#sim: maxime

Isabella: Thank you all for being here, on time

Silence

Isabella: First of all, I want to apologise. On behalf of your parents, and grandparents. In spite of all our preaching and nagging, we let you down and we let this country down. I can see how you've all been affected, it's written on all your faces. Some more than others...

Isabella: What happened with Liliana was a mistake, and it will not happen again

Francine: So it's true then?

Jacqueline: All of it?

Isabella: What matter is that it will not happen again

Isabella: I'm sure you've seen that we've been working tirelessly to remedy the situation especially to the public. And with the help of the power-holding Duchies it's been going well. But what is to come next might not

Francine: I've seen that you and uncle Matt have been trying to fix things. But where are our parents in all of this?

Isabella: ...With the miscarriage, your mother has retreated to recuperate. And your father... is struggling. We're giving them time to heal right now

Juliette: So what's this next part?

Isabella: The decision has been made, and finalised, for a change in the order of succession

Isabella: First of all, Raphael will be included in the lince of succession, as he should have been from the moment he was born. However, he is now also the next Duke of Vitali. He no longer lives in Angiers palace and has relocated to the Vitali estate where he will receive successorship training from Lady Magdalena

Isabella: Secondly, as of last week, I have been appointed as heir to the Salician throne. This means that Juliette, instead of Jacqueline, will succeed the throne after me.

All: What?

Juliette: Mother-

Jacqueline: ...Aunt Bella

Isabella: As such, Maxime will be third-in-line until Juliette has children

Maxime (excited): Are you serious?

Francine: Hold on a minute Aunt Bella. How did this happen? What caused this?

Isabella: (sighs) It was not the scandal if that's what you're thinking. At least, not entirely. I hate to say this but your grand-mere has been planning this for a long time. Over the past few years, your mother has been neglecting her duties more and more

Matthew: It got to the point where we were doing most of it for her. The power-holding Duchies were fed up, and frankly so were we. And then all this happened and... well... she was no longer found worthy-

Isabella: -Capable

Matthew: -Of remaining the heir apparent.

Raphael: How was she when she found out?

Isabella: Shocked, devastates, as expected.

Matthew: Heartbroken... but she didn't fight it. I think she'd given up on the crown a long time ago. You should call her sometime, she'd want to hear from you.

Isabella: I'm sorry. I know this is a shock to you all. It's still a shock to me too, but the decision is final.

Isabella: All we can for now is adapt. But please, come and talk to me if you have any questions. Don't keep anything to yourself.

Silence

Isabella: I'll give you all some time to digest this... Juliette, please come with me

Matthew: And Maxi, with me please

Maxime: You’ve got to be f****ign kidding me

Maxime: Hey!

Maxime: You f***ing attention wh*re!

Maria Aisha: Whoa! Language!

Maxime: I f***ing hate you!

Maria Aisha: What did I do?

Maxime: Don’t act like you’re not relishing the fact that your face is plastered on the front page of every newspaper and magazine in the country

Maria Aisha: Why is that my fault?

Maxime: Your little publicity stunt? How convenient that the little boy fell and you just so happened to carry him all the way to the nurse’s office when there were other teachers there who could’ve done it

Maria Aisha: I didn’t do it for the press. I did it only to help the kid. Would you have preferred it if I just left him there?

Maxime: That would be more like you

Maria Aisha: You talk as if you know me

Maxime: I know your type

Maria Aisha: This “type” you think I am, sounds a lot more like you than me

Raphael: (groans) Why does this always happen when I’m around?

Raphael: Maxi-

Maxime: Stay out of this and leave me alone Raph. 

Maria Aisha: No please, by all means join us. Maybe you can make sense of what she’s saying

Raphael: Okay, cool it you two

Maxime: Don’t!

Raphael: MA, I think you have to be the bigger person now

Maxime: Where do you think you’re going? I’m not done talking to you!

Raphael: Calm down Maxi

Maxime: I knew you were on her side! So she got you too huh? Tell me, did she sneak into your room in the middle of the night and f-

Raphael: You’re upset Maxi and I understand that you’re jealous-

Maxime: I’m not jealous

Raphael: But there’s a line, and you’re pretty f***ing close to crossing it. 

Raphael sighs

Her Majesty, Queen Francesca I and her grandchildren: TRH Princess Jacqueline, Princess Juliette, Princess Maxime, Prince Raphael, and Princess Francine.

Author's message under the cut

JJ: I'll need you both to act cool, okay?

Mrs Zhang: What do you mean? We are cool

JJ: Cool people don't say that

Mr Zhang: Calm down JJ, your mother and I know how to act. We're cool

JJ: It's not about that. Maxi is going through a rough time right now and I don't need you guys making her uncomfortable by talking about it or ogling her because she's royalty, okay?

Doorbell rings

JJ: She's here! Please!

Dad: Fine, fine. Go!

Maxime: This is such a lovely picture

JJ: Thanks, it's the whole family

Maxime: How nice

Maxime: Who's this?

JJ: Just some random-

Mrs Zhang: That's our firstborn, Zi Xin. But we all call him Shin.

Maxime: Oh... I didn't know you had a brother

JJ: Yeah well now that he's rich and famous he thinks he's too important for his own family so why would I even mention him?

Mrs Zhang: JJ, he's busy! So obviously he can't come home as often.

Mr Zhang: Besides, he calls every week to tell us how he's doing. You would know this if you would unblock his number on your phone

JJ: Why bother? It'll just be a waste of my time

Mrs Zhang: Well he doesn't consider it a waste of his, and isn't his time worth more than yours right now?

