Smoke And Mirror (Royal Angel l) S01 E33

Story 3 years ago

Smoke And Mirror (Royal Angel l) S01 E33

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 33

“White roses”

________________________________________

Xavier POV

“Pro tip : try to act like a Lady, Shortcake.”

“Pro tip : I am a lady, Sir Ässhole.”

I didn’t even bother with a comeback. My mind went blank as I saw the wrought iron gates.

They were gilded to look like a Phoenix’s wings, cast in the Royal Family’s crest. It would’ve looked nice –

But then two huge marble statues of ‘artistically’ robed half naked women stood to either side of the arch.

The guy who designed this probably went, “Dude, I just saw a Roman style threesome when I was high on LSD.

Let’s just put that on a huge äss iron gate with a bunch of feathers.

Because that’s tasteful as fück.”

When Kiera invited me to stay at our aunt’s house, I’d refused because a) the house matched the monstrosity that was the gate.

And b?

Victoria was already making weird faces at the CCTV mirror outside.

But as resolute as I’d been to not come here, our little motel got shut down last night because there was a murder downstairs.

And while we didn’t have anything to do with it, the guardians weren’t exactly going to give us a gold sticker and a pat on the back.

I was down to my last pound. I was used to being on the streets, but I sure as hell wasn’t letting Victoria follow me there.

Rolling down the window, I let the cameras see me.

The penniless Prince and his starving tiger cub.

Power couple right here, folks.

“So,” Victoria propped her arms behind her head, as we headed down the dark driveway. ” You haven’t actually asked me out yet.”

I looked at her.

“Eager much? Because we could skip that whole deal and do it in the car right here, Shortcake.”

She smacked me. “What part of being a gentleman do you not get?”

“Oh, I’ll be gentle.” I shrugged. “But that’s not what you really want now, is it, baby?”

I didn’t even have to look to know that she was blushing.

“I want you to shut up.”

“I want you in black lace.” I said, looking up in mock prayer. “But alas, we live in a cruel universe where you’re wearing jeans.”

“What’s wrong with my jeans?” She fumed.

“They’re not on the floor.”

She hit me with a rolled up newspaper. I probably deserved that one.

“I don’t even care anymore.” She muttered. “Ask me, don’t ask me, you can go fück yourself, you riled up h---y son of a bîtch.”

I pulled the brake so suddenly, Victoria gasped. We were under the cover of trees in a stolen car, a long winding road ahead, alone for all intents and purposes.

“What are you doing?” Victoria asked, quietly.

If memory served me right, there was a garden here a short distance away. I needed a little time, so I played with my blade absently.

“You want to kill me now?” Victoria said, putting her hands up in annoyance. “After blowing up monuments, stealing for you, running to another country, you want to kill me because I encouraged fapping?”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed, putting the knife away.

“Why in God’s name would I kill you?”

“For starters, I almost killed your friend, I insult you at every given opportunity, I give you a constant headache, you’ll get bored with me -”

I looked her in the eyes, rolling down my window. She fell silent looking at my expression.

“There’s a good chance I may never get bored with you, Victoria.” I said. “And honestly? That frightens the crap out of me.”

“Well, there’s another reason why you’d want to kill me.” She suggested. “I’m far too interesting for the world.”

I ruffled her hair, smiling. Right on cue, a single fresh cut white rose floated through the window. Victoria looked at me, then at the rose wide eyed when it rested on her lap.

Magic was a big pain in the äss, but it had its moments.

“I said no flowers.” She held it carefully, avoiding the thorns. The rose had gold veins, a rare variety that I’d only ever seen here.

Victoria watched it glow in the moonlight with wonder. “Well, thanks for not listening to me.”

I smiled.

“So Lady Victoria,” I watched her carefully. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow evening?”

She smiled. “Unfortunately yes, Sir Biscuit.”

We drove down the road to the front door. Somewhere along the way, Victoria’s hand covered mine over the gear shift.

It was a small thing, but I’d always noticed how her hands weren’t all too soft. Probably because she’d handled rough metal most of her life.

It was all I could do to take her hand and kiss her fingertips.

She looked at me. “What was that for?”

I shrugged. “You have nice hands.”

She didn’t say anything, but she let me hold her hand again as we walked to the door.

Which I came to understand was Victoria’s way of saying thank you.

A frail old lady opened the massive oak door, her small body covered in a russet gown that looked way too heavy for her fragile body –

Grand Dutchess Terencia Riccardi twisted my ear, after recovering from the initial shock.

