Page 5 of Royally F*cked

“Always,” Willow smiles up at him.

The bond between these two is something to behold. The way Prince Julius whole demeanor changes with Willow. It’s almost like he’s no longer the prince and just her big brother.

“Great,” he pauses and looks at me with a terse smile, “Before we go, apologize to Charlie.”

“Ugh. But Jude! I’m sick of being called Princess and Her Royal Highness. It’s bollocks!”

My jaw drops. This is a first. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard her curse.

“Willow Hope that is for the two of you to work out.” His voice remains firm as he continues to speak to her. “Threatening to fire her is unfair. And you know that such language is not tolerated.”

“Tell her that she can call me Willow. Just Willow!” she protests.

I watch as Prince Julius remains calm but blows out a breath. “Perhaps Charlie and I can speak about protocol and casualty when secluded, later. Right now, you need to apologize to her and consider being kinder in your approach. Throwing a fit is not going to get your way.”

The prince’s authoritative side raises his attractiveness ten folds. And reminds me that I also never want to end up on his bad side.

Princess Willow’s head falls, and she sighs before looking back up to me with sad eyes. “I’m sorry for stepping out of line, Charlie.”

I look her in the eyes and tell her, “I forgive you,” then look to Prince Julius for a little silent guidance. His subtle nod is all the consent I need. “Willow.”

The girl’s eyes brighten and this time it’s me that she’s hugging as if her life depends on it.

“Now, how about that lunch?” he asks.

“Yes!” Willow cheers.

“Oscar and my team will be with us. I’ve cleared it with His Majesty. You may take a few hours off if you’d like. I can send for you when we return,” Prince Julius informs me.

“Oh, thank you, Your Highness.”

He smirks and Willow groans because I’ve referred to Julius properly.

“Win some, lose some, kiddo,” he tells her while ruffling her hair.

Willow huffs and quickly smooths her locks back into place.

Before he walks out, he mouths a silent “thank you” over his shoulder.

The door shuts and I have to take a moment to regain my composure. The entire encounter with Prince Julius and Princess Willow has my brain scrambled.

Four years of service with Princess Willow and that’s the very first time that she’s gotten that upset with me. And Prince Julius defending me? What the hell was that?

His words circle back through my mind and give me an anxious feeling

“Perhaps Charlie and I can speak about protocol and casualty when secluded, later.”

Would it be too much for me to hope that he keeps his word and that he does speak to me later? Even if it’s merely about Princess Willow’s wishes?

I shouldn’t waste time worrying about that now. Instead, I should make the most of my free time and catch up on my assignment for the only college course I can afford this semester.

Leaving Princess Willow’s room, I take the back hallway across the palace to staff quarters where I “live” with my parents. They’re both working so I’ve got the flat to myself to study and work on laundry.

Far less glamorous than what Princess Willow and Prince Julius are doing but such is the life of the help.

For once, I welcome the break to focus on my schoolwork. I’m only taking one class this semester because of availability and finances and while it may be a fairly simple course, I cannot afford to fail it if I ever plan on getting my degree sometime this decade.

Officially on year three of what is shaping up to be an eight-year plan – for a pitiful four-year degree.

It’s not ideal and certainly not how I envisioned my college career going but at least at this rate, I’ll be able to stay on Willow’s service until she’s eighteen. I’ve got no clue what my future looks like after that point though I always thought I’d want to do something other than work for the royals for the rest of my life.

With my first load of laundry in the wash, I pull out my laptop and lay across the bed to get to reviewing course material. It won’t be long before Princess Willow is back, and I’ll have to return to work.

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