She nodded and checked her phone. “Shoot, I have to get to a lunch downtown.” She stood. “Come along, bodyguard. We will have to discuss this whole Militia thing later. Understand?” Of course she’s still uncomfortable.
I nodded, “Understood,” and grabbed my gauze on the way out, starting to rewrap my arm. I wasn’t ready to show that scar to anyone else quite yet.
When we reached the garage, Julia looked at the cars quickly. “Which one should we take?”
“You’re asking the poor kid that’s only driven old public-built beaters which car we should take?” I hesitated. “Fine, that one.” I pointed to the Italian car in the corner.
“No, you do not get to drive the Lamborghini on your first day.” Worth a shot. She grabbed a set of keys from the wall and pointed to the dark blue sedan just in front of us. “You do know how to drive, right?”
My mind went back to the Militia’s beaters and I wondered if they actually fell under the same category of driving as these supercars. “Yes, I do.”
“Great. Don’t kill me or crash the nice car, and you pass.” She tossed me the keys. I opened her door and shut it behind her before getting in the driver seat.
The inside was a space ship, not a car. There were more settings and dials than I knew could exist and it smelled like leather mixed with expensive, if expensive could itself be a scent. I hit the garage door opener and started it up. At least I know what those two things do. The sound of an obvious V6 below the hood roared to life, and I smiled a little too much. Julia just shook her head as we pulled out into the world.
Chapter 21
My first bodyguard mission consisted of standing in the corner of The Capital Grille, a fancy restaurant downtown. My job was to constantly scan the room for potential threats, of which there were none. The biggest problem was actually getting into the place, as the manager insisted it was for Yellows and above only. Julia eventually persuaded him with a generous bribe, but I felt bad being a burden on her. I’m supposed to be helping…
Honestly, with Julia’s casual attire I doubted that many people would recognize her without her usual regal attire. She was eating with two friends, a Blue and a Yellow, that she had met while studying the sciences at the University of Minnesota. Apparently, she had wanted a degree and decided that science was one of the few areas that wouldn’t involve extensive propaganda from the People’s Front. Smart and attractive… Stop it…
This gave me time to think, something I had been lacking recently. In a whirlwind I went from almost fired to Julia’s bodyguard and apparently one of her best friends that she can open up to. It all felt so alien to me, but it also felt like the easiest thing I’d done in my life. If I wanted, I could have forgotten about my old life and Coyote, but I was determined to use this new, comfortable position to help the cause. I just hoped that I wouldn’t have to choose between my two loyalties.
Standing back, I was giving the girls their space. Based on the occasional look that came in my direction, though, I was the subject of some type of conversation. I didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. Delaware had been the only girl I was close to, so I wasn’t exactly acquainted with their social habits.
I looked out the window just in time to see a Yellow with a camera getting out of a car, his eyes fixed on Julia. Well, it’s show time. I jogged out the front door onto the busy downtown sidewalk and stepped in front of him as he prepared to take the pictures.
Taking off his sunglasses and pushing at me, he still tried to get a picture around me. “Get the hell out of here, Red.”
I stood my ground. “The princess is trying to enjoy her lunch, so I recommend violating somebody else’s privacy.”
He kept moving the camera around to get a pic, and I matched him each time. “Who do you think you are?”
“I’m her bodyguard, so scram.”
A smirk came over his face. “Since when they getting Reds to guard royals?”
I grabbed his arm forcefully. “That’s a nice camera you got there. It’d be a shame if someone broke it.”
He was taken aback and shook his arm free. “Fine. But just know you’re going to end up in the papers instead of her soon.” He walked back to his car, snapping a poorly angled pic of the girls on his way.
Onlookers hesitated in confusion as I called after him, “Maybe if your papers bothered to cover the government’s corruption you wouldn’t need to report on what the princess is having for lunch.”
