#bertrand x savannah

[alj4890]

All Through the Night

A Choices The Royal Romance Dark AU

A/N Apologies again for how long this took to write along with any errors 🤦🏻 The good news is that this time next week I will be unpacking in my new home 🎉 The bad news is that I might be behind on posting the next chapter. Sigh. I can't catch up with anything lately, LOL. Anyway, no murder in this chapter. Just good old fashioned fluff for the most part 😉 Thanks for being so patient with me!!!

@iaminlovewithtrr @gkittylove99 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles @twinkleallnight @lodberg @amandablink @neotericthemis @mm2305 @sfb123 @iufilms @tessa-liam @busywoman @nestledonthaveone @angelasscribbles @thesvnsins

Part 10

Regina's death sent shockwaves throughout the two kingdoms. In Cordonia, people who knew of her magical ability mourned the loss of their Guardian. Those who were unaware of the hidden realm mourned for a noble who had always stuck by the Nevarkis rulers.

In the Dark Kingdom, the creatures that resided there felt an unending sadness for their king. He'd loss two of his mates, something no known monster in history had ever endured before. Those who were lucky enough to find their mates knew there was nothing they could say or do. His very heart was broken beyond repair.

Her death sent a quiet rage through those who'd been close to the witch. Madeleine and her coven fought against their vows to do only good in the hopes of extracting revenge against whatever monster had done this evil act. Olivia and Maxwell did their best to find tracks or any clue as to who the culprit was. Liam and Drake also conducted investigations within the Dark Kingdom.

Rashad and Sherry were given the task of guarding Riley and Hana while the others spent days and nights searching. It was fruitless, to say the least. Whatever killed Regina had managed to leave no clue as to who or what they were.

"It has to have been a werewolf." Maxwell muttered late one evening to Olivia. "The slashes and loss of organs point to one going completely savage."

"I agree." Olivia's brow furrowed in thought. "Maxwell? Doesn't it seem odd to you?"

"What?" He paused in his steps, whipping out a canteen of water.

"We've never had this much trouble finding monsters after they attacked." She nodded her thanks when he passed the canteen to her. "Yet with Lucretia and now Regina, we are left with nothing. No tracks of any sort. No bloody trail to follow. No tufts of hair or weapon lying about."

"I know." Maxwell leaned against his sword as they once more scoured the ground where Regina's body had been discovered. "It's something I have never encountered before."

"Neither have we."

Olivia and Maxwell stiffened until they saw Liam and Drake coming down the path.

"Found anything yet?" Olivia asked.

"Nothing." Liam ran his hands over his face. "I've questioned the werewolf colonies these past few weeks and nothing out of the ordinary has been witnessed."

"You sure they're telling you the truth?" Maxwell asked. "I mean, whoever did this basically killed their queen, at least in your father's eyes. They are probably terrified of you and whatever punishment Constantine will put them through."

"I know, which is why I probed their minds." Liam admitted. "Everyone was willing to allow me to do so to prove what they said."

Olivia snorted softly. "That might be the only thing I envy about a vampire."

"What about on your end?" Drake spoke up, ignoring the narrowed glare from Cordonia's queen. "Did Regina have any human enemies?"

"Human?" Olivia gasped. "You think a human could do all that? Are you out of your mind?!"

"Yeah, because a Nevarkis is known for never using torture to kill someone." Drake taunted.

Liam swiftly got between the two, holding his hands up to keep them from coming to blows.

"Enough!" He snapped. "We don't have time for these petty fights."

"The trail ran cold from the moment the killer left her here." Maxwell added, sheathing his sword. "We're wasting time grasping at straws."

"So what are you suggesting?" Olivia eyed Drake once more before putting her dagger away. "We just give up and pretend this is some horrible accident? Like what happened to my aunt? They both just slipped and fell into torture?"

"We don't know if the two are related or not." Maxwell explained. "And if they are, then we must try and think who is next."

"Next?" Drake scanned the shadowed tree line. "You think they are going after powerful people?"

"Possibly." Maxwell's brow furrowed. "If they aren't connected, I don't think the creatures remained in Cordonia. There haven't been anymore similar killings to either Lucretia's or Regina's. This type of attack," he gestured toward the faintly blood stained grass, "isn't a one and done type of action. This is something the creature enjoys and will do again."

Olivia cursed, looking about the once beautiful meadow. All she needed was some wild, on the loose monster tearing through Europe. It wouldn't take long for the rumors of Cordonia's mythical kingdom to be brought up before she had investigators down here.

Liam will be in danger.

Her gaze settled upon the Dark Prince and she felt an unusual need to protect him fill her heart. She'd already lost everyone in her family. She'd lost the kindly witch who tried to protect and help her. She couldn't lose Liam too.

"I'll send some of the King's Guards on a search to some of our surrounding countries' borders to see if any unusual attacks have been done." Olivia decided. "Perhaps the creatures have escaped our kingdoms."

The four parted ways for the night. Each was focused on trying to find a way to unravel this latest mystery in the hopes of keeping those they cared for from having to do so.

****************

The Dark Kingdom Castle, a month later...

"You seem quiter than usual."

Drake jerked his head up. "I do?"

Liam rolled his eyes on his way over to join him. He set a cut crystal glass in front of him followed by a bottle of whiskey.

"The Macallan 1926?" Drake whistled. "I must be pretty quiet to warrant this type of treatment."

Liam chuckled as he uncorked the rare alcohol. "I thought we could both do with a treat." His humor quickly dissipated. "What am I going to do?"

Drake quirked an eyebrow as he took a long sip.

"Father's dying. I have no clue what happened to either Lucretia or Regina. And Riley...should I not encourage her to go back to New York until I'm certain of her safety?" Liam cradled his glass, rolling it between his palms. "I'm at a loss of where to begin in any of this."

Drake tipped back the rest of his drink before reaching for the bottle again. "Look, I'm no medical expert, but I believe there is little you can do about your father. As for Regina," he cleared his throat, "You are trying to solve it. Why you are doing the same for a Nevarkis is the real mystery."

"You know why." Liam grumbled. "Olivia is my--"

Drake held his hand up. "Trust me. I know what she is." He shook his head over his friend's love for the enemy. "Anyway, as for Riley, if you think you can rest easier with her tucked away in New York, then do it."

Liam grimaced. He didn't want to be apart from her anymore than he had to. He also thought that she would refuse to leave. Given how determined she was to be with him and help, he doubted he'd be able to convince her to even pack a bag.

Drake noticed Liam struggling silently. With a sigh, he decided to reveal what was behind his new silence so that the Dark Prince could think on something new for a change.

"I've uh, I've been thinking about going to see Savannah."

Liam's head shot up. "You are?"

Both men rubbed at the ache building within their chests.

"Yeah." Drake swallowed the last of his seond glass. "My dad would probably rip me a new one if he knew I wasn't checking on my sister when she's pregnant."

Liam softly smiled. "Your father was big on remaining loyal to loved ones."

"No matter what they do." Drake mumbled. "Anyway, while you remain out of the sunlight, I think I'll go to Ramsford."

"Right now?"

"I want to get it over with." Drake explained. "Honestly, I don't know if I can take much more of the pain of pretending she did die." He rubbed a hand down his face. "After these attacks, I guess I'm worried something will happen to her and I'll end up wishing I had at least tried to see her again."

Liam reached over and gripped Drake's. shoulder.

"You're doing the right thing."

"We'll see if that's true or not." He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll see you later, Liam."

Drake hurried out of the drawing room, hoping his friend's words were true.

*******************

Ramsford...

"I'm making a mess of this." Savannah grumbled.

Bertrand reached from behind her to pull a few flowers from the vase. With little to no effort, he had the centerpiece looking better than it did in the picture.

"Show off." She teased, turning into his embrace.

A smile he held just for her appeared on his face. "I want everything perfect for your first Beaumont Bash."

"Me too." She tried to fight back a yawn. "Sorry." Her gaze dropped to her now noticeable bump. "I promise I find your ability to arrange flowers fascinating."

He snorted softly. "It is a rare talent."

"I think it's simply you." Her smile gentled. "You've impressed me from the moment we met."

Bertrand swallowed. He wondered if he should now confess that not only had he been going months without the potion, but that he had secretly begun to train as a hunter again. He wished he could tell her he had all his memories back. He wanted to tell her about the nightly battle to fight against Constantine's powers.

He wanted to celebrate that they were getting easier and easier to conquer.

"Savannah, I--"

"Excuse me, your grace." A servant bowed. "But you asked to be alerted the moment Lord Maxwell got up."

Bertrand glanced at his watch, slowly shaking his head. His brother was working too hard. It was already well past two in the afternoon. If he was able to properly help Maxwell again, his brother would be able to greet the day earlier than was now his habit.

"Is this about the entertainment portion of our ball?" Savannah asked.

"It is." Bertrand kissed her forehead then gently caressed her stomach. "I want you to take a nap, Lady Beaumont. You've done enough work today."

She promised she would, parting from him in the hallway.

He watched her until she disappeared then went to check on what was left to complete.

*******************

"May I help you, sir?"

"Yeah, um, I'm here to see Savannah Wal-I mean, Beaumont." Drake stuttered.

The butler eyed him, slowly taking in his casual clothing and wind blown hair.

"And who may I say is calling upon her grace?"

Drake glared at him. "Her brother."

The butler blanched. "Forgive me sir, I wasn't aware you were planning to visit today. Her grace will wish to see you at once!"

Drake's couldn't hide his surprise at not only being ushered into a formal drawing room, but also being waited on hand and foot by the army of servants rushing about. Before he could ask how they knew about him, he was seated with a glass of whiskey and left completely alone.

He jumped to his feet when the door burst open.

Savannah stared at him. A tearful smile formed the longer she stood there.

Drake's hand automatically went to his heart. It was a painful, beating sensation that also held a sense of warmth.

The connection was and would always still be there between the brother and sister. No magic, no separation, nothing at all could take that from them.

Perhaps that was what made the Walker blood oath so powerful.

"Hey." Drake managed to say.

He blinked back tears when Savannah came to stand directly in front of him.

"Hey." She replied while wiping her tears.

He searched for something to say to break the awkward tension between them.

Motioning toward her stomach, "This is why I told you not to go to the woods alone."

Her eyes widened for a moment. She clasped her hands over her mouth when laughter burst from her lips.

Throwing herself in his arms, she hugged him tight.

"I've missed you so much." She cried. "I had no idea that my choice would hurt us all like it did. I thought I would find a way around the potion." She looked up at him. "Can you ever forgive me for what I did?"

Drake wrapped his arms around her. "Yeah, I...I think I can. I'm trying to, Sav." He hugged her, wincing from the pain that still hit his heart like a hammer. "I want to. I don't want to be without you in my life anymore."

Savannah sobbed into his chest, clutching his shirt in her hands as if afraid he would decide to leave her for good.

Maxwell and Bertrand came running into the room, each thinking she was hurt or possibly under attack.

Both brothers stood in shock. Neither wanted the other to know they knew who the man was. Maxwell hoped seeing Drake wouldn't trigger an episode for Bertrand. The latter wanted to tell his wife and brother to stop worrying. He was--

Bertrand lifted a hand to his head, rubbing against the onslaught of memories of that fateful night.

Everything is fine. I'm fine. Constantine has no power over me anymore.

He took a deep breath, waved off Maxwell's concern, and stepped forward to shake Drake's hand.

His smile was a bit strained as he fought the images beating against his temples in an attempt to take over.

"If I'm to go by the similar features, you must be the elusive brother I've heard so much about."

Drake glanced at Savannah then took the offered hand of the man he daily cursed to the deepest pit of hell for taking his sister from him.

He had to bite his tongue to stop from lashing out at the former monster hunter. He knew that whatever Constantine had done to his mind was worse than anything Drake could inflict.

"Nice to finally meet you." Drake said instead. "Sorry I haven't come by sooner. I um, work has uh kept me out of town."

Bertrand knew something mysterious was going on in the Dark Kingdom. Since no one would discuss it with him, he was frustratingly left in the dark over the events that had occurred and how they tied back to that land of monsters.

Savannah kept her arm around her brother as she faced the Beaumonts.

"Which bedroom should we place him in?"

"Bedroom?" Drake sputtered. "Sav, I can't--"

"You must stay!" She insisted. "I haven't seen you in over a year." With a quick glance at her husband and Maxwell, she quickly issued another invitation. "I want you at our ball."

Maxwell quirked an eyebrow at the Dark Prince's friend. He folded his arms, curious to see how Drake would wiggle out of this invitation.

"Sav, I appreciate it but I need to get back to--"

"I'll have the staff prepare a room in the east wing." Bertrand announced. "I'll send for his luggage--"

"I don't have any." Drake swallowed, unsure what to do.

Between his sister's hopeful expression and Bertrand's delicate mind situation, he couldn't very well say he needed to get back to Liam to help keep him safe.

"That's no problem." Maxwell needled, thoroughly enjoying this chance to see a former enemy squirm. "We can let you borrow some clothes or have some delivered from town."

"I don't want to put you out. I can come back by tomorrow and--"

"Nonsense." Bertrand scoffed. "If having you here brings this much joy to my wife, then I insist you stay."

Savannah left Drake's side to kiss her husband, softly whispering her thanks.

He pressed another kiss to her forehead before leaving.

Once out in the hallway, Bertrand dashed to the nearest bathroom. Within minutes, he vomited the contents of his stomach up. The pounding in his head lessened now that he was away from the sight of Drake.

It seemed the hold of Constantine's power wasn't quite finished in tormenting the young Duke.

Bertrand wondered how he was to conquer this new challenge.

*****************

"What the hell was that?!"

Maxwell turned around. "Were you talking to me?"

Drake glared at him. "You could have helped me out back there, Beaumont."

"I did." Maxwell grinned, completely unrepentant in this situation. "Weren't you the one who purposely came to see Savannah?"

"Well, yeah, but--"

"And weren't you the one acting happy to see her again?"

"I mean, yes, but--"

"And don't you want to see her happy and content, especially with the stress of a ball and pregnancy?" Maxwell added.

Drake huffed, shoving past the monster hunter.

"You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?"

Maxwell chuckled. "So I've heard. Enjoy your stay."

Drake slammed his bedroom door in response.

*****************

Domvallier...

"I'm so excited!" Riley exclaimed. "I can't wait to see how another ball looks." She whirled around towards Hana. "You think it will be different or the same as the Queen's?"

"I don't know." Hana helped her finish packing for their trip to Ramsford. "I'm certain though that it will be just as magical."

"It will be." Sherry announced as she walked into Riley's bedroom.

She held up two garment bags.

"I've bought you a surprise." Her smile grew over their excitement. "I couldn't resist when I saw these dresses."

Riley eagerly unzipped hers as Hana gushed over her own.

"These are perfect!" Hana exclaimed. "I was worried about finding us something for the ball."

"Maxwell says it is supposed to be a special night." Sherry told them. "And I wanted to make certain you felt doubly so in your gowns."

"You're the best." Riley hugged her. "I don't know what we would have done without you these past few weeks."

Ever since Liam insisted they leave their beach house for Rashad's duchy, Hana and Riley spent many hours each day with Sherry learning of the new world they were now a part of. The dragon had both literally and figuratively taken the pair under her wing as she explained the mating process and life for a human with a monster.

Between those lessons, the two had fallen even more in love with Liam and Rashad. Every night at sunset, Liam joined them for the evening. The double dates they shared along with those times spent alone were something neither lady ever imagined happening to them. To be so utterly adored was something so foreign, more so than being with a literal monster.

Having each other to discuss this new way of life made the transitions much easier than if they had each faced it alone. They now felt at home in this strange new reality.

They also felt ready to help Sherry lock down her own mate.

"Has Maxwell said anything about the engagement announcement?" Riley asked.

Sherry's smile dimmed. "No."

"But his brother said he would announce it at the ball." Hana reminded her.

"I know." Sherry averted her eyes from the two.

At least they know their mates want to marry them.

It had been hard on her the past few weeks. After the night of passion in the Royal Palace, Maxwell had spent nearly every free moment searching for Lucretia's and now Regina's killer. The little bit she saw of him, he had been in full hunter mode, searching for clues and tense for a possible fight.

She hadn't had a chance to talk to him about more heartfelt subject matters nor of their future.

It was almost as if he was avoiding the subject. Again.

Sherry didn't think she could go through another round of convincing him they were meant to be. But she also knew she couldn't leave him. Ever.

"I need to go finish packing." She muttered when she realized how quiet she and the others were.

Hana and Riley waited until the door shut before sharing a conerned look.

"We have to help them." Hana whispered. "I hate being so happy while Sherry's not."

"We will fix this." Riley told her. Her smile grew with another thought. "After all, they are part of our family now."

***************

Ramsford...

"Hey, Beaumont!" Drake jogged over to Maxwell. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Why?"

"I talked to Liam and told him how I'm basically stuck here the next few days." He grumbled. "And since Riley is also going to be stuck here too..."

"Oh no." Maxwell cursed. "He wants to come here?! Here? Now?!"

"Yeah. Even I think it's a bad idea." Drake folded his arms. "Being in a monster hunter's home along with a visiting Nevarkis is the worst nightmare known to man."

Maxwell rubbed his hands over his face. "He knows he's safe from us."

But what about Bertrand? Will this trigger his old memories? Will it hurt him? How do I keep him from seeing Liam?

What would our parents and ancestors think of me allowing multiple monsters into our home to party?

Maxwell slumped against the wall. He knew he'd have been disowned most likely for becoming a monster's mate. They'd probably kick Bertrand out for marrying a Walker too.

A slight grin formed over how his world had been flipped completely upside down since meeting Sherry. He didn't regret one moment spent with her, save for the ones in the beginning when he tried to push her away. All that though was over. He'd accepted his fate and knew if he hadn't found out she was a monster, he'd have fallen in love with her just as easily.

His plans for her arrival into his home was to officially propose. Bertrand was beyond excited to announce before the court their engagement. Maxwell had taken him along to help pick out a ring for her. His plans had been made all while he searched for killers and guarded the border each night.

It had to be special for Sherry. No matter what else happened at the ball, Maxwell wanted it to be a night she could fondly look back upon.

How could he focus on her like she deserved when he was to also have the Dark Prince himself as a guest?

"Liam will stay out of sight for the most part." Drake added. "Savannah said it was fine as long as he stayed away from Bertrand."

Maxwell knew they were taking a huge gamble in allowing this. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew the vampire would do all he could to honor that request. He had begun to think of Liam as just a nice relative of Sherry's instead of one of the Plagues of Cordonia. He even admired how seriously the Dark Prince was taking the investigations.

He knew with Sherry's explanation of how much it hurt to be parted from a mate for long periods that he shouldn't keep Liam from seeing Riley while here. The vampire was weirdly too nice and understanding.

"We'll put him in the room next to yours. I'll make sure Riley is also placed in this wing to help Liam out." Maxwell finally said.

Drake's eyebrows lifted. "Oh. Um. Thanks." His stance relaxed. "I didn't think you'd go along with the whole inviting a vampire into your home."

"Me and you both." Maxwell muttered. "Ever since Sherry, I guess I've started seeing things differently."

Not in the mood to open up fully to the Dark Prince's best friend, Maxwell hurried off claiming he needed to help finish preparations for the ball.

*******************

Later that evening...

"Welcome to Ramsford, ladies." Bertrand greeted warmly. "Lord Rashad." His smile grew when he saw Sherry. "And my dear Lady Sherry. It has been too long since I've seen you."

Sherry tried to hide how nervous she was by grasping his hands. "Thank you, your grace."

Bertrand shook his head. "None of that title mess between family." He turned to the others. "We have rooms prepared for each of you. I hope you make yourselves at home. We've decided on a light supper tonight since we will be working the kitchen staff overtime tomorrow with the ball."

"That sounds perfect." Riley handed off her luggage to a waiting footman.

"You're home is beautiful, your grace." Hana added.

"Just Bertrand, please." He insisted. "I've never enjoyed my title being used so often with invited guests.

He knew he had slipped up when Savannah came into the entry hall. Her eyes narrowed somewhat in concern.

Damn it all to hell. My potioned mind insists on formality with every single meeting. I've got to find a way to tell her I'm not that man anymore.

Will she be disappointed? Did she care for more the new version or did she miss the old me? What if I'm not who she loves anymore?

The others greeted Savannah and followed her to the dining room.

Sherry stayed behind, watching Bertrand curiously.

He cleared his throat while offering his arm. "Shall we?"

"I was actually hoping to see Maxwell first."

"Yes, of course." He motioned toward the stairs. "Second hall to the right, third door on the left."

He wondered why she didn't move.

Sherry stared up at the stairs, biting down on her bottom lip with fists clinched.

Bertrand decided he probably shouldn't point out that whisps of smoke curled around her.

"Sherry?" He gently laid a hand on her arm.

He fought back a wince from how hot her skin felt.

"Sorry!" She jumped out of reach. "I was, um, lost in thought."

His brow furrowed. "You are still fine with me announcing your engagement tomorrow night?"

"Yes!" She squeaked. "I'm excited." Her shoulders slumped. "Actually, I'm very nervous."

"Don't be. I've never seen my brother act the way he does around you with anyone else."

She wondered if that were true. After all, the man had had his memory altered.

"I suspect he's pacing his room, just waiting on you to arrive." He nudged her toward the stairs. "Please go save our carpet."

A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she began her trek upstairs.

Without any thought whatsoever, she found her way to Maxwell's room. She doubted she'd ever need any map or person to show her the way. She was so in tune with him that it didn't take any effort at all on her dragon senses.

She stood in front of his door and tried to calm her nerves. Shaking out the tiny flames from her fingers, she jumped when a hand clamped on her shoulder.

"Hey." Drake jerked his hand back when she accidentally burned him. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

Sherry's jaw dropped. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Savannah." An annoyed frown formed. "And got roped into staying for the ball."

Sherry's eyes widened. "But the blood oath was broken. The pain you feel--"

"Yeah, it still hurts." Drake shrugged. "But it also felt kind of good to be near her again." He looked down. "I think...I think the more I'm around her, the easier it will be."

"I hope so." Sherry started to hug him then noticed the smoke wafting from her arms.

Drake stepped back with his hands raised. "I didn't come with a bag, so I can't afford you burning my clothes. Liam's bringing it later tonight."

"Liam's what?!"

"He's been invited too." Drake muttered. "If this keeps up, the whole damn Dark Kingdom will wind up as guests of the monster hunters." He glared at Maxwell's door. "If you weren't with him and Bertrand hadn't had his mind wiped, I'd swear this was a trap to destroy us all at once."

Sherry rolled her eyes. "It isn't a trap."

"You all keep telling me that. I'll believe it when I see it."

With a wave, he headed downstairs.

Sherry took a deep breath, raised her hand to knock, then decided instead to just walk in.

Maxwell was indeed pacing. His damp hair showed signs of a recent shower. He was nervously rolling up the sleeves to his dress shirt, then pushing them back down, all while muttering to himself.

"I know you said we were destined to be together, but I want to make that a certainty. Will you marry--no. Sherry, look, we both know we are meant to be. I love you and want you to marry--"

He cursed, running a hand through his hair.

"Sherry, I love you and want you to be my wife." Maxwell patted his pockets, cursed again for not having the ring box to practice with, and turned around to try and search for it.

He stopped dead at the sight of Sherry in his doorway.

"Hey!" He said nervously. "I didn't know you had arrived. I would have been downstairs to greet--"

He toppled backwards into a chair when she launched herself into his arms.

The intensity of her kiss combined with the soothing warmth of her skin made him forget all about how nervous he was.

"I've missed you." She whispered, pressing kisses along his jaw. "I couldn't wait to see you tonight."

"I've hated being apart from you." He groaned when she shifted in his lap. "I don't want another month like this past one."

She leaned back to look into his eyes. Her own were a bright silver as she thought of all the ways he had been practicing his proposal.

Hearing him say how much he had missed her went a long way in cooling her heated temper.

"I love you, Sherry." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I want you to marry me."

"That's all I want too." She met his lips in an excited kiss.

"Wait!" He broke away, lifting her off his lap, and searched for the ring. "I know I put it here somewhere..."

She stopped his frantic movements by patting his shirt pocket.

Rolling his eyes over his forgetfulness, he pulled the little black box out.

"I hope you like it." He stammered. His nerves grew as he slipped the diamond solitaire over her finger.

"I love it." She couldn't stop smiling. "Almost as much as I love you."

He grinned while glancing about. "I'd hoped to pick a more romantic setting than my old bedroom to propose." He shrugged sheepishly. "But seeing you made all my plans disappear."

"I don't care about romantic spots or rings or anything." Sherry wrapped her arms around him. "All I want or ever need is you." She smiled into his kiss. "To me, wherever you are is the best place to be."

********************

Later that night...

"I can't believe you came here." Riley snuggled closer within Liam's arms.

"You know I can't stay away from you." He kissed her softly.

"What about your father? Is he well enough to be left alone?"

