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prettyboisteveharrington · 7 months ago

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Return To Sender

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Chapter one - With a little help

Drake Walker x Rose Thorne ( MC)

WC: 4,1K

Summery: When Rose Thorne gets a second chance to be back in Cordonia and be back with Drake- Will he be able to be with her or will the risk of hurting his best friend be too much for him to bare?

(Rewrite of the royal romance book two with a focus on the romance between Drake and Mc plus friendships)

While sitting at the Cordonian airport you looked out through the windows with your head in your hands and tears streaming down on your face. In the last eight months you had come to fall in love with Cordonia both it's people and the people you had met through your journey.

You were going to miss Hana – the beautiful and talented Hana who had truly become your bestest friend. You were going to miss sneaking down in the kitchen at 3 am with her to make hot chocolate filled with whipped cream and soo many delicious marshmallows.

You were going to miss Maxwell's high energy and jumping on the massive beds with him and Bertrand scolding you both. You were going to miss how gentle of a person Liam was, he was always good company and he had a lot of trust in him which was something you admired.

You remembered your mother's final words before she and you left your family home after her and your father had gone through a messy divorce.

Trust is not something you can ever give away freely Rosaline, It must be earned

But the person you were going to miss the very most out of everyone was Drake. Funny, sarcastic but underneath that harsh layer was a much softer side of Drake that he only showed to the people who really mattered. In the very beginning he had fascinated you and drew you in but you had really started to fall for him after he had let down his guard around you and you had spend more time together just the two of you.

You wish you had gotten a chance to explore the magnetism you both obviously felt for each other however you knew he was hesitant to fully be with you because of Liam.

Now boarding economy class for passengers of flight PB205 to New York City...

'Well I guess that's me... Goodbye Cordonia' you said and wishfully looked out the window one last time to say goodbye.

The palace guards who had escorted you to the airport were watching closely.

You look through your bag for your boarding pass when you hear a familiar voice

'Rose! Wait!'

you turn around to see Maxwell and Bertrand running towards you before they are stopped by the palace guards

'you will keep your hands to yourselves. I am the Duke of Ramsford!' Bertrand says clearly agitated

After hearing that Bertrand and Maxwell are noble the guards back off and they both rush over to you

'Rose!' Maxwell exclaims before pulling you into a strong embrace, you hug him back tenderly

'I hope you came here to help me?' you asks anxiously, but you are hopeful that there's still hope for you to go back to Cordonia, to your friends.

' Kind off? We don't have any concreate answers for you but we are both here for you and of course we both believe that you had nothing to do with the scandal' Maxwell says trying to reassure you.

'Really? Both of you believe me? Even Bertrand' you ask sceptically as you look over at Bertrand who doesn't look fully convinced of your innocence.

' Lady Rose ... Did you have a romantic relationship with Tariq behind close doors?'

'Bertrand of course she didn't! It was a set up' Maxwell says shocked at how his brother is behaving

Bertrand looks over at Maxwell then back at you

'Maxwell let her answer for herself. I need to hear the truth from her'

' Bertrand... I never had a romantic relationship with Tariq. But I think I'm falling in love with someone else..' You say and look down at the ground, you take a deep breath before you look back up and Maxwell mouths 'Drake?' you look at him with a different ray of emotions shock, fear then disbelief before you mouth back ' how did you know?' and Maxwell shrugs smugly.

'Now now children we have important things we must discuss' Bertrand scolds both of you.

' What do you suggest we do' you ask in a serious tone of voice

'We want to take you back to Cordonia'

' Well you were clearly set up. We will not take this laying down. No one smears the name of House Beaumont' Bertrand says with determination

'But Liam chose someone else'

'There's a constitutional provision that states the king can change his mind under certain circumstances. It it hard to change but it isn't impossible. Whoever is plotting against you wish you unwell and we must stop them immediately' .

'Really? You would do all of this for me?' you ask feeling both gratitude and a bit overwhelmed

' You aren't to blame Lady Rose. The Court shouldn't have reacted so harshly and those culprits who set you up need to pay for this. House Beaumont supports you unequivocally and we are on your side until the bitter end'

You pull Bertrand into a hug and Maxwell joins you before yelling 'GROUP HUG'

Maxwell and Bertrand inform you that clearing your name isn't going to be a piece of cake but that they will do anything they can to help you prove your innocence. They fill you in on the fact that for you to have the best chances to clear your name you must join Madeleine's engagement tour.

'What do you say Rose? You want to go back and clear your name and find the love of your life

that would otherwise be lost forever' Maxwell says overly dramatic for show and normally you would giggle but you need to think about this

You want to go back to court and clear your name more than anything, to see your friends again and see Drake more than anything, but you are scared.

What if it doesn't work? What if they are better off without you? Your fingers tremble as you put a bit of your hair behind your ear and you take a deep breath.

