Courting His Royal Highness

by Any Hahn

  "What end are you talking about? You're not making any sense?"

  "Stop struggling and calm down so we can talk like two rational adults!"

  But Chloe had no intention of calming down or of staying in his arms. She had no intention of listening to him any longer. She needed to run from him before she broke down and cried in his arms and confessed everything in her heart.

  "If you care for me, you'll let me go,” she hissed angrily, pushing at his chest with the palms of her hands. “You're forcing me to stay here. You're not giving me a choice. Is that what you want?"

  He shook his head. “I want you to choose to stay with me."

  "No."

  "I don't want to let you go until we've talked."

  "About what? About this ludicrous idea of yours? I'm not them!” She frantically gestured in the direction of the mansion, where the women waited in anticipation for him to return. “I'm not going to compete for your affections. I'm not going to do it."

  "You don't have to compete. You already—"

  "No! No! No!” She pushed at him again, but he held strong. She stomped on his feet; he refused to loosen his grip. “I care for you, and you know that. How can you take those feelings and manipulate them like this by putting me in this situation? How? Explain it to me if you can."

  "I thought I was doing the right thing for both of us."

  "Well, this is not the right thing. It's horrible. It's awful. It'll make things worse."

  "How?"

  "Because I love you!” Chloe shouted. She slapped a hand over her mouth in shocked amazement. She hadn't meant to reveal that bit of information. She hadn't planned on him ever knowing how she truly felt. Not after what had happened.

  He released her immediately. Chloe practically fell to the ground. She regained her footing and backed away from him, refusing to look at him. She was afraid of what she'd see on his face, in his eyes. He didn't love her. He didn't love her at all. She'd been stupid to think that he did. Why would a man like Max love her? She was nothing special. She was nothing special at all.

  "Chloe, please stop. We need to talk."

  She shook her head. Tears blurred her eyes. “Forget I said it. Please forget I said it. I didn't mean it."

  "You didn't?"

  "I'm sorry I said it."

  "Don't say that, Chloe."

  She stared at the ground and miserably drew her toe through the sandy soil. It had started out as such a beautiful morning. She wished she could go back. Only an hour. An hour would change everything.

  "Chloe, I have something to say to you, but I can't say it when you're looking at the ground. Look at me. It's important."

  "I don't want to hear it,” she sobbed.

  "Yes, I think you do."

  "Nothing you can say will make me feel better."

  "I think I can make you feel better."

  Chloe heard the smile in his voice, but she refused to look up. What could he possibly be smiling about? This was the most mortifying moment of her entire life.

  "Look at me.” His husky voice filled the air around her, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth. “Look at me. Hear what I have to say."

  There was something in his voice. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something was different—something that gave her hope maybe her outburst had not been in vain.

  "There you two are! We've been looking high and low for you both. You gave us quite a fright."

  Chloe spun around and was surprised to find Eric Von Stratton coming around the curve in the path. She heard Max mumble a few expletives under his breath. Von Stratton's appearance was most definitely not part of Max's plan.

  "How are you today, Miss Tanner?” he asked, touching the brim of his baseball cap.

  "Just fine. And you?” She'd never seen him in anything but a suit. He looked completely different in a black running suit and cap.

  "I'd be a whole lot better if Max had given me specifics about his plans this morning."

  "I don't have to tell you everything, Eric,” Max snapped. “When I need an hour for myself, I need an hour. I don't need to explain anything."

  Eric Von Stratton stopped in the middle of the crooked path and shook his head at his boss and friend. “Someone did not wake on the right side of the bed this morning. It is my duty to know your schedule, Max. You're family would never forgive me if I let something happen to you."

  "What's going to happen to me in the desert?” Max asked.

  "A diamondback could bite you."

  "You have an answer for everything,” Max grumbled.

  Chloe smothered a smile. Even in her present state—near a complete emotional breakdown—she couldn't help but find the exchange amusing. Their interaction always was.

