Written with permission for @angelasscribbles blog.
Fandom: The Royal Romance
Characters: Drake Walker, Liam Rys, Riley Campbell and the rest of the gang
Rating: Fun
It’s karaoke night in Cordonia. Everyone is drunk.
Drake is on his 5th whiskey. Riley keeps looking at him, puzzled.
Drake: “Something on your mind, Campbell?”
Riley: “Why are you wearing a pink oxford?? That’s not your usual color or style.”
Drake: *shrugs, but hides a smirk as he takes another sip*
The last patron on stage exits, and Drake does a quick scan of the room. Seeing that Kiara is blessedly absent, he gets up and swaggers to the stage. He whispers to the DJ, who nods and sets up the microphone stand as Drake disappears behind the stage curtain.
After a minute or two, everyone wonders where he went. At that moment, an eight-note piano riff begins as Drake slides out with his back to the audience in just the oxford, socks, and his underwear. The riff repeats again, and Drake turns around and belts out Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger. He mimics the dance from Risky Business as nearly all of the women in the club squeal.
Riley: *mortified* “Oh. My. God. What the fuck is he doing??”
Max: *wide–eyed* “He’s…he’s only had five drinks. He can’t be drunk….”
Liam: *laughing hysterically* “He’s always wanted to do that!”
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Did you miss me? I know it has been forever. But here i am!
I have been wanting to come back and life has been well you know what it does . Here's what I've been working on. It's not much but i'm trying to finish some story lines that have been out there for quite some time, and I finally think it's time. It also didn't hurt seeing a post about reviving the TRR fandom, if anyone still wants to read me. I know I like to push the envelope at times. Drama has returned. :)
Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎
Chapter: 17: Finale Part 4: The Wedding
The Pairings: Eleanor X Nico (Eleanor X M!OC / Liam X Riley)
“Her Mother and Her Father.” He whispered the word “Look.” to Ellie.
Elle blinked rapidly in confusion, as she turned to the audience.
Riley was standing right behind her.
“Mother…”
Riley said the first thing that popped into her mind.
“I didn’t RSVP. I know that’s absolutely horrible etiquette for a wedding. I'm sorry..”
“It’s okay….”
“You look…. Happy.”
“I am happy Mother.” She pulled Nico by his hand closer to her.
“Queen Riley.” Nico nodded to her.
“Nico, I told you then, you still cared for her. I could see it all over your face."
“And you were right.”
“You look so beautiful Ellie. I'm glad you decided to wear the necklace."
Elle surprisingly glanced down at herself, gently touching the necklace.
"It was your idea?"
Her mother nodded, and spoke in a matter of fact way.
"Yes, It looks beautiful on you, I knew it would."
“Thank you Mother……And thank you for coming."
Riley turned to walk away. Nico gently squeezed her hand again, whispering to Elle..
"She's extending an olive branch…."
She glanced at Nico, then Ana, her fearless little girl, at that moment smiled at her, giving her courage.
“Mother?”
“Yes?”
“May I hug you?”
Riley nodded. Both looked awkward as they closed in the distance to each other, neither making taking the lead to begin the embrace… Until one sweet little girl walked up to the two of them, wrapping an arm around each of them, pulling them closer to embrace.
Tears welled in Liam’s eyes seeing the three generations of the family finally come together as one. After a few moments, they pulled away from each other, Elle affectionately caressed Ana’s face.
Next up:
Spice Spice Baby
Part 3 of a Pretty Woman parody
The Pairings: Liam X Bebe (Liam X F!OC)
If you're interested in the previous parts Click here:
Part 1: Cinnamon Spice
Part 2: And Everything Nice
“That’s noble, you know. You believed in yourself enough to want more for yourself, to get away from a life you didn't want.”
“Still waiting on the more part.”
“Have you thought about college? Something you want to do with your life?”
“I mean I can think about college all I want, that doesn’t manifest enough money for me to go. Then, if I get there, what the hell would I even want to go to school for? Besides, I've never had an idea. It’s hard to dream, when the place you grew up in was nothing but nightmare fuel. Definitely not conducive to warm and fuzzy dreams. Just trying to survive from day to day. You know?”
She glanced around Liam's vast apartment and all of its splendor.
“You wouldn't, would you Ritchie Rich?” She commented with a smirk.
“You are right in that aspect. I’ve never had to worry about money or had any food insecurities of where my next meal was coming from. But I do understand getting away from a place where you felt you would never be able to realize your own potential, or be in the shadow of someone and never be able to learn who you really are. So we are similar in that aspect.”
Bebe yawned.
“Come on, let’s get you back to bed.”
“You’re right, we have our first big event tomorrow.”
When I woke up the next morning Liam had already left for work.
There was a little note on the night stand.
“Bebe I tried my best not to wake you, but apparently you didn’t hear me over your snoring :) . I’m joking. I promise. I’ll be home around 5:30 and we can get ready for the gala tonight, the car will pick us up around 7. Plan accordingly. I left my card, the salon downstairs is available for you whenever you decide to show up. Please use any amenities that you would like.
Yours, Richie Rich :)
P.S. I’d love it if you wore that silver dress and heels tonight.
A/N: I know I am writing after ages. This is not a beta read fic. Mistakes are all mine. Thank you Dani @choicesfandomappreciation for bringing joy to our fandom again and again. A little nudge from @alj4890 helped me finish what i had started so i can't stop counting my blessings this fandom has given me. This little piece is my Christmas gift to my secret pal @tveitertotwrites. I know it starts on a sad note so to cheer you up I added a little photo edit to make it more likeable. Merry Christmas!
🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥🐦🔥
I turn the steering wheel of my sedan to the winding road leading to the palace of Valtoria. I have decided to drive myself. I just want some time alone hence I call up Gladys, the majordomo, on my way and instruct to clear the rooms.
As the spires of the palace start emerging over the horizon my heart beat paces up. The palace which was a “Dream come true” , now feels like a gilded cage. I park my car and lumber down to the entrance carelessly.
As I step in, the grandeur of the place welcomes me like an overwhelming tidal wave. The grand staircase hisses at me like a serpent of polished wood. The crisp cream walls are pale as a winter moon. I collapse on the plush red carpet that covers the vast floor of the Great Hall.
In the eerie silence I hear his hushed steps before I hear his husky voice.
“Boleyn?”
I hide my face in my palms lest he sees me in broken pieces. But Drake is Drake. He will never let go, I know. The next moment he has me engulfed in his arms.
“Hey…What happened?”
I just shake my head still covering my face. I didn’t know I was holding it, till I let out a sob.
He gently cradles me. Time drags as I sit there and he sits holding me, patiently waiting for me to unwind. When he feels my arms relax, he slowly peels away my hands from my face. I dare not open my eyes. I am scared to see the disappointment in his eyes. This is not who he had married.
But instead I feel his calloused fingers wiping away the moistness around my eyes. His lips leave a soft kiss on my forehead. He wraps his arms tighter around me, his chin settling on my head as he gently rocks me with him like a baby.
“Bri…” he starts. I know that note well. He whispers my name in that tone when he is hurting. I know I have hurt him by being so miserable. He is going to tell me how he hates me for this.
“Bri, did being at the royal palace feel exhausting today?”
“How….?” I open my eyes, surprised at his question. I thought he was going to blame me for being such a showdown when Christmas is coming up. But he has hit the nail on the head. He already knows why I am such a mess.
He pulls away and smiles at me. “Did you forget? Before becoming your husband…And before donning the title of Duke of Valtoria,” he spreads out his free hand reminding me of where I am. I wince at the reality and shut my eyes. But he brings back his hand, cupping my cheek. “Did you forget? I was a commoner struggling amidst those snobbish, mean royal people.”
“Bri…” he pauses. I open my eyes again to match his gaze. “Bri, I warned you on your first flight to Cordonia, that you don’t know what you are getting yourself into. I wasn’t trying to demotivate you that time. I was trying to be true and honest to you. And guess what?” he pauses again.
I search his chestnut eyes for an answer. They are so calm, unwavering, even in the situation I am in. I see a glint in his eyes as he speaks again, “You proved me wrong. You took the whole court by storm. You became a power to be reckoned with in the royal matters.”
I curl my fingers over his hand on my cheek. “Briar, you literally brought me back from the clutches of death, when I was shot. You didn’t have any help for 24 hours! Yet, you managed to keep me alive.”
My eyes well up as the ghosts of the past resurrect in my memories. I hug him instantly, dreading even at the thought of what it might have been.
He hugs me and is hands are rubbing my back as he continues, “You kept your emotional trauma aside and tended my wounds when we tackled Tariq in your room.”
I clutch on to his shirt as he recollects another harrowing night that we survived. Together. He pats my back. “You didn’t just treat my physical wounds. You healed me from within. You nursed that hidden trauma I carried for years alone, Briar.”
