25 Days of Klaroline + Royalty

A Royal Affair

A prince, an actress and the Cannes Film Festival.

This drabble is dedicated to my awesome 'princess' Nik - aka princess-of-the-worlds. Your kindness, talent and generosity knows no bounds and we are all lucky to have you in our Klaroline family.

Intercontinental Carlton - Cannes, France

"And why is it so important that I meet him?" Caroline drawled, looking at her publicist questioningly.

They were currently eating breakfast in her hotel suite and going through her press schedule for the coming days of the festival. Her latest movie was making its debut and to say its premiere was important was an understatement. Film critics could be savage at the best of times and given she'd strayed from her usual romantic comedy genre to take on an action role was only making her more nervous.

"What part of Prince and second in line to the British throne did you not understand?" She shot back, rolling her eyes for added effect.

"And?"

"He's hot."

"And?"

"Oh for the love of god woman, he's royalty for heaven's sake."

"Just because he has a fancy title and wears a crown that doesn't mean I have to meet him, Kat. We are at Cannes, he could meet at least another hundred actresses who'd love to stroke his royal ego."

"He doesn't want to meet any other actresses, he wants to meet you, Caroline," she huffed. "Why are you being such a diva about this? I swear you're doing this just to frustrate me, Forbes. "

"You can talk about being frustrating," she groaned. Caroline and Katherine had known each other since they were five years old and they'd been bickering with each other ever since. Surprisingly though their relationship worked well because Katherine wasn't one to hold back when she thought Caroline was being difficult, like now.

"Stop changing the subject," she growled. "Your new movie needs all the publicity it can get and meeting with the Prince of England will certainly help with that."

"He just seems so arrogant, not to mention a complete womaniser," she said, taking a sip of her orange juice and placing it back on the table. "Apparently he sleeps with a new woman each week."

"As a celebrity and someone who has incorrect stories written about her all the time, I'm surprised you of all people are quoting the tabloids," she drawled. "He is known to be very charming and did I mention hot?"

"Are you talking about me again, Kitty Kat?" Enzo asked, sauntering into the dining room.

"Who gave him a key?" She asked turning to Caroline accusingly.

"Well, he is my manager, Katherine."

"More like a stray dog nobody wants," she muttered, just as he swiped a croissant from her plate and took a big bite. "Hey! Get your own food, mister."

"Now that's not a very nice way to speak to such a charming and hot fellow," he mumbled, his mouth still full of buttery, breaded goodness. "Come on admit it, you've always had a thing for me."

"Not if we were the last two people on this planet, you buffoon," she barked.

"Stop it children," Caroline chided noticing Katherine's death stare she was shooting in his direction. "Am I going to have to separate you two again like that time in Madrid, New York oh and who could forget at the Dorchester in London?"

"He started it," Katherine accused.

"How very mature of you," he joked, sticking out his tongue.

"Before he rudely interrupted we were talking about your meeting with Prince Niklaus tomorrow."

"Oh and what has our Care Bear done to warrant an audience with British royalty?" Enzo asked. "Hang on don't tell me, I think I know. Prince Niklaus has always had a thing for gorgeous blondes."

"See, what did I tell you?"

"It's okay Caroline, I promise I'm not trying to pimp you out," she scoffed, giving Enzo another dirty look. "All I ask is an hour, there's a cocktail function on his family's yacht so you won't be the only one there."

"I love a good cocktail party on a yacht," Enzo sighed.

"Who said you were invited?"

"Me," Caroline insisted. "If you're making me go, I sure as hell want a chaperone in case the Prince decides to get a little handsy." Caroline busied herself at the table purposely ignoring the triumphant look Enzo was sending Katherine's way.

Hotel Martinez - Cannes, France

"Why do I have to meet with some American actress again?" Klaus asked, looking perplexingly at his assistant, Lexi.

"She's apparently requested a meeting while in Cannes for the film festival and I thought it would be rude not to oblige. I've already taken the liberty of printing out her biography and some photographs." She explained, placing the papers in front of him dutifully.

"I've got better things to do with my time," he scowled, turning his back on her, standing up and choosing to stare at the brilliant, blue water out his window instead.

"I don't think you took a proper look at these photos," she insisted. "She's blonde and everything."

"So, now you're just making fun of me," he growled.

"Well, according to the press you love blondes," she replied, sarcastically. "Well, you know except yours truly."

"That's because you're bossy. You know funnily enough, I do like brunettes and redheads too," he muttered. "I also don't sleep with one on a weekly basis. Don't they know how much of a buzzkill grandmother can be?" Lexi nodded knowingly only because his back was turned. The Queen was overbearing, but given her position no one, not even Klaus, would argue. He just liked to carry out his private affairs privately. Meeting some actress was hardly the privacy he wanted at the cocktail party, the one thing he actually looked forward to every year because the media weren't invited.

