Home Sweet Home

At noon, we were already on the Beaumont's private jet, waiting for Milla.

"There she is!" Maxwell pointed and squirmed gleefully.

"Yay." I rolled my eyes, still unsure about this.

Camilla climbed aboard and I saw her eyes widen as she took in the luxurious cabin. "Wow."

"Hey, Milla." Maxwell patted the seat next to his. "Come, sit, get comfy. We'll take off in about five minutes, so say goodbye to New York, and hello, Cordonia!"

She sat next to him, leaning back into the soft buttery seat, before turning to me. "Hey, Drake."

"Hey."

She looked around once more. "I can't believe this is actually happening…"

"Well, believe it. In eight hours, we'll be landing in Cordonia, whether you're ready or not. And if you're not, the other ladies at court are going to eat you alive."

Her eyes widened at my bluntness, and she raised her eyebrows.

"Drake!" Maxwell hissed. "Don't scare her! Milla, you okay?"

"Actually, I'm terrified."

"I knew it." I rolled my eyes. I knew this was a bad idea. "She's not going to last a week. It was a waste of time, bringing her here."

"I'm terrified," she continued, giving me a pointed look "just like I was when I first moved to New York, or when I switched majors to pursue a more… artistic career, or my first day at work… Fear isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's normal to feel scared when facing the unknown. But it's not incapacitating. Fear is actually a huge motivator to act. Fear activates your Fight or Flight instincts… and I always fight for what I want."

Okay… she had guts, I'd give her that. I conceded with a nod.

She gave me a soft smile. "I understand why you're unsure about me. The lowly waitress coming to a foreign court to compete for the Crown Prince's hand? It sounds like the plot of a bad romantic comedy…"

I huffed a laugh. "Yeah, it does. Listen, it's nothing personal-"

"I know."

"It's just that I've seen girls like you come and go." I thought of Savannah and shook my head. "And it never ends well. Not for you, not for Liam, or the royal family."

"Milla's not some crown chaser."

"No, I'm not. But I can understand where you're coming from. I just hope…" Her eyes flickered downward before meeting mine once more. "... I hope I exceed your expectations, and maybe one day we could be friends."

That… took me completely off guard. I tried to smile at her, but it felt forced. "Yeah… me too." I said awkwardly.

It was enough for her, it seemed, because she grinned at me before buckling her seat belt and taking out her laptop.

Soon we were taking off, and she popped her headphones on and started typing away.


A couple of hours later, Milla was still typing… I stared at her, and as Maxwell stood to go to the bathroom, I got up and took his seat. She smiled at me absentmindedly, before taking off her headphones. They were loud enough that I could hear her music… Celtic music… I didn't see that coming.

"Hey."

"Hey… So you've been typing for hours now… What are you writing?" She raised her eyebrow inquisitively. "Liam told me you were a writer." I explained.

"That's right. Well, right now, I'm just writing on my journal. No steamy stories about princes just yet."

"Huh. I hadn't pegged you for a 'Dear Diary' girl."

She rolled her eyes, a small smile playing in her face. "I'm not. It's just something they teach you first year in school. Writing's hard, and if you don't do it everyday, it gets harder when you actually want to. The problem is that, since we consider ourselves artists, we sometimes don't want to write, or lack inspiration. So the journal exercise is something to keep you on your toes, until the muse deigns to show herself." She gestured dramatically.

"Huh…" I saw Maxwell coming back and got up. "I'll leave you to it, then."

"Oh… okay."

I went back to my seat, and the rest of the flight was spent in silence. Maxwell caught up on some sleep, Milla kept writing and I… might have dozed off as well. Hours later, the pilot announced an ETA of 20 minutes and Maxwell jumped and shook Milla's shoulder.

"Hey, look, you can see Cordonia out the window! Milla, look! You don't want to miss this!"

I watched as she looked out the window, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping. "That's Cordonia? It's so beautiful. The sparkling ocean, the swaying trees-"

"If you burst into song, I'm jumping out of the plane." I quipped.