This time I pull away from him, wondering what he is talking about. He once again reads my mind and replies, “My insecurities around the royals, my guarded behaviour when I was surrounded by nobles, my anxiety under the garb of rudeness while talking to friends around. It’s all gone. You helped me get rid of it all.”
I give him a meek smile and shake my head not ready to accept his praises. He holds my face in his palms. “ Your affection brought me to a place where I could overcome my fears and think of building a future with you. Briar, You are my Florence Nightingale.”
He chuckles bringing a wider smile on my face. I embrace him and he curls his arms around me again.
“Briar?”
“Hmm?”
His fingers comb through my hair. “Never underestimate yourself. Never get dragged down by the cheap politics of the court. When their words are vicious, let them fade with your brightest smile. When their actions are hurtful, crush them with your acts of magnanimity. Their malicious strategies can never ever win against my benevolent Briar.”
I grin at his phrase of endearment. He pats my back and sits upright to face me. His smile widens. “That’s like my Boleyn. Do you want to tell me what killed your mood today?”
I clear my throat, “The Christmas decorations.”
“What about it?”
“They are going overboard with it all and I have a duchy struggling through baby steps to become independent and flourish.”
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
“How can I not worry? What about all the people of duchy expecting that … that…” I fumble with my chaotic thoughts.
“And you think you are alone in this?”
“No, I didn’t mean that. But…just the two of us …”
“Do you think Max will let you down? Or Hana will let you deal it all alone?”
“Max? Hana?”
He raises his hands in defence. “I am sorry. Max is going to give me a tough time if he comes to know I told you.” He beams.
“What do you mean?”
He pats my hands in assurance. “I wasn’t supposed to reveal but Max has all the plans aligned well in advance for you. He just wanted to keep it all under covers and surprise you.”
“Oh my God!” I cover my mouth in astonishment.
“He said he is going to ensure that your first Christmas in your duchy becomes talk of the town. And he has a big list that he is carrying in his pocket these days for it.” Drake rolls his eyes, imagining Max’ madness.
I giggle as he helps me get up from the floor. We settle down next to the coffee table. The soft lights from our Christmas tree are reflecting on our faces dimly. Drake glances at our cozy green conifer and then looks at me.
He entwines his fingers in mine. “Briar Boleyn, you are like the Christmas tree. Wherever you are, you bring joy and happiness to everyone around you. Keep sparkling.”
My eyes crinkle and my lips spread out in the widest smile. I cuddle in his bear hug. The tapestry on the wall facing me glows with the image of the phoenix, sigil of the House of Valtoria, on it. I feel the fiery Avian blessing me….to rise and shine.
Fandom: The Royal Romance (loosely, there’s not much canon in here).
Pairings: None yet
Word Count: 1,961
Rating: MA
Warnings for series: adult themes, any given chapter may contain murder, violence, language, drinking, drug use, etc.
My other stuff can be found on my main blog @angelasscribbles here is the Master List.
Liam was apocalyptic when he burst through the apartment door. “What happened to collaboration, Walker?”
“I called you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you called me.” Liam fumed as he pulled on a pair of gloves before entering the kitchen. “After you contaminated my crime scene!”
“Oh, calm down. No one contaminated anything. I know how to—”
“And you brought a reporter here!” He shot a withering glare across the room at Riley.
The unflappable reporter smiled and gave him a little wave. “I’m a witness now.”
Drake held both hands up in the air in front of him. “To be fair, she brought me here so…”
“Just shut up, both of you.” He shook his head as he made his way over to the body where the medical examiner was already crouched over the victim. “Hey, Hana. How’s it going?”
“I can’t complain,” she smiled up at him, “But this poor girl…”
“Yeah. What do we know so far?”
“Blunt force trauma to the head.”
The apartment was swarming with officers. One of them approached him, “You must be the homicide detective from the seventh precinct.”
“That’s right, Liam Rys.” He shook the squat balding guy's hand.”
“Steve Carlson. The twelfth precinct is happy to collaborate with you, but this is our case.”
“Of course, but the vic was a suspect in my case.”
As the two detectives hammered out jurisdictional concerns, Drake made his way over to Riley. “You sure know how to get a guy sideways with people he’s supposed to be getting along with.”
“How was I supposed to know our witness was going to be dead when we got here?”
He just smiled as he shook his head. “I told you that you were going to be trouble.”
“Nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure.” She teased.
“I’m not so sure about that,” he mused.
“Have you learned anything new?”
“You’ve been with me the entire time we’ve been here.”
“Not true. You were with the police when they searched the place while I was exiled to this couch, waiting to be questioned.”
“Well, I didn’t learn much except…”
Riley perked up. “Except what?”
Drake paused to consider what he should tell her. His client had only hired him to investigate Trent’s murder. Sarah’s murder was likely related, but he couldn’t fathom a motive for either Katie or William Sloan to have killed her. So what he had learned didn’t fall under client privilege. He didn’t see how the information could hurt his client, and that’s all he cared about.
“Except that the murder weapon was her own rolling pin.”
“She was killed with a rolling pin?”
“It was one of those heavy, marble ones.”
“Huh.”
“Huh, what?”
“Weapon of opportunity.”
“Looks like it.”
“Just like Trent’s gun.”
“That’s a pattern.”
“Yeah… but…. “
“What?”
“Ok, so the motive was jealousy. Sabrina kills Trent, then gets in her car and goes to kill Sarah, right?”
“That’s the working theory, yeah.”
“Why didn’t she just bring the gun with her? I mean, she didn’t know there would be a handy murder weapon lying around this place. She could have just brought the gun.”
“Maybe she wasn’t thinking clearly. She shot Trent and panicked.”
“Panicked.” Riley raised her eyebrows skeptically. “Then drove across town to kill the mistress?”
“Am I supposed to understand how murderers think?”
“Yes. I would think so. It’s your job.”
“I mostly track down cheating spouses and runaway kids, Riley.”
“This is your first murder?”
“Well, no, but still—”
“Come on. What else have you got? You must know something.”
“I know that the police found two airline tickets in Trent’s possession, and Sarah’s bedroom looks like she was packing for a trip.”
“So, Trent and Sarah were about to skip town together?”
“Looks that way. And there was an engagement ring with the tickets.”
Riley’s eyes widened. “So, Sabrina found out he was about to wife up her competition?”
Drake nodded. “Motive enough for you?”
“Maybe,” Riley’s gaze swept around the room distractedly.
“What are you looking for?”
“I don’t know. Something doesn’t add up.”
“Seems pretty cut and dried to me.”
They were distracted by a disturbance at the door. A plainclothesman was yelling, “Sir! Sir! You can’t be in here!”
They turned to find Max in the doorway. “I was just—”
The man yelling at Max whirled on the uniformed officer who seemed to be escorting him and continued, “What the fuck are you doing letting a reporter up here?”
“Reporter?” The cop recoiled. “I thought he was the crime scene photographer!”
Returning his attention to the man with the camera, the plainclothesman shook his head. “You do realize it’s a crime to impersonate—”
“I wasn’t impersonating anyone! I was called to the scene!”
“By who?”
“That would be me.” Riley stood up and waved to Max.
“You have no authority to—”
She blinked innocently at the officer. “I just needed a ride home. I’m too shook up to drive.”
The man grunted in consternation. “Fine. But he can wait for you downstairs.” Turning back to Max, he made a shooing motion, “Go!”
“I’ll be waiting outside,” Max called to Riley as he was roughly escorted from the apartment.
Drake turned to her in astonishment. Lowering his voice so the police wouldn’t overhear, he hissed, “You drove yourself here. And if you’re really too upset to drive…which I sincerely doubt, I could have given you a ride home. I’m right here.”
She shrugged and gave him a devious grin. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Her fingers flew over her keyboard as she texted Max to get photos of the outside of the building and the police going in and out.
He reached out, grabbed her arm, and dragged her closer. “Yes, they can actually! Do not give them a reason to charge you for impeding an investigation!”
“I’m happy to know you care, but they can’t arrest me for calling a friend for a ride.”
“Don’t play stupid, Riley. It doesn’t suit you. You’re a reporter, he’s your photographer, and he totally just tried to bullshit his way into a crime scene.”
“Max just gets enthusiastic—”
“Max does whatever you tell him to do. I’ve known you for a day, and I already know that. He’s young and naïve, and if you’re not careful, you’re going to get him in trouble.”
“And you’re underestimating him. Max can take care of himself.”
“Yeah? And how would you feel if he got arrested because of your antics?”
“Antics?” She arched an amused eyebrow at him.
“Yeah, antics. It’s a valid word!”
“Ok, grandpa.”
“Grandpa? Really?”
Riley shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”
Drake grunted in consternation. “Whatever. Just answer the question. How would you feel if you got him arrested?”
