Chapter Text
A day passes. Chloe doesn’t know what to make of the whole Princess situation. And her brother is proving to be less than helpful.
“I can’t believe you kissed a Royal before me” Chad says as they walk through the White House with their personally assigned guards in tow. He’s wearing a black suit with a light blue shirt and navy blue tie that he fixes so it’s not suffocating him.
“Again, didn’t know she was a Royal” Chloe says, sounding defeated, as she looks ahead of her. She’s wearing a strapless, pastel blue gown made out of satin. Her hair is styled half-up half-down. “And she was wearing a mask. I didn’t even know what the Princess looked like before yesterday”
“I find that a little hard to believe, Chlo. Usually, you do all this research on whoever Dad is meeting up with. Plus you’re killing it in History so..”
“Yeah, but Red has been like really private up until a few weeks ago. The only pictures I could find of her where from when she was four or five”
“Wasn’t she four when her dad died?”
Chloe stops dead in her tracks, her eyes downcast as it clicks. “You’re right. How did I miss that?”
Chad stops too, only mildly irritated, before walking to his sister. “Look, I don’t think you’re the only American who forgot the King died. Queen Bridget’s been ruling for so long and so well that the King just..” He pauses to think of the right words, his hand flailing, “faded away”
Chloe takes a breath, nodding. “Yeah. This might sound a little mean, but it’s hard picturing her with anyone.. romantically. She seems so independent”
They continue walking.
“I know she wasn’t always like this”
“Yeah” Chad agrees. “Her husband’s death hit her hard. There were reports a few years back saying she went crazy. Or ‘mad’ as they say over there”
“But she’s fine now”
“In more ways than one”
Chloe eyes her brother. “Seriously?”
Chad raises his hands. “Just speaking my truth”
“Well stop. It’s.. not appropriate”
“Oh, like you’ve never crushed on an older woman before. I know you had a thing for that Headmistress in Wild Child” Chad smirks as he points his finger at her, his dimple showing. “Hey, maybe that’s where your kink for accents started”
“She, Red,” Chloe specifies, “didn’t have an accent”
Chad shrugs. “Maybe she was faking”
“No. Her voice sounded genuine”
They come to a stop in front of white double doors. They can hear the bustle of staff, photographers and reporters on the other side.
Chad holds out his arm. “Ready?”
“Nope” Chloe says, taking his arm.
Their guards open the doors for them.
“You?”
“Nope” Chad replies, popping the ‘P.’
They answer only a handful of questions, first together then individually, before posing for a few pictures and leaving for the Grand Hall.
They’re standing beside their parents on the podium. Chad shoots his mother a frown when she fixes his tie, much to Chloe’s amusement.
They stand accordingly when the door opens.
Queen Bridget makes her entrance with her head held up high, looking as regal as ever. She stuns in a blood-red, one shoulder gown which has glittering silver linings that match the crown on her head.
Next to her, Princess Red is wearing a strapless, crimson corset gown. Her hair is still wavy, but now it’s parted in the middle with the red streak falling on her left side. A vintage-looking red necklace adorns her neck instead of the locket from two nights before. The silver chain matches her tiara.
Chloe has to keep her emotions in check. Her eyes avert to the small, almost imperceptible red heart tattoo on her wrist. There’s a crown floating on top. It’s similar to the one her mother is wearing.
This causes Chloe to look at the Queen’s wrist. She spots a tattoo similar to Red’s with a tiara.
When the Royals ascend the podium, the First Family take turns bowing and curtsying before the Queen and Princess shake their hands.
Chad smiles with both his dimples when the Queen stands in front of him. Chloe stifles a laugh.
When the Princess reaches her, their eyes meet.
Chloe sees no hint of recognition in Red’s eyes. It’s as if they never met up until today. The Princess smiles at her politely as she shakes her hand.
Although she’s spiralling internally, Chloe returns her smile, her grip on the Princess’ hand firm.
They all take a photo together.
The Queen stands beside the President while her daughter stands beside his.
Red’s hand is all too familiar on Chloe’s waist.
After the first few flashes, the Princess turns her head to Chloe. “Blue suits you better than green, beautiful” She whispers before turning towards the camera and smiling as if she did nothing.
Chloe can’t help, but gasp, her mouth temporarily hanging open. She’s sure she’ll have to explain her shock to her parents when they see the pictures in news and tabloids, but that’s a problem for later.
The dinner commences.
Red sits beside Chloe.
Their parents converse about.. something.
Chloe can’t really pick up on things when she’s internally freaking the hell out.
“Relax” Comes the Princess’s voice from beside her as she cuts into a stuffed mushroom.
Chloe snaps out of it. “What?”
“I can feel the anxiety and uncertainty radiating off of you” Red says, pushing the piece of mushroom and meat onto her fork with the tip of her knife before putting it into her mouth and chewing.
“Well, excuse me, your Majesty”
“It’s your Royal Highness”
“I know it’s your Royal Highness” Chloe whisper-yells, careful not to draw too much attention to herself. “Why didn’t you tell me you were the freaking Princess? And why don’t you have an accent like your mom?”
Red smiles genuinely at the other girl.
“What?”
“You’re hot when you’re all riled up”
Chloe opens her mouth to respond, but no words leave her. Though a blush does taint her cheeks.
The Princess picks up a cordial glass of water. “I didn’t tell you who I was because.. well” She shrugs, nonchalantly, “why should I?”
Red takes a sip to refresh.
“And to answer your second question, I left England for a boarding school in Switzerland when I was five. I spent there until I was fifteen”
She sets the glass back down on the table
“The accent never came back”
Chloe looks at the Princess as the staff comes to take their plates and replace them with ramekins of French onion soup gratinee.
Red breaks the toasted surface with her spoon.
Chloe does the same, her eyes on the charger plate. “You could’ve told me the truth”
“So could you, First Daughter”
“That’s not fair. I thought you knew who I was. I wasn’t wearing a mask whereas you were”
The Princess hums before swallowing her first spoonful of soup. “I suppose you’re right”
Chloe fidgets with her spoon in her soup. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter anymore”
“Why doesn’t it?”
“Because you’re.. the Princess?”
“And?”
“What do you mean ‘And’? I can’t be seen romancing with the Crown Princess”
“Why not?” Red asks with a tilt of her head that Chloe thinks makes her all the more attractive. “There was a time when the people of this country would have stormed the White House, demanding your father’s resignation, because his daughter is a lesbian. Look at you now. You’re a Queer icon and an inspiration for young girls everywhere”
Chloe blushes while fighting back a smile. “This could end badly for both of us”
The Princess puts her hand over Chloe’s who turns to look at her. “You’re worth the risk”
They both pull their hands away after a moment to avoid suspicion before continuing to eat their soup in silence. After the main course came, they dropped one of each of their arms.
They lace their fingers together under the table.
Both Chloe and the Princess smile into their meal.