DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of The Royals characters.
Hi everyone!
The truth is I couldn't stop myself from continuing this story so here's a new chapter and I'm pretty sure this story is going to be a long one. ^_^
And good news to all my lovely Royals readers, Captured is gonna be updated in a day or two so keep an eye out ;)
Chapter2_Fairy tales
Wilhelmina Moreno was an extraordinary girl. Robert sensed it the first time he set his eyes on her innocent face. Although at the moment his mind was too busy planning the ultimate humiliation for Kathryn, her genuine smile moved him. And he took it as a sign. He needed to act quickly because the perfect Queen was right in front of him.
Months later and Robert never doubted his instinct once. Willow was hard to pursue, he had to admit, but she was worth the fight. She was going to be the perfect mother for his children and for the nation, lighting up their world as she did his.
His decision to put her on the list, as he told her, was selfish but Robert was raised to get what he wanted. It might have taken a while but he's always been patient. Another one of her mother's special gifts passed along to him. He knew what she craved the most and he became it. She wanted to be seen and he saw her. She wanted a fairy tale and he gave it to her. And she wanted a hero.
He could see it in her eyes when she hurried down the stairs to check on him. She was in. As she jumped into his arms, holding him tightly, he wondered if he was truly what she thought him to be. She was the epitome of light and he was as dark as it could get.
But in his study, all alone, Robert could be himself. He could take a sip of his expensive Whiskey and acknowledge the fact that Willow had left her mark on him. After the island and after seeing Liam kiss Kathryn, the thought of love was unfamiliar to him. But every time she smiled at him, he felt a bit like his old-self.
It wouldn't last long though. Emptiness would come rushing back and he had to put on a smile for show. Maybe that was why he insisted on winning her over. Maybe he needed that feeling to last much longer. For the rest of his life.
He chuckled bitterly at the thought. He knew he wasn't one to act impulsively, that he never went for things without clear intent, but Willow was different. She could be his only chance for a happier life, even if it meant he was only half in.
Robert was selfish after all.
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Willow was nervous. She had stayed up until four in the morning, analyzing their first kiss. She kept reliving the moment Robert's face lit up when she said she wanted to be back on the list. How he called her name so deliciously when their faces were only inches apart. Willow felt her heart fluttering yet again and she took a deep breath to calm herself down.
She knew there was no way she could face him today without embarrassing herself so she left her office. As she neared the hallway she tried to walk as quietly as possible since he was probably in his study. She felt foolish sneaking around but the thought of Robert, looking at her like he did yesterday, was making her too anxious.
"Willow?'
And there he was. Of course he had seen her. She sighed as he asked jokingly: "Are you avoiding me?" She turned around and chuckled nervously: "Why would I want to avoid you?" Robert shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets, making Willow wonder how he could make that simple act so attractive.
He pointed out: "Well, you do update me on social media every day." Willow walked a bit closer to him: "I was just busy. I'm ready for the updates if you are." Robert moved closer as well and gave her a charming smile: "I'm actually more interested in something else. Someone, if you will."
Willow felt her blush spreading on her face as she looked down. Robert called her name quietly and Willow faced him with a faint smile. He asked: "Do you want to talk about it?" Willow nodded and clutched tightly to her tablet.
He offered: "I'd love to have lunch with you today. If you're not busy." Willow gave him a look and said sarcastically: "Said the King of England." Robert laughed and said: "Since you mentioned it, I'm planning to distribute food and water around places who are still out of power. I would love it if you help out with today's program."
Willow's face lit up, as Robert had suspected, and she replied excitedly: "Of course!" Robert beamed and asked: "Alright. Do you want your favorite noodles or something else?!" Willow answered without thinking: "Actually, I'd kill for some pizza right now."
Robert chuckled as Willow's eyes widened with embarrassment. He said as he walked away: "I'm going to guess the toppings." Willow raised her eyebrows and said: "No pineapple please." Robert's laughter reached her ear: "I'm not a monster!"
She sighed as he disappeared from her view. No he wasn't a monster. He was her hero and he was her King.
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Eating with him has always been quiet. His every move was precise and polite, opposite of everything Willow had learned growing up but she felt like she was somehow attracted to it. To how he cleaned his fork even though the palace was the tidiest place in England. To how he cut through his slice of Pizza. To how he was not normal.
He caught her looking at him and asked: "What?!" Willow tried to look away and said: "Nothing. Just thinking." Robert gave her one of his pointy smirks and asked: "About me, I hope?" Willow bit into her pizza and shrugged, making him laugh.
He put his napkin down and started: "About yesterday…" Willow started drinking her Coke and avoiding his eyes. Robert called her name expectantly and Willow almost loudly damned him. The way he said it. She lost it every time.
Willow cleared her throat and asked: "How does this work?" Robert gave her a look and asked: "How does what work?" Willow leaned back and said: "The list. If I'm on it. Does it mean I'm going through the tests as well? Is this my lunch-date?"
Robert leaned back as well and asked: "Are you not comfortable with it?" Willow opened her mouth to say something but she didn't know how she felt. Would she want him to think about other girls when they were together? To compare them with each other?
Robert's face softened and he said: "You're my number one for a reason, Willow. I wouldn't have considered others if you'd stayed on the list. If I knew you were in." Willow smiled innocently. How did he find the words she wanted to hear the most? Robert asked: "Are you?"
Willow answered mischievously: "Depends on the date." Robert leaned towards her and asked: "What date?" She got up and said: "The date you're taking me on when the power problem go away." Robert stood up as well, too close to her, and nodded his head: "It'd be an honor." Willow chuckled as she walked away from him, leaving Robert staring at her from behind.
She turned around at the door, catching him, and said sweetly: "You guessed the toppings right." Robert gave her a toothy grin and said: "I'll see you in a bit." Willow nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Robert to wonder how his team came up with such fantastic results.
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"You did great. Thank you." Robert said to her on the way back. She put her hand on his leg and said with a bright smile: "I did nothing. You're the one who put this together. England's lucky to have you." Robert simply looked at her, uttering the words he craved to hear from his loved ones, and feared she could be even better than he'd imagined.
He wanted to kiss her, so bad, but the moment he wanted to lean in, his security detail rolled the divider down and announced: "Your Majesty, we're at Ms. Moreno's place." Robert nodded and pushed the button, putting the barrier once more between them and the bodyguard.
Willow said quietly: "Thank you for taking me home." She fiddled with her bag and asked: "Do you want to come up for a drink?" Robert's face fell, knowing he had tons of work to get back to and she hurried: "I know. It's stupid. We're in the middle of a crisis."
Robert took her hand and kissed it, making her blush hard, and said: "I'd love to but I can't. And I know you've been working hard these past few days. I want you to rest tomorrow." Willow blinked asking: "Rest?" Robert squeezed her hand and said: "Yes. But I will take you on that date. Tomorrow at six? " Willow nodded her head and he said: "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and don't wear a dress."
Willow frowned and Robert leaned in, quickly stealing a kiss from her. Willow wanted to hold onto him, to deepen the kiss, the need to touch him screaming throughout her body, but Robert pulled away. She murmured a 'good night' and quickly got out of the limo.
Robert smiled and rolled the window down, watching her enter the building. He tapped on the divider and the car started moving. He leaned back against the seat and let the smile cover his whole face. Because whether he liked admitting it or not, Wilhelmina Moreno had an influence on him. And he was enjoying it.
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Xoxo,
S