“Well, if he managed to get himself arrested, which is highly unlikely, mind you, then I’m sure his family would send a cadre of lawyers to get him out and probably sue the police for arresting him in the first place.”
Drake blinked. “Who’s his family?”
Riley’s mouth fell open. “Seriously? He’s a Beaumont! Didn’t you notice his last name when you were writing those checks to him?”
It took Drake’s brain several seconds before the pieces fell into place. “Wait. You mean those Beaumonts?”
“Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Riley! Maybe because it never occurred to me that a member of a notorious crime family would be moonlighting as a photographer for what amounts to peanuts!”
“First of all, all the crime was committed by his great-grandfather, and allegedly his grandfather, not him. The Beaumonts are legitimate now! Second of all—”
Drake snorted loudly. “Yeah, okay.” Everyone knew that Beaumont Enterprises was a front for organized crime. Or at least suspected it. No one had ever been able to prove any accusation. Probably because of all the lawyers.
“They are! And even if they weren’t…. that’s hardly Max’s fault.”
“Hey, I get it.” He put his hands up in the universal sign of surrender. “No one likes to be judged by their family.”
Something in his tone drew a sharp gaze from her. “Judging from my research, your family seems pretty exemplary. Something I missed?”
He shook his head emphatically. “I’m just saying, some people may be trying to live down their family’s infamy, while others are busy trying to live up to an impossible standard.”
Her demeanor softened. “I get that.”
“Really?” He sounded skeptical. “Judging from my research, you’re the most successful person in your family.”
“Really.” She nudged him gently. “All that success is a stunning disappointment to parents who saved all their lives to pay for their daughter’s wedding and want nothing more than grandchildren.”
“Ouch. I’m sorry.”
“Nah. It’s fine. I’ve learned to live with it.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re amazing.”
“Thanks. You’re not too bad yourself.”
They both looked up at the sound of a throat clearing. Liam fidgeted uncomfortably. “Am I interrupting something?”
Drake was the one who answered. “Nothing we can’t continue later. Did you need something?”
“I just wanted to let Miss Brooks know that she’s free to go and to remind you not to keep spilling secrets to the press.”
“I didn't spill anything she wouldn't have found out on her own.” A note of admiration crept into his voice as he continued, “Have you read any of her articles? Do you know how many awards she’s won?”
Liam frowned. “What’s your point?”
“My point is, she's really good at what she does. She doesn’t have to steal information from me. She’s the one who pointed me to Sarah in the first place.”
“Did she now?” Liam turned a thoughtful gaze to the reporter. “How did you find out about Sarah?”
“I’m an investigative journalist, Detective. I investigated.”
“If you had information pertinent to the case, why didn’t you share it with law enforcement?”
“I did.” Riley gestured to Drake.
“Right.” Liam scoffed. “In the future, please refer any and all relevant information about my active murder investigation to me. The officer in charge. Got it?”
“Got it.” She gave him a mock salute.
“Riley,” he pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. “I know you’re mocking me, but I’m serious. There are protocols and procedures for a reason! I’m simply trying to do my job, catch the bad guys and keep the general public, including you, safe!”
“I know, Liam. I just—”
“Do you? Because I have a code of conduct that I live by, and I take my oath to the badge seriously!”
“I do know that. You are an honorable man, Detective Rys. Which is something I really admire and respect about you.”
Surprise flashed across his face. “Do you really feel that way?”
“Yes, Liam, I do.”
Drake cleared his throat. “Ok, I don’t mean to interrupt a moment here, but—"
“There’s no moment.” Liam snapped.
“Are you sure? Because to me, it looked like—”
“I’m sure. I just wanted to impress upon Miss Brooks the importance of staying out the way of an active investigation.”
“So just to be clear, you're not interested in dating her?”
“No!”
“Great!” Drake crowed before turning his attention back to Riley. “Now, about that dinner…”
Liam paled. “Wait—"
Drake slapped him on the back with a grin. “Too late, no take backs!”
Riley shook her head. “Guys, I’m standing right here!”
“Detective!” A plainclothesman approached Liam with a cell phone in his hand. “The chief has a question for you.”
“Alright, I’ll be right there.” He gave one last look over his shoulder before walking away. “I mean it, stay out the way, Riley.”
Series Summary - Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach, but everything changed when she vanished just before the end of the social season. As everyone voices their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him question everything around him.
Book/Pairing - TRR - Liam x f!MC (Riley Brooks)
A/N 1 - This AU starts right before the beginning of the engagement tour. There is a two-month lapse between the coronation and where we pick up, but we will stray from canon. Please excuse any errors found. Not beta'd. Barely edited (fuggit, we ball).
A/N 2 - I'M BACK! Well, for now, anyway 🙃. It's been over a freaking year since I updated this (how tho???! 🥲) or even looked at it but I got the urge the other day during some free time to work on stuff! (By the way, you can catch up here if you need a little refresher!) I know the fandom is *actually* dead at this point but I honestly don't care. Lol. Imma finish what I started, even if it takes 10 years 🫡.
A/N 3 - Listen I researched some stuff and I have a little medical experience but I am not a doctor so don't come for me over any inaccuracies. It's just a story 😎.
Characters belong to Pixelberry.
Tags - @choicesficwriterscreations
After Liam, Leo, and Regina decided at the Portavira hospital, Constantine was quickly airlifted back to the Capitol to join his home team of medical staff. His doctors worked tirelessly to get him stable, but his condition remained fluctuant since he arrived at the Cordonian Medical University. They hadn’t received a recent update, but Liam was determined that the moment he was able, he and Constantine would pick up their conversation right where it left off.
The anxiety he felt was like no other. He hadn’t slept in days and didn’t remember the last time he consumed something other than coffee. Time molded together, and he wasn’t sure what day of the week it was. The search for Riley drove him right to the gates of insanity, but Liam was determined, with everything in him, he was going to find her, no matter what it took.
The tension in the waiting room was a palpable force. Liam paced the area tirelessly, biting his nails until each finger bled. Leo stared into space and bounced his leg rapidly, filling the air with the sound of his pants as they rubbed against the upholstery of his chair. Regina watched the pair with pinched brows, and the longer she stared, the higher her curiosity rose. She noticed well before today that their demeanors had been different lately, and she heard of Liam’s hospital stay only a few days prior. His body language was off the charts at all moments, but she didn’t have any idea what could have created such trouble for them. She speculated but didn’t know for certain if her hunch was correct. All she knew was that something was indeed being kept from her.
Regina observed until she could no longer stand the tension and her curiosity got the better of her. “Liam… Are you alright?” She faintly asked, but her voice nearly echoed in the stillness.
“No, I’m not. He has to make it.” Liam answered, all the while continuing his pacing.
Regina's features softened. “I understand this is difficult to process, but everything is going to be alright—”
“No, it’s not!” Liam suddenly yelled, startling Regina and causing her to jump. “I need to know who did it. I have to know.”
Regina’s brows furrowed, her confusion reaching its peak. “What do you mean?”
Liam spoke again, but Regina quickly realized he spoke to himself instead of her. He walked in a short line then back again, his eyes glued to the floor and when he answered, his words were fast and muddled. “I just don’t understand. Who could’ve talked him into this mess? Was it Madeleine?” He pinched his brows and stopped before he shook his head. “No, no — he wouldn’t do what just anyone says… And that’s way too obvious, right? Right.”
Regina interjected, “Liam, what—”
“The council? Was this a collaborative effort? Is everyone guilty?” He continued, as his face quickly shifted from a bright shade of red to nearly white. “Can I trust anyone? Is this a sign to abdicate and call it a win?” He paused, the wheels visibly cranking inside his head before he spat out, “That solves nothing and doesn’t keep her safe! What the fuck am I supposed to do?!”
“Liam!” Regina yelled, stopping him in his tracks. Her eyes widened, she cleared her throat, and she smoothed down her skirt when his fiery gaze centered on her. “I apologize for the outburst, but what in the world are you talking about?”
“What?”
“You said something about Madeleine? And the council?”
Liam could only stare at Regina. He swore all that was happening inside his head, but it seemed lately there was no difference between the two. “I — uh…” He swallowed thickly as he silently weighed his options.
He didn’t know if he should tell Regina. It wasn’t because he believed she could be involved, but he didn’t want to risk putting her in danger. But now that the thought arose, it played repetitively, causing his heart rate to increase because maybe she could know something.
At this point, it wouldn’t surprise him if even Leo had a hand in it.
He shook the thought quickly, willing his paranoia to stay at bay. However, he also realized if Constantine had told anyone about his indiscretions, it would’ve been Regina, and his conscience wouldn't allow him to dismiss her as a person of interest.