"He says he is, but honestly," Liam sat down in a chair, settling Riley on his lap, "he told me to go be with you regardless." His brow furrowed. "Though he doesn't know I'm in the renowned monster hunters of Cordonia's home. Nor that Olivia is also an expected guest."

Riley's mind whirled with the chances Liam was taking, not only in seeing her but also with his investigations. Her worry grew over the mere thought of losing him.

"Can I go back to the Dark Kingdom with you after the ball?"

Liam's eyebrows lifted. "Of course. You will always be welcomed there." He cuddled her close. "Ever since you became my recognized mate, my home has been yours."

"Good." She rested her head on his shoulder. "I think it is past time I met your father."

"He is anxious to meet you." Liam's joy dimmed. "I know he planned on having you to dinner with him and Regina."

"I would have loved to meet her." Riley pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. "What was she and your mother like? Were they similar?"

"In many ways." Liam explained. "They were both loving and genrous with their time and talents. My mother spent as much time as she could trying to make our kingdom a home for any foreign monster seeking sanctuary. Regina didn't have much to do per say in the ruling of our people, but she nevertheless influenced my father on decisions. She was wise in getting to the very heart of matters." He rested his head against Riley's. "She really became a beloved second mother to me."

"They both sound like ladies I hope I can live up to."

Liam looked down at her with a smile. "My love, I already see similar characteristics in you. You have nothing to fear in that aspect."

She smiled into his next kiss. Her mind was trying so hard to think more on her plans, yet his touch always sent her thoughts far from her mind. She wondered if it would ever get any easier around him.

Her last coherent thought was that she hoped his father would help her convince Liam to finally make her a vampire.

****************

In Fydelia, Madeleine's laboratory...

"I know Regina wouldn't approve," Madeleine blinked back tears forming, "but I don't feel up to going to the ball at Ramsford."

"There's nothing wrong with that, my love." Leo sat down across from her. "I know you are still grieving."

He took her hands in his, lifting them to his lips.

Her heart hitched mid-beat with his touch. Leo was nothing short of supportive and considerate while she dealt with the loss of Regina. Madeleine didn't know what she would do without him in her life.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"You shouldn't be worried about me." He got up and moved around the table to embrace her from behind. "Ever since I took that last potion, I have felt better than ever."

She closed her eyes when she felt the brush of his lips against her neck.

He eyed the Lost Book of Aurelia that sat open upon her desk.

"What have you been working on?" He asked.

"Hmm? Oh. I've been hoping this book can help me now that we found a way to help you regain your throne." Madeleine picked up the weighty, ancient tome.

"Help you? In what way?" Leo asked.

"I know this goes against every principle Regina taught me." Her tender expression hardened with her deep fury. "But I hope to find a spell that can help me locate her killer."

Leo momentarily froze. "Have you ever seen a spell like that before."

"No." She set the book down.

The quiet anger radiating off her body sent the hairs on Leo's neck rising.

"But if I do, not only will I cast it; I will make certain that whoever took Regina from me suffers beyond what any mortal has ever suffered right up until the moment I kill them."

#choices trr #the royal romance #trr dark au #trr vampire au #vampire liam #choices the royal romance #liam x riley #maxwell x oc #rashad x hana #leo x madeleine #bertrand x savannah #trr olivia #trr drake

[txemrn]

Book: TRR/TRH (events actually occur in TRH Book 1)

Pairing: Liam x MC (Riley); Bertrand x Savannah

Word Count: ~2500

Warning: innuendos; a little language; fluffiness

A/N: I usually enjoy writing fairly angsty TRR material, but when I started gearing up for this past week's @kingliamappreciationweek, I decided I really wanted to write something new that wasn't so dramatic. So, I started thinking about how Liam is a history buff... and if y'all don't know this by now, I'm from Texas, and the thought of that tall glass of water knowing about my home state's history...whew... Give me a moment... This is pure silliness. It's a re-write of Bertrand's bachelor party/Savannah's bachelorette party, and it's just... silly. It does not follow canon very well. But, I hope you still enjoy it! Happy KLAW 2023, friends!

A/N 2: This is my submission for @choicesflashfics week 30! I will be using prompt 3: "That's how the story goes." It will be in bold.

A/N 3: These characters and some of the plot belong to our dear friends Pixelberry. This was not truly pre-read or beta'd. Please excuse my errors.

~👑~

"Alright, lil' ladies with the beautiful bride-to-be!" A burly bartender with a thick drawl and matching beard comes out from behind the counter, making his way to Savannah Walker's bachelorette party.  Delivering a tray of golden caramel-colored shots, he piles each one high with decadent whipped cream. "Here ya go: six blow job shots."

Hana spews out her cocktail, covering her mouth with rosy cheeks.

"Mon dieu! Did–did he just say–"

"Like you don't know what that is, Kiara," Olivia snorts. "Drink up, poufiasse."

Savannah, Madeleine, and Riley cover their giggles, leaning into one another as they take their drinks.

"Wait," Hana holds up her hands as they prepare to toast their third round of shots. "Where's Penelope?"

"Oh, I'm here! I'm here!" She runs up, out of breath, her short hair and denim dress completely drenched.

"What on earth happened to you?" Riley starts grabbing napkins.

"I was checking in with my dog sitter, but the reception here is awful. Plus, it's raining like cats and dogs out—oooooo!" Penelope's eyes beam at the sight of the shots. "What are these?" She leans down to sniff before humming in approval.

"Blow jobs," Olivia smirks.

"Oh!" Penelope nods with curious fascination. "Leo said that about my lips one time–"

"He said what?" Madeleine raises an eyebrow.

"I know, I didn't understand what he meant either."

"No, that's not–nevermind."

"Hold up." Riley raises her hands to silence everyone before turning to Penelope. "Raining like cats and dogs?" She grimaces, glancing at Savannah. "I hope the guys are alright–"

"Gunther!" 

The sudden boisterous voice of Drake Walker echoes through the dive bar, the doors swinging loudly, clapping up against the wooden walls. The large bartender turns, then brightens when he sees his old-time customer and friend coming into his establishment. 

"Whiskers, is that you?"

The girls quietly glare at one another, mouthing the word 'whiskers.'  

The two men grab each other's hands in a shake before pulling into a brotherly hug. Liam, Bertrand and Maxwell file in through the door, shaking droplets from their wet clothes.

"You guys!" Riley jumps up to greet her husband. 

Savannah follows behind, wrapping her arms around Bertrand before brushing a kiss against his lips. "What are y'all doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Maxwell chuckles, throwing his thumb behind his shoulder.

"The campgrounds were rained out," Liam explains, combing his wife's hair behind her ear. "We thought we could stick it out as long as the creek didn't rise too high. But then," he shakes his head, chuckling, "the tents flooded. The truck almost got stuck in the mud."

"Our clothes and shoes are airing out back at the house," Bertrand states, watching his bride fix his wet hair.

"Wow," Olivia snickers, "so much for roughing it for your bachelor party, huh, Beaumont?"

"I beg your pardon," Bertrand stiffens in annoyance, "we almost died out there, duchess."

"It's water."

"Centimeters upon centimeters–"

"Imagine meters of it. Frozen–"

"Well," Riley interjects the budding feud, "I, for one, am happy you guys are out of the nasty weather." She holds her hand up to the bartender, "first round on the crown!" 

"I like the sound of that," Maxwell chuckles.

"'First round on the crown'?" Liam whispers in his wife's ear, humored.

Riley scrunches up her nose, a mischievous grin crawling across her lips. "What can I say?" She giggles, slinking an arm around her husband’s waist. "I've been a queen for over a month, and I haven’t declared anything yet." She turns to her friends. "Let them drink booze!" She glances back at Liam, who's shaking his head at his tipsy wife. "What? I was channeling my inner Marie Antoinette."

"I… caught the reference," he narrows his eyes, gently placing a grip around Riley's neck. "I hope she’s not the inspiration of your own reign," he squeezes his fingers playfully, lowering his voice into a growl. "I'd hate for you to end up like her."

"You're not convincing me otherwise with your hand around my throat, my king." They knowingly snicker to one another, sharing a kiss.

"Okay, you newlyweds," Olivia snickers, rolling her eyes before turning to Drake. "So, um, Whiskers?"

He crosses his arms. "Yes…Red?" He collects a tray of glasses and a fifth of whiskey from Gunther to bring to the table.

"Curious minds want to know about this nickname."

"Awww, you’re thinking about me, Red?" She scoffs as he purposely bumps into her shoulder. "Maybe you'd rather a demonstration of why they call me Whiskers–"

"Drake Elmer!" Savannah scolds. "You're disgusting." She glances to the ladies. "Only Gunther calls him that, and the only reason he calls him that is because of Dad."

"Dad had a rule," Drake air quotes, "that I couldn't taste whiskey until I had whiskers." He nods towards the bartender, "Gunther there served me my first whiskey right after Dad's funeral–"

"Drakey!"  The syrupy voice of Savannah's ex-boyfriend bellows from across the room. "And he brought his royal round up!" The broad-shouldered red-head gives a curt bow, removing his Stetson as he notices Liam, switching to a British accent. "Your majesty."

Liam nods cordially before casually turning towards Riley. "What is it with you Americans thinking everyone in Europe talks with that accent?" Riley giggles under her breath, pinching her husband teasingly.

"Bert!" Chuck opens up his arms, pulling the duke into a tight, bear hug. "How's our groom? Come down here to flex your trivia knowledge?"

"Trivia?" Maxwell questions.

A sudden jolt of excitement hits Drake, his eyes widening as he looks to Gunther. "Is that tonight?"

"You bet yer' asses, Whiskers. $250 cash prize and a bottle of Jack to share."

"Whatd'ya say, Drakey? For old time's sake?" Chuck holds out his hand. Without giving it much thought, Drake clasps Chuck's calloused hand, pulling him into a quick hug. The men begin to hoot and grunt, clapping as they turn to join the rest of Chuck's friends in the corner.

But then Chuck stops, spinning on his heel. He glares at Bertrand before fixing a charming smirk to his mouth. "Where are my manners? Bert, the team is full, or else I'd invite you to join–"

"That's–" Bertrand clears his throat, "--quite alright, I assure you–"

"I mean," Chuck motions to Liam and Maxwell, "unless y'all wanted to make your own team." He glances over his shoulder, “Gunther, what’s tonight’s theme?

"Texas history, fellas," Gunther announces. "Trivia about the greatest fucking country in the world. Texas."

"Ahh. See?" Chuck swings out his arms, shrugging. "That’s how the story goes. Y'all better sit this one out."  With the deep clack of his cowboy boots, he adjusts his belt buckle before slowly strutting back to his seat. 

Seeing the defeat in his face, Savannah runs a hand across Bertrand's chest before giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry about it, hun," she softly croons, "that's not even your idea of fun anyway."

Bertrand grows rigid. "What do you mean? I like to have fun–"

"Of course, B, just… in other… ways–"

"I," he pulls away from his fiancée, pressing his finger into his chest, "am… the epitome of fun–"

"You're right, but–"

"I'm a crate full of apes!"

Riley looks over her shoulder to Liam, whispering, "Does he know that it's a barrel full of–?"

"Shhh," Liam softly hushes, "just let him go."

"You there!" Bertrand shouts to Gunther, causing everyone to freeze. "We would like to play."

"Uh, Bertrand? A word." Maxwell motions for his brother to join him as he stumbles over to Liam. "Are you crazy?" He whisper shouts. "These people already enjoy making fun of us. Why do you want to do this?" 

"It's the principle of it all," Bertrand grows serious.

Maxwell sighs. "What do you think, Li?"

Liam looks up at Bertrand whose gaze is now attentive to Savannah. She laughs at something Kiara says, causing Bertrand's demeanor to slump a little more, as if each second with her reminds him he's not worthy of her.

Liam gets that.

"I think we should do it."

"See, Bertrand? Even Li–wait, what?" Maxwell's jaw drops. "You think this is a good idea?"

"It's just a game, right?" Liam winks handsomely. "Besides, I think Bertrand needs this."

"But Li… Texas trivia? Those guys reek of BBQ, football and leather."

“And we have survived how many secret coups attacks? Liam shrugs before patting the younger Beaumont on the back. "This could be fun."

—

Liam, Bertrand and Maxwell settle at a bar top table near four other teams, including Chuck and Drake's group.  As Gunther passes out electronic buzzers, he explains the rules. Chuck rubs his hands together in cocky delight as Bertrand wipes his brow with small drink napkins.

"Alright! Is everybody ready?" Gunther announces over a karaoke machine microphone. "Let's begin. When is Texas Independence Day?"

Chuck buzzes in with a proud, sarcastic snicker. "March 2nd."

"Correct!"

"Ahh, snaps, you guys," Maxwell hangs his head in his hands. "This was a bad idea."

"It's only been one question," Liam encourages.

"And we're already losing!" Maxwell whines, covering his eyes. 

"Next question. Before her independence, Texas was governed by how many different nations?"

Liam hits the buzzer, turning to an unsuspecting Bertrand. "Psst… how many forks are in the traditional Cordonian place setting?"

Bertrand scoffs. "Six!" He barks out loud before realizing everyone is silent, staring at him.

"Correct!"

"Huh?" Maxwell looks up, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Way to go, Bertrand!" Riley and Savannah cheer as the other ladies clap and whistle.

"Alright," Gunther starts, "next question…"

The trivia night continues, back and forth, question for question. The other teams at the bar had opportunities to answer, but overall, Chuck and Drake's team remained in the lead.

But not by much.

The men from Cordonia gave them quite a run for their money, thanks to Liam and his wealth of knowledge. But although Liam knows the majority of the answers, he is yet to speak for the team; rather, he turns to Bertrand each time after hitting the buzzer, prompting him with a different question that possesses the same answer.

"Okay, folks," the bartender announces, "this is the last question. If this team," Gunther points to Bertrand, Liam and Maxwell, "chimes in and gets it right, it will tie the game, sending us into sudden death." The bar fills with cheers, patrons shouting with excitement and pounding their fists on the tables. "Here we go. The Texas Revolution started in what year?"

There's a slight hesitation, but finally Liam turns to Bertrand and states, "The ending of the Bavarian Regency of Greece." Bertrand furrows his eyebrows, but Liam gives him a reassuring nod as he hits the buzzer.

He clears his throat. "1835?"

Everyone freezes, a hush falling over the bar in anxious anticipation.

"Folks? We've got ourselves a tied game!"

Bertrand exhales heavily, closing his eyes. Liam pats him on the back while Maxwell cheers, tugging on his brother's shoulder.  The entire bar is in a fuss as Chuck and Drake stare confusingly at each other. Gunther gets back on the mic, and explains the sudden death round, which requires for each team to choose one member to represent them.

"You've got this, Li," Maxwell applauds, Bertrand smiling and nodding.

"I think… Bertrand should take this."

"Pardon my insolence, sir, but I do not find that to be a wise decision," Bertrand argues.

"I agree with my brother, Li," Maxwell nods, "you knew all those answers–"

"But Bertrand scored us those points," Liam counters, "he needs to put up a fight until the game is over. It's the principle, remember?"  

Hearing Liam repeat his words, Bertrand grins, courage blooming in his chest. He looks to Savannah who is clapping, mouthing the words 'I'm so proud of you.' 

"I'll do it."

Bertrand and Chuck step forward for the sudden death round, peering into each other's eyes. "Are we ready, gentlemen?" Gunther asks. Both men shake their heads yes, their gazes not leaving each other. "Let the best man win."

For a split second, Bertrand glances at his fiancée, and realizes he might not be the best man, but to her, he is. And no matter what, he's already won.

"Here's the question: made popular by an Alamo hero, this portable weapon that can kill and butcher game. Name the weapon–"

Chuck buzzes in. "The Swiss army knife." He smiles brightly, pulling out his own pocket blade and twirling it in victory.

Bertrand turns back to Liam and Maxwell, shaking his head. Maxwell mouths, 'that's okay! You did your best!' Bertand shakes his head more adamantly, but now he’s starting to grin.

"Actually," the bartender starts, "that’s incorrect, Chuck." Gunther turns towards Bertrand. "Do you have an answer, my foreign friend?"

Bertrand smirks. "You are referring to the Bowie knife."

A stillness hushes the crowd; Savannah and Riley anxiously wait, hands clasped with bated breath.

"That… is correct!"

The entire room erupts with shouts of praise and earth-shaking applause.  Several men remove their ten-gallon hats to whoop in honor of the winner, the women of the bachelorette party squealing in glee.

Drake shakes Bertrand's hand before pulling him into an endearing hug. Liam and Maxwell both clap the duke on the back in congratulations. Savannah quickly cuts in, throwing her arms around her fiancé as her lips crash into his. Gunther comes over with the prize, and shakes Liam's hand. Maxwell snatches the bottle of Jack and the cash, and holds it over his head like a trophy.  More shots and drinks are ordered, the night carrying on into a wild honky-tonk of a dance party.

Riley finds Liam, roping her arms around his neck as he secures his large hands to her waist.

"I'm so proud of you, partner," Riley attempts a drawl. Liam laughs, kissing her forehead as they begin to sway to the slow country beat. "Bertrand said that you actually never gave him any answers; you just… asked him questions that had the same answer"

Liam nods slowly, "Yep."

"Why?"

"Oh, my queen," he beams looking down at her, "it's the principle."

"The principle?" She cocks an eyebrow.

"A man wants to win a woman's heart."

"But Savannah loves him–"

"That's not the point," Liam counters. "A man wants to win her over… and over and over again. If I gave him the answers, that would've cheated him out of proving to her and to himself that he's worthy of her."

"Do you ever feel that way about me?" She croons.

A rosy hue swirls across Liam's cheeks. "More than you realize."

Riley presses a tender kiss to her husband’s chin before continuing their dance. "But… I gotta ask. When did you become so smart about Texas history?"

Liam chuckles. "I've been best friends with Drake Walker since I was 8 years old. We used to do our studies together, and… he was terrible at history."

"So?"

"So?" Liam stifles his toothy grin, licking his bottom lip. "Who do you think did his Texas history homework?"

"William Rys!"

~👑~

Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

~👑~

Tags (please let me know if you wish to be added/removed)

PERMA

@alj4890 @ao719 @charlotteg234 @issabees @kat-tia801 @kingliam2019 @mainstreetreader @mom2000aggie @neotericthemis @nikirennie87 @peonierose @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam

ALL TRR

@3pawandme @alyshak92 @iaminlovewithtrr @katedrakeohd @lovingchoices14 @malblk21 @rubiwalker @sfb123 @twinkleallnight

#the royal romance #the royal heir #king liam appreciation week #klaw day 2 #klaw day 5 #choices trr #trr liam #king liam rys #liam rys #liam x mc #liam rys x mc #liam x riley #drake walker #bertrand beaumont #maxwell beaumont #savannah beaumont

[dcbbw]

Commoner, Part 2--Secret

Part 2 of Commoner! Part 1 can be found here.  We’re picking up where we left off (Leo left, Sav is pregnant, and no one knows)

This story was born of a long-standing head canon (Sav would crush on the older brother, not her brother’s best friend), and the song inspiration (original version, but used the sad and acoustic version for this fic); lyrics are also taken from the song inspo.

IF you read this, THANK YOU! Your likes, comments, and/or reblogs are appreciated more than you realize. Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors. MS Editor rates this story as 99% error-free.

To all those who read over this story in its various variations and renditions, THANK YOU! Your feedback, ideas, and encouragement was invaluable (as always).

Thanks to @choicesflashfics for their Week 62 prompt #2, which will appear in bold.

Song Inspo: Strangers (sad and acoustic version), Kenya Grace

Pairing(s): Savannah Walker x Leo Rys; Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont

Word Count: 2,201

Rating: M for Mature themes

I sit in the back of the sleek, black Mercedes that is Duchy Ramsford’s official vehicle with the Brothers Beaumont, en route to the Palace. King Constantine has requested a meeting of the Great Houses.

And me.

I vacillate between relief that he will put those awful rumors to rest, and fear that Leo will be there with that woman.

“You appear to be deep in thought,” Bertrand observes. “Are you feeling well?”

I plaster a quick smile onto my lips. “Merely curious why the King would want me to be present at this meeting.”

The Duke gives me a solicitous nod, and I again wonder why he’s been so nice to me since our breakfast encounter.  It’s not that Bertrand is a bad guy; he has taught me a lot during my month at House Beaumont. I know more than I ever wanted to about utensils, glassware, table etiquette, and bloodlines and lineage. I now know that the reason I don’t have the title of Lady, the most ubiquitous yet ambiguous title a woman can hold, is because I don’t belong to a House.

I’m commoner.

But he isn’t a nice guy either, so the attention is a bit … odd.

“I wonder if it has anything to do with Leo, and all the news stories?” Max pipes up. “Although I suppose if Bastien is at the Palace and Leo isn’t, that may be all the confirmation we need.”

Bertrand looks out the window. “We’re here,” he announces.

I swear I feel my baby flip inside my stomach, which is stupid. I’m only eight weeks along.

As we walk up the front staircase, I don’t feel a sense of homecoming. I only feel dread. My throat closes when Bastien opens the door and leads us to the formal living room where the other guests are gathered. Groups are huddled close together; there are murmurs of conversations I cannot hear. I hug my brother and struggle through a curtsy meant to encompass the entire room. No one acknowledges me other than Kiara, who gives me a huge grin and enthusiastic hug.

And I wonder why I feel the need to be a part of this world, to be accepted by the very people who never will.

That it'll never change And it will just stay like this

I catch a glimpse of Madeleine, who is stone-faced; only the paleness of her skin and the clenching of her jaw signals anger, embarrassment, and hurt. I look down at her hands; her fingers are bare of jewelry.

Leo has left both of us.

The King clears his throat, and we all turn towards the front of the room. He is flanked by Queen Regina and Liam; all of them are wearing stoic expressions and I know … in my brain, my heart, my very soul … Leo has run off and fulfilled promises he could never make to me to another woman. I’m a single, teenaged mother with absolutely nothing to my name; I can’t even leverage the child growing inside of me.

There is a buzzing in my ears that drowns out the words my monarch is uttering until he states that Liam will ascend to the throne. There is to be a social season, and I will be the House Beaumont sponsee. The Crown will fund my sponsorship as I was still their ward and had no properties of my own. Drake’s face darkens, Bertrand beams proudly, and Max jumps up and down in excitement.

There’s something about Bertrand’s smile … he isn’t surprised to hear this news. Did he already know what to expect?  Was Leo the phone call that morning?

I throw up on the priceless carpet and my hand-me-down shoes.

Three weeks pass, weeks where I scour newspapers, magazines, and the internet for news of my baby’s father. There is a plethora of media, mostly photos of him in motocross tournaments: smiling happily in the Mojave Desert, frowning in concentration as he inspects his vehicle in UAE, sunning on a beach in Greece. The woman is not in the pictures, and rarely mentioned in the articles.

Now she can be his dirty little secret.

And when we spoke for months Well, did you ever mean it? How can we say that this is love When it goes like this?

Meanwhile, in Cordonia, my hips are spreading; my breasts are getting fuller, and my belly is only slightly rounded. Bertrand has ramped up my training but takes care to give me breaks throughout the day and we are now spending our meals together without Maxwell. He shares stories of his education, his time as a fashion designer, and memories of his childhood.

He walks me to my room every evening; occasionally he holds my hand.

I am not in love with Bertrand, but I find myself enjoying his company more and more.

But every time I meet somebody new It's like déjà vu I swear they sound the same It's like they know my skin

We’re sitting in Bertrand’s study one night; he is poring over documents related to Liam’s cabinet. Bertrand and Rashad Domvallier are to be financial and legal advisors to the new future King. I watch him nervously. I’ve decided that tonight is the time to tell him I cannot be the House’s sponsee. It isn’t fair to not tell him; he’ll need time to find someone new and school them in the ways of nobility.

My fingernails pluck nervously at my robe. I could very well be homeless in the next 15 minutes. Bertrand takes his duties as Duke seriously and is extremely rigid when it came to appearances and reputation; an unwed, pregnant commoner could not reside under the roof of House Beaumont. However, returning to the Palace would be a disaster between King Constantine and Big Brother Drake.

But it has to be done. This baby is going to make itself known sooner than later.

He drains his third glass of cognac before sighing heavily and pushing himself away from his desk. With an unsteady gait, he crosses the room to join me on the sofa. He looks almost regal in his gold silk robe with black piping, and black pajama bottoms. He sits so closely, I smell his cologne; it’s Hermès.

Leo always wore Armani.

“Savannah, I’d like to have a … conversation of a different sort with you.” His breath smells of liquor and his words are slightly slurred.

“Isn’t that funny?” I reply in a squeaky voice. “I wanted to have one with you also.”

He pulls one of my hands into his as he begins to speak. “You need to know that while you may be participating in the social season, you won’t win the hand of the Crown Prince. The position requires someone of lineage, with a knowledge of world politics and has a pulse on the fluctuating nature of both Court and Crown. However, the Engagement Tour should afford you an opportunity to marry into a minor house.”

