#theroyalromance

[msjr0119]

This life

PART ONE

The majority of characters belong to Pixelberry from The Royal Romance/Heir. This is an A/U - with only parts being linked to canon.

Series warnings ⚠️: Adult language, sexual, adultery, loss of a baby.

Based on the Netflix series- Sex/life. A few parts of dialogue are from the tv series.

Please do not read unless you are over 18 🔞

Tags: Because I’ve been gone MIA in like forever I don’t know who’s here anymore 🙈… so only tagging people who have asked previously.

@ao719 @kingliam2019 @txemrn

Previously: Introduction

****

School psychologists aren't supposed to write books or diaries about sex. Doing so would be considered 'unethical' and 'a fireable offense'. Lucky for you, ethics was never my strong suit.

****

“It’s good to see you, Brooks.”

“It’s Cooper-“ Due to the shock, this was the only thing that Riley could mutter. Finally making eye contact, he gave her the refined look of innocence. “My surname is now, Cooper.”

They say that New York City is one of the worlds best places to take a run. Running was never my forte- I impersonated Phoebe in that one episode of Friends. The emotional pain that I felt in this moment, I’m not sure how many miles my body could suffer before shutting down…

“Riley! Wait!”

****

Olivia Nevrakis was never one to leave the house without looking presentable. Her attire generally consisted of stiletto’s which matched anything that contained sequins. She always used to say that she wore these type of shoes for self defence. In the frantic attempt to catch up with Riley, this one time she accepted that sneakers would have to do.

“Where’s, Riley?” Liam questioned as he scrutinised the unusual appearance from their friend.

“I’m glad I’ve found you- I don’t know. I assumed that she came back here, to you both?”

“What do you mean, Olivia?” There was no need for an explanation- the figure that ambled towards them confirmed the reason behind Riley’s disappearance.

“What the fuck is he doing here?”

“It’s a free country, Linz…. Liam, looking good bro!”

“Listen to what I’m about to say, Drake.. I am not your ‘bro’…” Exaggerating the word ‘bro’, Drake took a big gulp as Liam squared up towards him. “If anything happens to Riley- I will kill you this time!”

“You haven’t got it in you, Li-“ The tension between the two old friends, could have exploded due to the overload of built up anger that had been formed over the years. Olivia ‘sacrificed’ herself, separating them both- as they continued providing death stares. Neither wanted to throw the first fist or insult any further- in that moment there was the realisation that they both wanted the same thing. For Riley to be found- safe. Drake stepped back, and to everybody’s surprise expressed a slight bit of remorse.

“I fucked up, Li. I know that. I regret it each and every day. At least she has Preston to look after her, he’s a lucky guy.”

“Preston is an intelligent and caring….” This slight description stabbed Drake in the heart- if given an opportunity Lindsey would continue to dig the ‘knife’ as revenge for the pain that he had caused her sister. “Preston… he’s… The most an amazing three year old.”

“Excuse me?”

“Preston is my nephew- Riley’s son.” Awareness had finally hit, Drake- he had his wires crossed. Wishing that he hadn’t mentioned Preston, the confirmation of his identity now pulled on his heartstrings. Concealing his true feelings, he nodded to the trio- before leaving without another word.

“Lindsey, Liam- myself and Drake… it’s not what you are both assuming. I would never do that to, Ri. I can explain. It was just bad timing.” Olivia pleaded her innocence- she now knew that the jetlag would have to be put on hold whilst she explained the unexpected return of Drake Walker.

****

January 3rd

Let’s try this again. Drama. Life is always full of it in my case. The life of Riley Brooks. It probably would make more entertainment than the Kardashian’s.

Alcohol acts in crazy ways. It affects people differently. It can make you feel invisible- or at least it did for me tonight. I still can’t remember how I had the energy or knowledge on how to get home safely. Walking up the drive, I noticed my snobby and nosey neighbours- Hannah and Neville peering out the window. My brain was informing me to provide them with the middle finger gesture. Instead I gave a friendly neighbour wave along with the biggest fake smile that I could provide. The curtain soon shut as the pair probably scurried away like the rats that they are. What dickheads. If I know Hannah well, I can predict that she will visit tomorrow with a basket full of freshly baked muffins waiting for the tea to be spilled. The women here believe that they are the real life ‘Desperate Housewives’. Riverside may appear to be a seemingly perfect neighbourhood but like Wisteria Lane - here it more than likely also hides; many secrets, crimes, forbidden romances and domestic struggles.

Betrayal. It can occur in different ways. But you never expect it to happen with people whom you loved. The same two people who you trusted with all your heart once upon a time.

My husband is as gorgeous inside as out. I’ve never once caught him looking at another woman. To be honest, I’ve never caught him in a lie- or had proof to prove any potential deceit. So what’s the problem?

“Honey, where are you?”

“I’m upstairs, Nate.”

“Ri, things have been super crazy at work. You have no idea.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. We’re talking post-merger madness. Everyone is just angling for a position. They are all trying to show off for the new boss, you know.” Katrina- fantastic, little miss perfect Katrina. You can say her name, Nate. “She’s great, she wants to do all the things that I want to do- but on a much larger scale.”

“Wow.” Attempting to show a slight bit of interest, Riley didn’t realise how sarcastic that she may have sounded.

“Yeah, people are swarming- but she sees me. She loves me.” Nate noticed that Riley was in a daze, as she didn’t respond to him immediately. Laying next to her, he planted an attentive kiss on her forehead. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just miss you.”

“Excuse me. It’s her.” Acting dumb, Riley knew exactly who was on the other line. It’s a bit late for a work business call. “It’s her, my boss…. I won’t be long, Ri…’Katrina, hey! How are you?’” Laughing during his conversation, Riley couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed like that towards her.

The problem for Katrina, Nate Cooper is married to me. Before I met him, I had been contorted into a high percentage of the positions in the Kama sutra. Shouldn’t we all? There was rich guys, poor guys, tattooed guys, the one night stand guys. Any kind of man. Do I sound like a whore?

“We’ll sit down tomorrow just you and I, to discuss it Kat. See you then, bye.” Kat? Pet names now. The old boss was known as Mr Wilson- not by first name terms.

“Told ya, Ri. She loves me.”

“Who doesn’t?” Riley replied again in a sarcastic type of way.

I bet people often wonder why I married some man who was so straight-laced as to say. Honestly, it’s because of all the past encounters- especially, Walker. My nerves were so shot by the time that I had met Nate. As I’ve said previously I was vulnerable. My heart was riding on fumes- the stability that he offered was a soothing balm. At the time, I wanted us to live for a hundred years and die at the exact same moment to avoid any pain. I hoped that our souls would find each other on the other side- if that truly exists. We could fall in love all over again….I just also want to fuck Nate’s brains out, mainly as a distraction from the impromptu night that I have just had. Is that too much to ask?

****

January 4th

Last night or rather this morning was a complete disaster… When you have the urge to fuck your partner- you need to do it there and then, right? Why is it so hard to both be in the mood at the same time once you are married with kids? The way things are at the moment, I feel I’m like a reborn virgin.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to ask. Ioana mentioned that Liam and Lindsey came over. You should have gone out.”

That supportive look that he provided, was the complete opposite of what he would have really expressed. If he knew the truth, the calmness of his voice would be a different matter. Is he a controlling husband? Maybe. Protective- yes. What he doesn’t understand, is that I need to let my hair down once in a blue moon.

“I wasn’t up to it.”

To prevent my lie from being exposed I turned my phone into ‘Do not disturb’ mode.

“Besides, you’re back now….”

I reach down, making the first move. Faking orgasms- does anyone else do this?

“It’s so good.”

“Sorry, Ri- I can’t…. I’m too tired.”

Drake would never do that. He would see to all my needs. Why am I comparing them?

“Pass me the vibrator.”

It’s been nearly two years since Nate went down on me for example. I grew an entire human being in my body in half of that time.

“For fuck sake!”

I feel like screaming, due to the frustration of not only Nate ‘dying’ on me but now B.O.B does it too.

“Fuck it.”

After a slight yawn followed by a stretch, Nate snuggled into Riley-completely oblivious to his wife’s dissatisfaction. “Night baby.”

It wasn’t always like this. As much as children are a blessing- is this the reason that explains the loss of Nate’s libido or is it truly down to his work load? The passion we had has now declined, faded into something that is now virtually non existent. This must be the definition of growing up; getting married and living the family routine with a waning passion. Now I’m starving. Internally screaming at him from inside my mind trying to make us feel - something. Love is a drug, that’s what they say- right? Adrenaline. I can get that feeling again, every time I close my eyes - going back to any one of those nights in the past- I feel it. It’s not some allusive high that I’m chasing- it is - or was, real. That was the other Riley Brooks- the true, me. A wild-child. How can a girl fuck up with every relationship? I don’t know how I manage to do it? Maybe I should have worked on my brief relationship with Liam- my now brother in law. But, that’s a different story which included a poor teenage waitress in a dive bar and Lady Liberty.

****

January 5th

For this entry, I cannot allow for it to be discovered by Nate.

Deceit- the act or practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating. For me, today is just not informing my husband about the full truth. It’s in my past and something that I don’t like to ponder about. I’m still living through this nightmare behind closed doors. If he was ever to ask the reasoning behind this date- I have Lindsey as ‘my excuse’. We have previously had a discussion - to get our stories straight if Nate was ever to discover the true events about this day. The fifth of January always creeps up, then it’s gone in an instant- until it reappears each year.

****

Slowly walking up the path, there was the sense of tranquility. Silent neighbours. The slight wind enabled the tree branches to sway in sync.

“Hey, Linz”

“About fucking time, Riley! I’ve been worried sick about you! Are you okay? I’ve tried ringing you-“

“I’ve had no missed-“ Riley soon remembered that she hadn’t deactivated the ‘Do Not Disurb’ mode on her phone.

“I’m fine- I just… every year, we always meet here at the same time. Where are you? Why have you put flowers down without me?”

“That’s what I’m trying to explain, I’m stuck in traffic. I’ve rang you a few times mainly about the delay but also to discuss about you leaving the other night without telling us.”

“Linz, if you didn’t put these flowers here- who did?”

“Riley-“

“Linz, I’ll ring you back.” Sensing company, Riley focused on the shadow hovering over her.

“There’s a bunch of New York’s finest flowers from, Olivia. She wasn’t sure if you wanted to see her or not as you haven’t returned any of her calls. So I offered to bring them…. It’s been too long since I’ve been here, myself.”

The callused hand gently removed the crinkly yet rusty coloured leaves that floated effortlessly in-front of them.

“The teddy is a gift from me. I hope that you don’t mind?”

Reaching out to the bear, Riley pulled it close to her chest- holding it tightly, it felt to her as if the world had just crashed. Again. The defence mechanisms that she would usually excel in, were now paper thin. Before she could have reacted, his hands gently drew her closer towards him as he knelt down to her level.

“Please…. Don’t touch me. I’m fine.”

The heat from this touch rapidly creeps into my consciousness - needing to pull away, I couldn’t. It’s like a magnet, drawing us closer- unable to separate this unexpected bond. Pulling his head back, he ran his hand through my hair before gently wiping away the tears that were now everlasting.

“You clearly aren’t fine, which is understandable. If you want me to go, I will.”

As I sink further into his torso attempting to hide my emotions, I inhale his aftershave- which has now sent me into a coma. My heart and brain have different scenarios imaged in my mind. What am I doing?

“You have a right to be here as much anyone- Drake.”

- - -

Jackson

Our sleeping angel

01/05/2014

Sweet little flower

Of heavenly birth

You were too precious

To bloom on earth

Love you always, Mommy and Daddy xxx

#choices trr #theroyalromance #riley brooks #drake walker #trr fanfic #tw mention of sex #tw swearing #tw baby loss #tw alcohol #riley x drake #trr au #olivia nevrakis #Liam Rys #tw sex #riley x liam #tw adult themes #tw adultery

[anjanettexcordonia]

A/N: Welcome to chapter 4 if you’ve stuck around. This chapter has a song that helped me pump this one out. Enjoy. No word count. Please excuse grammatical errors because I’m half assing editing. Sorry. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4

Ransley

The Last War-Epic Music VN

Mine. Mine. Mine. That’s all that is going through my head as I hold her close to my chest. Her perky tits pressed against my chest. Mine.

I am taking her home with me. There is no choice. I can not let her go. I know she felt like I did. I know she felt the zap up her arm when our fingers touched. I know she felt the magnetism between us and I know she felt my hard on when I pressed her against me. Hard on all for her. I couldn’t care less about any other woman here. I can’t see them. I can feel their eyes on me. I know I am a mystery. I know they think I am a recluse like my father. They think I am grief stricken and destroyed. Just doing my duty. How wrong they are. I am not a recluse, not even close. I am a very social person. I am known all over the world. I hold many business holdings all over the globe. I chose to study abroad in New York. Until I was summoned home, I lived my life thoroughly and uninhibited. But I’ve always known my duty and never balked against it. I’ve led a life of privilege and gradeuer and now it’s time to honor my father.

And honor my father I will by choosing the first and only woman that I danced with tonight. Taking her home and making her mine in every way imaginable. Mine. I will own her.

“Mind if I grab a glass of water?” Her big blue eyes look up at me. She's nearly a foot shorter than I am. Sweat is beginning to bead across her forward and her chest is heaving. I nod and grab her hand as I pull us from the dance floor. “Fair is over.” I announce it to Bernie, my head of security. Without waiting for response I pull my sweet girl along behind me feeling her stumble in her stilettos but not relenting even a bit. The faster I get her out of her the faster I can satisfy this animalistic need roiling inside of me. A primal urge I can’t control. It's almost a high, I can’t seem to control it.

“Slow down please.” She tugs on my hand but I only grip hers tighter as we get closer to the exit of this charade. The crowd parts like the Red Sea to let us through. People bow as I rush by but I don’t spare them a glance. I can feel her tension growing as the fleet of SUVs comes into sight and my men; they may be the King’s men, but they are my men all the same; flank us from all sides. The door to the coach opens and I pull her in behind me.

“What are you doing? Where are we going?” Juliette’s voice has an edge to it. Her eyes darted all around the vehicle, to the privacy screen and blacked out windows to the chilling champagne and back to me. Her eyes harden. “What’s going on?” The vehicle roars to life and begins to accelerate.

I ignore her.

“Where are you taking me?” I can sense the panic beginning to set in. It only fuels my need for her. Fear me and only me I want to tell her. I don’t of course, I remain silent and stoic. Stoic as all royals.

“Home.”

“I am not getting out of the car.” It’s been twenty fucking minutes of this. Her refusing to get out of the car. My anger rising and rising. I think steam may be billowing out of my ears. “I am going to drag you out of this car and lock you in the dungeon, you have ten seconds.” I can hear Bernie’s snickers behind me. He is going to be locked in the cell next to her if he keeps it up.

“This isn’t my home. Take me home.”

“Ten.”

She thinks I’m joking.

“Nine.”

“Take me home.”

“Eight. You are home.”

“Seven.”

She crosses her arms in defense and huffs out a breath.

“Six.”

Eye Roll.

“Five. I will put you in the dungeon.”

“You don’t have a dungeon.”

“Four.”

I smirk. This is going to be fun.

“Three.”

“Take me home now.”

“Two.”

I take off my jacket and start rolling up the sleeves of my dress shirt.

“One. Last chance.”

Nothing. She thinks I’m bluffing.

I grab her by the ankle before she can pull it further out of reach and yank her out of the car. I throw her across my shoulder. I hold her legs still but she’s beating the shit out of my back. She’s making sure to stay as far north of my ass as possible in this position. That makes me hard. Fuck.

The metal bars slam on the decrepit dungeon door. I’m not sure these doors will even hold her in here. She could probably just kick them down if she tried hard enough. I don’t see that happening. She’s submissive. I can sense it. I will break her and mold her to my will. The key clicked the lock and I turned without a word. She thinks I was bluffing. She will see to never fuck with me. I am a King after all.