"So, this actress," he began, turning back around again slowly. "Let me guess she's promoting some movie and is desperate for a little extra publicity?" Klaus asked, knowing all too well how they worked.

"She is actually, but I'm sure..."

"Those Hollywood types really are all so predictable," he muttered, knowing this wasn't the first time he'd been used to further someone's career. "You know I've always resented my title but I realised there is some good I can do and it isn't to help some wannabe actress make a name for herself." Klaus had recently been in Africa where he was an ambassador for World Vision and had visited their water and sanitation projects in Lesotho and also a few orphanages in Kenya and Mozambique.

"She's not just some actress," a familiar voice interrupted. Klaus rolled his eyes thinking she always had the worst timing. "She's beautiful, smart, kind and the queen of romantic comedy movies. Actually she was just recently in Asia promoting..."

"Why am I not surprised you like her? You know I told you those movies aren't real, right Rebekah?"

"And I told you that you're too cynical for your own good, Niklaus." She sighed, plopping onto the couch gracefully like the Princess she was. "Maybe if you saw some of her films, or her interviews you'd..."

"Oh please, not you too," he growled.

"I told mother about it, she thinks it's a wonderful idea."

"Oh, so now I have no choice," he mumbled, knowing it was best not to bother arguing with his mother, she was just like the Queen and not to mention his annoying sister. "Fine, I'll meet her but no media, Lexi. That I'm not willing to compromise on." He'd left the room before either of them had a chance to respond.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Rebekah," Lexi warned, gathering the papers on the table.

"Oh come on, surely you agree? She's perfect for my stubborn ass brother and this orchestrated meeting is going to prove just that."

"Well, if it all goes south I'm blaming you. You know I like my job and I'm not of noble birth, after all."

Yacht Club de Cannes, France

Caroline had never been a good sailor, in fact she'd suffered from sea sickness more than a few times. The only saving grace was that they were docked at the Yacht club and they wouldn't be sailing anywhere. Well, Caroline hoped so given she'd chosen a fitted, white dress for the occasion.

"If you're going to throw up, I'd really appreciate a warning this time," Enzo muttered next to her, almost like he could read her thoughts.

"It was only once," she spluttered.

"On me, yeah," he teased, steering her towards the stairs to the upper deck level.

People were scattered everywhere, many giving her welcoming glances or stopping her to say hello. Caroline obliged, obviously, but she had no idea who they were and found it somewhat uncomfortable which was crazy given her profession and celebrity status. She knew it came with the job but sometimes she just wanted to avoid the small talk and curl up in front of the television in her sweats on a Saturday night.

"If it isn't Caroline Forbes," a distinctly English voice enquired, attracting her attention. She looked at the Princess of England, dressed in a stunning navy dress and oversized, floppy white hat. She was even more gorgeous than in her pictures. "It's lovely to meet you, I'm such a big fan of your work."

"Me too," she offered, shaking her hand. "Your charity work especially is commendable."

"Says the woman who's the Ambassador for the United Nations' Girls Initiative and was just recently in Afghanistan," she replied without a beat. "And you've also got a new movie that I'm so excited to see when it debuts tomorrow."

"Well, thank you, Princess," she murmured, unsure of just how to address royalty.

"It's Rebekah," she smiled, sweetly. "And who would this be?"

"Her, uh, date," Enzo interrupted before Caroline could respond. "I'm Lorenzo St John." She had to stop herself from laughing as he reverted to his full name which he never used. It certainly seemed like someone had been bewitched by royalty. Caroline had no intention of crumbling like her manager when she met Prince Niklaus.

"You came with a date?" She asked, through pursed lips. "I was under the impression you were unattached, but I suppose that serves me right for believing everything I read in the tabloids."

"Actually..." Caroline said, attempting to explain. Not only did she not want it to get out that she was dating her egotistical manager that was more like an annoying brother, she also didn't like to lie. "It's not like that..."

"How about I go and introduce you to a few of the guests, Lorenzo. I mean it's the least I could do given Caroline obviously has some pressing business with my brother." Enzo just nodded dumbly in her presence. Some attack dog he was turning out to be, Katherine would have a field day with this. "My brother is just over there waiting to make your acquaintance."

They walked away before Caroline could object. She looked over in his direction trying to ignore that sexy stubble and just how crimson his lips were in person. His white shirt was buttoned low, exposing some of his tanned and not to mention bare chest. She swallowed nervously wondering how the she was going to do this exactly. His eyes flickered over in her direction moving lower as he took in her dress, she shouldn't have been surprised.