I stare at him dumbfounded. Drunk Bertrand pisses me off.

“However, I do find myself being very attracted to you. I propose an offer that should be beneficial to both of us. I’d like you to be my mistress until we both find persons worthy of our status and station. You would become an honorary member of House Beaumont to assure you have a title, and I can be a very generous lover in more ways than one.”

He drops my hand and rises from the couch on his second attempt. He goes to a coat closet, opens the door, and retrieves a package. The box is emblazoned with Hermès’ name and logo. He brings it back to me, carefully placing it in my lap.

“Open it,” he urges.

I do so to find a limited-edition white matte satchel, made of leather and silk. The tag is still attached: $200,000 USD. I look up at him, knowing that he wants me to know how much it costs.

“Your … mistress?” I ask as my body feels as if it’s going numb.

And it will just stay like this Never really dating, breaking up

“This world is cruel. I’m just playing by its rules. It would behoove you to do so as well. You can’t be anything else to me or anyone of stature. You’re a commoner with the most basic of public education. You are ignorant in the ways of Court, the circles you would need to travel in. I am happy to give you the benefit of my knowledge, but at the end of the day, I am a Duke. Dukes don’t marry commoners.”

He says it all as if he is telling me the sun will rise in the east. Bertrand means no harm; nobles never do. Or so they claim.

Every word they say sounds just like him

My eyes fall back to the price tag, realizing I have my way out. I can keep my secret, and everyone’s precious reputation is intact.

“It’s late, Your Grace and you have given me a lot to process. I’ll have an answer for you in due time.”

He gives me a small smile. “May I … may I kiss you?”

A small shake of my head. “No,” I reply in an almost-rueful tone.

I know my place.

His smile falters, and he nods slowly. “My apologies. That was presumptuous of me.”

I mentally shake my head. THAT is what he considered to be the most horrible thing about his proposition?  I box the purse again, and stand.

“I’ll see you at breakfast.”

Three months later, I am standing on the balcony of my small pied-a-terre located in a quaint, quiet Parisian neighborhood, watching the day come to an end. The sun is still bright in the sky, but evening is fast approaching. My fingers comb through my dark, thick tresses before pulling a toffee-colored cardigan tighter across my expanding body.

It’s springtime and I think again how leaving Cordonia to settle here was the best move. Paris had always been my dream destination: red lipsticks, rich wines, decadent perfumes, trendy runway fashions.

The baby and I have even learned to enjoy the food.

My eyes take in the Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera House, not that far in the distance before falling to the cobblestoned streets below: restaurant and café doors open, unleashing aromas of grilled meat and sauteed onions as bakeries pull window shades down. Women with chic hats and impossibly high heels exit dress stores, shopping bags bunched in fisted hands. Street vendors begin putting away their wares.

My stomach rumbles, and I head inside. There had been a late breakfast/early lunch a few hours ago, but the fruit, yogurt, and cheese and spinach omelet have all but disappeared now. My child has a healthy appetite. I walk around a black wrought iron table with matching chairs, pausing to fluff oversized chair cushions decorated with huge sunflowers.

I push the terrace door shut behind me before going into the kitchen. I had taken a chicken out earlier, but I no longer have an appetite for it. Instead, I want pistou pasta with grilled duck and extra mushrooms from my favorite bistro.

But money is tight. Despite having a job and being frugal with the savings leftover from the sale of the purse Bertrand gifted me, I need to be mindful of rent, food, doctor’s appointments once the child gets here and I will be on unpaid leave.

I’m having a boy that I will name Barthelemy, Bartie for short. It’s my way of paying homage to Maxwell for being such an incredible and caring friend during all of this. He doesn’t know who the father is and has never pressured me to tell him. He sends money and has offered to make an honest woman of me.

All of this even though I left House Beaumont without a sponsee, and they now either have to find one that they will have to fully sponsor or withdraw.

A knock at the door captures my attention; I stare at it with a frown. I don’t have many friends in Paris; Maxwell is due for his monthly visit next week. He’s bringing Drake and Kiara with him. They were the only two I instructed Maxwell to tell of my whereabouts. Drake and I aren’t close, but we are all we have left as far as family. He deserved to know. Kiara’s my best girlfriend, and she speaks French. Win-win.

I would like to see Liam, but he has much to learn and do before the social season begins in less than 12 weeks.

 I slowly and laboriously cross the small distance between the kitchen and the front door; my eye widens as I peer through the peephole.

Leo.

He looks even more handsome if that’s possible. He carries a bouquet of flowers in one hand as he looks around the hallway. I quietly and cautiously back away from the door as tears prick the corners of my eyes.

And then one random night When everything changes You won't reply And we'll go back to strangers

Tagging: @jared2612 ​@ao719 @marietrinmimi @indiacater​​​ @kingliam2019​ @bebepac @liamxs-world @mom2000aggie​​​ @liamrhysstalker2020​​​ @twinkleallnight @umccall71 @superharriet@busywoman​​​ @gabesmommie1130 @tessa-liam​​​ @beezm @gardeningourmet​​​ @lovingchoices14 @mainstreetreader @angelasscribbles​​​ @lady-calypso @emkay512 @princessleac1 @charlotteg234 @alj4890​ @motorcitymademadame​​​ @queenmiarys @choicesficwriterscreations

#dcbbw writes #part 2/2 #savannah walker #bertrand beaumont #leo rys #writer on tumblr

[tessa-liam]

Marabelle

A Princess for a Prince – Chapter 8

Choices – The Royal Romance, AU

Series Premise – An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobility, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret?

Marabelle Series Masterlist

Main Pairing – Prince Liam Rys x F!OC Lady Sophia (Sophie) Taylor

Other Pairings – Maxwell Beaumont x M!OC Daniel (from NYC), Drake Walker x F!OC Melanie Smithson

Most characters belong to Pixelberry Studios

Series Rating – M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, crude language & innuendo.

Not Beta’d - Please excuse all errors.

Category – Alternate universe/on-going series/angst/fluff

Words: 2436

Chapter Summary – Sophie receives a personal invitation to the New Year’s Eve Celebration Ball at the palace.

A Princess for a Prince, Chapter 8

Music Inspiration:

The Look of Love, Diana Krall

Kiss Me at Midnight, *NSYNC

A/N1: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) is Bertrand’s mother.

A/N2: ‘Social Season’ in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in Balls, dinner parties and charity events.

A/N3: My submission for Choices Flashfics @choicesflashfics, Week #65, prompt 1 - “Sometimes, being with you feels so much like a dream ... and I don't ever want to wake up.”

A/N5: My submission for Choices December 2023 Holidays Prompts – New Year’s Eve

A/N4: My submission for Choices Holiday Prompts 2023, Quote Prompt – “You look even more beautiful in candlelight.”

A Princess for a Prince

As they finished breakfast, Aunt Bethany glanced at Sophie with a knowing smile. “Sophie, I believe that Prince Liam left a message for you earlier this morning, my dear.”

Beaumont Estate, Duchy of Ramsford

Sophie's heart skipped a beat. “Oh, oh ... thank you, Auntie.” She excused herself from the table, her steps quickening as she made her way to the study where the message awaited her. A sealed envelope with the royal Insignia sat elegantly on the desk. With trembling fingers, Sophie broke the seal and then unfolded the letter.

Liam’s elegant handwriting greeted her:

‘Dearest Sophie,

I hope this morning finds you well and that the memories of last night’s ball linger as fondly in your heart as they do in mine. Your grace and beauty illuminated the ballroom, and I found myself enchanted by every moment we shared.

I would be honored if you would join me at the New Year’s Eve ball at the palace. The evening promises dancing, champagne and a fireworks extravaganza. I can think of no better company than yours to enjoy the splendor and ring in the New Year.

Yours sincerely, Liam’

Sophie’s cheeks flushed with excitement and a hint of optimism. She folded the letter gently, holding it close to her heart. She quickly composed a response, expressing her eagerness to join him for the Ball.

With her heart aflutter, Sophie entrusted the letter to the awaiting palace messenger, requesting it to be delivered directly to Prince Liam’s chambers. Beaming, she made her way upstairs to her room to start planning for the event.

December 31st, Cordonian Royal Palace

The entire palace and grounds were adorned with sparkling, opulent decorations; the air felt energized with excitement. The chandeliers in the ballroom cast a warm glow across the room as the orchestra played holiday melodies. Waitstaff circulated with flutes of champagne, as nobles enjoyed sumptuous gourmet platters of hors d’oeuvres.

Entering the ballroom with her aunt, Maxwell, Bertrand and Savannah, Sophie glanced around the room. She spotted Liam very quickly, resplendent in his royal attire, engaging in conversation with Leo and Madeleine. When his eyes caught hers, he smiled delightedly, and excused himself from the conversation to make his way across the dance floor to Sophie.

Liam’s eyes sparkled as he approached her with an appreciative smile. Sophie, wearing a stunning deep purple gown that shimmered in the candlelight, returned his smile blithely and dipped into a low curtsy. Her gown, embellished with delicate lace with intricate beadwork, accentuated her curves perfectly. With a tender smile, he leaned in, closing the gap between them, softly kissing her cheek.

“Good evening, Sophie,” Liam greeted her with a charming smile, “You look even more beautiful in candlelight.” Lifting her hand for a kiss, he then pulled her close to whisper in her ear, “...and you shouldn’t curtsy, it’s just me.”

“Good evening, Liam. Thank you for inviting me.” Sophie replied, her voice tinged with excitement. The air crackled with anticipation. Sophie responded to his request with a breathy whisper, “I will remember that always.”

Offering his arm, Sophie slipped her hand around his arm and joined him to move onto the dance floor, finding a spot in the center.

Liam placed one hand on the small of Sophie’s back, the other holding her hand. She stepped into his arms, and they began to move to the music.

“You look beautiful tonight, Sophie,” Liam whispered in her ear.

“Thank you. You look quite dashing yourself.” Sophie responded shyly.

As the orchestra transitioned into a waltz, they began to move effortlessly across the dance floor, their chemistry evident in every step. Their conversation flowed seamlessly as they danced and the world around them seemed to fade as they lost themselves in each other’s company, their laughter blending with the music in perfect harmony.

Dancing the Cordonian waltz, Sophie’s gown flared and billowed as Liam twirled her under his arm. As he pulled her back to his chest, she rested her head back, enjoying the feel of his arms around her in an intimate embrace.

As the night progressed and the countdown to midnight drew near, the energy in the room heightened. The air buzzed with excitement, and the guests gathered awaiting the grand moment.

Maxwell and his mother stopped by the open terrace to wait for the fireworks show as Bertrand and Savannah joined in with the celebrations on the dance floor.

Sophie found herself standing beside Liam as the final seconds of the year ticked away. As Leo and Madeleine stood with the herald to announce the countdown. The ballroom erupted into cheers and applause as the clock struck midnight, marking the start of 2024.

Amidst the celebrations, Liam turned to Sophie, his eyes filled with warmth and determination. In that fleeting moment between the past and the future, amidst the cheers and revelry, he took her hand and whispered, “May I steal a moment with you, away from the crowd?”

Sophie’s heart fluttered as she nodded, following him as they made their way to a secluded third floor balcony overlooking the palace gardens. The night sky was filled with fireworks, with vibrant colors against the dark backdrop of the night sky.

As the echoes of fireworks lingered in the air, their eyes locked in a shared understanding; a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken emotions that had bloomed between them over the past year. Liam gently cupped Sophie’s face in his hands, his touch tender and filled with a depth of emotion as the world around them disappeared. It was just the two of them.

“Sophie,” he whispered, his voice a soft caress in the quiet night. “This past year has been a revelation, and I find myself drawn to you in ways I never thought possible. Your laughter, your kindness, and your grace have captured my heart.”

The air was charged with an unspoken electricity as Sophie gazed into Liam’s eyes, feeling her heart flittering with a mixture of excitement and a tender vulnerability. She could sense the depth of his sincerity, his words stirring something profound within her. “Liam, I feel the same about you.”

In that fleeting moment, as the world seemed to stand still, their lips met in a gentle and tender kiss. It was a kiss filled with the promise of a new beginning; an unspoken vow to explore the budding romance that had blossomed between them.

As they parted, their breaths mingling in the cool night air, Sophie’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and Liam’s gaze held a warmth that mirrored the newfound connection between them. Taking her hands in his, Liam pulled her closer to him as he lowered his head to re-capture her lips. Moving one hand to her waist as the other cupped her cheek as he deepened the kiss.

The kiss spoke volumes, conveying feelings that words could not quite capture. Their shared hopes, fears, and the uncharted territories of their hearts that they were daring to explore together.

As Liam and Sophie looked up into the night sky, and more fireworks shot up to celebrate the new year, their eyes met once again.

Liam’s smile was tender. "We finally have a chance to spend some time alone," he said, squeezing her hand, pulling her even closer. As their lips met once again, Sophie felt more butterflies in her stomach. She was nervous but excited. She knew Liam was experienced, and she wanted to make sure she did everything right. She trusted him and was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

Liam kissed her passionately, his tongue exploring her mouth. She melted into his embrace, her body responding to his touch. He pulled back, his blue eyes meeting hers.

"You're so beautiful," he said, running his fingers through her long mahogany tresses.

She smiled shyly, his words making her blush.

He cupped her face with his hands, kissing her softly, his lips lingering on hers. He traced his tongue along her neck, nibbling her earlobe. She moaned softly, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

She could feel his growing desire pressing against her, his hardness against her softness.

“Liam!” Sophie’s voice was full of laughter and warning as she pushed away, her heart pounding. “We’re not alone, you know.”

“I can’t see anyone else around here.” Liam chuckled.

“That does not mean there isn’t anyone watching. We don’t want to give your guards any concerns, do we?”

“Liam sighed. “You are right, of course. But ... ”

Sophie looked up at him, raising an eyebrow, “But what?”

“Let me make this more private.” Taking her hand, he tugged her hand to walk down the long corridor, Liam turned to lead Sophie into an empty parlor. After locking the doors and closing the heavy drapes, Liam led Sophie to sit on a large sofa.

“Now,” Liam whispered, “where were we?”

“I think you were telling me about your gua...”, Liam moved in quickly to secure her lips in another passionate kiss. His passion was clear as he sat down beside Sophie. The two of them got lost in the moment as Liam pulled her onto his lap.

“Liam, I ...” Sophie began. She wanted to explain that she was unexperienced but wanted to learn more with him.

“Sshh ... No more talking,” he whispered as he closed the distance between them.

Sophie nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, savoring the feel of his strong arms around her.

Liam gently removed the pins that secured her hair. Her curls cascaded over his hands like silk, and he buried his face in her perfumed tresses. He kissed her earlobe, then her throat. His lips moved lower, to her collarbone, while his hand gently caressed her neck and shoulder.

Sophie was breathing faster now. She tilted her head back, encouraging him to continue his exploration of her skin. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and a tiny moan escaped her.

"Sophie, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Liam paused, his heart beating rapidly.

"What is it?" Sophie asked, her voice slightly questioning.

"I am falling in love with you," Liam whispered, his voice full of emotion.

Sophie gasped, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh Liam, I love you," she replied, her voice shaky.

"You do?" Liam asked, his face lighting up.

"Yes," Sophie replied, her smile mirroring his.

“Sometimes, being with you feels so much like a dream ... and I don’t ever want to wake up.”

Liam cupped her face with his hands and kissed her passionately. "You have made me the happiest man in the world tonight," he said, his eyes shining with love.

Sophie beamed up at him, her heart full of happiness. She had never expected to fall in love with a prince, and now, she could not imagine her life without him.

Liam pulled her into his arms, “I don’t want this night to end,” his lips brushing her ear.

“Me neither,” Sophie admitted, her heart pounding.

“Maybe it doesn't have to,” Liam said, his voice low and husky.

“What do you mean?” Sophie asked, her eyes widening.

“Well, there’s no reason we can’t stay here a little longer. The party will go on for hours, No one will miss us.”

“But, Liam, we can’t just disappear together,” Sophie protested, even though her body was already responding to the suggestion.

"Why not? No one would know where we are," Liam pointed out, his hand stroking her back.

"They might guess," Sophie said, her breath catching in her throat as Liam's hand slid lower.

"Let them," Liam murmured, kissing her neck.

"We shouldn't," Sophie whispered, even as she tilted her head to allow him better access.

"You're right, we shouldn't," Liam agreed, his lips moving down to her collarbone.

"We shouldn't," Sophie repeated weakly, her eyes closing as Liam's mouth found the spot on her neck that drove her wild.

"No, we really shouldn't," Liam said, his voice muffled against her skin.

Sophie's last resistance melted away as Liam's slipped his tongue into her mouth in search of hers in an all encompassing kiss.

Sophie's last resistance melted away as Liam's tongue plunged into her mouth, just as Liam's phone pinged with a message.

Sitting back, Liam pulled his phone out of his pocket and read the message from Maxwell.

‘Sorry to interrupt, but we're getting concerned about your whereabouts.'

Liam sighed. "Maxwell thinks we need to get back."

"We could say we got lost," Sophie suggested, her hand sliding down Liam's back.

"And what? Stay lost for the rest of the evening?" Liam chuckled.

"Well, maybe not for the rest of the evening."

"I wish," Liam said, regretfully.

Reluctantly, they made their way back to the ballroom, their bodies still humming with desire as they walked hand-in-hand.

As they approached the doorway, Liam turned to Sophie and grinned. "How about we plan another escape for next weekend?"

"I like the sound of that," Sophie replied, grinning.

💕Thanks for reading

Perma-tags: @ao719 @txemrn @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234

Submissions:

@choicesficwriterscreations @angelasscribbles @choicesflashfics @choicesholidays @choicesprompts

#tessa liam writes #liam rys #the royal romance #trr #trr fanfic #prince liam #marabelle #sophie taylor #choices the royal romance #choicesflashfics #choicesholidaysprompts #choicesholidays #choices liam x oc #choices fandom

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC F/Aot Week - Dec 3 - 9, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA | 🌟= Holidays 2023

BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

BLOODBOUND

Reunification ✒️Ⓜ️| Rheya Apostolous - @deadcellmate

CRIMES OF PASSION

Fourth Wall ✒️🌟| Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @inlocusmads

The Haunting, Part 1 ✒️| Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @moominofthevalley

HIGH SCHOOL STORY

HSS Fanart 🎨| Emma Hawkins x Michael Harrison - @randomadamadam

IMMORTAL DESIRES

This Pretty, Poisoned Chalice ✒️Ⓜ️🏳️‍🌈| m!Cas Harlow x m!Gabe Adalhard - @aria-ashryver

More below...

IT LIVES ANTHOLOGY

He Would Have Won ✒️🏳️‍🌈| Lincoln McQuiod x MC - @linkysmommy (for @abelflints)

MOTHER OF THE YEAR

Flickers of Hope ✒️🎨🌟| Levi Schuler x MC art by @/artbyainna (IG) fic by @storyofmychoices

OPEN HEART

PERFECT MATCH

Christmas Tree Dilemma ✒️🌟| m!Hayden Young x F!MC - @rosepetals1

RED CARPET DIARIES

Always and Whatever Comes Next ✒️🎨🌟| Thomas Hunt x F!OC - art by @weetlebeetle fic by @theartoflovingthomashunt

THE ROYAL ROMANCE

All I Want for Christmas - Part 1 ✒️🏳️‍🌈🌟| Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x Maxwell Beaumont - @angelasscribbles

Commoner ✒️Ⓜ️| Savannah Walker x Leo Rys, Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont - @dcbbw

Commoner - Part 2: Secret ✒️Ⓜ️| Savannah Walker x Leo Rys, Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont - @dcbbw

Here Comes the Sun (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC, Drake Walker x MC - @kristinamae093 Part Seven

Merry Christmas 🎨🌟| Liam Rys x MC by @bayleedraws-sometimesx (C: @tessa-liam)

Royal Birthday ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @eadanga

Turning the Page (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 7: Because I Love You Ⓜ️

CROSSOVER

Bloodbound/Nightbound

Disembodied - Part 6/8 ✒️| Adrian Raines x MC, Nik Ryder x MC - @mynotsohealthyobsession

The Nanny Affair/Open Heart

Once (Series) ✒️| Sam Dalton, TNA F!MC, Ethan Ramsey by @peonierose Part 5

#choices fanfic #choices fanart #playchoices #playchoices fanfic #playchoices fanart #blades of light and shadow #bloodbound #crimes of passion #high school story #immortal desires #it lives anthology #mother of the year #open heart #perfect match #red carpet diaries #the royal romance #nightbound #the nanny affair #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #cfwc art of the week #choices stories you play

[queenmiarys]

Please excuse any errors or mistakes and I want to say thank you to whom all reads. Happy Sunday everyone.

Through  Hell and back

Trr none royal

Pairing: Olivia x Anton

Chapter summary: it's Juliana's birthday and Olivia cut loose and has some fun but confused about Anton's reaction after the party.

Warning: mentions of attempted rape, being tipsy and light profanity.

All characters belong to pixelberry I just borrowed them for my stories.

Word count 1,928

Song inspiration:

Part 2 Green eyed monster

It was Sunday afternoon. Olivia turned over and grabbed her phone, it was now 2pm. " Oh shit Liam."

She dialed his number."I'm so sorry but on the way?"

    

"Liv, we talked with Kiki earlier and she explained your date went over, so I understand I told her to let you sleep, besides you are coming to Juliana party tonight right? 

"Sure I'll be there."

Are you bringing this new guy along?" 

"I don't think so."

"Really you should invite him."

When Olivia arrived at the party, everyone was having a good time. "There you are, Max said, slurring his words." So we don't get to meet this new guy?" Kiki said that he was hot,  but I bet not hotter than me." He laughed, I could already tell he was tipsy. . 

"Babe, come with me so you can cool down some." A wicked grain from Juliana all it took and he followed her upstairs.

—------

Liam and Mia had walked over to Olivia.

"My love, would you mind if I spoke to Olivia for a moment?" Liam said to his girlfriend 

"You know I don't mind, baby." 

Once they made it outside." So you really like this guy Anton?"

"He's okay, but honestly I really don't know him well. We just went on one date."

"Have you talked with Drake at all?"

"No not at all, it's been over a year since we spoke."

"Here's the thing, remember Riley?"

l

"You mean his girlfriend??"

"Yeah her."

 

"Would you just get to the point already?"

"He asked her to marry him last week." 

"Why would you be afraid to tell me this?"

"Well No one really knows how serious the two of you were, but  I knew you both loved each other and despite him meeting this Riley girl you'll always be his first love and the same for you."

"Liam it doesn't mean anything." She couldn't stop the tears from falling.Liam just held her without saying a word for a few minutes. 

"I'm here for you, we can talk about it if you want or not."

"Did you know he was my first?"

"I figured as much, you were so  very young."

"Come on, you guys are only 2 years older than me."

"True, but you know how Drake is, you know he went against his own rules and took a chance with you only being 16, I remember right before you got together you two were always at each other's throats, I remember when he confused he had feelings for you and wanted to come forth, he thought you hated him, you know I encouraged him to just talk to you and treat you better."

.

" Thank you for that, um We should go back in before they come looking for us." She said to change the subject and to keep from reliving the past, besides he's engaged now. 

"Yeah I suppose so, so when do I meet this Anton guy?" Oh look at that smile you really like him huh?"

"He seems alright." 

They returned to the party. "Come on people let's dance the night away a very drunken Bertrand yelled out, Maxwell re entered the party with a change of clothes on, Bertrand and Maxwell broke into dancing to,  it actually look like Max had taught his brother some moves, what was impressive was that Bertrand was so drunk he threw off his shirt, and throw it over his head to Penelope who caught it and was super excited, Bertrand winked at her, until he saw Savannah walk up behind her. 

—--------------- 

Drake called Juliana on FaceTime. " Hi Drake oh hi you must be Riley?" 

She smiled. "Yes, nice to meet you."

"Same here he's told me so much about you

"Excuse me, but I called to wish you Happy birthday kid, I really wish we could've been there."

"I totally understand." She said giggling. Some things never change. Drake will always be himself, she thought.

Olivia was walking past, Juliana was talking and she heard Drake voice but also another female, she peeped in to see a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes,  her heart sunk in her chest, it's been over a long time she thought who could blame him for moving on it had been 2 years she was brought from her thoughts when she heard Juliana speaking again

"Look guys, I hate to cut things short, but I need to get back to my party."

Okay Juliana talk later."

—-----------

"So that's Maxwell's wife?" She's beautiful." 

"So are you, Brooks, and yes I was certainly surprised when Beaumont got married, he was pretty wild back in the day." 

"I've only met Liam in person, and your sister, I would like to meet everyone else, and that video call doesn't count."

"One day you will, Liam has invited you to his wedding, you know I'm the best man so I would be going down early.

" Just how early?" 

"I need to go a week in advance." 

"I can't let them have you for a week." She teased pulling his 6"3  frame down to her 5"4 and kissed him."I love you Mr Walker."