Liam let out a sigh, placed a hand on Regina’s shoulder, and led her to a chair. He sat down beside her and addressed her in a low, stern tone. “What’s spoken of here does not get repeated. Are we understood?” He momentarily cursed himself because he wasn’t trying to come off this way to Regina, but he was so far over the ledge, that he could practically see underneath.
Regina agreed, and Liam swiftly caught her up to speed on what they knew, and her tears freely fell by the time he finished. She had no idea these things had happened and felt like a fool because she was a reigning monarch at the time the initial incident transpired. This was just as much her fault as it was Constantine’s, and she felt guilty for assuming what the media presented was correct.
“Liam, I didn’t know… I’m so sorry this has happened…” Regina started as she wiped her cheeks. “I heard you were running some kind of investigation, but—”
“You know about the investigation?” Liam hastily inquired, his red eyes not even blinking as he awaited her answer.
“It was hard to miss, unfortunately.” She sadly smiled. “I’m afraid most people know you were looking into Lady Riley’s whereabouts, but they don’t know how deep it runs.”
“Who’s been talking about it?”
“The truth?” Liam nodded, so Regina finished. “... Everyone.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes, Liam… Word traveled around the court fast after you hired some kind of investigator—”
“They know about Ray, too?” Liam repeated in complete disbelief.
“Yes, but everyone assumed you were simply looking for Lady Riley to demand an explanation. No one has mentioned anything about her still being in the country, or anything else, for that matter.”
“Do you know anything about it? Did father ever mention it?”
“No, he didn’t,” Regina answered through clenched teeth. “And if he pulls through this, he had better pray to the heavens above for protection, because I have a lot to say to him regarding the matter.”
“What about the murders?” Leo interjected. “Has anyone said anything about those?”
“No. Most don’t even know who the maid was, and Penelope’s death hasn’t circulated the rumor mill yet.”
Liam ran a hand down his face as he let this conversation seep in. Nothing they’d done was secret. Sure, some aspects were, but they had been so careful to keep this under wraps, yet this information seemed to spread like wildfire.
This raised the question — was there yet another mole? His vision briefly connected with Leo’s and his expression echoed Liam’s, confirming that his suspicion wasn’t just paranoia.
“Regina, you can’t tell anyone —”
“You have my word, Liam.” Regina softly interrupted. “If I can do anything to help you in any way —”
“No.” Liam sternly answered. “I don’t want you anywhere near this — forget this conversation ever happened. I trust you, but I don’t want you getting mixed up in this.” He stopped himself, not knowing if he spoke he truthl. He didn’t know if he trusted her, but unless he received a reason, Regina’s name moved to the bottom of his list of suspects.
“But if someone mentions it…” Leo trailed off.
A doctor appeared in the doorway a moment later and bowed to the trio, interrupting the moment. “Your Majesties, my name is Doctor Gordon —”
Liam shot up from his seat. “How is he? Is he awake?”
“I’m afraid he’s not, sir, but we’ve stabilized him. We’re waiting on a few more lab results and his vitals are fluctuant, but for the time being, he seems to be on a steady level.”
“What happened?”
“Unfortunately, this can happen in carcinoma patients. The cancer already dwindles air and the lungs overexert and overpower the heart, triggering a myocardial infarction.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Liam practically barked as his patience ran thin.
“He suffered a heart attack. In any other circumstance, his survival rate would be high, but because of the cancer, unfortunately, his heart was already weak.”
“A heart attack?” Liam mimicked in disbelief.
“Yes, sir — a pretty nasty one. All we can do is keep him comfortable—”
“Don’t say it,” Liam gritted out through clenched teeth. “There has to be something you can do.” He pleaded, his desperation quickly skyrocketing. “We have funds — get a fucking specialist or something!”
Dr. Gordon winced at his volume. “Sir, he’s not eligible for any kind of surgery — his lungs will collapse the second we administer anesthesia. We’re giving him medications to keep him relaxed and manage his pain, but I’m afraid there’s not much more to be done...”
Liam could only stare at the man in front of him as if he spoke another language. This should not have been a surprise; they all knew Constantine was on borrowed time, but the convenience of hitting another roadblock regarding Riley couldn't be denied. That was his father, and he wanted to be sad that his life was essentially ending, but all he felt was anger and regret that he didn’t get the chance to uncover the final hidden piece of the puzzle, leading him to wonder if he would ever be able to find her again.
“Will he wake back up?” Liam tentatively asked, holding onto any little sliver of hope.
“I’m not sure, sir. He could, but it all depends on him right now. There’s nothing we can do to bring him out of it — it’s just a waiting game at this point.” The doctor responded with a sad smile. “I’m truly sorry.”
“Can you take us to him?” Regina tearfully inquired.
“Of course, ma’am.” Dr. Gordon bowed.
Leo and Regina went to follow, but Liam couldn’t force himself to go. If his father was not yet awake, he had somewhere else he needed to be. He wanted to feel guilty for not staying, but he meant what he said to Constantine; he was no longer his father. All he could picture was a monster who turned a blind eye while letting someone hurt the woman his heart still cries for. Perhaps his feelings would change with time, but for right now, he felt nothing but hatred for his sperm donor.
And his conscience screamed at him, demanding he go check out his father’s suggestion — the tunnels.
As a child, he’d heard fables and stories of the dreaded, abandoned area, hidden deep under estates from some older nobles. However, it never received recognition from a technical standpoint, only hearsay; it wasn’t something you’d learn about during a lesson or schooling of any type.
Liam honestly didn’t know if his father was being truthful or just trying to provide him with some kind of answer to deflect his anger. He had no reason to trust a word that came out of Constantine’s mouth, but he couldn’t deny the sudden jump he felt as he mentioned it; like a blast of lightning struck him, sending a jolt of electricity down the length of his spine. Rationally thinking, he was wary of believing his father, but his heart’s reaction couldn’t go unnoticed.
Either way, he felt he needed to check. They had to address anything and everything they found, and this would be no different. He assured himself that if Olivia were there, she would’ve already left to secure the scene. The rest of the duchies would get attention later, but right now, he needed to check his home turf.
Leo noticed Liam didn’t follow and turned around to see the wheels actively working in his brother’s head. “Li…”
“You go. Stay with him in case he wakes up.” Liam answered, his eyes centered on the palace in the distance as he peered out a window.
“Where are you going?”
“I have to check,” Liam said, more to himself than Leo. “He mentioned the tunnels — if she could be there, I have to look.” He swallowed down a lump of bile as he thought about what he might find, but either way, he needed to know.
“Liam, I know you want to, but —”
“I have to, Leo.” He swallowed thickly and quickly blinked, willing the sudden burn behind his eyelids to go away. “I have to.” He whispered.
“Then I’m coming with you,” Leo responded with utmost determination.
“No. I want you to stay with him.”
Leo’s mouth fell agape. “That is not happening —”
“I’m ordering you not to leave his side, Leo, not until I say it’s okay.” Liam rumbled. “Don’t fucking test me. I’m not in the mood. I need you here.” He turned and strode away before Leo received a chance to respond.
Leo watched Liam go with wide eyes. He didn’t know what to think or do in this situation. He couldn’t fathom that his father had done such a thing — that he stooped so low. Leo had his issues with Constantine, but nothing even close in comparison. However, he realized Liam was a walking ball of rage; there was no telling what he would do, but he wasn’t thinking clearly. Right now, he only saw the anger he felt at the moment. He was oblivious to what his actions could spiral into, and Leo couldn’t help but feel like this game was far from over.
Leo quickly pulled his phone out and called Drake, who was close by, to tell him to keep an eye out for him. It wasn’t because Leo wanted to stop him; he only wanted to ensure Liam did not go alone. He realized there was no telling what could be waiting — if anything — but on the chance there was something down there, Liam would not walk into it by himself.
Liam returned to the palace a short time later and instead of heading through the front doors, he veered left. He walked directly beside the building, surveying the concrete siding with his eyes and hands, mindlessly searching for something he wasn’t even sure existed. He didn’t know if anyone was around, and didn’t know if he had a guard trailing behind him. The only thing his brain registered was his footsteps in the grass and the immediate view in front of him.
To know Riley could have been here this entire time, right under his nose, made him sick to his stomach. Not only did he turn his back on her, but he potentially walked right above her all day every day, wishing she was there; now, there was a chance she was the entire time, and he couldn’t even begin to process it.
He still couldn’t fathom how this entire operation happened right under his nose. If Olivia hadn’t spoken up, someone would have covered this whole thing up. He not only abandoned her, but he also allowed this madness to happen. The guilt he felt at that moment was hard to ignore, but as he mindlessly trekked around the outside of the palace, searching for the unknown, his hands shook as he realized what could lie before him.
Riley could be inches away; he swore he could sense her aura near. His footsteps quickened and echoed in the stillness, even in the moistened grass, as he let that thought resonate through his body like lightning in his veins, fueling him forward. He was on a mission and saw nothing except his end goal.