You got this. You can do it.

Final call for economy class passengers of flight PB205 to New York City... final call...

'Bertrand, take my bag!! let's get this show on the road'

Bertrand looks at you clearly flabbergasted.

'your b- your bag!!'

you give him your best puppy dog eyes.

'just this once? Pretty please? It is a very important occasion'

Bertrand rolls his eyes and reluctantly agrees before reminding you that it won't be a reoccurring thing.

'After what happened earlier I didn't think I would see any of you again let alone hear from you. I thought you had given up on me' you express sadly as you, Maxwell and Bertrand make your way towards the limo.

'We would never leave you behind!We came as soon as we could but security had split us up into separate holding rooms until Bertrand gave them a mouthful and demanded we were let go' Maxwell says and you crack a smile for the first time all night since arriving at the airport.

'No one treats the Duke of Ramsford or house Beaumont with anything less than respect.. Get in the limo. We have a lot of work to do before the welcome party at Madeleine's estate.

' Sr yes sir' you say playfully before you get into the limo.

The next six weeks is spent rebuilding your image and going over etiquette so you know how to describe food, learning to perfect your quickstep and what forks to use for which meals, you're missing everyone dearly but you have been told minimal contact with your friends is for the best at

the moment and no one has reached out to you and it hurts.

You miss Hana dearly but she must be home with her parents now and that must have taken a toll on her. Liam must be busy with his engagement and his princely duties. Drakes withdrawal hurts the most, there was something real between you and you cannot believe he hasn't sent as much as a text message. Do you not matter to him as much as he matters to you?

You also spend the next six weeks physically changing your image, new gowns are bought for the upcoming tour, Maxwell and Bertrand got a family friend who happened to be a stylist into the Beaumont estate and she gives your hair a transformation from red hair to black hair with blue ombre tips, you absolutely adore your new look, it feels like such a needed change, like a rebirth. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The day of Madeleine's welcome party arrives and you are beyond nervous, why do you care so much what the people at court will think of you re-entering society?

You suppose the only opinions you actually care about is your friends, you didn't have the best up brining with a lot of friends and you absolute hated being in big crowds as it always triggered your social anxiety.

You look outside at Madeleine's estate from the windows you take in the beautiful fountain, the rose bushes and the lush green grass and sigh.

Maxwell knocks on your door later in the afternoon.

'Rose?' He asks gently when you look towards the door.

'come in' you say silently and look back out the window.

Maxwell senses your distress and goes over and sits down next to you.

'what's on your mind?' Maxwell asks you softly as he puts his hand lightly on top of yours.

'I really am that transparent aren't I?' you asks and sigh

' Only because I know my bestest friend'

' It's been almost two months since I've heard from anyone besides you and Bertrand.. I thought at least.. '

'Drake would have reached out?' Maxwell finishes the sentence for you and gives you a knowing look.

you nod and lean your head on his shoulder and avoid his gaze that you can feel lingering on you.

' To be fair, Drake usually keeps to himself.. sometimes months go by before we talk. You know how much nobles drain him'

' oh' is the best response you can muster at the moment as it feels like a knife has been twisted into your stomach.

What if you won't hear from Drake for months or ever again? Just thinking about it hurts so much. Before Maxwell has any time to reassure you Bertrand enters your room

' Lady Rose, you need to get ready for the welcome party. Remember this is your grand re-entrance to courtly society. You must look impeccable'

Bertrand hands you an elegant blue dress and you go to the bathroom and change into it. You take in yourself in the dress in the mirror, the dress accentuates your chest without being too lowcut and it hugs your curves in all the right places. The dress isn't something you would have ever chosen for yourself but it's very pretty, it's knee length, silk and it has beautiful sequins on the bottom of the dress.

As you walk out both Bertrand and Maxwell reassure you that you look absolutely gorgeous and you smile at them before thanking them for them dress before walking out of your room and towards the party.

Once the doors open to the grand hall of Madeleine's manor you can hear people gasping and whispering and they are staring at you. You notice the press looking at you as well. It's showtime.

You plaster a fake smile on your face as you enter the grand hall and you squeeze Maxwell's arm for support and he grins at you.

'You're doing well Rose'

'Thank you Max' you say thankfully and try to relax at least a little

you manage to curtsy and introduce yourself to Madeleine's mother, catch up with Penelope and Kiara and you find out they are part of Madeleine's bachelorette party. You congratulate Madeleine on her engagement with Liam and somehow you manage not to get frustrated too much by Madeleine's rude behaviour. You definitely don't care enough about her to care what she thinks of you.

As you turn around you see Liam for the first time in two months and while you don't harbour any romantic feelings for him, you still care about him and want to free him from Madeleine.