"I love you too."

He couldn't help but to think of Olivia and the way she used to do the same, only Olivia stood 5" nothing. He closed his eyes and shook his head. 

"Baby I need to take a walk, just to clear my head." 

"Okay baby, don't be too late." 

He walked to a nearby park.

" Liv, stop, why do you act like you hate me so much?" 

"Drake please just go."  " I didn't ask you to be my knight and shining armor."

"Look at me, did Jason, just try to hurt you?" She started to cry. That was all the confirmation he needed. "That son of a b**** , "Beaumont, can you sit with Liv till I return?"

"Go ahead, I won't leave her." 

Once Drake made it inside  Jason was standing surrounded by several  females. "Just who I was looking for, I'll  teach you to never touch a lady when she says no." 

Drake punched him and he fell to the ground,  Drake continued to punch him. Until Liam jumped in front of him,  pleading with him to stop. 

"Drake you're going to kill him, come on go with me and get some air."

They got outside." What the hell happened?" 

"That sob tried to rape her, she's a mess, Liam you know how I feel about her."

Once he returned home Riley questioned him going home "Oh, so you want to go without me?"

"Brooks, it's my best friend's wedding. I can't miss that."

He pulled her over to him, and gently kissed her neck." 

"Come on, let's  go take a shower, we will meet up with your mom in a few hours.

"We can just get ready then."

Brooks, I love you, but you take forever to get ready for like 2 to 3 hours and on top of it all, you hate waking up it takes you 30 minutes to wake fully up." 

"Let's pick something to wear,  and take our shower together."

4 hours later. 

"Brooks,  get up  it's been 30 minutes, it's 9:30 we are supposed to meet your vmom in an hour. " 

"I'm up." Drake was just staring ." Don't worry it's going up in a messy bun, it's only mom."

__________________

Olivia work up to her phone Vibrating, she and Juliana, joined by Kiara and Penelope all fell asleep while watching a movie, everyone was drunk except Mia 

"Hello?" She answered. "Oh Anton, how are you?"

"I'm good, so did you have fun last night?"

"It was okay, wish you could've come, me and most of the girls ended up watching a movie falling asleep."

"So you are still there?"  A hint of jealousy came into his voice. But he quickly changed his tone

"Yes I am, 

"I have to go, talk later." He quickly hung up the phone in her face. 

She stood there in shock for a moment. "Is everything okay?" Mia asked whom Olivia didn't know was in the room.

"Yes it's fine, I got to get to work." 

"Me and Liam both too, it's a good thing I own my own business." Today I'll do 12 till 8.

"There you are my love." Liam gave her a kiss and handed her some money. Remember no ATM use, remember off limits."

She let out a sigh. "Okay I promise. "

"Gotta go." he gave her one more kiss

"What's this you not getting money from the atm?" You have new shoes and a new handbag? Olivia said, rolling her eyes. 

"It's the reason Liam went all crazy on me, and he's been very strict on what I spend, I mean the man puts my bank account to shame. He's only 22, he gave me 20 bucks and said that should be enough for lunch." 

"He's always saved up, but he's also indulged in his lavish gifts as well. "

"He's just showing me how to save and what I should invest in, well I must be going now."

Everyone rushed off to work.

—-----------------

Two weeks later,  Anton had come over for dinner. Olivia wasn't the greatest cook, but her mom taught her a few Pasta dishes and how to make the sauce to go with them. "It smells wonderful in here, I didn't know you could cook."

"Well not really,  these few dishes I know were passed down from my mom, I used to help her a lot." 

There was a knock on the door. "Ki did you forget your keys?" She said as he opened the door revealing her father and brother standing there. "Father, Joel

"We just came to see, would you like to go get a bite with us?".

 

"While father I have company, and I cooked

"You cooked as in food?"

"stop it, of course I cooked food silly .

"you must really like this new guy?" Can we meet him

"Sure brother, come in." She opened the door and they all went into the dining room and introduced them, her father knew who Anton was already

"Anton this is my father Lionel and my brother Joel

"Nice to meet you." They both said in union.

They sat and talked for a while, but it was just something that Joel didn't like about his sister new man.

"Sis I hate to run but I got some stuff to handle."her brother said as he stood up to leave.

She hugged her brother and walked him out.

"So what do you think brother?" 

"I honestly don't know yet sis, I mean so far I don't like him, he just has a negative vibe and until then I can't say what it is but I don't like this guy sis."

"You don't like anyone I date so what else is new?" Are you dating anyone ?"

"I was just hooking up with this guy named Kevin." 

"So no one special?"

Maybe when I'm old enough, 27 is still young and beside no one looking for me to marry or have a child, since I don't swing for the right team, as aunt Lucinda always tells me how it's a sin to date men and all."

"You can't listen to her, she is so wrapped up in us but doesn't see that Amber is Bi and Casey may be as well, it'll serve her right for looking down on people." 

"Thanks you're the best little sister."

"I'm your only sister." She said with a big smile..

"Let me get back to Anton." She hugged him and went back inside.

Anton sat in the dining room talking to her father but watching the scene out the window. 

"Dinner was delicious, but I must be going." He hid how angry he was that her dad and brother crashed their date.

@kingliam2019 @choicesficwriterscreations @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @kaitycole @karahalloway

@honey358luv @harleybeaumont @kingliam-rys @tessa-liam @bebepac @dcbbw @mom2000aggie

@lolablackwrites @luvquit @shewillreadyou @yaniradolton @yolandawalker @yourmajesty09 @storyofmychoices @queenrileyrose @ao719 @angelasscribbles @aussiegurl1234

#olivia nevrakis #Anton #ttr none royal #Maxwell Beaumont #Juliana Beaumont #drake wolker #Riley brooks #liam rys #Mia Ramos #through hell and back

[angelasscribbles]

Savage Love Chapter 30: About Last Night

Series: Savage Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake

Rating: R         

Warnings: Mature themes

Word Count: 3,361

My other stuff: Master List.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t avoid them forever.

They had saved me a seat at the breakfast table. The one between them. Naturally.

Breakfast was awkward and the conversation was stilted as everyone tried to pretend that they hadn’t seen each other naked or coming out of the wrong bedroom.

Everyone but Maxwell, who had in fact, done none of those things.

“When did you get here?” I asked him, mostly to avoid any conversation that had anything to do with me, Drake, Liam, or what had transpired that morning.

“Uh…” he glanced at his watch, “About thirty minutes ago!”

“I guess you had fun last night,” I teased.

“Not as much as you I hear,” he smirked back at me.

Well, shit.

My eyes darted around the table trying to decide who had snitched. Bertrand and Savannah had their eyes on their plates giving the appearance that they were deeply engrossed in eating; Olivia was listening to something Rudd was saying but Leo was grinning at me like the Cheshire Cat.

I made sure Rudd was looking the other way before extending my middle finger to the older Rys brother, an act that only widened his grin.

Breakfast was eaten, luggage was loaded, and goodbyes were said. Hugs were exchanged with promises to come back and visit.

“And if you find out anything about my granddaughter-“ Rudd stopped to wipe at the corner of his eye, “You’ll tell me, right?”

“Of course, we will, Grandfather!” Liam assured him, “And if, I mean when we find her, we’ll bring her here to visit!”

I somehow ended up seated between Liam and Drake on the limo ride to the airport. Because I somehow always ended up between the two of them.

Leo dropped into the seat across from us and pointed to each of us in turn, moving his arm so his finger swept from Drake to me to Liam then back in the other direction, “So have you two decided to stop fighting each other and just…. What? Share?”

“Nothing like that has been discussed!” Liam spluttered.

“Yeah,” Drake added as he relaxed into his seat and draped an arm across the seat behind me, “We were just having fun last night. Right, Brooks?”

I narrowed my eyes at both of them. Drake was far too relaxed about the whole thing and Liam was far too jumpy. They were both up to something and I needed to put a stop to whatever it was. But I didn’t know what it was yet, so all I said was, “Right...”

Savannah, bless her soul, changed the subject by asking how the social season was going. Probably because she didn’t want the conversation coming around to where she had spent the night.

“Fine,” Leo told her as he brought Liv’s hand to his mouth, “But the whole thing was unnecessary. I’ve already made my choice.”

“What?” Liam asked in pleased astonishment, “Is it official?”

“Not official until I announce it to the public,” Leo corrected. His gaze swung around the group as he cautioned, “None of you can leak this information.”

Murmurs of agreement ran through the backseat then Leo’s features soften as the sappiest grin I’ve ever seen spread across his face, “I asked her last night, and she said yes!”

Olivia was positively glowing as she confirmed, “After the rest of you went to bed last night, Leo and I went for a moonlit walk down by Rudd’s private lake. He got down on one knee and everything!”

Congratulations rang out.

Savannah asked to see the ring. I made the appropriate noises of approval, but my mind was racing with the reminder that the social season was already more than half over. I was running out of time to take down the Via Imperii and I had Rico Mendez standing in my way. Not to mention a long-lost Rys sibling to locate and bring home.

We made it to the small, private airstrip where the Cordonian royal jet sat fueled and ready to go. As everyone else boarded, Leo took my arm and pulled me aside, giving me a stern look as he chastised me, “The one thing I asked you when all of this started was not to hurt my brother, Agent Heartbreak.”

“I’m not….I haven’t!”

“You and Drake may think what happened last night was all fun and games, but Liam seems a little shaken up. He’s in too deep for any of this to be chalked up to casual fun, so if that’s all this is to you, then you need to cut him loose sooner rather than later.”

“You don't understand!” I protested as I jerked out of his grasp and proceeded to wave my arms around as I spoke, “The Mendez cartel does not play games! Ask your buddy Tariq! Oh, that’s right. You can’t. He’s dead. They killed him! And all he did was fail to deliver me to Rico. I dismantled their organization and put half of their family in prison. What do you think they want to do to me?”

“I’m sure they want to kill you, but what does that have to do with my brother? I mean, other than the fact that if you die, he’s going to be devastated?”

“I don’t think you understand, Leo. They will do anything to get their revenge, including using those I care about to get to me!” Hot tears welled up in my eyes and I blinked rapidly to keep them from falling.

Leo’s mouth fell open, then an understanding smile spread across his face, “The irony, huh?”

“What?” I sniffled a little, but in a defensive way.

“Having to pretend you don’t care about them precisely because you do care about them!”

“No, that’s not what I-“

“You just said the cartel uses people you care about to get to you. The fact that you feel the need to distance yourself from them tells me that you do in fact care about them….. both of them!”

“I…” I stared at him defiantly for a moment then my shoulders slumped in defeat, “You’re not wrong.”

Leo threw his head back and laughed.

“Oh, this is funny to you?” I demanded in annoyance.

“Yes, it is! Miss ‘I never get my feelings involved’ has gone and fallen for both of her boy toys at the same time! It is fucking hilarious!”

“Thanks for all the support, Mr. ‘Playboy Prince of the Mediterranean’!” I responded, using the name the press had branded him with.

Leo choked back his laughter, “In all my years of man whoring around the world, I never fell for two women at the same time!”

“So glad my love life amuses you,” I huffed.

“So, you admit you're in love?”

“What?” I cried in horrified outrage, glancing wildly around to make sure no one had overheard that blasphemy, “No! Absolutely not!”

“Are you lying to me, or yourself?”

“What makes you think I’m lying to anyone?”

His eyes flicked up and over to where Olivia was waiting for him in the doorway of the plane before giving me a sympathetic smile, “I understand what it’s like to live by a code of emotional detachment and how frightening it can be when those feelings catch you nonetheless. It’s scary when the walls start crumbling. Terrifying actually.”

I sighed, “Leo, please! You can’t tell them! It’s not safe for either one of them to be perceived as too close to me and I’m leaving when this assignment is over so-“

He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze, “I won’t blow your cover, but you need to be honest with yourself here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… Drake is a captain in the Royal Guard, he can take care of himself. Liam has the best personal security money can buy. What are you really afraid of, Riley?”

I pulled my hand away with a scoff, “Leo, you have no idea how hard I’ve worked for my position! I can’t just throw it away for what? Love? I’m not sure I believe in all that. But even if I were willing to chuck my entire life and try….how am I supposed to choose between them?”

Leo shook his head, “I’m not sure you’d have to, honestly.”

I froze, a surprised thrill running down my spine, “What do you mean?”

“I mean…you’ve been doing a perfectly fine job of having them both thus far. And I don’t believe for one minute that either one of them is going to step back, ever.”

“Huh,” I considered that for a moment as I chewed my bottom lip.

“And just for the record…”

I looked up, pulled out of my reverie, “Yeah?”

“There’s a place for you in the Cordonian Intelligence Agency anytime you want it.”

That got a smile out of me, finally, “Thanks, Leo. I’ll take that under advisement.”

“That’s all I’m asking. Come on, we’re holding up the flight. But Riley?”

“Yeah?”

“It is terrifying,” his eyes flew to Olivia again, “but if you can make it work, it is so worth it!”

I nodded as we boarded the plane. Leo patted my shoulder before turning to join Olivia and I made a beeline for Liam, Leo’s words still echoing through my mind. I took the seat next to him and without preamble asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” His brows crinkled in puzzlement.

“I don’t know…maybe in the cold, harsh light of morning, you’re not okay with what happened last night after all?”

He looked startled, “No! I mean yes! I mean…. I am fine with what happened last night…and this morning!”

“Are you sure? Because if you’re not, it’s-“

He captured my hand with his and gave me a genuine smile, “I’m fine, I promise! It was a new experience for me and I’m still processing it, that’s all.”

“And you’re absolutely positive that’s it?”

“Yes, I’m certain, Riley! If you had asked me even a month ago if I would participate in a threesome, I would have said never with a woman that I’m in lo-“ He paused, glancing quickly away then back at me as his face flushed, “What I meant to say was, I would have thought that I’d feel jealous and possessive but….”

“But?” I prompted.

He drew in a deep breath and then let it out before continuing, “I hope it’s not too forward of me to say but, it just feels right when I’m with you, and last night, that somehow felt right as well. I don’t quite know what any of it means. As I said, I’m still processing some things.”

“Okay, that’s fair enough.”

We sat in silence for a moment, my hand still in his, each lost in our own thoughts. I turned my head to watch him, taking in the curve of his face, the still slightly damp hair as it curled up just above his ear, the rise and fall of his chest covered as usual by an Armani button-down shirt. His onyx-colored eyes stared back at me with such frank, genuine emotion that I momentarily lost the ability to think or speak.

I suddenly and inexplicably wanted to tell him the truth about why I was keeping him at arm’s length.

“What is it?” he asked as he read my expression.

“I just….” I pulled my hand out of his and dropped my gaze to my lap, unwilling to meet his eyes as I tried to explain, “I want you to know that I do care about you, Liam. But if Rico gets a whiff of that fact, your life will be in danger so please don’t take it personally if I have to distance myself from you, okay?”

I expected him to argue with me. I expected him to be upset. Sad or perhaps angry. None of those things happened. I glanced up at his face to find the biggest smile I think I’ve ever seen. It took me completely aback. It was the opposite of the reaction he ought to have been having, “What?” I asked in confusion.

“You care about me?”

“Oh, for the love of-“ I clamped my mouth shut against the string of obscenities that threatened to spill out of it. Of course, that was the part he zeroed in on. I rolled my eyes, “Liam! Did you miss the part about your life being in danger?”

“No, no, I got that part,” he turned sidewise in his seat to fully face me as he took both of my hands in his, “But can we back up to the part where you just admitted to having feelings for me?”

I growled in frustration, “Liam, are you even listening to me?”

“Yes, Riley, I am,” he shook his head, the smile replaced by a grim twist of his mouth, “But did you miss the part where I’m a member of the royal family, second in line to the throne? My life is always in danger and from people far scarier than a deposed drug lord from New York. I have complete confidence in my security team, and I live in a palace that’s fortified better than most military compounds. I appreciate your concern, love, but I am not afraid of Rico Mendez.”

“Well, you should be!” I pulled away from him in consternation. Why wasn’t he taking this seriously?

“Risking the wrath of a drug kingpin is a small price to pay for your company,” he told me with an equanimous smile back on his lips.

I shook my head as I muttered, “Jesus fucking Christ what the fucking hell am I going to do with this stubborn ass man?”

The smile never leaving his face, he replied, “Kind things I hope.”

I shook my head again as I fought mightily to keep a smile off my own face. His eternal optimism was going to be the death of me.

The plane ride back to Cordonia was short and in no time we were back at the palace headed to the situation room to confer with the whole team.

I had spent the ride back seated next to Liam. I wasn’t at all convinced that he had heard a word I had to say. I was afraid Drake was going to prove just as intractable. I was ruminating on that when the man in question caught up to me in the hallway, “Hey there, Brooks. What has you so lost in thought?”

“You, actually.”

“Me?” The surprise was evident on his face, “What about me?”

“You’re far too relaxed about this whole thing.”

“What whole thing?”

“You know damn good and well what I’m talking about, Drake! This whole thing with me, you, and Liam!”

He stopped walking, took my arm, and spun me around to face him, as the rest of the group continued down the corridor, “I’m trying not to spook you and scare you away! Isn’t this how you want me to behave? Would you prefer I got all territorial and acted like a…what did you call it? A presumptuous bastard?”

“No, of course not! I just-“

“You just what, Riley?” He pulled me closer as he leaned in so he wouldn’t be overheard, “In case you’re not aware, you’ve been sending me some very mixed signals and I’m just trying to figure out how to not step on any more landmines with you, okay?”

“Okay,” my breath caught in my throat as I looked up at him, “I just want you to be honest with me.”

He snorted. He actually snorted at that. He let go of my arm and stepped away, “No, you don’t. Every time I try to be honest with you, you shut down and push me away.”

Well okay then.

What could I really say to that? Nothing, because it was the truth. I panicked every time he got close to anything that felt like a confession of love might be forthcoming.

It was for his own good. At least that’s what I kept telling myself.  

“Right. You think about that, and we’ll talk later,” He gestured toward the door, “Now shall we go in? Everyone is probably waiting on us.”

Everyone was assembled in the room when we entered, and I mean everyone. Leo, Olivia, Max, Jason, Liam, Jared, Drake, myself, and a blast from my past. Nick Adler.

Jared was making introductions as Drake and I discreetly slipped in and quietly pulled the door shut behind us.

Nick and Leo shook hands then Jared gestured to Drake and me, “And our late arrivals. This is Captain Drake Walker-“

The two men shook hands as Jared continued, “And of course, you already know Agent Brooks.”

“Hey, Juniper,” Nick said softly as he pulled me into a hug, “How have you been?”

“Good, Nick,” I replied stiffly as I pushed out of the hug, “And you?”

“Juniper?” Drake asked.

Nick’s eyes flicked from my face to Drake’s briefly before landing back on mine, “Because of her eyes.”

Yes, I have green eyes. Juniper green according to Nick. But his use of that nickname was wildly inappropriate for so many reasons, chiefly of which were because we were at work and because we were long since over. “Could you please refrain from commenting on my physical appearance while we’re at work, Agent?”

Nick laughed as he casually pushed his hands into his pockets. Turning to Jared he quipped, “I see nothing has changed.”

I stifled my annoyance at these two men who had nothing to do with my personal life talking about me while I was standing right in front of them. One of them had never had any place in my life, and the other had lost that right long ago, yet there they stood acting like they knew the first thing about me.

Is it any wonder that I had decided that men weren’t worth the time and effort?

“She’s right,” Leo interjected, “We have a serious problem, one that you were invited here to help us resolve. Agent Brooks has informed me of your shared past. I need to know right now if that past is going to be an issue. Riley has assured me that it won’t be for her, and I believe her. She has more than proven her professionalism and dedication. She’s a valued member of this team and her input has been crucial. Is your past with her going to be an issue for you, Agent?”

I blinked at Leo in astonishment. I mean, I knew he was the crown prince, and I knew he was about to be king, but I had never seen him in true king mode. From day one, he had shown his charming and playful side to me. Yes, I had seen him serious, and I had seen him in work mode. But this Leo was regal and commanding and brooked no foolishness.

Nick’s smile instantly vanished as his eyes darted from Jared to me to Leo. He blinked once then responded, “No, sir, it isn’t. Agent Brooks and I are both professionals and I’m not surprised at your trust in her, she’s one of the best agents I’ve ever worked with. I apologize for my comments.”

I will give Nick this much. He is a good agent. He can compartmentalize and I knew he meant that apology. Not because he recognized that what he had done was inherently disrespectful to me, but because he recognized that airing his personal shit in front of everyone was unprofessional.

Because everything was always about him. It was maddening in a personal relationship, but when it came to the job, he was as dedicated to success as I was.

Working with Nick to bring down The Gladius Company and Rico Mendez was going to be the easy part.

Having Nick in close proximity to Drake and Liam was going to be the hard part. In all honesty, it was my worst nightmare. My determination to keep them both at arm’s length was in danger as my past stood there threatening to reveal all my vulnerabilities.

#savage love #trr au #drake walker #liam rys #riley brooks #agent riley brooks #captain drake walker #trr fanfic #via imperii #choicesficwriterscreations #cfwc fics of the week

[choicesflashfics]

Week 62 Prompts:

“Forever means nothing to me if I don’t get to spend it with you.”

“This world is cruel. I’m just playing by its rules.”

“Come on, this doesn’t even make it into the top 10 of stupid things I’ve done. You’re completely overreacting.”

Commoner, Part 2: Secret - @dcbbw (The Royal Romance; Savannah Walker x Leo / Savannah Walker x Bertrand)

Turning the Page Chapter 7: Because I Love You - @tessa-liam (The Royal Romance; Liam x F!MC)

Holiday Prompts Fics:

Christmas Tree Dilemma - @rosepetals1 (Perfect Match; Hayden Young x F!MC)

Turning the Page Chapter 7: Because I Love You - @tessa-liam (The Royal Romance; Liam x F!MC)

#choicesflashfics #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #choices prompt challenge #choices #playchoices #week 62

[karahalloway]

Incorrect Quote Generator

Rules: Use this (https://perchance.org/incorrect-quote-generator) generator to generate a quote for your characters and share as many as you like! The results are uncanny!

Thanks so much for the tag @angelasscribbles!! This gave me some much-needed laughs this morning! 🤣 So of course, I decided to generate some of my own!

Harper x Drake

Harper: Being half asleep and feeling someone gently plant a kiss on your forehead is one of the purest kinds of love in the world. Drake: Unless you're home alone.

Yeesh, Drake! But this reminded me of the conversation that Harper and Drake had in the wine celler in Lythikos, so I had to include!

Harper: The universe is cold and unfeeling. The only constant is chaos. Drake: Was that place out of chocolate-chip pancakes again?

...most probably 🤣

Computer: Please enter a password.

Harper: *types in Drake*

Computer: Your password is too weak.

Harper: How fucking DARE YOU-

Agree with Harper 🤣

*Drake is talking about their past* Drake: I guess it was that day I came home to a cold, empty house, devoid of light and love, and I knew then that my sorrows would only grow. Harper: Drake, this is the saddest life story I have ever heard! And you haven't even covered the teen years! Christian: Oh, I'm sure it gets better! Drake: Ha! No, at eleven, things really took a turn for the worst.

I mean... It's like this thing read TRR

Harper: I have feelings for you.

Drake: Why? What's wrong with you? Are you sure you're okay?

Harper x Christian

Christian: Everything will be ok. You can not stop it. Everything will be fine. You have no choice. Harper: What the fuck kind of pep talk is that? Christian: Ominous positivity.

This one creeped me the heck out because it is so foreshadowing of things to come in (Less Than) Noble Intentions!!😬

Hana going a bit crazy with rebellion

Hana: LOWERCASE LETTERS ARE FOR THE LOWER CLASS! Drake: And here we have a capitalist. Harper: Did you just- Max: Let us all take a moment to appreciate that all of human history, human language, and the universe itself aligned to make this joke possible.

Maxwell's deepest darkest fear

Bertrand: What's the scariest horror movie you've ever watched? Drake: IT. Leo: Annabelle. Christian: Paranormal Activity. Maxwell: High School Musical. All throughout high school I was scared that everyone was gonna randomly get up and start singing and dancing, and I would be the only one who doesn't know the words.

This cracked me up no end because this is very legit Maxwell fear to have!

Drake x Christian

Christian: I feel so burnt out. Drake: Don't worry, it'll be over soon. Christian: Are you gonna... assassinate me? Drake: Well, not if you're expecting it.

Love how Drake's actually thought about it!🤣

Drake x Maxwell

Maxwell: She's the girl of my dreams! Drake: You say every girl is the girl of your dreams. Maxwell: I have a lot of dreams.

Maxwell: Drake! This soup is flaccid! Drake: LITERALLY WHAT THE FUCK DOES THIS MEAN?!