“I’ve waited for you for ages, dear boy.” She said, tears in her eyes. “Kiera told me, but I didn’t believe her. Oh, we didn’t know if you were dead all these years. And your clothes! Madre Mia, you look like you haven’t showered in years -”

There was a soft laugh beside me.

“And who is this, young lady?” The Dutchess turned her attention to Victoria. “Where did you find this one? I really hope you’ll marry one of these days, son. Yes, this one should do nicely – she has wide childbearing hips.”

Leave it my aunt to bring up bridal prospects in less than ten sentences.

No wonder Kiera got along with her so well.

Victoria shifted uncomfortably. It was my turn to laugh, as I put my arm around her.

“That’s a compliment.” I whispered to her, as the Dutchess ushered us inside.

“I don’t think they teach your kind the right definition.” She muttered, shocked by the sheer grandness of the mansion. “How do you know her, anyway?”

Yeah, meet my mom’s sister. She’s a stickler for punctuality, loves cats and also happens to be second-in-line for the Throne after Danny.

No big deal.

“My maids will show you to your rooms.” She said briskly. “We need to talk, boy. Twelve long years it has been.”

“Yes, we should, madre .” I kissed her on the cheek. She looked at me affectionately. “I hope I’ll get to taste your cooking soon.”

“I hope you changed your mind coming back here.” Her eyes were sad. “Your father is not well.”

I pursed my lips. I knew this was coming.

“We’ll talk about this over dinner.” I said, diplomatically. “Victoria needs to rest.”

She gave me a cryptic look, which was gone a moment later.

“Yes, of course. Be on your way.” She smiled. “We have all the time in the world after all.”

A butler showed us to our rooms. Much to my relief, they weren’t too over the top.

Well, if you didn’t count the twin chandeliers, the TV the size of a wall, the mini golf course and the marble and glass on everything else.

Lady Gaga would’ve fit right in.

I left Victoria in her room, letting her settle. I was walking down the hallway to my room, when I almost bumped into a woman in a black silk gown.

“I’m terribly sorry.” Her voice was so perfectly beautiful, all I wanted to do was listen to her.

I smiled, getting on one knee.

“I’m to apologise, High Priestess.” I said, not looking at her face until she gave me the permission to rise.

A high priestess was the chosen vessel of an Archangel when they came to this planet. They were usually women, revered beyond the king himself, and almost worshipped by some.

This girl was probably the most powerful being on this side of the planet.

Just a coincidence that my sister happened to be banging her.

“You must be Xavier.” Anna said, smiling. “Kiera has told me a lot about you.”

“I’m sure she has.” I muttered.

She laughed. “Only good things, Your Highness.”

“Please don’t call me that.” I said, looking at Victoria’s door.

Anna looked at me curiously.

“You didn’t tell her.”

I shrugged. “She doesn’t need to know.”

“Will you take a walk with me?” Anna asked. “There’s something I’d like to show you.”

I nodded, so she led me down the hallway, past my room.

“So how are things going with my sister?” I asked, trying to be conversational.

“Oh, they’re well. Kiera is a beautiful person with a kind soul. I tell her but she rarely believes me.” Anna smiled, meeting my eyes. “I do believe I should be honest with the woman I love.”

And I knew she wasn’t just talking about Kiera anymore.

“Here we are.”

Anna showed me a glass cabinet. Inside was a life size replica of the Royal crown, gold inlaid with diamonds, the family crest engraved at the very centre.

I swallowed. “Jewellery is not really my thing, Priestess.”

Anna touched the glass. “Then do it for your people. We need a good King, Xavier.”

“Daniel is -”

“A lost child.” She said, her amethyst eyes serious. “Please don’t let him pay for your mistakes.”

I took a deep breath.

“I’ll think about it.”

“At least, do it for her .” Anna said softly. “Be brave enough to show her your demons.”

In that moment, my reflection in the glass lined up with the crown, so it was over my head.

In that moment, all I could see was the torn clothing I wore, the sweat and dirt on my skin and how much that offended the beauty of the gold beyond the glass.

I turned away.

“I shouldn’t.” I said, firmly. “She hasn’t done anything wrong to deserve that.”

Anna put a hand on my shoulder, her eyes otherworldly as they looked into my very soul.

“She’s shown you the stars in your darkness, Xevi. That’s the gravest sin of all. To steal another’s heart.”

****

Happy holidays! XD

Xavier : “Like for a white rose.” :