#bastien gives great advice

[kamidukki]

Berrien's 2023 BD Card Story - So That I Could Meet You (1/2)

Part 1

*Before you read, we'd like to inform that this story contains spoiler from EP 2.5.

It's recommended to read EP 2.5 before you proceed.

For those who want to avoid spoiler, please use the upper left button to go back.

.....

- Devil's Palace, Master Bedroom -

- Several days prior to Berrien's birthday -

/sounds of knocking

Lono: Master, can I come in?

[Go ahead]

Lono: Good morning, Master!

Bastien: Good morning, Master.

[Do you two need something?]

Bastien: That's right. There is... something we want to consult you today.

[Consult...?]

Lono: Yeah, that's about it.

Bastien: The thing we want to discuss with you is about... Berrien-san's birthday.

[Oh, Berrien's birthday is...]

Lono: Yes. It's getting closer, March the 5th.

Bastien: We're always indebted to Berrien-san. That's why we want to celebrate the occasion... But when we think of how, we fail to come up with anything good.

That's why we came seeking your advice.

[I see...]

Lono: So, Master, what do you think? Would you lend us a hand?

Since I was also indebted to Berrien, I wanted to congratulate him on his birthday as well.

[Absolutely! Let's think of something together!]

Lono: Thank you very much, Master!

Thus, the three of us, for the sake of celebrating Berrien's birthday, started a strategy meeting.

Lono: Let's see... There are lots of ways to celebrate a birthday, but...

If possible, something that can help Berrien-san relax would be better.

[To help Berrien relax?]

Bastien: Agreed. Recently, Berrien-san seems to be busier than usual...

The person himself might not realise it, but I don't doubt he must be feeling tired.

[Should we gift him a day-off?]

Lono: We did think about that too...

Bastien: But even if we give one to Berrien-san... He'll probably say 'I'm just doing things I want to do' and ends up working anyway.

[I see...]

Lono: The only time Berrien-san isn't working is when he's eating, I guess.

[Then, should we gift him a meal?]

Lono: Eh? Are you suggesting we prepare a birthday dinner for Berrien-san?

[Yes]

Bastien: A dinner... That might work... Also, eating delicious meals can help him recover from fatigue.

Lono: I see! As expected of Master, that was a good idea!

[Thank you]

Lono: Great, since it's a special occasion... might as well throw in the element of surprise!

Oi, Bastien. Let's make a luxurious dinner!

Bastien: Understood. But...

[What's wrong?]

Bastien: Since we're at it, I'm just thinking we might as well get a different present to give Berrien-san at the dinner...

[Then, how about I do it?]

Bastien: ...You, Master?

[I want to give Berrien something]

Lono: How nice! Receiving a present from the Master after a surprise dinner... Berrien-san will be really ecstatic!

Bastien: He really will be, no doubt.

By the way, Master. If you want to go out to buy present, we'll accompany you.

[Is it alright?]

Lono: Yes! Since we need to shop for the dinner's ingredients too... And if you're having trouble choosing your present, feel free to ask our help!

[Thank you]

In order to find a present for Berrien, I went out afterwards, accompanied by the two.

- Central Land, Espoir -

- The following day -

Berrien: Let's see... With this, we're more or less finish buying everything.

Lono: ...

Bastien:

[...]

Berrien: Err... Everyone, is something the matter?

[I-it's nothing]

Bastien: (To think that Berrien-san said he wanted to join our outing... Because we weren't able to find a good excuse to refuse, he ended up coming with us...)

Lono: (What should we do... At this rate, Master won't be able to buy the present... There's no way Master would buy it in front of Berrien-san himself, right.)

[(What should I do...)]

Berrien: Uh... Is everything truly alright?

[I-it is]

Lono: T-that's right! No worries, really!

Bastien: By the way, Berrien-san, saying that you wanted to go along with us... Does that mean there's something you need to get done in Espoir?

[Is that so, Berrien?]

Berrien: Yes, there is.

The truth is... There's this new shop in town that's selling tea and teacups.

Moreover, the owner of the shop is none other than someone we, the Devil Butlers, protected from an angel before.

I received a letter from that person inviting us to take a look at his shop.

That's why, I decided to do so today.

[I see]

Lono: Hee~ To hear from someone we've helped... What a happy story it is!

Bastien: And for him to be an owner of a teashop, it must be brilliant news for you, Berrien-san.

[Isn't that good, Berrien?]

Berrien: Yes, I'm really feeling happy. I look forward so much to visiting the shop 🎶

A teashop... I might find something for Berrien's birthday present there.

Stealing a glance at Berrien's profile, I made a decision on what my birthday present would be.

[(I hope everything goes well...)]

- Teashop in Espoir -

- After a while -

We arrived at the destined teashop.

A man, seemingly to be the owner, greeted us with a big smile on his face.

Shop owner: Well, well, if it isn't the devil butlers! Welcome!

Berrien: Long time no see. Congratulations on the opening of your new shop.

Shop owner: Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

Lono: Hehe... As I thought, it feels nice to be thanked so honestly.

Bastien: Yeah, feeling like your hard work pays off.

Shop owner: Now, go ahead and browse at your own leisure. Tea leaves or tea wares, we've got quite a collection here.

Berrien: /chuckles

Well then, we'll do right away.

Having said that, Berrien began to look at the teacups on the display.

Berrien: Hmm, each of them is pretty... Oh?

[What's wrong?]

Berrien: Master, please take a look at this teacup over here.

At the end of Berrien's pointed finger was a beautiful teacup with orange colored pattern and golden rim.

Berrien: How beautiful... I like the warm, honey-like color.

[It's lovely]

Berrien: Yes. Moreover, the delicate touch of the painting is wonderful.

Berrien seemed to be entranced by the teacup before him.

If so... gifting him this teacup might be a fine idea.

The problem was how to buy it without him noticing...

[(What should I do, I wonder...)]

Bastien: /coughs

Excuse me, Berrien-san.

Lono: Err, well... Could you come over a bit? We want to ask about what teas go well with what dishes.

Berrien: Oh? Are you both interested in tea?

Understood. I'll be over there soon.

Saying that, Berrien walked over to them.

Lono: (Master, now is your chance!)

[(Thanks, you two!)]

While Berrien was preoccupied on the other side, I secretly made a payment.

Just as I finished the transaction, the conversation between them seemed to have settled down.

Berrien: I suppose it was more or less like that, speaking of tea that matches the dish served.

Bastien: I see... I wonder if it applies to meat dishes as well.

Lono: Hmm... All this talk is making me want to make more meat dishes...

Sorry, Berrien-san. Can I go out a bit to buy some more meat right now?

Berrien: It's fine by me. In that case, I'll be waiting here with the Master.

Lono: Really sorry, Berrien-san. But I'll come back soon.

Bastien: Oi, Lono. If you're going to buy meat, I'll tag along.

Lono: I don't mind, but we're not stopping by a weapon shop on the way, got it?

Alright, then... Master, Berrien-san, please excuse us.

Bastien: Excuse us...

Lono and Bastien exited the shop.

Berrien: Well, they've gone.

...Fu fu.

[What happened?]

Berrien: Oh, no... It's just, I feel like those two is more in sync than they've ever been.

As a fellow first floor butler, I can't help but be happy.

Moreover, since I have gotten quite busy with the requests recently, it's been a while since I'm able to enjoy my time slowly with you, Master. This makes me happy too... And I ended up laughing a little.

[Berrien...]

Berrien: The peaceful moments I'm spending with you are what rejuvenate me.

... A butler isn't supposed to be saying such things, is he.

My apologies, Master.

If you'd be very kind to forget what I've just said, I'll be grateful.

By the way, Master...

[Yes?]

Berrien: Since yesterday, don't you think the atmosphere is somewhat restless?

[Eh!?]

Berrien: Besides, both Lono-kun and Bastien-kun seemed a little off...

[D-did they?]

Berrien: /chuckles

Yes. Since we've spent quite an amount of time together, I can somehow catch the difference.

As expected, Master too... is feeling a little restless, right?

[N-not really...]

Not wanting him to find out about the surprise, I averted my eyes from Berrien's.

Berrien: Oh~? Master, why wouldn't you look at me? 🎶

With the playful smile still on his expression, Berrien's gazes once again locked with mine.

[E-err...]

Berrien: /chuckles

My apologies, Master. It's supposed to be a secret from me, isn't it?

[I-I can't tell you anything yet...]

Berrien: Oh my, is that so. Am I to look forward to it, then?

[Absolutely]

Berrien: Fu fu, understood. Then, I'll be sure to wait patiently.

I don't know what kind of secret it could be... but looking at Lono-kun, Bastien-kun, and Master who seem to be having fun, I can't help but feel the same 🎶

---

Part 2

[pardi-real]

Main Story Ep. 2 / Part 3 / Chapter 6 - A Fun Plan

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[Devil's Palace, Backyard]

Berrien: "Haures and Fennesz... seems like they're having a serious conversation."

> "They look quite focused"

Berrien: "I'm sure Fennesz is trying to help. And Boschi forcefully taking a break is probably to let others rest."

Muu: "I see... it's Mr. Boschi's way to show he cares."

Trudge… trudge…

Lono: "Ah! My Lord! Mr. Berrien!"

Bastien: "So you came to watch."

> "Great work guys!"

Berrien: "Certainly, Haures seems different than usual."

Lono: "Yeah, that's true."

Bastien: "The look in his eyes is different."

Berrien: "There were various incidents during the last expedition, and he has a strong sense of responsibility. I think he's more anxious than usual."

> “Anxious?"

Berrien: "Yes, we've been with him for a long time. I believe I have a good grasp on his personality.  Haures is a perfectionist, and when he's anxious, he tends to push himself too hard without realizing it. But… It's not just him; everyone around him gets pulled into the same intensity."

> "I-I see..."

Lono: "Ughhh. What a troublesome personality."

Berrien: "But… honestly, I think I'm responsible for this as well."

> "You are?” > “How come?"

Berrien: "Haures has a strong sense of responsibility and is very talented.  I've leaned on him for a long time."

Lono: "That's... You're right..."

Bastien: “He always brings us together.”

Berrien: “Yes, that's true. He spares no effort to live up to our expectations. He has kept the butlers together. And... I feel like I naturally turned to him for difficult things. Our last expedition, for example…”

> “You mean the child who looks just like Haures's sister”

Berrien: "His responsibility as the devil butler leader and... His personal anxiety... his heart must be unstable now."

> "I see..."

Berrien: "Anyway... It is him who's going through the most difficult time right now."

Muu: "Poor Mr. Haures..."

> "Is there anything we can do for Haures?"

Berrien: "Well... It'll be great if there's any way to relieve his anxiety..."

Lono: "Hmm… right..."

Bastien: “Hm… this is hard.”

> "If we could change his mood somehow..."

Lono: “That’s right! If he changes his mood, maybe he'll return to his usual self!”

Bastien: “But… I don't think the current Haures is taking advice.”

Lono: “Hmmm… you've got a point.”

Bastien: “He'll keep straining himself no matter what we tell him.”

> “How about forcefully changing his mood?”

Berrien: “Forcefully making him cheer up…”

Muu: “Do you mean something like a surprise?"

> “Yes, yes”

Berrien: "I see… That might be a good idea."

Lono: “Does that mean we need to drag him out for a chill session or something?”

Bastien: “I don't think it'll go well…”

> “Maybe it'll work if we do it in a natural way” > “It'll work if we do it casually”

Berrien: “You’re right, my lord.  It is a surprise after all, we need to make sure Haures doesn't find out beforehand, right?”

> “Exactly”

Berrien: “I see, I see…!”

Lono: "Then, what exactly should we do?  Something that would make Haures happy… right?"

Bastien: "Moreover… In a casual way..."

> "Let's ask everyone” > “We'll come up with something together”

Berrien: "Certainly, that's a good idea. It's better if everyone gives their opinions."

Lono: "Alright, let's talk with everyone right away!"

> "Yes!"

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[likethetailofacomet]

Big Shoes to Fill

...Applewood is really getting away from me. I promise this was supposed to include Claire’s birthday surprise, but then other things happened, and those things were important, so the birthday surprise will just have to wait. Sorry, Drake, stay patient. BIG THANKS to @ooo-barff-ooo for her help with this chapter. I defer to her always for advice on the beautiful relationship between Drake and Bastien. 

tags: @ooo-barff-ooo @sleepwalkingelite @zaffrenotes @mind-reader1 @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlessly-searching-for-you @agent-bossypants @andy-loves-corgis @nekkidmolerat @gardeningourmet @notoriouscs @endlesstaylormckenzie @jovialyouthmusic @akrenich @endlesshero1122 @cordoniantrash @the-whiskeywife @the-everlasting-dream @natalievgoodehenry @drakewalkerrosenberg

Drake felt his vision fade from the outside in as everything in the room in front of him was replaced by violent red. The wooshing in his ears that had been constant since he’d walked in on Alex with his hands on Claire had become deafening, and he barely heard a word that Liam or Bastien were saying. He didn’t need his vision to see the photos, the headlines- those were stamped indelibly to his memory, and his nostrils flared and his top lip curled as he clenched his good fist. He tried to clench both but felt the stitches pulling, felt the bandage constricting his movement, and he settled on slamming it into the wall regardless of the pain and the inevitable need for yet another bandage as he’d surely damaged it further. All eyes snapped to him as he pulled his wrapped hand back out of the plaster wall, leaving a hole behind like the one in his heart, knowing that he couldn’t protect her anymore. Now that it was out, now that this article was on every newsstand and doorstep and computer screen across the country, no one could keep her safe from the ridicule or the threats or the hatred. He would kill Alex. That he was sure of. That was the one thing that he could do, and he hoped it would be enough not only for her, but enough for him. He felt their eyes on him but he didn’t care, just dropped his forehead against the wall above the hole he’d punched.

“Drake,” Claire’s voice reached his ears and he rolled his forehead against the wall to look down at her. She gave a concerned look when his eyes met hers, and he worried that he’d frightened her with the anger that he was sure was still in his eyes. He tried to soften his features for her, but found it impossible. He was livid. He was crazed. There was nothing that anyone could say to calm him. The only thing there was to do was to find Alex and kill him. Find whoever he was working with, and make sure that they were punished. “Drake,” she said again, this time lightly touching his right arm, just above his bandage. He looked down to where her fingers were and saw that he was bleeding through his wrappings which were frayed and torn from crashing through the wall. He flicked his eyes back to hers and felt instant regret for letting his rage get the better of him and not focusing first on her. Another reason to kill Alex, he thought.

He turned to her and tentatively reached for her with his good hand. “Claire, I-“ he started to speak but his throat was tight with the steely grip of his anger.

“It’s okay, Drake. It’s okay,” she muttered to him, reaching up and stroking his face. “As long as we’re alive it’s okay.” She pressed her small body to his wide chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. He could feel her tears soaking his shirt as her muttered “it’s okay” turned into a sob and she broke. His broken hand throbbed and he was distantly aware of the drops of blood seeping through the bandage and falling on the pristine marble floor, and he looked down at it- red, like his vision and his temper and his rage. He held her as she shook and his anger grew with each one of her tears. He would kill Alex. This he was sure of. He brought his eyes to the woman in his arms and told himself that she was right, that it only mattered that they were here, with each other. He rubbed her back and kissed her head and tried to comfort her, but in his mind he couldn't let go of how he felt; of the desperate need he felt to do something, to ensure her safety, like a cornered animal.

Bastien cleared his throat. “We need to discuss the measures that need to be taken to...mitigate the damage.”

Drake locked eyes with Liam over Claire's head, saw how tired and frustrated his brother was, and the fire in his heart roared a little more as he added Liam's stress to the growing list of Alex's offenses. “We'll need to make a statement,” Liam said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He dropped his hand and looked at Claire, still pressed against Drake's chest, but no longer crying. “I'll speak,” he said softly, “You don't have to, Claire, I'll take care of it.” Drake knew Liam hated making public statements, but he knew he'd never leave Claire to dig herself out of this hole. He was going to make such a great king, so selfless, so dedicated to doing what's right.

She let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, Liam,” she whispered.

He nodded and turned back to Bastien, all business despite how Drake knew he was feeling. “And what about our plans to return to the Palace?”

“We'll have to delay our travel until tomorrow while the security team at the Palace runs their checks. I'll also have a team in place to check the Beaumont Estate and Drake's cabin,” the older man gave Drake a look of assurance and Drake felt immense appreciation for him.

“Thank you, Bastien,” he said, voice heavy with sincerity.

“Yes, thank you, Bastien,” echoed Liam. “Please let me know when the security reports come in.” He turned to Drake and Claire. “I should go prepare my statement...” he put a hand on each of their shoulders. “I'm truly sorry that this is happening. I will do everything in my power to keep the two of you safe, to...to try to undo some of this...you don't deserve it, neither of you.” He dropped his hands, sadness clear and present in his crystal blue eyes. He turned back to Bastien as if he'd remembered something important. “Bastien, please also increase security for Lady Kiara. If...” he swallowed. “They already know she's likely to be my choice...I want to make sure she isn't harmed...” Bastien nodded and Liam sighed once more before leaving the room, heading to his study to prepare to meet the press.

Claire pulled away from Drake and looked up at him through eyes that were raw and red from tears and terror and exhaustion. He smoothed her hair and dipped his head to kiss her quickly, her lips drawn to his magnetically, with urgency. His eyes fell to the chain that hung around her neck, the little silver heart charm that he'd given her laying against the skin of her chest, visible above the neckline of her sweater. He brought his fingers up to run over the engraved lettering. Wherever you are, so am I.

Bastien cleared his throat again in that practiced and tactful way that he interrupted whatever was happening to say what needed to be said or do what needed to be done. “Drake,” he said, and Drake turned to face him, keeping Claire to his side with one arm still around her. Bastien's gray eyes flicked down to Drake's hand and up again, and Drake thought he saw something there but he wasn't sure what. “We need to take care of that hand.”

“Just call Mi-” Drake started to protest, waving his good hand at Bastien.

“This is a little more than what Micah can handle, Drake. You'll need a cast, you'll need your stitches redone...”

Drake shook his head. “It's fine, Bas, just-”

“Drake,” Claire cut him off this time, surprising him. “Listen to Bastien, please.” She turned to Bastien, who gave her a grateful look. “Can I come?” she asked the captain of the King's Guard, and Drake wished for the answer to be both yes and no.  

Bastien simply shook his head, keeping his eyes steadily on Claire. “I'm afraid it's too risky to have you leaving the premises right now, Claire.” Drake knew that Bastien was right. If anyone caught a glimpse of her they'd know who she was- the story had run on every platform and Cordonian's were hungry for news and gossip, especially regarding the Royal Family or any of the Nobility. “I'll accompany you to the hospital, Drake, the sooner the better,” he urged.

Drake exhaled slowly through his nose as he rubbed her arm. “Fine,” he resigned, looking down at Claire again. “Let's get this over with, then.”

“And I'll be right here when you get back, okay?”

Drake nodded, feeling his throat tighten. “Yeah, Berkley...okay.” He kissed her nose and she gave him a little smile that he knew she worked really hard for. He sighed and followed Bastien out of the room.

Drake looked out the window at the trees whipping by while Bastien drove, his gray eyes periodically  flicking over to the man he considered a son. He knew that Drake was in pain and that it wasn't his hand that was the biggest problem, and he found himself wishing that he could do something for him, wishing that he wasn't in the situation that he was in...wishing that Jackson was still alive and could be here for Drake in the ways that Bastien tried to be. He was about to break the silence when Drake did it for him, his voice gravelly and still directed at the window.

“I'm gonna kill him, Bas,” he said quietly, but with absolute conviction.

Bastien cringed. He never wanted Drake to have to be that, to do that. “I know,” he said, looking straight ahead.

Drake turned his head. “I love her.”

“I know you do.”

“I won't let anything happen to her again, Bas. I swear it.”

Bastien looked over and was met with Jackson's deep brown eyes. He was met with the way that Jackson loved Drake's mother, with the way that Jackson cared about things and swore on things and loved fiercely and fully. “I know you won't, Drake... and I'll do my best to make sure nothing happens to her either...or you.”

“I know you will.”

When they pulled up to the hospital Bastien handed Drake a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses, as well as a sweatshirt that he'd pulled from the back seat. “You're known to the public,” he said, and Drake just nodded, donning the items Bastien handed him. He removed his suit jacket and tie so as not to look so formal walking into the emergency room. He'd called ahead, of course, and made arrangements for Drake to be taken directly to the doctor that was on call specifically for anything that the Royal Family might need. They entered the hospital through a back entrance, and within twenty minutes Drake had been seen, X-rayed, and was being set in a cast. Bastien waited in the hallway outside the casting room. He could hear the bubbly voice of the nurse asking Drake questions to make small talk, could hear Drake's responses. The almost toneless quality to his voice as he answered with as few words as possible turned his stomach. He looked down at his hands, at how weathered they were, how many little nicks and cuts, how many broken bones, how many punches he's thrown. He didn't want that for Drake. He picked his head up as Drake came out into the hallway, a gray cast covering his right hand, going up to mid wrist. The first of many if he stays on this path, he thought to himself.

“Can we get back now?” he asked.

Bastien stood and placed a hand on Drake's shoulder. “Not yet, son.” He rarely used the word, not wanting to step into Jackson's shoes too often- he was his best friend and he was an amazing father, and Bastien wasn't trying to replace him. He knew he could never. “We need to talk.”

“Bas, I really just-”

“I know, Drake. But I have some things I need to say. Let's take a drive.” With that he headed for the elevator that was still blocked off for their use, and Drake followed. They rode it down in silence, and Bastien led him to the car. They drove a short while, still not saying anything, until Bastien pulled the car off to an overlook by a lake. Drake blinked twice before recognizing where they were. It was the lake by his cabin, only they were on the far side of it. He squinted hard and could just make out the outline of his home in the distance. Bastien got out of the car and sat on the hood, looking out over the lake. Drake slowly exited the car and walked around to join him.

“Drake,” he started as Drake sat beside him. “The way that you feel right now... about Alex...it won't be there forever. You know that, right?” he looked over, and Drake recognized what he'd seen in his eyes before: it was regret.

“Bastien, if you're trying to talk me out of-”

“I'm not trying to tell you how to handle this, Drake. I just,” he sighed. “I want you to make the right decisions. I want you to think about what matters. What matters to you, Drake? The most, I mean. What's the most important thing?”

“Keeping Claire safe,” he answered without hesitation. “Making sure Alex can't hurt her anymore.”

Bastien nodded. “I thought she might factor into your answer.”

“Factor in?” Drake shook his head thinking that Bastien must not have understood. “She is my answer, Bas. She's more than a factor.”

“No, Drake, you said keeping her safe. You said keeping Alex from her.” He turned to lock eyes with him. “You said killing Alex. You didn't say Claire. You didn't say loving her.”

Drake shook his head again, this time more fervently as he stood from the hood of the car, blocking Bastien's view of the cabin. “Why do you think I feel this way, Bas? It's because I love her! Who do you think this is for if not for her?!”

Bastien stood too, brushing his pants off. “I just want you to remember that, Drake. I want you remember that this isn't about your anger. This isn't about revenge. I want you to remember that it's for Claire...if I know that you're thinking about Claire...then I know you'll never be in this position again.” he paused as those words sunk in with Drake before continuing softly, “Do you think she sees you as a killer, Drake? Do you think that's what she wants for you? I know it's not. I know it's not because when you love someone, you don't want them to ever have to betray who they are. And who you are, Drake Walker, is a good man, down to your boots. Good men still have to do hard things. But the best ones don't let those things consume them. They keep their eyes on the reason.” He spun Drake around and pointed to the cabin in the distance. “That's your future. You and Claire. Your father built that cabin to fill it with love, Drake. So fill it.” Bastien saw the way his words were working inside Drake's mind as he looked across the lake. He knew he'd probably still kill Alex, and he didn't fault him for that at all, but he'd have faulted himself for not sharing the lesson it had taken him so long to learn.

[flowerpowell]

The Royal Holiday Romance (Liam x MC)

PART THREE

A/N: Good morning and welcome to the third part of this mess of a series that I randomly decided to write. It’s still cheesy and still Hallmarky. Nothing changed in that department. And we’re almost kinda halfway through. I hope you’ll like this part! Characters belong to Pixelberry.

Rating: G 

Tagging: @twinkleallnight​ @kingliam-rys​ @sfb123​ @iaminlovewithtrr​ @gardeningourmet​ @gkittylove99​ @texaskitten30​ @delightfullypinkglitter​ @kingliam2019​ @queen-arabella-of-cordonia​ @lodberg​ 

Victoria looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She wasn’t sure if her little black dress was an appropriate attire for meeting the King. On the other hand, she truly believed that ‘less is more’ and her LBD was inspired by the fashion of Audrey Hepburn. If the King had a problem with Victoria’s love for simple outfits it wouldn’t be her problem. She doubted it’d be the case though; Hana insisted that the King was a true gentleman and one of the nicest people she’d ever met. Victoria was already excited to meet him. Besides, she’d never met anyone from royal family before and she was interested what they would be like. Her obsessions with fairytales definitely added to that interest.