I... I... I just can't...🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Leo et al

Leo: So don't panic but one of us is possessed by an owl.... Maxwell: .... Drake: ..... Christian: ...... Bertrand: ..Who? Leo: That's the thing we don't- *Everyone stares at Bertrand*

OF COURSE it's Bertrand!🤣

Bertrand: What does "take out" mean? Maxwell: Food. Christian: Dating. Drake: Murder. Leo: It can be all three if you're brave enough.

I mean... *snort* Leo's got a point!

The Beaumonts

Maxwell: Yes, I'm adopting Bertrand and you cowards can't tell me no!

Bertrand: I can never give Maxwell shit because I'm jealous of them. They look at their life and say, "Sweet! This is perfect!" I look at my life and say, "Welp. Time to get drunk."

Savannah: How would you like your coffee? Bertrand: As dark as my soul. Savannah: Got it, one cup of milk coming right up!

Savs knows him so well! 🤣

Tagging my permas in case you need a giggle, and anyone who wants to play!

Permatags

@twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @kingliam2019 @petiteboheme @aussiegurl1234 @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @tessa-liam @alyshak92 @secretaryunpaid @princessleac1 @walkerdrakewalker @angelasscribbles @nestledonthaveone @tinkie1973 @twinkle-320 @knaussal @nikkis1983 @lunaseasblog @ficloverevie @indiana-jr @differenttyphoonwerewolf @xpandass420x @eversoaringqueen12 @peonierose @3pawandme @alexabeta @veebug8 @fangirling12566 @queenmiarys @berriesandpixels​ @coco-lina-s @lolablackwrites @ivyflowers13 @persephone13 @hollygirl1269 @adri-ja-96 @harleybeaumont @katedrakeohd @uneravine @bebepac

#harper x drake #harper gale #drake walker #maxwell beaumont #hana lee #leo rys #bertrand beaumont #prince liam #the royal romance fandom #quotes gone wrong

[phoenixrising0308]

An American in Cordonia: Our Vows

Books: The Royal Romance 1

Rating: M (18+) Sexual situation and adult themes.

Trigger Warnings in this chapter:  Swearing and Physical Attack

Pairing: Liam x  Jessica Garcia (MC)

An American In Cordonia Series premise: A New Yorker seeking adventure and love finds herself living abroad to competing for the hand of a man who will become King. When things don’t go according to plan they enter into a Cordonian arrangement. This is a series about Jessica Garcia’s life abroad, her time as a suitor, and explores her romantic relationship with Liam while she lives in a Cordonian arrangement. Catch up here

Disclaimer

Chapter Summary: Savannah and Bertrand tie the knot. Madeleine causes a scene.

Song inspiration: Nobody but you - Blake Sheldon & Gwen Stefani

Word Count: 1, 960 *As always, forgive my typos and grammatical errors.*

Average reading time: 8 minutes

*Information in the chapter in regards to Bianca Walker and Madeleine will be revealed in current and future installments of the promise (Part 3 D/E/G): What they stole from us. Information on Jessica reading the law (studying Cordonian law) will be revealed in Chapter 2 of Forged in fire *

Ramsford

“Here, I think if we just brought a few more pieces down in the front...Perfect.”

Savannah starred in the mirror as Jessica helped her get ready. Her white ball gown was trimmed with lace sleeves, and a piece of expensive diamond jewelry set Bertrand had bought for her birthday. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and her veil had scattered diamonds embedded throughout the lace.

Savannah took in a deep breath, “Thank you so much for helping me, Jessica. I don't have any sisters or too many friends in Court.”

Jessica stood back, a glimpse of her powder blue satin dress in the mirror. It dropped to the side with a crystal-encrusted brooch of a cephalopod clipped where it bunched up high on her waist. Her hair was half up, half down in loose ringlets and peep-toe pumps that matched her dress.

“What are maids of honors for? I mean, I guess you COULD have picked Drake.”

“Oh, I thought about it, but it's not the most traditional thing to pick your brother, and I think all that attention would make him implode. I'm lucky he wants to walk me down the aisle. He'll probably drink his weight in whiskey tonight.”

Jessica chuckled as she helped adjust the jewels in Savannah's hair. She paused as Savannah stared at the mirror sadly.

“What is it?”

She tried to force a smile. “It's nothing. I should be over the moon on my wedding day...Just... Sad my mom couldn't come.”

Jessica faltered. “Maxwell is recording the whole thing, and we are making sure she gets a copy of it overnight so she can watch her little girl get married.”

“I just feel horrible that she couldn't attend. She barely even gets to see Bartie.”

Her eyes shined, and Jessica quickly hugged her with a smile. “Hey, I know it's hard, but Liam is working on finding a way to allow her back into Cordonian despite the ban. Leo and I are working on it day and night we promise.”

Savannah sniffed. “You guys are?”

“Yes! Yours truly doing legal research on the topic. I really have nothing but time on my hands and Liam thinks I should try reading the law since I miss school so much. It feels good to be useful and he is convinced me learning the Law and French would be helpful. Sometimes he lets me look at contracts and I correct them. I think he likes it. But in a few moments from now, you will be a part of a noble house, and Bartie will be a legal heir to Ramsford, and that changes everything. You can invoke a few privileges and requesting her to be able to travel here is one of them we just have to work around signatures kind of like what happened with me and my visa.”

Savannah held Jessica in an embrace "The day I met you in Paris. I knew we would be fast friends, and I’m so happy that we are.”

“Also, I have to tell you in one of my late-night study law sessions with Leo, and he told me that Liam gave Bertrand permission to use the Royal Jet to go to Texas. I don’t know when but just know it's in the works.”

“Oh, Jessie…” Savannah hugged her. Savannah calmed herself before standing. “How do I look?”

“Breathtaking...Bertrand is going to cry.”

She chuckled, “I don't know about that.”

“Savannah, the man is in love with you. If anyone could move him to tears; It's you and Bartie...Plus, Maxwell and I have a bet going on that he will. Drake and Leo think he won't. Liam let me wager for him.”

They both laughed as Savannah shook her head, “Awful.”

“I'll make sure to take plenty of pictures you can send to Bianca.”

“Thank you. It means the world to me. You're like the sister I always wanted.”

“Same to you. I grew up with nothing but brothers, so you being like a sister to me is welcomed.”

Knocking sounded on the door as Drake said, “Hey, it's almost time. Are you ready? I can see the bride before, right?”

Savannah laughed, “Yes, Drake, that's only for the groom. Come in.”

Drake cautiously opened the door. Jessica watched from the sidelines as he approached her.

“What do you think?”

Drake stared down at her, “You look….” He swallowed a moment as Jessica edged herself to the door.

“I'll let you both have your moment.”

The door shut as Drake looked down at her in surprise. She averted her gaze, “Is it too much?”

“No! No, sorry, I'm just...Lost for words. It's not every day your baby sister gets married. You look beautiful.” He gave her a smile. “I know I'm not Dad, but -”

She looked back up at him, eyes shining. “Drake, I'm glad you're walking me down the aisle. You're the best big brother a girl could ask for.”

She hugged him as he held her close, a lump in his throat as they parted.

“Hell Savannah...I just...It's hard to believe you're all grown up and walking down the aisle today.”

“Drake, I can't be your baby sister forever.”

“Nah, you'll always be… Are you sure you want to go through with it? I can sneak you out the back, and no one would know.”

Savannah chuckled, “Drake. I'm beyond sure. Bertrand is the one for me, forever and always.”

Drake sighed, “I know. I don't know what you see in him, but he treats you like a damn princess, and he's a great dad to Bartie.”

He sighed and offered her his arm, “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

Ramford's Vineyard

Jessica walked out into the vineyard. It was set up in luxurious powder blue drapery and hints of the family crest. People were already taking their seats, the Royal family having their own seating upfront where Savannah's family would have sat.

Bertrand stood nervously upfront with the ordained minister at the arch, who happened to be Leo having his own license to wed now that barrister privileges were restored.

Maxwell waited for her as he offered her an arm. He was in a dark navy suit with a powder blue tie. “Shall we, Maid of Honor?”

She slid her arm into his, “We shall, Best man.”

All eyes fell on them as they smiled broadly. Jessica's gaze softened as she locked eyes with Liam, who gave her a warm smile as she passed by him.

They parted as Jessica took her spot, and Maxwell stood beside the groom as the best man. She and Bertrand locked eyes as he nervously fidgeted with his sleeve. Jessica smiled and mouthed, “You got this. Mr. Rogers.”

Not many noble women were friendly enough to Savannah to be bridesmaids. So, the couple decided on only Jessica and Maxwell to represent them.

Bertrand smiled as he saw his son walk down the aisle bearing the rings on a pillow. Maxwell gave Bartie a thumbs up and mouthed, “Just like we practiced!” Bartie stoically walked down the aisle until he saw Bertrand. His smile grew, matching his father's as he made his way to the altar.

He reached Maxwell, who took the pillow and gave him a low five. “Yes, buddy, you did great!”

Everyone quieted down as the music started.

Jessica watched as Savannah and Drake slowly walked down the aisle. She smiled, seeing Bertrand's breath hitch, and a gasp escaped him at seeing Savannah.

Drake held her arm, his eyes shining. They reached the altar. Leo asked, “Who is giving the bride away?”

Drake smiled softly down at Savannah. “Her brother.” Before he released her.

Savannah reached out to hold Bertrand's hands, he smiled at her, and she tenderly smiled back.

The entire ceremony, while Leo read them their vows, all Jessica could do was look to Liam in the crowd. He did the same, both of them smiling sadly at one another. Liam mouthed the vows every so often at Jessica as she dabbed her eyes.

Leo finally asked, “Do you, Bertrand Beaumont, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife? To cherish and to hold for as long as you both shall live?”

His voice quivered as he proudly said, “Yes, for the rest of my life. I do.”

“And do you, Savannah Walker, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband? To love and honor for as long as you both shall live?”

She rubbed her thumb over his hand, “I do. Now and forever.”

“Then by the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Bertrand cupped her face, softly enveloping her in a formal kiss. One that she deepened by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. Happy tears streamed down both of their cheeks as they parted.

30 Minutes Later

Ballroom…

“Pay up.” Jessica and Maxwell held out their hands as Leo and Drake both groaned.

“I never thought I'd see the Duke of Ramsford cry, but I'm glad it was for my sister.”

Maxwell snorted, “I can! Bertrand is head over heels for Savannah and is a softie like Drake is.”

Drake scoffed, “Hey, I'm not fucken soft.”

Jessica, Leo, and Maxwell all burst into snickering as Drake glared at them. Jessica replied, “Give it up, Marshmallow. Your eyes were wet when you walked her down the aisle.”

Leo said as he patted Drake on the back, “Nothing to be ashamed of. She's your little sister. We all have soft spots with our younger siblings.”

Jessica lost her smile as the thought of Mateo and Adam at her wedding filtered through her mind. The never-ending voice of doubt, 'Will there be one?' forever plaguing her mind.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Savannah tapped Drake on the shoulder.

“Drake, it's the Father slash Brother and the Bride dance.”

He smirked, “I'm not the best dancer, though.”

“I could care less. I'm having this dance with you, Drake Walker. Whether you like it or not.”

He laughed, “Alright, alright!” He offered his hand as they made their way to the dance floor.

Jessica watched them as someone whispered, “You look gorgeous, Love.” his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

She smiled at Liam over her shoulder, “You look dashing as ever.”

He subtly leaned into her, “After we give our speeches, meet me in the vineyard. Being alone with you is all I’ve imagined since I saw you.”

They both glanced at Madeleine, who caught their eye from across the room. Her emerald eyes narrowed as Liam glared back. Jessica smiled and said, “I can hardly wait. For now, you should get ready to give your blessing.”

He smiled down at her before parting, her hand subtly reaching for his fingertips as he passed by her.

Drake and Savannah finished their dance, genuine joy on Drake's face as he led her back off the dance floor.

“See? Was that so bad?” Savannah asked.

He shrugged, “No...In fact, I'm glad we made that memory.”

Everyone turned to Madeleine as she drew everyone's attention.

She held up her flute of champagne, “I would like to make a toast to the happy couple as the QUEEN.”

Everyone watched her as she gave a fake smile, “Savannah, I am so happy for you to have joined the Beaumont household. It's generous of them to accept everyone despite having no noble prestige. Despite so many, that would turn you away; Duke Ramsford accepted you as a wife. I'm delighted to see him making you feel as though you belong. We in court know you never truly fit in but now you are Duchess so that changes the level of respect you or owed. So you will be tolerated more than just humored moving forward. We were shocked to find out you had a child out of wedlock but Duke Ramsford saw it fit that he should now be heir to all of this.”

Madeleine took a sip from her drink and continued, “Truly, House Beaumont has earned its place. Accepting the Cordonia’s strays and that is why the King and I offered to pay for this wedding. It's the least we can do for a house that does so much charity.” Her eyes darted to Jessica in the crowd.

“They took in a woman they barely knew in order to allow her to experience what we do. They sponsored her for the social season despite the shame she brought to their door. And even after everything that happened, they still adopted her as a member of House Beaumont. If that is not honorable of a House, I don't know what is. I'm just so glad at least one member of House Beaumont got to experience a beautiful white wedding courtesy of the Crown. It will be the only Beaumont wedding to witness, that is unless Maxwell marries or their now legitimate children find favorable matches. It's doubtful. As you know reputation is everything in our world. And as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. To gain respectable matches, it's really about the company you keep.” She raised her flute as the room was silent and most looked at Jessica.

Liam tried to withhold a glare to Madeleine as he chimed in, “Yes, but I think we ALL could learn from House Beaumont by not judging someone on their pedigree but instead their merits- A title means nothing if you have no class and honor. There is such a thing called grace and tact and even the highest of noble lack when they seize an opportunity to speak out of turn and look foolish in the process. You know what they say better to have people question your intelligence than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Jessica shook her head as the damage was already done. “Excuse me, and I believe I left something in the parlor.”

Drake and Maxwell looked at her sadly, and Leo and Bertrand glared openly at Madeleine.

Leo mumbled under his breath, "Madeleine, you're a disgusting and tacky human being."

Vineyard…

Jessica rushed outside in the night, tears in her eyes and her lip wobbling as she slumped against a trestle in the vineyard.

It wasn't long before she heard someone's footsteps and saw him come to find her.

“Jess-”

“Liam. Don't. You heard Madeleine, at least one commoner got a wedding. How CHARITABLE!”

Liam growled as he kicked at a rock on the ground, “Forget her, Jess! She is jealous of you. Can't you see that?”

“It doesn’t matter because she is married to you and out of the million and one things I could ever want out of life; number one on the list is marrying you. I just want to be in front of a crowd of people, whether they are noble or just like me, and to tell them how much I love you, and I promise to love you forever. Can't you see that?!"

“She does not have me! Only in writing, but my heart and soul belongs only to you!”

Jessica choked back a sob, “I hate her, Liam. Ruining Savannah and Bertrand's wedding like that. Publicly going after me out of spite she knows you don’t love her but refuses to let you go. But most of all, I HATE myself right now. What am I doing here?! What am I waiting for?!”

He stepped towards her. “Love…”

“No! When will I get to walk down the aisle?! When will you kiss me in front of everyone? When do I get my big day with the love of my life, Liam?” A sob escaped her as Liam rushed forward to embrace her. Tears in his own eyes as he nuzzled into her hair.

“I...I'm trying. Love, I swear to you, I don't care what it takes.”

“And what if you can't? What if I'll always be a dirty secret?”

His eyebrows upturned as he cupped her face, his blue eyes begging her to look at him. “Love, you are not nor will you ever be a dirty secret. You are the best thing to ever happen to me!”

Jessica's lip trembled, and her voice hitched, “Do you...Promise to always feel that way? That you will love me like this and fight for us?”

“I do. One thousand times over, love. I have laid next to you for the past few weeks thinking of what our wedding vows would be.” He leaned down, touching foreheads as he gazed into her eyes, using his thumb to wipe her tears even when his own shined in his eyes. Let me exchange them with you right now in private. From this day forward this is what I vow to you although they started the moment I fell in love with you. ” Liam swallowed a lump in his throat and said, “Jessica, from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your soul, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person and sovereign I can be. I promise to love you without reservation for eternity, respect you, honor you, be faithful to you, and share my life with you. I promise to comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind, and spirit, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow to you." Jessica was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.

“I love you, and I will fight for us. Do you feel this is worth it? I care about your happiness, Jess. More than anything.”

She gave a smile through her tears, “God, I love you, Liam. You will always be worth it. When I'm with you, it all melts away, and it becomes worth it… Liam, here are my vows to you.” Jessica took a shaky breath and said “Liam, today I take you to be my husband and my lifelong partner. Together we will create a home and be bound to one another. I vow to help create a life that we can cherish. I vow to be honest, caring, and truthful, to love you as you are and not as I want you to be, and to grow old by your side as your love and best friend. You are part of my soul and will always be until I am no longer breathing.”

He leaned down to kiss her; sad tears streamed down both their faces as they desperately grabbed for each other. Liam took off his suit jacket and tossed it on the ground, and he gently laid her on it, both trying to find comfort in each other's arms and moaning into their kisses.

Later…

Hallway of Ramford Hall

Liam saw her alone in the hallway and all but cornered her. He glared dangerously down at her as she stared up at him.

He schooled her features as he growled down at her, “What you did tonight, Madeleine, was disgusting. You will not get away with it!”

“What? All I did was state the truth. The Beaumont are known for taking in strays-”

She flinched when he smacked the wall “SHUT. UP.” He lowered his tone to a dangerous whisper. “You are so jealous of her, it's pathetic.”

Her eyes twitched, “Excuse me? How am I jealous of a foreign commoner with nothing to her blood except the Beaumont name? Your favorite subject? I have decades of pure blood and a name that goes back generations-”

He cut her off. “It's evident in your actions. I have an open Cordonian Arrangement clause with non-disclosure to protect her identity and you toed the line today. You just look at her and you are green with envy you forced yourself into this loveless marriage with your actions and refusal to vindicate her. You acted like a child tonight. You are a total embarrassment to yourself and the crown.”

He backed away from her, "She has a family that gives a damn about her, she has found a family that thinks of her as their own, she has my heart and soul. It must sting like hell to see a woman attract so much love when you don't even know what that is!"

She scoffed, “Love, love, love. Is that the only word you know? What does love have to compare to power? To wealth? To status? I have it all. Only when I'm dead will you be free to live your life with her. I won't go freely.  Thank your brother for that the laws are iron-clad. He is a Barrister AGAIN he knows the laws your Father wrote to prevent a divorce. ” She smirked victoriously.

Liam shook his head, "Then you truly are lost. Jessica is everything you could never be and will have everything you never will. You can't even demonstrate restraint. When this is over and I'm free; you better be out of Cordonia go to England wherever as long as you never breath Cordonian air in your lifetime again; you aren't fit enough. Gloating in our faces at the destruction that made it impossible for me and her to be free together. I won't forget it. I will pull the rug right underneath you and strip you of your titles the second I am able to. Blood alone does not make you noble, it is kindness, it is empathy, it is class. And you have none. You just have a title and nothing more. You are shallow and desperate. Pull a stunt like that again, so help you, God Madeline, you will have hell to pay. Your father nor mine will save you from my wrath. I vow you will pay a high price for the crown you stole from here. I am eager to snatch off your head the moment I can. I won't even contaminate the Royal Vault it. I will destroy it and mail you the melted pieces in whatever hell seek refuge.”

*slap*

Liam smirked at Madeleine's assault as her nostrils flared and her hand shook in anger.

He chuckled, “What pitiful attempt to hold on to something that was never truly yours. Now, I will take my leave. The woman I love is waiting for me… And I don't care to converse with the woman I despise. Go enjoy your time with whoever you want. I don't care who. I would say don't make a fool of yourself but that warning comes too late.”

He turned on his heels, leaving her sputtering as he slammed the front door and made his way out to the main hall with Jessica.

[alj4890]

Alone

(Drake x Olivia) in a Choices The Royal Romance/Heir fan fic.

A/N No reason other than I needed a little Dralivia. And I think it isn't a secret from previous fics how I feel about Drake's mom (in case you don't know, I can't stand her, LOL). Thus, for some reason, listening to the song while working on a fic for another Choices OTP couple of mine, this angsty idea somehow came about.

Rating: G

Song Inspiration: Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga

Masterlist

@krsnlove @sirbeepsalot @lodberg ​ @mynameiskaylabella @museofbooks @elbenmond @gibbles82 @twinkleallnight @thehonorarybeaumont @tessa-liam @moodmusicmonday @choicesficwriterscreations

**************

The sun shouldn't be shining so brightly. Birds shouldn't be chirping their sweet songs. The cool breeze shouldn't be gentle and soothing. This wasn't at all how the world should look today.

Rain should be falling steadily. Perhaps a faint roll of thunder should rumble off in the distance. The wind should be icy, chilling one to the bone. The sky should be a slate gray color giving no hope for sunlight filtering through.

Funerals were meant for that type of atmosphere.

Drake swallowed against the lump of emotion in his throat. He tugged at the knot in his carefully contructed tie, causing it to become lopsided. He ran a hand through his hair. He next slipped on a pair of sunglasses when he noticed some people watching him.

He didn't need this audience. Over half of these people wouldn't have come to his mother's funeral if Liam hadn't made him a Guardian of the Realm. Nobody would have cared that the Walker siblings had lost their only remaining parent if he had not helped save Liam and Riley as often as he had.

Well, perhaps a few would have come. He could always depend on Liam to be there for him. Somehow he had become close to Maxwell, Riley, and Hana along the way. They were just as loyal as one could wish. Even if Bertrand was not married to Savannah, Drake suspected he would still have come to pay his respects.

But none of the others would have cared enough about him to come. No one would have flown all the way out here in to an insignificant Texas town for him.

Well, maybe one other might have.

As the pastor continued his sermon, Drake took advantage of his sunglasses to secretly search for Olivia in the crowd. It didn't take long to find her. Her rich red hair with sunlight shining upon it shone easily against the black clothed individuals.

He was surprised to see her head bowed. Her lips were not hardened in their typical manner. Her hands were loosely clasped in front of her black clad body. A few stray strands of her hair gently got caught in the occasional breeze.

He tried to swallow once more when his sister's muffled sob broke through his study of the duchess. He glanced to his right to see Bertrand wrap his arms around her, whispering against her hair.

Drake only caught a part of what he said.

"I'm right here."

That softly said phrase cut Drake to the quick.

He'd never felt so alone before. He'd experienced lonliness throughout his life, but he never realized how alone he was without a significant other. Liam often told him how much he needed and depended on Riley. Drake had witnessed first hand the changes in Bertrand and Savannah once they married.

But Drake didn't have that.

And now, he must say goodbye to the one parent who had caused nothing but conflicted feelings deep within his heart.

Drake didn't know what to do. Should he be angry and harden his heart against this woman who had abandoned him and his little sister all those years ago? Or should he only focus on the last couple of years and her attempts to makeup for her mistakes?

How uncertain could a man be?

Memories flickered through his mind of his mom when he was little. The gruff manner she would pull him in for a quick hug. The feel of her ruffling his hair. The way she would tuck him into bed at night.

Then thoughts of near silence. Wasn't that what she gave him for years until Liam got married? Actually, would she have shown her face at all if Liam hadn't made certain to invite her to his wedding? Would she have shown up if she hadn't known Savannah had given birth to her first grandchild?

Did she even want to see me? Or was her return to Cordonia for other reasons?

He blinked when people began to step forward to lay a final flower upon the mahogany casket.

Rubbing a hand down his face, he picked up his lone flower. He grimaced somewhat at the number of lilies and roses. His own wildflower he had picked seemed so out of place amongst them. It looked like he didn't care.

And he knew he was the only one left alive to remember the reason for picking the Firewheel for this final time.

The vibrant yellow and red petals were a stark contrast to the delicate, expensive, white flowers.

Tears burned his eyes yet refused to fall.

Stepping back, he went through the motions of thanking those who had come along with his sister and brother-in-law. His aunt was gruff were her murmurs of gratitude.

During one of the so sorry for your loss from a well meaning noble, Drake noticed Olivia slip away without a word. His brow furrowed over the fact she wasn't going to even bother to say anything to him. He'd thought that they were finally beyond being hateful to one another.

I guess I was wrong.

****************

The next couple of days were spent as cohost to those who remained in Texas. Neighbors came by the old farmhouse with enough food to help feed the company of Cordonia's most respected.

Drake was thoroughly tired of it by the third day.

He sneaked out one evening at dusk. Sighing in relief once he was a hundred yards from the crowded house, he continued on toward one of the outer fields.

He leaned against one of the fence posts, watching the last rays of light disappear.

"It's beautiful out here."

He swung around in surprise.

Olivia stepped up beside him, eyes focused on the western horizon.

His eyes narrowed somewhat. He had seen her speaking to others, yet she had kept her distance from him ever since the funeral. It irritated him. She hadn't even bothered to say she was sorry for his loss, yet had somehow followed him out here when he wanted to be alone.

No, that wasn't right. He didn't want to be alone. Not really. But that was how he'd been during this whole process.

