Page 4 of Royally Matched
“You aren’t like everyone else. I don’t know what happened to you, Maxwell. You were such a kind and caring boy growing up. I had such high hopes for you. Then something changed when you got older.”
Max knew exactly what—or rather who—made him change, but he wasn’t about to openold wounds. Better to leave the past where it belonged: behind him. It was much easier focusing on having fun and floating around the world spending his family’s money.
“Now that you’re done critiquing my failings, I think I will go and live down to your expectations for me,” Max stated sarcastically. “I’ve got a Bloody Mary waiting along with a blonde.”
“Not so fast, Maxwell Gerard Beaumont. That’s why I’m calling you,” his father stated in an authoritative voice.
“You called me to talk about my Bloody Mary?” Max teased, knowing it would push his father’s buttons.
“No, I’m calling you about the blonde.”
“Father, Mother can be awful, but isn’t it—”
“Enough Maxwell,” his father shouted. “This isn’t a joking matter. You can’t wiggle your way out of every situation with a charming joke.”
“I beg to differ. Myphonebook is full of women that would argue the contrary. I’m quite good at it,” Max countered with a smirk that formed on his lips, even though he knew his father couldn’t see it.
“Maxwell, you have crossed the line this time. That trouble-making pop star you’re carousing around with, has gotten you both plastered all over the news. The articles are less than flattering, and you are tarnishing the reputation of Triola.”
“Really, Father? I’m capable of toppling the entire reputation of a country?”
“As the Crown Prince, you most definitely are, which is why you will end all communications with that—woman—and return to Triola at once.”
“No, I don’t think so, Father. I quite like it here in the South of France. I have no intention of coming back to Triola any time soon.”
“It isnota request. I am your father, and more importantly, your king. If you do not return to Triola immediately, I will cut you off from everything. No money, no yacht, no servants. You will be completely on your own. Do you understand me?” his father growled in anger. “I am done letting you act like an imbecile at our country’s expense.”
Max wanted to argue, but part of him knew it wouldn’t do him any good. He’d never heard his father so upset, and his father didn’t make empty threats. If Max pushed him and didn’t comply, his father would cut him off. Max had never been without all the royal perks. He didn’t know how he would fair, but he suspected, not well.
“Fine, Father, I will make arrangements to return to Triola as soon as possible.”
“Today,” his father stated adamantly. “Take the helicopter to the airport. The jet will be waiting for you.”
Though he didn’t like being dictated to, he could suffer a week or two back home. Once he smoothed everything out and appeased his parents with a few public appearances, he could return to his life abroad.
* * *
As Lily turned the final page of the book, she looked out at the gathered children. “And the princess lived happily ever after,” Lily said as she closed the book. “I hope all of you enjoyed the story.”
They all clapped and cheered as one of the orphanage workers leaned towards her and told her what was next.
“It’s nap time,” Lily announced, trying to keep an upbeat tone, knowing the children wouldn’t be happy about the news.
The group of kids, ranging between the ages of 3-8, all sighed with disappointment.
“Just one more story, Lady Lily?” a little boy with brown hair and eyes stated, his bottom lip coming out in a pout.
“I wish I could, but I don’t want to break the rules,” she leaned towards the boy and added in a whisper, “I want to make sure I can come back soon.”
The boy giggled and nodded, making his dark hair dance on top of his head. “We want that too.”
As Lily stood up from her chair, she watched as the orphanage workers gathered up the kids for their naps. They took them to the two rooms, one for boys and the other for the girls. There were more kids than space, and Lily had been working on raising funds to expand the Chinese orphanage. She was grateful she finally met the goal to add on an additional wing to house another dozen kids.
Sue Shongshay, who ran the orphanage, came up to Lily with a giant smile on her face. “Thank you, Lady Liliana. You’ve done so much for the kids here, really for all of us,” Sue said, shaking Lily’s hand profusely. “I can’t believe you took time off from your UN work to come here to present the check to us.”
“She’s fantastic, isn’t she?” Lord Joseph Rogers agreed, coming up to stand next to them. The blond-haired man, with a strong jaw and steely blue eyes, gave her a look of admiration as he added, “She never ceases to amaze me.”
Lily averted her eyes, knowing if she let them meet Joseph’s, he would stare at her with affection. They had grown up together in Triola’s royal court. When he attended one of her fundraisers for the orphanage, he had shown an interest—she suspected more in her than her cause—but she had assumed he would tire of her and move on. Two years later, he was still following her from cause to cause.