“Ready?” Hana walked into Victoria’s room in a house the filming crew rented for all the actors.

“I think so. What do you think?” She did a little twirl and Hana chuckled.

“Beautiful. You look like an actress straight from the 50’s. Come on, our car is waiting for us!”

Victoria took a deep breath before walking out. It felt almost silly how excited she was but the inner child within her was screaming with joy at the prospect of going to an actual palace.

“Here goes nothing.” 

~~~~

“Ahhh! I’m so excited! Do you think Hana will like my squid suit?”

“Mhm.” Liam only nodded and Drake rolled his eyes.

“Why do I have to be here as well? I’m not a noble!” He asked, for the fifth time that hour.

“Because you want to support me?” Maxwell suggested and Drake shook his head.

“Try again.”

“This is so exciting! Thank you, Liam! You’re the best friend a guy could ask for,” Maxwell said, completely ignoring Drake.

“You’re welcome. My father liked lady Hana a lot and since her role in The Crown and the Flame he considered her a friend of the Crown. It’d be nice to have her back here.”

“And her friend Maxwell insisted on inviting,” Drake noticed.

“You’ll like her. Besides, Hana said nice things about her and Hana is never wrong.”

“Your obsession with Hana Lee is a bit concerning.”

“It’s not obsession, it’s an appreciation for her art. You’ll never understand it with an attitude like this, Drake.” Maxwell stuck out his tongue at him.

“Your Majesty.” Antonio, the King’s assistant, walked into the room. “The ladies have arrived. Shall I ask them to come here?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Your Majesty!” Bastien called out from behind Liam. “The American Ambassador is on the line and wants to talk to you. He says it’s urgent.”

“Very well, then.” Liam nodded. “I’ll join you in a moment. Please excuse me,” Liam apologized and followed Bastien into his office. Truth be told, he was quite happy about that distraction. As much as he liked lady Hana, he wasn’t in a mood to socialize today. All he could think about was the mysterious Victoria. He wondered if she visited his secret spot again. He wanted nothing more than to go to that forest again and see her again. Maybe. If she was still Cordonia, that is.

“Liam, get yourself together,” he scolded himself in his head before returning to his duties.

~~~~

“The King had to answer a call but he’ll join us shortly. I’m so happy to see you both again,” Maxwell welcomed Hana and Victoria as Drake shook their hands.

“He’s always busy in the Christmas time,” Drake added.

“It’s okay,” Victoria tried to smile but she was too anxious to do that. Now that she was in the palace, it all felt real but still almost surreal.

“What an interesting suit, Maxwell,” Hana noticed.

“Thank you, m’lady.” Maxwell smiled and turned to Drake, sending him a quick, I-told-you-so look.

“Let’s go to the dining room. I’m sure you two must be hungry after working all day.”

Victoria only nodded, glancing one last time behind her to see if maybe the King had joined them. So far, there was no sight of him.

~~~~

Liam was sitting in his office with his eyes closed. If he had had any energy left before, now he had absolutely none. The ambassador talked to him for straight thirty minutes about his idea, which Liam didn’t fully understood. Something about the movie with Hana Lee and about the premiere of it, as well as some other details Liam simply hadn’t noted. He was tired, too tired to talk to anyone. Would Maxwell forgive him if he ditched the dinner?

“He’s probably too focused on Hana to notice I’m not here,” Liam said to himself before standing up and taking his coat. He needed fresh air first. He could join his friends later.

~~~~

It was already an hour since they came to the palace and there was still no King on the horizon. Victoria wondered if the Kingly duties were that absorbing or if he simply decided to skip the dinner. Hana and Maxwell were chatting and seemed not to notice someone was missing but Victoria kept glancing at the door from time to time. She talked a little with Drake who, as she learned, was half-American and was King’s best friend. He told her about his family’s ranch in Texas and about how different his life was in Cordonia. In return, Victoria told Drake about how she wanted to become a movie critic but became an actress instead.

“Y’know, it’s never too late to change your career path. Maybe you’re never really happy with your roles because you’re not doing something you really love?” Drake suggested when she confessed to him why she wasn’t so excited about the movie.

“I don’t know… It feels easier to be where I am rather than change my life drastically.”

“Maybe.” Drake nodded. “But I learned the hard way that we don’t grow if we stay in the same place. Don’t settle for less just because you’re comfortable or scared.”

Victoria chuckled. “That was deep.”

Drake smiled and motioned the alcohol on the table. “That’s whiskey talking. Or maybe my wife’s influence, I don’t know.”

“In this case, I’d like to thank whiskey and your wife for the advice. I’ll think about it.”

“Please do. I was in a similar spot before I met my wife. She completely changed me and made me realize all these things I just told you. And that being said,” Drake looked around the room, “I gotta go, I miss my wife.”

“Sure. Have a great night, Drake. And thank you for the pep talk!”

“At your service.” Drake smiled and said goodbye to Hana and Maxwell. Victoria sat alone for twenty minutes more before she finally decided to go home as well. The King wasn’t coming. He was probably very busy and Victoria wasn’t surprised he couldn’t make it.

“I think I’ll go as well. I’m a bit sleepy after today. You can stay,” Victoria added as she noticed Hana was getting up, too.

“Nonsense. I brought you here and besides, it is pretty late.”

“Hana, I know where to go. And I think I could use a walk. Please, stay here with Maxwell and don’t worry about me. We’ll see each other tomorrow morning anyway.”

“If you’re sure.” Hana hesitated and Victoria smiled reassuringly.

“I am.”

“Do you need a drive? I can ask one of our drivers to give you a lift,” Maxwell offered but she shook her head.

“I’ll walk, I want to get some fresh air before I’ll go to sleep. You two have fun, though!”

“Text me when you get to your room safely!” Hana called out after Victoria and she only nodded.

~~~~

Liam was wandering around the forest for over an hour, each minute feeling guilty for leaving his guests without their host. He truly believed they were better off without him as he was too tired to make a good impression on anyone.

It was already late when he decided to head home. He didn’t see Victoria, not that he was looking for her. He was that naïve to think he’d meet her again.

He was about twenty minutes from home when he noticed someone familiar. His heart began to race as he realized it was Victoria. As usual, she seemed to be lost in thought and didn’t see him. He admired how beautiful she looked for a moment before he decided to catch her attention.

“Victoria!” He called out and felt tingles when their eyes met. He watched as she walked up to him smiling from ear to ear and realized he was grinning like an idiot himself.

“Liam! What a nice surprise to meet you here!”

“Indeed it is. I… umm… was in the forest today and I missed you bumping into me.”

Victoria chuckled at his words. “I wanted to go there today but I had to be somewhere else.”

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow? There’s another spot I like and which I think you’ll like as well; besides, I just finished reading Little Mermaid and need to discuss it with an expert.”

“You read Little Mermaid?” Her eyes were sparkling with joy and Liam’s breath hitched.

“Of course. I’m always down to read a good thriller,” he joked causing her to burst out laughing. She quickly covered her mouth but Liam took notice of how adorable her laugh was.

“I’m free,” she replied. She had no scenes that day anyway and Hana would forgive her if she skipped one day of eating lunch together. Liam smiled at her words.

“Wonderful. Should we meet by the cave? What time would be the best for you?”

“Maybe it’d be easier if we had each other’s phone numbers?” Victoria suggested shyly. It was the first time ever she asked a man for his number. “This way we wouldn’t have to wait to bump into each other again and if something pops out we’d be able to contact one another.”

“I’m glad at least one of us is thinking straight,” Liam laughed. They exchanged their phone numbers and after chatting for a few moments, each of them went their own way, both of them thinking about the other one.

~~~~

“Good morning to you, Your Majesty who skipped your own dinner party. I hope the call was fruitful.”

Liam rolled his eyes at Drake’s sarcastic comment.

“The call was way too long and exhausting. I needed to go for a walk afterwards.” He bit his lip and Drake eyed him suspiciously.

“I know that look. You’re hiding something.”

“Not at all.”

“Mhm. Where were you yesterday and where are you going today?”

Liam sighed. “Drake, I really—”

“Be sorry that you didn’t come to dinner yesterday. We had so much fun! And Hana loved my suit!” Maxwell waltzed into the room, beaming.

“She said it was interesting,” Drake corrected but Maxwell ignored it.

“Where were you anyway?”

“I went for a walk and it took me longer than I thought. I’m happy to hear that you all had a great time,” Liam replied. They might have had a great time but he was sure he had even greater time. A certain movie critic had something to do with it. They shared a few messages since last night, mostly talking about movies and books. Liam found himself completely fascinated by this woman who was so passionate about cinema that it made him watch something for the first time since becoming the King.

“Maxwell had. He was talking to Hana all evening and left Hana’s friend out,” Drake noticed.

“She was talking to you!”

“Until I had to go back to Riley. Maxwell, you sucked as a host, face it.”

“Thank you, Drake for keeping her company though. Had I known she’d be sitting alone I’d have come sooner,” Liam said suddenly feeling guilty. He didn’t know this Tori but she was his guest and he felt bad for how Maxwell treated her.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I should’ve acted differently but I was just so excited to talk to Hana that I forgot about everything else. And Tori didn’t seem to mind. I told you she was cool,” Maxwell shrugged.

“We’ll talk about when I’ll come back,” Liam warned.

“Where are you going? Shouldn’t you have a meeting with my brother and Olivia today?”

“I rescheduled. I’m meeting someone.”

“Who?” Drake raised his eyebrows.

“Just… someone I met recently. I’ll tell you later.”

“Oooh, interesting!” Maxwell exclaimed. “Then I’ll tell you more about what I learned about Hana! Look, I even took pictures of us! I’ll use them in my book.” Maxwell showed Liam a few selfies from the day before. Most of them showed Maxwell grinning at the camera and Hana smiling slightly.

“Wait, stop,” Liam asked. “Can you go back to three pictures ago?”

“Umm, sure.”

Maxwell went back to the photo and Liam’s eyes went wide as he looked at it. He zoomed in on a person in the background, not believing his eyes.

“Victoria?!”

--------------------

[otakween]

07-Ghost - The World (Part. 3)

Episodes 21-30 of the 07-Ghost radio show! Aww man, I’m really sad it’s over. I had a lot of fun listening the whole way through. It definitely made me a Namikawa Daisuke fan. I look forward to spotting him in another role!

Episode 21

Kuroyuri VA’s second episode. Honestly, she was kind of annoying (sorry!) She wouldn’t stop cracking up at everything and it made the whole episode very chaotic. They started out by discussing: their ideal birthdays and nicknames they’ve had in their lives. They then played a “what would you do?” game where they had to pick the most popular reaction to various scenarios. This time the punishment was to speak like a servant/butler. The loser was...Namikawa of course (lol every time!)

Namikawa failing at keigo was honestly the highlight of the episode for me because, same. Apparently this episode came out close to the end of the anime. Funny that the show would go on for so long after the show was already over. I guess because the manga was ongoing and they still had DVD sales to boost? 

Episode 22

The first no-Namikawa episode in a long time (another scheduling issue). This time though we got two guests: Castor and Lab’s VAs! Saiga called it a “church special” lol. It did feel like a mini reunion. The opening discussion was “what do you do to calm down when you feel stressed.” Lab’s VA said he likes to be alone/have alone time. Castor’s VA said he likes to eat sweets lol. Maybe it’s because Namikawa wasn’t there to react, but they barely read any fan mail. 

For a game, since Lab’s VA was there they played a “flower language” game where they had to guess what each flower signified. Somehow the flowers were also connected to birthdays? I tried to Google this but couldn’t find much. I want to know my birthday flower! Anyway, the final corner was a “Last Supper” where they ate something that was supposed to taste like chestnut and another thing that was supposed to taste like sweet potato. For once, both experiments were yummy. 

Episode 23

In this episode Namikawa comes back and so does Lab’s VA (sorry, I should probably learn his name). I was honestly pretty relieved to hear Namikawa again because he’s really the heart of the show. They discussed their blood types and caught Namikawa up on what he missed in the last episode. I finally looked up what the heck “Namikawa ga Kamu” means (the name of one of the corners) and I think what they’re going for is that he snaps at the listeners who send him ridiculous mail lol. Kamu has a bunch of different meanings so it took me awhile to get that.

They played another flower-themed game. This time they had to guess which flowers out of a bunch listed were currently blooming. They kept saying “ah that one blooms in winter, huh?” and I was like “wtf? Nothing blooms in winter!” Damn you Japan and your higher temps! This time Saiga and Lab’s VA lost and their punishment was to speak like a maiko (I didn’t even know maiko had a unique speech style). The final segment was responding to listeners worries but I honestly struggled to understand what they were saying and spaced out a little, oops! Lab’s VA said he wants to come back, but was disappointed in the lack of food this time around lol. 

Episode 24 

Wow, a Bastien episode, how unexpected. I honestly forgot what Bastien sounded like because he was in so little of the anime, but he has a nice, deep voice. Probably second deepest after Ayanami. It cracked me up how he and Namikawa bonded over how they both voice dead guys. The started the episode out by discussing what kind of food they like to eat in November and then talked about how popular/unpopular they were in their younger years. One fanmail asked what they would give Teito as a birthday present and no one really knew what to say LOL (it is a hard question). Namikawa said a camera and Bastien’s VA said “Mikage” loool. 

I thought the game they chose for the Bastien episode “find the impostor” was clever, but it was hard to play along. It was another game where they had to pick “which one of these doesn’t belong” out of a list of 07 Ghost things, but they didn’t clearly read out the options so it wasn’t super interesting to listen to. Bastien’s VA lost and his punishment was to talk like a country bumpkin for the next segment. They ended the episode by doing the confessional-like corner and listening to listener’s sins. Amen. 

Episode 25 

Another Kuroyuri episode! I guess she was really available lol. This one was recorded around Christmas time so it was slightly Christmas themed. They talked about sock fetishes (for some reason lol) & read some more chaotic fan mail. One girl that wrote in claimed to be from Namikawa’s elementary school and they freaked out. 

The game they played this time around was “what do you want for Christmas” where each person listed a bunch of things they might want for Xmas and then the others had to guess what the correct answer was. Kuroyuri asked something along the lines of “what cup size boobs do most women want?” I’m used to boobs coming up a lot in stupid anime so I was kinda surprised to hear real people have that conversation lol. Namikawa was clearly uncomfortable and gave the “I think size doesn’t matter” speech haha. (By the way, the answer was C cup). Namikawa lost as usual and had to use “reindeer speech” for the following segment. His interpretation of this was to add “tona” at the end of every sentence (because tonakai = reindeer). 

The final segment was Last Supper and they ate things that are supposed to taste like melon when you eat them together (white chocolate + apple juice, cucumber + honey). Apparently neither hit the mark but at least they weren’t too gross this time. 

Episode 26

Jun (Hakuren’s VA) returns! They call him “Jun Jun” which is way too cute. I think he’s one of my favorite guests, just cuz he’s so iconic and has great energy for radio. In this episode they discussed what color each person would be (Namikawa = orange, Jun = black, Saiga = blue). They also discussed New Year’s resolutions because this was recorded around January. They played an 07-Ghost themed version of karuta which was fun to play along with. Guess who lost? (It was Namikawa lol). I totally didn’t get what his punishment was. He had to talk like “maro/daimaro” and I couldn’t figure out via google what the heck that is.

In the final segment they gave advice to listeners. One listener asked what they should do about a mouse problem. Namikawa at first said “move” but then changed his answer to “get a cat” lol. Very inspired. Only 4 episodes to go~!

Episode 27

A rare no-guest episode. Namikawa seemed very fed up and low energy in this one lol. This was recorded in January so they discussed new years again. It’s kinda cool hearing time pass in these. Oh how innocent times were back in 2009/2010. The only thing that really stood out in the beginning of this episode was that one listener called Namikawa “Namikawa D-Cup-san” and Saiga and Namikawa died laughing. This was in reference to a past episode where Namikawa called himself that but he acted like he never said that loool. Honestly, the best part of this show is just hearing everyone laugh at dumb jokes.

The game they played this time around was pretty creative. Basically while one person was blindfolded the other had to help them draw a picture of a 07 Ghost character with verbal instructions. As they did so, they had to stay in-character. It was really funny hearing Saiga switch from polite Japanese to Teito’s feral speech style. You don’t really realize how cartoony anime character’s are until you hear natural speech right next to it (or maybe that’s just me lol). Namikawa lost again (I felt bad for him this time cuz he sounded genuinely disappointed) and his punishment was to stay in Mikage-mode until the end of the episode. He said acting so “pure” was exhausting. 

Episode 28

Another Haruse episode. He was really cute in this one, he admitted that he was nervous about doing radio and was worried his voice would shake haha. They again talked about New Years and New Year’s resolutions. They also took some kind of “psychology test” where they had to describe what color/pattern handkerchief they’d want to receive from a girl. The color handkerchief = the color of panties they like or something stupid like that lol. 

For the game, they had to put 07-Ghost characters in the correct order. Saiga had to order the ghosts, Haruse’s VA had to rank the Black Hawks, and Namikawa had to organize a bunch of characters in the order they’re introduced in the manga. Pretty difficult. Everyone did about the same so they had to do rocks, paper, scissors to decide the loser. The loser was, of course, Namikawa. His punishment was to sing everything like an opera singer for the next segment.

The final segment was giving advice to listeners. One person asked for advice on dating someone older than you and another person asked about giving “the talk” to their younger brother lol. At least I think that’s what they said. These advice portions have some tricky Japanese. 

Episode 29

The first Konatsu episode, it’s interesting to see them bring in new guests at the very end. Konatsu was one of my favorite characters so it’s unfortunate that I found his VA really annoying lol. His style of humor was to just repeat the same obnoxious thing over and over again and I found it really grating. This was recorded in February so they discussed how much you should spend on Valentine’s day chocolate. They also asked Konatsu’s VA what kind of character Konatsu is and he basically said “I had like no lines, so I dunno” lol. Too true. I forgot Konatsu was even in the anime.

For the game they had to pop some balloons and the more hearts they got the better their score was. (I guess they put heart on pieces of paper and stuffed them inside the balloons?) For once the loser was the guest and Konatsu’s VA had speak in a Kansai dialect for the final segment. The episode ended with “The Last Supper” and they ate avocado with vanilla ice cream, which apparently is supposed to taste like mango.

Episode 30

The grand finale! They actually called it that too. I wasn’t sure if they were going to acknowledge this as the last episode but they made it special. They did a lot of reflecting on how far they’d come and how the show seemed long and short at the same time. This was an hour long episode but they basically spent the entire time reading listener mail (which is my favorite part anyway). No games, no guests. Namikawa’s “kamu” corner got special background music for the first time. Most of the listener mail was people saying their goodbyes and being sad that the show was ending. 

At the end of the episode some staff person came into the studio to thank Namikawa and Saiga for their hardwork and to give them chocolate. Very cute. The depressing part is that both the hosts and the listeners were talking about “if season 2 happens...” which obviously never did. Pooor 07-Ghost :’( 

[thefirstcourtesan]

Hi, I read your opinions on Wolf Bride and I wanted to ask a quick advice. I'm not liking the book so far because Bastien's behaviour is a big turn off for me. I don't dislike that kind of LIs in general, I liked both Marc Anthony and Ethan Ramsey to give examples, but the way they set that story... Is a big no for me. I was wondering if I should give a chance to the book buying the diamond scenes, since you said they're a big part of the story, and if you have some scenes in particular that think could shed a new light on the story and Bastien's character. Thank you!

Hi! Thanks for the ask @tayab12! I am going to do a replay and will post some diamond scenes but yeah, I find that there is a lot about Bastien in diamond scenes that highlight him as more sheltered and ignorant to “human” life than asshole. Taking to him at the waterfall in chapter is one (so buying the scene but not choosing the flirt) and all 3 diamond scenes in chapter 3. The night vision opens up a really cool moment and let’s MC step into his world a bit. The date is great. He reveals a lot about himself and his upbringing and the dynamic between them was cute. The mine cleaning isn’t about Bastien (I didn’t even interact him) but it sheds a lot of light about the pack, about what they can do and I thought it was well worth it. I do think this is a book that will be far more enjoyable with diamond scenes than without, especially in terms of Bastien.

[lu-undy]

Chapter 17 - SBT

Here it is!

The doorbell rang. 

"Oh…?" 

Lucien had spent his morning so far working on his voice, accompanied by his piano in his suite. He got off of it and went to the door.

"Ah, good morning Bastien." 

The young man was at the door, his arms full. 

"Hello, L. I have some suits for you, from your tailor." 

"Oh, I wasn't expecting anything, thank you very much." Lucien let Bastien in. 

The young man put the suits in the spy's wardrobe. 

"Anything you need while I'm here?" Bastian asked as he made his way back to the door.

"Non, merci." 

[No, thanks.]

Bastian stayed at the door for a second while Lucien sat back at his piano. As he didn't hear the door shut, the Frenchman turned to him. 

"Something is the matter?"

"Uh… It's just… I heard you before I knocked on your door and uh, you have a nice voice, L." Bastian blushed, his eyes going up and down between Lucien's face and the floor, timidly. 

"Thank you. If you want to stay to listen, be my guest." Lucien offered. 

"I… No, I have some work to do, Sir. But thanks very much." Bastian started to close the door. 

"Bastien?" 

He stopped sharp and raised his eyes to the Frenchman. Lucien had left the piano and was walking to him. 

"Your hat and tie are straight." He started. "I see you are taking my advice." 

"Y-yes. I try my best." 

Lucien leaned on the doorframe and crossed his arms.

"Do you have any ambitions? Professional ones, I mean." 

The young man took a deep breath. 

"I'd like to… I'd like to work in the kitchens here, become a chef. I know it's a bit foolish… It's so complicated to be good in that field. But yes, ideally, get hired in a kitchen like they have here, in a prestigious hotel. That would be the dream."

Lucien smiled. 

"I'm uh… I'm taking cooking classes when I'm not working and I'm actually working to pay for them." 

"I see." 

"I cook at home but uh, I live alone so there's no one else to give me feedback apart from myself." 

"I can do that for you."

Bastian's eyes darted up to Lucien. 

"Really?" 

"But of course. If you want me to try something, just bring it to me. Leave a box at my door if I am away and you'll find it empty the next day. I will make sure to leave a note with my impressions." 

"Oh… Wow… Thanks so much!" Bastian's face radiated with a smile.

"My pleasure." 

"Uh, L?" His smile vanished for a second. 

"Oui?" 

"May I ask why you are being so kind with me?" Bastian asked. 

"How old are you, Bastien?" 

"Twenty-six." 

Lucien frowned. He was thoughtful for a moment. 

"Uh… L?" 

"I think you are working hard to get what you want. I would like to encourage that and help you." 

"Well, that's very kind of you…"

"Tell me," Lucien bent his head on the side, looking at the young man's brown eyes. "Were you one of those children that Maurice is helping?" 

Bastian looked in the corridors to see if anyone could hear them. 

"The entire floor is empty. You made sure of that for me." Lucien said, as if he had read his thoughts. "You may speak freely."

"Well…" Bastian blushed. "Yes, I was at the orphanage, like a lot of other kids. When I got into high school, I met Maurice. He helped me get out of a lot of trouble."

"You don't seem like the troublesome type." Lucien said.

"Not anymore, but back then, I was reckless. Maurice helped me through many years until one day we had a long chat and uh… He made me see it in front of me, vividly. I saw… I saw myself in a kitchen, cooking delicious dishes, not the food that I used to steal, not the cheap stuff, nah. I saw myself serve people, make them happy through that, and provide them with the kind of food that I could only dream of." 

Lucien smiled. 

"He found me a job as a waiter in a pub. I'd sometimes peek in the kitchen. It wasn't great food but… It got me dreaming harder. What if I could be that bloke cooking? Hah…"

"Bastien." Lucien finally spoke and the young man stopped fidgeting with his white gloved fingers. "Whatever you choose to become in your life, don't let anyone take away the dreams you have." 

Bastien managed to lock his eyes on the Frenchman. He wasn't sure he was fully grasping what Lucien meant. He frowned slightly. 

"Hold on to your dreams as you would to your very life. Work hard for them. Struggle for them, get mad for them, lose your mind for them, cry for them." 

"I… I'll try my best." 

"Good." Lucien carded his hair back with one hand. "You will realise when you grow old that we are deeply narrative creatures. We like to tell the story of our lives as a story indeed, a rational, logical series of events, one engendering the next."

"Is your story like that?" Bastian risked. 

Lucien's answer was a smile that the young man mistook for sweetness. 

"Does it matter?" 

Bastian smiled and lowered his head. 

"Alright, have a good day, L." He nodded and put his hands in his pockets. 

"To you too." 

Bastian turned on his heels. 

"Oh wait!" 

Lucien had started closing the door. He opened it again. 

"We received this for you, I forgot it because it was so small…" Bastian took a brown envelope out of his pocket and handed it to the Frenchman. "Sorry."

"No problem." Lucien took it in his hand. "Thank you very much." 

The young man nodded and took the lift back down.

"How the hell…?!" He exclaimed as he found a tip in his pocket. 