She turned to face me… and burst into song. "Look at the world, so close, and I'm halfway to it."

I groaned and covered my face with my hands. "Really?"

She kept singing, her voice smooth and velvety. "Look at it all, so big, do I even dare? Look at me, there at last, I just have to do it!" She accompanied the song with theatrical movements and expressions, and I couldn't help but smile and shake my head.

"Should I?" She looked to Maxwell, a faux questioning look on her face. "No! Here I go!" She posed theatrically. Maxwell snorted beside her, barely able to contain his laughter.

"To smell the grass, the dirt, just like I'd dreamed they'd be!"

"What?!" I started laughing.

"Just feel that summer breeze, the way it's calling me! For, like, the first time ever, I'm completely free! I could go running, and racing, and dancing, and chasing, and leaping, and bounding, hair flying, heart pounding, and splashing and reeling, and finally feeling that's when my life begins!"

Milla raised her arms as the song escalated, before bowing low, flipping her hair as a dramatic finale. Maxwell whooped and laughed, clapping as she raised her head.

"The escape door's right there, if you still want to jump out."

"Funny…"

"Unless, of course, you were so moved by my performance, you want an autograph and a picture?"

"Not a chance."

She shrugged good humoredly, "Your loss."

The captain turned on the seatbelt sign and soon we were landing in Cordonia. Home sweet home.


The Masquerade was in full swing when they announced Maxwell and Camilla. She was wearing a long white gown, a halo and of course, a mask.

"Lord Maxwell of House Beaumont! Lady Camilla Rose Myers of New York!"

Camilla Rose Myers? I grinned. It was actually a very classy name. It suited her. She and Maxwell reached the bottom of the stairs, and he rubbed her shoulder and walked away. She looked panicked for a split second, before steadying herself and looking around. As soon as she spotted me, she smiled in what I can assume was relief, and came my way.

I bowed. "Good evening, Lady Camilla Rose Myers."

"Just Milla." I snickered and she shot me a dirty look. "It's nice to see you've actually got manners."

"Yeah, well… I almost didn't recognize you. You clean up well."

"Drake… did you just compliment me?"

"Yeah, I guess." No point in denying it. "But looking the part doesn't mean you're going to be welcome here, you know."

Her face fell just a bit. "Well… you're as charming as ever…"

"Trust me… compared to most nobles here, I'm your best friend."

"I know. I mean, I believe you."

"That's the first smart thing you said."

"Hey! What about when I explained the insides of a writer's mind in the plane? And let's not forget my awesome musical number…" She smiled warmly at me, as I brought my hand to my face.

"I'm still trying to forget that."

"Should've jumped out of the plane, then. My musical numbers are unforgettable."

"I can tell." We sipped our drinks in companionable silence, and I sighed. She was… actually pretty nice, and smart. Charming, just like Liam said. It made me feel kind of bad for being a little bit of an ass. "Look, Myers… I'm not trying to be jerk. I'm trying to help."

"I know." I shot her a dubious look. "You're a no bullshit kind of guy. I can tell. You're honest."

I swallowed. "Good." It was… strange, meeting someone who actually understood what I wanted to say, who didn't get offended or upset… "I'm just saying the things I wish someone had told me a long time ago."

She touched my arm, and for some reason, I felt myself blush. "I know. Thank you, Drake."

"Excuse me."

And just like that, I felt all the blood drain from my face. Olivia Nevrakis.

"But I must steal her away." She took Myers' arm and led her away, while she looked back at me with WTF written all over her face. I just rolled my eyes and shook my head.

I need a drink.

The next time I saw her, she was finally talking to Liam, who was wearing the first genuine smile I'd seen all night. I smirked. I was glad he was happy. He deserved it. I just hoped she could keep up, for Liam's sake.

