Chapter 4 The Solution

• Her words stay with me. I've been groomed to become king ever since I was old enough to walk. It was always what my father wanted. What my mom even wanted. I'm the heir to the throne of Verilia and they expect me to behave as such, so when I was old enough to leave, I did. I had to go out on my own, find my own way. I've been everywhere, I remember everything and contrary to the opinions of everyone else, I don't regret my actions. I smirk to myself as I remember a certain mocha skinned beauty from Ibiza who could put both of her legs behind her head. And of course my thoughts roam to her.
• The maid.
• American Thighs. The solution to all the problems.
• I need to know her name so I continue to walk down the hall until I reach the staff desk. It's on the opposite side of the palace but I don't mind the walk. I'm determined to find out more about my little American anyway. When I got there, an older woman sat at the desk filling out some sort of paperwork. Her brown hair is pinned up in an intricate bun like American Thigh's was. It must be part of the uniform requirements. She looks up from her papers and nearly jumps out of her seat. "Oh dear! Your Highness. How may I help you?" She's clearly flustered.
• "I need to know the name of one of your maids," I snap. I'm no nonsense. I didn't have time for any of this.
• "Of course Your Highness! Who do you have in mind?" I'm clearly making her uncomfortable.
• "She's American. Blonde hair. Blue eyes." She sticks out. Women in Verilia didn't look like she does. She's all American. I picture her in red plaid and daisy dukes and chuckle to myself.
• "Oh! You're talking about Annie?" She smiles fondly. "What a sweet girl. Pardon me, Your Highness, but may I ask what this is about?"
• "No. What's her full name?"
• "Her name is Annalise Shaw."
• Annalise Shaw. Annie. I like it. My American Annie. "Perfect. Thank you."
• The lady smiles again, but this time it's clearly forced. She must not have liked my attitude. But I don't care. "Anytime, Your Highness."
• I walk away from the woman and back toward my suite in the West Wing. I open the door and sit back down on the bed. I turn on the television and it flicks to life showing a young reporter. She's clearly talking about me. About the next king.
• I turn it up.
• "Sources say that Prince Daniel will be passed over for the crown. Our independent source says that Prince Michael will inherit the throne. More on this as it develops I'm—" I turn it off and throw the remote against the wall in frustration. Great. Now the news channels have the story. I need to fix this. I refuse lose the crown.
• And I know just how to fix this.
• Annie.
• She owes me a favor. And I'm about to cash in.
• I ring the bell and call a servant. He runs to my side. "Yes, Your Highness?"
• I grin. "I want to see a lawyer in here immediately."
• The young man nods. "Of course. Right away Your Highness." He disappears out the door quickly and leaves me alone.
• I get off my bed and walk into the kitchen area. I pour myself two fingers of scotch and lean against the counter. Now all I have to do is wait.
• Annie
• "I'm going to change in the bathroom. Stay here."
• Oh god. I am so screwed.
• I am so fired.
• Good job Annie! It only took you two months to get fired. I watch the mysterious man disappear through the bathroom door to the left. I'm so nervous that when he closes it, I jump. My heart races at one hundred miles and hour and my face is still hot. In that moment I make an instant decision.
• I run.
• I grab my maids cart and quickly push it the hell out of there. I don't want to face the mysterious man when he comes out of the bathroom. I'm mortified. I'm completely embarrassed.
• I'm.... fired.
• Oh great!
• As I run out of the suite, I don't even bother shutting the door. When I'm finally safe back in the main hall I stop to catch my breath. I think back to that man. He was so handsome and... terrifying. Completely terrifying. His dark eyes bore into my soul but his body and his...
• No! Don't go there! I need to forget about him. He's going to fire me anyway. It doesn't matter if he looked incredibly hot.
• Because he did.
• I look around again and take my phone out of my apron.
• Me: ALINE HELP WHERE ARE YOU WE NEED TO TALK EMERGENCY
• I'm shaking so much that my fingers fumble with the buttons and I have to retype my text a few times. Almost immediately, Aline texts back.
• Aline: OMG WHAT HAPPENED
• I try to find the right way to describe what just happened and realize it isn't a conversation to have in text.
• Me: Meet me in the staff room. Now.