'Lady Rose I was not expecting to see you...' Liam says shocked

'Liam! I missed you'

'I've.. I've missed you too' he says and looks at you with a sad expression on his face.

'we need to --'

Liam is interrupted by Madeleine as she puts her hand on his arm and leans in to kiss his cheek before she guides him away.

You and Maxwell walk around the room and you lean in and say ' if Drake comes back at court then

I need to tell Liam the truth. He deserves to know that while I do care for him that I do not love him. He deserves that much. He doesn't deserve to be lead on'.

'I know you want to let him know and you should Rose but I think you should wait until you have spoken with Drake until you make up your mind'

'I don't want to hurt Liam or get his hopes up, but I do need to talk to Drake first'

Maxwell guides you over to the table Bertrand is sitting at and you all share your information that you have learned tonight, you learn that Tariq has left court and the best way to clear your name is to make him make a statement of what really happened the night he was tricked into your room under false pretences. Both of you were played and clearly whoever is behind this wanted him out of court so he couldn't tell everyone the truth.

As you lie in bed at night and stare at the ceiling you sigh, you just want this whole scandal thing to be over, you want to start over in Cordonia not as a queen but as one of the people. You wish Hana and Drake were here right now as you miss them dearly.

If things are real between you and Drake you want to find out in whatever shape it can take, all you know right now is that you long for more time with him.

You wonder when he will return to court and if at he will be back soon at all. As much as your heart yearns for him most of all you miss the group hangouts with him and his friendship.

You wake up the next morning to a soft knock on the door, you yawn and stretch before you go over to the door to open it

'Max.. isn't this kind of ear-'

'Rose!!'

You gawk at the person standing in the doorway, it isn't Maxwell it's Hana. You didn't think you would see her again. You thought she would be back home with her dreadful and controlling parents.

You have spent many nights worried for your best friend and her well being, now that she's standing in front of you it feels like an illusion or a dream.

You grab her waist gently and pull her into a bone crushing hug and she hugs you back just as fiercely.

'oh Hana! I missed you so much' you exclaim happily as you still hang onto her for dear life.

' I missed you too'

as you slowly let go of her you go to sit down on your bed and she follows you and sit down across from you.

' I was so worried that you weren't coming back'

' To be honest I didn't think I was either. '

'Does your parents know you're here?

'I'm here with their blessing actually. Countess Madeleine called my father and invited me to stay in Cordonia as part of the wedding party and she promised my parents she would help me find a match worthy of the family name'

'Oh Hana that's great! It is great right??...Wait.. Is this what you really want?'

You were so happy she was back but the pressure of her finding someone and her parents expectations for her were too much pressure. Plus it was highly unlikely they approved of the two of you being friends after the scandal and because you encouraged her to be free instead of caged in like some sort of bird.

Hana seems to think about her response for a minute.

' When I heard you were coming back I couldn't get back to Cordonia fast enough. You are the real reason I want to be here'

You put your hand on top of hers and smiled. It truly was good to see her.

'What made you decide to come back?'

' Well my decision to come back was threefold really, I want to clear my name and save Liam from Madeleine because he deserves better and I really want to spend more time with -'

'Drake?' Hana adds and nudges her shoulder into yours

' That obvious huh?'

' I mean it's the way you look at each other when you think no one is looking'

'Oh' you feel your cheeks get warm and you smile widely

'I want to help you clear your name Rose, I hate the idea of anyone scheming against you... anyway.. Have you seen Drake yet? He wouldn't stop talking about how we need to stop the people who are scheming against you'

Ohhh. So he did want to talk to you? You wondered why he hadn't reached out yet. Wondered if he was okay. You missed his grumpy face.

Before you can answer Hana there's a knock on the door and you open it to reveal Maxwell and he lights up when he sees Hana, he rushes over to her and pull her into a hug, you join them.

' I feared we wouldn't see you ever again! Bertrand was convinced you were gone for good'

' It's really good to see you as well Max' Hana says earnestly

Hana, you and Maxwell head to the estate's boutique together so both you and Hana can get ready for Madeleine's engagement party. Changing is for sure more fun when you are around your bestest friend. Maxwell leaves to prep things for later with Bertrand.

You look through the different dresses for something nice to wear.

' So... you've been here for the last day.. how has everything been?'

' Oh so much better now that you are here' you admit you have missed her so so very much

'I came just in time then' Hana smiles at you before squeezing your shoulder softly

' Promise me we will always keep in touch.. Hana, I can't do any of this without you near me' you admit shyly as Hana finds you a gorgeous pink dress for you to try on.

' I will do my very best to make sure that won't happen' she reassures you as you turn around and go into the changing room.

