Page 8 of Royal Extra After

The princess and Benson both gave Ned a blank stare.

“What do you mean by that?” the princess asked.

“Just that I wouldn’t want the job trying to keep up with you, Princess. You’re a force,” Ned said.

The princess frowned. “What?”

“I think he means that as a compliment,” Benson said.

Ned looked surprised that Benson was coming to his rescue.

“I did,” Ned said. “Sorry if it came out wrong. I only meant that being in charge of someone else’s life and safety would be a lot of pressure. It’s impossible to protect anyone twenty-four seven. You’re setting yourself up for failure.”

Benson stood up straighter. “I don’t fail.”

After an awkward silence, the princess spoke first. “I think what Ned means is he wouldn’t want to be responsible for someone else’s life.”

“That’s exactly what I meant,” Ned said, relieved.

“But, as director of this movie, aren’t you responsible for everyone’s safety here?” the princess challenged him. “All of the people on the set, the crew, the producers, the actors, everyone, you’re in charge of all of them. You need to keep them safe. Their livelihoods are in your hands, too. They can’t feed their families unless you pay them. In many ways, you’re doing a lot more than Benson is doing.”

“The princess makes a good point,” Benson said. “I only have to protect her. You have all of these people counting on you.”

The princess looked into Ned’s eyes. “You’re like the king of this movie production, and that comes with a lot of responsibilities.”

Ned quickly took off his baseball hat and put it on the princess’s head. “In that case, I quit. You can be the new director.”

The princess laughed. “Don’t even think you’re getting this hat back.”

“Wait, she’s kidding, right?” Ned asked Benson. “That’s my lucky hat.”

Benson, dead serious, shook his head. “No. I don’t believe she is.”

The princess beamed back at Ned. “Now I look the part. I read a lot of directors wear baseball hats. Is that because baseball is America’s sport? Now I just need a a permanent scowl, and everyone will think I’m the director.”

Ned frowned. “I do not have a permanent scowl.”

“There it is now!” the princess said, pointing at his face.

Benson nodded. “Indeed.”

Ned laughed. “Okay. Wow. I just have so much pressure to make this movie a hit.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m here to save your movie,” the princess said.

Ned laughed louder as he looked at Benson. “Is she always this confident?”

Benson nodded. “Always.”

The princess tipped her baseball hat to them. “Let’s get to work!”

For the next eight hours on the movie set, the princess was in heaven. While at first Ned had bristled hearing all the recommendations and changes she proposed to fix the tea party scene, he’d quickly become more receptive after she’d explained why the changes were needed and had ideas on how they could do things without breaking the bank.

Ned had even praised her for how great she was thinking outside the box. Even though she’d never been in the Hollywood box, she took this as a huge compliment. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. She’d had several heated conversations with Ned when they’d disagreed about something, and neither would back down. It got so fiery that the crew started taking bets on who would win. Benson had to step in once as a referee after the princess started playfully hitting Ned with his baseball hat, which she refused to give back.

In the end, they each ended up winning and losing some arguments. She was impressed that even when Ned disagreed with her, he would always listen to her. At one point Simone had accused them of arguing like an old married couple. While Ned looked embarrassed, the princess was secretly delighted to think anyone would see them as married, even if they were arguing.

The princess hoped whoever she married would be able to have passionate conversations like the ones she had with Ned. It was refreshing for someone to stand up to her. In her royal role, people were always polite to her, too polite. Everyone around her, outside her family and Benson, acted like they were walking on eggshells, always making sure they didn’t say or do anything to upset her.

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