Riley was close, and he was going to rescue her.
A hand on his shoulder startled Liam. He spun around with his fist cocked, ready to strike, but he stood down when he saw Drake. “It’s just me, Li…”
Liam raised his palm. “Don’t try to stop me, Drake. I’m going to find it.”
“I know, man. I’m coming with you.”
“No, we don’t know what’s down there—”
“Exactly. No way in hell are you going in there alone.” Drake swiftly interrupted. “Come on, let’s go.” Without a second of hesitation, he walked a few feet away from Liam to the back of the palace, directly to a wall covered in thick vines. He brought out his pocketknife and sliced through the shrubbery, revealing a large stone door.
“How did you know?” Liam rasped as he finished, his steely glare centered on Drake.
Drake recognized his hostility and raised his arms in surrender. Liam didn't outright accuse him of anything, but the fiery blues staring back at him told him exactly what he was thinking. “I’ve run around this place unattended for most of my life, Liam.”
Liam shook his head to clear the chaos. His features softened, and he released a deep breath before he replied, “Right… Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“S’all good, man.” Drake returned with a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Ready?”
Liam mindlessly nodded, and the two started their venture. They swung the stone door open and saw a set of stairs that led into the vastness of the unknown, the chilled temperature seeping out and coating their skin in goosebumps. Liam entered first, Drake hot on his heels, and they cautiously began the descent.
Every creaky step echoed against the concrete walls, amplifying the tension until they reached a long, dark hallway. The depths of the palace tunnels were cold, damp, and incredibly creepy. A combination of dust and mold littered the air, and spider webs covered most of the walls. It truly mimicked what you’d see in movies, even down to the dull illumination from flickering sconces. The further they traveled, the worse it got and the higher their anticipation rose.
They followed until they reached a dead end. Both men glanced around, but neither could understand. They found the end of the tunnels and didn’t find a sign of anyone. There were no cells or doors, as Constantine suggested, and no signs of any life around. The only sounds to be heard in the deafening silence were their ragged breaths, mixed in with their pounding hearts as they let this conclusion sink in.
“Goddamnit! He fucking lied to me, Drake! Again!” Liam suddenly erupted, his voice nearly loud enough to burst an eardrum as it echoed off the stone walls. “He won’t have to worry about his heart giving out — he needs to be more concerned with what I’m going to do once I get back to that hospital.” He went to storm away, but Drake suddenly stopped him.
“Hold on a sec, Li.” Drake pulled out a small book from his jacket pocket and opened it. “I went to the library and got that book when Leo called to warn me you were coming and where you were going, just in case we needed it. Okay, we’re here…” He pointed at the page before both men carefully assessed the old, dusty map.
“What is that?” Liam asked as he motioned to a dark area. It appeared to be a door of some kind, although they saw no trace of anything as they peered around.
“That’s gotta be what we’re looking for. These maps don’t have the hidden shit on them, but there’s usually always a clue somewhere or an indicator of some kind.”
“How do you know all this?” He inquired as he skeptically eyed his best friend.
Drake smirked. “What do you think I did all those years when you were busy doing prince shit? I know every crevice of this place — if she’s here, we’re going to find her.”
“How are we going to find the door?”
“I dunno.” Drake shrugged. “We might just have to feel along the walls, or look for anything out of place.”
“Like creepy, floor-to-ceiling paintings in an otherwise empty hallway?” Liam asked as he pointed to a portrait hung not far away, conveniently placed in a darkened shadow.
“That’d do it,” Drake answered as they made their way over.
Liam touched the art and tried to move it, but even when he used all his might, it wouldn’t budge. He felt all around the area, searching for a lever or some kind of pulley, but uncovered nothing of relevance.
Drake took a step back and searched his memories as desperation started to creep in. He spent most of his childhood exploring the palace in moments of boredom. Liam joined when he could, but Drake had to entertain himself when he couldn’t fathom being around Maxwell or Olivia and often ended up in areas he knew he wasn’t supposed to be near, including this one.
When he was younger — probably ten or eleven — he found himself in this same tunnel. Somehow, he opened the secret door, but he got scared when he peeked in and quickly left. It was a complete accident; he didn’t even remember how he got the door to open. The only thing he recalled was that he stumbled and hurt his shoulder on the wall, then he flailed for balance as he began to fall. When his hand reached out for leverage, instead of connecting with the stone as intended, he grabbed the sconce and accidentally turned it in his descent. As he stood, he pushed on the painting to regain his leverage, and then...
Drake suddenly looked up and saw a light beside the portrait. All the other sconces held varying illumination, but produced light in some fashion; this was the only one they’d seen so far that was completely black — not even a faint spark. He approached and, without a second thought, he turned it to the side. Liam watched with furrowed brows and opened his mouth to speak, but a loud click silenced him. Suddenly, the outline of a door appeared and stopped him in his tracks, causing his breath to sputter.
He pushed on the wall before another click sounded and the door slowly crept open, revealing a darker, tighter hallway, somehow leading deeper and further into the unknown. The area was nearly completely black and smelled incredibly moldy, with hues of cigar smoke and sweat mixing in with a plethora of other rancid scents. Drake pulled his phone out, turned the flashlight on and peeked in, but they couldn’t see anything except a long, seemingly never-ending pit of darkness.
Liam went first but stepped slowly as his anticipation rose. Although he wanted to rush through, his anxiety multiplied as he took in the eeriness before them. His unease quadrupled, an anvil-sized chill traveling down the length of his spine and back up again. When they approached the end, the vicinity held a little more light from dim, flickering sconces, but not enough for them to see clearly.
They made their way to the end of the hall by feeling along the cold, moistened walls, except this time, one lone, stone door with corroded metal bars awaited them at the end. Drake and Liam’s hair on the back of their necks stood straight up as they saw a chain and padlock lying on the floor, the structure slightly ajar. Liam cautiously approached and pushed it open with shaky hands, swallowing thickly to contain the vile as it rose to the back of his throat.
As they stepped over the threshold, they saw a line of what appeared to be small holding cells; three, to be exact. The boxes were small with just enough room for the few pieces of furniture. The first two were empty and the cots were perfectly made, showing no signs of anyone. They approached the last and Liam’s heart sank into the pits of his stomach as he realized it was vacant as well. However, his mind started to race as he realized this one clearly housed someone at some point; a tray of untouched food sat on a small table in between the toilet and bed, which was unmade and tousled, causing his hands to shake uncontrollably as he tried to process this scene.
“Holy shit…” Drake gasped as he took in their surroundings. “How did we never find this?”
“I don’t know… I think the better question is, how did someone else find it?”
“They didn’t, Li. Someone knew this shit was here and how to access it — nobody just stumbled upon this.” Drake rubbed his chin, his disbelief shining brightly as he tried to make sense of this new revelation. “There’s no fucking way.”
Liam stepped toward the bed and lifted the pillow to his face. He inhaled a deep breath and a faint floral fragrance invaded his senses and sparked some kind of recognition, but he couldn’t pinpoint if it was Riley or not. “Do — do you think she was here?”
Drake momentarily remained silent as he weighed his words, figuring out the best way to be honest with his best friend without completely demolishing the fragile remnants of his hope. “Clearly someone was, but it’s hard to say if it was her…” He faintly answered.
Liam nodded and returned the pillow, his heart racing while every worst-case scenario ran through his head. He shook it off and instead touched the tray of food and as he did, sweat immediately poured down his forehead, and a sudden chill swept over his entire body, as if he'd opened the door to Lythikos' keep in the middle of a snowstorm, as he realized —
The food was still warm.
“Drake…” His voice trembled, and he spoke quietly as his eyes surveyed the room. “Someone was here recently — like, within a few hours, maybe less… I can’t help but feel like they knew we’d come down here.”
“What do you mean?”
“That door was open on purpose, Drake, and this food is still warm. They wanted us to know someone was in here.”
Drake momentarily considered it before he responded, “You’re right, but how do we know who it was?”
“I don’t know… I need to contact Olivia and Ray to let them know about this. If my father was correct, these could be in all the duchies...” Liam trailed off with a hopeless expression. He shook his head with his hands on his hips, desperation setting in. “What am I supposed to do, Drake? I — I’m at a complete loss. No matter what we do, we still can’t seem to get ahead and now they’re taunting me, too.”
“It does seem like they’re taunting you a bit,” Drake agreed as he looked around the deserted box with barely enough for both of them to stand in.
“Do I send out teams everywhere? How can I do that without someone knowing? They already knew we were coming here, and I didn’t even tell anyone! The investigation may as well be on the evening fucking news!” Liam shouted as his composure turned to ash and he let the tidal wave of his emotions wash over him.
“I — I wish I could answer that, Li, but I’m not the one to ask… You need to get Olivia and Ray in on this as soon as possible.”