Olivia cut her eyes to study his profile. She'd never felt so out of her depths before. What she was about to do was something she'd never felt compelled to do for anyone else in her life. It was something she couldn't stop thinking about. It irritated her that she'd felt driven to do this for Drake, of all people. She couldn't rest and remain inactive any longer.

She could see how much he was hurting yet was hiding it better than most could. She knew that kind of pain. Understood it. Lived with it all these many years.

And she'd known she couldn't approach him until the time was right and there was a lack of an audience.

"Why are you here?" He asked in a bitter tone.

Olivia didn't flinch. Didn't even bat an eyelash over the harsh accusation one could so easily hear. She knew what was causing it.

"I didn't want you to be alone anymore." She stated simply.

He snorted. "Did it ever occur to you that I have been surrounded by people for days?" He glared at her. "Was it not obvious since I asked no one to come out here with me that I needed to be alone?"

She turned to face him. Her normally hard gaze was soft, emerald eyes steadily meeting his angry brown. They didn't bother to probe to see where his questions were coming from.

And that unnerved him.

Instead of snapping back with an angry retort to set him in his place, she tentatively placed her hand over his.

His fist clinched upon the worn wooden plank. It was as if he fought against accepting her silent comfort.

Her fingers brushed along his knuckles until they settled along his fingers, curving over them as if in protection.

Drake could feel that familar burn of tears. His throat convulsed around that ever growing lump that threatened to choke him.

"I know, Drake." Olivia said softly.

And he knew she did. She understood without him having to say that he didn't know if he was mourning his parent or for the memories he once cherished or for what might have been if she had not left him.

He looked out at the meadow, seeing that same wildflower he'd given his mother dotting the slightly rolling land. During family trips here when he was a little boy, he had picked as many Firewheels as his arms could hold as a surprise for his mom. Even now, he could see her delighted smile. He could almost feel the kiss upon his forehead for bringing her such a thoughtful gift.

Stray tears slipped down his cheeks as he gazed upon Olivia's hand holding his.

When had his fingers eased? When had his hand turned to grip hers as if he was about to fall down a canyon of despair?

Her grip on his tightened as she waited patiently for him to say or indicate what he needed next.

His voice cracked.

"Liv. I--"

He wasn't certain who moved first. He only knew he had her crushed to his chest. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist as he shook. He buried his face against her neck, taking shuddering breaths.

Olivia closed her eyes tight. She could feel her own tears threatening to spill out. She knew deep down why she was here, allowing herself to experience the pain of losing a parent again. She knew why she was willing to allow her own memories to torture her once more.

She couldn't stand to see Drake have to face it alone. She knew he had Liam, the others, his sister, even an aunt.

But no one knew how to grieve for a parent who betrays you like she did.

As sweet as Liam, Riley, Hana, and Maxwell were, they couldn't begin to fathom the love/hate feelings that threaten to consume one when forced into this situation. To be denied the chance to say what it is you need, what you want, what you deserve from the parent; that is the true sorrow.

Time can't be reversed. Feelings cannot be healed by the person responsible for doing this to you. It is a frustratingly unfair situation.

Olivia was old friends with all of that. She knew soon Drake would be too. Yet, knowing him and seeing the type of man he had grown into, she knew he would only come out stronger and better in the end from all this.

Once he became a father, he would make certain his child never suffered a similar fate.

Just as she swore to her yet to be formed children.

Drake continued to hold on to Olivia, greedily taking every scrap of comfort she gave him. Of all the people in the world, he'd never have dreamed she'd be the one person to give him exactly what he needed in this moment.

And yet here she was, selflessly giving herself to him to use as his crutch, holding him up during this time of heartache.

Her soft whispered words reminding him she was there for him, that she understood touched his aching heart. It reminded him of Bertrand's actions with Savannah.

For the first time in his life, he felt understood. He felt cared for. He felt the stirrings of stronger emotions for the woman in his arms.

Drake knew from this moment on that he would no longer be alone.

#choices trr #drake x olivia #choices the royal romance #choices the royal heir #trr #choices the stories you play #song prompts #mood music monday #choices fic writers creations #dralivia

[txemrn]

Déjà Vu

Chapter 2

New? Check out the first chapter HERE! (Go ahead; you're not late. Sure, we can wait.)

Series Summary: After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.

Chapter Summary: Drake attends dinner at the palace, and even though some things will never change, he discovers quickly everyone has moved on without him.

Pairing(s): Liam x Riley; Bertrand x Savannah; Maxwell x m!OC; Olivia x Amalas

Word Count: ~4885

Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞 language (like, a lot); references to infidelity, pregnancy; teasing/bullying

A/N: Welcome to my Crack Fic! If you are new, hi! Thank you for joining us! This story takes place approximately 2 decades after TRR/TRH. I have made some canonical changes (they will be mentioned). Characters and some plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry! This was not Beta'd; please excuse my errors.

~🖤~

Drake

The gentle purr of the engine beneath my grip of the steering wheel shoots pleasurable waves of pure octane ecstasy. My nerves ignite with palpable electricity, coursing through my every cell. The cream leather interior is like butter against my skin, and the scent of luxury leaves me completely intoxicated.

Lucky little shit.  

I still can't believe my nephew–my fucking nephew–owns this beauty. How many twenty-four-year-olds own an Aston Martin Vantage convertible? I wish I could give him more shit about it, coming from such privilege as being the oldest son of a duke, but Bartie has more than earned it. 

He may not have exactly been planned, but he was the answer, and essentially the savior, of Ramsford. Back when I lived in this God-forsaken country, some twenty-odd years ago, Ramsford was in financial ruin. My brother-in-law, Bertrand, Bartie's father, scraped, scrapped and pinched every monetary morsel to keep them afloat for years.

Then along came Bartie: finished the top of his class at some preppy private institute at Stormholt with a degree in finance, and in just three fucking years of working with his dad… well, that little shit has an Aston. 

I'm actually very proud of him. Surely he knows that. We weren't much for talking over the years, but I'd send cards telling him I loved him, and I'd ask about him during video calls with my sister.

Judging that I am sitting in his custom-painted cherry-red luxury car right now? Yeah, Bartie knows I care the world about him. The fact that he's going to allow me to drive it? Fuck, I don't think I even trust myself, especially on these European roadways. Sure, I learned how to drive in Cordonia, but that was over two decades ago. And it wasn't a stickshift.

Can't be that hard, right?

I study the mechanism of the gear shift, comparing it to a quick Google search on my phone as I wait for my nephew to return to the car with a necktie–my suggestion.  Afterall, we're heading to dinner with the royal family… A.K.A. my childhood best friend, his daughter. And his wife.

The love of my life.

Eh, don't feel sorry for me. I'm over it. Seriously. And besides, technically, Liam had first dibs on her; but then again, he had first dibs on several other women at the exact same time, social season and all for his highness, the fucking crown prince of Cordonia. Whoop-de-do.

He's the one that asked me to look after his hot American suitor during his own personal season of The Bachelor. Are you really surprised I fell for the chick? The guy was never around. And Riley and me? She... she was fun, smart. She was fucking hilarious, gave those noble bitches a real run for their money. And yet, she was still kind and caring. She was easy to talk to; I found myself opening up to her in ways that… well, no one else could. 

Riley Brooks. I guess you could say she's the reason I never settled down with anyone. No one–and I mean no one–ever measured up. 

Oh well. That was a long time ago. And she made her decision. Him. And even though he was like the brother I never had, I… I couldn't. I just couldn't sit back and watch them play house and build a life together. Well, for Liam, it was real. 

I had fallen for her. But so had Liam. I knew that if I stayed–if I had stayed, the secret of Riley and me wouldn't end. Shit, if it didn’t end after they said, "I do," when would it?

Time heals all wounds, right?

Bartie opens the door, and slides into the passenger seat with two neckties in hand, both black as he holds them up to his crisp white oxford. "What do you think?"

"Think about what? The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? You look like a fucking mormon," I jest as I point to the one with a subtle matte paisley design. "Why are you fussing about this anyway?"

"Just cause," he passively offers as he stares in the visor mirror, knotting his tie. "I'm speaking with King Liam privately after dinner, and… well, I just want to look alright."

Sensing his raw nerves, I pause for a moment, watching him fidget anxiously with the garment. Jesus, when did my baby nephew become a fucking man?  I smile, placing my calloused fingers on his shoulder. "You do, kid." I fasten my seat belt as I turn my attention to the dash. "So, how do I put this thing into drive?"

------

It’s surreal walking into the palace after so many years away. White marble floors. Crimson curtains with gold accents.  Childhood memories flood my mind of our sword battles on the grand staircase, pretending to be blood-thirsty pirates. Or when we would gallop through the secret labyrinth of corridors deep within the estate, charging on our make-believe stallions like mighty Spanish conquistadors. 

We would always sneak to the kitchen between meals to taste the desserts being made for dinner–unless Ms. Marta was working. That fucking old hag. Most of my ass whoopings were from her tattling on us. 

Liam was a fucking weirdo on our kitchen raids.  We would slip through the window of the bakehouse, and when we would confirm that the coast was clear, he would always head straight for the pantry to a bag of pistachios. We're talking about a place that had every sweet, every chocolate, every cookie imaginable, readily available in sealed containers. And he chose nuts. 

I always had my eyes on a nightly staple in the palace: warm apple pie. They were made daily, and I could always find at least one cooling on the window sill. 

Fuck, now I'm salivating over a fucking pie.  

To this day, I humbly have to admit that Cordonia apple pies are the best–don't let the taste of a raw ruby fool you. Something about the bitter compounds reaching a certain temperature causes… something-something to do something… ah, hell. Tell you what. If you're that curious, ask Liam. I mean, I'm assuming he's still a nerd–

"Drake!" 

I startle at the greeting, instantly recognizing the tall, broad-shouldered blond striding closer to me, wearing… an apron? The fuck? The apron has the phrase, 'I love you a bushel and a peck'.

Oh, yeah. He's still a fucking dweeb. 

His outstretched hand takes mine as he shakes it before pulling me into an embrace. "It's so good to see you, old friend," he pats my back before standing back to take me in.

He looks so different, but undoubtedly, he still looks like Liam Rys. Stray pieces of silver litter his perfectly styled, perfectly placed waves. His strong jawline and high cheekbones were cut more razor-sharp by his more mature, thinned face. His strong chest and the swell of his biceps made him look like a fucking Greek god. Lucky bastard. It's like turning forty didn't wreak havoc on his appearance or metabolism, save for a few fine lines around his eyes and smile.

"Bartie," Liam smiles endearingly, "always a pleasure." He extends his arm to my nephew before the scared kid had a chance to bow. I could see the flood of panic in Bartie’s eyes, but I gave him a reassuring nod as he hesitantly took his majesty's hand.

Don't worry, kid. I won't tell your daddy about your ‘poor manners’.

"Please," Liam rests his hand on my shoulder while turning to guide us to the queen's hall, the largest dining area in the palace for private parties. The room boasted an impressive, custom eight-meter-long table that could easily fit twenty-five guests comfortably. "Come, come. Everyone is just being seated." We follow him down the east corridor when suddenly, the savory aroma of roast and… something garlicky teases my senses. Liam obviously caught the delicious waft too, turning back with a devious grin. "I hope you brought some hearty appetites. Riley and I have something special for you tonight."

Riley. Why does the mere mention of her name make me–shit. Get it together, Walker. You're over it.

As expected, my closest friends during my time in Cordonia are all present along with their families. Well, 'friends' might be too strong of a word to use on this crowd. They were nobles and friends of Liam. I was friends with Liam. Ergo, we were friends. Sorta. 

My sister Savannah and her husband Bertrand were sitting at the end towards my right, speaking in hushed tones to one another. They came separately from Bartie and myself from their estate since, well, there wasn't enough room for them and the triplets. Yes. You read right. Triplets. As in three babies at once. They had tried for years to have more children with sadly no avail, and it took a terrible toll on their marriage. I still remember Sav's tearful call five years ago, revealing to me that they were separating. I was preparing to hop on a plane to execute my brother-in-law's accidental demise for breaking my little sister's heart when I got a second call a few weeks later. They were pregnant. I got a call a week after that. I had three nieces on the way.  Sydnie, Stella and Simone: the cutest little shits you've ever seen… and not just because they have their uncle's dashing good looks. 

I'm talking about me, their uncle. Not their other uncle.

Maxwell Beaumont–said other uncle– was sitting next to his brother Bertrand. He officially married Baron Friedrich von Lehndorff twelve years ago when Cordonia overturned their marriage clause of traditional unions. One hundred forty-eight same-gender couples came forward that day to be legally married; Max and Rich led the way to the Capitol. They became a beacon of light and love, not just for Cordonia, but to the world. I remember reading about their march for equality and their victory in my local paper. Maxwell and I weren't necessarily best friends, but a sense of pride bloomed in my chest, seeing him do something so incredible and bold with his life.  

He and Rich have a 9-year-old daughter Gia and 4-year-old son Ollie, both adopted from South Korea. Don't tell them I told you, but I follow their TikTok. Those two are fucking adorable.

Across from the Beaumont-von Lehndorffs is the Scarlet Duchess herself. Olivia Nevrakis. And… I almost can't believe the sight myself–

"Hey, Walker!" She waves, a smile growing on her face.

What. The. Fuck. Was she… happy to see me?

She stands up and makes her way around the table of guests to greet me. 

With a hug.

Shock number two: she’s touching me in a friendly manner. But that's when I was hit with shock number three.

Is she? No, no… she can't be. Is that a–?

She must've seen the curiosity etching across my face as I stared down at a rounded abdomen that just pressed up against me during our embrace. She instinctively cradles her belly and giggles.

Giggles. 

Was I in the Twilight Zone?

She married Amalas a few years after I moved away. I wasn't surprised; the few times Livvy and I hooked up felt odd, like something was missing. I mean, not that I didn't satisfy her. That was never a problem for me with women. Turns out, ol' red was looking for a queen. 

Together they serve as queen and queen consort of Monterisso, and apparently are known for creating quite a riot at international events. I'm not surprised. They have four children: Macaela–Amalas’s daughter with her late husband–Josefine, Joaquin, and Joseph.  And then baby Timothy will be joining them soon. Because that name makes sense.

I'm starting to feel a little self-conscious. It's been over twenty years, and everyone seems to have grown up. Had families. Changed the world. And what did I have to show? Nothing. I mean, I did have quite a successful construction company that I developed with almost seventy employees under my leadership, but… well, that went under thanks to my business partner fucking me over. Fucking twat-waffle. 

But is this really what my life comes down to? Is this how you would sum up my life? Compared to childhood friends, I was still nothing. And here I was again on the coattails of Liam.

An abrupt delicate tink to a wine glass echoes over the various conversations and children squealing, silencing everyone as we turn our attention to the head of the table. 

And there she was. Just as breathtaking as the last day that I saw her.

"Drake," she gasps as I pull her into the dark shadows behind the barn. "We can't. Not anymore." 

I shake my head, her eyes refusing to meet mine. I took a step towards her, but she instinctively shifts, her back pressing against the wall.

"Brooks–"

"Rys," she interjects, the correction like a serrated blade piercing my skin. A sob escapes her as rivers course down the planes of her velvet skin.

Placing my arm against the splintered wood next to her head, I lean closer to her, capturing her intoxicating scent. My hand slips up her neck, my fingers tenderly lifting her chin to look at me, to captivate me with those ocean eyes.

My thumb caresses her rosy lips, feeling her breath hitch. I flutter my mouth across her wet cheeks, my feather touch kissing away her tears.

But we suddenly freeze.

"Riley?"

Liam's smooth voice carries over the moonlit pasture, drowning out our abilities to hear the bustle of the reception.

"Riley…Don't–"

But it's too late. Before I could stop her, she was gone.

I blink. Casually shifting in my seat, I glance nonchalantly around me. Whew, everyone is still staring at the head of the table. No one seems to notice that I got lost in my thoughts for a moment.  I nervously scratch through my stubble before grabbing the water glass in front of me. I take a longass sip of water, but when I pull the glass from my mouth, two crystal-blue orbs with long, flirty lashes are locked on me.

Fuck, I choke on the water on my attempt to swallow it down. I start coughing violently as Maxwell starts patting my back.

"You okay there, Drakey?"

I finally take a gulp of air, and glare at him. "Yes… and it's Drake, Maxi pad." Okay. I admit it. It was childish to retaliate by calling him the name me and some of the other guys called Maxwell growing up. But to my surprise, he laughs before finger-gunning me.

"Good one, Drake. I haven't heard that in years."

I turn back to our royal hosts just in time for Liam to give me a friendly nod, as if to ensure that I'm okay without creating more of a scene. But when I glance over at Riley, she quickly averts her eyes, slipping her hand into Liam's. 

Jesus Christ. If that was a sign of how things were going to be, her cowering and treating me like I'm some kind of criminal for something she did willingly… something she pursued… fuck that. Send me back to Texas.

"We brought wine!" Rich singsongs, pulling out two large bottles from a nearby refrigerated wine rack. "Who'd like–?"

I refused to let the poor bastard finish.

"Me."

------

I can't remember a single time in my life where I have been so positively and exuberantly grateful for Maxwell fucking Beaumont. He fended off the anticipated awkwardness and helped the dinner conversation progress, making the casual assist to include me in this special meal that was supposedly in my honor. 

I'm not saying the others were rude to me, Liam especially. He was treating me like a long lost brother, like the prodigal son that has finally returned home. And I'm not going to lie: it felt good to be reunited with him.

But Riley couldn't even look me in the eye, and judging by the flashes of guilt and her over-eagerness to leave the room every chance she got, I know she never told her husband the truth about our relationship.  He had his suspicions. And I owned up to falling for her, thus the ending of our friendship and me moving to Texas. I mean, I thought it was the end…

But, I didn't just fall for her; it wasn't pining for her from afar, hoping she would give me the time of day.

We were in love.

"This was absolutely divine," Savannah sings praises, taking a sip of her tea. Everyone begins chiming in with their sentiments, thanking the royal couple for the delicious meal. Yes, they prepared it. I know; I was impressed myself.

Individual conversations continue through dessert and coffee when suddenly, the ring of a phone interrupts us into silence.

"Excuse me," Amalas whispers with the phone against her ear, "I need to take this. It's Josie."

Liam and Riley flash looks of concern at one another. "I hope everything is okay," Riley says softly as she twirls her necklace between her fingers, turning to her husband with a more hushed tone. "Did Ellie text you?"

Liam is already looking at his phone, but he's casually shaking his head, appearing more relaxed than his wife. His gaze catches my curious look as I try to put the pieces together of what's going on this evening.

"Josie–err, Josefine–is out with our Eleanor and Madeleine's daughter Bethany this evening." 

Ah, that's right… Josefine must go by Josie, Amalas’s second daughter, her first daughter with Olivia. Shit, I can’t keep these spawn straight….

"Crisis averted!" Amalas sweeps back into the room, placing her cell into her pocket. "The girls said the restaurant was too crowded, so they're going over to the Vancoeur's for a–" she imitates an American valley girl, "girls' night."

"Vancoeur?" I mutter, turning to Maxwell. "Did he… reproduce, too?" The idea sounded ridiculous. What woman lowered her standards that low to sleep with that bastard?

"Yep," Maxwell responds, "he has a beautiful daughter." He takes an obnoxious sip of his espresso. "You know, Bethany, the girl that's out with Eleanor and Josie."

No. Fucking. Way.

"I thought Beth was Madeleine's kid?"

"It is." Maxwell chuckles as mischief glows in his eyes. "Oh Drakey, you missed it. Maddie and Neville were actually married for about ten years." Pulling a napkin up to his mouth, he lowers his voice. "Rumor has it she was about to lose what was left of her inheritance, slept with that weasel, then faked a pregnancy to get him to propose." He snickers. "I wish I could've been a fly on the wall when her fake pregnancy turned out to be a real pregnancy."

"What the–?"

"Mhrmm," Maxwell bounces his eyebrows, "she claims she had no idea." He stares at me intently before rolling his eyes and gesturing with his hand a dramatically large curve over his stomach. “Agnes, my seamstress–can you believe she’s still working for us? Well, anyway, that woman can work absolute miracles…” He takes another sip of his drink.  He quiets his voice while he averts his eyes, slowly crossing his legs. “There was no hiding that bump.”

I shake my head in disbelief, chuckling under my breath when suddenly, I feel a large hand on my shoulder. I whip around quickly, pulling my body away, when I see–

"Shit, Li–"

"I didn't mean to interrupt," he offers a friendly smile.

I blow away the air I had quickly sucked in, willing my heartbeat to slow down. I guess I'm still a little on edge being here, but fuck, that scared me.

"I thought before you left tonight, we could discuss, um… arrangements. For you."

"Yeah… yeah, of course." Following his lead, we start to make our way to the exit for privacy.

When Liam invited me to Cordonia, he was very specific that he wanted to help me get back on my feet. And I believe him. I know his generosity is genuine; he doesn't have any ulterior motives or some secret vendetta against me from the past. At least I hope he doesn't. But this isn't a vacation for me; part of the deal was I needed to work. I'm not sure if that meant finding temp jobs or something more long-term. 

“Do I smell imported cheap whiskey?”

I stop short of the door.

Fuck me. Leo Rys. Liam’s older brother and notorious international womanizer. The man just turned fifty last year, and it’s like he unlocked a new group of admirers, especially now that he’s sportin’ a little silver around the edges these days. 

He and Liam are complete polar opposites. Apples and oranges. Night and day. If Liam was thoughtful and selfless… well, you get the gist. And clearly by his entrance, I’m discovering that some things never change.

As if his deep bellow wasn’t warning enough, his black leather boots announce his presence as he struts across the polished tile, his arm hooked around his helmet. He slaps his free hand on my shoulder, squeezing it firmly as he obnoxiously sniffs me.

"Cheap whiskey… and… is that a hint of beef jerky and cow patties I'm detecting?"

"Good to see you, too." Jackass. I slap his chest before pushing him off of me. I may have used a little more force than I should've. My bad. 

"Am I late for dinner?" He slaps Liam on the back before walking towards the kitchen.

Liam sighs. "Just… a little–"

"Ahh, don't worry," he stops to kiss Riley on the cheek. "I'll serve myself."

As Leo disappears, Liam and I give each other a knowing look before leaving the room as well.

------

"Trust me, you're going to love what Riley has done with the guest quarters."

Liam and I had a good talk. A really good talk. We didn't have to say it, but it was clear: we missed each other. We missed our camaraderie, the confidence we had in one another. He was the first person I called when Dad died; I was the first person he called when Leo abdicated. We grew up and became men together.

But then Riley Brooks happened… but, I'm guessing you know that by now.

Liam has already a number of jobs for me to sift through, several carefully picked out that would play to my strengths with architecture and construction. But since these jobs were either on the grounds or here locally in the Capitol, he insisted I move into one of the private guest quarters with its own private entrance and balcony.

'You don't need to be making that drive from Ramsford everyday.' He's right. It's quite the journey, not to mention I don't exactly have a vehicle of my own here. So, I'm back in the palace. Ain't life a bitch?

"Now I hope you don't mind all-electric. The gas lines and how they were designed don’t–"

"Beggars can't be choosers, love."

Her words are like ice, the sharp chill making even her husband shudder. 

"Riley–"

"What?" She giggles under her breath. "I was joking." She turns a venomous stare towards me. "Drake knows I'm kidding. Don't you, Drake?"

I clear my throat. "Yeah," I play along, "good one."

"Love?" She slips her hand around Liam's arm, lowering her voice into a whisper. "Bartie Beaumont has requested to speak with you privately."

"Oh!" Liam brightens. "Sure. Of course." He gives me a pleasant nod. "Excuse me, Drake. And, please. Feel free to look around."  He begins to make his way towards the dining area, Riley following in step behind with no acknowledgement to me.

I breathe a sigh of relief. I needed a moment to myself anyway.

"Actually," Liam turns on his heel, waving a finger in the air. "On second thought, Love?" He smiles lovingly towards Riley, placing his hands affectionately on her shoulders. "How about you go show Drake the renovations you made?"

Shit.

------

Riley barely spoke two words to me besides pointing to the obvious fixtures and control buttons in the guest suite.

Light... Refrigerator… Bathroom… 

"This, uh, looks really nice," I try to converse, combing my fingers through my hair. "I never thought I'd see the day this room would have a–"

"We don't have to do this." She walks out of the room and into another part of the suite.

Why was she being such a frigid bitch? 

Fuck, I need a smoke.

I take a deep breath, shoving my hands in my pockets as I stroll back out into the hallway of the apartment.

"Is there anything else you needed to see?" She swallows thickly. She tries to remain stoic with a stiff bottom lip. Her jaw ticks… but her glare betrays her as something else brews that I … can’t quite discern.

But then, without warning, Riley's eyes roam down my body, catching on the crotch of my khakis before returning to my face.

Eyes up here, your majesty.