Tags: @txemrn @tessa-liam @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight

#fanfiction #theroyalromance #trr #choices

[normal-thoughts-official]

Just saw the unquestionable truth that Drake TheRoyalRomance is a sub and idk what to do with that

#playchoices #the royal romance #drake walker

[playchoices]

Which of these is on your wishlist? 👀

#playchoices #newmerch #choicesmerch #thenannyaffair #queenb #theroyalromance #choices #visualnovel #narrativegame #mobilegame #choicesstoriesyouplay #pixelberrystudios #aprilfools

[nazariosnymph]

“Maybe I like your style better.” - Riley to Drake.

#Rileybrooks #drakewalker #drake walker #Riley brooks #the royal romance #theroyalromance #drakexmc #drake x mc #choices

[secretaryunpaid]

Olivia Nevrakis

TRR fic

Rating: Explicit

Word Count:5325 approx.

Warnings: Talk of character death, anxiety, possible explicit song lyrics

Olivia had been receiving odd texts from Riley lately, and decided to reach out to her friend. She knew that Liam was out of the country, and believed that her friend was attempting to contact her secretly, possibly even being in trouble. 

Olivia has been a very perceptive person since her childhood, and after the fiasco with her ex-husband surrounding Liam and Riley’s wedding, she had learned to look for code in every text message that she received from her newly trained friend. It would be a secret language only between the two of them, not even the King would be privileged to this information. 

This way, it would serve as protection, should he have become a target yet again, and also be a means for Riley to freely communicate her concerns. Two things that jumped out at her was sword and crown... she had yet to make the connection, because the text messages ceased to come. The last message being that she was leaving her visit with her sister, and would be returning to the palace post haste. 

Olivia decides to contact the driver via private channels to find out their estimated time of arrival at the palace, then she sees that she has missed several of his attempts to reach her. When he responds, she is shocked to learn that Riley never exited the location after turning to reenter the facility; and that when he went to inquire when the Queen would be ready, Savannah informed him that she had left approximately two hours prior. 

Riley had informed her driver that under no circumstances was he to contact her husband, only to reach out to Olivia should things seem out of the normal. He explains that he had originally seen her approach the SUV, but then suddenly turn as if she had forgotten something, or had been phoned to come back in, as she had her phone to her face in conversation when she turned to go back inside. She never made eye contact with her driver, and seemed to be distracted.

She immediately searched her prior conversation for the hidden code, assuming that she may have missed something in her original reading. To her disappointment, only the two words remained. She decided to contact Liam to see if he had spoken to his wife, and if this was something that he had orchestrated, although she would have been the second person informed of his plans. He trusted her most with Riley’s safety over her own personal guard, Mara.

Realizing that she failed to ask her whereabouts, she contacted the driver again. He informed her that on today, Riley had chosen to leave Mara behind, as she was only visiting her sister and didn’t feel there was a need to have her along. Olivia rubs her face in anguish, knowing that her friend is still naive even after all of the advanced training and discussions over how she should never be without backup... no matter how skilled she was. 

Liam answers, immediately alarmed, “What’s happened? Do I need to return immediately? This instantly puts Olivia on alert, but she remains calm and hides her own growing panic. “Is that the only reason that I should contact my dearest friend?” His voice relaxes as he explains to her that he, Drake and Bastien had a quick trip for business, but that he would return within the week. This gave Olivia at least a few hours to locate his wife before setting him on high alert.

She logs into her private VPN, pinging Riley’s location, as she didn’t respond to any of her messages, but it returned untraceable. She immediately contacted Queen Amalas for a rendezvous to recover the missing Queen before she had to inform Liam of his wife’s misconduct. Hopefully, this would just prove to be Riley’s way of gathering her mind’s focus... a trip away from watchful eyes... But it still sat uneasy with her that she had not informed her of at least the bare essentials of her plan.

Olivia also contacts Mara to find out what she knows about the Queen’s agenda. Mara immediately scolds herself for having allowed the Queen to leave her behind. She knows that should this turn out to be much more than her “wanting space to rejuvenate”, she would be in serious trouble with the King. Although he seemed distracted, and had not left specific instructions prior to his departure, she knows him well enough to gauge his reaction to this current situation.

The three women converge, going over every suspicious thing or behaviors Riley had displayed or conveyed to each of them. Realizing that something is definitely awry, they start their search for the Queen, starting at the point she was last seen.

~~~~~ Somewhere hidden in Cordonia ~~~~~

Checking the time, she begins to wonder if she has been missed. “Is there something that you feel is more important for you than what we have going here, Queen Riley?,” Edison asks. She turns abruptly, not realizing that she had become lost in her thoughts while facing the clock. “I have been away for too long ... and I may be missed. Surely you can understand.”

He beckons for the driver to come escort her back, reminding her that she will be available at his every request, no matter the request… or the fate planned for her King will not be his alone. He absentmindedly returns his focus to the remaining group feeling that it may be best if Queen Riley isn’t privy to every detail of their plans.

The driver looks at Queen Riley, taking in her perfect frame, not failing to appreciate her strength and courage along with her beauty. With his focus diverted to visions of making love to her, he fails to cover her face to avoid any recognition of her surroundings. She even has managed to turn on her cell device without him noticing, sending a coded message to Olivia to ensure that she does not organize a countrywide search. She knows all too well that if Olivia has any doubts, her first response would be to kill first, then question afterwards.

As she relays the messages to Queen Amalas and Mara that she has received, she notices a photo that brings immediate visions to her mind, but she holds her composure, not wanting to alert the others of her dismay. As she and the others decide to separate to avoid angering the Queen, Olivia makes her way to a hidden safe house to confirm her suspicions.

Visions of a recurring nightmare the Scarlet Duchess had for many years following their death, she is filled with nervous trembling. An anxiety builds within her that she had not felt since King Constantine had come to collect her at the pleading of young Prince Liam. Constantine’s original intent was to kill the young girl along with her Aunt Lucretia. When he learned that she had indeed been left alone with just her family’s staff, he decided to give her a chance at a better life. But his intention was not pure… Constantine would never be able to show her kindness, only ever seeing the treachery of her parents and expecting that she had been trained to follow in their footsteps.

Once she arrives, she immediately descends to the cellar, careful to locate the appropriate sconce on the wall to bend for entry into a hidden sanctum. She quickly makes her way over to the bookshelf, pulling down an old tome, and removing a picture from it. As suspected, it confirmed that the two words that she deciphered from Riley’s coded messages translated to the Via Emperii. 

The Nevrakis pair had left five year old Olivia alone with her aunt Lucretia as they attempted  takeover of the Crown. It was this coup that had cost them their lives. Olivia’s mother had been mutilated, her heart and lungs removed from her chest… her mouth sewn shut… She had never taken eyes off of her killer. Her expression grim, almost a look of total surprise mixed with confusion. Her death and dismemberment had been taken by the very sword and daggers she had hidden throughout her body. This same ring had been on her father’s hand, who’s headless body lay next to that of his wife.. Beside her mother’s body lay the crown in which the sword was placed through.

“Crown and sword… OMG, Riley!!!!!”

~~~~~

Memories of her past flash uncontrollably through her mind, even those unintentionally locked away in pain. One particular memory flashes vividly, leaving her as winded as she was in that moment…

“Again, Olivia… You must focus, let nothing distract you!”

“But I am tired, daddy. Please! May we stop now?” Tears flow threatening to turn to ice just before she swipes them away quickly, knowing that this has earned her more time training in the subzero temperatures. Tightening her grip of her sword and steadying her stance, she repeats their mantra in unison with her father… "If you can breathe, you can stand, and if you can stand, you can fight..."

“Louder, Olivia. Use your anger to knock my sword away and free from my hand!” Focused, and shouting in a warrior’s cry, she lunges forward. Blades crash together sending sparks flying, just before she lands with such force that pain courses through her. 

Folding into the fetal position, unable to hold in her tears, her body trembles from sudden fear and anger that her determination continually fails her. Uncaring in his tone, he yells at her still, “Olivia, you must never lift your foot off the ground for a second, or you’re dead… you continually give your challenger the advantage over you! Do you want to die?”

“Enough!” Her mother appears from the shadows, having watched each display unnoticed by either. She crouches to her daughter’s side, gently sweeping the scarlet locks from her face. “Olivia my dear, why are you afraid to unleash your rage? It doesn’t make you an evil person. Your rage will ensure your survival… We won’t always be with you, and your father and I need to be sure that you can handle yourself… even at your young age… Have courage my child. You will not fail if you have faith that you will succeed.”

She takes her small hand, pulling her up from the thick snow. “I will go through the steps one more time… slowly… and then you will fight me… and Olivia, you will fight!” Knowing that her mother’s words meant fight or die, Olivia takes her stance. Her battle cry echoing in the darkness, She makes no move, allowing her target to advance upon her, keeping a fixed eye on the sword’s edge. As it’s point nears her, she spins, slamming the but of her sword against her mother’s grip, knocking the sword away.

Excited and thrilled to have bested her mother, she turned, meeting the back of her mother’s hand, knocked a few feet away from where she stood. Shocked and bleeding from her lips, she instantly cowers at her mother’s approach. “Olivia, my dear. You have no time for celebration of any achievement unless your challenger lies before you lifeless. Do you understand?” Terrified at the words, her eyes widen, but she makes swift head movements to let her mother know that she understands. 

“Again!”

This time, Olivia’s father advances, taking his wife by the arm. “We have already been at this for hours, and she did well to withstand that hit from you just now… can’t we-”

“No! She must be ready!!! We leave on the morrow, and this must not wait… Who knows how this will turn out? And Project Snowspear must be enacted immediately, the Via Emperii insists upon it, there will be no more delay!!” Turning to Olivia, even more aggressive in her tone, “AGAIN, Olivia! This time, stick to your governors… Time… Distance… Perception… Technique… This time, you attack me...”

Olivia can’t always escape the nightmares, or day terrors. On some days, even the rigorous training regimen does not provide an escape for her mind… Sometimes the enemy’s arms are more comforting than being alone…

She remembers the times that they worked together for a common goal. Hearing him ask, “When will you stop hiding? I see when others don’t… You think that you are tough… but I am better at this than you…” The anger she used to feel over his words, but also the drive, caused her to try to best him at everything.

He complimented her when searching for Godfrey Amaranth. He actually made her… better. Then he appeared again in Auvernal… out of the shadows as she attempted to learn all that she could about Queen Isabella and King Bradshaw Achilles after their attempts at a forced alliance when they were at what others saw as Liam and Riley’s weakest points… He’d also appeared in Lythikos… engaging the Scarlet Duchess during Maxwell’s book reading and signing. He’d commented, and she’d missed his intent behind his words… “I see you!”

She reaches out to him… “Jin…”

“I am almost there…”

“Really, but how? Wait, why?”

“I just get a feeling when it comes to you. No need to leave the door open, I have my own ways in.”

Olivia disconnects the call, giving in to her moment of feeling like the lonely five year old that cried out for her deceased parents… that awaited the return of her Aunt Lucretia… that wanted… needed… anyone … someone to care… to be there…

She would attempt on many occasions to enter their wing of her estate … never able to do more than lean against the door frame that led to the parlor just before the stairway to their study and sleeping quarters.

On this night, she’d make another attempt… but as she approached… stood frozen in place just a few feet from the door… her view… the little scarlet haired child, holding onto her mother’s red dress from a photo they once stood together in as  a full family… There was only the one photo… but it meant the world to her… 

She could never push herself to enter that door… to look upon the faces she longed to feel against her rosy cheeks… hearing their voices… cherishing even the lies they told her when they left on secret missions… or so they thought… never realizing their little expert spy in training had found the secret passages that led from her bedroom to their own. Even further still, she’d found passages they'd not yet discovered. One in particular led to their study.

Locked deep away in her mind were the full and intricate details of the multiple assassination plans discussed by her parents, and sometimes voices that she had never heard before. One in particular was Operation Snowspear. The plan would not eliminate the King or Queen, but instead eliminate the Crown’s Heir to the throne… Crown Prince Leo Rhys. The “spare”, Prince Liam would be taken and raised as the son of King Isaac of Auvernal. Once married to someone of extreme power and riches, he would be used in an attempt to take his “rightful” place as King of Cordonia.

What had been erased from Cordonian history books was the fact that it was the original country of Stormholt. This small, but wealthy country held a magical past that the countrymen told their families of as a fairytale, which became a legend… No one would know that this was not a fictitious tale… except those eldest members of the Via Emperii.

The olden days labeled those belonging to the Via Emperii as witches, warlords, and Satanists. Modern day would call its members Elementalists, but they remain hidden in plain sight for their own safety. But now, they work with and against each other… some felt that because they held “special power” they should order rulership of the five realms that united under Queen Kenna’s rule. All others were under descendant rule, therefore it was run according to tradition. Over time the realm’s center point lost rule, as the King took on a wife not “of the realm” or its descendants from distant lands.

You guessed it, Queen Eleanor had been allowed as an heir of his country by King Hector Nevrakis. This had been done by a secret decree in his last stages of life. King Hector never felt it would benefit his rule to take on a family… feeling that it would just provide unnecessary access to stumbling his rule… 

Although he had many lovers, he’d never allowed anyone to become with child to keep life. They were imprisoned as his slave until such time as they were due to give birth, remaining his lover until such day the lives of both mother and unborn child were taken. 

It was rumored that King Hector also had the occasional male lover to ensure no heir could be created. When his attraction ended, so did the lives of his male partners. His tyrant rule was never challenged for this reason. 

So when she came of age, she was in line to rule. She would be more powerful than King Constantine Rhys himself. Although he’d become enamored by her beauty and character, his intent was to marry her, create their heirs, and then discard her from his life through whatever means required.

Eleanor would become pregnant with Prince Liam’s sibling, which she went to many extremes to keep hidden. But on one drunken evening, King’s Guard and close friend, Jackson Walker, disclosed to an also drunken King Constantine that his wife had seen her way to the Royal Obstetrician.

The next few days went by as normal, until Eleanor’s behavior raised suspicion. Constantine had her followed by the two most trusted friends who’d remain loyal and constant in his life, Godfrey Amaranth and Barthelemy Beaumont. When the two learned that she was indeed with child, they naturally assumed that Jackson Walker had fathered the child, and took his life.They then approached Constantine with the events as they unfolded. He was angered, and in his rage made the comment of Eleanor meeting the same fate as Jackson. He was not to be made a fool of! Her death would entitle him to Auvernal as her husband. As her King, he could claim the lands rightfully.

Wanting privacy to really decide how to handle Eleanor best, he dismissed the two friends. Feeling belittled, they became furious at the fact that he’d exclude them at such a crucial time. Godfrey left for his own property in England, advising Barthelemy to return to Duchy Ramsford until such time as Constantine requested their presence.

But Godfrey was not a man who took lightly to being dismissed as if a common servant. He also didn’t appreciate second to a woman bred from outside of Cordonia, no matter her resources. He viewed every foreigner as an enemy, and this enemy was making his best friend lose his barbaric ways, with each new heir, Constantine seemed to weaken, showing a softer side than was warranted in the eyes of Godfrey and Barthelemy. 

When he returned to Cordonia, he met with Barthelemy at Duchy Ramsford to formulate their plan to rid himself of Eleanor as the King had formerly mentioned. While away, Godfrey had mentioned to Barthelemy that he had found an ancestral chalice that he knew the King would appreciate having back in the Royal collection. He would provide this as a gift of apology for Constantine. Chalice in hand, Barthelemy mentioned to Godfrey his ideas of poisoning the Queen. But before they could detail the plan, Bertrand entered the office unexpectedly. 

He’d promised Maxwell that he would talk to his father about how he treated him, as he was leaving home soon for studies. Having lost their mother, the only person who was gentle to him, Maxwell had entered a state of panic over being left alone with his father. “Little Hippo”, as his mother called him, only had a closeness to Bertrand now that their mother was gone, and to Prince Liam when allowed to visit at the palace. 

“House Beaumont has always been a faithful supporter of the Crown. Loyalty is a bond that can be broken only by betrayal. It's the greatest promise you can make. House Beaumont pledged itself to the Crown generations ago, and I will uphold that pledge tonight.”

