Chapter 7 THE ROYAL OFFER

• 7: The Royal Offer
• The better question you should ask is why her tutors leave.
• The words were still ringing in my ear and I don't understand what they meant. I know there was something that I just can't put my head into.
• “What kind of child is the Princess?” I asked curiously. "I mean, she's young so... I assume she is playful?"
• Thibaut and Caleb were exchanging stares at each other and I instantly agree to my subconscious mind that these two are not telling me something. There was something else that I feel like they are not too hasty in letting me know about. Well, they are princes for God’s sake and they have probably mastered the skill of answering questions by avoiding them and mastered the eye movement as well.
• Wait, do they have classes like that in their palace?
• I bet they do since the palace is probably insanely huge.
• “Kids are not so bad.” I added while smiling at the two princes.
• "Kids." Caleb snickers while he was making a face before glancing at Thibaut. "Yeah, kids are not so bad I guess." His tone of voice seems like he disagrees with me.
• My eyes travelled to Thibaut who was staring at his hands before he pulled his head back up and stares at me with the calmest smile, “You haven’t met the worst kids I guess.”
• Thibaut's answers kind of alarms me. Worst kids. I engrave those words in my head because it could mean that the princess might be one. I think he is subtly making a definition about their younger sister. but then she is a princess, so how bad could it be? I mean, they have probably taught her right conduct while growing up right? She is a princess and princesses are always so elegant, soft and calm.
• “What do you mean?” I questioned right away. “I mean eight-year-olds are not so bad.”
• “Not all, Miss Cavanaugh.” Thibaut answers formally and I am kind of loving the calm tone in his voice. He is just so even-tempered, doesn't show nervousness or a slight pint of agitation. He's a like a great cup of black coffee in the morning while watching a beautiful view of mountains covered in fogs.
• “You mean to say?” I quizzed. I can't help this kind of puzzling thought without telling me anything.
• “Well.” Thibaut clears his throat, flashes me a tightlipped smile. “Maggie’s a little bit like… Caleb.”
• And that's a bad thing? I questioned myself.
• Thibaut glances and gestures his hand at his brother. "They are kind of alike. Somewhat."
• “Oh come on." He raises his hands over his head and shrugs his shoulders. "Here we go.” Caleb whines while rolling his eyes at Thibaut.
• “Maggie is slightly rebellious." Thibaut finally confesses. "Hard headed. Doesn’t really listen to anyone. Pretty much is a bit of a problem to all of us in the palace.” He continues to narrate as his eyes were staring at the meal cups of .
• The princess is that bad? I mean, I know kids tend to have tantrums and has days when they are not really in the mood to do anything. But, a princess? She cannot actually be that bad.
• Right?
• Although I should believe the things that they say because well, they are her brothers.
• “Hey I’m actually here Thibs!” Caleb gestures both of his hands from his head to his toe. “At least try to say nicer things about me in front of Cynthia. Thank you.”
• I couldn’t help but smile at the adorable and playful relationship he has with his older brother. It wasn't as bad as he told me before. I remember how he told me that his older brother loathes him but this is the total opposite. I think they have a very healthy relationship and it is really nice to see that they get along.
• “Come on Cal, Maggie has had a few tutors and that’s one of father’s problem.” Thibaut states.
• Problem? I instantly thought to myself. He has mentioned that twice now. Is she really that bad? It makes me wonder if the princess is that kind of ill-tempered?
• “She doesn’t really like to learn so she kind of…” Thibaut clears his throat. “Mistreats her tutors.”
• “Mistreats?” I commented right away because it seems really alarming.
• “Batter is the perfect word to use.” Caleb corrects.
• “Caleb.” Thibaut scolds.
• “B-Batter?” I gaped in surprise.
• “Don’t be too taunted, Miss Cavanaugh.” Thibaut was quick to comfort me and I am seriously amaze at how calm this guy is. I mean, is he even real?
• “Does she hurt them?” I couldn’t help but ask something obvious. "Like to what extent?"
• Caleb speaks to me, “Maggie’s just highly picky when it comes to people she trusts.”
• At such a young age she is already highly picky in trusting people, wow. I commented in my head.
• Caleb continues, “She’s only relying on Miss Gladys, her deaf-mute communication interpreter but she’s not really suitable for tutoring.”
