" Ashley searched for confirmation. I had brought both Ashley and Kennedy together so they could listen to my request."Yes.”"As your... ladies-in-waiting?" Kennedy questioned."Yes," I repeated."And we'll get paid to stay by your side?" A small smirk appeared on Ashley’s lips. I knew she was never the one to turn down good money."Yes," I answered again, my heart fluttering with hope. I wouldn’t even know what to do without the two of them in the picture.They had always been there for me, and I hoped that wouldn't change now. Especially with Rina becoming one of my ladies-in-waiting. Who knew what the other ladies would be like?Kennedy was the first to break the silence. "Girl, you don't have to ask me twice.” She stated, her words put a smile on my face. “I had already decided before you asked me.”"I'm your sister, Audrey,” Ashley added. “Of course, I'm staying. There's no way I could be leaving you alone with these people!”Their word
AudreyWith Mars clinging to my side, I walked through the palace halls. It had been a long day. Now that I was to be queen, the classes had become even more sincere. Every ounce of my energy was drained.‘Forget the mourning period, just focus on becoming queen’If those words could not get anyone punished, I’m sure that’s what the teachers would’ve told me.Mars and I were on our way to meet the Queen. Somehow he would manage to cheer her up, and I’m glad he could do that for her. I barely knew the king, but had a hard time sleeping so I couldn’t even begin to imagine what losing him must’ve felt like to her.Fake relationship or not, I would’ve lost my mind if something would happen to Roman.As we walked, a familiar figure caught my eye.Rina.She stood at a distance, but her features were so strong one could not miss it. She was not someone I wanted to see at the moment, and it was not because of fear.It was because I had not forgotten that she dreamed of being with Roman, and l
RomanI was in the red room, sitting at the round table with Brandon and Dalton. It felt just like old times when we used to play games and talk about whatever wasn’t allowed inside the palace.But this time I wasn’t interested in playing games, and they could sense that.With suspicious eyes, they tried observing me.What was Roman up to this time? Their silent question hung in the air.I poured some liquor into three glasses, the sound echoing in the quiet room, then I handed them a glass.Dalton stared at the glass. "I don't drink on the job." He declared with his lips pressed into a firm line. Quite rude to offer a drink from his king.I raised my own glass, a small smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. "From what I've been hearing, there's been a slight personality change." I retorted, my eyes never leaving his. He had time to put his lips on my Audrey, but drinking on the job is where he’d apparently draw the line.Dalton furrowed his brows, trying to see what I was getting
RomanBeing king is a responsibility I'd never asked for, but one I was expected to embrace without question.Lord Crawford went on and on about new duties and responsibilities, his words echoing hollowly in my head. My cousin, Brandon, sat beside me and as always he was writing down notes, acting like my personal brain.It had been two days.Two days since I'd lost my father, our king and everyone around me expected me to just pick up where he left off. Expected to lead a country, lead a royal funeral, and address my people—all while dealing with my own personal grief. The thought was suffocating.My mother had given her own set of instructions. While everyone was allowed to sob, I was forced to keep my emotions in check, I couldn’t lose face in front of the ministers.The same ministers that didn’t even want me on their throne.‘The tears you had spilled at your father’s bedside. Those tears should be your last,’ She had said to me, and I listened.I did what was necessary. I put on
AudreyRoman looked around the room, his gaze was hard and cold. "Is something wrong?" He repeated.The atmosphere in the room was tense, and I couldn’t tell whether it was because everyone present felt threatened by him, or was shocked to see him in this state after yesterday.Grayson smiled, standing up a little straighter. "Your Majesty, we assumed you were occupied with your new duties." His tone sounded very different from before.Where was all that talk about Roman not being the main character?"I am never too busy for my family," Roman responded, patting Mars’ head. "Is Audrey being investigated?""Not officially,” Grayson muttered, unable to meet the king's gaze. It wasn’t hard to guess it was probably due to the embarrassment of those words he had spoken earlier.“Good.” Roman turned to me, his expression softening a little. "That means you and your friends don't have to answer anything.""That’s right." Dalton agreed, shooting me a quick glance. “It’s completely voluntary.”
AudreyThe day after the king's passing seemed even worse than yesterday. Last night, after Roman and I had returned to our room, he was unable to sleep. His eyes which had been swollen and red from crying, stayed wide open as he stared blankly at nothing. His father was gone, he called out to him while he wasn’t there, and that part was the hardest.Roman left early in the morning, without saying too much while I found myself in Mars’ room. I picked him up and brought him to a private room to tell him the news. Kennedy and Ashley were by my side.Mars was in my arms, his little body shaking as he cried for his grandfather. He was still young, but he knew he wasn’t coming back anymore.Ultimately I wanted to be the one to tell him about his grandfather’s passing before anyone else could.The conversation of death was heavy fun for a young kid, but it was necessary.By now, the news had also been shared with the people of the kingdom. It was a day of mourning, everyone was expected to
AudreyThe queen was on the floor, sobbing beside King Edward's bed. Joan, Lord Crawford, and other members of the royal family stood behind her.King Edward's lifeless body lay on the bed. pale and still.Not counting myself, the only one who didn’t belonged to the family was the royal doctor.I had never seen a corpse. This was a first, but there was no time to puke. It wasn’t about me. It was about the royal family who had lost a husband, a father, a brother.Roman quietly stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on the queen's back, helping her rise from the floor.“Oh, Roman!” She cried harder, burying her face in his chest as he held her tightly. “He’s gone!”“I know.” Roman spoke. My heart ached at the sight, and I could only imagine the pain the queen was going through.He was apologizing, but not for his father’s death. He apologized because he wasn’t there.“You’re unbelievable.” Joan looked at Roman, her voice filled with anger. "Disgusting!" She spat.“You can’t just walk
Audrey"Something's wrong. We need to get back to the palace, now," Roman spoke, breathing heavily.I whistled loudly, and Mars came running toward us. “Yes, mommy?”“We’re going.” Roman told him urgently, scooping him up without a second thought."But I don't want to go. I was playing with my new friends." Mars protested, kicking his legs. It was already late, and his spoiled behavior had always jumped out whenever he was tired.Only now was not the right time."We have to go, Mars. Now," Roman repeated, his voice stern. I tried to stop Mars from kicking his feet, but he shook his head and screamed, unhappy with the sudden departure.“I don’t want to go—““Shut up. We’re going!” Roman yelled, his volume sending shivers through my spine. Even little Mars was too terrified to say another word."Hey!" I snapped at him, taking my son from his hands. "Don't yell at him like that ever again! Are you crazy?""No matter what happens, don't pick up your phone. Tell them your phone was on sile
AudreyI braced myself for Roman's outburst, but all I heard was silence. Opening my eyes, I found him smiling at me. "Just kissed?"“Y-Yes?” I stuttered, surprised by his reaction. “B-But you should know that I initiated it both times. Dalton hasn’t done anything wrong. In fact, Dalton had stopped it before it could go any further.”It felt fair enough to tell him how honorable Dalton could be, even in the face of temptation.“Is he serious?” Roman scowled. "That's so Dalton-like."I couldn’t hide my giggle, thinking about how we had both made up the same word to describe him. “I’m pissed, but not for the reason you think I am.” Roman added. "I had expected more from my friend. Any sane man would've…I mean, look at you!""So you are not angry?" I asked, utterly confused."I couldn't be.” Roman replied. "We're not together, anyway, so you're free to do whatever you want."His words caused an unexpected sharp pain in my chest. For some reason, I wanted him to care. Roman scoffed. "Just