“I just need to see her, Drake…” Liam admitted, his lip involuntarily quivering. He stopped his steps but refused to make eye contact. His tears threatened to spill over, but he couldn’t decide if they stemmed from sadness, frustration, defeat, or all of the above.
Drake noticed Liam’s shift and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know… Everything is gonna work itself out.”
“How can you say that? You’ve seen what’s been happening!” Liam exclaimed as he shook Drake’s palm away, his agitation returning full force. “I can’t keep doing this cat-and-mouse game. I’m canceling the tour — right now.”
Drake’s eyes widened. “Li, I don’t think —”
“There’s nothing else to do, Drake! I can’t keep going back and forth. Between this, and now my father, I can’t keep pretending everything is okay.” Liam shook his head as a lone tear traveled down his cheek. “I can’t.” He brokenly whispered.
Drake’s features softened. “I know this is a fucking nightmare, but you can’t do that, Liam, not until we know Brooks is safe… You can probably get away with postponing some stuff because of your dad, but you can’t outright cancel everything…” He swallowed thickly as he tried to keep his head level. He pushed aside his own desolate feelings to console Liam, but between worrying about Riley and dealing with Bastien's betrayal, he didn't know how much longer he could keep on this show. His best friend needed him to be strong and coherent, but the strength he rallied to be Liam's backbone ran sparse. They’d been through a lot together, but this situation put a whole new meaning to the term through hell and back.
Liam didn’t answer, but deep down, he knew Drake was indeed correct. Until Riley was directly in front of him, he couldn’t do anything to further irritate whoever held these cards, as much as that infuriated him. This entire tim,e everyone kept telling him he was the king — that he was in control — but that was never true. He was merely a puppet in someone else’s scheme and he found himself helplessly stuck, even though he wanted to throw in the towel. The thought of abdication crossed his mind on more than one occasion, but again, until Riley was one hundred percent safe, he couldn’t do anything.
“Maybe we should get ahold of Olivia and see what she thinks about this,” Drake softly suggested after a long moment of silence.
Liam couldn’t muster a response, but he nodded and mindlessly made his way out. They headed back to the main floor of the palace to the grand staircase in complete silence, the tension looming among them thicker than ever before. Liam didn’t have any idea where he was going, nor did he register any scenery on their walk; he couldn’t think straight.
So much ran amok through his already jumbled thoughts. Since his father told them of the hidden tunnels, he hadn’t spoken to anyone other than Leo, Regina, and now Drake. Bastien was no longer around, yet someone still beat them down there. He wanted nothing more than to believe it could have been Riley in that cell, but he didn’t know what to conclude. Nothing made sense. He felt as if the world around him was on fire, but he had no choice other than to walk through the flames with a smile.
Drake led Liam to his office, thinking that would be the best place for them to do something productive. He stepped aside to allow him access to unlock the door, and Liam mindlessly put his key inside the lock, not noticing that it wasn’t even necessary. The structure creaked open, but Liam suddenly froze as he took in his surroundings.
He knew when he left last he shut everything off, but a fire roared in the hearth and the TV was on a national news station, although muted. The blinds on his windows were open, the opposite of how he left them. The lamp on his desk shone brightly, and he undoubtedly knew that was the very last thing he’d turned off when he left.
Without a shadow of uncertainty, he knew someone had been there.
The temperature suddenly dropped, and an eerie sensation filled the air — one that was becoming all too familiar. Liam stepped over the threshold and took a couple of slow, cautious steps forward, ignoring the goosebumps coating his entire body. The anticipation of the situation multiplied until it became a tangible force — a living, breathing creature that derived from his demons, laying dormant, waiting for its next moment to rise and unleash hell upon his world. The room remained silent, but it wasn't content or peaceful; instead it felt louder than the screams of his deep anguish. For the first time in months, the whirlwind of his thoughts halted, but it was far from a relief. A sense of dread rushed over him so viciously that it nearly took him to his knees, but he didn't falter. He stood taller to project dominance over the mythical figure of his emotions, but he knew the attempt was subpar at best, and his demons saw how close he was to breaking.
He spun around in the middle of the room with pinched brows as he surveyed his surroundings. “What the hell?” He whispered, his voice slicing through the silence like a knife.
“Careful, Li…” Drake spoke as he followed closely, his eyes darting all around to look for any kind of threat.
“Someone’s been here…” Liam spoke as he did the same, combing the vicinity with a dissecting gaze.
“Yeah, but again, who?”
“That seems to be the question of the day,” Liam acknowledged as he noticed a lit candle on the coffee table. The pool of wax was only a small circle around the wick, which led him to decide that whoever lit it did so only minutes ago. “Someone is playing with me, Drake…” He trailed off, the hair on the back of his neck rising to attention as he extinguished the flame.
“Is there a guard close by? Maybe we need to let them handle this…” Drake suggested as his unease continued to grow.
Liam ignored him and mustered every ounce of strength he had to calm his rising anxiety. Even though he searched the room from top to bottom, he saw no prominent threats. Other than the things he’d already noticed, nothing else stood out. There were no signs that anyone had broken in or stolen anything; it almost appeared as if someone simply wanted him to know that they were there.
He carefully approached his desk with Drake glued to his side. He intended to grab the phone and call Olivia to see what she suggested they do next. However, as he scanned over the contents on top of the mahogany structure, he realized something he’d never seen lay directly in front of his chair. His hands trembled as he picked up the item, but when recognition swept over him, it was accompanied by anguish that resembled a dagger to the gut.
It was a folded-up newspaper from the day Riley became the Apple Queen, but someone scratched out her face in red marker on the front-page picture of her and Liam, and covered her body in obscenities. Large, animated tears streamed from Liam’s eyes, and his smile was transformed into a large, dramatic frown. The underlining in the attached article emphasized Riley’s commoner status, while others highlighted passages about an ‘enamored prince’ and her likelihood of success. He scoured the text underneath until the passage broke off and continued on a different page, but as he went to unfold it, something dropped from inside the paper.
Drake curiously crouched as he observed the contents meet the floor. He could tell papers or cards of some sort fell, but those became momentarily forgotten as something else dropped. It didn’t take long for him to realize it was human hair; long, silky strands of blonde mane, and a substantial amount of it.
He swallowed thickly as he recognized Riley as the only person they knew with blonde hair — aside from Madeleine, but her locks were nowhere near as lengthy as Riley’s. He bent down and picked up a wad for himself and Liam to see along with everything else, but as he realized what else he held, he stopped breathing.
With the hair were photos — Constantine at the hospital, Liam entering the palace that night, Penelope’s body arriving back in Portavira, Olivia and Ray investigating — all things nobody should have known anything about.
Before he could process anything, Drake’s vision went past what he held and landed on the now-opened paper still in Liam's hands. He furrowed his brow as he spotted something scribbled on the inside and motioned to it, causing Liam to look down with confusion written on his features until he saw peeks as well. He brought it to his face with visibly shaky hands and held his breath as he prepared himself for the worst, but within seconds, any and every ounce of hope burst into flames.
Liam dropped into his office chair, and Drake watched his complexion drain until he mimicked a ghost, his breathing steadily increasing in pace and intensity. His tears fell freely until he nearly sobbed, the shift happening so fast that Drake was momentarily speechless.
He quickly sprang into action and crouched in front of Liam. “Li — calm down. Take a couple of deep breaths… Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”
After a few seconds of stillness, he answered, “I — I don’t know if there’s a-anything left to be d-done, Drake.” Liam got out through gasps and hiccups, making no attempts to cover his deteriorating state.
“What’re you talking about? We can’t give up now!” Drake hollered.
Liam remained silent for a long moment, the tension thickening by the second. His tears dried and the ache in his chest expanded until it exploded, leaving nothing but agony behind. “I don’t think we have a choice in the matter…” He responded, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.
“Bullshit. What was it? Lemme see,” Drake demanded as his irritation skyrocketed. He was not willing to let Liam give up — not now. Whatever it was, they could and would deal with it. He didn’t know how, but someone had to keep some hope flowing in an otherwise grim situation.
Liam didn’t answer, but shook his head and stared blankly into space as he let the wave envelop him whole. His breath hitched and, although he tried to fight it, his tears flowed freely once more. He fisted his hair, and his shoulders shook with anguished sobs, the sound reverberating off the walls. Drake hastily snatched the item from his hands as his agitation got the best of him, even though he was experiencing a side of Liam he was sure nobody had ever seen. He held the paper in front of his face for only a moment before his irritation instantly dissipated, instead replaced with overwhelming anxiety as he’d never felt before.