A while later, I decided to go outside to get some air, when I spotted Myers with Olivia and some other suitors. I quickly turned around to avoid them, when Lady Hana ran past me, crying. I shook my head. And another one bites the dust.

"Olivia, you're acting like a child." Myers voice ran clear and true. "If this is how you behave, I wouldn't trust you with childproof scissors, let alone a kingdom."

"I…" Olivia gaped at her, and I struggled not to laugh. "You can't…"

"I just did." And with that, she turned - as did I, to avoid being seen - and went after Hana. I snickered as I saw Olivia gaping after her.

Well, well, well… Maybe she has a chance after all.


Later that night, Liam came into my room. "So that was the errand Maxwell needed help with?"

He looked… ecstatic. "Uh… yeah."

"I just can't believe she's here!" He sat on my bed. "I thought… I thought I'd never see her again!"

I sat next to him and clapped his shoulder. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks." He looked at me with big puppy dog eyes.

Oh, no…

"I need a favor."

There it is.

"Milla… she's smart, and charming, and driven. I've no doubt she can manage to impress the court, the Queen and the people of Cordonia. She has already made a great impression on my Father. But she's still going to need all the help she can get."

"Yeah, well, she's got House Beaumont on her side. And I can already tell she's the Crown Prince's favorite."

"She needs more than that. She needs you."

"Me?!"

"Yes! Drake, you've been my best friend since childhood. You're smart, and honest, and loyal."

I know… I hate that.

"She's going to need that if she wants to get through the competition, and all the plotting and schemes that come with it."

I groaned. "Did you tell her that?"

"I did. I told her the ladies tend to get… competitive."

"Ha! That's one word for it." I sighed, relenting. "What do you need me to do?"

He wrapped me in a giant bear hug. "Thanks, Drake."

I patted his shoulder awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah… now, what do I have to do?"

"Just keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't run into any trouble. As much as I'd like to, I can't be with her every step of the way throughout the competition… but you can."

"Fine."

"Thank you." He clapped my shoulder one last time and stood. "I'll let you sleep."

He made his way out and I sprawled myself on the bed.

Oh, boy… what did I get myself into?


As it turns out, Myers needed my help sooner than expected. The day of the Derby, she got lost and when I found her, she was literally about to get run over by a horse.

"Whoa, there. Whoa." I called the horse down, grabbing a fistful of its mane, and patted it's neck. "Easy, big fella. Easy."

"Drake! You saved me!" She gasped in between breaths.

"Really? I thought I was saving the horse… these Derby runners are like athletes. Can't risk an injury tripping over a stray human."

"Charming. Did the horse knock the sense out if you too?"

I turned to look at her, and she was genuinely upset. "Nah. In fact, I got away without a scratch."

She rolled her eyes, exasperated.

"What are you even doing here?" She asked wearily.

"Look, I…" I ran my fingers through my hair. "Truth is Liam told me to keep an eye on you, to make sure you don't end up in the wrong place… exactly like now."

"He told you that?" Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Yeah. Good thing I followed his instructions, huh? Speaking of which, you should get back to the race tracks and your adoring fans…" I began leading the horse back to its pen.

"I'd love to, but I'm lost. Maxwell told me I should look for the pink tents?"

"He's wrong. You're looking for the white tents next to the starting line. You can't miss them. Good luck!"

"You're not coming with me?" I looked at Myers and she was staring at me with what I could only describe as puppy eyes. I rubbed the back my neck.

"No… I'm due to meet Liam. He's got his own private tent. We usually just hang out, get some drinks, watch the ceremonies, place our bets on the horses… it's pretty sweet." I smiled at her.

I saw as she got this steely look in her eyes. "In that case… I'm going with you!"

"What?"

"It sounds more fun where you're going. Take me with you."

"I don't think you're supposed to…"

"Please?" She batted her eyelashes slowly at me, and gave me a slow smile. I rolled my eyes; I knew exactly what she was trying to do. When she figured out it wasn't going to work on me, she sighed. "Come on, what are they going to do? Put me in Princess Jail?"