Bartelemy was plotting to take the Queen’s life and Godfrey didn’t agree. Bertrand only heard the words, “If Constantine were to find out we are plotting treason against the Crown…” Barthelemy immediately began to chastise Bertrand on sight, at this Bertrand immediately apologized and took his exit, never having laid eyes on the person whose voice sounded familiar, but was unclear.

Barthelemy resumed conversations, explaining that he would still have his beloved Annabelle had she not interfered with the last attempt on the Queen’s life. This plan would serve its revenge and purpose together. I still see her each night, taking the bullet meant for the Queen and falling limp in her arms. “Eleanor will DIE, Godfrey!”

Godfrey felt that it was best that he take his exit after the near exposure earlier. Hastily exiting, he forgot to take the chalice he’d purchased with him. Upon contacting Barthelemy in regards to this, he informed Godfrey that he would like to find a matching chalice for the Queen. This would keep them devoid of suspicion if there was a dual gift.  He would bring them both to him once he’d located one to match or compliment the ancestral chalice purchased by Godfrey.

When the eve came for the Royal Ball, Barthelemy met Godfrey in private quarters within the Royal Palace, explaining that his part of Operation Snowspear involved a ruse of sudden illness leaving him in a coma. He would have to attend this event alone and explain Barthelemy’s absence to the King. 

He’d also informed Godfrey that the higher powers wanted Constantine dead, and that the act needed to be completed on this very night. All he had to do was give the chalice to Constantine, and the plan would be set into motion. Handing him only the single chalice that Godfrey had purchased to his confusion, Barthelemy left without further explanation and to avoid discovery.

Godfrey entered the ballroom and immediately saw Constantine speaking with young Liam. He was explaining that his mother was returning home, and would indeed be in attendance at the Ball. He just needed the young lad to have a bit more patience. Interrupting his reassuring speech, Godfrey requested the King’s attention. Finding relief in the disturbance, he quickly took notice of the gift in Godfrey’s hand. 

“What’s this you hold here, Godfrey?” 

“I wanted to give you a token of apology for my absence, Constantine. When you asked for space to think on the Jackson-Eleanor situa-”

“Nonsense, we need not go to discussions of that time, it has been settled. A gift was most unnecessary old friend, but deeply appreciated nonetheless.” Receiving the gift and opening it, finding it most impressive.”

“An ancestral chalice of royal descent, I felt that you-”

“Ah, thank you Godfrey!” Admiring it, he immediately thought of his Queen. “Do you think she’ll like this? Eleanor?”

Internally erupting like an angered volcano, he devises that instead of arguing with his once dear friend, the idea of Eleanor having the chalice proved an even better idea than his own intended plan.

“Yes, let’s fill it with her favorite wine, surely one drink of red wine wouldn’t cause harm. She wouldn’t refuse her King this one celebratory toast.”

Constantine had forgiven his Queen for holding her pregnancy in confidence. Unlike his two friends, he had come to the logic that she was attempting to prevent assassination ploys involving a pregnant queen as leverage.

Excitedly making his way to their private cellar for her favorite vintage, Constantine unknowingly altered plans put into action by the Via Emperii, and would become their personal target, not just his kingdom. But once Constantine took in Olivia Nevrakis, assassination attempts by the Via Emperii ended, until such time as Constantine met his demise.