• Thibaut smiles. Jesus Christ this man gets more handsome when he smiles like that and I cannot actually freaking believe how calm that smile is. Could it be possible that every muscle in his body is calm too?
• He says, “Well, we will call you once we need a new tutor. Father will have a thorough background check on you beforehand.”
• Thorough background check. Emphasize on the word thorough. That is kind of a little frightening to hear knowing that I have such a bad background, no father and unfinished education. I wonder how they do that but then knowing that they have the power and wealth to actually hire people to do a background check on a single person. I wonder if it’s going to be an intensive checking with personal questioning and everything else.
• I remained silent because I honestly don’t know if I should do it. There are a lot of things in my head and a lot of questions too relating to the job and of course the princess.
• In the first place, I don’t think I’d be up tutoring a freaking royal princess who’s probably mean and spoiled since she is the youngest of an actual freaking royal family. Caleb has mentioned that his little sister is mute but now I just found out that she’s a little picky on people and of course mistreats, or shall I say batters her tutors which makes it a whole lot worst.
• “Will you be alright to live in England?” Thibaut asks.
• Did I hear it right? Did he just say live in England? That would be amazing but that would also mean I have to leave mom here.
• “It’s a little bit far from your home.” He adds.
• A soft chuckle leaves my mouth, “I… I haven’t really thought about it seriously. I mean even after Caleb told me about the offer, I don’t think it would be for me too.”
• “Why not?” Thibaut questions while his brows subtly creasing.
• I lowered my head a little bit while I stare at my fingers before I travelled my eyes back to Thibaut who is staring back at me calmly. “I can’t be away from home." I answered him. "My mother needs me. There’s no one here to guard her. I’m the only one she has and.... It's just.... Impossible.”
• Caleb leans forward, “The pay will be a lot better and higher. I can help you more after how you helped me here.”
• "Caleb, it's really not necessary to pay me back. I mean, the opportunity is wonderful. I just don't think that it's.. it's for me."
• Thibaut exhales, “Well, if the current tutor leaves then you’ll be on the first list of people we would call. That is for sure.” He takes a small bite from his bread and he even exudes elegance while he is eating darn it, “Caleb has your number right?”
• "Yes." I answered.
• Caleb nods before he looks back at me. “Think about it Thia. It’ll help your mom and your education too.”
• Thibaut turned to me, “Education?”
• “She’s a nursing student” Caleb answers quick.
• “Caleb don’t--”
• “But wasn’t able to continue for the lack of financial aid.” He continues, cutting me off from actually stopping him. “She was forced to stop her higher degree in college due to lack of financial aid. We all know father is a little difficult to please when it comes to Maggie’s but II really hope that Thia would get the position.”
• "Caleb, it's too much." I say nervously.
• Caleb’s older brother responded, “I can take care of that.”
• Handsome Thibaut smiles at me. “The pay is good to be Maggie’s tutor. I can assure you that what you earn here in Vancouver for an entire year will be your pay in the Kingdom in just two months. All you have to do is stay.”
• Stay.
• Stay in the U.K and be away from mom.
• I sigh at the thought of it.
• Staying would be hard to do knowing that there are two factors that are preventing me from doing so. Staying in England means being away from my ill mother who needs me more than ever. Staying in England means being the target of mistreatment from the princess.
• But damn, that’s a huge amount of money.
• “How long did the last tutor last?” I couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
• “2 days.” Caleb answers casually.
• Thibaut shakes his head while smiling tight-lipped at me.
• I was surprised with how fast the tutor left the princess.
• Two days. Two freaking days!
• I wonder how terrible this Maggie is.
• Is she really that kind of bad?
• “I do need to think about it.” I tell them honestly. “Anyways, she still has a tutor.”
• Thibaut nods, "Yes Miss Cavanaugh, you still have a lot of time to think. Not to worry."
• Calen smiles at me as he takes my hand to his while Thibaut was holding it, "Don't worry Thia, I will help you with Maggie. And, Thibaut will be the one to help you get in."
• I smile nervously, "That would be amazing but there are other things which are far more important to consider like my background and--"
• "I'll take care of that." Thibaut answers and softly placed his huge warm hand over my hand and smiles at me.
• I just freaking died.