She clears her throat, pretending I didn't just catch her checking me out. "Um, anything else you wanted to see… of the suite, that is? Because, uh, we should probably –" she shuffles backwards, pointing aimlessly behind her, towards the door.

"You go on ahead," I tell her. "I'm gonna check out the balcony if you don't mind."

A heated swirl of rouge ignites on Riley’s cheeks. She nods, turning on her heel quickly without saying a word, and exits the apartment in record time. 

Thank God. I don't know what just happened, but… this is a very interesting turn of events. Does she still have feelings for me?

No. Stop.

Shit. Maybe moving in is a mistake.

I make my way outside, and damn. The view from this balcony is stunning. It actually overlooks the Cordonia countryside, which means less lights from the city and plenty of stars to be seen at night. It's... actually a nice reminder of home.

Taking a seat on the balustrade, I pull out a cigarette and nestle it between my teeth as I search for my lighter. I pat my pockets, both in the back and front of my pants before checking my shirt.

Shit. Can the universe just pass me a fucking bone?

I slump over, resting my elbows on my knees. Holding my hands in front of me, I begin to pick at my calluses as the events of the evening replay like a movie reel in my head.

But suddenly, there's a snick, then a spark; then a single flame is held in front of me. Fishing my cigarette out from behind my ear, I fix it between my lips and lean into the fire. I pull heavily, deeply until the familiar burn touches my anxious nerves, and I blow away my initial puff.

"You know smoking can kill you."

I raise an eyebrow at the deep voice, taking another inhale before blowing it in Leo's face.

"Malaka."

I chuckle at his insult, watching that smug grin pull out his own cigarette to light. He leans against the side of the balcony before hoisting himself up onto the balustrade.

"So," he licks his lips, looking at me inquisitively. "How does it feel to be back in lovely Cordonia?"

I look at him, scrunching my face. Really? That's the best you can do? I look back down, flicking some ash on the ground.

"How does it feel–" he blows smoke over his shoulder, "--being back close to Riley?"

My head shot up.

"Ohhh," he snickers, "that got Walker's attention really fast."

How the fuck does Leo know? How the fuck does Leo know anything? I can feel my heart begin to pound, my eyebrows furrowing in anger.

"Now hold up, Walker," he holds up his hands in defense. "I come in peace. I don't care that you fucked my sister-in-law once upon a time… okay, fine. Maybe just a little–"

"What do you want, Leo?"  I interrupt, irritation baited in my voice.

He looks down fidgeting with his fingers.  When he turns back to me, he has an indiscernible expression on his face, as if a wave of vulnerability is crashing over him.

"I know it can be… challenging, you know? Moving back to Cordonia after a hiatus, and I figured tonight was probably a lot for you."

And now Leo is trying to have a heart-to-heart with me… What the fuck happened to these people while I was gone?

"I thought maybe… you could use a friend."

"Well," I stand up, taking a step away. "Thanks. I appreciate it–"

"I mean it," he holds a hand to his chest. "Say–" he jumps to his feet, sandwiching himself between me and the door. "What are you doing tonight?"

Besides leading the exciting life of letting my nephew drive me back to his parent's house, eating a bag of Doritos in my boxers and getting shit-faced?

"There's a new club opening in town tonight. Tons of people. Who's who. VIP–" 

"Thanks, but–"  I try to shove past him, but he stops me, putting his hands against my chest.

"Six full bars, and–" he wiggles his eyebrows. "Lots… and lots… of fresh Cordonian-grade pussy. How do you like them apples?"

Like I said, some things never change.

"C’mon, Walker… you in?"

~🖤~

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------

Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

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Commoner

Before anyone gets super excited that I have finally written and posted a full-fledged fic, please be aware that this is a Savannah Walker story, and there isn’t a main LI or primary character in sight. And no happy ending guaranteed.

Yeah, sounds risky A.F. for a romance reader, but it’s a take on what leads to her circumstances pre-social season (a story we don’t know a lot about), and bonus for me: I get to explore a facet of my head canon of Leo x Savannah (Lavannah).

I may be the only person currently in this fandom with this ship in her head. Seriously.

This story was born of a long-standing head canon, and the song inspiration (original version but used the sad and acoustic version for this fic); lyrics are also taken from the song inspo.

IF you read this, THANK YOU! Your likes, comments, and/or reblogs are appreciated more than you realize. Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors. MS Editor rates this story as 99% error-free.

To all those who read over this story in its various variations and renditions, THANK YOU! Your feedback, ideas, and encouragement were invaluable (as always).

Thanks to @choicesflashfics for their Week 61 prompt #2, which will appear in bold.

This post will be broken into two parts (WORD.COUNT.)

Part 2 here

Song Inspo: Strangers (sad and acoustic version), Kenya Grace

Pairing(s): Savannah Walker x Leo Rys; Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont

Word Count: 2,493

Rating: M for Mature themes

The car smells of rich leather mixed with pheromones and sweat, as it always does when we’re together. It’s a deeply masculine aroma that I will forever associate with him. The fingers of one of my hands tangle in his hair, the other hand is splayed against his back, my fingernails digging into his skin. I let out a soft gasp as his teeth scrape against my neck; I feel my head fall back further against the car’s seat.

The moon roof is open and the Cordornian night sky is a ribbon of black silk, the twinkling stars a scatter of white. I feel I should close my eyes, let scent and touch bask in this moment but I want to see. I want the most insignificant details of this night imprinted upon my brain because no matter how often these trysts occur, they are still too infrequent.

It always ends the same When it was me and you

I hadn’t expected to see him tonight. When I saw him earlier, he looked harried. Busy.

Uninterested.

I walk down the hall of the West Wing of the Palace, standing straight and tall with my shoulders back. Just as I was taught. I’m not supposed to be here; the West Wing is for the royal family. I am neither. Rather, I am an orphaned commoner, a ward of the Crown due to the most devastating circumstances.

I see the Crown Prince and feel the familiar butterflies. My breath hitches and I stumble a bit in my heels because my legs suddenly can’t support my weight. The way this man makes me feel … it is nothing as mere as a crush, nor is it infatuation. It’s love.

First love.

He wears a white oxford shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders. The top buttons undone give me a glimpse of his neck, throat, and a few errant chest hairs. His shirtsleeves are neatly rolled to his elbows, and I swear I can see the soft down of hair that covers his forearms. He is surrounded by staff … as usual. One hand holds stacks of paper; the other a pen. Even from our still considerable distance, I can hear the group’s murmurs, and see the furrow of his brow and the frown on his lips as he peruses a document. I see him decisively shake his head ever so slightly before handing the paper back to his assistant. He then leans over to whisper in the secretary’s ear before he breaks away from the large group.

He is heading my way, but I know he is unaware I am here. I can tell by the way he walks, the slight clench of his hand. When he gets closer, I drop into a low curtsy. “Your Royal Highness,” I greet in a low voice.

His eyes glance my way, but he doesn’t see me. He acknowledges my salutation with a distant nod as he fishes his phone from his pocket, dialing a number by heart. I don’t hear his words as he speaks into his mobile, but I know he’s talking to her. Even though all of Cordonia knows he doesn’t love her, my heart still breaks a little.

That night while the hour is still young despite the full moon in the now-darkened sky, I am ready for sleep. My hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and I’m wearing a pink babydoll nightgown. I am climbing into bed when my phone rings.

“Meet me in the garage. The Aston Martin.”

He hangs up, not waiting for my response. We both know it’s in the affirmative.

My nightgown is still bunched around my neck; the side of his thumb idly strums against one of my nipples. The Crown Prince of Cordonia lays atop me as we share a fevered kiss. His tongue in my mouth feels firm, assertive, yet so soft as it rolls against mine. Our hips are still pressed together as his now-limp manhood slips from my center.

He ends the kiss slowly, his lips lingering over mine before pulling away completely. He awkwardly climbs off me and I scoot into a corner of the back seat before sitting up and pulling down my nightgown. I thrust my arm downward to the car’s floor to retrieve my underwear. Leo remains shirtless as he struggles to pull up his boxer briefs and pants. 

We always have sex in the backseat of one of the many cars belonging to the royal family. We cannot chance being caught in either of our rooms; those spaces are off-limits to both of us. Crown properties, hotel rooms …  either here or in neighboring duchies and countries … are a risk he isn’t willing to chance. There’s staff, security, paparazzi everywhere.

Reputations are at stake.

We position and maneuver ourselves so we are stretched out on the backseat, his arm draped around my side and my head on his chest. His heartbeat fills my ear as we cuddle and talk.

This is my favorite part. Yes, a physical attraction is important, but an emotional bond and mental connection is paramount. I may only be 18, but I’m an old soul.

We'll get in your car and you'll lean to kiss me We'll talk for hours and lie on the backseat

We lay quietly, our breathing becoming even and our heart rates slowing. I hear the spring breeze above us rustle tree leaves, and crickets chirping. Leo exhales a long breath that blows through my hair before speaking.

“You’ll be going to Ramsford next week.” His statement rumbles from his chest to my ear.

My nose scrunches in confusion. Ramsford? “Why?”

“You successfully completed your mandatory education six months ago. Now it’s time for you to learn the ways of Court: etiquette, societal norms, lineage of the various families … stuff that only the bluebloods care about. Bertrand has agreed to tutor you for one month.”

I bite my lip. Once upon a time, being recognized as an aristocratic member of Cordonian society had been my only goal. To wear a silk gown, with tendrils of my hair falling in soft curls against my cheek while being announced as Lady Savannah Walker would have been a dream come true.

Not anymore.

Now, I just want to be Leo’s wife one day.

“No!” I respond petulantly. “I don’t want to go.”

He pulls me closer to him, if that’s even possible. “Hey,” he says gently, “even the nobles have to do it. It’s a rite of passage into Court.” Silence before he asks quietly, "It's what you’ve always wanted, right?”

“Not anymore,” I protest as I bury my face into his chest.

He continues as if I had never spoken.

“It’s for the best. You’ll learn our ways and find a nobleman to marry you and make you a Lady.” He pauses; when he speaks again, contrition laces his tone. “That didn’t come out right, but you know what I mean. AND you need to network. Get yourself an ally … an advocate; Drake has Liam. You need someone as well.”

“I have you …”

“I leave in three days for the Mediterranean cruise; two weeks after that, it’s Coronation. Six weeks later, the wedding. Whatever I am able to do for you as Crown Prince changes once I become King.”

His words slice me apart as he speaks them in a flat, matter-of-fact tone. And that is when I conclude this love is one-sided.

“I see,” I reply coolly as I pull away, signaling I am ready to leave.

Leo doesn’t release me. “Don’t put all the blame on me.”

“I’m not,” I lie as I avert my eyes from his gaze.

His eyes close briefly before they re-open. Even in the dark shadows of the automobile, they are intensely blue, like flames of gas.

“I’m 27 years old, and the last decision I made for myself by myself was when I was five years old! There are so many things I want to do, things I have never done! And I never will, all because of station and status.”

His head falls, his breath catches in his throat. “You want nothing more than this life you think I’m living, and I want nothing more than to leave it.”

“NOT ANYMORE!” I rage as I bend over to look for my shoes. “I just want YOU!”

“Why?” he asks. The question is simple enough, yet I can’t help but feel it’s a loaded weapon.

I find my shoes but stay bent over. My hair is a curtain that hides my face. “I’m in love with you.”

Silence as he ponders my answer. “Emotions don’t do well at Court. You want to be labeled a crown chaser? Because no one would ever believe that we’re together for love.”

He sits up, pulling his shirt back on. “Being with me comes with a price, love. You’ll go broke trying to pay it.”

I slip on my sneakers and open the car door so I can step outside and put on my trench coat. “You’re breaking up with me and sending me to Ramsford so you no longer have to be bothered!” I accuse. “It’s out of sight, out of mind with you nobles!”

My voice cracks and stumbles over the words, but I don’t cry. I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

Fully dressed, he climbs out of the car, walking around to my side to help me with my coat. He pulls me into an embrace before adjusting my collar and fastening buttons.

“You deserve someone who can openly be with you. Someone who can fuck you in a bed. Someone who will love living their life with you, not someone who will grow to resent you because of the life they have to live.”

“And you wait until after we have sex to TELL MY THIS?” I holler. “THIS is something best discussed over comfort food and wine, NOT in the back seat of your father’s car!”

He sighs, his forehead in his palm. “I needed at least one more night with you.”

He lifts his face to meet my skeptical gaze. “I don’t want to hurt you, Vannah but the trajectory my life is on right now, I will. Hell, I ALREADY AM! I know you don’t see it the way I do, but I am trying to help you avoid wasting your life and breaking your own heart.”

We climb into the Aston Martin’s front seats, a stony silence between us. He’s absolutely correct in that I don’t see it his way, and I never will. Yet, we hold hands during the ride back to the Palace, trying to maintain our fragile connection.

It's something that I hate How everyone's disposable

Two weeks later, I am sitting in House Beaumont at the breakfast table, nibbling on chicken apple sausage and toast. My phone is placed beside my plate, but I have no notifications, no texts, no emails. I haven’t heard from Leo in three days. That is when our communications ended; my last message to him sits on delivered.

Unread.

The night before he left for his cruise, Leo slipped into my room unannounced. I gasp in fright and disbelief; we haven’t spoken since our last time together. Since he dumped me. I stare at him as the shock and surprise of the Crown Prince being in my South Wing bedroom dissipates. He returns my gaze steadily as he strides to me and pulls me almost harshly against him.

His lips seek mine, and our kiss is salty from tears; I still don’t know if they were mine or Leo’s.  With only Nora Jones crooning in the background, we hastily undress each other; my dress falls atop his shirt. His pants fall against my bra; our underwear tangles as they join the heap piled upon the carpet.

I kiss his neck softly as I straddle his lap. He marks mine as his lips and mouth blaze a trail down my body. He kisses the inside of my thighs before whispering he’s in love with me too; he then feasted upon my sex, and I think I died a little bit.

Night is lifting, a hidden sun streaking the sky with oranges and pinks when he leaves, promising to text me every day.

“SAVANNAH! Why is your phone on the table during a meal? And sit up straight, you’re slouching again!”

Bertrand’s overdramatic reprimand jostles me from my reverie, and I roll my eyes. I drop my sausage onto my plate. I’m not really hungry; the smell of strong-brewed coffee and the sight of eggs is making me nauseous. Maxwell’s eyes meet mine and he gives me a sympathetic look; I shake my head reassuringly before turning to face his brother.

“My apologies, Your Grace. I mistakenly assumed that since you were reading the newspaper, my phone would be acceptable this morning,” I say in a conciliatory tone.

The Duke looks flustered, obviously expecting a different reaction. I take the time to study the features he has grown into. However, becoming the youngest Duke at Cordonian court in centuries has taken a toll on him: his brow is constantly in a state of furrow, and his mouth is forever downturned. His eyes are filled with worry and disdain.

Despite this, Bertrand is extremely good-looking. Most assholes are.

I ask to be excused; the nausea is rising and I’m feeling light-headed.

“Are you okay, Sav?” Maxwell asks in concern.

“I’ll be fine,” I say convincingly.

As I leave, I hear a cellphone ring, but it isn’t mine, so I don’t care.

Two more weeks pass, and I realize I am pregnant.  My cycle is six weeks late, my breasts are swelling and slightly tender to the touch, and certain smells make me nauseous. Of course it’s Leo’s, he is my first and only lover. No one knows; I’m too in shock to tell anyone. And who would I tell?

Leo is the obvious choice, but he has yet to respond to any of my messages. The newspapers and social media are exploding with news of a supposed abdication and accounts of his adventures with some mystery woman from the cruise ship. There are photos of them taking in tourist sites, sneaking underneath a fence covered with NO TRESPASSING signs, feeding each other street food.

Rumor has it he returned to Cordonia briefly with the woman in tow, abdicated the Crown, broke off his relationship with Madeleine, and disappeared like a thief in the night.

I don’t believe any of it. He was in love with me, he said so. He would have told me if he were abdicating. He would have rushed to me to tell me the wedding was off.

Wouldn’t he?

Except he was no longer speaking to me ….

And then one random night when everything changes You won't reply and we'll go back to strangers

Tagging: @jared2612 ​@ao719 @marietrinmimi​ @indiacater​​​ @kingliam2019​ @bebepac @liamxs-world @mom2000aggie​​​ @liamrhysstalker2020​​​ @twinkleallnight @umccall71 @superharriet @busywoman​​​ @gabesmommie1130 @tessa-liam​​​ @beezm @gardeningourmet​​​ @lovingchoices14​​​ @mainstreetreader @angelasscribbles​​​ @lady-calypso @emkay512 @princessleac1 @charlotteg234 @alj4890​ @motorcitymademadame​​​ @queenmiarys @choicesficwriterscreations

#dcbbw writes #enjoy the angst #leo rys #savannah walker #writer on tumblr

[tessa-liam]

Marabelle 

Your Breath of Freedom -5-

The Beaumont Bash 2 

Book: Choices – The Royal Romance, an AU series 

Series Premise: An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobles, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret? 

Catch up: Masterlist 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!OC Sophia (Sophie) Taylor 

Other Pairing: Maxwell Beaumont x M!OC Daniel (from NYC) 

                           Drake Walker x F!OC Melanie Smithson 

Most characters belong to Pixelberry 

Series Rating: M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, crude language & innuendo 

                          Not Beta’d; Please excuse all errors. 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: ~2500 

Your Breath of Freedom-5-

The Beaumont Bash 2 

Chapter Summary: Sophie is introduced to the Royal court, Maxwell meets Daniel. 

Music Inspiration: I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas 

                                 Better When I’m Dancin’, Meghan Trainor 

                                 Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers 

A/N1: My submission for Choices June Challenge, prompts: Food – Gala, ice cream, chocolate, Cocktails, Cake @choicesjunechallenge @liaromancewriter 

A/N2: My submission Choices flashfics, Week #36, prompt 1 - “That’s really all I want and need. Some time with just you.”” @choicesflashfics 

A/N3: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) was Bertrand’s mother. 

A/N4: Social Season in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in balls, dinner parties and charity events. 

Beaumont Estate, Ramsford, Cordonia 

Snapping his fingers, Maxwell was in his element. Music sounded from the tower speakers by the dance floor as guests mingled. The ballroom was filled with the usual members of the court, but to his delight, fresh new faces were also in attendance, including Sophie’s best friend from home who agreed to join as a surprise.  

Daniel chuckled at his new friend’s enthusiasm as he sat down at the bar to order a beer. Sophie’s description of her cousin was spot on, almost. She did not mention how hot he was; however, Daniel was quite sure that her thoughts were distracted and focused on someone else.  

Meanwhile in Max’s mind, the chemistry between him and Sophie’s best friend was electric.  

“What is it like to meet people and date in New York City? In nightclubs or parties? If I were to visit there, let’s say.” Maxwell asked. 

“Well, it is much different than here. That is for sure,” Daniel grinned. “In America, there is no social class system. Everyone mingles together.”  

“That sounds refreshing. Here if someone of a lower station speaks to a noble, it is considered an insult.”  Maxwell sheepishly admitted. 

“I guess that makes me the black sheep in the group.” Daniel shrugged his shoulders, taking a swig of beer. 

“Come on, let’s go and say ‘hello’ to Sophie.” Maxwell stood and looked hopefully at Daniel. “Stick with me and I will give you the rundown of everyone here and introduce you to all the cool people.” 

Sophie was stopped at the threshold as photographers snapped pictures. All eyes watched in interest as she walked into the ballroom with Bertrand. 

“There are so many people here. Do you know them all?” Sophie whispered to Bertrand. 

“Sophie, Look at you!” Savannah ran up and greeted the pair, taking her hands. “Bert, doesn’t Sophie look beautiful?” 

“Yes, yes indeed.” Bertrand beamed at his cousin. It is time to introduce you, Sophie, to all the members of the court. 

Sophie smiled at her older cousin happily as they started to pass through the tables, often stopping for introductions as Bertrand gallantly walked with her towards the head table. 

Spotting her Aunt Bethany standing by the dais, Sophie smiled softly when she spotted Liam standing beside her. 

Sophie felt her pulse quicken as she watched Liam interact with her aunt. She did not feel nervous at all when she met him for the first time at the ranch, but now, noting his regal appearance, he looked so handsome, so resplendent. A prince. 

Sophie took a deep breath, starting to feel nervous, butterflies going wild in her chest. 

 She watched as a tall blond-haired man and a tall, slim blond woman, who was latched onto the man’s arm, move into view to join her aunt and Liam.  

“Duchess, it is lovely to see you this evening.” Bethany dropped down to curtsy to Crown Prince Leo, as he took her hand to place a kiss. 

“Your highness, it is an honor to host the start of the social season. Countess Madeleine, it is lovely to see you again,” Bethany cordially smiled at the Crown Princes' betrothed, Madeleine Amaranthe. 

“And you as well, thank you, Duchess. I am looking forward to meeting your niece this evening. I have heard nothing but lovely comments.” 

Leo clapped Liam on the back. “So, little brother, I hear the Cordonian Quartet is going to make an appearance tonight.” 

“Yes, well, I haven’t seen Drake arrive yet, so I might have to commission you to join,” Liam joked, chuckling at Leo’s expression. 

Leo smirked, “in that case, I better start getting ready and get a refill. Madeleine, do you care to join?” 

“Why yes, Leo, thank you.” Madeleine tittered, slipping her hand on his arm. 

“Liam?” Leo turned, looking expectantly at his brother. 

Liam caught sight of Sophie walking with Bertrand, moving closer. 

“You go ahead Leo, get yourself ready. Liam chuckled at his brother. 

Liam resumed his watch, admiring the leggy brunette moving closer.  

*** 

“Look at those blue cocktails! I want to try one of those please.” Penelope ‘batted’ her eyes at the bartender after watching Maxwell pick up two highball glasses of his signature secret recipe concoction. 

“Kiara, you should have one too.” 

“Pour moi, non merci. Chardonnay s’il vous plait.” (For me, no thank you. Chardonnay please) 

 Drake smirked at Rashad, turning his head so that he would not be overheard.  

“How much will you bet that drink will put Penny ‘under the table’?” 

“Yes, well, that is why I stick to whiskey neat.” Rashad joked. 

“Walker, you are too predictable. There is more to life than sitting at a bar all night.” Leo mocked. 

“Rys, always a pleasure to see you.” Drake scoffed but hesitated upon seeing Leo’s expression. 

“What? Why are you smiling at me like that?”  

“Have you spoken to my brother yet?” Leo cocked his eyebrow, smirking. 

“No, why?” Drake replied, with a confused expression. 

Leo chuckled, “or to Bertrand or to Maxwell? 

“Yes ...No... wait... ahhh, hell!” Shaking his head, he looked up at the ceiling, pushing his chair back. 

“Fuck me”, Drake muttered under his breath, while Leo doubled over in laughter. 

“What I do for you nobles.” 

“Yeah, be careful, I overheard Adelaide talking to Bethany....talking about ‘getting some tonight.” 

“Leo, darling, guests are starting to notice you.” Madeleine chastised.  

“I don't give a damn, Madeleine.” 

*** 

As Sophie moved to the last table, a tall, red-haired woman stepped into her path and offered her hand. 

“Lady Sophia, welcome to Cordonia.” 

“Sophia, I would like to introduce to you the Duchess of Lythikos, Olivia Nevrakis.” Bertrand graciously acknowledged. 

“Your grace, it is a pleasure to meet you.” Sophie nodded in respect, taking her hand. 

Olivia was just about to ask a question, when Maxwell appeared behind Sophie, holding his cousin in place. Olivia raised her eyebrow curiously, as she noticed an unknown man waiting to speak. 

“Soph, I have a surprise for you!” Maxwell sing-songed. 

“Turn around.”  

Pivoting to face Maxwell, Sophie’s eyes went wide as she saw her best friend hold out his arms for a hug. 

“Oh, my gosh! Daniel!” Sophie gushed, wrapping her arms quickly around Daniel’s neck. 

“Hey, Squirrel....Happy Birthday!” Daniel chuckled as he returned the hug. 

“Sophia, let us now take our places for dinner.” Bertrand took her hand to lead her to the head table, which was beautifully adorned with fresh flowers and tulle. 

“Dan, save me a dance?” Sophie called, looking over her shoulder. 

“For my birthday girl? ...anything!” Daniel winked as Sophie walked away with her cousin. 

Noticing the pair moving toward him, Liam stood to move a chair away from the table for Sophie. 

“Hello, Sophie.” Liam smiled, taking her hand to place a tender kiss. “You look lovely tonight.” Liam spoke in his deep baritone voice as he helped her to sit. 

“Thank you so much, Liam. It is wonderful to see you again.” Smiling in response, the butterflies went wild once again. 

Taking his seat alongside Bethany, Liam formally introduced Leo and Madeleine, as Bertrand and Maxwell took their seats flanking Sophie. 

*** 

As the waitstaff cleared the dinnerware, Madeleine slipped into a chair to sit beside Sophie. 