This was Olivia’s greatest motivator for always being at Liam’s beck and call, and protecting what meant most to him… Cordonia’s Queen. She’d discovered this revelation when she unearthed the secret safehouse. She would serve Liam and Riley until her demise due to this.

~~~~~ Release ~~~~~

Jin appears behind her, wrapping her in his firm embrace, only having time enough to plant one delicate kiss upon her neck before their assassins’ foreplay begins. Although one or the other was guaranteed to have blood loss, their way was a thrill neither could resist.

Her elbow to his rib cage brought about the most sinister yet lustful smile on his thin lips. And so the dominance match began.

As she tried to flee, he caught her ponytail, snatching her to the cement floor, straddling her frame as he kissed her arm’s length, her hands temporarily pinned. Grinding beneath him, he was pleasantly surprised that she’d surrender so easily.

His miscalculation sent him flying over head with the powerful thrust of her hips, momentum provided by her deadly stiletto heels, which had cleanly sliced away the buttons of his shirt as she performed a sweeping move before coming to a full stand.

With no sign of blood, the aggression increased. Tearing his shirt away, he wraps it around one wrist as his ninja move lands him chest to chest with his prey, choking her as the shirt circles around her throat with a swift tightness.

Olivia’s hands grope his growing erection as she french kisses him through the continued choking. Feeling one hand move enticingly across his hardness, his reflex would catch her hand as the short blade grazes his abdomen. 

“Going for the spleen, are we???,” he whispers, preparing for his next move.

“Too many words!,” is her reply as she rips his pants away after administering several slashes of the blade extended from her sleeve.

He peers down just before pinning her against his bare chest, laughing as he disarms her. “Stilettos off, NOW !” As she kicks the second shoe away, he sweeps her ankle, causing him to land atop of her backside, knocking the wind from her momentarily. He rips her dress clear up the center, and strokes her ass.

“My, my… and here I thought I loved your facial cheeks most… I’ve found a new love, Livy.”

Hating this pet name, she quickly spins underneath him, but he has her arms twisted above her head in a taut hold. “Now, now Livy… since when did you start resorting to cheating?”

She huffs angrily, and then feels blood run from her lips. In their play, she’d failed to realize that she’d split her lip on the floor upon impact from the fall.

“Doesn’t count… the floor drew blood, not you, Jin.”

“Say less!” With those words, he knicked her hip as he tore away her lace thong. The slightest drop of blood raised above her skin. “Satisfied?”

She lifts her head, seeing the small speck and grunts in frustration. “Fine!... You win! Help me up?”

He backs off of her, not seeing the trap she’d set. She locks one wrist in the wall cuff, and then the other as he looks down in surprise.

“Silly, Jin!!! You are in MY castle. You should know... this Nevrakis NE-ver surrenders.”

As he shakes his head in jest, she removes her blade earring, running it along his exposed pectorals, down his side, and then center towards his umbilicus, pressing the tip enough to expose a droplet of blood.

Hissing, he looks at her in pure desire. She tosses the earring, then removes what’s left of her torn dress in a most teasing display. As she tweaks her nipples, forming supple peaks, she turns her bare frame moving to her stilettos…

She bends to retrieve the heels, spreading to expose her vault of pleasure to this cunning prisoner she has trapped. Now in her most favored shoes, she seductively strides toward him, one hand tracing its way to her center as the other embraces her bust. She stands before him, torturing him with moaning gasps of her self pleasure. 

“Olivia… please!!!,” he begs.

She halts her movement, walking to him, offering him her fingers that had deliciously searched her core. He teases her fingers with his tongue’s tip before sucking them, dragging his teeth sensually to their tips, before sucking again… fondling her fingers with his tongue play before she snatches them away. She backs away, deciding that she wants to feel him within her… How is the question that she ponders…

She presses a hidden button that pulls the cuffs apart and upward, his ankles captured in a spring mechanism and separated as well… She grabs hold of the chains and balances against the wall as she mounts his waist.

“I’ll claim my prize now,”  she headily breathes into his ear.

She takes his erection, easing him inside of her, closing her eyes at the feel of him. She presses her forehead to his chin as she adjusts to him, reaching to take hold of the chain again for support.

Her core spasms around him, causing his reaction to her movements, and sends a heat through her forcing her to grind against him. Finding her rhythm that places his girth in her erogenous zone, she thrusts hard against him… He moves as she moves, allowing her more control, but unable to remain still.

She kisses him through her first release, now holding him around his neck with both arms, needing to be one… not finding the closeness she desires still… glued to his frame in the upright stalemate as he cums within her.

“Let me, Olivia… Let me do what I came here to do.”

She looks at him in his dark brown eyes… contemplating if she should allow this to go further… her mind now completely taken from her earlier despair. She presses another hidden button as she climbs down from his frame. As he lowers, she removes the cuff from each wrist… the ankle restraints already having fallen away.

He picks her up, carrying her over to the closest surface he can take her against that isn’t the wall or the floor. In one sweep, he shoves the boxes from the desktop, lowering her to her feet. “Lean across it, I want you from behind.”

Before she can fully lean, he presses her down, forcefully entering her, eliciting a growl of pleasure to escape her gritted lips. His strokes are slow, but aggressive, causing her pelvis to hit the desk’s edge… a torment she thoroughly enjoys. 

“Harder, Jin!”

He leans in taking hold of her hips and drives into her, his nails digging into her skin, but his tempo is still not where she desires it.

“Faster Jin, please… and harder!”

Pushing her further onto the desk, he squats above her and enters painfully and breathtakingly slowly, until she has taken every inch of him in, then rams her hard and fast. She belts out in pleasure… “Yes, Jin!… Yes!!!”

“I’m not cumming until you ask me to,” he groans. 

She loves the way he gives in to her… the way he takes her… the way he … CARES… She allows his stroke to continue until she can’t hold out any longer, then begs for him to cum for her… to cum in her… At her command, he sends his heated flow streaming through her, bringing her forceful ejaculation as well… drowning him in her essence.

After laying together for a bit, still joined together, Jin speaks. “Come, let’s have us a soak in an ice bath.” Once again, he has reset her to her usual self.

#@The Scarlet Duchess #olivia nevrakis #@TNA-TRR crossover #@trr #@Queen Riley Rhys #mara #theroyalromance #@Becoming Mrs. Dalton #jin #choices fanfiction #anastasiya chorna

[ronwae]

i know that trr/trh is a horrible series by know and makes no sesne BUT u better believe that the second they release another book i'll eat it all up and wont say a thing

#the royal romance #the royal heir #theroyalromance #trh #the royal heir book 3 #choices trh #choices trr #choices #choices app #trr #trr liam #trr choices #trr mc #trr pb #pb #pixelberry #pb trh #Yeah i have no shame and what u gon do abt it

[katedrakeohd]

Drake's Denim Shirt

This fluffy little Drake and Kate one shot is inspired by this Instagram post.

♡♡♡🧥💝👶🏼🤱🏻♡♡♡

Kate Walker wrestles her wiggling 9 month old daughter on the changing table. Through five attempts, every time she managed to get one unfolded and placed under Brooklyn's bottom, the little wiggler would squirm or roll before grabbing the diaper and throwing it on the floor. Each time that Kate would make a frustrated sound or pull a face, it would amuse her daughter all the more.

"This is all a game to you, isn't it?"

Brooklyn scrunched up her face and drooled around the thumb that she had tucked into the corner of her mouth. With her other pudgy little hand she was grasping at her toes.

Cupping the top of Brooklyn's head gently and holding the side of her round bum with her other hand, Kate leans in to blow noisy kisses against her belly. The rude noise this makes causes Brooklyn to squeal as she grasps at her mother's hair.

"You like that huh?" Kate mumbles against her soft skin. "Well how about some nummy cheek kisses too?"

Scooping the baby up into her arms, Kate laughs as she pecks little kisses on her plump cheek. "Num, num, num. Mummy wubs her Brookie cookie."

Brooklyn pats at her face with her hands, kicking her legs. Kate bends over to dip Brooklyn, "Will you honour me with a dance Milady?"

Kate dances around the nursery, bobbing and rocking her baby as she hums a few bars of a waltz. The sound of Brooklyn's giggles and squeals as she kissed her cheeks, twirled her around, dipped her down and then lifted her up high again is music to Kate's ears.

Approaching the nursery, Drake smiles at the strange but joyful sounds he hears. Standing in the doorway he watches the scene before him, his heart melting at the pure joy of Brooklyn's giggles. He notices the discarded diapers, the inside out baby clothing on the floor and the open box of baby wipes. He didn't want to interrupt their fun, but he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Teaching her the Cordonian Waltz already? I don't remember moves like that during our first lesson."

Kate gasps at the sound of his voice and whirls around, blushing profusely at getting caught. She tries to cover up her embarrassment with a laugh, "Well you were an equally stubborn student if I remember correctly."

Drake saunters in wearing a smile and dressed in his usual white t-shirt and dark jeans, one hand shoved in his back pocket. The other hand gestures to the baby things on the floor. "I see the princess is not cooperating. Need a hand?"

With a grateful sigh Kate carries Brooklyn back to the table, "Yes, please. Somebody has a case of the wiggles and giggles today."

Drake gathers up the loose diapers from the floor and tucks them away back in the box. He joins Kate and Brooklyn at the changing table, smiling down at his daughter as she reaches up toward him with her little arms, hands grasping at the air.

"Nope, sorry Princess Beanie. No more dancing until you're properly dressed."

Drake tucks his hand into Brooklyn's armpit, gently cradling her upper body to hold her still. She blows drooly bubbles and makes happy sounds as she looks up at him, one little hand wrapped around his big thumb, her other thumb wedged in her mouth again.

"I'll keep her distracted at this end," he says quietly, "While you look after the other."

Kate smiles as she can now make quick work of lifting up Brooklyn's bottom, sliding a flattened diaper into place and fastening it closed with the adhesive tapes. "Thanks. Now can you keep her occupied while I grab her diaper shirt, little pants and socks?"

"Sure, I can."

Drake sits Brooklyn up on the table, his hands cradling her under the arms again. He leans in to kiss her on the top of the head, she grabs at the front of his t-shirt.

Kate pushes up the rolled up sleeve on the shirt she's wearing before she pulls open the dresser drawer. "So what have you been up to this morning? Besides rescuing damsels in distress."

Drake lifts Brooklyn up and carries her over to the comfy chair in the corner, transferring her to the crook of his arm as he sits down and rests her on his lap.

"Oh, I've been on a hunt actually."

Kate busies herself with gathering clothes, "A hunt for what?"

Drake glances down at Brooklyn, cradling her to his side as he notices her sleepy expression. There's a wet patch on his shirt from her drool. She's clutching at the cotton in her tiny fist and sucking on her thumb.

"All played out, eh?" He whispers down to her.

"Hmm?" Kate asks, turning around.

Drake brings his finger to his lips in a hushing motion, "She's falling asleep on me."

Kate throws her hands up in exasperation, holding up the baby clothes she picked out, answering him with a whisper, "Oh great, for you she's calm."

Drake shrugs and gets up from the chair, carrying Brooklyn to her crib and laying her down. "Well now she should be more docile and easy to dress."

Kate glances at the wet spot on his shirt, and then starts to gently dress Brooklyn in her clothes. "So what was it you were hunting for?"

Drake plucks the wet cotton away from his skin, and watches Kate with a bemused expression. "I was looking for my favourite shirt."

Kate bites at her lower lip as she tries not to laugh, "Let me guess, it's blue and made of denim."

Drake untucked his t-shirt from his jeans and then tugged it off over his head. "Uh huh."

Kate carefully maneuvers the diaper shirt over Brooklyn's head and pokes her arms into the sleeves. "Don't you have quite a few of those denim shirts?"

Drake tosses his t-shirt into the hamper with Brooklyn's dirty laundry. "Yeah, I know. But the one I'm looking for is special."

Kate glances over at Drake as he approaches the crib again. Without his shirt, and his hair all messy, he was all kinds of sexy. She looks away as her cheeks get hot again. He was looking her up and down with a renewed interest and a smirk on his face.

"What's so special about this shirt to make it your favourite?"

Drake steps in behind Kate, sweeping her hair off to the side and then smoothing his hand across the shoulder seam of her shirt and then slides it down her sleeve. He grins at the goosebumps his touch causes, feeling the pebbles on her skin as he unfolds the cuff and the material falls down to her wrist. "I love the way the denim is all soft and worn in the right places. The cuff of one sleeve is starting to fray, and on the cuff of the other sleeve the snap is missing."

Kate leans back against Drake's chest as he braces one hand next to hers on the crib railing, the other hand slides down her other sleeve to unfold the other cuff.

"Did you check with the maids in the laundry room to see if it was there?"

"Mmhmm," Drake hums as he leans in to kiss her neck.

Kate bends her head to the side, closing her eyes. "And did the maids have it?"

"Nope."

Drake reaches around to undo the fasteners on her shirt, knowing off by heart how many there were.

"You could have worn a different shirt," Kate suggests, feeling his hand slide over her breast, his thumb tracing the circle of the areola and then giving the nipple a flick.

"But I really like the way my old favourite one fits."

"Isn't that the one with the tiny hole in the armpit?"

Drake pushes the material of the shirt away from her shoulders, letting it drop down her arms. "Yep."

Drake wraps his arms around Kate, enjoying the smoothness of her skin as he presses her back against his bare chest. Kate's trapped in his love lasso but doesn't struggle as he kisses his way across her shoulder. Drake can smell the scent of their laundry detergent on her skin and it blends with the unique taste of her that he can't get enough of.

"What if the holey, frayed cuff, snap missing, well worn denim shirt is my favourite too?" Kate giggles, as Drake turns her around and the shirt falls to the floor.

Drake cups her face in his hands, chuckling, "That's what really makes it my all time favourite shirt. Seeing you in it, taking it off of you, knowing that you sometimes sneak it out of my closet and wear it with nothing underneath, and then sneak it back into my closet again. Smelling you on my shirt when I put it on, snap up the buttons that still work, roll up the cuffs, and then think about how your beautiful sexy self was inside it. Oh my Fuck that turns me on like crazy."

Kate grins wrapping her arms around his waist, "That's why I love it too."

Drake notices Brooklyn stirring in the crib and making fretting noises. He groans with disappointment and then gives Kate a kiss before crouching down to retrieve their favourite shirt from the floor. He gives it a deep sniff and then helps Kate back into it again. "Here, take it back. Beanie needs her mommy dressed right now, more than Daddy needs to have Mommy naked."

Kate reaches into the crib to lay a soothing hand on Brooklyn's belly, and then looks back at her hubby. "Raincheck?"

Drake gives her one last kiss and then turns toward the door, "I'll be looking to redeem that later."

Kate winks at him and then turns back to her little one.

:::

@fluffyfirewhiskey @sirbeepsalot @jovialyouthmusic @no-one-u-know @twinkleallnight @walkerswhiskeygirl

#drake walker #choices #drake x kate #theroyalromance #Valentine's Day

[matsuobsession]

Real life Drake edit! I honestly didn’t know what to edit this week, so I decided to do another real life one and I haven’t edited Drake in a while so I went with him 😍 He looks superrrr hot!

#choices #choicesstoriesyouplay #choicesgame #choicesfanart #playchoices #pixelberry #theroyalromance #theroyalheir #drakewalker #mc #drakexmc

[cordonian-literature]

The Aftermath - Ch. 7

Photographs

Summary: Gabe’s having a difficult time at school, and Olivia gets some suspicious information

Word Count: ~3.3k

Warning: Mention of character death

*All characters belong to Pixelberry, except those that are unique to my story (I’ve also used some characters and fictional instances from Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch”)*

Catch up here! 

Tags: @captain-kingliamsqueen​ @marshmallowsaremyfavorite​ @gkittylove99​​ @lovablegranny​​ @loudbluebirdlover​​ @mom2000aggie​​ @kingliam2019​​ @queenrileyrose​​ @shanzay44​​ @cordonianroyalty​​ @hopefulmoonobject​​ @hopelessromanticmonie​​ @cinnamonspongecake​​ @queenjilian​​ @kuladekiwi​​ @twinkle-320​​ @iaminlovewithtrr​​ @charlotteg234​​ @amandablink​​ @texaskitten30​​ @tinkie1973 @louiseingram1208 @queencatherynerhys​​ @pens-girl-87​​ @missevabean​​ @ladyangel70​ @sanchita012​ 

I hope I got everyone tagged! If I missed someone, or if anyone wants to be added/removed, let me know!

- Eleanor - 

Gabe and I go back to school on Monday. It was uneventful, but all of my friends were especially nice to me and my teacher told me that I didn’t have to worry about any of the work I missed. In the middle of math, the school counselor took me out of class and told me I could come and talk to her if there was anything I needed. I told her I was alright and walked back to my seat, feeling the eyes of the entire class on me.

Around noon, it was time for lunch. Grandma had packed our meals the night before. I took my lunch bag and started walking with my class to the cafeteria where we would eat. We passed by the main office, where I saw Gabe, sitting along the wall of the room with his backpack on the seat next to him. I ran up to my teacher and pointed out my brother, asking if I could sit with him for lunch. 

“That’s fine, Eleanor,” she allowed, “but make sure you come back to line up with us when the bell rings.”

I go into the main office, and the secretary smiles at me. I tell her that I was there to have lunch with my brother, and she nods. 

I sit down in the seat next to Gabe. Both of our classes had lunch right now, but it didn’t look like he had eaten. “Aren’t you hungry?” I ask him. 

He shakes his head. 

I take out my sandwich and start eating, glancing at Gabe to see if he would reach for his own lunch. When I was done with my sandwich, I threw out my wrapper in the trash next to the secretary’s desk and opened up Gabe’s backpack to take out his lunchbox. 

Mama and Daddy had bought us our lunchboxes when I started kindergarten. We found one with my name on it, and since we couldn’t find one with Gabe’s name on it, Daddy bought him the Avengers one and Mama later sewed his name on. 

Remembering Mama and Daddy together, when they were both alive and well, made me sad again. I had so far gone the whole day without feeling any hints of tears. Now, standing in the office, with Gabe not talking to me and the reminder that Mama and Daddy were both technically gone, I wanted to cry again. 

I forced myself not to. Instead I placed Gabe’s lunchbox on his lap. I had to show Gabe that everything was alright, and I couldn’t do that if I was crying. 

I start eating the cookies that Grandma packed me. I take out an Oreo and wave one in front of Gabe’s face, hoping that he would take it, but he just shakes his head. 

I put the rest of the cookies back into my bag, feeling weird about being the only person in the room eating — especially since I wasn’t even sure if we were allowed to eat in the main office — and then the secretary turns to me and asks, “Honey, what’s your grandmother’s phone number? I called her workplace and they wouldn’t put me through.”

I give her the number. Gabe continues to stare down at his lap. 

“Hi! Mrs. Brooks?” the secretary cries. “This is Miss Newman, Mr. Henderson’s secretary from Gabriel’s school? Yes I’m just calling to ask if you could pick him up? Oh, no he’s been an absolute angel! It’s just that, he had a nervous breakdown during science and disrupted the class.... Yes, he’s here in the office with me. Oh, you would like to speak to him? Sure!” She motions at Gabe to come over to her and take the phone, but he still hasn’t looked up from his lap. “Gabriel!” Miss Newman violently whispers. 

After a few more moments of her trying to get Gabe on the phone, she begins talking to Grandma again. 

“Gabriel’s not in too good of a mood right now. Principal Henderson asked me to call you. Yes, he spoke with him. No, he won’t be suspended, but we’re asking you to keep him home for a few more days until you’re sure he’s doing better. He’ll be home without consequences, yes. Oh, you’ll pick up Eleanor as well? Great! I’ll have her collect her things.” 

As soon as she hangs up, I nod at her and then walk out of the office, leaving my lunchbox with Gabe. I go to the cafeteria where my teacher is and tell her that I’m being picked up and need to go back into the class to get my things. Another teacher watches the class as I’m led back up to the classroom. I give my thanks to her for opening the door, and then dash back down towards the office.

When we get in Grandma’s car, Gabe’s head still hung low. I wanted to give him a hug, mostly because I wanted one, but I decided against it. 

We don’t talk during the drive, and we don’t talk on the elevator ride up. Once we’re inside our penthouse, Gabe goes towards his room, but Grandma calls him back. 

Gabe shrugs his bag off and falls back onto the couch, staring at his shoes. 

Grandma sighs. “Gabriel, Eleanor. I have something important I need to talk to you about.”

“Is it about what happened at school?” Gabriel mumbles.

Grandma sighs, but doesn’t answer. “Gabe, baby, do you remember where you and I went on Saturday after dropping off Ella for a ballet class?”

He nods. 

“Well, we went over there to get a test taken. To see if that man, Liam, was your father.”

“But...,” I say, frowning. Neither of them had told me where they had went. “Isn’t... Daddy Gabe’s father?”

Grandma ignores me. “The test came back positive, which means that Liam is your dad.”

“Both of our... dad?” Gabe and I look between each other and Grandma. My heart was racing. How could Liam be his father if we didn’t know who Liam was? And what about Daddy? Did suddenly not exist for Grandma?

“No, baby,” Grandma explains. “Your mother was with Liam before she was with Theodore, which means that Liam is your father, Gabe, and that Theodore is Ella’s father.”

“But... but...,” Gabe sits forward, panic and heavy tears in his eyes. “Does that mean... wait... Grandma do I have to go live with him?”

Grandma doesn’t answer, and Gabe starts crying. 

“I don’t wanna do that Grandma, I don’t wanna leave. I don’t wanna leave you and Ella, I don’t wanna leave Mom,” he pleads.

My breathing quickens. I don’t want Gabe to leave us either. If he was going to leave, then I’d have no more siblings to play around with, or tease, or cry with, or laugh with, or talk about my day with, or ask for help, or anything. I couldn’t do those things with Grandma or Mama. I would be alone.

Grandma rushes over to sit in between us and holds Gabe in her arms. “No, baby,” she whispers. “I’m not going to let that happen.” 

She does her best to soothe him. The power of his sobs increases and decreases. When Gabe’s tears subside and the only proof of him having cried were his whimpers, Grandma grabs both of our hands. 

“Come on, let’s go visit Mama.” We nod. “Do you want to know what the doctor told me?” We shake our heads. “She said that showing Mama pictures can help bring her memory back. Do you want to try that?” 

We jump up from our seats and race into Mama and Daddy’s room, where all the family albums were. There are three: one filled with pictures of specifically Gabe and I, another with pictures of Mama and Daddy (which is thinner than the other two), and the last one was filled with pictures of all of us together. 

On Mama’s side of the closet we find an empty beach bag, so we put the albums in there. There were some framed pictures in their room and on the walls, and so we took those, too. There were pictures of me, Gabe, and Mama in Daddy’s office, which we also gently placed in the bag. 

The bag was so heavy that Gabe and I had to carry it together. When we got to the hospital, Liam and his friends weren’t there. I wanted to tell Gabe that maybe it was important to try and look for him and talk to him, but him and Grandma were already ushering me into Mama’s hospital room. 

“Hello, there,” she says to us, smiling. 

“Hi, Mom,” Gabe greets, we put down the bag and stare at her for a couple moments. 

