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I head toward the door without a break in my step as she throws her glass, missing me and hitting a wall. Security rushes past me to get to Miranda because who knows what will happen next? Once again, her temper has gotten the best of her.
Meanwhile, I jet down the stairs, ready to get out of Club Luxe as fast as humanly as possible. I don’t need my father lecturing me again about the negative image I’m bringing to the kingdom. I definitely don’t need any negative publicity either, but when I burst through the doors, it’s too late. I step into the blinding lights of the paparazzi’s cameras before the valet brings my car around front. Security forms a protective ring around me, and I sigh again. It gets tiring having to be escorted everywhere by men in suits. Just once, I’d like to go someplace where no one recognizes me.
But I know how to play this game. I avoid looking into any of the cameras, keeping a straight face as I patiently wait. Then, the attendant drives my car along the cobblestone pathway and comes to a stop in front of the entryway. He gets out of the car and hands me the keys.
“Here you are, Your Majesty,” he says in an obsequious tone.
“Thank you,” I reply before getting into my car and slamming the door shut behind me. I can hear the muffled sound of the paparazzi jockeying for shots as I start up the engine.
Then I speed off into the night down the illuminated streets of Chromia. I race through the narrow, cobblestoned streets as if I’m trying to escape something. Maybe I am. Maybe it’s the crown I’m running away from. Someday, it’ll be my duty to rule the people of this kingdom, but I’m not really sure that’s what I want. Everyone in the palace is preparing me to take over the throne after my father is gone, but it’s a weight I never asked to bear.
After all, being a member of the royal family has its perks, but it has its pitfalls as well. I’m expected to behave a certain way and to always uphold the kingdom’s image. When I was younger, those restraints caused me to rebel against the crown, mostly by indulging in fast cars and faster women. Now that I’m a man, those things no longer bring me happiness, but I know the “control” I seek is only an illusion. Once I’m king, things will be even worse. I’ll lose all control over my own life. Instead, I’ll be at the whim of the Chromian government.
I turn into the palace driveway and slowly pull up to the gate. A guard shines a flashlight around in my car, inspecting it for what, I’m not sure. A bomb? A particularly beautiful model-actress? On many nights, the guards have spotted some of the world’s most captivating women in the passenger seat of my car, but tonight, I’m alone.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” he greets as he nods at me, giving me the go ahead. Then, the gate draws back, allowing me access to the castle.
“Good evening,” I mumble before speeding down the driveway. The palace grounds are as still and silent as a mouse.
I pull into our special underground garage and turn off the ignition, sitting in silence for a bit. Hopefully, my father has already gone to bed because the king hates it when I waltz into the palace late at night. A man my age shouldn’t have to answer to anyone, of course. I should be able to come and go as I please. Unfortunately, my father doesn’t see it that way, and his incessant need to remind me of my future role as the King of Chromia puts a strain on our relationship, to put it lightly.
I get out of my car and head into the palace, loosening my tie as I walk toward the elevator. I unwrap the cloth from around my neck and toss it over one shoulder. The elevator doors ding as they spread open, and I saunter in, pressing my floor number with my head hung low. Goddamnit. I can’t get the scene with Miranda out of my mind. Hopefully, word doesn’t reach my father because my dad happens to be friends with her father, and I’d hate to give him another reason to hound me about the way I choose to livemylife. The doors ding again, opening up to the top floor of the palace and I exhale heavily as I step off of the elevator, still hanging my head low.
“What kind of future king walks with his head down?” my father asks, startling me from the shadows. Dammit. I feel like I’m a teenage boy sneaking in past my curfew.
“It’s been a long night,” I say. He studies me for a bit, like he’s searching for something.
“Have you been drinking?” the king asks sternly, his eyes peering into mine. Is he kidding me? He treats me like I’m a child. He may run this kingdom, but he sure as hell doesn’t run my life. I roll my eyes.
“Yeah. Because I’m thirty-five years old, and I’m old enough to have a damn drink,” I answer firmly. He takes a few steps back, huffing as if I’ve just insulted him.