“Sophia, I would like to extend an invitation for you to consider. I am hosting a garden party at my duchy next Thursday, and I thought that would be the perfect opportunity for you to socialize with the other ladies of the court.” 

“Oh, I see. Thank you for the invitation. I will ask my aunt if she was also thinking of attending.” 

“Yes, please do. Your Aunt Bethany and my mother get along famously. 

Have you met Kiara and Penelope yet? They are my ladies in waiting.” 

“I was introduced briefly tonight.” 

“Splendid, I shall see you on Thursday.” Madeleine replied. 

The hum of dinner conversations in the ballroom was interrupted by the sound of tinkling glass, as Sophie looked over to see Bertrand calling for everyone's attention. 

Behind him stood Liam, with Drake and Maxwell. 

Sophie smiled reservedly, whispering to Madeleine, “what is happening?” 

Leo stood up, “Welcome to the start of the Social Season. Thank you to the Duke and Duchess of Ramsford for hosting this annual event once again at House Beaumont. Tonight, before the festivities begin, we will be entertained by our very own Cordonian Quartet.” 

“Thank you, your highness. gentlemen …", Bertrand began. 

Liam, Maxwell and Drake gathered around Bertrand at the microphone. 

In perfect harmony, the sounds of “Happy Birthday to You”, sounded throughout the ballroom, with members of the court joining in at the end. 

As Liam, Drake, and Bertrand took a bow, Maxwell rushed over to the head table to present Sophie with a dozen pink roses. 

Sophie, smiling and laughing, stood to thank the guests formally and gave a flawless speech...impressing everyone with her confidence and charm. 

Madeleine softly clapped, with Leo standing up yelling, “bravo”. 

The orchestra began the beginning notes of ‘Happy Birthday to you.’ 

And then as the ballroom lighting went dark... 

With the only lighting inside the ballroom coming from the candles in the centerpieces of each table. The guests fell silent. 

...and then, a very clearly agitated Bertrand shouted, MAXWELL!!! 

The sounds of murmurs from the guests were quickly replaced with clapping and cheers as waitstaff filed into the ballroom with dessert platters of flaming baked Alaska made of chocolate and vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries to set down on each table. 

*** 

Sophie was having an enjoyable conversation with Maxwell and Daniel at the head table, when all the waitstaff standing close to the table bowed. Leo, followed by Liam both stood and approached Bethany and Sophie, respectively, as the beginning notes of the Cordonian waltz was played by the orchestra. 

Liam offered his hand to Sophie, “My lady, may I have the honor of a dance with you this evening?” 

Her heart was beating so fast...Sophie was positive that Liam surely could hear and feel her heartbeats as he lifted her hand and led her to the center of the dance floor alongside Aunt Bethany and Leo. 

Thanking Maxwell in her head, Sophie knew how to begin this courtship dance with Liam. Gazing at one another, Liam led Sophie around the dance floor in a silent conversation that ended with Sophie in Liam’s arms as he twirled and gently pulled her to his chest. 

Sophie was still in Liam’s arms, when the second song began to play over the sound system. 

This dance was more intimate as Liam wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. 

His thumb softly stroking her bare back, Sophie had to remember how to breathe. 

Taking her hand in his, he placed it on top of his heart, wrapping his hand over hers.   

Sophie gently moved her left hand to rest on his arm as the chorus began and they started to sway in time to the music. 

‘Oh, my love, my darling.’ 

‘I’ve hungered for your touch, a long, lonely time.’ 

As the song ended, Liam whispered, “Happy Birthday”, kissing Sophie’s cheek softly. 

“How has your day been so far? Has it been everything you wished for?” 

Sophie looked into his eyes, “honestly.... This dance with you, that’s really all I want and need. Some time with just you.” 

“Let’s get this party started!” Maxwell howled into a microphone as the beginning thrums of the song, ‘I gotta feeling’ began.                                    

Raising his eyebrow, Liam asked, “dance with me?” 

Sophie beamed with delight, “I would love to.” 

*** 

It was time for the ceremonial tradition of the ‘slicing off the cork’, as guests stood at the base of the main staircase outside the ballroom eagerly waiting for the Beaumont cousins. 

Bertrand, standing on the top landing of the staircase, once again thanked the guests, as Maxwell held a bottle of champagne out for Sophie to do the honors. 

“Ok, everyone ready?” Bertrand asked, stepping away from Sophie comically. 

“One... two... three!” Sophie raised the sword and swung it down, striking and cutting the neck of the bottle in one try. 

Cheers, whistles and shouts erupted from the crowd as champagne poured out of the bottle. Waitstaff with trays filled with champagne flutes began to circulate the foyer. 

Sophie elegantly bowed and looked down to see Marabelle walk past the ballroom doors, along with Maxwell’s family of peafowl. 

Sophie squealed, laughing with delight as she stepped down to greet her black beauty. 

Stroking the horse’s nose, Marabelle nudged her head towards Sophie. 

“You two are a good match.” Liam mentioned, coming to stand beside Sophie. 

“We both thank you for bringing us together. Actually... I have something for you, Liam.” 

Sophie quickly went into the dining room and returned with a gold box wrapped with a blue ribbon. 

Handing the gift to Liam, she explained, “this is a token of appreciation to you for your kindness to not only me, but to Marabelle as well.” 

Liam shook his head, “I should be thanking you for giving her a loving home.” 

“This is also a promise I would like to give to you,” Sophie responded. 

After unwrapping his gift, Liam’s eyes sparkled as he read the inscription, ‘Your breath of freedom.’ 

“I promise, that when we are both in New York City, I will give you a personal tour.” 

“In that case, will you allow me to escort you to the masquerade ball at the palace next weekend? It’s a gala that is held at the palace as part of the social season.” 

“I would love to!” 

♥︎♡♡♡♡♡♥︎♡♡♡♡♡♥︎♡♡♡♡♡♥︎

📌Please let me know if you want to be added or removed from tags 📌

@ao719 @txemrn @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @jared2612 @thesvnsins @irisk12 @walkerdrakewalker @charlotteg234 @choicesficwriterscreations @choicesmonthlychallenge

#tessa liam writes #prince liam #liam rys #sophie taylor #the royal romance #trr liam #trr liam x oc #trr fanfic #choices flashfics #choices monthly challenge #choices fic writers creations

[choicesficwriterscreations]

TRR 2023 Masterlist (5)

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈= LGBTQIA

Compete 2023 TRR Masterlist

December 2023

A Cup of Comfort (Series) ✒️| TRR MC, Friends - @silvermillenniumqueenneptune Chapter 1

Christmas in New York ✒️🌟| Liam Rys x MC - @eadanga

Side by Side (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @ownworldresident Chapter 3: Legitimate | Chapter 4: Resolve

The Best Mistake He Never Had (Series) ✒️| Drake Walker x MC - @camillemontespan Part 3

Turning the Page (Serires) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 8: Home is Where the Heart Is

Week ending December 16, 2023

A Balad to No One ✒️| Hana Lee - @lorirwritesfanfic

Cordonian Karaoke: Christmas Edition ✒️🌟| Liam Rys, Drake Walker, etc. - @angelasscribbles

The Fairytale Ball ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @lorirwritesfanfic

Forevermore (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @khoicesbyk Chapter 2: The Family Rys, Part 1 Chapter 2: The Family Rys, Part 2

The Lantern Festival 🎨| Liam Rys x MC by @/artbyainna (IG) (C: @tessa-liam)

Smoke & Mirrors (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x MC - @tessa-liam Chapter 11: The Lantern Festival

Vancross (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x OC - @ao719 Chapter 20: One Step Forward, Two Steps to Hell

All I Want for Christmas - Part 1 ✒️���️‍🌈🌟| Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x Maxwell Beaumont - @angelasscribbles

Commoner ✒️Ⓜ️| Savannah Walker x Leo Rys, Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont - @dcbbw

Commoner - Part 2: Secret ✒️Ⓜ️| Savannah Walker x Leo Rys, Savannah Walker x Bertrand Beaumont - @dcbbw

Here Comes the Sun (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC, Drake Walker x MC - @kristinamae093 Part Seven

Merry Christmas 🎨🌟| Liam Rys x MC by @bayleedraws-sometimesx (C: @tessa-liam)

Royal Birthday ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @eadanga

Turning the Page (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 7: Because I Love You Ⓜ️

November 2023

Turning the Page (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @tessa-liam Chapter 6: Right Here Waiting Ⓜ️

For Palestine ✒️🎨| TRR MC - Art by @rosefuckinggenius fic by @petiteboheme

Midnights Like This (Series) ✒️| Leo Rys x MC, Liam Rys x F!OC - @queenrileyrose Part 12: Wanting More

The Pricess's Secret (Series) Chapter 6 ✒️Ⓜ️🔥- @liamsqueen1984

Turning the Page (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x F!MC - @tessa-liam Part 5: Against All Odds

Birthday ✒️🎨 | Drake Walker x MC art by @rosefuckinggenius fic by @petiteboheme

Trick or Treat ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @kristinamae093

Vancross (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Chapter 19: As Long As There's You At My Side

Don't Break (Series) ✒️ | Liam Rys x F!OC - @charlotteg234 Chapter 5: Everything's Fine, Nothing's Alright

Turning the Page Series Fanart 🎨by @/artbyainna (IG) (C: @tessa-liam)

Week ending October 28, 2023

Royal Love (Series) ✒️| Eleanor x M!OC - @eadanga Part 16

Smoke & Mirrors (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x MC - @tessa-liam Chapter 10: This I Promise You

Unexpected (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x MC, Maxwell Beaumont x MC - @angelasscribbles Chapter 7: Red Flags Chapter 8: All Tied Up Ⓜ️

Victim of Love (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️🏳️‍🌈 | Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x MC x Hana Lee - @angelasscribbles Chapter 15: Now and Forever

#choices fic writers creations #the royal romance #the royal romance masterlist

[queenmiarys]

Song inspiration

Thanks to everyone for reading liking and sharing I really appreciate it.

Thank you for pre reading and your advice @lilyoffandoms

@lilyoffandoms @angelasscribbles @honey358luv @harleybeaumont @luvquit @kingliam2019 @mom2000aggie @yolandawalker @socalwriterbee @shewillreadyou @karahalloway @21-wishes @bebepac @queenrileyrose @staff @yaniradolton @choiceskatie @lovingchoices14

Book: The Royal Romance/Royal Heir.

Series summary:  This book starts off in book two before the engagement tour, the Beaumont’s don’t have financial issuesBertrand and Savannah are already married their son is three, this Maxwell is not canon

Paring: Maxwell x Juliana, Liam x Madeline.

🍋🍋🍋

Chapter Summary: Madeleine finds out rumors are true 😉, Juliana in bad situation, Liam suspects Juliana hiding something.

Crossed

Chapter 3 Only time will tell

Everyone arrived at Applewood and settled accept Juliana, She sit in the room for about an hour, then she got up and made her way to Max room, she knocked on the door him and Bertrand stood talking. “if I’m interrupting I can come back?

“ Juliana you are most definitely not how may we help you?

“They put me in the same room can one of you switch please?"

 

Maxwell wanted to hug her and tell her there was no way he was letting her stay there alone after what happened. “ Jewel I'll take your room, unless Bertrand want to."

 “I think she’ll feel safe in your room, just make sure the locks are secured and I've also asked king Liam to put extra guards on the grounds. your safety is important to us, we don’t want nothing happening to you are our family "

She  gave Max a look. “thank you both I came here to find happiness and I truly have, okay guys enough of that before I start crying, they left and she got a Message from max.

 

“ I’m glad you came I needed some privacy with you. His lips crashed  into hers and his tongue slide into her mouth it felt like weeks of not being able to touch her, he caught his breath and got serious. " look this wasn’t the only reason I invited you to come, I know you said you had to think but honestly I don’t know about this, I mean hiding us; if I’m going to be your man then I want to be your only man,  its also time we talked to Liam too."

“You’re right but first we need to talk about something."

“Jewel, you tell me anything okay."

" I been sick for last few days, I think I may be pregnant."

“What! “you mean I’m going to  be a father?"

“That’s what I wanted to talk about, I was with Liam twice it depends how far along I am , if I’m pregnant."

“I don’t want you stressed out baby, have you took a test yet, you wanted chocolate milkshake my favorite so that gives me hope, before we return we go pick up some test, we may be able to walk in, hopefully my doctor can run a DNA test."

“I just want to focus on us right now its been 6 days since we been alone. "  I miss you." He was very gentle he ran his hand between her legs and they fell apart, he licked her till she came, then enter her.

“ You feel incredible, come for me again, that’s my girl , I don’t think I can hold much longer but I want you come once more."

I rubbed my click while he was inside of me we both came,

We ate the rest of the food, I quickly fall asleep.

Liam knocked on Juliana door but no answer. He had a lot on his mind, especially if  O’Dell was right. He made his way to the  bar and called O’Dell.

Maxwell laid on the bed thinking what if Liam is the father, I promise to keep both of you safe, he thought before kissing her forehead and falling asleep.

_______

“Your Majesty, this what we have for you on Ms.Rodriguez." Once she arrived at Applewood she met with  the Beaumont brothers, she then left an hour later to met with Maxwell beaumont at the bakery about 2 blocks away, they picked up some food then went to the Apple spa hotel, my men say they are still there now

“ Thank you, that will be all, he called his driver to pick him up, he had way to many drinks.

It’s now almost 2am, Madeline been sitting waiting on Liam for the  last hour.

“Sorry I must be in the wrong room?"

“No you’re not, this is your room, look we are to be married why not , tell me you never ever thought how it’ll be?"

"Madeline I told you before." by this time she had unbutton his pants and her mouth was wrapped around his length

She liked how he felt in her mouth, she was surprised at how big he was , he pulled her up and bent her over.

He licked her wet center until she came, she never experienced a man taking their  time with her, even drunk Liam was full aware of what he was doing.

He flipped her over and entered her, she felt every inch of him, he give her a minute to adjust to him he asked if she was okay, he made her come twice more before his own release, he got up and cleaned up himself and passed out.

Madeline was still on fire From what just happened, the guy told her those pills would help her give in to her wildest desires and make her feel free to be more sexual and do things she wanted,  she got up and flashed her face with water, she got in bed and wrapped her arms around him. She haven’t been so confused in her life more then now.

A few hours later, Liam woke up with a hangover and wondering what the hell did he do, he didn’t remember much after the bar, not even calling a car.

"Madeleine what the hell are you doing here?"

“I was here when you returned and wow it was really good sex."

“Sex with you?"

“Yes, you wasn’t complaining last night and neither was I."

"I wasn’t in my right mind, did you drug me or something?"

"I would never do something like that, look you will grow to like maybe even love me,  we can  try this when you’re sober and it’ll be better." she winked,  the truth was she definitely wanted more of him.

 ---------------------

I was the next morning, Maxwell woke up it was 7am

“ Jewel baby wake up we got to get back, we’ll stop and pick up a few test and something to eat, they arrived back she took 2 of the test both positive

“it's just 8, let me see if I can call Dr. Morgan ."

“Hello, Doctor Morgan this is Maxwell Beaumont, my friend needs to see a doctor can you see her ?" Oh thank you Doctor Morgan." They arrived at the doctor’s office.

This was the second time she noticed the same guy. she quickly send Max a text

 

“Hello I am doctor Morgan." She recognized her right away.

" Mr. Beaumont please step into my office, tell me how may I help?"

She took 2 pregnancy test and both was positive, we need an DNA test ran

“Okay are you the potential father

“Yes I am.

“ There’s your baby you are indeed pregnant, I say by my measurements you're about 8 weeks, I will stat you on prenatal vitamins, do you know what your weight was or you lost or gained ?

“ Well when I was in NY the last time I was weighed I was 115 the last I got weighed

"Maxwell a word please."

“Okay we want to see where you are ok; shoes off wait for double zero Okay you are 121 you gain 6lbs not bad, you want to eat healthy sex is fine, nothing to rough dad, reduce stress as much as possible and get as much rest as you can, you are pregnant and will be more tired then usual."

" Yes Doctor. Morgan? "

With the press all over this I think its best if you two left the country, until things came down, she already been part of one scandal, and since she’s small she probably will start showing soon she already 2months, I give you this advice because  I delivered you and your brother, I know if this is your baby you will be a great father, give me a hug congratulations, about the DNA that will take about a week or so, and Max you two must inform our king he might be a father as well."

"How did you know this."

"Max I’m old not blind, I've seen the way king Liam looks at her even if it was on camera, you walked in and I saw you look at her the same way."

They left out, there was that guy behind them, he dropped her off and asked her to go to his old room, and called Drake, hey this dude been following me around or jewel.

Okay man be there shortly

 

It’s lunch time and Juliana is sitting in the maze on the swing in deep thought she didn’t hear Liam enter.

“This is a nice surprise, its hard to track you down lately, can we talk a minute please?"

She nodded .

I can’t do this now Liam please but I promise we’ll talk."

“I know that things didn’t  turn out right and we have a long way to go, I want to know until we get this situation settled, "were do we stand?"

" Is there a future with us ? or have you really moved on with Maxwell?"

"Why can’t you be honest with me?" I’m not stupid."

"Liam please I got to go."

 

It’s now 5pm their all out front to  await their rides to take them to  the train in a neighboring city.

 

“Hello to all, Thank you all for coming along to celebrate our engagement with us, we hope that you all enjoy the tour and tonight’s dinner, once everyone is settled please meet us in the dining cart."

The smell of the food hit Juliana, and made her feel queasy, she quickly made up an excuse not to stay.

But Drake noticed and went to find her, but Maxwell beat him to it.

Baby the doctor give you a list of things you could take I stopped and got these see if they help, I want you to rest and I brought you this across the street its for the baby, I say boy chocolate milkshake

Drake eyes went wide.

"Liam asked about us, so we need to talk to him about us."

Baby I’m ready for that, just not about the baby yet."

 "Can I ask you something?"

“Sure baby whatever you like."

“I don’t want  to lose you Max I need to know where we stand if this is Liam child?"

There was a knock on the door, did you forget something? Oh Drake how can I help you? "

“ baby I’m not leaving you never, but I better get back out, rest baby.

Drake hide so Max wouldn't see him

I saw you earlier how sick you got back there. Just checking on you."

"Thank you for checking on me but I’m fine."

Okay remember we were once where friends  Rodriguez, if you ever need to talk I am here.

Drake we still are friends, I would like to believe we are, I hear Hana really likes you and I hear you have a new house so why haven’t you invited me out there?"

“Sorry only Hanna has  been there but you and Max are welcomed to come "

"How much did you hear? You overheard us didn’t you?"

“Yes but it wasn’t Intentionally honestly I was coming to check on you and there were the two of you talking; so how long have you been together?"

"We started hooking up a week after Liam Coronation, I felt broken and weak and like a no body cared but Maxwell." He was there in so many ways and plus I already had a crush on him, so I wanted him and didn’t stop until I got him, now I could probably lose him, Liam moved on too I heard.

“ What do you mean, how have he moved on?

“ I saw Madeleine coming from his room at Applewood,  they slept together and I don’t believe she was lying, I been going through some stuff to even focus on what Liam got going on, if she makes him happy why shouldn’t he."

“Thanks for talk but I am so tired and sleepy." was only 8:15 but she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

“Rodriguez I don’t believe that he would, I know he still loves you, and from what I just seen so do Max, you must pick and let one go and you may be carrying a prince or princess, even if you want Max, you and Liam would need be Co parents if that baby is his, and from what I've seen Max  not not going anywhere. "

It’s 11pm Maxwell was worried so he went to check on her and had the cook to cook her something, ‘ Jewel baby I hate to bother you but you need to eat something, its chicken Parmesan."

She ate half and drink water.

“That’s my girl."

 Stay with me I need you next to me.

They showered and got in bed both fill asleep

 

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

 

It’s the next day, Max has planed to show her around, he had the  day planned just the two of them.

 

They got back to train around 8pm. “ Baby I had fun, I want this type of thing with you for life I want you be my wife one day

"What the hell did you  Just say Maxwell Beaumont ?"

“ Bertrand you heard me right, we are in love and I want her to  be my wife.

“Maxwell we need to talk about this, she’s King Liam girlfriend and you know how important she is to him."

“ If she was so important to him why didn’t he fight for her?" where was he when she was crying in my arm broken because of his decision?" I won’t let anything happen to them, his hand flu over his mouth, god dammit." he mumbled under his breath.

 "Wait what do you mean them? Please tell me you didn’t get her pregnant?"

"Can we not talk about this now."

“Oh Dear God Maxwell. We need to  sit down and talk this  out,  here is not the Proper place, but this conversation is far from over."

 

“We have a dinner to attend come on you two and please behave and stop looking at her like you’re a love sick puppy."

"She headed to the boutique where Olivia was waiting on her, “Hello Juliana I have a dress for you That’s lovely and it should fit you perfectly."

"I have put on a few pounds Liv so that size  is to small."

She had to make an excuse, she knew her usual size 4 wouldn't fit."

"What the hell have  you been eating?" I’ve seen you eat which is hardly anything at all and the last few days you haven’t been eating the food that’s prepared here."

"Liv please I ate out and was to full to eat ."

"Hmm you are hiding something I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, something is off and I will figure it out; I’m pretty sure its not about your boy toy Max

Her eyes went wide, “why do you say that?"

“I see what other’s look over, Maxwell is in love with you and how you look at him you love him too. “look in my eyes and lie, because I seen how he gets when you’re around Liam.

“Liv please I need to be alone."

She walked out without saying anything.

Maxwell picked out 2 dresses that she would be comfortable in and a pair of flats.

 

"You look beautiful baby."

She changed and walked out to see Hana, they greeted each other and  talked a little, then parted ways.

Maxwell walked up behind her kissing her neck, she was so tuned on by his touch. She gave a sad face.

She linked her arm through his arm and he escorted her out.

Liam sit watching them he paid close attention to how they were acting around each other, the way Maxwell looked at her said it all, yep he's definitely  in love with her, he could see he was trying hard to hide how he felt.

Maxwell looked up at Liam starring at him and wonder what’s his issue, he watched as he stood to ask Juliana to dance, he watched as they danced.

A voice called out, “Penny for your thoughts?"

He looked at Madeline in disbelief. Are you really falling for your king? I can see hope in your eyes if he’s free of her then you believe you two could have a real chance?" he laughed. " I got to see this.

“He still care for her, you two need be honest with him, he needs to know so he can finally move on."

" I got him into bed, but to keep him there when he thinks Juliana is still available is impossible, you need to get caught that way no odd conversations, and once he finds out I can be there to comfort him."

“ I am good why are you acting strange?"

She stormed off because she knew he was right, she wanted something real with him now she really started to care for him since their night together a few days ago, she was scared of these feelings it was all so new for her, she had plenty of boyfriends, but Liam was different and there’s no way in hell I’m letting him go she thought, she went over to him. “excuse me lady Juliana my I cut in? they danced.

“So how have you been?

She smiled. “ I am just happy to see you that’s all nothing else, look I had fun the other night and was wondering if we could have casual sex, we are grown, and we  both have needs.

“This is not you; why are you trying to get me to sleep with you again?"

“Can we talk in private?"

“Sure."

“ What’s so urgent?" She locked lips with him

“Liam I really want you, I know you don’t love me but can we try.

“Lady Madeline please conduct yourself, I don't think now is the time excuse me. "

She sit crying, Penelope come in and hugged her

“What ever it is will be okay."

“How did you get here?"

"My dad brought me he has some business with king Liam."

 

 “Yes I been so tried lately, but what did you want to show me?

Liam had a hard day, he left a note for Juliana to meet him, she came but seem very tired it was close to midnight, she disappeared right after dinner Maxwell stayed around , “ Did you just wake up?" He asked

 

 

It’s beautiful Liam , how did you find this place?

“ My family use to visit when I was younger, look I am sorry about yesterday, but you really never answered me.

“Liam it’s complicated I promise we’ll talk

“Complicated how?" all I want to know is where we stand?"

“Liam I believe we both got things to think about you are engaged and unavailable, you have been for a long time I just didn’t know it., its cold out and I am still sleepy can we return?"

"Okay."

 

We arrived back the train, I enter my room and Maxwell is sitting on my bed waiting on me, he’s not happy

“What did you tell Liam?"

“Nothing yet, I was going to but I couldn’t."

I give him a smile and close my eyes.

“I want us to wait  at least for  the test results come back, I don’t need you stressed.

“I want you to rest  don’t overload yourself ..You and our baby must stay healthy.

 

 

“Can you meet me in my room?"

“I am your future Queen, I am not your lapdog Maxwell."

“Just keep your future husband away from Juliana, they went off together tonight."

“Why would that concern me?  I offered an agreement,  her  as his mistress and to my understanding she didn’t accept."

"Just keep him busy, go do things as a royal couple, meet me tomorrow? we going to work on you Madi.

Don’t worry little one,  mine  or not I’m going to take care of both of you, I’m praying Liam is not your father."

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