“I hear that you guys have some pictures to show me?” Her tone isn’t motherly or cheerful like it used to be. Instead it’s... friendly... but not really. Like when a stranger in the subway asks for directions, or when the cashier asks if you found everything you needed. She sounded like she was obligated to be nice to us, and didn’t really want to. I wanted to understand her feelings, I really did. I tried to remind myself that Mama didn’t know she was a Mama. 

I just wanted to leave everything be and disappear, to fade from existence the same way that Mama’s memories of us did. 

But if I faded from existence, what would happen to Gabe? If Mama never gets her memories back, then what else would keep him here? He would have to leave Grandma and Mama and go with Liam. He would have to go alone. Just as if he left, I would be alone. 

And I hated being alone or even thinking of it. Mama and Daddy were always close to us, so I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to isolate myself from everyone. Even the word “isolation” made me think of how the police had told Grandma that they found Mama under a pile of rubble. Was Mama able to see before people pulled her out? If they didn’t pull her out, and she stayed there, and we never found her, and her name was never in the news, would she have technically existed? Would she have existed for the doctors and nurses and our family friends who sent her flowers? Would she have existed anymore for Liam and his friends?

Technically, she wouldn’t have. But right here, right now, she existed, Gabe existed, and so did I. We just had to remind her. 

I pull out the album filled with pictures of Gabe and I first, mentally marking us as the top priority. I walk over to one side of her bed and sit next to her. Gabe seems hesitant. He looks disconnected, just as he has the entire day. Now there’s a confusion mixed in with it, and I know it’s because of what Grandma told us about Liam. Gabe’s face represents all of the questions I have. 

Usually when he gets like that, I leave him be so I don’t accidentally make it worse. But this time is different. 

“Come on,” I call to him from Mama’s left side. 

“You can sit here, Gabriel,” Mama pats the right side of her bed, where there’s a space big enough for him to sit. 

My face falls a little when she calls him “Gabriel” instead of the sweet “Gabe”. The memories flash through my head, how Mama never referred to us as “Gabriel and Eleanor,” but always as “Gabe and Ella.” Her affectionate nicknames that caught on became a larger part of our identities than our actual names.  

But, still, it’s a step in the right direction. She’s trying to pull us towards her, which is better than leaving us on the side by ourselves. 

When Gabe sits down, I open the book up to his kindergarten graduation. She smiles and laughs at our stories, and for the first time during the longest, most helpless week of my life, I have hope that everything might just turn out okay.

- Olivia - 

Almost a week after Liam and Drake left for New York, a folder with pictures of them walking around Times Square was smacked down onto Olivia’s desk by her assistant and sidekick, Jacob. 

There were pictures of Liam, Drake, and Maxwell walking down a crowded street and into a store with stuffed animals. Olivia looks up at Jacob and asks, “Where did you get these pictures from?”

“Intercepted them in the capital this morning before they reached the palace.”

“Who in the palace would be trying to get pictures of the king?” Olivia wonders aloud. She suspected Madeleine, that good-for-nothing she-devil who never stopped delving into everyone else’s business with the intent of “making sure no one’s actions could embarrass Cordonia”. 

Liam and Drake hadn’t gotten back to Olivia since they had left to go find Riley. Olivia wanted to give Liam a call, but decided it was best to leave him alone. She already knew that nothing she could say would make him feel better. All of them knew that Riley was the only thing that could lift his mood. 

Olivia forced herself to understand that a long time ago. When Madeleine was no longer the Queen-to-be, Riley was nowhere to be found, and Liam was in need of a wife, Olivia did her best to hint towards them marrying. But Liam, in his state of heartbreak, didn’t notice Olivia, so she consoled herself that he would never be in love with her. It hurt, but pain wasn’t new to Olivia.

What she couldn’t accept was the fact that some commoner came in out of thin air and broke the only man Olivia had ever loved, and left just as she had arrived. Olivia made it her goal that not only would she do everything in her power as Duchess to make her king happy again, but she couldn’t wait to give Riley a piece of her mind as punishment for what she did to Liam. 

Yet as the years went on, the likeliness of them finding Riley began to decrease, and Olivia was almost desperate to get her back. Riley’s punishment be damned, Liam was going to lose himself.

She knew that having to bring back Riley after she had just been in an accident would be a challenge, but at least Liam would be more relaxed. At least there would be hope for a more secure government. 

But six days after she had sent them off to New York, she still hadn’t heard back from them. And seeing these images of them walking around the city without Riley was very concerning. Picking up her phone, she debates whether she should call Liam. Even though it was almost midnight in Lythikos, It would be around six in the evening in America. Would Liam, Drake, and Maxwell still be roaming or would they be with Riley?

She decided that calling Drake would be a bit better, considering that she could seriously use some entertainment. 

The line rings until finally his rugged voice goes, “Hello?”

“Drake. Where are you and Liam?” 

“My day was fine, thank you for asking. I hope you’re having a nice day, too, Olivia.”

She scoffs. “I don’t have time for pleasantries.” She pauses, listening closely to the song that was playing in Drake’s background. “Are you... watching a children’s show?”

“No!” he shouts. “We’re in a candy store. That’s just the... music they put on.”

“Shouldn’t you all be focusing on Riley instead of pleasing Maxwell’s sweet tooth?”

“For your information, we are technically focusing on Riley, and the candy isn’t for Maxwell. How’d you know he was with us, anyway?”

Olivia picks up a picture of Liam, Drake, and Maxwell inside a store with Maxwell holding up a stuffed animal at least two feet taller than him. “Just a hunch. If you’re not in there for Maxwell, then who are you getting candy for? Riley?” 

Drake doesn’t respond. She can hear him sigh, and then he finally says, “We found out that Riley has two kids. The older one is Liam’s.”

Olivia’s jaw goes slack. A moment later she breathes out the words, “Liam didn’t know, did he?” Olivia knew that the last thing Liam would ever be was a negligent or cold father — especially after they discovered what his own father had done to him and Riley. If Liam knew that he had a son, there was no way that he would have allowed such a distance to come between them for so long. But along with pity for Liam, a fire in her chest was lightened as well. How dare Riley keep Liam’s son from him?

“Nope. He didn’t. They took a paternity test to make sure. It came back positive this morning. So that conversation between Gabriel and Liam is going to happen eventually, and we thought it’d be better to surprise him and his sister with gifts. To think of it, Eleanor should be in that conversation, too.” She can tell Drake pulls the phone away from his ear, because his voice sounds distant when he yells, “Maxwell! Get some extra gummy worms for Eleanor!”

There’s a faint, “Got it!” from the other side. 

“Gabriel and Eleanor?” Olivia asks. “Are those the children’s names?”

“Yup.”

“Gabriel is suitable for the name of a prince. A strong name, part of Cordonia’s history as an honorable warrior.... But Eleanor? She isn’t Liam’s, is she?”

“No,” Drake answers. “Her dad’s name is Theodore Blaise. He died in the accident.”

“But Eleanor is also the name of Liam’s mother?”

Drake lowers his voice. “I know, I thought about that, too. That doesn’t seem like something Riley did without thinking. I wish we could ask her, though it’d be useless.” 

“Useless?” Olivia frowns. “Why wouldn’t she be able to tell you? Does she not want to talk to you?”

Drake sighs again. “She lost her memory.” 

“Oh,” Olivia states. She thinks to herself, A clean slate, huh? But she can’t bring herself to explain the sense of dread in her chest. Now what will happen between her and Liam? Will he give up on her? He wouldn’t, though. He’s not like that. He has a son with her. And a step-daughter. “Don’t get Eleanor gummy worms,” she speaks after a silence moment.

“What?” She can imagine the look of confusion on Drake’s face. 

“I said don’t get her gummy worms, get her gummy bears. Worms are sad. Bears are happy. Haven’t you heard that childish gummy bear song?”

“I’m surprised you’ve heard it, Olivia. But I disagree. Worms are for when you’re happy. Bears are for when you’re sad. She just lost her father and is probably still upset, and we’re here to try and make them happy. Cheer them up before a serious conversation, y’know?”

“Is that why you guys were in the toy store?” Olivia picks up the picture that shows the three men walking out of said store with shopping bags in their arms.

“Olivia, are you spying on us?” 

“No,” she states, “though I probably should be since you all aren’t bothering to tell me anything. Anyway, Jacob intercepted some photographs of you three going around stores in Times Square. The pictures were being sent to someone in the palace.” 

“Damnit,” Drake spits. “Who else knows that we’re in New York? Whatever. I’ll let Bastien know. In the meantime I think you should go over to the palace and check everything out. See if anything suspicious is happening.” 

“I’ll leave in the morning,” Olivia declares. “Oh, and Drake?”

“Yeah?”

She sighs. “Let me know if Riley’s condition improves. And tell Liam that I’ve been meaning to talk to him. It’s alright if he can’t, I know he’s got a lot on his plate, but... just....”

“Damn,” Drake comments. “Someone’s going soft. Was it the gummy bear song that did it?” 

Olivia scoffs and ends the call. 

#theroyalromance #kingliam #liam rys #drakewalker #olivia nevrakis #liam x riley #liam x mc #choices fanfic #trr fanfic #trr fandom #trr fanfiction #the royal romance fanfiction

[msjr0119]

This Life

The majority of characters belong to Pixelberry from The Royal Romance/Heir.

Series warnings ⚠️: Adult language, sexual.

Based on the Netflix series- Sex/life. Some situations are based on canon.

Tags: Because I’ve been gone MIA in like forever I don’t know who’s here anymore 🙈… so I’m not tagging specific people.

****

School psychologists aren't supposed to write books or diaries about sex. Doing so would be considered 'unethical' and 'a fireable offense'. Lucky for you, ethics was never my strong suit.

****

January 3rd

New year. New start? No. Same shit, different year. It hasn’t always been ‘bad’ though.

There was a time in my life where I was; wild, fun, happy. I was living the time of my life. As if there was no tomorrow. No worries. Anxiety- what anxiety? No sleep. It didn’t matter to me. Caffeine was my best friend as well as Liv. Both getting me through each day. Thinking back to those days- I was vulnerable. The reason why… HIM.

The man who has not been named ‘out loud’ in nearly a decade. However, just recently the memories keep flooding in my mind. I’m not sure why? As much as I try to erase them, they return immediately. Today I spent the afternoon vacantly staring at my child as he caused chaos around me. Typical toddler, some may suggest. My boy- he was…is, a blessing. To begin with, I wasn’t sure if I could be a mother. Half of the time, I’m surprised that I’ve managed to look after myself all of these years. Motherhood- that was never a high priority in my future when I imagined my fairytale life in my adolescence. Honestly, my only goal in life was to achieve my PHD in Psychology. Oh, how that went ‘tits up’.

My husband- he was my saviour five years ago. Most of our close friends and family assumed that Nate was just a rebound. Deep down, I probably believed that too back then. However, he proved everyone wrong- including myself. For the last five years he’s provided for me but for also for Preston. Most people would think that I sound ungrateful for the life that I have. Maybe I am?

The majority would dream for what I have; the wonderful house outside the city. The opportunity to not have to work for now- the life of a typical housewife. The privilege to own nice yet expensive cars due to Nate’s promotion. And not forgetting the support from Preston’s nanny- Ioana. Why isn’t all of this enough for me? I often think…What if, I had never agreed to that coffee date with Nate on our first meeting? Would my life have been any different? Could I have rekindled with the man who made me feel invisible- electrified? The intimacy with him. God, I miss it. I miss him. Back then, I was caught up in the euphoria of the moment. ‘For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, until parted by death’ I keep reminding myself about the vows that we made- ‘I am happily married’. But, is that true?

“Shit!” Looking at her watch, Riley realised that the day had rapidly disappeared. Nate could be returning home at any point.

“Mommy, you….”

“I know, Preston. I’m sorry I said a naughty word.” Scrutinising the mess surrounding them- Riley deleted all of what she had noted down, before rushing around like a headless chicken in her night wear still. Hearing the door open, she panicked slightly before recognising the familiar face. Phew.

“Excuse me, Miss Riley- but your sister and Mr Liam have just got here. I can take Preston for his bath if you’d like?”

Shit.

“Erm, Ioana- let them in, I’ll quickly run upstairs and make myself decent. Preston, honey- why don’t you show Ioana the train track that we made earlier on? It’s amazing isn’t it?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

“I don’t know why they are here?!” Ioana provided a soft smile towards Riley as she mouthed this and guested that she would be one minute.

Running back downstairs dodging the washing and stray toys, Riley realised that she had two missed calls and voicemails.

Hey, girl.

Sorry I didn’t return your call earlier on. It’s been a busy crazy day. I’m back in the city- you sounded a bit upset on the voicemail. Meet up, tomorrow? Let me know.

Hello beautiful,

Just to let you know, I’m running slightly behind tonight. Emergency meeting with Katrina and ‘the big boy bosses’. I hopefully won’t be too long. I will grab some food at work- just see to yourself and Preston. Love you.

“Nothing new there, then. Working late again wasn’t expecting that at all- oh silly, me. He’s probably so far up her arse…..”

“Riley.” Lindsey shouted interrupting her sisters negative thoughts regarding her husband and his new boss.

“Hey guys. Sorry about the mess. Erm… it was Nate’s first day back at work and myself and Preston are still in the holiday mood. We still need to get back into the normal routine… anyway…. What are you doing here?” Lindsey and Liam gave each other a look- they both didn’t know how to ‘sweet talk’ the discussion that they needed to have with Riley.

“Well… we haven’t seen you since Christmas. So we thought that we’d pay you a visit.”

“It was less than two weeks ago, we’ve gone months without seeing each other before.”

“Erm…” Lindsey stuttered which encouraged Liam to continue the conversation. “Well we know that Nate is working longer hours now- we know that you have Ioana for company but if you wanted a different change of scenery…. We are here. Always.” Focusing her attention towards her sister instead of Liam - Lindsey provided a sheepish smile towards Riley.

“Linz you’ve always been a rubbish liar. What’s the real reason as to why you’ve spontaneously shown up here?”

“Ioana, are you okay looking after Preston for a couple of extra hours whilst we take Riley to the city? Mommy’s night off. I believe she deserves it?”

“Of course, Mr Liam. That is no problem. I agree, Miss Riley should go and enjoy herself.”

****

New York is a city of diversity and dynamism. As well as a city of politics, economy and culture. Even though I don’t live within the city anymore- this is home. The natural feeling of ‘home’ occurs every time that I enter the city. Each corner has a different story to tell. Mixed emotions. Memories both bad and good that will last a lifetime.

To begin with- Riley kept looking over her shoulder in the bars that the trio had entered. Was there some hope that she could see him? If there was to be an unexpected meeting she wasn’t quite sure on how to react. Due to anxiety and nerves - Riley began to take advantage of the alcohol as well as the child free night. The last known location for the man in question was California. Because of this she began to let her hair loose - something which pleased Lindsey but also worried her at the same time.

“Liv’s flat is literally next door. I’ll just go and surprise her and see if she wants to join us, okay?”

“Okay, we’ll get you both a drink. Gin and tonic?” Liam asked.

“No, make it two JD and cokes. It’s what myself and Liv always had during our… fun… days. Nights. Mornings…. I’ll be two minutes.”

“Liam- JD and coke, minus the JD for Ri.” Lindsey whispered to her husband, as they watched Riley enter the flat safely.

“I think she will need a coffee rather than fizzy pop to attempt to conceal the alcohol consumption from Nate. When Riley returns with or without Liv we are telling her the truth, Linz. Olivia will be the extra support that she may require.”

****

“Surprise!”

“Ri… what are you doing here? I suggested to meet up tomorrow on the voicemail.”

“Yeah I know, but….” Stumbling against the wall, Olivia stepped out quickly shutting the door quietly.

“Are you drunk?”

“No! Maybe. Only, slightly.” Shrugging her shoulders, she knew that Nate would berate her for being in this position. However, she didn’t care for now.

“Anyway Linz and Liam sort of dragged me out to the city- because I can never get out, I thought you could join me- us. Like old times…. But obviously old times were just you and I. It’ll be fun though…. I need to talk to you anyway…. I’ve been having these weird dreams. Memories keep rushing back of me and him….” Before Riley could continue with her word vomit - Olivia prevented her from continuing.

“Now isn’t a good time….I’m still jet-lagged from Paris. Tomorrow would better, honey. For me. I can come to you… or you could come back to the city with Preston. Whichever is easier….”

“Who’s Preston?” Standing frozen as if she had seen a ghost, Riley’s brain began to shrivel and not function properly. “I’m assuming he’s the new lucky man in your life?” Not responding to the questions- Riley couldn’t distinguish reality from fantasy.

“It’s good to see you, Brooks.”

#the royal romance #Riley x drake #riley brooks #drake Walker #Liam Rys #trr fanfic #trr au fanfic #tw swearing #tw mention of sex #theroyalromance #choices trr

[anjanettexcordonia]

Chapter 5

Juliette

It fucking stinks in here. I don’t think anyone has stepped foot in here in two centuries. The stone walls are damn. There is straw on the floor. Like a barn. I am in a cage like an animal. It’s freezing in here and I am still in this godforsaken evening gown. What is happening? Have I been abducted? I press my back to the wall and slide down the wall, my head in my hands. I completely misread this situation. My parents will come. I just have to wait.

Ransley

She will stay in the dungeon all night. Maybe tomorrow she will see. Maybe she will behave. She will have no choice but to understand. I will make her. I will break her. But I need to feel her. She may be hungry.

“I’m not fucking hungry.” She pushes the plate of meats and cheeses back at me.

“Eat.”

“No, I don’t care who you are, Prince, let me the fuck out of here.”

My anger starts to rise at the tone of her voice. No one speaks to me like that.

“Then don’t eat, I don't care.” I lock the cell door and leave the food just out of reach outside of her door. She can stare at it all night since she wants to be ungrateful to her future fucking king. I slam the dungeon door and march to my greenhouse.

“Everything okay,sir?” Bernie comes into view as I turn the corner.

“She won’t eat. She wants to starve apparently.” I roll my eyes. She really pisses me off. But I can’t seem to stay away.

“Maybe be nice to her, wine and dine her, ya know, instead of holding her hostage.” Bernie says around his cigar hanging from the corner of his deeply wrinkled mouth.”You're a good man, sir, show her that side. Don’t take by force or set expectations she can’t meet. She doesn’t know you.”

I huff. “Invite her to dinner tomorrow. Take her to a room. Preferably mine.” I beeline to my greenhouse without another word.

After my nightly ritual among the roses, I head to my quarters of this ancient castle. It’s going to get some major updates, or I am going to have to change the primary residence of the monarch to somewhere less dreary. I swear this place is haunted. My quarters I updated as soon as possible while I was away so when I came home, I wouldn’t have to suffer without modern luxuries such as heated floors and better insulation.

“Hi.” My head snaps up to the honey blonde that was once locked in my dungeon and is now sitting on my bed. Wearing my shirt and..

“I hope this is okay. Bernie told me to pick a room, and well.. This is weird.. Maybe I should..” she stands up.

“Tell me.” I step towards her.

“This castle. It’s creepy. Your room was the least creepy.”

I unbutton my shirt and toss it on the floor. Her eyes lock with mine. It’s a battle of wills. Who will look away first? The tension between us is unlike anything I have ever felt. It's a biological pull towards her like she belongs to me, a part of me. I unbuckle my belt and pull it from the loops and let it drop. Never losing eye contact, I unbutton my pants and let them pool around my uncles. We stare each other down. I walk to the en suite and turn the shower on. She follows my every step with her eyes, she looks like she's barely breathing.

Tags: @txemrn @tessa-liam @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @kristinamae093

#fanfiction #theroyalromance #trr #choices #fanfic #ff #alternateuniverse

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

Smoke and Mirrors - Mafia!Leo x Isabella

Synopsis: As Leo requests Isabella’s presence to visit him in prison - can Liam’s plan come to fruition?

Taglist: @lorirwritesfanfic @lorircreates @kingliam2019 @secretaryunpaid @kimmiedoo5 @rafasgirl23415 @drakewalkerfantasy @rainbowsinthestorm @mom2000aggie

TW: Swearing and Violence

Masterlist of chapters is here

Isabella rolled her eyes unimpressed at the situation she found herself in. “Does it matter?” she grumpily huffed standing with her arms folded and lips pouted. “Sorry Your Royal Highness…” the guard quipped nonchalantly, “Passport and personal belongings stay here until you are escorted back to the reception area as you’re not a member of the Cordonian Court…” Angrily the petite brunette slammed down her passport and purse onto the stainless steel table before being directed towards the x-ray machine. As the guard beckoned her forward, Isabella sucked in her cheeks, disgusted at the touch of the guard who completed the pat down without her permission. “Good to go Princess…” he smiled cockily watching as Isabella’s dark chocolate brown eyes scornfully flared towards him. If looks could kill, the guard would have wished himself dead before the Crown Princess had her way with him.

Flanked by two Laurentian Royal guards, the petite brunette’s signature black Louboutin heels clicked against the cold concrete floor as she followed the long, darkened corridor towards the warden’s office. The prison inside and out was dark. She never realised that many different shades of grey were possible. Everything was cold, icy to the touch. Cardonia’s maximum security prison was purposely built in the Lythikos mountains as a deterrent but with any society - there are some who found the prison home. Her long, caramel coloured curls bounced with each step, drowning out the cat calls she was subjected to from the inmates. The vile things they said made her skin crawl but made her more determined to have Leo released. The Crown Princess was made walk the corridors of criminals purposely in an attempt to shake her. Isabella pulled her heavy woollen black coat around her petite frame just that bit tighter to take some control over the situation.

It had been weeks since Leo’s initial incarceration. Bastien found a sympathetic Cordonian judge to the Via Imperii’s mission to sign the papers. The mob boss went from his criminal activities to becoming a political prisoner for acts against the Crown. Ironically against the Crown his birthright entitled him to. No one but a few trusted people knew where Leo was, Sigrid and Lena ensured a media blackout on the former Crown Prince’s whereabouts, making sure they didn’t attract the wrong attention. Most in the Cordonian Kingdom hadn’t noticed Leo’s absence - Drake continued operations as if he was still there. Leo’s syndicate was always a well oiled machine and it’s set up always ensured that if someone was removed, someone else could take their place immediately. Liam on the other hand distanced himself slightly from the firm to butter up their allies. There wasn’t much difference in agreements with associates and political allies; just one was referred to as racketeering, the other was supposedly diplomacy.