  "That's my job.” Mr. Von Stratton pulled out his black scheduling book and flipped it open. “Now we have to talk about the day's events."

  "I'm sort of busy right now."

  "I was just leaving,” Chloe said. She walked around Von Stratton, refusing to look at Max.

  "But we haven't finished our conversation, Chloe."

  "I think we have, Your Royal Highness. I think we have.” She finally looked back over her shoulder, forced a sunny smile, and waved at Max and his diligent assistant.

  Chloe started to run as soon as she rounded the bend in the path, around the shadowed side of the McDowell's and out of Max's sight, and she didn't stop until she reached the privacy of her bedroom. Once there, she promptly threw herself across the bed and allowed herself a long cry that lasted until she fell into an exhausted sleep.

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  Chapter Twelve

  "That could've gone went a whole lot better,” Max moaned after Chloe disappeared from view. “Thanks a lot, Eric. Remind me to thank you sometime for ruining my life."

  "Don't be so dramatic. Your life is far from ruined.” Eric pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “What are you talking about? What exactly did I do that was so horrible?"

  "You interrupted a very important conversation.” Max slapped his thighs with the palms of his hands. “Damn! Damn! Damn!"

  Eric tucked the schedule book under his arm and sat down on a nearby boulder. “Okay, spill. What's going on here?"

  "She loves me."

  "She loves you?"

  "Yeah."

  "She actually said that?"

  Max nodded. “And I was about to tell her I feel the same—before you showed up uninvited."

  "You're quite angry, aren't you?"

  "That's an understatement, my old friend. I'm angry with you, with me, with her, with this entire situation. I should've never done this. This show was a huge mistake. Colossal, actually."

  "I did warn you; however, it wasn't because I thought you'd fall in love with Miss Tanner. I like her. I like her a lot, and I think she would make an excellent Romalian princess."

  "You do?"

  "I do. I also know your family would absolutely adore her."

  "I hurt her. I hurt her real bad. If only you'd seen the look on her face, the pain in her eyes. I've really messed this one up. I wanted to surprise her. It was the wrong decision."

  "How did you hurt her?"

  "I thought I was helping. I suggested to the producers that Chloe be even more involved by helping me pick out the perfect dating event for the last four candidates."

  "And you thought that was helping?” Eric started to laugh. His eye sparkled at Max. “How so? Especially after what happened between you two. People have to be blind not to see the sexual tension between you and Miss Tanner. It must be torture for her to do this crazy show, knowing she can't show her true feelings about you or be alone with you or have a chance at being your wife. You've really done it this time, Max. You're in over your head, and you're drowning."

  Max dragged fingers through his hair. He couldn't forget the sadness in her luminous eyes. It was hard to push aside the image of her tears and the emotional trembling of her lovely voice. He'd broken her heart. He knew th
at and regretted it with his entire being.

  He never wanted to cause Chloe pain. He never wanted her to be alone or feel sad or unloved or betrayed. But something had gone horribly wrong. He'd been so thrilled at the concept of spending more time with her, even if it was in front of the cameras and hundreds, eventually millions, of people. He thought she'd feel the same. He'd been wrong, so horribly wrong. He'd had a plan. And that had been just one small part of it. It had seemed so perfect. And now it was crumbling to pieces around him.

  But she did love him. Her passionate words echoed through and through his mind over and over again. Chloe loved him. She'd admitted it. Her feelings went deeper than mere physical attraction. She loved him.

  And he returned her love tenfold. He'd planned on telling her, but now he wondered if she'd even listen to him. She was so angry, so bitter, so hurt.

  She probably wouldn't speak to him again unless the script called for it. And even then, it wouldn't be her speaking—it would be her character, the beautiful hostess helping the bachelor prince select a bride. The mask and armor would be on full force. He wouldn't be able to reach her.

  "So, should we go over the schedule for today?” Eric asked, opening the black book, pen at the ready.

  "For once be my friend, you blockhead! I don't need an assistant!” Max roared. “Give me some advice. I need advice from my best friend."

