This story is based on the characters from The Princess Diaries and are the property of Meg Cabot, and Walt Disney Company. No infringement intended.
Notes:
First of all, I would like to dedicate my work to the victims of Orlando, because I started to write this story that fateful night… What a sad coincidence. To you guys, wherever you are, with all my love.
Secondly, this is (or was, now) absolutely not my kind of work. A movie as The Princess Diaries wasn't my cup of tea to be honest (being an adult is quite annoying sometimes, especially when we stupidly think that we are too old for something), but I wanted to give it a try because of the duo Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway. Despite their respective talent as actresses, I was still reluctant... Until the comment of a very honest and sweet father, also reluctant at first. So I watched it because of his comment and just like him I was pleasantly surprised by the story of the main character and its outcome in both movies. That's why I chose this story.
I know Disney is thinking about homosexuality and how to bring it delicately on big screen. I may be gay but as a writer I understand the difficulties behind such a decision, especially if it's for an animated movie (but that's another debate). I also know producers and writers want to make a third Princess Diaries movie. They probably are working on it already, without Garry unfortunately :'( …
Because a gay lead character would be a huge and major step for Disney, I think a movie would be more accurate. So here is my attempt. If you want to contact Disney on my behalf, please let me know first ;)
I hope I'll reach my goal with this story : to entertain you! Don't hesitate to leave a review. Enjoy!
In the memory of Mr. Garry Marshall. He was a true talent and better than a director, he was a real entertainment's conductor.
Prologue
Somewhere in France.
In a deserted café, in which the awful decoration showed this place hasn't changed since the 90s, a man in his late fifties with a three days' beard was sipping at a beer in a corner. Two huge luggage were at his feet with a briefcase on top of them. He was looking through the window as the rain was hitting the glass softly. Outside the street was empty and dark, except for a weak lamp on the sidewalk. The barman was cleaning the bar absentmindedly while watching at some soccer match on the TV screen on the opposite wall from his only customer.
Then someone entered.
The barman looked at his new customer with a frown at first, but a smirk appeared on his lips. Although hidden under a big hood, that person was clearly a woman, wearing high heel boots and a long leather soaked coat that didn't hide her slender frame. She walked slowly towards the bar and turned her head to look at the man in the corner.
- Do I have a lot of homework? She asked him.
The man opened the briefcase and took a big and quite thick brown envelope that he put down on the table unceremoniously. The woman sighed loudly before asking for a coffee in a perfect French to the barman and joined the man at the table.
- Why do you always choose some sordid place for us to meet Dennis?
- Hello Nikita, Dennis greeted her with a cocky smile.
- Funny, she said with sarcasm. Bob had the decency to meet her in fancy places if I recall correctly. Try Mathilda for once.
- Why stating the obvious, Dennis said with a glint in his eyes.
She took the envelop as the barman came with her coffee, thanked him and waited for him to be back to his soccer match before opening it to take a look at its content while Dennis was busy with his phone.
- It looks like a manuscript, what is it? She asked Dennis.
- It's a copy of a diary. Her diary, he said showing her a picture on his phone.
- The Queen of Genovia? You're kidding, she whispered.
- This is your last assignment, I wanted you to go with a bang.
- This is a big bang, she hissed at him, pointing at his phone, clearly not happy with her assignment.
- Come on, it won't be your first royal blood, Dennis said with a smile.
She huffed loudly as she was leaning back in her chair.
- But I've never been completely undercover, for a whole month, with a royal head!
Dennis wasn't smiling anymore. He was looking at her with a strong face as he was sipping at his beer. The woman bent her head, understanding the silent admonition from Dennis' face. He put his beer down slowly, never taking his hard look away from her.
- Our hiring contact is pretty adamant, Dennis said in a quiet but harsh voice. Queenie here is deranging. A lot. So you get in the picture, you get to know her, you gain her trust and you become friend with her. Braid her hair or do shopping with her, I don't give a damn, as long as you stick to her side like glue for the next month or more if needed until action time! Am I clear?!
The head under the hood nodded lightly. She took a thin folder out of the envelop and looked at the papers, reading silently. Then she whistled at something she has just read.
- Wow, last undercover ever and I'll be… that. Jean would laugh about it you know, she said trying to lighten the atmosphere.
- You shouldn't complain, that's the best we came up with. We owe this mission to his father by the way. Apparently his father's friend needed someone to handle the Queen discretely, but it goes without saying, right? Dennis asked raising one eyebrow.
- Not too much direct contacts then? She asked, ignoring his question.
- Just two but I've only dealt with one so far. A man called Lionel, easy to spot he's the head of the security.
- The head of the security?! Okay you've lost me there Dennis, why can't he deal with her on his own?
- Look we don't have much time. All you need to know is in here, Dennis said pointing at the thick envelop, plus your back up story of course. Your room there will be fully prepped in case you need to act before the cue, plus a little extra. Lionel and your other contact will get in touch with you once you're settled at the castle.
- Two insiders… Why do I have the feeling it's going to be messy. Thank God it's my last mission, she said in a sigh.
She was drinking her coffee as Dennis was observing her, frowning.
- You sure about that? Dennis asked after a while.
- I'm 32 Dennis. I would like to settle down at some point, I'm tired of hiding for the sake of this job, she explained.
- I know. And your wife keeps bothering me with her ticking biological clock, he said rolling his eyes.
- We're still not married but sorry about that, she said in a chuckle. To me it's more like the call of a life without a constant dagger over my head. Speaking of kids, what am I supposed to do with the Queen's children?
- They're out of our picture, but if you have them wrapped up around your finger, you'll get the Queen pretty easily, Dennis answered before finishing his beer.
- Obviously. Messy mission, she breathed, shaking her head.
- Damn, I can't believe this is the last time we meet in a crappy place. You were my best element. I will miss you, you know. Now go with a bang, Mathilda, Dennis said as he stood up to take the luggage.
- A big bang, she added as she was taking one of the luggage.
Dennis chuckled at that with a mischief smile, and they left the café in the dark and rainy night.