Guys, today is my birthday and that is why I've been delaying the publication of that Maxmerica two-shot. I wanted to post it today.
This is the sneak peek for said work! It really has nothing to do with the actual two-shot but it's just a notification saying that it exists. All details will be at the end.
Photo #58: Meet My Date
Eadlyn remembers when Ahren first announced Princess Camille de Sauveterre as his girlfriend. Their parents were shocked at first, especially Ahren's dad and Camille's mom. Eadlyn guessed the reason was because they never thought that their kids would be together (little did Eadlyn know that Daphne had romantic feelings towards Maxon back in the day). Kaden and Osten didn't really seem to care about Ahren and Camille since they were younger. Although if you were to ask them today, Eadlyn doubts that their answers would change. Herself on the other hand, she wasn't fond of Ahren and Camille.
When the two of them started out, Eadlyn didn't understand it. She always wondered why Ahren would pick Camille when he had the opportunity to pick from anyone. At first, she thought it wouldn't last but they only grew stronger together.
It's not like Eadlyn can do anything to change it now, especially considering the current situation.
As much as Eadlyn wouldn't want to say it, she wishes she could go back to the days when Ahren and Camille just started going out. Not only would her twin be here but her mother would also be walking around and not lying in a hospital bed. The next photo shows that. It has Ahren and Camille holding each other close in the palace gardens.
The only thing Eadlyn wonders is who took that photo...
-o-
Illéa is hosting another one of their extraordinary parties. A lot of royals and officials from all over the world have flown in to celebrate. The ballroom is filled with class, glitz, and glamor - that is, until a woman's light shriek fills the room. The orchestra's music is much too loud for anyone to hear it though. Besides, it's not like there was a murder or a scandalous rumor being exposed, it was only Osten.
Osten continues skidding past all the grown-ups. Half of them jump a little as they see the little boy appear out of nowhere, some even nearly spilling their drinks on their fancy clothes. Osten keeps on running around the room until he spots his father talking to people.
"Daddy, daddy!" Osten calls as he runs up to him.
Maxon looks away from his conversation and sees Osten. His eyes widen since he son isn't supposed to be causing trouble.
"Osten, what on Earth are you doing?" Maxon asks him. "Where is your nanny?"
Osten shrugs. Maxon sighs. He excuses himself from his current conversation as he picks up Osten and carries him to the side of the ballroom.
"And what are you doing with my camera?" Maxon questions.
Osten looks down at his father's camera hanging around his neck. His expression almost says that he didn't even know the camera was there to begin with.
"What have I told you about using my camera?" Maxon asks.
"Only take pictures of Mommy..." Osten replies.
Osten didn't like being locked upstairs during these events and since he didn't like being bossed around with his nanny, Maxon gave Osten something to do during these events (granted that his nanny still has to around). To satisfy this, Maxon lets Osten use his camera during these events to keep him occupied (and take pictures of America while he had it). It was a win-win situation for the both of them.
"And did you?" Maxon asks, seeming like he already knew the answer.
Osten looks up at Maxon who raises an eyebrow. He fiddled with the camera's neck strap and looks down at his shoes.
"No..." Osten says nervously. "Not yet. Mommy left to go powder her nose...whatever that means."
"Well, grab something to eat and then head back upstairs."
"But, Daddy! Look!"
Osten jumps up and grabs Maxon's tie, pulling it down so he'll be at his height. Maxon takes back his tie and fixes it as Osten browses through the camera. Maxon leans in closer as he looks at the photo Osten took in the gardens. It has Ahren and Camille sitting the gazebo that's in the middle of several flower bushels.
"Osten," Maxon says in almost a scolding tone, "this is an invasion of their privacy."
"Daddy, you don't get it."
Maxon rolls his eyes a little as he looks at the photo again. Maxon examines it further, squinting his eyes. Ahren and Camille are alone in the gazebo, in the dark. They're both in each other's arms, smiling and laughing in a way that typical friends don't.
"Oh..." Maxon says softly. Then he wonders how Osten realized it faster than he did.
"See," Osten says proudly. "Are they in love, Daddy?"
Maxon shrugs. The idea of his son dating Princess Camille de Sauveterre is something that he should've seen coming since she was a princess and he was a prince. It was just Camille that was throwing him a curveball because -
"Maxon," Daphne calls.
Maxon turns around and sees Daphne. Over the years, they have only kept in touch for diplomatic reasons and have said a hello or two at special events - they were even present at each other's weddings. The years have done her well and she has aged gracefully.
"Osten has shown me his photography skills," Daphne says with a small smile. "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree."
Maxon was too trapped in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Osten running off to show Daphne to pictures he took. Now he has no clue where Osten is.
"It seems as if our children have feelings for each other," Daphne states. Maxon nods. She smirks a little. "Well, you and America have raised him so well so I have no problems with that."
Maxon smiles. "Neither do I."
Maxon thought this encounter with Daphne would be awkward considering their one-sided romance back in the day when they were both teenagers. Now, their children like each other and they couldn't be more than happy. For if it wasn't for Daphne admitting her feelings and Maxon rejecting her, they would've never gone their separate ways and had their own kids. All that was worth it now seeing their kids in love with each other.
Maxon takes a breath and feels someone wrap their fingers around his arm. He looks over his shoulder and sees America approaching him.
"Why is Osten taking pictures of me?" America whispers to Maxon, just loud enough for Daphne to hear.
Daphne laughs a little to herself, putting a graceful hand over her mouth to cover it. Maxon begins to redden as he turns around to hide his face from the two women. While he's looking away, he briskly searches for Osten (his first guess was that Osten was trailing America as he continuously takes pictures) but he was nowhere to be seen. When Maxon faces America again, she sees her furrowing her brows in a loving way.
"Has Osten showed you the pictures?" Daphne asks her.
"What pictures?" America asks because Osten was busy taking pictures of her instead.
Before anyone could answer, Ahren and Camille enter the ballroom from a side door. The parents look over at them and see the two of them holding hands to the point where they're both linking arms. America gets the current situation and she understands what's going on.
Ahren and Camille meet eyes with their parents and stop when they see that all their eyes are on them. They mutter amongst themselves before taking the courage to approach their parents. From the look on their faces, they don't really need to explain anything since they already seen to know.
"Bonjour..." Camille greets timidly, her free hand that isn't holding Ahren's is pulling at the lace on her dress.
"You two have anything to share?" Maxon asks them, his eyes staring at them intensely.
"Father..." Ahren mutters, holding a gesturing arm towards Camille. "Meet my date."
Go check out my Maxmerica two-shot:
Meet My Date - Maxon and America bring each other home for the first time to meet their incredibly different families (High School AU) (America x Maxon)
Stay Tuned - drink up!