The Laurentian beauty’s kohl lined eyes immediately narrowed as her Royal guards opened the door towards the warden’s office with Bastien standing in her eye line. “Crown Princess…” he began to smirk, “Happy to host you here at our wonderful establishment…” Isabella raised her dark brow, cheeks sucked in at the statement. “The pleasure is all mine… I’m sure…” her thick, heavy accent rolled off her tongue in jest. “Please…” Bastien‘s hand raised, directed towards the chair in front of her, “Sit…” The Crown Princess sat down, her face expressionless as Bastien continued, “I know Leo has requested for you to visit today… but before we get to that…” he smiled evilly towards her, leaning across the warden’s table in front of him, “Have you reconsidered the Via Imperii’s offer?” Isabella waited, her eyes locked onto Bastien’s trying to read his next move, “No…” she firmly spoke, “As I have already told you Señor… Not whilst the Crown Prince has been unlawfully arrested in accordance to the Strasbourg Court… also I do not negotiate with someone’s puppet. If Lena or Sigrid have anything to say, they can speak with me directly…”

Bastien began to shake his head with an intimidating chuckle, “You’re playing a dangerous game young lady…” the guards to either side of Isabella, began to raise their rifles only for the Crown Princess to stop them with a simple raise of her hand. The Laurentian beauty leaned across the table, her tone strong and commanding as she spoke, “A word of warning Señor… Intimidation of a Royal is a treasonable offence… so…” Isabella pressed her lips together, her heart was racing, almost screaming in her chest but she couldn’t let anyone know, “…I think it would be extremely wise to call a truce for the day…” ending her sentence with a sly smile which pissed Bastien off even more. “Fine!” The newly instated Police chief barked, “but let me tell you Princess…” pointing his finger at her, “… the Via Imperii have made it clear, you either come quietly or they will drag you screaming…” Isabella slowly shrugged off the threat as Bastien clicked his fingers, “Bring him in!” Isabella took a in a deep breath patiently waiting for them to bring Leo into the forefront.

Nothing could have warmed the Crown Princess’ heart on a cold February Lythikos afternoon seeing Leo enter the room. Behind the jumpsuit and shackles, behind his dishevelled appearance, a mischievous grin began to form, “There’s my girl!” He exclaimed, pushing past Bastien almost knocking him to his feet to sit down in the warden’s chair opposite his sweetheart. “Doll, I’ve missed you…” the former Crown Prince smiled warmly only for her. “Best present ever…” he continued as he reached out, taking her perfectly manicured hands into his own. Isabella bit down onto her lower lip with a shy smile, her eyes getting lost in the sea green warmness of her soulmate; Her thumbs delicately tracing against the black and grey tattooed images that decorated his hands. The Royal Couple didn’t speak, they didn’t have to. He knew what Isabella was thinking before she did herself. Sitting in silence, they held each other to what felt like eternity. Something both of them needed.

Their expressions said more than words ever could. “Time’s up Rys!” Bastien called out as Leo’s hand caressed the petite brunette’s soft cheek. Rolling his eyes across to the left where Bastien and the prison guards stood, Leo leaned across the table - his lips crashing into hers immediately before whispering, “…Stay safe kitten… I love you…” as he was dragged away from her once again and trapped in the confines of the prison. However, Leo did make sure that he had a few saved words for Bastien. With a evil smile, he began to laugh, licking his lower lip before dragging it between his teeth, “Fuck you! And when I get outta here… I’m gonna enjoy watching you suffer!” As Isabella felt her core begin to scream at her, Bastien rolled his eyes towards the warden who sighed heavily, “I’m sorry… but for that I need to send you to isolation…” Leo just shrugged with a smile, “Worth it Warden to watch that son of a bitch flinch…” his body edging back towards Bastien before he was dragged back by the guards.

Blowing a kiss towards Isabella, he gave her a knowing wink as they both were escorted to either side of the prison. Picking up her things, Isabella looked carefully at the items of her purse making sure everything was in place. Shaking her curls back into place, the Laurentian beauty walked out of the prison before dismissing her accompanied Royal guard who escorted the Crown Princess towards the waiting Cadillac Escalade. Stepping into the vehicle, Isabella’s dark chocolate brown eyes rolled to the left, “Liam…” the petite brunette became overcome with emotion rambling about the conditions and how hard it was to see Leo in there but all Liam could do was place his hands onto her shoulders, “Your Royal Highness…” Liam spoke firmly, “I need you to snap the fuck out of it! You to keep it together for just a bit longer ok?…” Isabella lowered her head with a sniff, quietly replying, “Ok…” as Liam rested his head against hers, “We need him on the outside… Did you get the tapes and letter?”

Isabella nodded, reaching into her purse she pulled out the VHS tape and signed affidavit that was placed into her purse at the Warden’s command handing it to Liam who immediately stuffed it into his blazer coat pocket. The former Prince put his foot down causing the wheels to spin against the dense Lythikos snow. “Let’s get out of here…” The drive to Applewood Manor was excruciatingly quiet as Liam frowned deep in thought and Isabella stared aimlessly at the falling snowflakes that amalgamated with the others to create a large blanket of snow across the Cordonian Kingdom. “Liam…” Isabella quietly murmured as they arrived at the seemingly abandoned estate, “Do you think this will work?” Liam took a deep breath, slowly exhaling as he pondered his thoughts, “Truthfully… I… I don’t know Crown Princess but all we can do is try…”

Isabella smiled slightly. Her history with Liam was never the greatest but this was the first time, in a long time, that he seemed to care. The Crown Princess also found it admirable that Liam still found himself respectfully using Royal titles. For someone who had been stripped of his own wealth and social standing, Isabella thought Liam would have happily followed Leo, living a life of commonality but he was renowned to be respectful to the Crown and what it stood for. Liam turned his head towards Isabella before slightly nudging her, “huh?” The petite brunette snapped back into reality causing Liam to laugh, “Sorry I was miles away…” His lips began to curl upwards into a smile, “When we get back to Applewood - we’ve got a few guests visiting. Hope you don’t mind hosting a little soirée?” Isabella raised her brow, as Liam continued with a chuckle, “I’ll take a leaf out of the big guy’s book - sabotage should always be done over a glass of champagne…”

Royalty were good at one thing - business was always done at events. Some of the best treaties were signed off in principle at events like this. The Crown Princess dazzled those in attendance, her curves poured into a navy, silk dress that emphasised her olive, sun kissed skin. Isabella was so busy greeting those in attendance, Drake had to interrupt her, “Sánchez…” he placed his hand gently onto her back whispering into her ear, “Follow me…” Her dark, chocolate brown eyes looked up towards Drake with a subtle nod before they narrowed, a bright, beaming smile from the Crown Princess towards her guests, “Excuse me…” she gestured, placing her hand gently against the visiting Duchess’ wrist, “Please enjoy your evening…” Drake escorted Isabella through the crowd, bringing her towards the back of the manor property. “What’s going on?” She began to question but all Drake could do was smile, “Someone here to see ya Sánchez…”

Carefully, Isabella pushed the door open to find her father standing with Liam. Both of them laughing and joking took some of the weight off of her shoulders. “Papa…” she whispered, almost not believing what she saw. Her father reached out, bringing the Crown Princess into his arms - hugging her tightly. “I can’t believe…” her eyes darting between her father, Liam and Drake but her father just laughed, “You can thank these two… I had some documents that I wanted to bring personally…” she noticed he wasn’t formally dressed, “Are you not…?” He began to shake his head, “I’m sorry sweetheart, this was only a flying visit…” she understood but her eyes began to glaze over as he hugged her again. “Come home soon… I love you…” King Felipe whispered to his daughter, his most prized possession. “I love you too papa…” Isabella sniffed knowing if she had cried, she’d be unable to control the floodgates. Tapping the corners of her eyes, she smiled warmly before kissing her father’s cheek, taking her hands into her own giving them a gentle squeeze, “I promise…”

“Ana…” Liam’s deep, velvety tone cooed, “Just the person I hoped to see tonight…” the acclaimed journalist pulled down her sunglasses with a smirk, “Liam Rys…” her eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down, “Your suits are better now you’re not being dressed by the Royal tailors…” prompting the former Prince to chuckle, “I try my best… I have something for you…” quietly passing her across a manila envelope. “You may be interested in its contents…” Ana pursed her postbox red lips together, “Take it this is to do with Leo?” Liam looked down towards the journalist with a knowing wink, “It’s whatever you think it is Ms. DeLuca… I trust we can rely on your support?” Ana pushed her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose, “I’ll do what I can…” Liam nodded knowing that this wasn’t a guaranteed win but he was willing to take the chance.

A few days had passed, Liam sat in Applewood Manor’s Courtyard as he had done for the last few weeks. Each of the daily newspapers had been delivered on time as normal, neatly stacked on top of one another beside the silver antique French press filled with steaming hot coffee. Carefully pouring his coffee into the China cup, the former Prince began to smile watching the sun rising. “Today…” he began to chuckle, “…is a good day…” Liam’s lips began to curl upwards as he shook the first newspaper, the front cover calling out Leo’s incarceration; followed by the next and the next following the same story. Liam’s phone began to vibrate against the table, all he did was pick it up, turn it over to enjoy his morning coffee. This was only part one of his plan to expose the Via Imperii. For an organisation who loved to be in the shadows, Liam was ready to expose their smoke and mirrors to the masses and this morning he genuinely thought he could hear Lena screaming from the Palace which make him grin even more.

#choices #the royal romance #leo x isabella #king liam #drake walker #playchoices #choices fanfiction #prince leo #choices the royal romance #playchoices fanfiction #queen isabella #royal romance au #trr #choices stories you play #playchoices fanfic #royal romance #choices: stories you play #king leo #theroyalromance

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Through The Storm: Part 3

DISCLAIMER:      All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except characters  unique to my story.  Those belong to me. ;)

PAIRINGS:  Riley (MC) x OC, Riley (MC) x Liam, Liam x Riley (MC) x OC, Olivia x Drake, Bertrand x Savannah, Maxwell x OC

SUMMARY: Riley Lawson returned to New York a broken version of herself after a failed whirlwind romance.  Years later, she has put the past behind her and rebuilt herself into a successful event planner who is happily enjoying her fast-paced New York lifestyle.  However, just because she’s put the past behind her, doesn’t mean it won’t come back to haunt her.  When an unexpected letter turns up on her doorstep, she’s forced to face the people and feelings she ran away from all those years ago.

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06/09/2020 - Part 3 is up! I hope you enjoy this revitalized version.  As a FYI, as I post a new part of the revamped version, I will be taking down the old chapter.  This is just so that people won’t get confused between the revamped version and the original version.

                                          PART 3 - Here We Go

Please Come.  The words stared back at me as I read the tiny slip of paper over and over again.  He wanted me to come back.  Apparently, he also wanted me to email him.  I smirked.  He knew of my aversion to telephone conversations.  He probably figured I’d be more willing to email him than to actually pick up the phone and call him.  Reading his email address, I couldn’t help but giggle softly.  He was still as childish as ever.  Of course he would still have the same ridiculous email address.  He’s Maxwell.  All the anxiety and apprehension that had been troubling me seemed to fade away.  Then again, when Maxwell was involved, it always seemed to fade away.

“So, who’s getting married?”  Andy asked, interrupting me from my thoughts.  She tried to lean over to get a better glimpse of the invitation in my hands.

“Maxwell’s brother, Bertrand.”  I smiled, scanning over the beautiful calligraphy.  “Bertrand Beaumont, Duke of Ramsford cordially invites you to the celebration of his marriage to Lady Savannah Walker at the Beaumont Estate on Saturday, May 5th.  Formal attire required. ” I recited the perfectly proper wording off of the invitation.  “I would expect no less of the Duke of Ramsford.”  I snorted.

“It sounds so stuffy.”  Andy crinkled her nose.  “Are all of Cordonia’s people like that?”

“Well, if you met Bertrand, you’d understand,” I chuckled.  “He’s all about all things prim, proper, and respectable.  He’s a traditionalist through and through.”

“He sounds like a bore,” Andy said, shaking her head.  “So, are all of them like that?  That Maxwell guy you mentioned?” Andy pressed on.

I shook my head, thinking about Maxwell and Drake.  “Not everyone.”  I smirked.  “The groom’s brother, Maxwell, he’s anything but boring.  If anything, he keeps everyone on their toes with his crazy antics,” I laugh to myself thinking of his break-dance moves and the countless Beaumont bashes.  “The bride’s brother, Drake, he’s as common as they come, and he is probably the most down to earth fellow in all of court.  He really looked out for me while I was there.  He was such a genuinely decent guy.  Court is hard for commoners.”  

I bit on my lower lip recalling all of the hardships that I had encountered at court.  “Most nobles only care about titles and wealth.  Drake had neither, so it made him an outsider.”  I frowned a little.  “Just like me.”  

“Well, I’m happy you had someone who knew what you were going through while you were there.   Court seems like a pretty lonely place.”  Andy said decisively.  She paused for a moment before continuing.  “That being said, maybe you should think about going.”

My head snapped up.  “What?”

Andy reasoned, “You know …time heals all wounds and all that jazz.  It might be good for you to go back and get some closure.”

“I have closure,” I said in exasperation.  “I just figured out how to move on with my life . . . I don’t need to go stirring things up again,” I said firmly.

“Hear me out for a second,” Andy said.  

I suddenly couldn’t breathe again.  I looked at Andy as I paced around the living room.  I suddenly felt betrayed.  I had just spilt my heart out to her . . . telling her how tough court had been . . . how broken I became . . . and after all that she still thought it was a good idea for me to go back there?

“They obviously want you to come back.  You say you have closure, but what about them?  Maybe they need closure, too.  From the sounds of it, even though you keep saying this is all in your past, it’s still having a pretty big effect on you.  I’ve never seen you like this.  We’ve been roommates for over a year now, and you have been a pillar of strength.  But Ri, I’m starting to see some cracks in that pillar,” she said softly.  

”What are you talking about?” I questioned angrily.

“You get this invitation and suddenly all hell breaks loose.  Sweetie, you’re a hot mess right now.  And if you get like this over a simple wedding invitation, Lord only knows how you were when you first came back to New York.”  Andy gently continued.  “You are not doing okay, Ri.  Something is obviously bothering you and I think you need to go back there and figure it out.” 

I shook my head like a maniac.  “No way,” I said as I quickened my pace walking around the living room.  “Are you insane?  I haven’t seen any of these people in two years.  TWO YEARS.  Plus, I left pretty much telling everyone not to talk to me ever again.  I think my exact words were to forget I ever existed,” I cried as I started to wave my hands back and forth frantically.

“Riley,” Andy started to say.

“No.  You don’t get to talk anymore.  You need to listen.” I said firmly.  “How am I supposed to go anyway?  It’s all the way in Europe … in like three weeks!  Not to mention there’s all these pre-wedding festivities listed here that request the pleasure of my attendance.  It’s going to be galas and parties and rubbing elbows with all the people that tried to ruin me,” I rambled.  “I just can’t jet off to Cordonia on a whim.  I have a job.  I have the Mitchell grand opening to worry about.  Paul just got back from Boston, I doubt he’d even be able to be my plus one, and I’m certainly not going alone.  I just can’t drop everything and pretend I don’t have responsibilities.  I did that once before and it bit me in the ass.”

Andy sat on the couch staring up blankly at me.   I couldn’t blame her.  I had never flown off the handle like this before.  I watched as she stood up and grabbed me by the shoulders, pulling me into a hug.

“Calm down, okay?  I’m sorry,” she said softly.  “Obviously, this place . . . these people did a number on you, and I was wrong to push.  I know this is hard, and it’s probably something you never thought you’d have to deal with, but from everything you just said, you are clearly not over everything that went down way back when.  Don’t you owe it to yourself to officially close this chapter of your life?”

I blinked rapidly, processing her words.  “It has been closed for two years,” I whispered angrily.  “What are you a psych major now?” I muttered.  I closed my eyes, kicking myself for taking my frustrations out on Andy.  I know she didn’t deserve it.  She had only been trying to help.

“Andy, I’m sorry.  I’ve just … lost my damn mind.”  I grabbed the invitation and threw it on the coffee table, staring at it as if that alone would will it away somehow.  “You’re right . . . I’ve worked so hard to forget about Cordonia and the people I met there, that I never really took the time to really sort everything out.  But I’m in a good place now, and I’d hate for all the progress I’ve made in moving on to get thrown out the window,” I exhaled deeply.

“Well, what do you want to do?” Andy asked.  “What does your gut say?”

“To throw that thing in the trash and forget it even got delivered.” I said firmly, even though I knew that was impossible.  That invitation had seared itself into my brain.  There was no way I could forget about it now.

Andy snorted, clearly thinking my plan was ridiculous.

“I told you, ignorance is bliss.”  My phone dinged with a text message from Paul. I breathed a sigh of relief.  “Look, I gotta go.  Paul just got into a cab and he’s on his way to Russo’s.” I explained.  “I love you for worrying about me, but I’m fine.  Okay?”

She looked at me in disbelief.

“All right, I’m not fine, but I will be,” I said with certainty.

“Go touch up your make up,” Andy relented.  “You’re a blubbering mess, and I don’t want you to not look good for your date with Paul,” she said.  “Although, you could meet him dressed in a paper bag and he’d probably compliment your creativity,” she added with a little bit of an eye roll.

I couldn’t help but chuckle a little as I headed to the bathroom.  My waterproof mascara had served its purpose, and I only had a few smudges of make up here and there.  I rushed to clean myself up as quickly as I could.  I didn’t want to keep Paul waiting for too long, especially after he travelled home early just to see me.  As I rushed out the door, I could hear Andy yelling after me.

“Don’t forget to think about what I said!”

I couldn’t help but cringe.  She was never going to shut up about that damn invitation.

Once on the street, I hit the pavement running as quickly as I could.  The thing about New York was that everyone got everywhere by walking, catching the subway, or taking a cab.  I was fortunate enough to live in a pretty central area that allowed me to have access to some great restaurants and a plethora of stores.  Russo’s was only a few short blocks away.  If I hauled ass, I’d get there in ten minutes.

As I walk-ran toward the restaurant, I couldn’t help but let Andy’s words eat away at me a bit.  I should have been ecstatic about seeing Paul, but now, I had the burden of Andy’s words and the stupid invitation weighing heavily on my mind.  Was Andy right?  Should I make an effort to go?  But then, what if he was there?  Who was I kidding, of course he’d be there.  It was impossible for him to not attend Bertrand and Savannah’s wedding.  Could I handle seeing him face to face after all this time?  Could I even pretend that what we had between each other meant nothing?   I tried to push the thoughts aside as Russo’s came into view.  I wasn’t going to worry about it anymore.  I had made my decision – I wasn’t going to go.  I had Paul to think about.  And my job.  I couldn’t just drop everything to go jet setting to the Mediterranean.  New York was my life now., and Cordonia was just a really bad memory.  The invitation was getting trashed as soon as I got home.

I entered the restaurant as I attempted to quickly smooth the wayward strands of hair sticking up from my fast-paced walk.  I spotted Paul sitting in our booth.  We had come to Russo’s on our first date, and instantly fell in love with everything about the little corner restaurant.  Back then, the waiter was kind enough to seat us at the booth in the quietest area with the best view.  In the dozens of times we had come back here since, Paul would request the same table each time.  We liked to joke that we had exclusive rights to the table since we had probably sat there more than anyone else.  I know it was silly, but Paul loved the sentimentality of it all, and I’ll admit, it held some pretty fond memories for me as well.  It was where Paul had first started to piece the shattered parts of my heart back together.

My eyes met Paul as I approached closer to the booth.  Paul, as always, was meticulously dressed.  He was wearing a perfectly, tailored navy suit.  His tie was a matching He had impeccable style.  As he got up to greet me, he pulled a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back.  As if my heart could swoon any more.  I smiled brightly and leaned in to kiss him softly on the cheek.  I didn’t deserve him.  He wrapped me in a warm embrace and I melted into him, letting the tension of the afternoon fade away.

“I’ve missed you.”  He murmured in my ear.  “Wildflowers for my wildflower,” he said as he handed me the gorgeous bouquet.

“You sir, are too much.  You just get back from your business trip, and you’re bringing me flowers?”  I shook my head smiling. “I’ve missed you too.  I’m so sorry I’m late,” I apologized as I squeezed myself into the booth.  “Andy and I got into a bit of a fight before I came here, and it just kind of set things back a bit,” I exhaled heavily.

“That doesn’t sound too promising.  What happened?” He asked in concern.

I shrugged.  “It’s not important.  I mean, things aren’t exactly resolved, but they will be when I get home,” I waved him off.  “We can talk about it later.  Right now, I just want to spend time with you and eat some amazing Italian food.”  I looked for the menu, but found that it wasn’t on the table.  My eyes shot to Paul, “Did you order already?”

He nodded.  “I just got you your usual.  Although, I probably didn’t even have to order.  Reggie knows our order by heart already.”  

“True.”  I smiled warmly at him.  See?  Perfect.  He knew absolutely everything about me.  “What did I do to deserve you?”

He grabbed my hands from across the table.  “Oh, nothing special.  You were just your endearing self.”

And just like that, all was right in the world again.  I looked down at our joined hands and realized how happy I truly was.  Why would I give all of this up for more heartbreak?  

“So, how was Boston?”  I asked, as I pulled a slice of bread from the basket.

“Terrible.” He growled.  “I wish I never had see that city again.  Well … not so much the city, just most of the people ithere.  Plus, there have been so many headaches with the McCullough merger.  It’s a nightmare.  Truly.  No one wants to budge.  Looks like we’re going to have to meet a few more times before we come to even some semblance of a deal.”

“That’s too bad.  Hopefully the merger resolves quickly so that you don’t have to take too many flights back to deal with things.”  I could see the dark circles under his eyes and felt terrible.  All of the traveling back and forth was taking a toll on him, and even though he would never admit it, I’m sure it would probably be easier to just stay in Boston until everything was resolved, but he flew back and forth so that he could spend time with me.

“One can only hope.”  He agreed.  “I’m probably going to fly out there at the end of the month again.  He rubbed circles around my hand as he held it.  “But anyway, enough about McCullough.  I’ve got my best girl in front of me, and that’s all that matters now.”  He looked at me longingly.  “So ah … while we wait for our meals, I was hoping we could talk about something.  If you recall during our earlier conversation, there’s been something on my mind and I just can’t wait to talk about it.”

I sat up a bit straighter in the booth.   “Of course.  What was it that you wanted to discuss?  Is everything okay?”  