Back in the Frenchman's suite, Lucien was half surprised, half curious, with a pinch of confused. He hadn't expected any packages, any letters and even fewer suits from Richard…! 

He sat on the piano and opened the envelope. There was a key inside. It didn't look like a house or locker key, non, it resembled a car key. But he still had his Panthera keys… 

The phone rang in his living room. He got off the piano and took it. 

"Allô?"

[Hello?]

"L?"

"Oui?"

"C'est Francis."

[It's Francis.]

"Ah!" Lucien smiled as he could see the image of his engineer friend from back in the ministry in France. "Que me vaut le plaisir?"

[What do I owe the pleasure to?]

"On m'a dit que vous aviez reçu ma lettre?"

[I was told you received my letter?]

"Oui."

[Yes.]

"C'est la clé du véhicule que vous m'avez demandé."

[It is the key for the vehicle you had asked from me.]

Lucien remembered indeed. As he had been tired of always asking reception for his car, he had told Francis that he would need something more discreet, something he could leave on a parking lot safely.

"Je l'ai fait livrer, elle devrait être sur le parking de votre hôtel."

[I had it delivered to you, she should be on the parking lot of your hotel.]

"Elle?" Lucien asked.

[She?]

"C'est une moto."

[It's a motorcycle.]

"Oh…" Lucien let his surprise escape his lips. 

"La clé paraît étrange pour une moto."

[The key seems strange for a motorcycle.]

Lucien stared at it in his palm. 

"C'est normal, ça n'est pas la clé de la moto."

[It's normal, it is not the key for the motorcycle.]

Lucien's eyebrows jumped. 

"Vous pouvez peler l'emballage, c'est une clé en chocolat." Francis chuckled.

[You can peel the aluminium wrapping off of it, it's a chocolate key.]

"Quoi?"

[What?]

"La moto se déverrouille avec vos empreintes digitales."

[The motorcycle gets unlocked with your fingerprints.]

"Oh…" Lucien was impressed. He peeled the wrapping off the key and bit into it. "Hm… Chocolat noir…? Merci beaucoup en tout cas."

[Hm… Dark chocolate…? Thank you very much for everything.]

"Avec plaisir! Sur ce, je vous laisse, j'ai du travail qui m'attend." 

[My pleasure! And with that, I shall leave you, I have a lot of work waiting for me.]

"Mais bien sûr." Lucien answered. "Merci encore et à bientôt."

[But of course. Thank you very much and see you soon.]

Lucien hung up the telephone and finished eating the chocolate. Ah, he had almost forgotten about the jovial and funny side of Francis. He had always been one with an incredibly strong sense of humour despite being able to be the most reliable of Lucien's contacts through the years. 

The Frenchman looked at the time. It would soon be time for the last rehearsal before the show. He prepared his suit for the evening, put it in a suitcase along with the shoes and accessories he will need. 

Lucien tapped his pockets. Cigarette case? Keys? Gloves? Oui, everything was there and so he left, putting a hat on his head. 

He walked to the parking lot and smirked. The motorcycle was indeed there, waiting for him with a sealed crate on it. Lucien looked at the padlock on it and smiled. That was another habit Francis had developed. Lucien didn't know if it was only for him or if he did that to all the agents but he found it touching, in a bittersweet way, after ten years, Francis was still the same. He would send him equipment in sealed crates without the key. But both of them knew that if a padlock could stop any common mortal, it was a piece of cake for Lucien. 

The Frenchman put a hand in his inner pocket on his jacket and he got his cigarette case. He flipped it open elegantly and retrieved the pins concealed behind the menthols. Le padlock yielded easily and Lucien opened the crate. 

"Oh… Très joli, ça…"

[Oh… Very good…]

He took the helmet from the crate and observed it keenly. It was black with dark red reflections, just like the motorcycle itself. The shape of it was very elegant too. Lucien slid his head in and felt the cushioned walls of the helmet shrink slightly to meet his skull in a tight yet comfortable fashion.

"Oooh…" 

Francis outdid himself on that one! Lucien will have to compliment him on both the elegant design and the comfort of it. He put the suitcase behind him, secured it and hopped on. 

"Voyons voir…"

[Let us see…]

Lucien removed his gloves and put his fingers on the handlebars. The engine purred below him and the motorcycle vibrated gently. The Frenchman smiled and in a roar, he left the parking lot.

-- Queen Victoria --

"Right, are we clear on the order of the pieces, gentlemen?" Lucien asked his colleagues behind the thick red curtain. 

"Yes, Lucien!" 

"Yeah!" 

"Go and dress up, you're the last one still not in your suit…!" One of the musicians suggested.

"I know. But I need to make sure everything is absolutely clear." Lucien insisted. "And in any case, I have time. I only come on stage for the last piece." 

"Don't worry, we rehearsed together all week and all of us worked very hard for this." The conductor said. "Besides, look here." 

He opened a thin slit between the curtains and invited Lucien to take a look. 

"The posters across the city worked wonders. I have never seen the room that full in years, maybe even a decade…!"

Lucien indeed realised that the dining area was full of people, there wasn't a table that wasn't occupied. 

"They even put extra tables and chairs…!" 

Lucien's eye scanned the room quickly. 

"Hm. We still need to impress, Andy." He said to the conductor. 

"And we will. You gave us a direction again and you freed us from Frank. Nothing will stop us now."

Andy smiled. His mind was set and the shine in his eyes told Lucien that indeed, their first show would set the orchestra on a new course. Things will be different now. 

"Very well." Lucien said. "I shall leave you and get a change." 

"See you for your song." Andy said. 

"Gentlemen!" 

All the musicians were on their seats and looked up at Lucien. 

"Now is our time to shine, play as if it was your last chance to touch your instruments, as if the notes you will hit tonight will possess you and haunt you for the rest of your days! Play like desperate men, but not resourceless ones, non, you are desperate for your notes to hit each and every last person in the audience like a slap across the face, shake their bones, send shivers across their bodies, wreck their insides and make the waves that you produce resonate across them inside and out!" 

The curtains started rolling to open and Lucien disappeared backstage. He went to his dressing room and locked himself in. There was a clothes rail, mirrors on the wall with lightbulbs all around them, some make up, a sofa and some cupboards. 

Lucien changed his dark red suit for the black one that Richard had especially designed for his first concert. He put on the vest with white wavy patterns and the jacket and trousers. They had the same patterns but in black, just to be subtle enough. The Frenchman then sat down in front of the mirrors. He spent some time on his hair and made sure his bowtie was straight. 

He heard the audience applaud from his dressing room. He smiled faintly. Lucien remembered the past rehearsals and how fast the whole group progressed. He went on with his preparations.

Lucien looked at the makeup on the table. What should he start with to hide this old face? He looked at his reflection in the mirror and felt like a sorrowful clown. Life was all an act, all a show, wear your best smile and go out here to pretend everything is fine when nothing really is. The truth is that no amount of makeup could hide the wrinkles, the bruises and the scars, the canals dug by the infinite stream of tears he had shed in his life. No foundation could put colours back on his pale face, no blush powder would ever manage to make his cheeks pink.

Lucien took a minute more looking at his reflection, standing up. He saw an old man, tired of his life, on his last mission. Oui, this would be the true last one, the one to close his story before going back to France and… well… watching the days roll until there are no more left for him. Or maybe he wouldn't get out of that mission and go back to France…?

He took a deep breath and heard the audience applaud again. That was it, that was his moment to step on the stage. He headed there.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here is the man you have all been waiting for…" Andy, the conductor, was talking in Lucien's microphone. "After a brilliant career in the heart of France where he sang for kings and queens, legends of the movies and famous celebrities known worldwide, here he is… Lulu!" 

Lucien stepped on the stage under the applause of an eager and curious audience. He walked to his microphone and bowed elegantly before nodding to Andy. 

The flutes and violins started, as well as the piano. 

{To the reader: this song is "Windmills of your mind" by Michel Legrand}

Lucien let the waves of the flutes and the strings of the violins carry him. His lips parted. 

"Round,

Like a circle in a spiral, 

Like a wheel within a wheel,

Never ending or beginning,

In an ever spinning reel…"

He sang very softly at first. The Windmills of your Mind is a song that is strong in the poetry of the lyrics. Thus Lucien dropped his guard slightly, to let the lyrics enchant him. He closed his eyes and for a fleeting moment, he was free… 

"Like a snowball down a mountain

Or a carnival ballon

Or a carousel that's turning

Running rings around the moon," 

He was free from La Solitude because La Musique was here to tear him out of her arms. She wrapped hers around him and he felt warm, oh so warm. He felt as if he was this young boy with big blue eyes again, his mother's arms keeping him safe from… From what? 

From life itself, from her empty promises, from her false hopes and her lies, from her hits, her blows and her kicks. 

"Like a clock whose hands are sweeping,

Past the minutes of its face,

And the world is like an apple,

Whirling silently in space,"

Oui, that represented very well what Lucien felt. He felt insignificant, a piece of dust on a rock spinning in space, waiting to be swept away when his time would come. 

"Like the circles that you find,

In the windmills of your mind."

But first, he had to complete this mission. He had to find his target. Arthur Duchemin. He would find him and at the very least, torture him. Oui, even if it was the last thing he would do, even if France got to know how inhumane he had been with his target and throw him in jail for the rest of his days. Oui, he would do it, gladly. 

Lucien opened his eyes as he continued singing. His voice knew what it had to do, he had worked hard on it. It was mastered and disciplined. Thus he could focus on his eyes rather than his vocal chords. 

He observed his audience, which he could barely see, but like a panther, his keen eyes worked better in the dimness anyway. He didn't know any of those faces but still tried to record their features, carve them into his brain. Anyone of them could be the key to get closer to Duchemin. 

Most of the clients were looking up at him, couples of rich people, larger tables with business partners, colleagues or equally wealthy friends. Very few tables were occupied by single people. Lucien looked at those souls who might share their life with their own Solitude, unless his was cheating on him with all of those lonely people too…? 

"When you knew that it was over,

Were you suddenly aware,

That the autumn leaves were turning,

To the colour of her hair"

Oui, in that particular instant, Lucien wished he had someone he could mean his words to, someone he could address this poem to. 

He let the orchestra conclude the song and the audience applaud. People were visibly more than satisfied with his vocal performance. But he himself? Not that much. It wasn't bad, non, but it wasn't remarkably good either, even though he had given everything he had in him to make it all sound as best as he could. Lucien would have to congratulate the orchestra, they accompanied and carried his words masterfully. He smiled courteously and bowed to the audience.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen." He bowed again and turned to applaud the orchestra before the thick red curtains rolled shut in front of him. 

"That was absolutely fantastic, Lucien! Breathtaking!" Andy shook his hand enthusiastically. "I think we can all agree that we haven't felt what we did today in years!"

"Yeah, Lucien that was great."

"Awesome work, mate." 

Lucien smiled to his colleagues. 

"Thank you all very much for your hard work, for your patience and the sweat of your brow, really. My performance would be nothing without yours." He answered. 

A few minutes later, the Frenchman was in his dressing room, resting and drinking some water when a knock interrupted him. 

"Oui?" 

"It's me." 

He recognised Frank's lovely voice and opened the door. 

"Good evening, Frank."

"That was one hell of a show, Lulu! I start to understand where your reputation comes from! Also, you mind following me? Some of our most faithful customers would like to have a chat with you."

"But of course." 

The Frenchman left his dressing room with a last glance at the man in the mirror, the slim one, wearing the black suit with the elegant wavy patterns, and with the piercing light blue eyes. 

[badchoicesposts]

In A Land of Myth...

Chapter 12

Summary: When Selene, a young sorceress, arrived in Stormholt she had every intention of remaining anonymous. King Constantine Rys had strict rules on sorcery. The act itself was punishable by death, and she had no desire to be burnt at the stake for her “crimes”. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to remain unseen when she becomes Prince Liam’s personal maidservant, and it seems that it’s her job to protect him from everyone that wants to kill him.

Disclaimer: This AU is a cross between TRR, The Crown and The Flame, and BBC’s Merlin. Merlin follows the tale of King Arthur and the sorcerer Merlin. Merlin comes to Camelot where magic is outlawed and is made Prince Arthur’s servant. You do not have to watch the show to understand this fic, but it is based on the BBC show Merlin so the story line will be similar. I don’t own the plot to Merlin or any of the TRR characters.

Word Count: 3,340

Author’s Note: This series is finally back and with a new mood board! Thanks so much for being so patient with the fact that it took so long!

Taglist: @flowerpowell​​​, @bobasheebaby​​​, @alexintheskyy​​​, @slytherincursebreaker​​​​, @kingliam2019​​​, @furiousherringoperatortoad​​​​, @goldenbirdcrystalcage​​​​, @burnsoslow​​​​, @zilch3, @desiree-0816, @sanchita012​​​​

Let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the taglist!

Catch Up: Masterlist

“I put Kiara up in the room right next to yours, and her father is down the hall,” Selene told Liam. 

“Good. The room next to mine is great,” Liam said with a dreamy look in his eyes causing Selene to look at him in curiosity. 

“You know, Kiara is really pretty,” she said casually as she began sorting through his laundry. 

Liam let out a soft laugh. 

“She’s more than just pretty. She’s beautiful, she’s…” he trailed off, wiping the lovesick look off of his face once he noticed her amused gaze. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“I didn’t say anything,” she said, with a smile.

“You didn’t have to. I know that look,” he said with a smile. “I’ll have you know that my intentions with Kiara are completely noble.”

“Of course, Prince Liam,” she teased, grabbing a basketful of his laundry and making her way to the door so she could get started washing it. 

Selene had barely made it out of Liam’s chambers when she let out a surprised yelp as she felt a firm grip on her wrist, causing her to turn towards a concerned looking Madeleine. The King’s ward led her to a more secluded corner before immediately launching into her questions. 

“Who was that woman?” she asked harshly, causing Selene to startle slightly. 

“Lady Kiara. Liam and I saw her and her father being attacked in the woods and brought them back with us,” she said. 

“How long are they staying here?” 

“I’m not sure. Constantine said that they were welcome for as long as they wished to remain. I think he’s considering Kiara as a potential suitor for Liam,” she said, recalling the way the king had spoken earlier. “Liam seems to like her too.” 

“They can’t stay here!” Madeleine said insistently, her eyes giving away her concern. 

“What? Why? What’s wrong?” Selene questioned. 

Madeleine looked conflicted, and Selene could tell that she was holding something back.

“Madeleine, what is it? I can’t help you if you don’t tell me,” she said, trying to convince her to open up. 

“Nevermind,” she finally said, turning away from her and walking away purposefully. 

Selene stood rooted to her spot for a moment, not sure what she was supposed to do now. Something was obviously bothering Madeleine, but if she didn’t tell her what was going on she couldn’t exactly do anything to help. She carried on with her chores, getting to work on Liam’s laundry and wondering what could be bothering the other woman. Maybe she was jealous because Liam was showing interest in another woman. Liam was showing interest in another woman. Selene was happy for him. She was so happy for him. He deserved to find someone great. 

She groaned in frustration as she scrubbed at a dirt stain in one of shirts that refused to come out. She was being passive aggressive. Selene dropped the shirt back into the bucket of water in front of her and sighed tiredly as she thought back to the moment she had shared with Drake a mere week ago.

The two had been avoiding each other like the plague since, both refusing to bring up what happened. She felt another surge of guilt. She was jealous of Liam having feelings for someone when she had been kissing Drake just a few days prior. She was a terrible person. She sighed and began hanging his clothes out to dry before making her way back into the castle. She walked quickly through the halls, a purpose behind every step. If she didn’t talk to someone about what was going on she was going to explode. 

“Come with me,” she said, throwing Leo’s door open and grabbing his arm. 

“Where are we going?” he asked as she continued pulling him down to the physician’s quarters without answering. 

“Hello, Xinghai. Hana, can we talk?” she asked inclining her head towards her small bedroom.

Hana looked at the two of them curiously before following them into the bedroom. Selene pushed Leo down onto the bed and began pacing back and forth in front of him as Hana sat down next to him. 

“This is all your fault,” she said, pointing aggressively in his direction. “You and Maxwell did this!” 

“Did what exactly?” Leo asked, smirking in her direction and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I was perfectly happy believing that I didn’t have feelings for either one of them and living in blissful ignorance, but then you had to open your big mouth,” she continued rambling. 

“What’s going on?” Hana whispered leaning closer to Leo so he could hear her. 

“Selene is finally realizing that both Drake and Liam have feelings for her, and I’m guessing she’s realizing that she has feelings for both of them too,” Leo responded, not bothering to lower his voice. 

Selene finally stopped pacing and let out a loud groan. 

“I kissed Drake,” she confessed, a pained expression on her face. 

Hana’s jaw dropped, and Leo let out an impressed whistle. 

“I didn’t know you had it in you,” Leo said with a smirk, causing her to roll her eyes.

“And he pushed me away,” she finished, her shoulders dropping in disappointment. “He said that he couldn’t because he could tell that I had feelings for Liam too.”

“What are you going to do?” Hana asked.

 “I don’t know! That’s why you’re here,” she said motioning to Leo. “You caused this now you have to tell me how to fix it!” 

“Sorry, I don’t fix problems. I just cause them,” he said casually, leaning back against his elbows. 

“I hate you!” she said, grabbing a pillow from the bed and throwing it at him. “How am I supposed to make a decision. I should never be left to make decisions. I’m an idiot!” 

“You should explore your options. Spend time with the both of them,” Leo said.

“That’s your advice? Just lead them both on?” she asked incredulously. 

However, his next comment was promptly interrupted by the sound of Xinghai’s voice ringing through the main room of his and Hana’s chambers. 

“Ah, my favorite patient! What brings you by today?” he asked jovially. 

“I had another dream. A nightmare,” Madeleine’s voice broke through the air.

Selene raised up her hand to silence him and inched closer towards the door that separated Hana’s room from the main room of their chambers. She pressed her ear against the closed door in attempts to hear their conversation better. 

“Liam was drowning, and there was a woman standing over him. She wasn’t touching him, but I could tell that she was the one keeping him under. It was that woman, Kiara,” Madeleine said, causing Selene to take in an anxious breath. 

“The mind plays tricks, my dear,” Xinghai said soothingly. “It borrows from everyday life and uses that information to play out its own fantasy. I’m sure everything is going to be just fine.”

“But, I had the dream before she came to Stormholt,” Madeleine insisted.

“You must be mistaken,” Xinghai said again. “Have you been taking the sleeping draught I’ve been sending you?”

“It doesn’t help,” Madeleine replied, her discomfort still obvious in her voice.

“Here, take this. It’ll make you sleep stronger,” Xinghai said.

Selene heard the front door shut a few moments later, and she let out a nervous breath. Leo cleared his throat loudly behind her, causing her to turn back to the two of them. Neither of them had heard the conversation between Madeleine and Xinghai as clearly as she had. Even if they had, she wasn’t sure their minds would have gone to the same place hers did.

“I have to go,” she said, absentmindedly twirling a curl around her finger as her mind began moving a mile a minute. 

She opened the door to Hana’s bedroom and sprinted out, saying goodbye to Xinghai on her way out. She went through the motions of the rest of the day on autopilot. That is until Liam pulled her out of her distracted state that evening. 

“I’m taking Kiara out for a ride to show her around Stormholt. Can you make sure that two horses are prepared?” Liam asked with a smile. 

Selene hesitated for a minute, remembering Madeleine’s dream. However, she couldn’t exactly say no. 

“Of course, sire,” she said, causing him to look at her in surprise. 

She had gotten into the habit of simply calling him Liam and only ever used a title for him when they were around others and it would seem inappropriate to address him casually.

“What’s troubling you?” he asked, approaching her and pulling her to sit down next to him on his bed. 

“Nothing. I’m just tired. I’ll go prepare your horses,” she said, slipping out of his grasp and moving down to the stables.

She made sure everything was ready for the two of them and saw them off before retiring for the day. She picked at her dinner nervously as she tried to figure out a way to bring up Madeleine’s dream with Bastien. 

“Bas, there’s something I wanted to ask you,” she finally said, causing him to look up from his plate.

“What is it?”

“Madeleine was being strange this morning after she saw Kiara and her father Hakim, and then when I was visiting Hana I overheard a conversation she had with Xinghai,” she said.

“What conversation?” he asked, listening with rapt attention. 

That was something Selene loved about Bastien. He always listened to her. He never brushed off her concerns or made her feel stupid. 

“She said that she had seen Kiara killing Liam in a dream, a dream she had before she and Hakim came to Stormholt.”

Bastien let out a nervous breath. 

“Is it possible that she has some kind of magical ability?” she finally asked. 

“It’s a… possibility,” Bastien said slowly, causing Selene to narrow her eyes at him.

“You already knew didn’t you?” she asked.

“I suspected when I first heard of her nightmares. They may not not be nightmares as much as they are prophecies, visions of the future. I think she may be a seer,” he concluded.

“If that’s true I should talk to her,” she said.

“No,” Bastien immediately said, his guard automatically going up. 

“Why not? I can show her that magic isn’t something to be afraid of, that Constantine’s views are wrong,” she argued.

“She’s Constantine’s ward, Selene. If we’re wrong about this then you would have just confided in someone close to him about your own abilities. You can’t risk it,” he insisted. “You would be giving her leverage over you.”

“Bas,” she let out a tired sigh. “I want to help her.”

“I know, but it’s too dangerous.”

“Fine, it’s too dangerous. But, what about right now? If Madeleine’s this great and powerful witch who can see the future and Kiara is trying to kill Liam, what do I do?” she asked.

“You save him,” Bastien replied simply, causing her to roll her eyes in annoyance. 

“Can I go one day without having to save him? My life has gotten unnecessarily complicated since I got to Stormholt. You know for a place where magic is outlawed, there seems to be a lot of it around here,” she groaned out. “I should let him figure this out by himself for once.”

Bastien just gave her a knowing look. 

“Oh, fine, whatever, I’ll do it myself,” she grumbled, pushing her plate away from her and standing up.

“Where are you going?”

“To talk to Madeleine,” she said, causing Bastien to throw his hands up in frustration.

“What did I just say?” he asked.

“Relax, I’m not going to tell her anything. But, maybe I can calm her down a bit. She seemed inconsolable when I spoke to her earlier.”

Selene walked through the castle halls slowly, trying to figure out how what she was supposed to say to Madeleine when she saw her. She couldn’t tell the other woman that she had magic, but if she didn’t deny it maybe that would get her to open up to the idea. She came to the woman’s door and knocked softly. She was greeted by a smiling Penelope who motioned for her to enter the room. 

“Can you give us a moment?” she asked, inclining her head towards Madeleine. 

“Of course, if that’s alright with you my lady,” Penelope said, looking towards her employer for confirmation. 

“Of course, Penelope. Thank you,” Madeleine said absentmindedly. 

Selene approached Madeleine cautiously and took a deep breath before speaking. 

“Madeleine, are you alright? You seemed upset when we spoke this morning,” she said slowly.

“I’m fine,” the woman snapped, causing Selene to take a deep breath to avoid getting upset. 

“I was with Hana earlier, and I heard what you told her father. I heard about your nightmare,” she said softly. 

“And you think I’m crazy?” Madeleine asked, her voice still hard.

“No, I don’t. I just wanted to ask if you were sure. Are you sure that Kiara is the person you saw killing Liam?” she asked, noticing the surprised look on Madeleine’s face at her statement.

“I’m sure of it. And I’m not going to let her get away with it,” she said with determination. 

“Let me take care of it,” Selene responded. 

“What? Why? How are you going to stop her?” 

“I’m not saying that I think for sure that she’s trying to kill him, but there is something about her that I don’t fully trust either,” she responded, not wanting to say that she believed her dream was a vision of the future, but also not wanting to invalidate her feelings. “First, I need to find out who she really is, and what she and her father wants.”

“How do you plan on doing that?”

“I’m a serving girl, remember? It’s my job to clean up rooms around the castle,” she said with a mischievous look. “Don’t worry, Madeleine. I’ll take care of this.”

Selene left the other woman with a reassuring nod and made her way to Kiara’s room. She knew it would be unoccupied because the woman was out with Liam. Her stomach dropped as she remembered this. If Kiara truly wanted to kill Liam she could be doing it right at that moment. Selene battled internally with the thought for a moment, before continuing on to the woman’s room. She pushed the door open and looked around as it shut quietly behind her. Nothing in the room seemed out of the ordinary. In fact the room didn’t seem to be used at all. The only thing that was different was the tall staff that was leaning against the wall next to the bed. Kiara and Hakim both carried it with them at all times, and the woman taken hers when she left with Liam, so this must have been her father’s. 

At first glance, Selene had originally thought that the father and daughter had been using them as walking sticks, but on closer inspection, she realized how ornate it was. The staff itself was taller than her, which made sense because Kiara and Hakim were both taller than her, and there were intricate carvings along the wood. There was a large blue crystal at the top of the staff, and it seemed to light up at Selene’s touch. 

“What are you doing in here?” an angry voice called from behind her. 

Selene whipped around quickly, meeting the gaze of a furious Hakim. 

