Page 6 of Royal Extra After

“Princess, can you please slow down,” Benson pleaded.

The princess stopped to let Benson catch up. “Sorry. I just can’t wait to get started. We don’t have much time. I don’t want to waste a minute.”

“Our agreement was you would tell the king and queen immediately and get their approval before we did this,” Benson said as they walked side by side.

“And I will tell them,” the princess insisted, “but you know they’ve never understood why I love American movies and TV so much and how I want to write my own movie someday. I spent all last night at the charity event encouraging children to tell their stories, but no one has ever encouraged me to do the same. Quite the opposite, actually. Less is more. Isn’t that what my father always says?”

“You are taking the king’s ‘less is more’ out of context. He’s talking about ‘less is more’ when speaking with the press, so you’re not misquoted,” Benson said. “This is not the same thing. Your parents love you. You just have to be honest with them about how you feel.”

Princess knew Benson meant well, but it was hard to explain to him or anyone the expectations her parents had for her and what they would and wouldn’t approve of.

“Is this why you’ve insisted on being here today, so you can do research for the movie you want to write?” Benson asked.

The princess smiled back at him. “Yes.” She was taking her father’s advice that “less is more” when answering Benson because she knew Benson would be concerned if he knew the other reason she’d insisted on being there today. Ned.

“One thing I know, Princess, is that you can do anything you set your mind to,” Benson replied with conviction.

The princess gave him a grateful look. “Thank you for always believing in me, Benson. But you and I both know—as much as I’d love to be in the writing business—I’m already in the royal business, and that keeps me busy twenty-four seven. There’s no time for anything else.”

“Speaking of the royal business, it’s imperative your name is not associated with this movie or any other venture outside the royal family,” Benson said.

“Yes, I know the rules. Ned has promised he won’t be using my name on anything. I’m doing this on the DL.”

Benson looked confused.

“The down low,” the princess explained. “Don’t worry. Ned said he wouldn’t even tell his crew I was a princess.

“It is my job to worry,” Benson said, looking concerned.

“We will be fine,” the princess assured him. “I’m being introduced to everyone as a royal expert consulting on the film. You heard Ned last night. He’s very invested in this movie. He doesn’t want it to fail. We need to help him, Benson. It’s our duty.”

Benson’s eyes widened. “Our duty?”

“Yes,” the princess insisted. “You know my parents are very charitable. Us helping Ned is like helping a charity. Plus, we don’t want Americans thinking royal families dress in formal wear and wear tiaras to tea. It’s our responsibility to set the record straight. Because I can’t take money from Ned, he said he’d donate my pay to the Tell Your Story children’s charity we’re here supporting. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Benson shook his head in amazement. “You always have an answer for everything.”

The princess kissed him on the cheek. “And that’s why you love me so much. Now please, stop worrying.”

“But you don’t even know this Ned person,” Benson said, worried.

“But I’m sure you do,” the princess said as she linked arms with him and met his stare with a smile. “Come on, Benson. I know you. You’ve already run a background check on Ned and probably the entire cast and crew. I know you’d never let me do this if it wasn’t safe. Am I right?”

Benson took a deep breath.

“And last night, you went over Ned’s security plan for this movie set,” the princess continued. “You said it was acceptable. He agreed to our terms about no photos being taken of me and all the rest of the rules you gave him.”

“We still need to tell your parents,” Benson said.

The princess held out her hand for Benson to shake. “Agreed. Are we good now?”

Benson reluctantly shook her hand. “We need to be careful.”

“We always are,” the princess said, picking up her pace. “You’ll see, Benson, you’re going to love this. I bet Ned could make you a movie extra if you want.”

“I most certainly do not want,” Benson said. “I am not an actor. I’m your bodyguard.”

“The best bodyguard and best friend ever,” the princess said and meant it. Benson had always been there. He had never let her down, and she was grateful.

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