  Eric looked up at Max and offered him a sympathetic smile. “I feel for you, Max, I truly do. But I'm not sure what advice I can possibly give you. I don't have much experience with women. I'm far too busy managing your life—and we need to talk about that, by the way. I do know you love her. I've never seen you so affected by a woman. You never take your eyes off of her when she's in the room. You never stop talking about her. I still can't believe this all started as a one-night stand."

  "I fell in love with her then, Eric. I never believed in love at first sight, but I do now. It does happen. It happened to me and to Chloe. And now I have to find a way to make it right. I have to give her the happily-ever-after she deserves."

  "The fairytale ending you both deserve."

  Max smiled sadly. “Thanks."

  "I mean it. You can be the most exasperating friend and boss, but you're a great guy and you deserve happiness. If Chloe is your happiness, then you should do anything and everything to be with her."

  "That's your advice?” Max asked.

  Eric nodded. “Most definitely."

  "I have a plan."

  "Is it better than the idiotic one you just mentioned?"

  "Better. Actually, this fiasco was but one small part of the bigger plan."

  "Wonderful. You'll have to tell me all about it, but it'll have to wait until this evening. The schedule's packed for the day. We won't have a chance to discuss it unless you want to fill me in on the way back to the mansion."

  "I'll fill you in. It's a great plan, better than great. I only hope Chloe loves me enough to forgive me for what I'm about to do and understand why I had to do it."

  Eric's eyes widened. He looked worried. “I'm not sure I like the sound of this, Max. It sounds like it has disaster written all over it. And more heartache for Miss Tanner. And possibly for you."

  "I don't think so. She loves me. She only needs me to tell her I love her back. Then all this hurt and anger will melt away. I know it will. She'll forgive me. She has to."

  "What are you scheming?"

  "The proposal of a lifetime.” Max smiled. “I'm going to sweep her off her feet and carry her off into the sunset on a white horse, just like in the fairy tales."

  "And how are you going to pull that off?"

  Max's smile widened. “That's what I'm going to tell you, dear friend. And I was hoping you could help me out."

  "I'm not agreeing to anything until I've been informed about this plan."

  "Very well."

  And Max told his friend all about the plan he'd discussed over the phone with Toni. And Eric had to admit it wasn't such a bad idea—but its success depended on Chloe. It all depended on how much she loved Max, and on whether she would forgive him his secrets.

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  Chapter Thirteen

  Chloe was late for another meeting with the production team and Max. She didn't know if she could take much more of this. The last couple of weeks had been excruciating. She was emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. Keeping her feelings hidden from everyone was the most challenging and difficult thing she'd ever done. She was truly acting. She deserved an Emmy. Actually, she believed her acting to be Oscar-worthy.

  But, thankfully, there was now only one week left of Courting His Royal Highness. Max had narrowed it down to the final two, Elizabeth from England and Ingrid from Norway. He would select his bride at the end of the week. Chloe was relieved. Only five more days, and it would be over. She would finally be rid of the thorn in her side: Max. And she wouldn't have to be with him every day.

  She was definitely looking forward to some peace and solitude. She'd miss him so very much, but she couldn't do this much longer without having a breakdown. She was close to it now.

  Only five more days. She could do it. And then she was taking a hiatus to Minnesota, where she would stay through the New Year. The producers had suggested she keep a low profile while the show aired on the EVE Network, and her family's farm in rural Minnesota seemed the perfect escape. She planned on stopping in L.A. to pick up Domino—then home. She missed her family. She missed the farm.

  She was even looking forward to the seclusion. Chloe had started to wonder if maybe she didn't enjoy being in the spotlight as much as she'd originally thought. But she knew it was ignorant of her to make judgments based on this one experience. After all, she happened to be madly in love with her co-star. That affected things quite a bit, and it wouldn't always happen. This was a unique situation.

  Courting His Royal Highness had debuted last week to rave reviews. It was the newest hit and the must-see show of the season. Americans were addicted, and the rest of the world had tuned in as well. EVE had purposely arranged it so Courting His Royal Highness would be seen all across Europe, and it was the headliner in Romalia every day.