“I’m so sorry. I’m Prince Liam’s servant, I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay in here,” she quickly explained. “Next time I’ll make sure you or your daughter is present before I enter next time. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“See to it that it doesn’t,” Hakim growled out, his eyes briefly flashing red.

Selene did her best not to outwardly react to this, bowing her head slightly to the man in a respectful manner instead and running out the door. She ran back to her chambers without stopping and threw the door open.

“Hakim has red eyes!” she exclaimed, shrinking back as she noticed that Drake and Bastien were both staring at her in surprise. “I mean hello, Drake. How do you do?”

She smiled at him awkwardly, and he did the same, neither one of them making eye contact with each other. 

“I was in Kiara’s room cleaning, and by cleaning I mean snooping, and Hakim caught me, and as he was yelling at me his eyes glowed red,” she said.

Selene walked over to the desk Bastien had at the other side of the room and grabbed a piece of parchment and quill from it, bringing it back to where the two men sat at the dining table of their chambers. She began scribbling down the markings she had seen on Hakim’s staff before turning it towards Bastien. 

“Does this mean anything to you?”

Bastien shot a nervous look in Drake’s direction and cleared his throat uncomfortably. 

“Drake, perhaps you should go,” he said.

“It’s okay. He knows,” Selene said, causing both men to turn to her in surprise. 

She had originally planned on keeping the fact that Drake knew about her magic a secret from Bastien, but at this point it couldn’t really do any harm. If anything it would help to have another set of eyes. 

“Selene,” Bastien began to scold her, causing her to smile at him sheepishly.

“It’s not my fault! He figured it out on his own!”

“Then it is your fault! He wouldn’t have figured it out if you weren’t so reckless,” he argued.

“Have you ever stopped to think that maybe Drake’s just really smart. If anything it’s his fault for actually using his brain,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and jutting out her hip.

Drake snickered softly and for a moment it was as if there was no awkwardness between the two of them as she elbowed him roughly to get him to shut up. Bastien rolled his eyes at the two of them and pulled the piece of parchment closer to him. He examined her scribbles for a few moments before rising and rifling through the books he had in his wardrobe. He opened it to a specific page and handed it to her. She looked over the page to see similar markings to the ones that had been on Hakim’s staff. The heading on the page indicated that the creatures were called “the sidhe”, and illustrations of small, blue humanoid creatures with wings were all over the page. They looked like magical creatures out of some fairy tale.

“So the sidhe are like fairies?” she asked, looking up to him for confirmation.

“Oh, no. They’re a cruel race and are masters of enchantment. If we’re dealing with the sidhe Liam could be in grave danger,” Bastien said.

“Of course because it could never be easy for me,” she said, rolling her eyes and sitting down next to Drake. “Last week I was saving Drake’s life and now I’m saving Liam’s. Again. You’d all be dead without me.”

“Technically, it was your fault that you had to save me in the first place,” Drake said.

“Details, details. If the sidhe are freaky, little fairy things, why do Hakim and Kiara look like regular humans?” she asked. 