He just shook his head and I waited until he drove away before heading inside, ignoring the looks from the crowd on the sidewalk. I looked around the restaurant full of Blues and Greens one last time as they finished up. It was quite amazing that the socialists had managed to replace the corrupt monarchy of the past with a system that had an even more rigid social structure, the exact opposite of what they claimed they wanted. If people weren’t starving it would have been funny.
When the girls were ready to leave I met Julia at the table and we walked out towards the car. She looked around inquisitively. “Thanks for handling that paparazzi. On casual Saturdays with friends like this I’d rather not have a ton of pictures taken, considering my lack of make-up and everything.”
“Understandable, though, I think it comes off as more authentic to people to see a princess dressing like the average person.”
She laughed. “Did you just turn a compliment into calling me average?”
I chuckled. “Don’t underestimate my ability to be awkward.”
She smiled and shook her head. “It’s fine. Now, let’s head back to the palace. I need to get ready for a gathering with some of the foreign diplomats.”
I let her into the car and then jumped into the driver’s seat. “How often do you have events like this?”
She looked out the passenger side window as I pulled into the street. “Someone from the family is attending an event at least once a day normally, not necessarily all in royal territory or even in Northern Mississippi, since dad has a lot of trips out of the country. I have maybe two to four formal events a week and normally a few more informal ones. It’s part of the life. Problem is, the conversation is dull and the gossip is merely drama. We should have more events with real people.” She smiled and hesitated. “For example, talking with you today has been refreshingly real. Everyone always has certain expectations for me to meet. It’s tough, trying to please everyone. Thank you, again, for listening.”
“Well, it is my job to talk to you. Plus, the alternative is talking with the cranky mechanic, so you surpass the expectations.”
She smiled and laughed. “Well I’m glad to be above a cranky mechanic.”
I laughed. “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s a close race.”
“Ouch.”
Chapter 22
We pulled through the gates, and I let her out at the front. She smiled softly at me as a butler opened her door, “Wait for me outside my room.”
“Will do.”
I ran into Jonah on the way from the garage. He was grinning. “Heard you’re Princess Julia’s new bodyguard. Congratulations, my friend.”
“Thanks, I’m still kind of shocked by it all.”
“I bet, but it is great to have you as a fellow guard now! Also, Julia told me about the weird fighting style you used to take out those thugs. Teach me sometime?”
I was caught off guard by that. I’d never really thought of my fighting “style.” “Sure, and you can teach me how to fight the right way instead of how I taught myself to.”
He smiled. “Sounds like a deal.”
He started to continue his route before I grabbed his arm. “Also, Jonah, I wanted to thank you for last night. I’m not sure how I would have made it out of there without your help.”
He gave a slight smile. “No worries. It’s my job. Now that we are both connected to the princess, I’m sure there’ll be a time in which I will owe you back. You feeling okay today? No fights with Dukes?”
I laughed. “No, just with papara
zzies!”
“Ah, yes. Ivan, the hero we need but don’t deserve, fighting the crime of photography. Well, I have to continue on my patrol, but it was nice running into you. We will have to talk about that training later.”
“Will do. See you around Jonah.”
Julia was right – Jonah was truly a kind and helpful guy. I just hoped I wouldn’t make a fool of myself training with him.
The rest of the guardsmen must have heard about my new job too since I was met with sneers and sarcastic comments as I walked through the Great Hall and upstairs towards the family’s rooms. I waited outside her door for a while. Eventually, one of the handmaidens, Rachel, came out. “Apparently Isaac will be attending the party tonight.”
“Dang. Is she okay?” Can I kick his ass?
“As you’d expect. I need you to run and let the King and Queen know that she is running late due to… I don’t know, come up with an excuse.”
“I can tell them her dress was misplaced or something?”
Her eyes lit up. “That’ll work. I think they’re in their room. Thank you, Ivan. Besides, you owe us for having to deal with that blood you got on her jacket.”
I laughed. “No worries.”