They concluded Riley was in the country and speculated she was being held hostage, but they didn’t know for sure. They had very little information to prove where she was or wasn’t, and they tried not to jump to conclusions without having all the facts. Of course, her sources of identification would be required to vacate the country, but it wasn’t impossible to do. It wouldn’t have been easy, but people cross borders all the time — it was a far-fetched theory, but Drake held onto every little sliver of hope that she escaped after all.
However, as he stared down at the message left for Liam, there was no longer a need to theorize — the implications rang loud and clear. Within the blink of an eye, any semblance of hope turned to dust as they let the situation sink in.
The paper landed on the floor in front of the lengthy window behind the desk. Outside, a storm raged on, perfectly depicting the tidal wave of emotions coursing through the room and the graveness of the situation at hand. The rain against the glass suddenly increased, turning from a light tap to a full-blown knocking sound accompanied by forceful winds, making the trees sway violently. Liam remained in his daze as he stared blankly into space, but the gentle fall of the paper echoed in his ears as it met the floor, drawing his attention there.
His gaze zeroed in on the message, the illumination from the lightning flashing over it and displaying the consequences of his denial right before his face —
You’re running out of pawns, Your Majesty. Will she be next?
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I can’t believe it’s been four years since my last post! The urge to dust off my fanfiction writing skills and get back into it is so strong at the moment. I’m interested to see if some familiar faces are still around in the fandom! Might be seeing a new fanfic from me soon here 👀
Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake, Liam x Olivia
Word Count: 1,094
Rating: M
Warnings for this chapter: none
My other stuff: Master List.
Riley stared down at the plastic stick in her hands as a myriad of feelings washed over her.
Another negative test.
How? It had been 6 months since she’d first set her sights on Drake. They had been sleeping together regularly ever since.
Frequently even.
Disappointment and disbelief were the first emotions. She had conceived Ellie on her honeymoon with Liam. Xander had taken only two months of trying.
Frustration and relief were an odd combination, revealing her conflicted motives. Her original goal of procreation was being thwarted, and that was frustrating.
But another negative result meant she would have to keep sleeping with Drake. Not just sleeping with him, but basically dating him, per the arrangement she had agreed to.
She hadn’t meant to, but she found herself enjoying the dating part. It felt good to be wanted, to be pursued, wooed, romanced, valued.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear him until he was right behind her. “What are you doing?”
Her body jolted as awareness of her surroundings rushed back in. “Liam! I thought you had meetings all morning!”
“I did. But the Duke of Rothsford spilled his coffee on me and I came back up to change.” Astonishment crept into his voice. “Is that a pregnancy test?”
“It’s none of your business, is what it is!” She snapped as she moved her hand behind her back.
“Oh, I think it’s most certainly my business if my wife, whom I haven’t had sex with in months, is taking a pregnancy test!”
“Try a year and a half, Liam!” she bit back furiously.
He looked momentarily taken aback. “Has it been that long?”
“Yes!” She hated the tears that gathered in her eyes.
Liam faltered for a moment. He looked at her with compassion, his hand reached out toward her in a comforting gesture but froze halfway there. His voice was icy as he demanded, “Why are you taking a pregnancy test?”
“I wanted to see if I was pregnant, Liam, that’s why!”
“So, you’re having an affair?”
She gaped at him, the anger in his tone confusing her. “You literally told me that if I wanted another baby, to find someone else to be the father!”
“That was hyperbole, Riley!” Liam was shaking with barely restrained fury. “The Queen of Cordonia can’t just have another man’s baby!”
“Oh, but you can sleep with Olivia and ignore your wife, and that’s fine?”
“I—”
“Exactly. You’re a hypocrite, Liam. What if your mistress got pregnant? Then what?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Liv doesn’t even want children! She took the necessary precautions to prevent that years ago!”
“Wow.” Riley shook her head as anger replaced all the despair and sadness she usually felt when confronted with her husband’s infidelity. “You didn’t even try to deny it.”
His shoulders slumped as his fury abated. “I’m sorry, Riley. You deserve better than I’ve given you. I know that.”
“Did you ever love me?”
“I do love you, Riley. Things with Liv and I are…. complicated.”
“No, Liam, you don’t love me. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have shut me out. Something changed somewhere along the way, and you didn’t bother to let me know.”
“I’m not disputing that things changed. Our marriage became…stale.”
She wasn’t sure which emotion was more prevalent as she took in his assessment of their relationship. There was an ample amount of rage tempered by an overabundance of grief.
She had never stopped loving him. Had never stopped trying.
But the unvarnished truth was that he had left their marriage, at least emotionally, long ago, and there was nothing she could do about it.
For the first time since she had said I do, she admitted to herself that this was not the fairytale they had sold to the press. This was not her happily ever after and Liam was not her prince charming. They had been living a lie from the moment he proposed.
“Why didn’t you just marry her in the first place?” she asked bitterly.
“I just told you…. she refused to have children. I needed an heir.”
“So, you married me for my uterus?”
A defensive note crept into his voice. “You knew the terms. You agreed—”
“I agreed to the marriage terms because I loved you, you fucking unbelievable bastard!”
“Riley, you’re upset. I understand. But once you calm down—”
“No.”
“No? No, what?”
“No, to whatever is about to come out of your mouth. I’m done worrying about what’s best for you! It’s my turn, Liam!”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you have three choices. Either give me a baby, let someone else give me a baby, or let’s just get divorced and I’ll do as I damn well please.”
“Riley, we can’t just—”
“Those are your choices. Even the king can’t force someone to stay married to him against her will. Just imagine the scandal that would cause!”
He struggled to maintain his composure when what he wanted to do was throw things, yell, lock her in the room, and forbid her to leave it. Instead, he took a steadying breath and counted silently to ten before he spoke. “We said forever, Riley.”
“You promised to love me, Liam.”
“Who is it?”
“Excuse me?”
His voice was tight as he searched her face for answers. “Who are you sleeping with? Who is stabbing his king in the back?”
For the first time in their entire marriage, Riley had the upper hand. She gave him a self-satisfied smirk as she tossed the plastic stick into the waste bin. She crossed the room to the door, opened it, then turned back to face him. “You have two days to decide which option pleases you most, my king.” Then she was gone.
“Son of a bitch!” Liam picked up the nearest object and hurled it at the door that had just closed.
Glass shattered against the wood, as water and petals exploded outward.
Who the fuck had been sending her flowers?
He had barely noticed the vases of fresh-cut blooms that had changed every few days, assuming housekeeping had been putting them there to brighten the room. Now the certainty that someone was not just fucking his wife but romancing her took hold.
Something had to be done. A decision had to be made, and it had to be made quickly.
He pulled out his phone and quickly punched in Olivia’s number. “We have an urgent matter to discuss. I need you to drop whatever you’re doing and come to the palace immediately.”
The Royal Romance, Bk1 Ch2: Welcome to Cordonia (Pt. 3)
Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰
Story Summary: In this novel-style retelling of TRR, beloved scenes with original commentary from the Choices stories including your favourite group of royals and friends will be expanded upon. Contains extended commentary and scenes from the original story, in-depth descriptions of bonus scenes, and premium choices and outfits.
Chapter Synopsis: Riley travels to Cordonia, but what will await her there?
Word Count: 2.2k
Disclaimer: All rights to original commentary, scenes, and characters from The Royal Romance series reserved to Choices and Pixelberry Studios. No copyright infringement intended.
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Pulling along her suitcase, Riley followed Maxwell to the front doors of the palace. Maxwell nodded in acknowledgement to the officers of the King’s Guard dressed in their black uniforms as they opened the doors for them.
The coffered ceilings of the castle were much higher than she imagined they could be with beams laid in a grid which created a pattern of recessed squares. There were rooms leading to sitting areas that had furniture and objects fancier than she had ever seen with plush velvet couches, dainty bouquets in vases, intricate gold and glass centrepieces, and sparkling crystal chandeliers.
“I thought the outside was amazing on its own, but being inside…” Riley wondered aloud, her head swivelling around as she lost her trail of thought.
It was only until she entered the palace where she realized how different her world was from Liam’s. He had grown up here, learned to follow his father’s footsteps as a prince, met all kinds of nobles, and possibly brought fancy socialites home after dates. This was his childhood home; his whole world seemed to embody glamour and prestige.
She, on the other hand, had grown up in a cramped but cozy apartment with her mother and father. It wasn’t much, but the love her parents had for her and each other was more than what most people were lucky to have. With her American upbringing, her Korean mother’s roots, and her father’s Filipino culture, she was grateful for the homes she would forever have in the U.S., the Philippines, and South Korea.
They showered her with love and reassurance, frequently reminding her that family was the most important thing to cherish that motivates and grounds you at the same time. She never felt like she had lacked anything in her life, not when she had the most loving, supportive parents anyone could have.
At least that’s what it felt like before she lost the two people she loved the most in her life. But that was a story for another time, one for where there was less pressure and anticipation facing some of the most important people in Codonia.
