Chapter 11: Princess in training
After getting cleaned up and having Franny help her dry off, Charley got dressed. Franny pulled out of the closet a super plush terry cloth bathrobe that went down to her ankles. Charley smiled as she rubbed the soft robe against her cheek. She had never felt anything so luxurious in her life. That was until Franny handed her a pair of matching slippers. She felt so childish over their softness that she giggled and did a little dance in them.
"It's so nice to have laughter in the palace again" Franny mentioned as she watched the young human dance around her room.
"Why is that?" Charley stopped what she was doing to look at Franny.
"The last time I heard laughter before today was when Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie were young and I caught them playing in the mud just before dinner. Oh, his father was so angry at them that they weren't allowed to play together for a long time after that. He wouldn't hear reason from his own wife. It was very heartbreaking for them" Franny murmured as she looked at Charley, knowing that the Prince held deep affections for her.
"That's so sad. Were there any other times?" Charley sat down on the edge of the bed as she looked at Franny.
"That was the last time laughter was heard in the palace until today. You have to understand, the king is very serious all the time. Laughter, humor, anything fun and enjoyable upsets him. No one knows why. He stays angry most of the time. That's why the people speak with the Queen most of the time or with Throttle. You have to forgive me if I don't call him the Prince. I've raised him since he was a baby along side his mother. So, in a sense, he is like a son to me and I treat him as such. He even prefers being informal" Franny mentioned.
"I can tell. His friends really care about him" Charley looked around the room and found herself understanding why Throttle felt the way that he did about being in the palace. He felt as though he was suffocating under the stifling rules of his father.
"Yes, they do" Franny stated as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
"What I am blithering on about? You are probably starving. Go on. You need to meet up with Throttle for dinner" Franny stated as she ushered Charley our of the bedroom.
"You're definitely right. I am a little hungry" Charley agreed as she stood up and walked to the bedroom door.
Oh...
Oh!
"Hey gorgeous! You ready?" Throttle asked as he knocked on the door and then slowly opened it to see Charley all washed up and looking like a princess in satin pajamas. It was then that he noticed that she had a glow about her that he had never noticed before. Shaking his head, he thought it was just his imagination running wild on him.
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right
And aim for my heart
If you feel like
And take me away and make it OK
I swear I'll behave
"You bet!" she excitedly stated with a beaming smile that seemed to light up the room.
"Come on" he held out his hand and watched as she placed hers on his. Together, they walked to the massive dinning room.
You wanted control
So we waited
I put on a show
Now I make it
You say I'm a kid
My ego is big
I don't give a shit
And it goes like this (Uh)
"Goodness. Enough room?" her jaw dropped as she realized that the dinning room was obviously meant for more than just the two of the eat. It was meant for, more along the lines of about fifty people. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, lighting up the entire room. Pale yellow had gold sconces on them. White and black marble covered the floor from one end to the other. A massive hard wood, hand engraved table took up the center of the room with large matching chairs. A massive marble fireplace took up the center of one of the walls.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
"I don't normally eat in this room but, I thought it would be fun for tonight" he stated as he pulled a chair out for her to sit in.
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
"This room is huge. It's bigger than the garage!" she exclaimed as she sat down and allowed Throttle to gently glide the chair under the table.
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
"I do have some princely abilities that I use when I'm in the mood to" he said as he sat down across from her.
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
"I have no princess capabilities. I can't even really dance" she mentioned, feeling lost in all the glamour and splendor of the castle.
Maybe it's hard
When you feel like you're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
But when you're with me
I'll make you believe
That I've got the key
"I can teach you if you'd like" he mentioned as he saw Franny usher in two waiters.
"Really? I'd like that" she smiled at him as a large covered dish was placed in front of her.
"Uh oh. What are you up to now?" Franny gave him a glaring look as she stood behind Charley's chair.