“The future King of Chromia shouldn’t be out partying with god knows whom every night. Eric, you represent this country, this family, and – most importantly – the throne. What you do now as a Prince affects the way the world will see you when you actually do come into power,” he says. Sometimes, I feel like he’s more worried about the image of the royal family than he is about my happiness. The thought makes me morose.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say as I brush past him and dart into my chambers, closing the door behind me before he can get another word out.
I toss my tie onto the floor and pour myself a glass of scotch. Then I dig into my blazer pocket and pull out a pack of cigarettes, placing one between my lips and lighting it. I plop down on the couch as I take a drag of the cigarette, allowing it to relax my tense frame. I sip the scotch and toss my head back as I sprawl out on the couch.
I wish the crown was as important to me as it is to my father, but it’s not. I long for a life outside of the palace, one that consists of authentic relationships and, most importantly, genuine love. To my dad, the throne is the only thing that matters. Well, that and duty to our country, heritage, and the Chromian people. But try as I might, I can’t summon any enthusiasm for my future. I know there’s something else out there – something more important than ruling a kingdom – and it’s just a matter of finding it.
CHAPTER3
Kitty
The taxi’s a splurge, but it’s worth it because it’s the first day of my new position, and I don’t want to show up rumpled from mass transit. But still, the day feels different. As the cab comes to a slow stop in front of the huge bronze palace gates, a guard walks towards us, looking through the car windows to see who’s inside. My hands tremble as I reach inside of my purse to pull out my work badge, and he nods before motioning to another guard to let us through the gates.
To say that I’m nervous to clean the royal family’s private quarters would be an understatement – I’m petrified because what if I screw up? What if I do a bad job? Aunt Nellie says I shouldn’t worry because I’m one of the best maids at the castle, but I can’t help myself. Gosh, I just hope I don’t mess up the opportunity.
The driver stops in front of the staff entrance of the palace. I fumble through my purse and hand him some money. “Thank you,” I say. He waves his hand toward the backseat as he flashes a friendly grin in the rearview mirror. I swallow hard as I place my hand on the car door handle and slowly open the door. I know I have to go inside, but I really wish I could just slam the taxi door shut and tell the driver to take me back to my parents’ small home on the other side of town.
But the palace isn’t going to wait for me. I get out of the cab and close the door behind me and then the driver pulls off, leaving behind only a cloud of exhaust smoke. I clench my purse in my hands as I stare at the staff entrance door. Glancing at the watch on my wrist, I realize that there’s no sense in delaying – it’s almost time for my shift to start. I take a deep breath as I step forward. My heart is still racing, but at least I’m not turning back around to run.
I scan my badge to unlock the door and wrap my hand around the knob. I take one last deep breath to steady my nerves before stepping inside. To be honest, no one notices, or seems to care. Staff members zip past me as they hurry about with various tasks, and only one footman raises his hand in a quick wave. Somewhat relieved, I make my way to the staff quarters and open my locker before stashing my purse inside. Then, I adjust my uniform, smoothing out any creases. I can’t look sloppy on my first day cleaning the royal private quarters; I have to look my absolute best. Tossing my hair into a tight bun, I make sure every strand of hair is tucked away before placing my bonnet on top of my head.
“Kitty,” Mary calls out from behind me. I quickly turn toward her with my shoulders squared and my chin up.
“Good morning, ma’am,” I respond with a deferential nod.
The middle aged woman merely sniffs while pushing a cart piled high with fresh sheets and towels toward me. “Take this cart with you to each of the royal chambers. Change the sheets and pillowcases for each bed, and swap out the dirty towels with clean ones.” I look down at the cart, feeling a bit intimidated. It all sounds simple enough, but this is the royal family of Chromia we’re talking about here – one of the wealthiest families in the world. The source of their largesse dates back to the empire they once controlled, but they’ve done well even in the modern age. The casinos and Monte-Carlo like atmosphere of Chromia ensure that the royal coffers stay full, and as a result, the King and his family rank among the wealthiest in the world. But that’s none of my business, and I nod professionally.