A small piece of doubt began to spring up once again in her mind. Based on her appearance alone, it was clear that she was not from Cordonia, much less part of the country’s nobility or highly-respected citizens. She didn’t want to let Maxwell and his brother down from her upcoming representation of their house.
But in a split second, as she’d done everyday since they were no longer in her life, she heard her parents’ words in her mind saying, One day at a time.
“It’s like a whole other world, huh? Don’t worry, you have tons of time to roam and explore and get used to it,” Maxwell reassured her, as he followed her gaze landing on all lighting and fixtures. “After all, you’ll be here for the next few months of the social season.”
They made their way to the grand staircase with gold handrails decorated with artistic panel inserts of flowing swirls. A large velvet red carpet regally covered the steps leading up to the top platform where it separated into two staircases that led to the left and left wings of the castle.
“So, what’s the deal with Drake? Why is he… so jaded?” Riley questioned, fixating on the elegant staircase she had only ever really seen replicas of in movies. Seeing all the luxury decorations and furniture reminded her of Drake's annoyance with her fascination with all the new sights she was seeing. “Is he always like that?”
“I can get that for you,” Maxwell offered, implying Riley’s suitcase as she willingly handed it to him. He lifted it up as they climbed the staircase together, before answering her question, “Oh, don’t mind him. Drake’s never really… fit in. He doesn’t like court as much as others love being part of it.”
“Not used to courtly life?” Riley suggested, glancing at Maxwell for confirmation.
“Definitely not. Technically, he’s a commoner. He grew up here at court with us, but he’s… always been an outsider here in a way. Even if he is Liam’s best friend,” Maxwell responded, even though it was something he wondered himself as well.
With a nod, Riley pondered his answer. It made sense why he seemed to stick out like a sore thumb compared to Liam and the others, although it didn’t seem plausible that someone would choose to stay in a place where they would only be somewhat excluded.
She questioned, “But if he’s not fond of spending time with royals and nobles, is there a reason why he tries to tolerate it so much? Besides being there for Liam, I’m guessing.”
“Beats me,” Maxwell responded, shrugging his shoulders. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what he’s thinking. He’s pretty much known for being mysterious and antisocial to almost everyone, so I wouldn’t take it personally.”
At the top of the stairs, Maxwell and Riley turned down one of the many elegant corridors of the castle. The ivory marble floors were decorated with intricate designs of mosaic art and sophisticated medallions. A gleaming chandelier glistened from the sunlight peering into the hall through the arched glass windows. The gold accents on the walls brought out the pastel blue that brightened up the space.
“Your room’s here in the west wing. In case you need anything from me or my brother, our rooms are just a couple rooms away,” Maxwell informed her, as the two of them walked past several large wooden arched doors.
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. For some reason, Maxwell struck her more as an only child with his keenness for adventure and love for the spotlight. She wondered if his brother was as easy-going and laid-back as he was. Riley curiously commented, “I didn’t know you had a brother.”
“Yeah, an older brother. His official title is Duke Bertrand Beaumont. As the eldest son, he’s the heir and I’m the spare. You’ll see him tonight. He’ll be excited to meet you,” Maxwell answered with a smile, although his last sentence had a hint of uncertainty that Riley hadn’t noticed. He already had a slight idea on how his brother would react, and well... let’s just say they would have to brace themselves.
Maxwell stopped short in front of a magnificently ornate door with the dark wood accentuating the designs. As Riley stood beside him, he turned the doorknob. Oh, boy. If this didn’t get her even more excited than he was about solving House Beaumont’s problem of not having a suitor, he would run down the corridor and do three cartwheels in a row.
“This is it… Here’s your room!” Maxwell revealed, with a giddy edge to his voice.
Riley entered a lavish guest room with a gold and dark magenta palette accompanying full-length paintings and gilded ceilings. Two end tables with beige and gold accents to the solid wood foundation were placed on both sides of the queen bed with understated white lamps on top of them. A shiny gold candle chandelier hung daintily above Maxwell and Riley, where they stood underneath it beside the bed with silky cream sheets and dark fuchsia pillows matching the ottoman nearby.
“Wow…” was all Riley could muster, as her neck craned high and low to take in the simple, regal style of the bedroom.
It was official; she had fallen asleep and dreamt of being in an alternate universe where she was treated as if she were royalty. Even if it was only temporary, she could only imagine what her younger self would do if she knew how lucky she was to be where she was now.
“As a royal guest, you’re spared no luxury,” Maxwell said, matter-of-factly as he observed her walking out the balcony where the cool, fresh air blew in peacefully.
Looking over her shoulder back at him with a hint of mischief to her smile which he recognized as resembling one of his own, Riley asked, “So nothing’s stopping me from jumping on the bed?”
“There’s not much anyone can take away from you by doing that. Maybe only your dignity.” Maxwell guffawed, watching as her shoulders rose up in anticipation.
As her smile turned up even more in delight, Riley clasped her hands together and simply said, “Perfect.”
With a running start, Riley rushed over from the balcony and leaped on to the bed with a soft plop. As she sunk into the mattress and felt the smooth silk sheets over her, she sighed happily. When was the last time she had ever been able to let out a true peaceful sigh in a very rare calm moment? Due to school and work, it seemed she hadn’t been able to rest easy in years.
“Ah… this is so much better than memory foam,” Riley complimented, snuggling with a fluffy pillow and allowing herself to close her eyes to cherish the peace and quiet. “I feel like I could sleep here forever.”
“Just one of the perks you have as one of the Crown Prince’s suitors,” Maxwell remarked, laughing in goodhearted nature. He walked away from the bed towards the door. “I’ll let you settle in before your big debut tonight.”
Immediately, Riley’s eyes opened in shock at his words. What did he mean? She sat up in surprise, calling after him, “My what?”Maxwell stopped at the door, before turning back to Riley with a nervous smile. Whoops. He knew he was forgetting something, but he couldn’t figure out what.
“I’m sorry, I keep forgetting that you’re not used to all this. Things are always complicated around here when it comes to special events like this, but we’ll take it one step at a time,” Maxwell reassured her. Riley’s shoulders relaxed a bit, so he continued to clarify, “The first event of the social season is tonight… The Masquerade.”
“Oh… it sounds important,” Riley commented, fiddling with her fingers. Her knowledge of fitting in with socialites and moguls was limited. She couldn’t help but think about how out of place she might look in front of the finest nobles of Cordonia. She thought she would have had a little bit more time to prepare. “I’ve never been to an event like that before. Are there scheduled activities I need to prepare for in advance?”
“Compared to the balls held to welcome nearby countries, not really. Sometimes, they go full-out with the masquerade theme where everyone takes off their masks at midnight. Then, networking goes on for hours,” Maxwell explained. “This ball, though, is where all the suitors will be presented to the Prince, as well as to the King. Most people at court already know each other really well, so it’s less uptight in a way. Just good music, dancing, and food.”
“Does that mean the guests have to be in specific costumes with masks prepared tonight?” Riley questioned, finding the idea of attending a masquerade for the first time interesting.
Shrugging his shoulders, Maxwell replied, “Not everyone dresses in costume, but some people plan months finding one to wear for it. You can be sure that the ladies competing for Liam’s attention will be pulling out all the stops.”
For a split second, Maxwell glanced doubtfully at Riley’s modestly-looking suitcase. When they were at her apartment back in New York, he watched as she hurriedly packed her most essential belongings. Among her things in her suitcase were keepsakes and books as well as her quintessential New York attire.
“I’m guessing it’s too much to ask if you’ve got a costume or fancy ballgown in there,” Maxwell joked, although he was seriously racking his brain trying to remember if she stuffed one or two in there as a backup.
With a sheepish smile, Riley lifted her suitcase on the bed. She unzipped the main compartment where she pulled out a flowy, floor-length dress as blue as the calm Cordonian sky. “I packed a dress.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure, so I’ve made an appointment for you at the palace boutique. Maybe you’ll find something you like better there!” Maxwell cheerfully informed her.
For once, he wasn’t scrambling to fix things; he was actually preparing in advance. Bertrand would be so proud of his initiative. Maxwell just knew it.
Tucking her dress back into her suitcase for the meantime, Riley replied, “I’ll check it out. There’s nothing wrong with another option or two.”
“Remember, tonight is very important. It’s your chance to make a first impression on all the influential people at court and to stand apart from everyone else. If you’re going to leave a lasting impact, you might as well stun them with some style,” Maxwell responded, with a hint of cool confidence in his last sentence.
Triple S’s and alliteration? Man, was he on a roll with smooth words. Maxwell could definitely shimmy his way into being a reality TV show host. Maybe The Bachelorette or The Bachelor could use a new host in the near future…
An eager grin made its way on her face, as Riley reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
~ ~ ~
Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰
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