Oh
So get in the car
We can ride it
Wherever you want
Get inside it
And you want to steer
But I'm shifting gears
I'll take it from here (Oh! Yeah yeah!)
And it goes like this (Uh)
"Princess lessons!?" he quickly blurted out.
"Princess lessons?" Franny raised an eyebrow at him and then she smiled once she realized what he meant. Charley needed to have some basic training to be able to go to the party disguised as someone of a noble background.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you (Uh)
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
"I think I know what you mean. Dancing and etiquette?" Franny questioned.
"Yeah. That's what I meant. If that's alright with you?" he asked Charley.
"Sounds like fun. When do we start?" Charley inquired.
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
"First thing tomorrow morning. Enjoy your meal" Franny said as she left the two of them alone to discuss whatever their hearts desired.
I don't need to try to control you (Oh, yeah)
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
"I like Franny. She's really nice" Charley meant every word of it.
"That she is. Let's dig in. I'm dying of starvation and Franny is the best cook. No lie" he stated as he lifted the lid off his tray and saw a delicious looking meal that was done to perfection. Franny had prepared one his favorites: filet mignon done with a thick piece of pancetta, a large, fully loaded baked potato, and perfectly done garlic butter asparagus.
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger (Yeah yeah)
I've got the moves like Jagger
"Oh my God! This is amazing" she gushed as she took a bite out of the mignon and it practically melted in her mouth.
You wanna know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
And if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this
"Told you" he chuckled as he watched Charley enjoy her meal. He could tell that she knew a bit about which pieces of silverware to use but, he also knew that there were going to be more than just four utensils during the party and each one had their own special purpose.
So watch and learn
I won't show you twice
Head to toe, oooh baby rub me right
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this (Ay! Ay! Ay! Aaay!)
"So, what all am I going to have to be taught?" she knew that, in order to pass as a lady, she was going to need a lot of education in a short period of time.
And it goes like this (Uh)
"It's basically proper etiquette, basic dance moves, and how to behave physically and verbally" he knew that the training was going to be intense but, he would try to make it as fun as possible.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you (Take me by the tongue)
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you (Yeah yeah yeah!)
"Okay. I'm up for it" she knew that if she could handle a bike then this shouldn't be a problem. She just hoped that she wasn't going to end up disappointing him.
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
(Oh, yeah)
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
"It's be fine. Franny and I will be with you all the way" the way he figured it was that this training would actually help her in recovering from her ordeal at the compound.
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
"I just hope that I'll be able to remember everything" she stated as she enjoyed her meal.
"You'll do fine. I have faith and besides, some of it you'll be able to follow my lead on. That should make it a lot easier" he offered as he practically shoveled his food into his mouth.
He knew that he wouldn't be able to act like this tomorrow but, for now, he would enjoy not being a prince and just being a man who was sitting across from a beautiful woman who seemed to still be glowing. Shaking his head again, he wanted to believe he was imagining things.
After finishing off their meals, Franny brought them one of her fresh baked desserts: chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting on the top and in between the layers. Franny knew all about making sure there was plenty of filling between the spongy cake layers. She also brought them a coffee liqueur and chocolate-hazelnut gelato that was well-blended to make it able to be sipped. Charley and Throttle ate till they couldn't eat any more.
It wasn't long before Throttle carried Charley back to her room for some well deserved sleep in a real bed instead of a stretcher. He helped her into bed and pulled the covers over the top of her and she was sound asleep before he even left the room. Looking back, he admired how her red hair splayed out across the pillow like a flame in the moonlight.
After leaving her room, he closed the door and headed to his room for some real sleep. Falling face-first on top of his bed, he closed his eyes and was sound sleep before he knew what hit him. He didn't even hear Franny come in and toss a blanket over the top of him. She tip-toed out of the room and silently closed his door, smiling the whole.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I know it took me a while to get it up and I want to thank everyone for their patience. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to to let me know and I will address them. Many cyber hugs to all readers and reviewers.