“Also, since the event is more formal, Julia had a suit sent to your room for you. Pack a bag too. You all are staying at the hotel overnight.”
“Oh okay, thanks.” How did she get a suit ready for me so fast?
I headed down the hall and made the few turns to get to the King and Queen’s room. The Blue guardsmen outside did not seem excited to see me. “What do you want?”
“Uh, I have a message from Princess Julia for the King and Queen, sir.”
He huffed. “It can wait.”
“Can I leave the message with you?”
“No.”
I got impatient. “How long will they be?”
“However long I want to make you wait.”
I crossed my arms. “So, I could just go in.”
“No, you…” The King exited as he was speaking, “Your highness.”
The King nodded to the guardsmen and then looked at me, confused. “Ivan, what are you doing here?”
“Your highness, Princess Julia wanted me to inform you that she will be a bit late. Her dress was apparently misplaced, and it took a while to find it.”
The King considered that for a second before examining my clothing. “Huh. Fine, and I hope you will be wearing something more appropriate for this evening. That jacket is atrocious.”
“I believe the princess sent a suit for me, your highness.”
“Then go on. I can wait for my daughter, but I will not wait for you.”
“Yes, your highness.” I bowed and walked quickly back to my room, where I found a white blazer and navy slacks along with an ice-blue button down shirt laid nicely across the bed. On top of it was a platinum pin with an ice-blue lion to symbolize I was one of the royal family’s personal servants. Slid under my bed was a box full of more imported clothes, ranging in styles and way more expensive than I could have ever afforded. My old clothes were nowhere to be seen. How did she set this up so quickly? My size too. Weird.
I dressed as fast as I could. These were the nicest clothes I’d ever worn. Sure, the uniform from the night before had been significantly better than my normal clothing, but it definitely was not well-fitted. This outfit, though, was some serious designer quality stuff, from out of the country obviously. Nothing made in Northern Mississippi was ever that nice.
Throwing some of the spare clothes and the few toiletries I had into my bag, I set off, stopping by the bathroom quickly to make sure my hair didn’t look like crap. I looked like a whole different person: put together. It felt unnatural and good at the same time. As I finished, I touched my tag. No clothes can change that.
After winding through the halls and up the stairs back to Julia’s room, I knocked at her door. Rachel popped her head out. “Almost ready.” She looked me up and down, “You clean up nice, Red Tag,” and slid back into the room. That was the first time I had heard “Red Tag” in an endearing way.
I stood formally, hands behind my back, outside the door. A few guardsmen passed by and looked surprised to see me looking decent but didn’t say anything. That’s a first.
Eventually, Rachel opened the door for me. Inside, Julia was wearing a light blue strapless dress that matched her eyes… and my shirt. That’s not a coincidence. She looked like she had pulled herself together emotionally, and Anne was finishing her hair up in a braid that wrapped around her head. She looked beautiful. No, stop. That isn’t a possibility, especially now.
When Anne finished, Julia turned and saw me, looking proud of herself. “So that’s what you look like with two sleeves.”
I laughed. “How did you have all those clothes ready so fast?”
“You’d be surprised what I can do with a cell phone and a few hours.”
“Apparently, though I do want my old clothes back.” She just rolled her eyes. “Also, it looks like your handmaidens did a good job finding that misplaced dress.”
“What? Oh, I see.” She blushed shyly before regaining her poise. “Thanks for covering for me.”
I bowed. “My pleasure. Ready, m’lady?”
She smiled softly. “Yes. Let’s go before my dad kills me for making him late for his chat with the Chinese Premier.” Because that’s how I expected tonight to be going when I woke up this morning.
We met the rest of the family and their respective bodyguards in the Great Hall, in addition to Natasha’s husband, Benjamin von Heusbarn. We were spread between four cars. I sat next to the chauffer in the front of one, with Julia and Helena in the back.