“I don’t know. Looks like you’ll need to find that out on your own,” Bastien said. 

~~~

Lucretia looked up from the water filled basin she was watching Stormholt through and replayed Bastien’s words in her mind. The sidhe. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought. She didn’t know this Kiara and Hakim, but if what she knew about the sidhe was correct perhaps they could make this job easier for her. Bastien was right. They were vicious and powerful. If they wanted Liam dead then she had no doubt that they would be able to accomplish it. Constantine’s perfect son would be dead, and she wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. 

[axwalker]

The Trade 12

Synopsis:  Liam is running for Cordonia’s presidency. To assure his victory, Constantine makes an arraignment behind his back for him to marry the rich ambassador’s daughter: Alexis O’Brien. Due to her father’s threats, she has no other option than to seduce Liam Rhys. But what happens when she falls in love with his best friend? (AU)

Pairings: DrakexMC

Warnings: I love drama and chaos so this will probably get a bit dark. In this chapter there is mention of rape, if you get triggered by this issue, don’t hesitate to send me a message and I’ll be glad to explain what happens without reading it. A lot of angst and heartbreak

Please note that this is my first series and English is not my first language. I really love ALL kinds of feedback.  Don’t hesitate to comment!

Disclaimer: Some of the dialogues and settings as well as most of the characters belong to Pixelberry (except for Alexis O’Brien and her evil father George O’Brien JR).

To catch up: Masterlist

Thanks to @pedudley​  my awesome beta reader, your comments and encouragement mean so much.  And of course, to @mskaneko​ for this beautiful mood board, and all the other great edits and mood boards 💕💕  Love you girls!!

Kiara being Kiara speaks a bit of French in this episode the translations are at the end of the chapter.

WE’RE ALMOST AT THE END!!

@burnsoslow  @mskaneko​ @drxkewalker @pedudley @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @pug-bitch @lauzales @desireepow-1986 @yukinagato2012 @kingliam2019 @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @debramcg1106 @speedyoperarascalparty @drakewalker04 @ac27dj @ravenpuff02 @msjr0119 @texaskitten30​ @loveellamae​

Liam was sitting in the living room, with a scotch in his hand when Maxwell and Alexis arrived.

“Alexis, thank god you are alright. I was worr-“ he stopped himself noticing that she had been crying. “Love, I’m sorry I made you cry. Please, believe it wasn’t my intention.”

He took a step towards her, but she raised her hand, stopping him, she felt emotionally drained. “That’s not the reason I’m crying.” She stared at him “However, I do want you to think very thoroughly about the kind of wife you want because I won’t limit myself to bear your children and smile prettily at your meetings. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m very tired, we’ll talk tomorrow. Good night, Max.” she gave Maxwell a kiss on his cheek and waved at his fiancé “Good night, Liam”

Liam was about to follow her, but Maxwell grabbed his arm. Alexis had told him everything about Abigail on the ride back and he knew she needed time alone.

“Li! Can I give you some unsolicited advice?” The blond man looked at him expectantly. “Give her some space. Let her breathe, man. You’ll talk tomorrow “

Liam nodded and left the room to go bed.

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Drake was twelve years old when he arrived at the Rhys mansion to live with Constantine and his family. Bastien had convinced the President to take the Walker children after their father had died to protect him. The president had accepted to take them in and give them the best possible education, not only as a proof of his gratitude but as a magnificent publicity stunt, he knew the voters would love it.

Drake was reluctant to go with them. Regina and Constantine were both extremely cold parents and he knew her mother had never liked either of them. What if they were horrible to him, or worst, to his baby sister?

He was so nervous that not even the thrill of living with his best friend was enough to calm him. Bastien showed them their respective rooms, both twice as big as their old ones at the old Walker cabin. Savannah was even more scared than him, her heart was beating furiously, and she was clutching her teddy bear so hard that her knuckles went white.

“It’s ok Sav, we’ll be fine here, you know Li and Leo are cool” He tried to sound as mature as he could.

Savannah couldn’t stop her tears any longer. “You always tease me when you’re with them.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it “We won’t anymore, Sav. I promise”

“I second that,” Liam poked his head into Savannah’s room. “We won’t tease you anymore Savvie. But the two of you can help us get back at Leo. Olivia and I are thinking how to prank him after he hid stinky bombs under our chairs on Livvie’s birthday. When we sat down, they exploded, and the room was reeking. Olivia was so furious she persecuted him with the knife for her cake and my dad punished us for a month” He seemed really amused by the memory.

Savannah smiled shyly behind her bear. “He really did that?”

“Yes, he also took some red coloring from the kitchen and put it on Olivia’s toothpaste, she spent the whole day with red teeth. Well, that one backfired, she was delighted when everyone thought she had been on a fight” Liam grinned at them. After losing his own mother three years before, he understood how anxious they were feeling, and he wanted them to feel welcome.

Drake smiled seeing his sister was calmer and shot a grateful look at Liam. He put his arm around Savannah’s shoulders and winked at his best friend “We will definitely think of something”

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Drake had waited a more than an hour before leaving the beach so he wouldn’t arrive at Theron’s mansion at the same time as Max and Alexis. When he finally started driving his mind drifted to the day after his mother had left. He took a deep breath remembering how sad and scared him and Sav had been and how much Liam had wanted to comfort them. All that pain because his mother had decided to abandon her own children without looking back. It astonished him that Alexis had thought that the two situations were remotely similar. She had been strong and generous, where her mother had been flaky and weak. Alexis would do anything to keep her daughter safe, his mother couldn’t care less about them.

Drake sighed thinking of her, of the roller coaster of emotions she had put him through. And now that he had finally understood the reasons behind the way she was acting, his only wish was to kill George O’Brien with his bare hands. That asshole had not only failed in protecting Alexis, but he had had the nerve of making her feel guilty and worthless. He had abandoned her when she had needed him the most and then he had forced her to give up her own daughter. His blood boiled thinking of Alexis, young, terrified and alone, and of her pain so raw, so deep despite the years. He remembered her soft voice telling him that she had never felt safe before him. That son of a bitch had to pay.

He dialed Kiara’s phone.

“Drake?”

“Hi, Kiara. I just wanted to know if Ambassador O’Brien is staying at your estate tonight with the rest of us.”

“Uhm, yes. I think my staff gave him the blue room, you know?” Kiara lowered her voice. “The one where you and I almost…”

Drake sighed, they had almost slept together ten years ago during a Beaumont Bash and she wouldn’t let it go.  “Yes, I know. Thanks Kiara”

“Wait, Drake, I think he’s-“

Drake stopped the call and speeded up, he wasn’t thinking clearly, the only thing in his mind was to teach that monster a lesson.

When he arrived at the house, he jumped out of his car and entered the mansion furiously. In less than a second he was in the room Kiara had mentioned. He slammed the doors open only to find her, sitting in the bed.

“Coucou! (1) You got me all curious, Drake. You hung up the phone so fast, I couldn’t tell you that George is out of the country. He had some business to do in France” She stood up and walked towards Drake, putting her arms around his neck. “Why are you looking for him?”

He grabbed her arms and put them away. “Something for the campaign, forget about it.”

“S’il te plaît mon chéri. Tu as l’air très énervé ! (2) It has to be something more than a simple professional matter”

“I don’t speak fucking French Kiara and is not of your business. Good night.” Drake left the room as angrily as he had entered it.

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Hakim Theron was satisfied that the campaign had finally reached Castelraillan. It would be much easier to carry out his plans without worrying about missing crucial information.

Penelope had proved effective, but she didn’t have the brains or the wit to take matters into her hands. Plus she had to keep an eye on him, his secret weapon, the one who would definitely destroy Liam’s presidential dreams.

Hakim hoped that the boy didn’t take his betrayal personally, it wasn’t something he had against him or even Constantine, as much as he disliked the old man. It was what was best for Cordonia. Liam wanted to change too many things too fast and that could be dangerous for his country’s stability. It would be better for everyone, if things could go back to the way they were.

He smiled seeing Alexis and Tariq’s pictures, it was ironic that Constantine had brought to his son’s campaign the woman that was going to, unknowingly, destroy it.

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Alexis got into the car that was going to take her to the rally at Castelraillan and decided to check the final details of her last speech on the ride. She sighed thinking about how much she wanted to keep on working with Liam. Ironically, he had fired her because of Drake but Drake wasn’t the reason she wanted to be part of the campaign. The reason was Liam. His passion, his ideas, and his determination to change his country inspired her and made her admire him.

“Can I come in?” She turned her head to the car’s door and saw Liam with a couple of coffees and some pastries in a box.

“My father is waiting for me in the other car, but I much rather share these cronuts with you.” He smiled charmingly.

She couldn’t suppress a smile. “Well, if you bought too many cronuts, I could always help you with that.”

He entered the car and sat next to her, opening the box. “Take one.” He handed her one of the coffees. “And here’s a latte too”

She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she drank her coffee black, no sugar. Like Drake.

“Thank you, Li.”

He leaned to give her a soft kiss stroking her cheek with his hand. “I’m sorry about your role in the campaign, Alexis, but I really think it is for the best. I know you think that it’s about Drake, but it’s not.”

She shook her head rolling her eyes.

“Well, not only,” he conceded. “If I win you are going to be the First Lady of this country. You should be focusing on preparing for that, my love.” He kissed her knuckles. “You will have a lot of charities and philanthropic work, and of course you should be planning our engagement party and our wedding. I wouldn’t expect nor want that you limit yourself to smile prettily. I need a partner, someone I can trust next to me. But being my wife won’t be easy.”

Alexis nodded, finally acknowledging what her life would be from that moment on. Fancy and uncomfortable dresses, high painful heels, endless galas, and boring meetings for the hundreds of charities she would preside but would have no real involvement in.

Alexis was going to have to accept the fact that she wasn’t her own person anymore. Her dreams of hiking and camping in the forest, traveling around the world or writing a children’s novel one day weren’t a possibility any longer. Becoming First Lady would bring a whole set of responsibilities and she would have to live with that.

However, the worst part would be learning how to live with an eternal broken heart. She focused on the view behind the window. “I know, Liam. I’ll ask Max for help to plan the party and the wedding.”

“Perfect darling. And you can also count on Regina” The limousine parked “Here we are.”

When they got out of the car, dozens of paparazzi were waiting for them. Liam put his arms around her protectively and they quickly reached the temporary campaign’s quarters that had been set for the rally.

Drake felt her presence before she walked in. She was beautiful in a simple red dress and light makeup, but her facial expression was gloomy, highly contrasting with Liam’s joyful one. After a few seconds, she saw him and her face softened immediately. They locked eyes with each other only for a moment but they both felt the electricity passing across the room and turned around grinning. She took her computer and went to work on the other side of the room.

“Drake, can you bring me the results of the last polls in Castelraillan?” Liam was with Olivia checking some numbers before his speech and had missed their exchange.

“Of course, here they are. They show how your numbers have increased since Hakim declared his support.” He handed him a USB and added trying to sound casual. “Do you have the speech? I have to double-check that all your facts are correct”

Liam went mute for a second. “Alexis has it. I’ll go ask her for it”

Olivia cocked her brow. “What? Do you need some extra cash, so you took a second job running errands?” She snorted “Don’t be ridiculous, Liam. We have to look at these polls before you start the rally. Drake is a big boy; he can go himself”

Drake went looking for Alexis and spotted her immediately on the other side of the room.

“Hey O’Brien. I need to check the speech.” He said with a soft smile.

Her breath hitched seeing him grinning at her. Those dimples. “Hi, Drake!” She felt like a teenager again. Her ability to form coherent sentences or look at him without blushing were both gone, so she feigned to be deeply interested in her computer. Drake pulled a chair and sat next to her.

He lowered his voice so only her could hear him. “How are you doing, Lexie?”

“I’m fine, Drake. Thank you. Talking really helped.” Her eyes were bright and grateful, and he had to actively fight his hand’s urge to touch her.

“I’m here for anything you need, baby.”

She looked fondly at him, but suddenly remembered where she was, and most importantly, where her fiancé was and cleared her throat, standing up.

“I’m going to take five minutes, but you can read the speech here on my computer.” She shot him a sad look before leaving. It was better that way.

The rally started one hour later, Liam went up on stage and people went crazy. Alexis smiled, he was a great politician, she might have written the speech, but it was him who was bringing it to life. The fact that he actually believed in what he was saying, definitely helped.

She saw the crowd cheer and applaud at the other side of the curtain.

All of a sudden, Drake stood up behind her, his musky scent immediately inebriating her. He leaned towards her and whispered in her ear.

“We didn’t finish our conversation, O’Brien.”

His warm breath and his low raspy voice in her ear made her shiver. “I don’t know what you mean, Walker”

He shot a glance towards the stage where Liam was talking about education.  Then he looked back at her. She was playing nervously with her chocolate hair, finally setting all of it on the left side of her head, leaving part of her neck uncovered.

The temptation was too great, he leaned towards her again and placed a small kiss on her nape while his fingertips gently brushed her back.

She closed her eyes savoring the brief moment, the feeling of Drake behind her was exhilarating and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Drake placed another small kiss but on her shoulder this time. Then he turned to her ear again.

“I need you, Lexie. Don’t shut me down again.”

She turned to him “Drake, I can’t do this. Please, don’t make it so hard.”

He didn’t take his eyes off of her.

Suddenly, a burst of applauses took them out of their bubble. Liam had finished his speech and was walking off the stage shaking hands and smiling widely at his followers.

“Come on, Drake. Let’s avoid another pissing contest. If Li sees you two together again, he’s going to lose it” Olivia glared at Alexis.

“Go with her, Drake. Please,” Alexis begged. 

He shook his head but left with Olivia.

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Maxwell sighed content. He had coordinated the whole rally with Ezequiel’s help, Kiara’s brother had been very helpful. He had asked him out, but he was too in love with Rashad to accept.

He knew that he and Kiara had broken their engagement, but he hadn’t had look for him yet. Rashad was on his own path, and he had to respect that. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the presence in front of him. He looked up and was surprised to see Rashad watching him

“Hi, Max,” He said smiling.

“Hi, Rash. How are you doing?” He grinned back.

“Fine, it’s definitely weird to be back at my ex-fiancé’s house but I’m more convinced than ever that it was the right decision. I’ve missed you.” He set his hand in Maxwell’s knee and looked him expectantly.

“Are you sure about this Rashad?” Maxwell’s eyes were full of hope “Are you ready to try something real with me? To come out for good?”

Rashad nodded “I talked to my father; he wasn’t as shocked as I would have thought. He wasn’t thrilled but he said he’ll be supportive. I think that he really, really hated Kiara, so anyone else is an upgrade for him.” He chuckled.

“Even me?” Maxwell cocked his brows inquisitively.

“You’re the most amazing man in the world, Max” Rashad pulled Maxwell’s head towards him and kissed him. “I was dying to do that”.

Maxwell smiled mischievously and took Rashad’s hand. “I’ll show you upstairs what I’m dying to do”

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The next day, Alexis was having breakfast with Liam in the main room. He wanted to make plans for their upcoming engagement party.  

Maxwell entered the room with a huge smile plastered on his face. When he saw Alexis, he took her hand forcing her to stand up, and started to spin her around the room while he sang, under Liam’s amused look.

“L is for the way you look at me

O is for the only one I see”

She cackled “Max!” He twirled her around once more before elegantly dipping her, as he finished singing.

“V is very, very extraordinary

E is even more than anyone that you adore can”

Liam laughed. “Should I be concerned about you stealing my fiancé, Max?”

He chuckled. “She’s definitely a catch, but not really my type.”

“Let me guess.” She pointed her finger at him beaming. “Rashad and you’re back together?”

Liam cocked his brows in surprise. “What? Rashad is gay? Are you and Rashad together, Max?”

Alexis laughed. “You didn’t notice all those cute little looks that they’re always throwing at each other?”

“I can be slightly oblivious sometimes.” Liam smiled sheepishly

She hugged Max. “I’m so happy for you! You’re the best friend anyone can hope for, you deserve all the happiness in the world.”

“Aww! Stop, Blossom, you’re going to make me cry and I can’t have red, puffy eyes on my first day back with Rash.” He looked pensive for a second before talking again. “Actually, there’s something I wanted to run by you. I would love to bring Rashad to your engagement party as my official date.”

“I don’t even understand why you’re asking, Max. You can come with whoever you want.” She turned to Liam.

“Of course, Max. I don’t care who you bring as long as you come.”

“Aww, guys! I love you! Group hug!” He threw his arms at both of them before leaving. “I’ll go tell Rash.”

Alexis watched him go, delighted to see him so happy. She looked at Liam who was serving her a cup of coffee and put her hand on his. “You’re a good friend, Li.”

He placed the coffee maker on the table and took her chin between his thumb and index. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, but I’m hoping that we’ll be able to take care of that with some time.” He leaned to kiss her.

“I have to run, darling. I have a lot of work to do. Will you go shopping with Max for your wedding dress?”

She shuddered but managed to give him a small smile. “Yes. We have an appointment with Ana de Luca later. That’s all I’ll be doing with my day today. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?”

He ignored the acid remark. “You’ll love her. See you later, my love.” Liam kissed her before leaving the room.

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After days of trying wedding and engagement dresses, Alexis was more than exasperated. She had never been someone who cared much about clothes and the only thing she was doing lately, was to shop.

She was even more exhausted from avoiding Drake. Every fiber of her being was pulling Alexis towards him but being close to each other was a torturous pain for both of them, so she tried to stay away from the campaign quarters as much as she could. She shuddered thinking about her engagement party. Drake would have to be there and watch her getting officially engaged with Liam. He was going to have to smile and congratulate them. She felt like screaming, the pain was getting too much to handle.

She took the keys to her car and drove to the nearest bar.

Five or six cheap whiskey glasses later, she was still sitting on a stool, incapable of moving. The moments she had spent with Drake were replaying in her head like a broken record. The day they had met, and that amazing kiss. The night stargazing or drinking whiskey in the cellar. The way he had taken care of her the night she had seen Brad again. How he had comforted when she had told him about Abigail. The conversations and the confidences they had shared. The hours spend discovering and loving each other. She missed how safe she felt with him. She craved their fights, his eyes, his kisses, his arms around her, his deep, raspy voice, his strong hands. Alexis didn’t know how she was going to do to live the rest of her life without him.  

She was getting really drunk. It would be better if she called Max to take her back to the house.

“O’Brien” The familiar, manly voice startled her.

“Drake…how-?”

“Someone recognized you and called me”. He pointed at the back of the bar where Bastien nodded at them.

“You didn’t have to come, I was going to call Max.”

He sat on the stool beside her and called the barmaid. “I’ll have the same than her.”

Then, he turned to her to stroke her face. “I’m always going to come, Lexie. Always.”

She exhaled a sad breath. “Drake, I have to marry him. I don’t want to, but I have to.”

“We have to tell him the truth, Alexis. I know him since we were kids, he’ll understand.”

She sneered. “He’ll understand that I have been lying to him for months? He’ll understand that his father and mine have been plotting behind his back? He’ll understand that he loves me but I’m ... I’m …” She ran her hand through her hair desperately.

“You what, Alexis?” He lowered his head to meet her eyes. “You what?” He cupped her face making her face him “Tell me, you what!”

“I love you, okay?! I love yo- “

He crashed his mouth with hers stroking her face with his thumbs. It was hungry, desperate. It was soft and hot and breathy,  and passionate. The heat rose in their cheeks as their tongues intertwined and they had to come out for air, breathless and giddy.  

He held her head so her forehead would rest on his “I love you too, Alexis. I love you so fucking much it actually hurts. I never thought I would be the kind of guy who would tell a girl he’s crazy about her, but here I am, mad about you.” He sighed. “Insane about you.”

Her heart was beating faster and faster. Her head kept telling her that it was a mistake but the pull to him was stronger and she kissed him over and over until they needed to come out for air again.

After a while, she came to her senses.

Her eyes watered looking at him. “The reason Liam is acting controlling and possessive is that he’s feeling insecure. And he’s right. I love you. You are the love of my life, Drake.” Drake listened to her as he softly rubbed her face. “So I can’t really blame him for acting the way he is. I know he would never hurt me. I know he loves me. But even if I tell him the truth, I have to marry him.” She took a sharp breath. “If I’m honest with him there’s two possibilities. Either he calls off the wedding and Abigail will be in danger. Or he’ll agree to marry me to help me but he will be heartbroken.” She stroked Drake’s cheek too. “Telling Liam doesn’t solve the problem; we would only break his heart even more. The only solution is to accept things as they are, Drake. I’m sorry.”  

He stared angrily at her “So that’s it? I love you, Drake but I’ll be marrying Liam in three weeks. You’re not even going to fight?”

“Don’t be unfair, Drake you know there’s nothing I can do.” Tears were falling off her cheeks as she spoke “Please, leave. I’ll call Maxwell”

She gestured the barmaid for another whiskey.

Drake stood up and turned her stool towards him, so she would be facing him. He leaned towards her taking her chin with his fingers “I would never leave, Lexie. Never. I don’t care if you marry him. I don’t care if I have to wait for the rest of my life to be with you. I won’t leave. As you long as you need me, I’ll be right here.”

She gave him a sad smile. “Even if we can only be friends?”

“Even then.” Drake returned her sad smile. “You can always count on me, baby.” He put a strand hair behind her ear, before kissing her forehead. “Now, let’s get you out of here before you drink their whole lot of whiskey”

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Three days later, Liam was getting ready for his engagement party. He put his tuxedo on and looked in the mirror. He felt nervous, he was completely in love with Alexis, but he couldn’t help but feel uncertain. He kept on trying but she seemed unattainable, always kind, and gentle but never really there with him. Liam shook his head putting those thoughts aside, they were getting married in three weeks and, then, she will be his. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Liam had arranged one limousine for the five of them so they would arrive together like a solid family. He had invited Leo to come with them too, but he said he would arrive a little later, surely drunk and with some random woman. It was exasperating but he couldn’t take care of that now.

When the car pulled over at the O’Brien’s mansion and Alexis came out, Liam grinned. She was gorgeous. He offered her his arm and took her to the limousine, with George behind them.

Constantine and Regina were already inside waiting for them with a cold champagne bottle.

Alexis sighed. Perfect! The man with no heart and the wicked witch of the east.

George spoke with a content expression on his face. “Well, we’re close to Election’s day and we’re almost sure that we will win. We should toast to that”

“A glass of champagne, dear?” Regina questioned.

She smiled politely.“Yes, Regina. Thank you” And keep them coming.

After clinking their glasses, Constantine turned to Liam “Are you ready, son? All Cordonia’s press will be there, you’ll have to give interviews and take some pictures” He paused to focus on Alexis “We all know how much you hate that dear, but you’ll have to do it tonight. Do we understand each other?”

She stared at him contemptuously. “I’m more than capable to answer some questions, Constantine but thank you so much for your concern.”

Liam grabbed her hand “Please, father. Alexis doesn’t need you to tell her what to do.” He turned to her. “By the way love, you look beautiful”

She looked at him gratefully. “Thanks, Li. You look very handsome too.”

The limousine parked at the venue chosen by Regina. Liam squeezed Alexis’s hand.

“Let’s do this”

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Maxwell had everything ready. He had planned the party with Regina, after a few days, it had become clear that Alexis wasn’t at all interested in the party, or in the engagement.

He had greeted most guests and was only waiting for them. When they finally arrived, he instructed them on how to make their entrance. George came down the stairs first, then Regina and Constantine, and finally, in the middle of a round of applause, Liam, the candidate, and Alexis.

Drake was at the other end of the room with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His heart raced at the sight of her. She was breathtaking with a red strapless dress that brought attention to her breasts. It was tight, and had a long skirt with a slit that gave a tantalizing view of her tanned, long leg as she descended; her big eyes and crimson lips were framed by her shiny brown hair. She was a vision, A gorgeous vision. His mouth went dry instantly, he knew that his promise of being only his friend will be very difficult to keep.

His fist clenched seeing Liam put his arms around her and kiss her in front of everyone. In front of him. He felt like punching someone, and seeing George next to them, he knew exactly who. The rage didn’t let him see the brunette sitting next to him.

“Salut, Drake. Ca va? (2)” Kiara asked seductively.

“I have told you a thousand times how annoying it is when you switch languages like that Kiara. Pick fucking one and stick with it. It’s called commitment.”

She giggled. “I love how direct you are.” She placed her hand on his thigh “I really really love it” She started to rub his thigh, but he grabbed her hand.

“Well, I’m happy you appreciate my bluntness, you’re going to love this, I need some time alone, Kiara. Have a good night.” He turned towards the bar and asked for another whiskey.

Alexis didn’t miss anything about their exchange, her blood boiled when she saw Kiara place her hand on his thigh but smiled to herself when she saw Drake take it off. 

Liam hugged her from behind.

“How are you doing, love?”

“I would love another glass of champagne, Li,” she answered.

He signaled the waiter to come and serve them. He clinked his glass with her and kiss her on the cheek “You won’t believe how happy I’m tonight, not only I’m way ahead in the polls, but I have In my arms the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Olivia huffed. She had a thousand things to coordinate and Drake wasn’t of any help getting wasted on the bar. Of course, she understood him, even if she still loved Liam, her feelings weren’t as raw as Drakes’ and she had had years of training.  

She approached the happy couple seething, she would love to know Alexis’s intentions. It was obvious how crazily in love with Drake she was. Was she marrying Liam only for his position? Olivia had to find out.

“You have to come and talk to Francesco, the Italian’s ambassador, Liam” She shot an angry look at Alexis. “And your father is looking for you.”

Alexis seemed surprised. “What for?”

Olivia arched her brow “Do I look like your fucking secretary or do you need glasses?”

“Olivia, please,” Liam scolded her.

Alexis was about to answer with a snarky remark but when she saw Olivia’s eyes, she recognized the pain. Olivia was hurting as much as she was but for a different man.

“It’s fine, Li. I’m going to go look for my father. See you later.” 

Liam took her hand and pulled her body towards him to kiss her “See you soon my love.”

Drake stood up furious after seeing the kiss. After all the whiskey he had had to drink the only thing he cared about was talking to her. He saw her walk away from Liam and Olivia and enter the hall, he tried to pass the couples dancing in the dance-floor as fast as he could but when he was about to go out, Max called him.

Alexis reached the hall. Her father was waiting for her with an envelope in his hand. “What does this mean, Alexis?”

George threw the envelope at her. When she opened it she saw a few pictures of her from a week ago, from the night she had told Drake about Abigail. They were hugging and kissing in the photos.

“Did you have me followed? How dare you!” Alexis was furious.

George took a step towards her. “How I dare? Me?” He grabbed her arm “You’re behaving like a whore but you think that it’s me who have to explain myself to you?” He yanked her arm.

“LET.HER.GO” Drake growled. 

George laughed but freed her arm. “Prince Charming himself” He snickered. “Well, his best friend. This is a family matter, Walker. Leave.”

Drake ignored the ambassador. “Are you ok, Lexie?”

She knew Drake and she had to avoid a fight at all costs. “It’s fine, Drake. I’m fine. Really.”

“Good, baby. Go back inside.” He rolled his sleeves.

She didn’t move “Drake, please.”

Everything happened so fast that George didn’t have the time to react before he felt Drake’s fist connect with his jaw.

“You’re nothing but a piece of crap.” Drake grabbed him by his shoulder and gave him one, two, three punches in his stomach.

“You shouldn’t even be allowed to live, you piece of crap.” He slammed him against the wall. George was trying to defend himself, but the younger man was stronger and faster. “What asshole? If it’s not a defenseless woman you can’t fight?”

“Drake! Stop!” The music in the party was too loud but Maxwell and Rashad were close to the door and they had seen Drake beating the Ambassador. They both took him by his arms, using all their strength to pull him apart from George.

Drake tried to free himself. “Let me go! I‘m going to kill this motherfucker!”

George sat at the floor seething with fury. “You’ll pay for this Walker. I swear” He turned to Alexis. “Tell Constantine that I wasn’t feeling good. And you better keep your promise with Liam. Unless you prefer this filthy asshole to Abigail.”

Drake screamed at him. “Don’t you dare to threaten her”

Rashad got himself in the middle. “Come on, Drake. Let him go”

George stood up and limped away from them. 

Drake looked at Alexis. Maxwell grabbed Rashad’s shoulder. “They need to talk, Rash. Let’s go back to the ballroom.”

Alexis was beyond furious. “Why!? Why do you have to do that!? Now he’ll have something against you too. I’m not only going to be worried about Abbie. I’ll be worried sick about you too, Drake.” Her eyes watered.

He cut the distance between them, there was nothing worst for him than seeing her crying. He cupped her face and cleaned her tears with his thumbs. “I can’t let it go, baby. I told you, no one would never put a finger on you, again. After the way he’s treated you he deserved that and much more. You know that.”

“I don’t fucking care about him, Drake. You don’t know how he is, what he’s capable of.” Alexis sobbed, terrified. “I can’t lose you.” 

“He’s threatening his own daughter, Lexie. Believe me, I can imagine what he’s capable of. And I told you the other night, you will never lose me. I swear.” He kissed her lips tenderly.

She smiled through her tears, noticing his bloody knuckles. “Let’s go put some cold water on that”

Maxwell came out of the ballroom with a wet cloth. “I brought this for your hands, Drake. Lex, Liam is looking for you, he’s giving his engagement speech. You better come in first and alone” He threw an apologetic look at Drake.

Liam smiled as soon as he saw her coming through the door.

“There you are, love. Where’s your father? I wanted to give my speech now.”

“He wasn’t feeling well, Li. He won’t come back tonight so you can give the speech now.”

Liam looked at her suspiciously but didn’t reply.

He went to the top of the stairs with her. Maxwell nodded at the band on stage, so they’d announce Liam’s speech.

“Alexis and I are delighted, thrilled and honored to share our intentions for the rest of our days with you. Standing together in front of all the very special people in our lives to announce our engagement makes our private dreams public and, in a way, real. Thank you for being here, for your love and well wishes-”

Suddenly, the buzzing and noise of telephones beeping were all they could hear, but Liam made an attempt to ignore them.

“Alexis has made me the happiest man in the world. With her, by my side, I understand what the writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald meant when he said, ‘I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything.’-”

He stopped talking, everyone had their eyes glued either on their phone or on Alexis. She searched Drake, he was seething looking at his phone too.

Finally, among a trail of whispers and gasps, Alexis and Liam reached Drake and Maxwell and grabbed their phones. Alexis saw her world collapsing when she read the article. It was entitled “An Affair to Remember” and was illustrated by some very suggestive photos of her and Tariq the night of her attack.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a corner of the ballroom, Leo Rhys smiled. Hakim’s plan was working perfectly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kiara: 

Please honey, You were really angry (...)

Hi! How is it going?

[bobasheebaby]

Ava Adore- Be Careful What You Wish For chapter 2

Pairing: Drake x MC; (past) Liam x MC

Word count: 1,927

Warnings: incorrect medical practices, blackmail, manipulation, Evil Liam

Summary: A trip to the doctors and leaning on friends for support.

A/N: This chapter starts the major canon divergence. I will try to incorporate elements that still fit with the overall story but here is where we go completely rouge. A huge thank you to @sirbeepsalot for all of her help and advice and being an ever patient sounding board. (MoE thanks DoE as well.) This chapter is named for Ava Adore by the Smashing Pumpkins, it so perfectly fits Liam.

Series warnings: Evil Liam, dark!fic, deceit, manipulation, dub con, possible NSFW content, possible character death. This is taking the Liam from TRH to the extreme, he is not the Liam we know and love. By clicking read more you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters, I’m simply borrowing from PB for a bit.

Drake sat frozen in fear and worry. He announced it. He already announced it. Liam’s words still ringing in his head. ‘...as the king of Cordonia, I’m honored that they’ve allowed me to appoint their future child the royal heir.’ It felt as though there was a weight on his chest making it so he couldn’t breathe. What if something goes wrong? After their conversation on the jet he’d thought that perhaps the announcement would come later in the week after they’d seen the doctor. ‘Dr Ramirez is the best.’ He took a deep breath, releasing his fears. Everything will be fine, we’re both young and healthy. We don’t need to worry, this is just a precaution, nothing will come of it. He turned, smiling at Rebecca as the doctor came in, smile on her own lips. Okay nothing to worry about. We can do this, it’s for Liam, he’s my best friend. I’d do anything for him and he'd do the same for me.

Doctor Ramirez sat, smiling wide. “Well everything looks promising, there’s just one thing that’s bothering me.”

“Oh?” Drake swallowed. Don’t tell me we let him down already.

“It’s nothing to be worried about really. It’s just a small concern and given your rushed timeframe to produce Cordonia’s next heir I would like to address it.” The smile never leaving her face as she waved away Drake’s worry.

“I guess that makes sense.” Rebecca replied feeling more at ease at the doctor’s reassurance.

Dr Ramirez nodded empathetically. “Now as I said it’s minor, normally I wouldn’t be worried, but as the future queen or king of Cordonia is at stake I want to address it now.” She glanced back down at her paperwork. “It seems Duke Walker, that you have a slight motility problem. It’s very minor, but the concentration isn’t what I would like to see either.”

“Umm, Okay.” Drake blanched, everything coming down on him at once. If the country didn’t have an heir it would be his fault. She said minor, that it could be addressed now. “How exactly would you address this issue?”

Dr Ramirez flashed a hundred watt smile. “Oh it’s very simple. These issues usually come up when the scrotal veins are dilated, we would simply go in and repair them. It’s a very simple, easy, minor outpatient procedure.”

Drake’s eyes widened and darted to his crotch. Surgery, on my… it’s for Liam, for Cordonia. “Okay. When can we take care of it?”

“Usually it wouldn’t be able to be taken care of for a few days, weeks at most, but as we are talking about Cordonia’s future monarch I can fit you in later this week.” Dr Ramirez turned her gaze to Rebecca. “Duchess Rebecca, you should have no problems conceiving once we’ve done the procedure, however I’d like to get you started on prenatal vitamins right away. I will send you home with a script but I also have a special concentrated version I could give you as a shot. You see you should really be on prenatals for three months prior to conceiving if you are trying to get pregnant, and with it being our country’s future, I really don’t want to take any chances with his or her health.”

Rebecca nodded. “Whatever you think is best.”

*

Dr Ramirez sat back in her chair, finally dropping the smile from her face. She hated the lying she had to do today but she was given no other choice, she couldn’t say no to the person who asked. She grabbed the picture of her family, the happy faces glaring at her in judgment. I did it for you! She slammed the picture frame face down onto the desk, the glass cracking on impact. She raked a hand over her tired face, jumping as her phone ringing broke through the silence. She looked at the number flashing on the display. Breathe, you did what he asked. “Hello?” Her voice high and cheery.

“How did the appointment go?”

“Perfect. Your Majesty, absolutely no issues.”

“What did I say about formalities? We wouldn’t want anything to happen to your beautiful family because someone found out what I was up to, would we?

Dr Ramirez paled, her throat going dry. “O—of course not. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You were saying?”

She swallowed thickly. “Yes, I said there were no issues. I gave her a depo shot and he’s scheduled for a vasectomy on Friday. They are willing to do whatever for the future of Cordonia.”

“And they suspect nothing?”

“No, they are fully onboard no trouble at all, they are happy to serve the crown.”

“Good.”

*

Rebecca covered her mouth as she yawned. “Why am I so tired? I thought vitamins where supposed to give you energy.”

Drake chuckled lightly. “It was a concentrated dose, it’ll even out. And you’re sure you don’t mind if I stay up?”

“No have fun.” She rubbed her still flat stomach. “Soon there will be the next heir growing here and our days of partying and staying up will be numbered. Have fun.” She kissed his cheek. “Just don’t stay up too late we need to get sleep while we still can.”

*

“Li, are you sure you want the future of Cordonia resting in Drake’s balls?” Maxwell slurred his hand swinging to hit Drake’s shoulder only for him to miss falling forward in his chair.

Great. He’s drunk. I knew I shouldn’t have told him how the appointment went! “Max…” Drake growled, his tone low in warning.

“I’m sure. I have the utmost faith in Drake and his…” Liam trailed off. “I trust that we will soon be announcing the heir of Cordonia is arriving in no time.”

“Are you sure? Maybe you should ask someone else, I mean Drake said the doctor said—”

“Maxwell, your drink is looking low maybe you should get another, and maybe one for me too?” Drake cut him off. Another drink is the worst idea ever but I need to get him away from the damn table before Liam learns everything.

Maxwell jumped to his feet, nearly tripping over his limbs. “You got it buddy.” He staggered off in search of another drink.

“Are you sure he needs another drink?” Liam asked with an arch of his brow.

“No, but it got him thinking about something else.”

“You’d tell me if something went wrong at the doctors right?”

Guilt wrapped around Drake, ensnaring his limbs, squeezing them tightly to his body, making it impossible to breathe or move. “Of course.” Liar!

Liam’s chestnut eyes softened, he placed a gentle hand on Drake’s forearm. “Drake, you can tell me, was what Maxwell was saying true?”

Drake sighed his head dropping back. How the fuck did I get in this mess? Oh yeah, I trusted Maxwell… “The doctor said that under normal circumstances she wouldn’t even worry yet, but given it’s the future of Cordonia on the line she recommend a procedure.” He drew out the last word. Dammit why is it so hard to lie to him? “To fix the vessels. She said we’d be fine to conceive naturally after.”

“Drake.” His voice soft and full of understanding.

“Li, I swear if she had been worried I would have mentioned it to you, but you have enough on your plate with the unannounced guests, and everything else. Hell, I didn’t want to make you worry about this again.”

“I completely understand, and I thank you for worrying about me, but you need to worry about yourself too.”

“Right.” Drake nodded.

“I would hate to see something happen to you because you let yourself become too stressed. Remember you are as important to me as an heir, I couldn’t imagine what I would do if I lost my best friend, my brother, because he overstressed himself about giving me an heir.”

*

A few days later...

Rebecca let out an exaggerated groan as she eased herself into the hot tub. Not too hot, wouldn’t want the tabloids to report I don’t care about the future heir, again. The warm water melted her stress away and eased the tension in her muscles. She rolled her head to the side, her eyes remaining closed in pure bliss. “Thank you for suggesting this Liv. I didn’t realize how much I needed it.”

“Don’t mention it.” Why Liam wanted me to suggest it instead of doing it himself is beyond me. “I figured after the way you handled the invading kings and queens you could use a day of relaxation.”

“Definitely.” She opened one eye. “Is it normal for people to ask for betrothal agreements before the child is born?”

“You’re asking the woman who was married off by her parents at the age of four.”

“I’m sorry Liv, forget it.”

“No. It’s fine. I’m over it.” Mostly. “But to answer your question, some nobles will make betrothal alliances, but most aren’t that extreme. I’d worry about their hidden agenda.”

Rebecca nodded her head. “Yea, it seemed a little off. I mean I’m not even pregnant yet.”

“You signed on to carry the heir, everyone will be waiting to hear news, and wanting to be the one to make a betrothal to elevate their own status.” Her voice growing harder.

“Right.” Why didn’t I think about that before I said yes? Change the subject! “I noticed Bastien has been absent from Liam’s detail.”

“Yes, Liam sent him to Lythikos to help me look for any loophole to get me out of the agreement, we came up empty. He asked Bastien to stay behind and catalogue what we did find on Anton and my parents involvement, I don’t know why, there was nothing useful.”

Rebecca nodded, a pit of regret forming in her stomach. Why did I bring up betrothal agreements? Stupid! “Thanks for suggesting the spa day, and convincing them to turn down the temperature.”

“Don’t mention it.” Olivia replied with a laugh. “Besides, they wouldn’t want to cross a Nevrakis.”

*

Liam smiled as she walked with poise and purpose through the duchy, expensive bottle of whiskey in hand. Everything was falling into place, he could clearly see the end when she would once again be his. “Drake.” He clasped a hand on Drake’s shoulder, his smile threatening to widen as he took in the frozen bag of peas on his crotch. “I brought you a little something before I head back to the palace. I wanted to treat you because you wouldn’t be in the pain you are if you and Rebecca weren’t trying to conceive an heir for me. I won’t ever be able to convey with words or gestures just how thankful I am that you would agree to this.”

Soon. I will once against know the feel of her skin, the taste of her on my lips. Soon, she will once again be mine.

Drake’s chocolate brown eyes widened. “Li, that’s a really expensive whiskey.”

“Nothing but the best for my dearest friend.”

“Thanks Li, you didn’t have to. You know I’d do anything for you.” He nodded to his lap. “Even endure a little pain. All I want is for you to have the chance to be as happy as Rebecca and I are.”

“And I will never stop thanking you for giving me that chance.”

“Like I said Li, I’d do anything for you. Just like you would for me.”

“Of course. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my best friend.”

Oh Drake, I truly am sorry I had to do this, but you took what’s mine...

Feedback fuels me, please like, comment reblog or send an ask. Feel free to scream, I promise I can take it.

Masterlist can be found in my bio.

Taglist will be reblogged.

[pardi-real]

Butler's Halloween / Chapter 6 - Bastien's Hospitality

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Bastien: "Welcome, uh... dear guest."

> " 'Hello…' "

I greeted him while trying to sound as depressed as I could, as Lucas asked me to.

Bastien: "Hmm... You look unwell.  What's the matter? Did something bad happen to you?"

> " 'Y-you noticed?' "

Bastien: "Yeah.. You look depressed.  If you don't mind... I'd like you to tell me what happened."

> "Well…"

I just wanted to play out the setup, so Bastien could practice.

> " 'I got people in trouble, because of my mistake…' "

Bastien: "I see…  So you made a mistake. I know how you feel, I've been there myself.

I'm not saying you shouldn't feel down, but it's not good for you to stay depressed. You have to accept the past as the past and train for the future.

That's how I overcame the past.  With the support of those around you.... I am sure you will get over it too.

*Close-up* If you're having a hard time, you can count on me. I'll be your support, my lord."

> "Ba-Bastien...?"

Lucas.: "S-stop, stop.  Listen, Bastien... This is just a 'hospitality practice', all right?"

Haures: "You definitely said 'my lord' at the end…"

Bastien: "Hm… Did I? Sorry. I'm not a good talker, so I tried to say what was on my mind… I forgot about the setting while trying very hard to have a conversation... and by the end I felt like I was encouraging the lord."

Lucas: "Fufu. Well, that was nice. It felt just like you, Bastien, but I have one piece of advice... Can I give you my opinion?"

Bastien: "Yeah, please."

Lucas: "Earlier, Bastien said, 'You have to train for the future'. However, the person who is depressed may be so depressed that they are unable to work hard right now. 

Words of encouragement are important, but they can also be used to overwhelm the person when used at the wrong time...

Remember, depending on the person's situation, even positive words can have the opposite effect."

Bastien; "I see.... I guess you're right when you put it that way. Whenever I've felt down, I've tried to get over it by swinging my sword… But that may not be the right way for others… I see what you mean."

Lucas: "That's right. So, when you see someone in front of you feeling depressed, you can say, 'You did your best,' or 'Let's take it easy and rest now.' First of all, it is important to accept them."

Bastien: "Yeah… that's certainly true, Mr. Lucas. I learned a lot. First of all, accept the other person's depressed heart… Can we redo the practice we did earlier once again, my lord?"

> "Of course"

Bastien: "I see… You made a mistake and got depressed. That was tough... I know exactly how you feel. Anyway, you should take a good rest now. If you rush too much, you'll get tired.

It's the same with horses. No matter how fast they are, they can't keep running.

If you don't take a break and let your body rest, you will soon lose the ability to run. Of course, humans need rest too. 

Rest when you can. ……… Hm… What do you think? Does this feel closer than before?"

> "You were very kind."

Bastien: "Hm… I see.  Thank you. It gives me a lot of confidence to hear the lord say that."

Lucas: "Yes, yes ♪ It was very good, and it showcased Bastien's personality well. Also, the smile you showed to the lord at the end was very gentle, great job.

I'm sure that a gentle smile will put the other person at ease... Bastien, you should practice smiling more often so that your smile looks more natural ♪

For example, when you serve a drink or a sweet, … smile and say: 

*Close-up* 'We offer you this service. I hope you can have a rest, even for a little while…' "

> "Th-thank you…"

Haures: "Th-that is Mr. Lucas for you… I can feel his compassion…"

Lucas: "Now, Bastien, why don't you try it on our 'guest'?"

Bastien: "O-okay… L-like this…? 'Here is a service.  I hope you can have a rest, even for a little while…' "

> "Thank you, Bastien"

Bastien: "Hmm... It really is easier for me to attend to the lord. I wonder if I can attend to other people well on the real deal…"

Lucas: "Don't worry. Smiling is easy with practice ♪ Well then, it's your turn, Haures. Are you ready?"

Haures: "Yes. I am looking forward to work with you."

> "Let's do our best, Haures"

Haures: "Phew… My lord as my practice partner… It feels strange to treat someone you know so well as if you're just meeting them for the first time."

> "Yes, it does feel a little strange"

Haures: "Yes, but at the moment, I need to shift my mindset for practice.  I'll imagine you as a guest I'm meeting for the first time.  I might act rudely, so I ask for your pardon."

> "Likewise"

Lucas: "Well then, it looks like you both are ready to go. *Close-up* My lord, for the next scene... Could you play the role of an egoistic guest for a moment?"

> "What... An egoist...?"

Lucas: "Yes, but not just any egoist.  It's a guest who is being egoistic to get Haures to pay attention to them."

> "That sounds kinda difficult…"

Lucas: "Fufu… I'm looking forward to your great performance, my lord ♪"

Haures: "Not as the lord, but as a guest...  Not as the lord, but as a guest…  Alright, I've made the switch.  Now, all I need to do is attend to the guest perfectly..."

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[mfackenthal]

The MFackenthal Show with Birthday Girl @lilyofchoices

banner by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

~~~~~

Megs: Hello hello hello! Today is a very very very special day and I am so excited to announce my next guest.  Please give an extra special welcome to our birthday girl, Lily!

The crowd stands up and cheers as Lily comes from off stage, waves to the crowd and gives Megs a big hug!  When Lily sits down, the audience get quiet. 

Megs:  Wow!  Look at how you command this crowd, Lily.  This group loves you!  I cannot believe you have only been here since March.  

Lily: I know!  It feels like it has been so much longer. 

Megs:  So, how did you come up with your tumblr handle? 

Lily: I hate coming up with names and titles. They are the bane of my existence. Just ask any of my friends on tumblr I’m constantly asking them for help or whining at them. Thank the gods I have help. So my tumblr handle is super boring and unoriginal. It is my name (well one of my middle names) and I’m “of the choices fandom” so...of choices. Yeah, you can groan. It’s bad. I know.

Megs:  Are you really telling me, MFackenthal, that your handle is unoriginal?  

Lily: laughs 

Megs: Anyways, tell me, what brought you to the fandom? 

Lily: Well, I live for crazy and this site definitely delivers on that. Joking, kinda. In all honesty, I created that tumblr on a whim after I went looking for more fanfic to read.  I found @perriewinklenerdie @hopelessromantic1352 and @ahumanmishap and loved their writing.  Their writing inspired me to just go for it!   I created this blog just to post shit and geek out with myself about the newest chapter releases and share whatever fics I discovered. I never in a million years expected to find so many friends and awesome people.