“Yes, of course.”  He smiled brightly.  “Everything’s perfect.  It’s just while I was in Boston I did some thinking.  I missed you every day.  The texts and Facetime sessions were great, but it wasn’t the same as having you by my side.”  He reached up to stroke my cheek, and I felt myself instantly flush over his gentle caresses.  “And every night I went to bed, I wished for you to be right there next to me, and then it had me thinking that maybe it’s time to take the next step.”

“The next step?” I looked at him a bit confused.  “What next step?” I asked.

“Of our relationship.” Paul broadly smiled.

I licked my lips nervously.  Next step?  As in marriage? My eyes widened a bit, and I could feel my leg bouncing nervously under the table.  Well, this escalated quickly.  Marriage wasn’t even something I thought was on the table.  At least not right now.

“Oh?” I asked, my voice a bit hoarse from being caught off guard with his suggestion.  “But don’t you like where things are at right now?  I mean, we’re pretty happy, right?”

“Well, of course.” Paul exclaimed.  "Things are going well.  Really well.  I love you, Riley, and I know you aren’t ready to say it yet, and you don’t need to … but we’ve been together for eight months now, and I know that you’re it for me.”  

I felt my mouth dry out.  Oh crap, he IS talking about marriage.  Oh my God.  I felt the heat from my anxiety rising up my neck.  I quickly let go of Paul’s hands and reached for my glass of water.  I took a large gulp.  “But we’ve only been together for eight months … how could you possibly know …” I trailed off, my face becoming hotter and hotter by the second.  There was no way I was ready for marriage.  Holy crap, I was so in like with Paul.  A lot.  I could even love him.  Someday.  Down the line.  When my heart wasn’t damaged.  He was funny and sweet and sensitive . . . but marriage?

“I’m not proposing or anything, Riley. I just think that we should start seriously thinking about moving in together.”

“Whew,” I exhaled a loud breath that I hadn’t realized I had been holding in.  As much as I cared about Paul, and enjoyed our time together . . . I hadn’t given any thought to a long-term future with him.  I loved spending time with him, and I loved our long conversations . . . but I didn’t know if I was IN love with him.  At least not yet.  And moving in with him?  God, that’s like a major step toward lifelong commitment.  Isn’t that the sort of thing you did after being together for a couple years?  “Moving in together?”  With everything that I had been dealt today, this was just the cherry on the sundae.  

“Well, yeah.  I’m not getting any younger Riley.  I’m 39.  I know I work a lot, and I’m on business trips more than I am at home, but I want a life with you.”  He reached for my hands again, gently rubbing my fingers.  I could feel my hands relax against his.  “I think moving in together will give us a whole new perspective on our relationship – it’ll bring us closer together.”

I sighed deeply.  “That’s a big step.  A very big step.”  I had missed him terribly while he was in Boston.  I missed snuggling with him, and talking to him . . . but moving in together meant being with one another all the time.  What if it ruined what we had?  

“It is, but I think it’s the right one.”  I could tell that Paul sensed my hesitation, so I tried smile a bit, but it probably came out as more of a grimace.

Paul frowned at me.  “Is it because you haven’t said you love me yet?  Is that why you’re holding back?  Because I don’t care about that.  I told you that I’m not in a rush for you to say it.  I don’t know what happened before.  I know you don’t like to talk about your past relationships, but I want you to know that I’m not like those other guys.  I will wait for as long as it takes.  I’m not going to give up on you.  I’m not going to give up on us.”

My heart flip flopped once more, and I could feel my eyes water as he spoke.  I will wait for as long as it takes.  After everything that happened today, I found myself thinking about him once again.  He had said those very same words to me two years ago, except, he didn’t really mean it.  I was almost certain that Paul did.  

“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”  Paul reached in his jacket pocket and handed me his handkerchief.  “No tears.  This is supposed to be something exciting.”  He smiled.  “I thought you’d be excited about it, too.”

I reached for his handkerchief gratefully and dabbed at my eyes.  “I’m so sorry, Paul.  I’m just overwhelmed,” I said between sniffles.  “I’m not freaking out about the whole moving in together thing,” I paused.  “Well, maybe I am just a little.  I just . . . I’ve had a rough day,” I sighed.

He stood up and scooted into the same side of the booth with me.  “The fight with Andy?” He asked in concern.  “When I spoke with you this morning, you were having a great day off,” he added.  “Everything okay at work?”

I squeezed my eyes shut and inhaled deeply.  “It’s not work,” I paused once more.   “The thing with Andy . . . it was a fight over a letter I got today in the mail from an old friend.  I’ve been invited to a wedding.”

“And that’s what you’re freaking out about?”  He said slowly, puzzled as to how that would make me so upset.

“In a way, yes.”  I nodded.  “Remember when we first started dating, I told you that I was still getting over something … well someone.” He nodded.  “It was some sort of fling you had before moving back to New York right?”

I contemplated his choice of word.  Fling.  It was so much more than just a fling for me.  It meant everything to me, but maybe that’s exactly how he saw it.  A fling with an American who got swept up in the grand romantic notion of love.  A fling.  The word still stung though.

“Something like that,” I sighed, suddenly feeling very uneasy.  “There’s a lot more to the story than I actually told you.”  I cringed at the thought of having to relive everything that I had just told Andy just an hour ago.  I cleared my throat and started to recollect everything – the moment I met him, the journey to Cordonia, falling in love with him, the heartbreak . . . all of it was finally laid out on the table for him to see – the good, the bad – the heartbreaking.  All the secrets I harbored from him for the last eight months came spilling out.  As I spoke, his eyes never left mine.  I didn’t cry this time.  Perhaps I was all cried out . . . or maybe just numb.  He didn’t speak or interrupt or even ask questions.  He just held my hand and squeezed when it seemed like I couldn’t get the right words out.  I tried my best to keep a brave face so that he knew that I was fine.  I wondered if he could see through the façade.  

After I was finished, there was an uncomfortable silence that lingered between the two of us.  I couldn’t tell if he was angry or upset or confused.  He was just staring at his hands, seemingly processing everything I had just told him, until a soft chuckle escaped from his lips.

“Well, suddenly I feel very inadequate.”  Paul deadpanned quietly.

“Huh?”  I said in confusion.

“I mean, when your girlfriend tells you that she used to date a Prince … wait I’m sorry … a King … and almost married him, it kind of puts corporate lawyer on the lower end of the spectrum in the dating pool,” he snorted.

I looked at him, mouth agape.  That wasn’t the reaction that I had anticipated.  I had expected yelling, or worse, him breaking up with me.  “What?” I asked again, still not comprehending how he could be so calm and relaxed about all of this.

“I mean it’s kind of hard to show up with flowers when you used to be with a guy that could have given you a whole kingdom.”  He smirked a little.  He was clearly joking, trying to make me feel better about everything.

I shook my head, lightly slapping him on the arm.  “Not funny,” I murmured, even though I was having a hard time stifling my own laughter now.

“It was two years ago, and honestly, from what I can see, there’s no competition.”  I said honestly.  “It didn’t work out between me and him, and now that there’s been a lot of distance, I realize now that it probably never would have worked out between us.  I always felt like I wasn’t enough for him.”  

I looked down at the table remembering the engagement tour, how he proudly walked around with Madeline on his arm.  I remembered the public interviews and newspaper articles about what a loving couple they were . . . while in the background, he was sneaking off to meet me on secret late night rendezvous.  Just as Cordonia was my dirty little secret . . . I was his.  It all felt so contrived.  He wanted the best of both worlds.  He kept promising me that things would work out . . . the truth would eventually come out.  He kept asking me to be patient.  For our sake.  He kept telling me to be patient, to give it time.  Then, suddenly time ran out.  

Paul’s voice broke through my thoughts.  “Hey . . . if he didn’t think you were enough for him, that’s his problem.  Not yours.  He’s the one that gave up the most amazing woman I have ever met.  His loss, is most certainly my gain,” he assured me.  I blushed and murmured a quiet thank you.

“So . . . you mentioned something about a wedding?” Paul said, quickly changing the subject.

“Yup.”  I nodded.  “Maxwell left me an email address to contact him at.  I’m assuming to give him my RSVP.  Andy thinks I should go.”

Paul was quiet for a second, mulling over my words.  “Do you want to go?”

“No . . . for obvious reasons.  I don’t really want to dredge everything back up,” I shrugged.  “I know . . . I know maybe it will bring me closure,” I rolled my eyes.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he shook his head.  “It might be nice of you to visit with the people you’re still friendly with,” he admitted.  “But I’m not sure if it’s worth you getting hurt in the process,” he said honestly.

“Thank you,” I said.  “That’s exactly what I was trying to explain to Andy,” I explained.

“Andy really wants you to go huh?” He reasoned.  “That’s what’s making this harder on you.”

“Well, yeah.” I nodded.  “You know how Andy is, she wiggled her way into my conscience and had me second guessing everything.”  I sighed.  “I just don’t want to see him.”

“Sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do.”  Paul said simply.

I shook my head.  “I made up my mind, I’m not gonna go.  Anyway, it’s in like three weeks . . . and I’d have to be there for like two weeks,” I scoffed.  “Totally not possible with the Mitchell event coming up,” I said.

“When is the wedding?” Paul asked.

“May 5th,” I replied.

“Well, I’d like to say that if you changed your mind I’d go with you, but I’m heading back to Boston at the end of this month, and I’d probably be stuck there well into the middle of May,” he said as he looked at his schedule on his phone.

“See?  One more reason for me not to go,” I affirmed.

“You know I would go with you in a heartbeat, baby,” he said.  

I nodded.  “I know you would,” I said honestly.  “God, why are we even still talking about this?  I’m not going to go.  It’s crazy that I even considered it.  Why should I drop everything for a few weeks to go to a wedding for someone I haven’t even talked to in two years,” I said shaking my head.  “I should listen to my gut.  Maybe I’ll just send them like a nice punchbowl set or something . . .” I shrugged.

He nodded.  “I support you in whatever decision you make, sweetheart.”  

“Thank you,” I smiled earnestly.  “I appreciate how much you care about me and want the best for me.  I’m so lucky.”

“We’re both lucky,” he said.  “Maybe I’m lucky enough that you’ll say you’ll move in with me?” He pressed.  “Will you at least think about it?  I know there’s a lot going on right now, but just think about it.”

I forced a smile.  "Of course, I’ll think about it,” I squeezed his hands in encouragement.  “I just have so much on my plate right now, and like you said, you’re going to be going back to Boston at the end of the month,” I reasoned.

“I was actually hoping to have you moved in before I left,” he said sheepishly.

“Wow . . . um . . . that’s really fast,” I said quickly.  “I just . . . wow,” I said again.  “There’s so many factors to consider . . . I mean, you want me to move into your apartment?  I mean, babe, it’s amazing.  The view is spectacular and there’s so much space.  I can pretty much fit my whole apartment in your bedroom . . . but it’s also so far away from my office.  The commute is going to kill me.  Plus what about Andy?” I asked.  “I can’t leave her high and dry without a roommate.  How will she afford the rent?  I’d be such a crappy friend if I just up and left her to fend for herself,” I exclaimed.  I saw Paul’s face drop and zipped my lips.  I was rambling.  I squeezed his hands tightly.  “I’m sorry.  I’m not thinking clearly right now,” I shot him a half-smile.  “I promise that I will give it some serious thought,” I assured him.

He tried his best to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.  “Of course, that’s fair.”  He smiled again, this time, it was a bit brighter.  “Looks like the food’s coming.”  

I took a deep breath, thankful for the distraction.  At least the moving in conversation was put on hold for right now.  

The rest of the dinner flew by without further mention of either of the bombshells of the night.  We fell into a comfortable conversation about a few of the upcoming parties I was planning, as we finished our dinners.  As we settled the bill, Paul led me out into the street, swept me into his arms, and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.  I couldn’t help but smile as butterflies floated freely in my stomach.

“Raincheck on movie night?” he asked, looking back at me with tired eyes.  “I didn’t get much sleep last night with with the excitement of coming back early,” he explained.

“Oh my gosh, don’t be silly.  We can definitely do movie night next week,” I assured him.  “You go home and get some rest.  I’m sure all that travel is catching up with you.”

He placed a soft kiss on my head and squeezed me tightly.  “Want to split a cab home though?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s such a beautiful evening, I think I’ll walk,” I motioned around me.

“Alright, beautiful.”  He pulled me closer to him, tipping my chin up as he kissed me gently.  

“Goodnight,” I murmured against his lips, falling into his embrace one more.  

He softly ran his fingers through my hair.  “Until next time, sweetheart,” he replied as he walked down the street to hail a cab home.

I spent the rest of the walk back to my apartment mulling over Paul’s words.  Sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do.  I started to have second thoughts about my decision.  I mean, no one would really miss me if I didn’t go right?  Then again, Maxwell went through all the trouble of tracking me down . . . shouldn’t I put all my fears and worries aside and do this for Bertrand?  It’s only a couple of weeks.  I could survive that surely?  Maxwell and Bertrand were like the brothers I never had . . . and never really wanted, but that was beside the point.  When they took me in, I suddenly had a family again.  And for a while, it felt wonderful to belong somewhere.  Should I go as a thank you?  I mean, I was there when he reconnected with Savannah . . . I had helped him through the shock of finding her again and learning about Bartie.  I’d watched as Bertrand came back to life.  It’d be amazing to see them finally get their happily ever after.

And what of Maxwell?  Sweet Maxwell who was hoping beyond hope that he’d be able to reach out to me and bring me back to them.  That hope never faded after all.  He apparently couldn’t … or wouldn’t move on.  The invitation and email address made that clear.  It would be wonderful to see Maxwell again.  I actually kind of, sort of missed him.  I feel bad about how things ended and how I treated him when I came back to New York.  He didn’t deserve that.  

But what if I went to Cordonia . . . would I be forced to see him?  Them together?  I don’t think I could stomach seeing Madeline’s conniving face.  What if they had a family now?  Could I pretend to be okay when the man who I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with had moved on?

What if I lost myself again?  What if I got caught up in the whirlwind of court?  I can’t go through another round of rumors and whispers from the other nobles.  Was my scandal ever resolved?  Did they ever get the truth out of Tariq?  Or was I still the court slut who slept around to get ahead?  

I’m doing it again.  I’m spiraling and I need to stop.  These unsavory thoughts were going to do me in.  This just proves that I can’t go back there.  I’ll end up breaking down.  Maybe this time it will be worse.

When I got back to my apartment, I saw that the living room lights had been turned off, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  I was not ready to go for round two with Andy tonight.  It looked like Andy had called it quits for tonight and went to go hibernate in her bedroom.  I threw my keys on the kitchen counter, and glanced at the coffee table.  The invitation mocked me from where I had thrown it earlier.  I ambled over to the table, picked up the invitation and tossed it into the kitchen trash.  That was that.  It was done. Now all I needed to do was email Maxwell with my regrets and ask where I can send a gift so that I could put this whole nightmare behind me.  

I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine, and poured myself a generous amount in my favorite glass.  I plopped back onto the couch, pulled out my laptop and got to work.  How hard could this be?  Exchange a few niceties, thank him for thinking of me, and tell him I can’t make it.  Easy peasy.

As I logged into my email account and clicked on the new message button, I found myself stuck.  How do you start an email to someone you haven’t spoken to in two years?  I took a sip of my wine pondering how I would start and what I would say, then began typing quickly.

Dear Maxwell, Hi, it’s been a while.  Got the invite.  I can’t make it.  Would love to send a gift though.

I frowned.  That was terrible.  It sounded like I didn’t even care.  I sighed, gulping down some of my wine and crossing my legs on the couch. I tried to type again.

Dear Maxwell, I’m so sorry that I haven’t kept in touch.  Things were hard when I came back to New York, so I thought a clean break would have been better.

Oh my gosh, that’s totally off point.  I paused, thinking again, pouring a bit more wine into my almost empty glass.

Dear Maxwell, How long has it been?  Two years?  Wow time sure flies.

Nope.  Now I’m not even addressing the elephant in the room.  I sighed, a bit stumped about what to say.  I stared at the laptop’s screen, at a loss for words.  This hadn’t seemed so hard in my head.  I sighed again, and tried to type something else.

Dear Maxwell,

I got your invitation to Bertrand and Savannah’s wedding.  First of all, I’m so happy for them.  Happy for all of you.  But I can’t come back.  I’m so flattered that you thought to invite me after all this time, but my heart

I stopped typing, hit the delete button, and started again, drinking just a bit more wine than before.  

Dear Maxwell,

I received a beautiful invitation in the mail announcing Bertrand and Savannah’s upcoming marriage.  It will be a beautiful day . . . that I won’t be attending.

I crinkled my nose.  That’s a bit too harsh.  I stabbed the delete button once more, took another gulp of my wine and started again.

Dear Maxwell, House Beaumont must be knee deep in wedding planning, and I can only imagine how busy things must be for all of you.  Thank you for thinking of me and wanting me to be a part of such a special occasion.  I’ll admit that I was more than a little surprised when I saw the invitation.  I am so happy that you thought to include me in their special day, but for reasons of which I’m sure you’re aware, I am unable to attend.

I read and reread the paragraph, and deleted it once again.  God, why am I spazzing out about this?  Why can’t I just say no, with regrets and be done with it?

As I went to pour myself another glass of wine, I realized that the bottle was now completely empty.  In the course of the last hour, I had drained an entire bottle of wine by myself.  I bit my lip.  This wasn’t a job for wine anyway.  I needed something harder.  I stood up and headed over to the liquor cabinet, sifting through the various bottles until my hand landed on an unopened bottle of whiskey.  I pulled the bottle down, grabbed a glass, and poured the amber liquid in generously.  Whiskey certainly wouldn’t solve any of my problems, but I would happily indulge in something that might numb me for a while.  As I sipped from the glass, I could already feel the smooth liquor working to calm my nerves.  With the liquid courage entering my system, I started to type once more.

Dear Maxwell, Hey, it’s Riley.  I know it’s been a while, but I am reaching out to you because I received your invitation to Bertrand and Savannah’s wedding.  Let me first start off by saying that I am so happy for them! They truly deserve a happily ever after, and am so happy to hear that they are joining their lives together.  That being said, I am unfortunately unable to attend.  I run my own business now, and can’t really be away for an extended period of time.  I hope you understand.  Please let me know if they are registered anywhere as I would happy to send along a gift in celebration of their nuptials.  Please send my regards to all of them, and I hope you are doing well. Sincerely, Riley

My eyes started to get heavy, probably from all the alcohol I had consumed.  I pushed my laptop to the side, intending to send the message tomorrow morning after I had a chance to read through it once more.  As I felt sleep begin to take me, I snuggled up closer into the couch as my eyes fell heavily closed.

#theroyalromance #throughthestorm #ohtheangst #the royal romance #trr #choices trr #trr fanfic #trr fic #choices #choices fanfiction #choices: stories you play #secondchances #king liam #liam x riley #liam x mc #Royal Romance #choices the royal romance #love #playchoices #choices fandom

[playchoices]

Some of you all have mentioned changes to The Royal Romance… We’re not quite sure what you mean? 👀

#playchoices #funpost #theroyalromance #funny #mustache #visualnovel #narrativegame #mobilegame #choices #choicesstoriesyouplay #pixelberrystudios

[secretaryunpaid]

The Unsuited Suitor and The Queen's Royal Pet

Thank you Bebepac for asking !!!

The Unsuited Suitor...

A/N: This Hana Lee fic tells her story of joining the Social Season in which Liam Rhys has now become the Crown Prince.

It started out as just a fic to refamiliarize myself with my original opinions of TRR characters as I started including small paragraphs in my TNA-TRR crossover... sort of like a bio for each one...

I frustrate myself a lot with writing some days, and just want a redirect.

Snippet: (When her mother takes the most precious thing she could from Hana)

It wasn’t until she’d returned to her wardrobe to take in the memory of times together with her lǎolao that she’d realize her mother had entered her room and taken the most precious reminder. She rushed to her mother’s door, begging for her to return the kimono to her...

Ignoring the knocks of her desperate daughter, Lorelai would just turn over in her bed, feeling that proper punishment had been served. Hana’s frame slumped against the door, feeling the lowest she’d ever been made to feel. In her mind, she’d finally lost everything that she had cared so deeply for. She would cry herself to sleep in that very spot, the silk robe doing nothing to shield the cold temperatures as she shivered constantly through the night.

At some point, her father would awaken and carry Hana to her room, seeing the exhaustion clearly on her face. Once tucked in bed, he would make many unheard apologies for having allowed her mother to take what was most precious to her, having ordered as many kimonos of similar pattern to be rushed to her wardrobe before she could wake… Not caring who had to be disturbed to make this happen. His diligent attempt to make amends would be noted as she’d rush to her wardrobe upon awakening to see if her mother had a change of heart… only to be met with further disappointment and sadness… How could they think these replacements would even be appreciated in the least way? They had no significance to her like the handmade kimono she’d made with her lǎolao.

Her mother came across as a beautiful siren... Lorelai could lure in the best of them, capturing them in her spellbound trance, bending to her will if they didn’t have the sense to look away… It showed how she managed to control Xinghai Lee completely. She intended for her daughter to form a bridge for their families advancement, and the abdication of Crown Prince Leo Rhys seemingly provided the needed opportunity.

She would lay and dream of her favorite character Mrs. WhatsIt from “ A Wrinkle In Time”, transforming into the character herself as her personal escape from her life...

Only her character never had the happy transformation, she would always come crashing to the Earth, near drowning before she would awaken... This repetitive dream haunted her... as she was never seen by the approaching boat attempting to rescue her... She wondered if this meant that she would never escape the control her parents held over her... Or did it symbolize the almost escape she had through her engagement that didn’t work out?... Would she never be loved in the way that she longed to be?... Would her future be lost to her?

***** This jumps around a bit, I have to go back and fill in the gaps... My mind hardly ever writes in the order the fic posts *****

Snippet of "The Queen's Royal Pet":

A/N: Liam thought he would smooth things over with Riley after confessing the twins that he fathered unknowingly with their deceased mother. Thinking a French Bulldog would be a good choice for the boys as well as Riley, because they didn't get that big... Boy was he wrong !!!

“Liam !!!!!!!!”

“Well, he seemed like a good choice at the time... would it help if I told you he was a rescue pet???”

“Find him another home!”

“Because he chewed your Jimmy Choo’s?”