The event was to be hosted by the General Secretary himself at one of the fanciest hotels in Northern Mississippi, though it was a bit of a drive up to St. Cloud. Yesterday had been mostly Whites and UPF elites, but tonight many foreign heads of states would be there as well for a bit of diplomacy.
During the hour or so drive I noticed the worry creeping across Julia’s face. This must be her first time seeing Isaac since she was told of the arrangement. I pondered what could possibly fix the situation but was coming up empty. This sucks.
The convoy pulled into the hotel, and the bodyguards opened the doors for the family. I opened the door for Julia and Helena, who did not have a bodyguard of her own yet. Alexandria looked annoyed as she ignored the assistance of her own guard. I chuckled to myself. Poor guy. She probably ditches him constantly.
I whispered to Julia as she exited the car, “You doing okay? Give me a signal or something if you need me to pull you out of anything.”
She took a deep breath and looked at me sharply. “I’ll be fine.” I had a weird feeling that tonight wouldn’t be.
The hotel itself was fit for royalty, with gold plated everything and marble covered everything. Excessive plated excessive. Massive arches welcomed us at the entrance and things only got fancier inside. Hey, they need to be impressive to host the “Great Leader,” right?
The ballroom was an obvious attempt to put the royals to shame. A giant red carpet flew through the center of the room as three diamond chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Marble columns accented in gold lined the walls. A square foot of the place was worth more than my life. Not that my life is worth much to these people.
Live classical music met us as we entered, and a de facto line formed to greet the King and Queen. Each of the dignitaries wore a pin for their respective countries: the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, the Premier of China, the Prime Minister of India, the General Secretary of California, the Prime Minister of New Lombardy, the Prime Minister of France, and the President of Brazil, among others. They all led countries within the socialist Fifth International or were friendly to its intentions. With the tense state of world affairs following the British and Scandinavian plays in Denmark and the Netherlands, the Fifth International needed to prepare a response. The party provided suitable cover for the socialist lead
ers to meet without a publicized formal conference. The most powerful leaders in the world all together in one room to discuss how to further destroy it, great.
Standing at attention in the corner of the room, I watched while Julia followed behind her parents, greeting the dignitaries impressively in each of their languages. She didn’t see her political potential yet, but I was becoming ever more convinced that she could be the answer to so many problems if she could just reach out and take the opportunities in front of her. She had the charisma, poise, diplomacy, determination, and, well, the looks. The only problem holding her back was her desire to be loved by everyone, which is impossible in politics. As much as she could impress here, though, she lived in the shadow of her parents and older sister. She was a princess, not a head of state or a future one.
It was ironic that Julia was in Natasha’s shadow, as Natasha did little to impress. She played everything by the book. It was one thing to want to be loved by everyone, but Natasha’s goal was to not be hated by anyone. She never strayed from her passive and usually non-controversial father. It was a safe way to become queen, but apathy is a poor trait for a ruler.
Time passed as the guests became drunker and drunker, filling the air with senseless noise, the smell of fruity liquors, and heavy cigar smoke. Julia meandered through the crowd, sipping on her one cocktail while others drunk themselves into oblivion. Smart.
Meanwhile, heads of state whispered in corners, looking over their shoulders to ensure no one was listening. I was so close to the heart of political power, yet I felt like little more than a fly on the wall.
Purples and foreign politicians shot me looks as they passed by, surprised to see a Red Tag at such an event. It was starting to give me a bit of pride to stick out like that, a stain on their perfect evening, reminding them of what’s out in the rest of the country. I was determined not to draw too much attention to myself. I did not want a repeat of last night.
Eventually the King directed Julia to follow him. Here we go. I slid behind them along the wall, staying close enough to step in if something went awry. They reached a tall, muscular royal, slightly older than me. The King did a quick, formal greeting before leaving them together. He kissed her hand gently, his wide green eyes looking up at her like a snake underneath his sleek black hair. Isaac. Bastard.
The Fractured Prism (The Prism Files Book 1) Page 10