Megs:  But find so many friends you did!  

Lily:  Yes, I did!  They’re all amazing. Well … takes calming breath I’ve had my fair share of disagreements in this fandom and while the haters are hard to deal with and they can get exhausting, they are far, FAR outnumbered by those in this fandom that are here to have fun and be crazy and silly and don’t care if your opinions differ from their own. I live for those types of beautiful people that make this fandom amazing! Plus have you seen the level of talent from the writers and artists in this fandom? I’m constantly in awe of them all.

Megs:  The talent amazes me every day!  Speaking of talent - what’s your favorite work that you have created? 

Lily: Damn girl. You are asking all the tough questions. Why ya gotta do that to me? 

Megs:  laughs and shrugs her shoulders  It’s kinda my job, girl! 

Lily:  smirks  I guess I'd have to say that I love the first chapter of my Merida fic. I wrote it as a distraction, a break if you will, from my real life writing which is dry and boring. We had all just made our way through the Open Heart chapter where Ethan tells mc that Naveen is dying and then Pb won’t let us even hug Ethan. I desperately wanted that so I decided to write it. I’m going on chapter 32 of that fic now. I need help. Oh, but my favorite as far as fandom reactions goes was definitely the chapter where that dirty rat stabs Merida. Y'all lost your minds and it was hilarious.

The audience gasps.  “Oh yeah, I remember that chapter.”  “Landry is the worst.” Members of the audience whisper. 

Megs: I remember that chapter.  I feared you’d go the way of @laniquelovewrites and kill Merida! 

Lily: winks

Megs: shakes her head Do you have any advice for other writers or artists?  Especially those from within the fandom? 

Lily: Well, talking to all you not-yet-writers out there - take the ducking leap lovelies! Do it! Don’t worry about language, grammar, flow, tempo, timing, editing, just write it. I rarely edit mine beyond a cursory review. And ya know what? This fandom loves whatever you give us. And I’m at the front of that line waiting to read it. Seriously! Tag me in anything you write! 

Also, don’t be concerned about likes and reblogs. My first fic only got like 15 likes when I first released it. It’s hard not to get caught up in wanting likes and reblogs and comments. Hell, I live for them. And ya want to think that a lack of those means no one likes it, but trust me, there are plenty of people enjoying your work that don’t like, comment, or reblog. Try not to focus on the likes but on your fic and know that there are those out there enjoying the hell out of it!

And I’m always willing to review anything and everything. If you want someone to look it over first, I am here for you.  But I warn you now, I will encourage you to share it with everyone.

By the end of this little speech, the entire audience is up and clapping.  Standing ovation. 

Megs:  Look at that crowd, Lily.  It’s obvious that you speak the truth.  

Lily:  Whispers to Megs: Don’t worry - I can get them all to sit down. Ask me about the choices books. 

Megs:  So Lily, have you read all of the choices books? 

Lily:  I feel like I’m going to have to duck behind this couch as soon as I say what I’m about to say. No, I’ve not played them all. I’ve played most. I tried to play The Freshman, Big Sky Country, Sunkissed, and America’s Most Eligible but I couldn’t. I have replayed countless books. Thomas, Ethan, Sonia, the entire Perfect Match crew, the entire Nightbound crew, and Jake - I’ve played all of their options.

Now Megs, I have only admitted this once and after this we will never speak of it again hangs head in shame I am a sucker for one particularly hated Choices book. Want to take a guess? I've, no joke, replayed this more times than I should admit. No one will follow me after this. I...I, love Home for the Holidays. 

Lily gets up and ducks behind couch while many in the crowd sit down.  

Lily:  This is now my home. I will live back here so no one can see me in my shame. 

Megs:  walks around the couch to sit with Lily loudly saying: Well, as I enjoyed that book a lot and very much miss Nick, if you live back here then I will have to live back here with you … but this is kinda a crappy place to continue this interview so I’m gonna move back to front of the couch, okay?

Megs walks back around the couch and sits down.  

Well, you did get people to sit down, Lily.  Gives her audience the stink eyes.  Where were we?  Oh yes, which book is your favorite? 

Lily: stands up behind the couch Well, I’m going to stay behind the couch at this point because I'm not going to say Open Heart and I know I'm going to hear about it. Hero is my favorite book. It was the first I played and I absolutely loved it! The art! The characters! The story! It had it all! If Pb doesn't give me Hero 2 in 2020 I’m not sure what I’ll do now that they’ve teased me. But I’ve also learned that they like to tease me.  Lily jumps over the couch in a superhero type move and lands sitting down next to Megs.

Megs: Nice moves!  So who is your favorite OTP? 

Lily: I will always say Detective Jason Shaw and my mc Ashtyn Stark to this question. I loved the book RoD until the end when our option of which side to help disappeared and we had to help MPC. I was so excited to see a book that allowed you to pick which side to help, Police/Brotherhood, MPC, or both. You should know by now that I love the villains and all I wanted was for my mc to side with Shaw. 

Bryce and Harper are another OTP for me. I found a few others out there that ship this but @tallulahshh is a godsend when it comes to this ship. Her fics on these two are so amazing! For reals, you should all check them out. She will convince you that this is the ship to be on. 

Megs: Gasps!  I should kick you off this couch for loving a Bryce ship over an Ethan ship.  YOU WRITE FOR ETHAN!  

Lily:  What can I say?  The heart wants who it wants. 

Megs: Yeah, yeah.  What do you do when you’re not producing work for the fandom?  What else do you do for fun? 

Lily: I teach Latin and Formal Logic and I also write (journalism and academic pieces).   My fanfics are my break from my dry writings. I know y'all are dying to read about how Latin could revitalize the modern American educational system. I love to cook, read, hike, and spend time with my family. I live in the city now but I'm a country girl at heart. Give me open fields to run through, dense forests to explore, water to kayak on and I'm a happy one.

Megs:  That sounds wonderful.  Lily, one last question - do you have any questions for me? 

Lily: Ah, you should not give me this power. What non-LI would you make a LI if you could and why? I must know, please tell me!

Megs:  Oh, that’s easy - Bastien!  The drama is already built in because of his part in the Tariq plot and damn @stopforamoment, @bobasheebaby, and @lolablackwrites have made that man irresistible. 

A second and more strange one is actually Emerald Phan from High School Story: A Class Act Chapter 2.  She’s technically an adult when I’m (MC) technically a high schooler … but I would date this gal.  She’s gorgeous!

Before you leave, Lily, I need to ask one last thing of you.  Please close your eyes. 

Lily closes her eyes

@msjpuddleduck, @anxious-arliah, @meindraws, @keepcreative, @brightpinkpeppercorn, @tallulahshh, @twin-skltns all come on stage, pushing a large cart with a beautiful cake that says “Happy Birthday Lily!”  They all start singing Happy Birthday.  The entire audience joins in. 

As soon as people start singing, Lily opens her eyes and smiles really big.  

Lily: Oh my gosh, you guys, I love it!  

Megs:  Happy Birthday, Lily!  We’re all sooooo glad that you’re here.  Blow out your candles, beautiful!

Lily: Takes a deep breath and blows out the candles in one puff. 

The audience cheers!

Megs:  It’s cake for everyone!  

Those on stages start cutting and plating the cake.  Others start handing a slice to everyone in the audience. 