Maxime: -So if Shin is short for

JJ: Zi Xin

Maxime: What is JJ short for?

Mrs Zhang: Jun Jie

Mrs Zhang: It means outstanding. Because he's my outstanding boy

JJ: What dod we talk about?

Mrs Zhang: (laughs) Right, be cool

JJ: (mutters) She's so embarassing...

Addison: So... anything?

Maxime: (sighs) Nothing

Crystal: Dang Maxi

Addison: What happened?

Maxime: I've been to his house every week since the stupid news broke out and not once have I gotten to meet his brother

Naomi: So much for our hot ticket

Crystal: Don't give up girl. You said he doesn't come around often

Maxime: Yeah, that's what Mrs Zhang said

Crystal: So, then why not ask when he is going to be around

Maxime: Really? With what excuse? "I just want to meet the whole family"? I thought the plan was not to give the impression of becoming a part of the family?

Crystal: Then your only option is to stick it out and hope one day he shows up

Maxime: Or... take another approach and find someone else

Crystal: You're giving up on a hot ticket after only a few weeks

Maxime: Months, Crystal. It's been months!

Addison: Fine then. How about you give it another month

Maxime: Addi-

Addison: Just try it, okay? If Shin doesn't show up after another month, then we'll figure out a plan B.

Maxime: ...Fine

Thaddeus (over the phone): So, I suppose I should be saying happy birthday now?

Juliette: You know it’s not my actual birthday Ted. Grand-mere just wanted us to celebrate together.

Thaddeus (over the phone): I know. I also still think it was very kind of your grandmother to do this for you all.

Juliette: Yes... or maybe she was just using us as an excuse to escape from Marseille

Thaddeus (over the phone): Are you having fun?

Juliette: I am... but I wish you were here

Thaddeus (over the phone): Well isn’t it enough for now that we’re under the same sky?

Juliette: No, that’s not good enough for me. Especially since everyone here has someone to be with. Jackie is with Ollie, Frankie is with KB and I’m... by myself

Thaddeus (over the phone): You have it better than them when you think about it?

Juliette: How so?

Thaddeus (over the phone): When the party ends, Ollie and KB will be leaving to go to sleep in their own rooms. But I won’t have to. 

Juliette: You mean you’ll stay on the phone with me the entire night?

Thaddeus (over the phone): If I have to. If that’s what it takes to cheer you up

Juliette: If your intention was to make me miss you more, you succeeded

Thaddeus (over the phone): (laughs) I’m sorry, I’m supposed to be making you feel better

Juliette: Well I appreciate that you’re trying

Thaddeus (over the phone): I’ll make it up to you when you get back. But for now I think you should go enjoy the rest of your party. 

Juliette: Next week can’t come fast enough

Thaddeus (over the phone): Just in case it takes its sweet time to come, I’ll call you again tomorrow, okay?

Juliette: Okay

Andrea: Hey Jules!

Juliette: Goodness! You startled me. 

Andrea: Sorry

Juliette: No it’s fine. What brings you out here? 

Andrea: Um... your mom asked me to check on you since you’ve been out for a while.

Juliette: How kind of you. You really have grown up, now you’re the one checking up on me

Andrea: I’m not a little kid anymore you know

Juliette: Maybe, but I’m an adult and you’re still in high school so you’ll probably always be a little kid to me

Andrea: That’s really unfair Jules. I’m a grown man. I’ll prove it!

Juliette: Andrea stop! Are you insane? What is wrong with you!?

Maxime: Shouldn’t I be the one asking that question?

Andrea: Maxi-

Maxime: You disgust me... both of you

Juliette: Maxi! Wait! D*** it!

Teacher: That’s all for today’s class

Teacher: Don’t forget your assignment is due tomorrow morning

Andrea: Maxi!

Andrea: Maxi! Wait!

Andrea: Maxi!

Maxime: Let go of me!

Andrea: Just let me explain

Maxime: I don’t need an explanation. I just need you to let go of me!

JJ: Hey! She said let go of her

Andrea: Mind your own business

JJ: She is my business

Andrea: Yeah? Since when?

Maxime: Stop!

Maxime: Let’s go JJ

Andrea: Maxi-

Maxime: I’m sick of you Andrea. So get out of my life and don’t speak to me ever again

JJ: Are you alright?

Maxime: Yes, I’m fine

JJ: Are you sure?

Maxime: Yeah. I think he’s gone now so you can leave

JJ: I don’t want to leave you when you’re so upset

Maxime: You’re sweet JJ, but I’m fine. I’m actually meeting some friends here

Maxime: They’re over there

JJ: Okay, well see you

Maxime: Bye

Addison: Is that him?

Maxime: Yeah

Addison: Does he know about-

Maxime: My backstabbing b*** of a sister? No.

Addison: Hmm... I really think you should keep him close Maxi

Maxime: Close? Why?

Naomi: It’s all part of the game

Maxime: This game that you all won’t even really tell me about?

Addison: It’s because you’re still too green Maxi. You’re still too good to play the game. You don’t ‘not care’ enough. But you will. And when you’re ready, we’ll tell you.

Maxime: What does JJ have to do with any of this?

Krystal: You don’t know? JJ’s brother is one of the ethereal heartthrobs on the Fordes 30 under 30 list. You literally landed on the jackpot. He could be your ticket in. And not just for you but for all of us!

Maxime: Ticket into what? None of this is making any sense!

Addison: It will. Trust us. But for now, keep your focus on getting close to JJ. Getting close to JJ will mean getting close to his older brother.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maxime and her two daughters, Princess Eleonore (back) and Princess Beatrice.