Once you have tried the dress on you show it to Hana, it's a white silk dress with pastel pink lace over it, it's knee length with short sleeves. Hana helps you sip up the dress

' Soo.. what do we think of the dress?' you say and twirl

' You look like you're ready to knock them all out with your beauty'

' Thank you Hana, you are far too kind.. I never got the chance to ask you but.. how does your parents feel about us being friends after everything that has happened recently?' you ask nervously, you hope Hana hasn't been upset because your friendship.

' they haven't been too happy I'm afraid'

' Should I keep my distance until the scandal dies down?' you ask in a wounded tone of voice

You don't want to stay away from your best friend but you also don't want to to cause her any more harm than your kindship has probably already caused her. You will stay away from her if you must but the thought saddens you deeply.

' my parents are dear to me.. But they cannot stop us from being close'

'I'm proud of you for standing your ground. I know how hard that can be'

Hana goes into the dressing room and comes out in a beautiful pink dress that's made out of silk, you lock elbows with each other and head out of the boutique.

Once you and Hana reach the lawn outside Madeleine's grounds Madeleine spots the two of you and she looks furious for a minute before her expression becomes stoic. Madeleine makes a toast thanking her mother, the king and queen and Liam. Madeleine is obviously trying to make you jealous as she kisses Liam's cheek but you just resist the urge to roll your eyes, if she only knew where your heart belonged...

Madeleine approaches you to remind you that because of her Hana is back and that you should both be grateful to her, you thank her in a sarcastic voice, if she ever hurts Hana you will pounce. No one gets to hurt her and you do not trust Madeleine, not around Liam and certainly not around Hana.

Liam comes over and join your conversation, he's happy to see Hana again, he mentions that it's good to see you as well and says that you're beautiful and you smile at him. Once he leaves Madeleine reminds you that he belongs to her especially when they are out in public.

You resist to roll your eyes at her and once she leaves you and Hana burst out laughing.

' If she only knew the truth' Hana comments and you giggle again.

Bertrand and Maxwell comes to escort you and Hana away from the crowd and into the ball room to talk to you. It seems very urgent so you agree and follow them, once you reach the ballroom you give them a serious look.

'what's the matter? You ask cautiously

' Tariq's not just out of court, it appears that he is out of the country so finding him will not be easy' Bertrand confirms what you had already feared. Clearing your name will be so much harder now.

'Madeleine doesn't seem to know were he is either.. If what she says is the truth.. what do we do now?'

' At the moment there isn't much for us to investigate... however our next stop is Applewood Manor where the photos were taken.. I believe there must be clues there. In fact we are going to head up there before the tour does. Once the festivities end we will go there'.

You and Hana head up to your bedroom with cinnamon, cups, chocolate powder, marshmallows, whipped cream and milk to make hot chocolate. While Hana makes you both a cup of hot chocolate you two catch up on lost time. It's good to be in her presence again.

Hana lets you know that her parents where disappointed with her performance during the courting season and that they limited her access to the outside world after, you feel angry on her behalf and upset that it might have been because of your influence. You let Hana know that if she ever needs anything that you have her back and you apologize if your actions hurt her but she reassures you that it was not your fault. The two of you decide to talk about happier things but the guilt you feel for how she was treated hurts your heart deeply.

'What qualities do you look for in a future partner.. And what drew you in particular to Drake?' Hana asks you shyly

you look at her for a moment taking in her expression. You wonder if she has ever had many boyfriends or even girlfriends before her previous engagement.

You have dated a few men and women and you have been attacked to different looks and different personalities. But there has always been one common personality trait that's drawn you in the most.

' I take it you haven't dated much?' you ask softly

'Only my ex finance really and that didn't end very successfully' Hana says earnestly.

' I've been attracted to different things in the past but the one common trait they all had was that they were kind. Drake is -despite being very grumpy at times – very kind, he's funny, fiercely loyal and overall he's just a total softy' you say and look at her warmly

' When it comes to dating Hana go for the person who makes you happy, who values you and treasures your connection'

' I shall think of that next time someone catches my eye'

'And Hana?' you ask as you put your hand on hers and squeezes it gently

'Yes Rose?'

'Don't settle for less than you deserve, you are funny, sweet, extremely talented and you deserve the world... Don't ever forget that'

Hana seems speechless so she nods and puts her head on your shoulder.

In the evening you decide to go for an evening walk around the grounds, you spot someone in the darkness, he's dark haired, tall and in a jean jacket -

'Dr- Drake!' you exclaim and as the person turns around you see that is Drake.

#drake walker x mc #drake walker #the royal romance #liam rys #hana lee #maxwell beaumont #MC is down for Drake bad and everyone more or less knows #idiots in love #grumpy x sunshine #I started writing this at 10pm till like 3ish knowing I have a busy week next week #why do i do this to myself #whyyy #enjoy and please comment #english is my second language #pls be nice #Hana Lee is a lesbian in this #Maxwell is Gay #MC is bi/pan

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