Megs:  And that’s today’s show everyone!  Thanks for coming!  Join me next time when @hopelessromantic1532 will be the guest star.  Have a GREAT week and please, join me in wishing @lilyofchoices a wonderful birthday! 

~~~~~

I’m guessing @lilyofchoices will get this when she wakes up - but it should be officially her birthday right now!

And now for the tags.  If you want to be added to the tag list for these or removed, please let me know!

@hopefulmoonobject @queen-among-writers, @hopelessromantic1352, @lilyofchoices, @msjpuddleduck, @theroyalweisme, @lady-kato

[fluffy-marshmallow-heart]

Drake's Diary ch.28 -Coney Island

The Royal Romance canon from Drake's POV

Words: 3455

With the scandal behind her, Emma takes the group of friends to Coney Island

Master List (Catch Up Here)

The following afternoon, everyone has reached the gates of the Coney Island amusement park…everyone except Emma.

“You guys should go ahead, I’ll wait for her.” Drake told them.

“That’s a kind offer Drake but seeing as I don’t get a lot of time with Lady Emma, I would like to be the one to wait for her. You should go ahead with Hana and Maxwell. I’m sure she’ll be here any minute.” Liam assured.

  Drake frowned at his friend. I guess he really is single again. And expects Rose to jump right into his arms. Typical.

“We wouldn’t have to wait at all if we’d all just come together.” Drake grumbled as he entered the park, leaving Liam behind.

“She’ll be here soon, Drake. I just text her, she’s pulling up now.” Hana told him gently.

“Yeah, besides, now I have time to slip into something more Coney Island chic!” Maxwell exclaimed before ducking into a nearby shop.

Drake rolled his eyes. What is he talking about now? At least he’s completely oblivious to how I’m feeling about Rose and Liam.

Hana suddenly grasped his arm excitedly. “There they are! I told you they’d get here in time.”

Drake couldn’t stop himself from smiling as he watched her approach in a casual outfit. I love it when she’s relaxed. And she didn’t linger behind with Liam. This is a good sign. “Okay, you win this one.” Drake agreed.

“Get here in time for what? To see Drake in that Henley? Glad you didn’t just hide it in your suitcase and forget about it.” Emma smirked

“Hey, you’re the one who made me get it. It seemed, er…boardwalk appropriate.” Or maybe I’m just wearing it because you like it. Either one. No need to think about the way she checks out my muscles in it.

“We’re just waiting on Maxwell. He said he wanted something more ‘Coney Island chic’ to wear, but he’s been in that clothing store a long time!” As Hana turns to frown at the store, the door swings open with a bang. Maxwell steps out and strikes a pose.

“New York, here I come!” Drake’s mouth dropped as he gaped at Maxwell’s new outfit. I cannot be seen next to that.

Maxwell walked over to the group grinning, wearing a white and grey tank, shorts, and to complete ensemble, an octopus necklace.

Emma burst out laughing. “Maxwell, this is the coolest you’ve ever been. And that’s saying something.”

Maxwell stretched his arms over his head, causing Drake to grimace at his mass of armpit hair. “My arms feel so free. I think I’ve achieved peak fashion potential.”

“You really can’t do better than this.” Emma agreed.

Com on, Rose, stop encouraging this.

“Let’s get this party started!” Maxwell clapped excitedly as Emma leads everyone along the boardwalk, between ice cream carts, the occasional juggler, and visitors from all walks of life. The smells of French fries and cotton candy waft through the air.

I am seriously impressed. This place has everything! I have definitely been missing out on life!!

Hana spoke, “Food, rides, games…is there anything you can’t do in this place?”

“Nothing worth doing.” Drake grinned

Emma chuckled. “I should’ve known you’d like it here.”

Drake just shrugged. “There’s wholesome, greasy food on every corner, and nobody gives a damn about courtly etiquette. This place is a breath of fresh air.”

“I must admit, this is all a new experience for me. I dreamed of sneaking off to visit a carnival or circus when I was young…but I never had the opportunity.” Liam jumped in.

Drake smiled at him, remembering the time when he and Liam even set up their own circus in the palace…but the only person who came was Bastien, and that was really just to ensure they cleaned up. Not to mention there was almost nothing to it. Pretty much an obstacle course, now that he thinks back on it.

“Well, we’ve got all day to give you the signature Coney Island experience.” Emma beamed

They wander past the attractions until Maxwell gestures to a fortune telling booth where an elderly woman in a shawl beckons them.

“Guys! We have to do this!”

Ugh, no. “Don’t tell me you believe in all this stuff. No one can predict the future.”

Hana elbowed him lightly. “Sounds like someone’s afraid of what the future might have in store.”

You have no idea.

The woman at the booth smiles faintly. Ignoring Drake, she turns to Emma and holds out her hand.

Maxwell squealed. “She wants to read your palm…Tell her what you want to know!”

“Oh, okay! I want you to ready my love line.”

Drake sucks in a sharp breath at Emma’s request. The love line? Is that an actual thing? He glanced down at his own palm, trying not to make it obvious what he was doing. No, just…. lines in general….

The woman bows her head over Emma’s hand, tracing the lines of her palm with her fingers. When she finally releases her hand, she says nothing, only scribbles a note in swirling cursive and hands it to her.

“What does it say?” Liam asked curiously.

Emma read from the small piece of paper. “You will know true love, but only you can decide which path that love may follow. And before you and your lover are united, you will face many trials and tribulations…” She frowned. “More of them? Seriously?”

“You’ve faced your share of tribulations already…” Liam agreed.

That’s…. definitely not a good sign.

“Me next!” Hana walks up to the booth, where the fortune teller examines her hand with great interest. Hana walks away with her own written fortune, smiling. “She said that although times are hard, my fate will lead me to a bright future.”

Hah. How does no one see what’s going on?  “She’s just telling you what you want to hear. Keeping her customers happy.”

Emma rose an eyebrow. “Then I think you should give it a try, Mr. Skeptic.”

Alright, fine. I’ll prove this is a bunch of hocus pocus if that’s what I need to do. He shrugs and marches over to the booth. He glares at the fortune teller as she looks over his hand.

This is so ridiculous. I cannot believe I’m doing this, even if it is just to prove a point.

Finally, the woman hands him his note. He glances at it…and walks back to the group, scowling.

His eyes met a clearly amused Emma’s. “Drake let me see that fortune!” She sneaks a peek before he can crumple the note. “Your troubles hang over you like a cloud. You must let them go if you wish to see the sun.”

Drake turned to her. “That’s what I’m talking about. Generic advice. She could’ve said that to anyone!”

“And yet it fits you to a T.” She responded smugly.

“I can practically see the storm cloud.” Maxwell joined in.

Ugh, here we go.  “…who’s going next?” Drake asked, ready to get off the topic of himself.

“Let me give it a try.” When Liam returns from the booth, his brow is furrowed. “Mine may be the most unusual one yet…’A Kingdom lost shall not be regained, unless with wisdom you earn your reign.’”

“That’s odd.” Hana spoke.

“Ooh, I can help! I’m a fountain of wisdom” Maxwell said excitedly.

“No, you are not.” Drake snapped, scowling again. Unbelievable. They’re all fooled.

“Maybe she, er, missed the mark on that one.” Emma patted Liam’s arm

“Only time will tell.” He told her.

Emma turned to Maxwell. “That just leaves you Maxwell.”

The fortune teller her bends over Maxwell’s hand…then scratches her head. She turns his hand over again and again, frowning. At last, she thrusts a scribbled note at him.

“What was that about?” Emma asked curiously.

“Well, when I asked her to look at my life line…she said that by all rights I should already be dead.”

“Heh. Now that I can believe.” Drake chuckled. Alright. That one’s pretty good.

“Are you going to be okay?” Hana gasped

“Should we get you to a doctor?” Liam asked.

Drake didn’t miss Emma’s eye roll, and he smiled inwardly as she spoke. “You guys, relax. Maxwell’s going to live forever.”

Drake shuddered. “Now there’s a scary thought.”

Liam looked at Maxwell thoughtfully. “I don’t know. It’s rather nice to think of him looking after Cordonia throughout the ages.”

Maxwell put his hands up in protest. “Whoa, that’s a lot of responsibility. For all we know, I’m just a very lucky mortal.”

“One of the luckiest we’ve ever seen.” Emma grins widely.

The fortune teller waves them all away as more customers approach her booth. They spend hours wandering the streets, watching sword swallowers and street artists and food sizzling on stands. Drake felt like he was in another world, and he was loving every second of it. He especially loved the fact that Emma walks right beside him the entire time, talking animatedly everywhere they went.

I love seeing her like this. This is her home. Er, was her home…I think. I hope it’s a past tense home anyway….

Suddenly Emma stops short. “We can’t leave here without trying at least one game. I challenge you all…to a high striker competition!”

She points out a traditionally designed high striker, with a bell at the top of a tower, and a mallet resting beside the lever at its base.

Excellent. I can already smell my victory. “Challenge accepted.”

Emma steps forward first, grasping the mallet in both hands. She hits the lever as hard as she can, slamming it down with all her might, and the puck at the base of the tower shoots more than halfway up to its top!

“Woohoo!” Maxwell shouted.

Not too bad for a girl. But then, this is Rose. She’s basically the queen of capability. He frowned at the word ‘queen.’ He brought his eyes over to where she was high fiving Liam as he stepped up next. She really would be an amazing queen.

Liam swung, sending the puck halfway up. He just shrugged.

“Your turn Drake.” Liam handed him the mallet, and Drake nodded curtly as he slammed it down. His strike also sent the puck about halfway up the tower.

Damn it. I let myself get distracted.

“Nice, but not quite enough. Hana and Maxwell are the only ones left!” Emma exclaimed.

Liam looked between them. “Which one of them do you think will strike true, Emma?”

“My money’s on Hana! Just wait and see.”

Interesting choice.

Hana beams at her as Maxwell steps up to the plate first. He swings the mallet…and sends the puck flying up the tower! It stops only a few inches below the bell before tumbling back down.

“Nooooo! So close!”

Liam’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m impressed.”

I cannot believe Maxwell shot that higher than me. What is wrong with me today?

Maxwell hands the mallet off to Hana. She tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear and paces around the tower, studying the spot where the lever strikes the puck. Finally, she hefts the mallet over her head and brings it down in an elegant arc. The puck goes shooting up to the top of the tower…and strikes the bell!

“I knew you could do it!” Emma ran over and hugged Hana tightly.

Drake’s jaw was practically on the ground. “Damn, Hana. How did you pull that off?”

She shrugged. “Easy. It’s all about physics.”

Maxwell laughed. “Leave it to Hana to outsmart a feat of strength.”

The sun is beginning to set in the distance as the group leaves the high striker.

“Oh! If we hurry, we can watch the sun set from the top of the Ferris wheel!” Hana exclaimed.

They make their way to the Ferris wheel to find almost no line. Most of the cars are empty, leaving plenty of room for the group to split up

Before he knew what was happening, Emma had slipped her hand into his. “Come on, Drake. Ride with me!” She pulled him toward the ride.

He attempted to hide his blush. “Wouldn’t miss it Rose. But I call dibs on one of the cars that swings.”

“Deal”

They hopped into one of the carriages, and as the wheel slowly carries them both upward, they watch the last rays of daylight fade below them.

Drake whistled quietly. “Wow. This is one hell of a view.”

“Why am I not at all surprised that you’re into carnival rides?”

He slid his eyes over to her. “You calling me predictable, Rose?”

“Yes. Adorably so.”

He studied her a moment. “I’m choosing to take that as a compliment.”

“You should.” She nudged his arm with her shoulder, and Drake felt the crackle of electricity immediately between them. Taking a breath, he remembered why he wanted this particular carriage.

He squints down at the ground below, then up toward the top of the Ferris wheel’s arc. “I think we’re high enough to make things interesting. Let’s give this car a shake.”

“Ready if you are. One…two…three!”

Together they rock the car forward, and it begins sliding and rocking along a small track.

“Whoa!” The swinging of the car sends Emma sliding into Drake. He catches her instinctively, his gaze lingering on her lips for a moment.

“Easy there. You okay?” he was already just inches away from her face. It’ll be so easy to just….

“I could be better…if you want to kiss me.” She said quietly, searching his eyes.

A corner of his mouth turned up as he tenderly brushes her hair out of her face. “I suppose while we’re alone up here…I’d hate to miss my chance.” He kisses her softly at first, before the hunger for her sweetness takes over as she wraps her arms around him, the heat of their bodies warming each other despite the cool evening air. His tongue swirls around hers, and she moans into him, causing him to pull her tightly against him before running his hands through her silken hair. Finally, he pulled back.

“I don’t suppose we can stay up here forever?” He murmured, resting his forehead against hers.

She shook her head. “If only…But it looks like our time is almost up.”

Drake sighs deeply, before pulling her in for one last heated kiss. “Rose, I….”

But before he can say anything else, the wheel gently deposits them back on solid ground, where the rest of the group joins them quickly, the moment lost.

Maxwell looks around the emptying park. “I guess we should get going soon…”

“What about grabbing a souvenir for Emma on the way?” Hana asked, pointing across the boardwalk to a shooting range that is just about to close. A cluster of unbelievably fluffy stuffed animals sits on the counter.

Amateurs. Even I know this. “Those aren’t for sale. You have to win them.”

“Then I’ll win one!” Emma smacks his arm lightly. The owner rolls his eyes when she approaches the shooting range, but he still hands her a toy rifle. She faces off against the row of targets lining the back wall. Squinting down the length of the toy rifle, she aims at a target…and shoots right at the middle of it!

“Yessss!” She pumped her fist in the air victoriously as the owner of the shooting range holds a pink, white, and purple stuffed animal out to her. She starts to say something, but Drake is already tuned out.

A girl that can shoot. Damn, that’s hot. There’s a lot of woods in Cordonia…and the cabin I want to build…she can come with me, we’ll make love in the woods, under the stars…

“Here you go, Drake!” Emma’s cheery voice interrupted his thoughts.

He snapped to attention as he realized she was giving him the prize furball. “Oh. Uhh…thanks, Rose.”

“I mean, as long as you want it.” She said innocently, her eyes intensely boring into his.

He felt a blush creep up his neck. I want you.

“Sure, I can find a home for him.”

As everyone begins walking toward the exit of the park, Drake can’t help but pat the stuffed animal’s head with a smile.

Can’t believe she gave this to me. The only prize anybody won…and she gave it to me….he’s so cute…and soft…

He felt eyes on him, and he glanced up to see Emma trying to hide a laugh. She mouthed him the words, “Knew It” before turning back around. He shook his head, his smile turning into a grin.

I am damn lucky to know her.

As they approach the boardwalk’s exit, Liam gets a gleam in his eye. He dashes off toward one of the few remaining food carts and returns with five sticks of pillowy cotton candy. “Here. A final treat for each of us. I’ve been smelling them all day.”

“Liam, you’re a genius.” Emma beamed, grabbing one.

“My stomach thanks you!” Maxwell snatched his own.

“This might be the best dessert I’ve ever had.” Hana gasped, eyes wide.

“No complaints here.” Drake chimed in.

As everyone munches on their cotton candy, Emma holds hers out into the center of the group. “To the best friends anyone could wish for. Cheers!”

Everyone taps their sticks of cotton candy against hers in a toast.

“Thank you all for coming out here today.”

“After everything you’ve accomplished Emma, you deserved a day to take it easy.” Hana told her.

“I’m glad we could all be here with you.” Liam’s eyes were shining.

Drake maneuvered his hand back and forth, teasingly. “Eh, it was alright.”

“Drake!” Maxwell smacked him upside the head as everyone burst into laughter, and head out of the park.

When they’re almost through the gate, Drake notices Liam holding Emma back, his head bowed, saying something. She nodded readily and smiled, before running to catch up to the rest.

Drake has a sinking feeling he knows what Liam’s saying to her. Her name has officially been cleared. Liam’s engagement is no longer. Even though this seems sudden, he realizes it’s been a long time coming, and he needs to act, now, before it’s too late.

After arriving at the hotel, Drake takes a moment to compose himself.

You can do this Walker. Just knock on her door, tell her how you feel. Tell her to choose you. You got this. You’ve always had this. She wants you or she wouldn’t kiss you the way she does, and definitely wouldn’t give you a keepsake.

He glances at his bed, where the stuffed animal now sits. Giving himself one last nod in the mirror, he heads out of his room, marching straight to hers, his heart thumping wildly.

This is it.

He knocks on her door and waits. And waits. And waits. He knocks again, then realizes…she’s not there.

There’s only one person she’d be with now. Fuck, I hope I’m not too late. I can’t be too late.

He hurriedly runs back to his room, grabbing a pen and paper and scribbling out a note.

Rose…I need you to know how much I care about you…” He stopped, crossing out the words, crumpling the paper and throwing it in the trash can. No, that’s stupid.

He tried again.

Rose, I hope you will do me the honor of… He frowned, scribbling out the writing furiously, before crumpling the paper and tossing it out. That’s even worse.

Taking several deep, calming breaths, he starts one more time.

Rose…

Meet me on the hotel balcony tonight. We need to talk.

Drake.

He nodded at the letter, satisfied. It’s perfect.

He heads back out and knocks on her door once more, just in case she returned, then slipped the folded up note under her door. For a brief second, he imagined breaking into her room, grabbing it back, then disappearing forever. She’d be none the wiser.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, before turning and walking down to the hotel lounge that connects to the balcony. He can see the balcony clearly, and he’s hidden from view by a decorative column.

He fidgets uncontrollably, his thoughts running wild for what seems like hours, until he finally hears the click of heels on the floor. He looks out the window and sees Emma appear on the balcony, in a shimmering gray dress.

God, she even looks like New York. Okay. Here we go.

  She’s leaning against the railing and looking out over the city as Drake opens the balcony door and steps outside.

“Hey, Rose.”

She turns to him and smiles brightly. He takes a few tentative steps forward, his eyes locked on hers. “We need to talk…about us.”

    @annekebbphotography @gardeningourmet @zigortega4life @eileendannie @thequeenofcronuts @drakewalkerfantasy @friedherringclodthing @alesana45 @mfackenthal

@hrhdes @drakewalkerisreal @akrenich @feartheendlesssummer @moonlightgem7 @i-miss-trr @noey718-blog @snyggflicka @rhymesmenagerie @gibbles82 @drakensworld @iplaydrake@i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction @crookedslimecreatorpasta @be-still-my-aching-heart @lovedrakewalker @katedrakeohd @flowerpowell @notoriouscs @agent-bossypants

[innerpostmentality]

Timing Is Everything

Inspired by Choices: The Royal Heir Book 1 chapter 10 – The Bachelor Party All rights to Choices characters go to Pixelberry. I appreciate their work and their inspiration. This features: Liam, Drake, Maxwell, Bertrand, and Bastien Word Count: 7300+ a smidge. It’s long. I apologize but I hope you enjoy. Rating: Let’s call it M. It’s a bachelor party…. So if you aren’t M then please put it on your reading list for when you are a little older. This is an AU where Stephanie (MC) chose Drake instead of Liam. Liam met Hyclea (OC) and they are currently engaged. Liam is not naming Drake and Stephanie’s child his heir. Savannah and Bertrand are about to get married. Authors note: I’m a native Texan and while we are noted for our great out doors and the mosquitos might eat you and the raccoons might steal your picnic the odds of running into a bear are significantly less than running into a bobcat or coyote. Tagging: @bbrandy2002 @tornbetween2loves @custaroonie @ao719 @texaskitten30 @sawyer0akleyscowboyhat @furiousherringoperatortoad @kennaxval @kingliam2019 @stopforamoment @hopefulmoonobject @gardeningourmet @darley1101 @drakewalkerwhipped @bobasheebaby @cora-nova @indiacater @emceesynonymroll    Maxwell was so excited about Bertrand’s bachelor party camping trip that he planned with Drake and Liam’s help he was practically bouncing. They had let him handle the evening camp activities and he had been nervously awaiting the arrival of the boxes of goodies he ordered after weeks of intensive research about bachelor parties. Since Drake and Liam had decided that the bachelor party was going to be a camping extravaganza in Texas he knew that it wasn’t going to be possible to have a girl jump out of a giant cake. And Savannah wouldn’t like that anyway. Drake had the early part. Liam the afternoon and lunch. And he had the evening and drinking and games.   He wasn’t really sure how much champagne he needed to order. At Beaumont Bashes as much bubbly wound up spilled to various attempts at opening bottles with medieval weaponry as wound up in glasses so he finally asked Drake if he thought twenty four bottles would be enough?   Drake lifted a brow trying to figure out if Maxwell was serious before he smirked. “I guess that depends on how big the pool is?”   Maxwell’s eyes got big, “Pool?”   “Twenty four bottles for four of us? You can’t possibly think we could drink that much so I was guessing we were going to be bathing in it? Which is a novel idea. Or you could give Bertrand eighteen bottles as a gift to enjoy with Savannah later I suppose.”   Drake smiled thoughtfully as he contemplated the fun he might have with Stephanie and three cases of champagne. “I think you may be on to something, Max. Take six with us and save the rest for a present for them.”

  He considered Drake’s advice but when he was packing he decided to take two cases since there were only six bottles in each case. Always better to have enough and his research had shown that one of the primary activities of a bachelor party was drinking, not just drinking but drinking excessively.  The other primary activity of bachelor parties, the sexy naughty part was tougher to figure out. Out in the woods in a foreign country, house guests of your brother’s fiancées family that lived waaay out in the country you couldn’t get strippers, there wouldn’t even be a television to show bawdy films on. And then he found it, the Cock-a-Deux a penis casting kit! Everything you need to turn your willy into a gift that will wow your partner! They had kits that let you make sculptures, candles, vibrators, chocolate, night lights, dildos, intimate gifts that would be fun. It was perfect! He ordered kits to make candles. Then he thought they might like vibrators since you might not want to see a candle shaped like you burn away; and the ladies might like a vibrator better. Then he decided that chocolates might be even better. Then he thought you might need a test kit that was just plain. So he modified his order again. Then he got nervous worrying about it not arriving in time. Then yesterday when he was getting really worried Scary Aunt, Leona had brought him the package from Intimate Ideas.    Maxwell grinned as he packed his sixteen Cock-a-Deux kits in his oversized duffel bag and set it on top of the ice chest where he had put the champagne before climbing into bed.

   Pounding on his door woke him up and he squinted blearily at his phone, 5:30am. “Up and at em, Maxwell! We’ve got horses to saddle and the fish won’t wait.” Drake called from his door. Then the door was opened and a cowboy hat was sailed like a Frisbee to land on his bed.     Drake woke Bertrand next and walked in as Bertrand spluttered to lay a pair of jeans and a denim shirt on the foot of his bed before setting a nice Stetson on top. “We’re going camping and Liam and I thought you could use some appropriate attire. Get dressed. Liam is making us coffee downstairs.”                                                  ------------------

     Liam smiled and handed him a cup of coffee when Drake came into the kitchen chuckling. “How’d it go?”     Drake saluted him with the coffee cup. “They were pre-verbal though Bertrand did make some noises of outrage as I barged in his room to deliver his outfit. I told him you were making us coffee.”     Bastien walked in and gave Liam a short bow, “Your Majesty, the tents and equipment are loaded in the SUV. As soon as we have everyone’s packs the security team will take everything to the camp site and set it up for you.”    “Would you like some coffee, Bastien? I really appreciate you taking care of this. I know it’s a bit unorthodox.” Liam sipped his coffee and smiled at the head of his guard.    “Thank you Sir, your offer is kind but I am fully caffeinated at this time.” Bastien smiled.    Liam shook his head chuckling. “Someday Bastien you are going to have to try my coffee. And that day you will be sad for all the years you have turned me down.”    Bastien bowed, “It is a certainty, Sir.”    There was a loud ‘thump’ bang, ….. ‘thump’ bang,… ‘thump’ bang, “Woah” ‘Thump’ bang, ‘Thump’ bang, “WoaH, WOAH, WOAH!” clatter, Boom. “Oh dear…” from out in the hall.   “Maxwell Percival Beaumont! What have you done?!” Bertrand’s bellow echoed down the stairs.    “Don’t Look Bertrand! You’ll spoil the surprise!”    Liam and Drake looked at one another and burst into laughter even as Bastien dashed out into the hall.    At the foot of the stairs Maxwell was sprawled over a large overturned ice chest. A dozen bottles of chilled champagne and ice were strewn across the entry; and a duffle bag large enough to carry a body in lay in the midst of the mess.  “Lord Beaumont are you uninjured?” Bastien asked with immediate concern.  “Oh, Yes. Just, could you keep my brother from coming down here while I clean this up, Please?” Maxwell looked at Bastien with his big blue eyes pleading.  Bastien lifted a brow at the young man but went up the stairs to speak with Bertrand who was in the midst of getting dressed and had only opened the door to chastise Maxwell for the disturbance while he finished dressing.   “All is well, Your Grace. I assure you there was more cacophony than calamity. And your brother seems unfazed by his sleigh ride down the staircase.”   Bertrand nodded and closed the door.     Bastien spoke in his ear piece, “Geno could you please come in and assist Lord Beaumont with reassembling his parcels for the camp. We’ve had a bit of a mishap.”  A moment later the young guard came in and helped Maxwell clean up the ice and get all the champagne loaded back in the ice chest then they took the chest and the duffel out to the security SUV’s.

 Maxwell joined Liam, Drake and Bertrand in the kitchen a few minutes later. He stopped short as he took in his brother dressed in jeans and denim. “Wow, Bertrand! Country stylin’. Savannah is going to love it.” He pulled out his phone and started snapping pictures of the three of them.  “Do you think she will like this, truly?” Bertrand looked at himself a bit uncertainly.  Drake slapped him on the back. “Welcome to the family. Denim is like Walker family colors. You look good, Bertrand.”  “These jeans are somewhat tight are they not?” Bertrand was frowning slightly as he lifted one leg then the other.  Maxwell laughed. “Savannah will love that too.” Liam and Drake nodded their agreement.  Bastien came in the kitchen and bowed to Liam. “Sir the SUV’s have departed. The horses are ready and Dimitri and I will be accompanying you on horseback.”  “Very good, Bastien.” Liam smiled at him then grinned, “Bastien might I impose on you to take a photo of the four of us before we embark? If you could send it to Maxwell I believe he’s making a memory book of this adventure.”    Bastien gave a small smile then pulled out his phone as the four men arranged themselves holding their coffee cups up in a toast for the picture.    The ride out to the campsite was beautiful and brisk in the cool morning air. The horses were prancy enjoying the coolness of the morning and inclined to a fast pace with the slightest encouragement. So it was only around 7:30 when they got to their campsite. A nice wooded area with massive pecan trees all around a bend in the San Saba river. Their tents were already set up and their gear stowed inside when they arrived. Drake ducked in his and came out a minute later with fishing gear and a tackle box.     Bertrand’s eyes got wide as he looked at Drake. “Surely you jest?”     Drake laughed. “You know better, Bertrand.” A breeze blew across the river and there were several ‘thunks’ as ripe pecans fell from the trees. “Oh, and you might want to keep your hats on. It’s pecan season. They’re tasty but hard on the head when they are falling. At least we won’t go hungry even if we don’t catch any fish.”    Liam brought out some folding chairs and a cooler. “I have it on good authority that traditionally one drinks beer when fishing in these waters.” He popped the cooler open and handed each of them bottles of icy Shiner Bock beer.    Bertrand sipped it and made a face. “This is rather harsh at breakfast your Majesty.”    Drake lifted his bottle and clinked it all around. “To good beer, good friends, and good fishing! Bertrand, it gets better the more you drink. And I’m certain there is a monster large mouth bass with your name on it just waiting for you to toss a lure in.”    The next several minutes were occupied with Drake getting everyone’s fishing gear set up and instructing Bertrand and Maxwell on how to work the lures. He was about to sit down when suddenly Bertrand hollered, “Oh… Oh… I seem… Oh my.” The ragged whirr of the break on the reel sang as the fish ran for freedom.  “Reel him in, Bertrand!” Drake yelled.    Bertrand started cranking the handle on the reel the pole bending and swaying as he fought with the fish. “You shall not prevail, scaly denizen of the deep!”    “Drake! Drake! I think I have one!” Maxwell yelled as his reel sang with the line peeling from it. He pulled back but the line kept going out.    “Reel Maxwell. Use the reel.” Drake grabbed the dip net and headed for the bank where Bertrand was managing to pull the tiring fish into the shallows.    “It’s a nice one Bertrand. I told you there was a fish waiting for you.” He skillfully scooped the dip net under the fish and hoisted it out of the water. Drake slipped the hook out of the bass’s mouth and held it up for Bertrand to see. “I’m guessing this one is over 4 pounds. Nice work Bertrand!”    Bertrand had a huge smile. “Ha! That shall teach you to test the metal of a Beaumont!”    Maxwell was struggling with his as the tip of the pole zig zagged wildly and the reel began to whine again. “Keep the tension, Maxwell. Think of it like a dance. You’re leading but you have to keep the tension.”    Drake slipped Bertrand’s bass on a stringer and secured it to the root of a big cypress tree that grew right at the water’s edge its roots extending down into the river. Just then he heard Liam’s reel start singing. The King had been fishing with Drake before and so was grinning and handling the fish with expertise.    An hour later everyone but Drake had caught multiple fish. Drake had been kept busy scooping up their catches and freeing the ones that were deemed too small to keep. And they had caught enough fish not only to feed the four of them but also to send some back to the house for the ladies to enjoy. Bertrand and Maxwell had become new fishing enthusiasts and grilled Drake as they made their way back to camp with the gear about where they could acquire such gear and if he would show them where they could fish when they got back home.     Liam grinned as they got back to camp and saw the large box he had requested be brought sitting next to his tent. Drake passed another round of beers out to all of them then went to take the fish for the house to Bastien. When he returned with a giant picnic basket Liam was explaining the box.    “I thought in light of this auspicious occasion that I would arrange for us to hold the time honored Cordonian tradition of an Apple Shoot. Our good hosts have packed us a luncheon of fried chicken, potato salad and pecan pie?” He looked to Drake for confirmation.  Drake nodded as he spread a checkered table cloth on the folding table that had been set up in the middle of the camp and started pulling containers out of the giant picnic basket.  “After lunch I thought we might allow for an hour of practice if you wish and then the event.” Liam pulled one of the folding chairs up to the table and grinned at the repast that Drake was unloading. When they were all gathered around the table Liam stood and raised his beer. “I think a toast is in order. To friends and the lovely ladies who have provided us with this wonderful feast!”  They all clinked their bottles together with a “Se haray mas!”     It took a bit of persuasion to get Bertrand to accept that using one’s fingers to eat fried chicken at a picnic was completely acceptable. But when Liam grabbed a drumstick with his hand after sampling the potato salad with his fork Bertrand followed his king’s example. Maxwell declared that Pecan pie was the ultimate delicious dessert of America and proceeded to eat four pieces. The subsequent food coma lasted for about half an hour while they sat around chatting about the morning with the occasional pecan falling and tatting around them.

  Liam stood and went over to open the large box. “I had several weapons that have traditionally been used for the Apple Shoot sent so you might have your choice Bertrand. They’ve been modified for safety.”    Bertrand went over and looked in the box finally selecting what looked to be an ornate dueling pistol. For the next hour he practiced shooting with it. Then Liam asked him formally if he was ready for the test. Bertrand bowed to his king and told him it was his honor to accept the challenge.    “Gentlemen, my Lords as you know becoming a Knight’s-Marksman and honorary defender of the realm is one of the high honors reserved for the Crown to offer. It is an opportunity offered only to those who the Crown acknowledges as faithful friends of Cordonia. It is my pleasure to offer the opportunity to his grace Duke Ramsford, Bertrand Beaumont. Who shall sponsor with faith in his true aim?”    Drake and Maxwell both stepped forward and looked at each other.  “I will. I know you can do this Bertrand.” Maxwell grinned at his brother.    “I will.  Please don’t shoot me, Bertrand. Getting shot once was enough.” Drake looked at Liam and grinned.    Liam nodded at them. “Very good. Please take your positions twenty paces from us Lord Beaumont, Duke Valtoria.”   The men counted off the paces then stood together and faced Bertrand and Liam.    “Are you ready?” Liam looked at Bertrand who looked for a long moment at his brother and Drake then looked up mentally visualizing what was about to happen.     Finally Bertrand nodded. “I am, Your Majesty.”     Liam tossed the Cordonian Ruby Apple in a high arc toward and above Maxwell and Drake’s heads. Bertrand braced the pistol on his forearm sighting in on the arc of the apple and fired. The plastic ball cut a perfect hole through the center of the apple!  Maxwell and Drake whooped and ran to pat Bertrand on the back congratulating him. Liam grinned, “Well done! Well done!”     Bertrand had a huge grin and kept repeating, “I did it! I did it!”     Then Liam went back over to the box and retrieved a beautifully engraved wooden box. Inside was a circular gold pin depicting an apple pierced by an arrow engraved around the edge with ‘Knight’s Marksman of Cordonia’ He presented it to Bertrand. “Look at the back Bertrand. It’s engraved with the date and your name. Congratulations Bertrand!” Liam hugged him kissing him on each cheek.    Bertrand’s eyes were bright with emotion as he looked at his king. “It’s engraved? But how?”      Liam smiled patting his back. “Because you are Bertrand Beaumont. There was never any doubt in my mind that you would succeed.”  Liam grinned, “I think this calls for a drink. I heard some rumor that someone brought enough champagne for a swimming pool?”     Maxwell was already running for his tent and the ice chest full of champagne. He brought the chest out and proudly presented a frosty bottle to Liam. “As requested!” His eyes got big. “Oh no! I forgot glasses!”    Drake chuckled, “Well we’ll have to suffer with the plastic cups in the picnic basket then.”    Liam deftly uncorked the champagne managing not to lose half the bottle in a geyser while Drake got the plastic cups from the picnic basket. They were all smiling as Liam toasted to Bertrand the newest Knight’s Marksman of Cordonia.

   As soon as the bottle was empty Drake stood and stretched. “Okay gents it’s time for you to gather up some firewood for the evening while I clean the fish and do the prep work for dinner.”

   Bertrand lifted a brow and sputtered at Drake ordering them around. Liam chuckled shaking his head and putting a hand on Bertrand’s shoulder. “Bertrand, you are in Drake’s domain now. And you would do well to accommodate him in this. Unless you want to learn to gut fish? Trust him, Bertrand, we’re in good hands.”

