Page 20 of Royally F*cked

Chapter 8

Charlie

Touring my new home? Not exactly.

Instead, I find my way to the bathroom where I decide to hide and pull my personal cell phone from my pocket. I’ve got a dozen missed calls and text messages from my parents. No doubt they’re worried sick.

I wonder just how much they know at this point.

Has the king told them I’m being fired? Has he fired them as well?

Or is it possible that he’s told my parents - the truth? That I allowed Prince Julius to lie about courting me.

Worst of all, perhaps no one has said anything at all, and they’re worried that something terrible has happened.

Tapping on the marble sink, I contemplate calling them back. I really should, but what am I going to tell them?

Oh hey, I got fired. Sort of kidnapped by the prince and oh by the way, we’re getting married.

I don’t think that’s what they’re going to want to hear.

They do deserve to know that I’m at least okay.

Before I have a moment to really decide on what to say, my phone rings again with my parents on the other end, and I feel like it’s a sign that I need to answer.

I don’t even get to say hello before my dad’s concerned voice echoes off the tile walls in the expansive bathroom.

“Charlotte Summer, where are you? Someone said that Prince Julius requested your presence and Willow has been placed with your mother since you left the palace. What is going on?”

“Hello to you too, Daddy.”

“I have no time for your attitude, young lady.

“Right. Sorry. I am indeed with Prince Julius. I can fill you in on the rest, soon.” There. Not a complete lie.

“You couldn’t have notified us before you departed. Or sent a message?” My father chides.

“I am truly sorry, Daddy. It was an urgent matter that I’m not at liberty to explain right now. Discretion was requested. You know how it goes.”

With my mother serving as the queen’s chamber maid and him being the head chef for the palace, he knows all too well how things go.

“I suppose I’ll let you go, so you can get back to whatever it is. Do you know when you’ll be back to the palace?”

“Oh. Uhm. I’m not sure. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Okay. I’ll fill in your mother. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

It’s that ‘I love you’ that has tears pricking my eyes as I hang up the phone.

Mere hours ago, my life was completely different. Now I’m staring down a fate that I didn’t see coming and the life I’ve known is about to change in a way that I cannot even begin to fathom.

“Miss Wilson.” My name is followed by a soft knock on the door.

“Just a minute!” I call out before turning on the faucet and splashing some water on my face.

Once I think I’ve gathered myself, I open the door and find a lovely middle-aged woman in a housekeeper’s uniform staring back at me.

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