Chapter Text
Amber shut her laptop, satisfied with her latest online blog entry. Her wedding would be great, what with the queen insisting to spend five hundred grand on it. Sure, some things would be out of her control. The dress she was wearing, her wedding photos, the location. But what really mattered was her fiancées commitment to her. Just as an image of Richard popped in her head, the man himself came barging in, Simon by his side.
”Heeeeyyyyy Richard.” Amber said sweetly. “Hi Simon.” She addressed her soon to be cousin in law, with much less honey in her voice.
”Hello Amber.” Simon was actually smiling, not a smug one, but one of actual joy, like a little boys grin while shooting a BB gun.
”Do you have our car keys, Amber?” Richard asked, seeming excited about something.
”Where are you going?” She questioned as she rifled through her desk drawer and pulled out the keys to their Range Rover; 2018 model and make, Queen Helena has given it to them as an engagement gift. Wasn’t that nice? That woman always had Amber in her good graces.
“Me and Simon are going down to the Winchester golf course. I don’t want to be chauffeured around by a driver, we’re trying to relive our high school days. All those times we snuck out by ourselves....” Richard shook his head and smiled over at his cousin, it didn’t take a sleuth of a journalist to see their rekindled relationship.
The soon to be queen realized they were both wearing polos and khaki shorts. But why was her husband, well almosthusband, going on outings with someone like Simon.
”Richard, may I speak with you in private?”
”Sure-“ Was all he could reply with as he was dragged out of her ‘work space’ as Amber likes to call it.
”What are you doing?! Why are you going out with Simon?!” A few servants glanced at them, but Amber didn’t care about an audience.
”He’s my cousin, Amber. Why wouldn’t I be hanging out with him?” Richard snorted a little, uh, she couldn’t believe he found this funny.
”Because, because... he’s... he’s... Simon! It’s only been a year since he exposed your adoption papers and tried to be king!”
Richard was less amused know, the small inkling of a smile fell of his face. “Amber, you kept my adoption papers from me and considered using them in your article. For an overseas newspaper, at that. That technically makes you a spy, considering Aldovias rough relationship with America in the past.”
”But I didn’t actually do it!” Amber said, throwing her hands up defensively.
”So? You still thought about it. Me and Simon had been at a bad place in our relationship back then. I wasn’t being kingly, and Simon just wanted something good for this country. He was a bit power hungry, I was a bit irresponsible, we both had good intentions and bad attitudes. I can see that now, and I’m glad me and Simon were able to retain our closeness we had in childhood.”
“What?! When did you guys make up? Just a few weeks ago, you were as cold to him as anyone!” Amber was in disbelief, why hadn’t Richard told her about his and Simons pervious relationship?
”Just two weeks ago, we had a long conversation in my chambers. You were out with your father and Emily, remember? Well, like I said, we acknowledged our faults last Christmas. I think we’ve both changed for the better, which is why Simon will be the best man at our wedding.” Richard stated, running a hand through his slick backed hair.
”Best man.” Amber whispered, not evening trying to hide the flabbergast. “And you didn’t think to consult me about this!” The whisper had turned into a shout. She already didn’t have very much control over her wedding and now Richard had just taken one more choice away from her.
”No, I didn’t consult you, because he’s my best man. Richard sighed with impatience. “I don’t dictate who your bridesmaids are, so get off my back!” He didn't even give her time to reply before he walked back into her work space. Amber could her Richard and Simon talking.
”What was that all about?” Simon asked.
”Nothing important, just Amber getting upset about the wedding, again.” Richard replied, their voices growing fainter.
Again? Had Richard and Simon talked about her before? She knew exactly how to fix this little mess.
....
Simon sat in the passenger seat of the Range Rover. It reminded him of his beautiful Ferrari. He found himself lost, thinking about the shiny purple paint and clean black leather interior. It’s fast, yet reasonable sixty two miles per hour. Of course, Sophia now had it in her possession. The witch probably sold it off to some other guy. Or worse, her new man was driving it.
”I can’t fathom Ambers hate for you. You leaked myadoption papers, it’s not like you harmed her in any way. I wouldn’t even say you harmed me.” Richard ranted, still a bit steamed up from the argument.
“She’s still new to all this royal stuff, it would stress any woman out not to have some control of her wedding. It means a lot to her, it should mean a lot to you too.” Simon turned away from the passenger window, staring down at his hands.
”I know it, I just don’t understand her, Amber isn’t like any other woman I’ve dated. She means a lot to me, I want her to be happy, it’s going to be our special day after all. She’s just got to get it through her head that she isn’t the only decision maker. She’s just going to have to deal with that fact that me and the wedding planner also have some ideas. But on the other hand, I don’t want her to feel like she has no control. You know?” Richard wishes he hadn’t said that last part, considering Simons recent divorce.
”Me and Sophia didn’t have a wedding, we just went to the courthouse and made it official on the spot. We hardly knew each other, but when I saw how happy she looked while signing the certificate, I thought it was true love. But you know how that ended. So I do know how it feels to make your lady unhappy, but mine is gone now, and she took my favorite car and most of my money with her. So just try to make her happy, I don’t want to see you unhappy and divorced. You’re like my brother, Rich. It’ll break my heart.”