   Drake headed to his tent to get his ice chest and cooking gear. But called over his shoulder before ducking in the tent, “If you see a brush pile you need to poke it with a stick first; if you gentlemen hear something that sounds like a baby rattle in a bush you step back slowly the way you came. Do NOT investigate. We have venomous snakes here. One of the most common ones is a rattlesnake. You do not want to meet one.”

   Bertrand and Liam and Maxwell all exchanged looks as Drake disappeared into his tent.

    “Perhaps we should wait for you to finish your preparations and you can join us gathering wood?” Bertrand called to Drake.

    Drake came out of his tent with his rolling ice chest. “If you wish.” Drake grinned, “You know it’s a really nice day. How long has it been since you went swimming in a river?”

    Liam got a big grin but resisted telling Drake the last time was with Stephanie and thought that he really needed to take Hyclea to Forgotten Falls sometime soon.

    Maxwell giggled and Bertrand glared at him. “We Beaumonts do NOT swim in public.”

    “Well I guess it’s a good thing that we aren’t in public then.” Drake drawled. “This is all part of Walker Ranch, Bertrand. Private property and our own little piece of the San Saba river just for our use. But first let’s get some wood and get the fire started so it can make us some nice coals to cook on.”

     An hour later Drake was satisfied with the fire and they all headed back to the river. It was short work if somewhat messy for Drake cleaning the fish and icing them down. He grinned at the others who were sitting in their folding chairs sipping beers and enjoying just watching the river and talking about the morning. He stood from rinsing his hands and started unbuttoning his shirt. “You know we have a saying here….” He shrugged out of his shirt dropping it in his chair then whipped off his t-shirt and started pulling off his boots. “Actually, we have several sayings but two come to mind.”

    Liam grinned and started taking off his boots. “Bertrand you probably should take off your boots.” He advised.

    Bertrand just blinked uncomprehendingly as Drake continued to strip. “Beg pardon?”

    Drake grinned. “Help your brother with his boots Maxwell.”

    Maxwell didn’t look too sure for a moment but then got a huge grin. “Of course!” He got up and went over and started pulling on Bertrand’s boots ignoring Bertrand’s look of shock.

   Drake pulled his belt and dropped his jeans and boxers laying them over his shirts on his chair then taking a swig of the beer and setting his hat on top of his pile of clothes.

   Liam had unbuttoned his shirt and was grinning like a naughty eight year old. “Bertrand, come to think of it you might want to take off your clothes. You too Maxwell.”

    “I… Your Majesty?... I” Bertrand sputtered wide eyed.

    Maxwell got Bertrand’s second boot off then sat down and started pulling off his own boots. “We’re going skinny dipping!!!! Yes!!”

   “And Maxwell,” Drake’s tone was deadly, “If you take any pictures I will drown you and feed your body to the catfish. Do you understand me?”

   Maxwell nodded then answered Drake. “Understood. I’m leaving my phone in my pants.” Then he grinned and shimmied out of his clothes.

    “I’m not sure this is appropriate.” Bertrand muttered even as he was unbuttoning his shirt.

    Maxwell was dancing and singing “We’re going skinny dipping, skinny dipping, skinny dipping.”

    Drake went to his pile of clothes and found his phone to put on some music before he ran and jumped in the river. The cool water was an exhilarating shock and he surfaced a moment later with a whoop and laughing swiping the water out of his face. “Oh yeah… that saying… Last one in is a rotten egg!”

    Liam dashed and jumped in moments before Maxwell jumped grabbing his knees to cannonball for maximum splash. As soon as Maxwell popped up Drake and Liam splashed him laughing.

    “Bertrand you best come save your brother.” Liam called out to him before sending another scoop of water toward Maxwell.

    Bertrand set his hat on the neat pile of clothes on his chair before wading into the river and joining the water fight.

   For the next hour they played and joked and laughed as though twenty years had been shed from them with their clothes. The river carried them downstream a bit and rather than streak through the woods to get back to their clothes they swam to the shallows and waded back upstream.

   As they got dressed Bertrand cleared his throat. He blushed as he addressed them. “I, I just want to thank you all. This has been quite wonderful. It means a lot to me, to us really. I know Savannah was quite thrilled that so many have come.”

    Drake patted Bertrand on the back. “I know we have had differences in the past, Bertrand. But you put the light in my sister’s eyes and I know you love her. I’m happy to call you brother.”

    He rubbed the back of his neck then grinned.  “The fire should be ready, and I’m starving!”

    They made their way back to camp where Drake dug the potatoes he had wrapped in foil earlier and buried in the fire out before he set a grill over the coals and cooked the fish he had prepared earlier.

    Liam set the table up again and Maxwell brought out more champagne.

   All of them moaned with ecstasy at the first bite of the delicious fish.

   “Drake, this is the best fish I’ve ever tasted!” Bertrand exclaimed even as he took another bite.

   “To our chef of the evening! Drake! You have out done yourself my friend!” Liam lifted his plastic cup of champagne and they all clacked their cups together and drank.

   Drake blushed, “Well it helps that we were all pretty hungry. But I want to toast Bertrand, My Brother, My Friend, And the man that caught this delicious fish!”

   “To skinny dipping!” Maxwell gushed enthusiastically.

    The others all looked at Maxwell a moment then burst into laughter and toasted with him.

   “It was quite liberating actually.” Bertrand grinned and drank.

   “Hey, Maxwell what have you got planned for our after-dinner entertainment? I saw that huge duffel bag this morning.” Drake was taking a bite of a buttery baked potato.

   “Well it was quite a challenge to find something we could do out here. But I finally found the perfect thing!” Maxwell took another bite of the fish and poured more champagne into everyone’s cups.

   “And what is that?” Liam inquired.

   “Cock a Deux kits.”

   Drake choked barely turning his head in time to avoid spraying the champagne he’d just sipped on Bertrand.

    Liam looked alarmed, “Drake are you okay?” Drake waved, eyes watering.

   Bertrand looked at Maxwell, “Pray tell what is this Cock a deux kits?”

   Maxwell looked a little uncertain, a bit worried about Drake and not quite as sure how perfect this idea was now. “Well bachelor parties are supposed to have lots of alcohol and sexy entertainment. So the champagne was easy. I know you love Champagne, Bertrand. But sexy entertainment out in the woods.. Well that was hard. But Cock a deux kits are these kits you can make molds of your penis…”

   Liam snorted his drink and started coughing.

   Bertrand grew about three inches taller in his chair, “No. Absolutely not.”

   “It’s the perfect intimate gift for the one you love, Bertrand. And you can make vibrators, or chocolate, or candles and I thought at first candles, but burning one of those might be, I don’t know weird… I know Savannah would love it.”

   Drake was laughing so hard he was snorting and slapping his knee. “Maxwell…. how, how many did you get? That duffel bag was huge.”

   Maxwell mumbled so low no one could make out what he said.

   “Drake, I think you knew what this was. How have I not heard that story?” Liam chucked as he recovered enough to inquire.

   Drake grinned and shook his head. “Frat hazing. We had to make casts then make a candle and take it in. They lit the candle and then you had to go on a treasure hunt and find a hidden object before your candle burned down.”

   “Dare I ask?” Liam lifted a brow.

   “I’m certain you will.” Drake laughed. “Nope.” He snorted. “It’s… harder than you might think.” And then they all were laughing.

   “Hey… I was trying to do it without help. It’s definitely a two person job.”

   “There is NO Possible scenario!” Bertrand protested.

   “No… “ Drake was laughing so hard he was having a hard time catching his breath. “Not like that. I mean timing…. And slipping yourself into cold alginate isn’t the most conducive to staying in great mold making form so to speak.” Drake was still chuckling as he picked up his cup and refilled everyone’s. “To Cock-a-Deux” He crowed and tapped his cup to the others.

   “We gotta do this.”

    Liam laughed and hid his smirk in his cup as he drank. Thinking it was going to take a LOT more champagne to get Bertrand to participate in this escapade.

   Maxwell was slightly stunned that Drake was supporting him. But he went to his tent and got the duffel bag and brought it back out to the table.

   “You know what we really need if we want to get good molds? Good Lord alive, how many of these did you get Maxwell?” Drake looked at the size of the duffel bag that Maxwell had sat on the table. Drake opened it up and burst out laughing again. “Oh my… “ He started pulling them out. “We have candle kits, and vibrator kits, and chocolate kits, and this one looks like it just makes a neon colored body safe silicon dildo…. “ He doubled over laughing. “Sixteen cock kits….”

   Maxwell blushed. “I thought we might need to practice or something. And I read online that if you were too big you might have a hard time…” Drake shrieked with laughter. “Well it said that you have to be careful not to touch the bottom or the sides or it won’t work properly. And they recommended extra alginate and large plastic water bottles rather than the kit tube.”

    “Did… did they recommend… cock rings or Viagra? Cause I promise that’s the only way you get a good mold.” Drake was holding his ribs struggling to get control.

   “They did. So I got some of those, cock rings that is. Leather ones with a snap so you can get them off. There were some really bad pictures of men stuck in metal ones.” Maxwell shuddered.

    “I have some Viagra” Bertrand mumbled.

   “You do?” Maxwell, Drake, and Liam all turned to him at the same time.

    “Well yes. I, mean I don’t need it. It was like, like insurance. I could not bear the thought of disappointing Savannah on our wedding night or honeymoon...” He shrugged. “If you prefer the blue pill I can certainly spare three. As I said it was merely insurance not something I require. And I have far more than I would use I’m certain. I will not be engaging in this activity.”

   “Are you sure?” Drake raised his brow. “I am certain Savannah would cherish such a personal, unique gift from you Bertrand. I know Stephanie will love it. Hell, I may make her a full set!”

    Bertrand looked torn. “Truly? You think Savannah would, would appreciate such a thing?”

    “I’m certain she would love it.” Drake somehow managed to keep a straight face.

    Liam refilled the champagne cups. “I must admit to the clever novelty of the idea Maxwell. I am not quite certain when the time may be right for me to bestow such a thing on my intended. But as intimate gifts go it does seem more entertaining than a bejeweled toenail clipping.” He was chuckling as he finished his dinner.

    “So since you researched it Maxwell how are we going to go about this?” Drake was looking over the various kits and the extras.

   “Well we need to heat some water. Then we have to decide if the tube that the kit comes in is going to work or if you’ll need to use one of the large water bottles. The warmer it is the faster the alginate will set. But obviously it can’t be too warm. And if it’s too cold well we might not be able to, um, make a good impression. But that’s where the cock rings can help or I guess we could try the Viagra. I thought the person who is going to make the mold can go in their tent and tell us when to start making the alginate and then we can pass them the alginate when it’s ready.” Maxwell shrugged.

   Drake put a pot of water on the fire. “Maxwell you may have been right about how much champagne we may need.” He chuckled.

   Bertrand was frowning. “Are you actually going to do this?” He looked around at the other men with a raised brow.

    Liam laughed and filled Bertrand’s cup up again. “I honestly don’t see any harm in it Bertrand. It’s not as though we are doing something risky or sharing some intimacy with a stranger. It says here this dildo kit can be modified into a night light. It rather amuses me to think of bedecking the thing with flowers and having it set on the night stand as a night light.”

    “It amuses me to think of Maxwell using his to open champagne bottles at a future Beaumont Bash.” Drake chuckled.

    “I’m more concerned about Bartie using it as a sword to play pirate with the nanny.” Bertrand mumbled but finished his drink.

    After a few more rounds of drinks all of the men were agreed they would do it. Maxwell was going to go first. He said he would need the larger water bottle and the extra alginate. He went into his tent with one of the leather snap on cock rings and a few minutes later they heard the strains of an Argentine Tango coming from his tent.

    Drake put another pot of water on the fire and mixed hot water into the cold until Maxwell said he was ready. Then he mixed the warm water into the alginate as quickly as he could and poured the warm gloop into the cut off water bottle and handed it to Maxwell.

    A moment later… “Um… I may need some help. Maybe a chair?”

    The other men all looked at one another. Finally Drake chuckled and grabbed one of the chairs. “I’m coming in Maxwell.”

    Drake’s eyes got big as he entered the tent. Obviously Maxwell was a ‘grower’ not a ‘shower’ and he was very large and bound with the leather strap his tip nearly at his navel.

    “Could you maybe hold the container while I bend over and hold myself down? I can’t manage myself and it and if I tilt it, it’ll spill. This is harder than I thought it would be.”

    Drake took the bottle with the alginate and held it in the seat of the chair.  Maxwell leaned over the arms of the chair holding himself down and pushing his erection into the tepid solidifying alginate.

    “Good job Maxwell! Now you just need to think sexy thoughts for the next five minutes or so. And don’t move.”

    Maxwell shut his eyes and Drake struggled not to giggle as he held the container steady.

    It was actually about three or four minutes later when Maxwell opened his eyes. “Do you think it's hard enough yet?”

    “Maxwell you are literally balls deep in it, I would think you have a better idea than I do.”

    “Well maybe try to squeeze the bottle some and see if it squeezes?”

    Drake squeezed the bottle but it felt firm. “It seems firm. You want to pull out and see?”

    Maxwell carefully withdrew himself and grinned. “It worked!!”

   “Yay. Now please put yourself away. And just to be clear. You get to do the holding honors for Bertrand. I suspect he wouldn’t accept anyone else. So what are you going to make with this?”

   Maxwell considered carefully for a few minutes. “I think I’ll make a dildo. Then if I want to make other things I can use that to make other casts.”

    Drake grinned. “That’s brilliant, Maxwell. And yours came out much better than mine did years ago. It really does take a team to do this well.”

    They joined the others as soon as Maxwell was dressed and shared the thought that they should all make the silicone dildos and then they could use those in the future if they wished to make other things. The problem they ran into was that they had to use two of the dildo kits to get enough silicone to fill Maxwell’s cast.

   Liam said he would use one of the vibrator kits and he thought that could also be used to cast other molds if needed.

    Things went pretty well. Liam held for Drake. Drake held for Liam. They got good casts and by the time they were done Bertrand had enough to drink he was willing to make a token of his love for his love.

   Though he rejected the idea of needing a holder until he spilled the first bottle of alginate. Then he agreed to allow Maxwell to hold the second container for him. But even with the cock ring after all the alcohol he wasn’t quite up to where he needed to be. So he took a Viagra and they waited until he practically sang “Oh yes! We are most ready now!”

   Maxwell went in with the third bottle of alginate and Bertrand sank himself proudly and deeply into it. Ten minutes later they weren’t coming out. Drake and Liam looked at each other and then at the tent. A couple of minutes later they heard Maxwell speaking quietly.

   “Bertrand you need to pull out now.”

   “This seems to be stuck.” Bertrand had the ‘we are not amused’ tone in his voice.

   “Well, maybe unsnap the cock ring?”

    “Ouch! My hair! Ouch! We are just going to have to wait a bit longer.”

    Ten minutes passed with increased grumbling from Bertrand.

   “Bertrand it would probably help if you take that cock ring off. Just unsnap it.” Drake called out to him.

     “This infernal substance has solidified around my short hairs.”

    “Maxwell, can you come here a moment?” Liam called to Maxwell.

    Maxwell came out looking worried. “He really is stuck. It’s all glued in his hair I didn’t even think about it before it was too late.”

    Drake looked at Liam, “Do you still use a straight razor?”

    Liam laughed. “Yes. But I’ve also had about a bottle and a half of champagne. Do you really want me to geld your brother in law before his wedding?”

   Drake frowned. Then grinned. “I know who else shaves with a straight razor… And hasn’t been drinking. Oh he’s gonna love this.” Drake stood up and headed down the trail calling for Bastien.

   A few minutes later Drake proudly came back with the senior guard. “I told him he was our only hope. The future of the Duke of Ramsford depends on him.”

    Liam looked up and nodded. “You didn’t tell him what happened?” Liam smiled sweetly and offered Bastien a drink.

    “We’ve been drinking.”

    Bastien lifted a brow. “Indeed. How may I assist you Sir?”

   Liam pointed at the tent.

    Maxwell’s most calming voice carried to the guard. “Drake went to get assistance”

   “I don’t need assistance.”

    “Then pull out.”

    “You know I can’t.”

    “Then you need assistance at this point Bertrand.”

   Bastien lifted a brow at his King and Drake, “What sort of assistance does Duke Ramsford require may I ask.”

    “He needs a shave. In very close, delicate quarters. With a straight razor.” Liam chuckled. “I’ve been drinking. So we thought it best you assist since you have skill.”

    There was a very slight lift of his brow as he bowed to his king. “Do you have a shaving kit?”

    Liam got up, slightly unsteady and giggled a bit. “I always forget how champagne hits you when you stand.” He went to his tent and came back a minute later with his shaving kit.

    Bastien took it from him and went to the tent where the voices of Maxwell and Bertrand were emanating. He entered and stopped at the vision of Bertrand Beaumont naked from the waist down bent over a bottle filled to the brim with a pale green alginate his genitals submerged in the substance.

   “Your Grace, I have been asked to assist you.”

    “Lord Beaumont perhaps you could get your brother something strong to drink. And perhaps a first aid kit?”

    “First aid kit?” Bertrand queried in alarm.

    “Yes your Grace. I believe some anesthetic cream may ease your discomfort. I am going to shave your hairs that are accessible. And we will put some numbing cream on as much area as we can and then remove this.”

    Maxwell returned with Drake’s hip flask and the first aid kit and Bastien looked through it until he found a small tube of anesthetic/antiseptic cream. He told Bertrand to drink some of the whiskey and then lie back and think of pleasant things while he and Maxwell took care of him. He had Maxwell hold the flashlight and the container Bertrand was stuck in. And carefully examined what he was dealing with.

   “How long has he been in that cock ring?”

   “Thirty minutes maybe?”

    “We need to get that off him now.”

    “It has snaps. It just needs to be pulled and it’ll pop off.” Maxwell told Bastien.

    “It hurts to pull it. It pulls my hair.”

    “Your Grace, I need you to relax please.”

     Bastien carefully felt around the base of the strap until he located the snap.

    “That pains me!”

     “Yes. I know. My apologies.” Bastien held one end to steady it and jerked the snap open.

    “OUCH!! Damnit man I’m going to need those.” Bertrand howled.

    “Indeed your Grace. I believe you which is why we had to get that off you.” Bastien was actually very gentle as he smoothed the anesthetic cream on as much of Bertrand as was accessible.

    Bertrand sighed, “You have cold hands.”

     “My apologies your Grace. Do you feel any relief from your erection?”

     Bertrand blushed. “Not yet.”

    “Maxwell can you get me some ice please?” Bastien took the container from Maxwell.

    “Bertrand I’m going to put some ice on you. It should numb you a bit. Then I’m going to very carefully shave you as much as possible. And then we are going to take this mold off you. Hopefully. Do you understand me?”

    Bertrand nodded. “Please, please promise me you will not speak of this.”

    Bastien nodded. “On my honor, your Grace. We will never speak of this again.”

     “Thank you. You are a good man Bastien.”

    Maxwell returned with a tee shirt filled with chipped ice from the cooler and a bottle of water.

    Bastien had him hold the container and carefully tucked the ice and the tee shirt around the base of Bertrand’s cock while Bertrand made a strangled moaning protest. “That’s soooo cold!!”

    A few minute later Bastien took the ice away and pulled out the razor. Bertrand’s eyes got wide.

    “Is this completely necessary?”

     “Well you have quite a bit of hair stuck in this and we need to get you out of there. I do believe that shaving as much as we can will be much less painful, your Grace.”

   Bertrand nodded and lay back. “I can’t look.”

    Ever so carefully Bastien shaved as much of the hair as he could. “Now hold very still. On three we are going to remove this.

    One,” He nodded to Maxwell and Maxwell pulled the mold up and off his brother.

   Bertrand sat up yelling, “You said Three! That was NOT Three Maxwell!!”

    “Indeed your Grace,” Bastien smiled as he stood up. “It wasn’t three. But you know timing is everything. And you are free. I believe you have a rather impressive mold. And the Ramsford equipment seems to be intact.”

    Bertrand looked a bit startled then smiled. “Well done. And many thanks Bastien. Would you like some champagne? I think we still have some. Maxwell, get Bastien a bottle of champagne would you?”

    Maxwell grinned. “Of course. And Bastien we have extra mold kits if you like I’ll give you one….”

[alj4890]

Love Prompt

(Liam x Addison) in a quick peek at their love as requested by @krsnlove

(Liam x Addison Sinclaire) in the AU where Riley chooses to be with Maxwell instead of our crown prince. A little Hollywood romance might be just what is needed. Just the fluff for these two. 

A/N This is pure crack. It goes back to my need to see everyone have a happily ever after. If Riley picks one of the others to marry, then I need to see each one have a true love. After being done so dirty by PB and strung along through two books, Liam especially needs to find his true love. Then maybe the whole borrowing a Royal Heir might not happen, LOL.

Choices: The Royal Romance and Red Carpet Diaries Fan Fiction.

Masterlist

Song: Night and Day 

I Think of You

Addison crumbled another piece of paper and tossed it into the garbage. She let her head fall on her desk, knocking some rolls of material off. A dramatic groan escaped.

"Is there a problem?" Thomas asked from the doorway.

"No." Addison mumbled without raising her head. "Everything's great."

"Clearly." He muttered. "I suppose this is practice for a future overly dramatic display."

She propped her head on her hands and looked up at him. "You've been in love before."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Is that a question?"

She rolled her eyes. "I could use some advice."

"Very well. My advice is this: tell him." Thomas bent down and picked up a crumbled piece of paper. Before Addison could stop him, he read what she had written. "Hmm."

"Hmm, what?" She asked.

"As much as I applaud your romantic bent to write out your feelings by hand, do you want to put yourself through the torture of waiting for it to be delivered to him and then not knowing if he even received it. Letters get lost in the mail all the time. Injured pride then refuses to allow you to even ask if he read it." Thomas crumbled it up and threw it in her garbage can. "You need to tell him in person."

"Oh, well that's easy." She replied. "I will simply climb into my private jet, fly across the ocean, and boldly enter the palace. Then I will walk past all the guards and servants and tell Liam that I am in love with him. I will confess that I pretty much have been since I met him. He will naturally marry me and make me his queen, because every costume designer is well versed in running a country." Addison finished in a bitter tone that took Thomas by surprise.

"Pack your bags." He ordered.

She groaned again and covered her face. "I'm not up for your humor today."

"When have I ever shown I have a sense of humor?" He folded his arms and glared at her. "Make certain to pack a suitable ball gown."

She dropped her hands and looked up at him. "You're serious?" His irritated frown at being questioned made her smile. "We're going back to Cordonia? Wait. Why?"

"In thanks for filming his country so well in The Last Duchess, the King sent an invitation to attend a ball he is hosting at the palace." He produced the invitation and handed it to her. "Now, do you wish to go or not?"

Addison jumped up and hugged him. "I do! Thanks Thomas! You're the greatest."

He awkwardly patted her back. "Yes. Well. Go pack."

"Yes, sir!" She ran off as her excitemen grew.

_________________

"Did you ask her to come?" Drake asked.

Liam's expression hardened. "You can say her name."

"Okay." Drake looked down and started pulling at his white t-shirt.

"What are you doing?" Liam asked.

"Looking for blood. I think your tone might have drawn some." Drake joked. "You can't sound like me." His signature smirk appeared. "You're too nice to pull it off."

Liam scoffed while a ghost of a grin appeared. "In answer to your question, I inadvertently invited her."

"How does one inadvertently invite someone?" Drake poured them both a drink and sat down across from him.

"I sent Thomas Hunt an invitation." Liam confessed.

"And what? You think he will tell her and bring her?" Drake asked.

"That is my hope. If nothing else, perhaps I can find out how she is." Liam stared down into his glass.

"Wow. You are worse than when Brooks told you she was in love with Maxwell." Drake met Liam's glare and shrugged. "It's true."

"Be that as it may, it changes nothing. Addison still returned to America." Liam mumbled setting his full tumbler down. He rubbed his hands over his face. "It was foolish of me to think she might uproot her life for a chance to see what we could have as a couple after such a short time together."

"As I recall, she asked you to give her time to think." Drake reminded him.

"We all know that was the polite way of saying I don't feel the same way you do." Liam shook his head. "She hasn't attempted to contact me. I am a fool for still hoping." He stood up and walked over to the window of his study. His bright blue eyes traveled over the well kept grounds around the palace, touching on the spots he had walked with Addison. He had fallen for the costume designer and her gentle, optimistic heart.

They had spent weeks together while Thomas filmed his movie in Cordonia. During a royal visit to the set, he had been instantly attracted to her upon introduction. The more he was around her the more he wanted to remain by her side. It was a different feeling than it had been with Riley. There was no nervous uncertainty. No fear that something could come along and ruin it. No suitors or conspiracies interfering during their dates. They were simply two people spending time alone and getting to know one another.

Their first date had been dinner at Applewood. It still made him smile at all the questions she asked. Everything from his favorite color to if he could control one element which would it be was talked over. 

Their first kiss had been under the stars as he walked with her through Applewood's hedge maze. He had brushed her hair back when the wind blew it in her face and their eyes had met for a heated moment before their lips softly melded. He still remembered how she had kept her eyes closed for an extra minute, as if wanting to hold onto the moment for as long as she could.

He sighed. Liam wanted her. He wanted a life filled with her infectious laughter. He wanted her sweet embrace for his own when he had a difficult day. He wanted her beside him, holding his hand as he addressed his people. He wanted to see her walking towards him in a wedding gown of her own design. He wanted her to be the mother of his children. Queen Addison. He rather loved the sound of that.

"Earth to Liam." Drake said again.

"Sorry. Did you say something?" He asked Drake. He then noticed Bastien standing there waiting.

"Sir, some of the guests have begun to arrive." The guard repeated.

"Thank you, Bastien." Liam put his suit jacket on as he walked out.

____________

"I think I'm going to be sick." Addison gripped Thomas's arm.

"Get a hold of yourself!" Thomas whispered angrily. "You look lovely in that particular color of coral. Do you wish to ruin all the trouble you went through to look your best before greeting him? The man only sent me an invitation in the hopes you would accompany me."

"He did?" Her blue eyes grew in size at that revelation. "Did Liam tell you that?"

"Of course not!" He looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. "God save me from romance. If this is love I want no part of it." Thomas grumbled. "It is obvious why I was sent an invitation."

"Liam is incredibly sweet. He might have truly invited you for the reasons he stated." Addison countered.

"Fine. Choose to believe that nonsense if you wish." Thomas shrugged. "I suppose then you have no problem greeting him."

"I--no-- of course." Addison lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. "It is only polite to thank him."

Thomas mumbled something she didn't quite hear. She did manage to catch the words asinine, love, and riddance. To calm her nerves, she focused on the way her long skirt changed shades of coral with each step in the romantic lighting. The bodice of her dress sparkled and her long blonde hair shined, drawing many eyes toward her.

I can do this, she thought. No matter how Liam feels about me, he will be kind. He is the best person I have ever met. So easy to love. She audibly swallowed. They were next in line to meet him. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the man she had fallen head over heels for.

Liam was dressed in white. His royal regalia was on full display. It was as if he had stepped from the pages of her favorite fairy tale. The crisp white material had somehow made everything about him infinitely more attractive. His blue eyes, dark blonde hair, and tanned skin were made to be shown against such a stark canvas..

After bowing to the nobles he was talking to, he turned with a welcoming smile that froze when his eyes landed on her. A good fifteen seconds of silence hovered between them before Thomas cleared his throat and greeted the young king.

"Welcome back to Cordonia, Mr. Hunt. Ms. Sinclaire." Liam shook the director's hand and then took Addison's. He bowed and pressed his lips to her knuckles. "I hope your flight was pleasant."

"It was." She said softly. "Thank you." Their eyes remained locked on one another.

Thomas looked at them and then over to the orchestra preparing to begin the ball. He cleared his throat again and started to inch away. "If you both will excuse me, I am in need of something to drink." He gently pushed Addison closer to Liam. "Your majesty, if you wouldn't mind escorting Addison to where she should go..." He walked away with a slight smile.

"It would be my pleasure." Liam remarked, his eyes remaining on the vision before him. "You look beautiful, Lady Addison."

She blushed and thanked him. "I didn't believe you could become more handsome, but here you are." She smiled up at him. "How do you always find a way to improve upon perfection?"

His grip on her hand tightened. The first strains of a waltz began and he asked her to dance. She nodded and held her breath when he took her into his arms.

Addison looked up at him and tried to talk. "How have you been?"

Liam remained silent as he looked into her eyes. He opened his mouth and shook his head. Ignoring the stares and whispers, he took her hand and led her out the doors that led into the courtyard.

He took her deep into the shadows, stopping once they were well away from nobles milling about the grounds. "Forgive me, but I need some privacy if we are to talk."

"I'm so sorry, Liam. I didn't mean to make you feel," she waved in a flustered manner. "Whatever it is my question caused."

He took a deep breath. "Addison, I am miserable."

Her eyes widened. "You are?"

"I am merely going through the motions of my duties and life in general." He took a step closer to her. His warm hands engulfed hers and he closed his eyes before looking back at her. "My feelings for you have only become stronger. I..." He swallowed. "I'm in love with you."

"You are?" Addison grimaced at her inability to say anything more.

He raised one of her hands to his lips. His eyes held such hope. "I know I shouldn't ask, but..." He trailed off.

"But what?" Addison gave into that magnetic pull that happened whenever she was near Liam. She took a step closer, her skirt brushing against his pants.

"Do you..." He felt truly afraid to ask her. If she told him she didn't feel the same or could never return his love, how could he go on without that glimmer of hope?

Addison watched him struggle to speak. She gently placed her hands on either side of his face. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. His instant, passionate reaction stole every thought from her. Her hands moved into his hair as he pulled her body flush to his.

When his lips moved down her neck, she couldn't hold in her feelings any longer. "I love you so much, Liam."

He froze. She leaned back in his arms. "I've tried to think realistically about how you should be with someone who has studied politics and courtly ways, but all I can think of is being with you. I know you could find someone better suited as your queen, but I want to be with you."

His lips crashed down on hers. He lifted her off the ground and spun her until she broke away to laugh. His smile filled with happiness took her breath away. Liam took her hand and knelt down. "Addison, my Addison." He tenderly kissed her hand. "I love you with all my heart. You are what I want for the rest of my life." Her smile caused his own to grow brighter.

She looked around the courtyard and seemed to become more nervous. "I--I'm not sure-- what am I supposed to say to a king?"

He stood up and kissed her cheek. "Whatever you want, my love. After all," his smile held a hint of humor. "You will be the Queen of Cordonia."

She laughed and threw her arms around his neck. "Is it improper for the future queen to be so in love with the king?"

"Quite the opposite." His smile turned tender. "Besides, no one will notice."

"They won't? And how do you know that?" She asked, pressing a kiss to his lips.

"Because they will be too focused on how in love their king is with you."

[stopforamoment]

Part Two: Cherish (Series 20, Part 2 of 5)

Series Twenty: Cracked (Five Parts) Part Two: Cherish (Series 20, Part 2 of 5) My masterlist is at the end of my bio.

Book: The Royal Romance (After Book Three) Pairing: Bastien Lykel x OC Rinda Parks Word Count: 258   Rating: M for Language

Author’s Note: Obligatory disclaimer that Pixelberry Studios owns the TRR characters and my pocketbook with those darn diamond scenes. OFC with all of her quirks is all mine. My apologies if Tumblr or I do something stupid when I try to post this. The keep reading link shows up on my laptop but not my phone. Ugh. Thank you @asherella-is-a-dork-3 and @bobasheebaby for always being my sounding board! Thank you @cora-nova @silviasutton1989  ​ @riseandshinelittleblossom​ for being my thirsty Bastien friends and for still being a part of the journey! Series Summary: This is a little transition to give some more background on Rinda’s unhealthy methods of coping with relationship cracks. It’s also meant to help give Rinda a push in the right direction with her healing process (remember, she lies and says she’s fine, but she holds onto things), and the next few series will go more in-depth with that.

Chapter Summary: Bastien and Rinda get some advice from Nico, their weekend shuttle driver.

Part Two: Cherish

Rinda saw the shuttle driver in the parking lot and walked over to say goodbye. “Nico, do you ever sleep?”

He smiled. “I’ve been working some extra hours, but I worked through the night and I’m almost done with my shift.” He leaned closer. “You look like shit, but it seems like you’re doing better?”

“I am. Thank you, Nico. And thank you for walking me to the door last night. I appreciate it.”

He nodded. “Of course. Is he doing a good job making up with you?”

“Yes. The best he can, considering I’m being a stubborn bitch right now.”

Nico chuckled. “Not everyone can admit that. But I can tell he cares for you very much, and he looks even worse than you—if that’s even possible. Don’t let stubbornness close off your heart.” Rinda looked down, nodding her head.

And now it was Bastien’s turn. “You know you have a great girl here, right?”

“Yes, she’s the best. And I’m a fucking idiot who hurt her more than you will ever know.”

Nico nodded. “When I get home I’m going to hug my wife and love her like she’s never been loved before. We’ve been married 30 years, and every day I love her even more. I don’t know why she puts up with me, but she does. Even when I fuck up. I’m the luckiest man in the world, and the day I stop cherishing her is the day I deserve to lose that amazing woman.” He winked. “You two have a good day.”