~~~~~~~~~~

When visiting the Walker Ranch, the twins seemed to enjoy playing with Thunder, Bianca’s pooch that she kept after finding him abandoned on her ranch. She named him Thunder because he was always running down the stairs, but would always come to a skidding halt at her feet, tail beating excitedly against her hardwood floor as he patiently waited for her to lower his bowl to the floor. It was almost like he could feel that she was getting ready to call him down to eat... He grew on her, so she decided to keep him for her own.

He could play hide and seek better than any of the kids they had met during summer camps... not that they attended normal summer camps, lol... (They were the only five year olds at computer programming camp... It offered some normal activities for their age, but was mostly geared towards accelerated minds.) They begged for one of their own, but was quickly denied by their new mom, Queen Riley.

~~~~~ Cordonia ~~~~~

When Liam showed up at the animal rescue center to pick up his surprise for Riley, there he sat... patiently awaiting his new owner’s arrival... and he wasn’t hard to miss... glaring through the door with his makeshift royal crown adorning his head. Liam just knew that Riley would love him... and he would prove entertaining to the twins.

You could tell that he wasn’t a pet person, because he continually made the mistake of saying that he was a she... The director had corrected him at least three times already, but he would definitely get it right once he lifted him and saw a part that girls definitely would not have.

Liam would soon learn that his choice was not a good one... The pup wasn’t a pup, but a very aged dog. It wouldn’t last long enough for the Queen’s surprise gift when she returned to Valtoria. It had been very lazy but he felt that the dog maybe had been depressed after being taken from it’s usual caregiver... He called Ezekiel over, and he informed him that the poor animal needed final care... Liam’s heart almost shattered... He didn’t understand how someone could allow him to take on an ill animal. Ezekiel explained that there was not a known illness documented in his records... and that the rescue center more than likely thought moving into a permanent home would perk up the dog’s mood...

“I didn’t even name him, yet...”

“Liam, that’s probably a good thing... I means the attachment phase had not set in... I can take you to find a healthy and younger pet if you like... I know you really wanted to surprise the Queen, and do a good deed...”

“I would appreciate that so much, Ezekiel.”

“Let me make a few calls, and we can take him to a final care facility and then look for your new pet.”

“Well this one definitely seems full of life... I could swear it just barked I love you.”

***** This one remained unfinished because someone dear to me was having issues with her fur baby, and ultimately suffered a loss... I couldn't bring myself to finish it, and post it out of respect for her. But, I think in time she won't think me to be insensitive if I complete it. ****

#@secretaryunpaid #theroyalromance #@becoming mrs. dalton #hana lee #maxwell beaumont #liam rys #queen riley