"Miss Forbes, I presume?" He asked, coming closer, his eyes not leaving hers in the process. She inhaled deeply, preparing herself for the ensuing small talk she'd no doubt have to endure. "Thank you for coming."

"Well, uh, thank you for having me," she murmured, nervously.

"My sister has obviously forgotten her manners, how about we go below deck and get you a champagne," he suggested. She wasn't sure if it was sea sickness or his close proximity that was making Caroline nervous. He led her towards the bar, handing her a glass of Moet and clinking it with hers, his blue eyes twinkling in the sunlight. "The view of the water is breathtaking from the stern, if you'd like to see it?" She didn't respond just nodded, deciding to blame it on his spicy aftershave that was invading her space.

She stumbled briefly as they made their way forward, his arm finding its way around her waist to steady her balance. If she was struggling with his proximity before she certainly was now.

"I thought we discussed no public mauling?" She whispered, maintaining her smile for the other guests.

"I hardly think preventing you from falling overboard constitutes a public mauling," he replied, smartly.

"I'm fine."

"Yeah well, we both know about your sea sickness and tendency to lose your food..."

"It was only once," she squeaked. When she'd thrown up on Enzo it was more like getting revenge on an annoying brother but on a Prince it was another story. "And we agreed that you'd never bring that up again."

"Well, that was before you decided to blindside me with a public meeting," he hissed. "I was rather surprised when you suggested here and on my yacht given your water issues."

"I didn't decide anything," she growled. "I was told you wanted to meet me, if you must know, and I refused in no uncertain terms."

"Well, so did I, especially after you were so adamant about keeping this a secret," he murmured, his grave tone not lost on Caroline.

They'd met six months earlier during the snow season in Vail when he'd run into her on one of the slopes. After trading barbs on just whose fault it was, Klaus had suggested hot chocolate as a truce. Besides the pink marshmallow floating on top she'd barely drunk hers, too immersed in their conversation about their lives and interests in charity work. His security detail had kept quiet about their run-in as was customary and they'd gone their separate ways until he messaged her on Valentine's Day and they hadn't stopped since. They'd even managed a few getaways but it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep it a secret.

"Well, it certainly wasn't me," she argued. If there was something Caroline hated, it was being accused of something she didn't do. "You know how much this whole royal thing scares me to death. I already have enough paparazzi invading my daily life as it is."

"Exactly why I wouldn't do that to you when you expressly asked me not to, Caroline," he trailed off, his gaze focused on the upper deck. Caroline turned, unable to help herself, spying his sister and Enzo peering at them curiously.

"What?"

"Bloody Rebekah," he muttered,

"Did you tell her about us?"

"Of course not."

"What, do you think she was trying to matchmake us or something?"

"No, I think she already knew," he surmised, raising his champagne glass to her in salute. "I think this was her way of giving us a little nudge and by the looks of it your manager and my assistant were all in on this grand scheme."

"And my publicist," she growled, thinking about how Katherine pushed her into this meeting. Caroline had felt terrible about lying to her and Enzo given their obvious interest in her career and their loyal friendship but she'd been so overwhelmed by their whirlwind romance and had no idea whether it was real or more importantly whether it would last. So, she'd kept it to herself. Obviously her idea of being discreet wasn't as good as she thought. The upside of this whole thing though was that Katherine and Enzo could work together, even if it was at her expense.

"I understand your reservations, Caroline," he murmured, gazing into her eyes. "My life isn't easy but if you were in it I don't think it would matter, as long as I have you to love." Caroline closed her eyes momentarily trying to collect her thoughts, she loved Klaus that wasn't the issue. But could she handle the added scrutiny in dating a member of the royal family? Was it really all worth it?

She didn't need to question herself further, opening her eyes and leaning forward to place a sweet kiss on his lips. His surprised expression said it all, but that didn't stop him from pulling her closer. "Wow, Forbes, when you decide something, you really go for it."

"I was taught that it was either go hard or go home," she teased.

"You realise the media are going to go nuts when this comes out?"

"Well, at least we know our teams are well prepared, you know I wouldn't be surprised if Katherine already has a statement written," she joked. "If only we could make everyone disappear and continue this though."

"How about we rendezvous at your suite later? I know how much you prefer being on solid ground plus if the media decide to stake us out we have room service at least.

"I like the way you think, Your Royal Highness."

"I've always hated the formality of that title but you make that sound so damn sexy," he replied gruffly. "Tonight can't come soon enough, love."