"Hah." I shook my head. "Fine. Come on."

She beamed at me. "Thanks."

At least Liam would be happy. I led her to the tent and excused myself to get drinks, letting them have a bit of time alone. I went to get beers and when I came back, they were laughing. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Myers gave me a warm smile. "Of course not, we're happy to see you."

"You are?"

"Yeah, come join us!" This is usually my spot, but sure… I shook my head and smiled.

"I was just telling Liam of my… horse phase when I was a girl."

"Really?"

"Yeah… I has my whole room covered with horse posters, and paintings and photographs. I read books about them, researched the different breeds… I think I read the whole 'Misty of Chincoteague' series..."

I looked at Liam. "It's a book." He mouthed. I nodded.

"Anyhow, I think my dad was pretty happy when it was over."

It was actually… pretty cute to picture her; an awkward little girl with glasses, reading a book about ponies.

"Any way, you're just in time! The final race is starting." Liam told me.

We placed our usual bets, and explained the terms to Myers. Liam lost, as usual, and paid his bet. Soon, it was time to head to the lawn party. I ducked out with the excuse of finding Maxwell to give them more time alone.

"Thank you for coming, Milla. I'm not lying when I say you've made my day."

"You've made mine, too."

I grinned and went to look for the Beaumont's car. As soon as I spotted it, I headed back. I cleared my throat before entering the tent and offered to show Myers the way back.

As we got close to the suitors' tent, I heard the ladies complaining they didn't get to see Liam. I shared a look with Myers, and smiled. "I guess I leave you here. Good luck."

She sighed. "Sometimes I feel like facing a rampaging horse that deal with the others…"

"I don't know… you didn't fare so well with the horse."

"Ha. I guess that's true." She looked at me, before looking down at the ground. When she looked back up, she held my gaze. "Hey, Drake… thanks for saving me."

I huffed. "I know I can be a jerk, but I'd have to be a real lowlife to let a horse trample a girl."

"Well… thanks, anyway."

Before I knew it, she rose on her tiptoes and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, before walking to join the other ladies without looking back.

I brought my hand to my cheek, staring after her. What just happened?


A couple of days later, Liam and I were hanging out in the maze, when Bastien came jogging towards us.

"Your Highness. Drake."

"What is it, Bastien?"

"We've just got informed there is currently a bidding war between various tabloid magazines for pictures of your bachelor party. They feature Lady Camilla prominently."

Oh, geez. These us one of the reasons I hate this place.

"Do we know who took them?"

"Not yet, Your Highness. There will be a full investigation on this, but right now, we're more focused on actually buying the pictures back so they never go to press."

Liam sighed. "Very well. Thank you for informing me, Bastien."

"Do you have any leads yet?"

"No, but…" Bastien looked at Liam. "I've personally seen digital copies of the photographs. From the angle some are taken, the photographer would have had to have been… in close proximity."

"Are you saying it could've been one of the guys?" I asked, looking over to Liam. He was frowning, disappointment clear in his eyes.

"We can't make any assumptions. All we know was that the photographer was in close proximity to your table."

Bastien's phone chimed. He glanced at it briefly before turning to us. "We have the photographs, both physical and digital copies."

Liam sighed in relief. "Well, that's… good."

"I'll keep you updated on our investigation. We'll begin to look into it immediately."

"All right. Just do what you can. Thank you, Bastien."

"Yes, Your Highness. Drake." He bowed, and left, purposely walking away.

"Hey, man, you okay?" I clapped his shoulder.

"I'm just… relieved we were able to buy them back."

"I know." I murmured.

"Do you think… it could be one the guys?"

Honestly…?

I sighed. "I don't know. I hope not. I know… you consider them your friends."

"They're your friends, too."

"Heh " I shrugged. I placed a hand on his shoulder and shook it. "Don't worry about it. We'll figure out."