  Chloe had phoned Julia to ask what she thought, and her friend couldn't stop raving about it. Julia kept saying how fabulous she looked and that Max was sooooo incredibly handsome. He took her breath away, and she hoped with all her heart things would work out between them. She didn't believe Max would actually have to marry one of his choices if he wasn't in love with her. The executives at EVE couldn't possibly hold him to that. In Julia's opinion, it would be beyond cruel.

  Chloe, on the other hand, believed less and less in the possibility of a happy ending for Max and her. Max looked very happy with his choices and didn't seem to be giving her a second thought, despite the fact she'd confessed her deepest secret to him. How could he forget what she'd said? People didn't say “I love you” casually. At least she didn't. Maybe Max did. She could count on one hand how many times she'd told a man she loved him.

  As she descended off the last step and onto the cool tile of the spacious foyer, she was mortified to see Ingrid and Elizabeth coming in the front door. Both were dressed in designer workout outfits, one in pink and the other in purple, and both giggled like teenage girls.

  Chloe froze. She didn't want to talk to either of them. She wanted to scratch out their pretty eyes and claw out the gorgeous strands of their perfect hair. How could anyone compete with them? She'd always been happy with her looks, but they were perfect. Every woman who had vied for the coveted position as Max's princess had been perfect.

  Ingrid and Elizabeth were Max's final choices. One would be his bride.

  "Hello, Miss Tanner!” Ingrid cried. She waved and rushed over, blonde ponytail bouncing. “It's so nice to see you."

  "You see me every day,” Chloe said through a forced smile and clenched teeth.

  "Yes, but it's usually in front of a dozen eyes.” Elizabeth giggl
ed. “We're so excited about this week. Do you know where Prince Max is taking us on our final dates?"

  Chloe shook her head. She didn't know at the moment, but she was about to find out. The meeting's agenda focused on the preparations for the final week.

  "You must know. You can tell us. We promise we won't tell a soul.” Ingrid winked. She fit the stereotype of a Scandinavian woman: blonde, blue-eyed and long-legged. Her blue eyes were as mesmerizing and magnetic as those of the man she hoped to claim as her husband. They'd produce breathtaking children. Chloe's heart ached.

  "I can assure you I don't know. Sometimes I'm as much in the dark as you."

  Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. “Truly? That doesn't seem right.” She had auburn hair, possessed the greenest eyes Chloe had ever seen, and she had a smile like sunshine. That was the only way to explain it. Max had described it that way when he'd discussed the attributes of each contestant.

  "I also wouldn't tell you if I did know,” Chloe said softly. “I'd love to chat, but I have to run. I'm extremely late for a morning meeting.” She looked down at her watch for emphasis and hoped they'd let her hurry on by without further questioning. “Goodbye. Have a pleasant day. I'll see you this evening."

  "Miss Tanner, do you think he'll choose me?” Ingrid asked. Her eyes shone. “I like him so much."

  "What about me? I like him too, and there's definite attraction between us,” Elizabeth interjected.

  Ingrid glared at Elizabeth. “With me too."

  Chloe forced herself not to roll her eyes in exasperation. “I'm sure Prince Max feels attracted to each of you. You're the final two out of fifteen. But he has to decide which one of you he has the strongest feelings for. Choosing a bride is a big deal and can't be taken lightly. Be thankful you've made it this far."

  "Oh, we are!” they exclaimed in unison. “We're so happy. One of us will be a princess. Can you imagine that? A princess!"

  The ache in Chloe's heart grew five times bigger. “I'm glad you're happy."

  She wished she could feel the same. But all she felt was misery every single day. And she wanted out. She wanted to get away from everyone, but mostly Max. She didn't want to feel the intensity of his blue eyes as he watched from across the room. She didn't want to see him courting, embracing, and kissing other women. She wanted to be away from it all. The show couldn't end fast enough.