Royally Schooled

by McKenna James

  What did Andrew and Abigail get to do when they wanted out of the house? They didn’t have even a semblance of a normal life.

  I didn’t envy them that was for sure.

  We walked up a long spiral staircase. It was gorgeous with beautiful red ornate carpet running down it. Though once we reached a certain height, it made me very queasy to look down at the tile of the foyer below. I’d never been a fan of heights.

  We reached a room that had a square wooden table in the middle of it with one chair on one side and two chairs on the other. The walls were lined with bookshelves; I wasn’t even sure how many books were in this room. Surely it had to have been thousands. Would we really be accessing these books during our tutoring sessions? I didn’t ask.

  “The prince and princess will be in shortly.” Ms., Mitchell smiled.

  “I can’t wait to meet them,” I said.

  Everything about this job had me nervous. I felt horribly out of place here, and I felt like everyone could tell I was a fraud. I was particularly afraid that the children were going to sense it. They’d see right through me. Maybe they’d even report back to their mother and tell her I wasn’t the right one to work with them.

  I tried to hide my nervousness as we waited for the prince and princess to walk in. I didn’t want to look like I was entirely out of my element, though I definitely was. It was a weird feeling, to be afraid of kids so young, but I felt like they were superior to me. They were royalty!

  When the prince and princess walked in, Ms. Mitchell spoke again.

  “This is Prince Andrew, though he prefers Drew, and Princess Abigail. Children, this is Miss Maggie. She is to be your new tutor.”

  Miss Maggie … it sounded so formal.

  I gave a little bow. “Lovely to meet you, Your Royal Highnesses.”

  I already sounded incredibly stupid.

  They both chuckled a bit. Good… Glad I’d made a proper fool of myself already.

  “She’s funny.” Abigail chuckled.

  She was a cute little girl. She had curly brown hair that fell in large ringlets around her shoulders. It was like if Shirley Temple was brunette, not something you commonly saw these days.

  “Glad I can entertain.” I smiled, as if I’d made a fool of myself on purpose. I most certainly didn’t.

  “Yes, she is quite funny,” Ms. Mitchell agreed.

  “You’re an American?” Drew asked, a little incredulous. “Will an American be able to properly teach us about European history?”

  He had the same hair color as his sister, and it was properly styled in a part on the right side of his head.

  “I’m very happy to hear you’re so interested in European history,” I told them, “because I studied it for many years when I was going to university. I happened to go to university here in London, so I like to think I learned from the best.”

  He smiled a bit, contented with that answer. I looked over to see Ms. Mitchell’s reaction and sensed she approved of our rapport so far.

  “Alright, then. Now that we’ve had our introductions, let’s get straight to work. Maggie, I will be in with you to help tutor today. I have been tutoring the children for the past month after their last tutor quit.”

  “Yeah, he couldn’t keep up,” Drew said, a little bitingly.

  “Prince Drew,” Ms. Mitchell reprimanded, “we should not speak ill of those who are not here to defend themselves.”

  “Not that he could defend himself…” Drew rolled his eyes, and Abigail chuckled.

  Well, the pressure was now certainly on me to perform. It was clear that Drew was wise beyond his years, and he wasn’t going to be satisfied if it wasn’t obvious that I knew what I was talking about.

  I’d been very studious in school, and I was a bookworm when I was his age. Hopefully I’d be up to the task.

  I mostly watched as Ms. Mitchell went over everything the kids had been learning. Abigail found herself drifting off pretty often, but Drew was zoned in on her every word. I was sure I’d even caught Abigail doodling a few times, though I didn’t admonish her for it.

  Two hours later, it was time for their riding lessons. Ms. Mitchell led me and the children out to the stables. It wouldn’t be hard to remember how to get to them—there was a long trail from the castle to the stables made out of paved stones.

  I wished that I could catch a glimpse of the kids riding since I’d never ridden a horse myself, but Ms. Mitchell promptly took me back to the castle to show me where the dining quarters were. I resolved that when it was just me and the kids, I’d linger a little before I went to take my break.

  There was only one person in the dining quarters when we entered. She was around my age, maybe a little older, with long blonde hair tied into a braid that fell down her back. She was in a traditional maid’s uniform—all black with a white collar and white buttons.

  “Millie, this is Maggie,” Ms. Mitchell announced as we entered. “She is the new tutor. I was just showing her where the staff eats on their lunch and dinner breaks.”

  She extended her hand to me. “Maggie, hello. So nice to see a new face around here.” She smiled warmly.

  Something about her put me at ease. Everything and every person in this castle so far had felt so prim and proper. Millie was the first person who felt like she could be just another woman I ran into on the street.

  Ms. Mitchell left me to eat, and I pulled out some of the snacks I’d had in my purse.

  “You know, they have loads of food in the kitchen that we’re allowed access to, if you’d rather have that,” Millie told me as she watched me open the trail mix.

  “Oh, no, I’m fine with this, but thank you,” I told her.

  “So how did you end up with the tutoring job?” she asked as she took a bite of her salad. “I was surprised to hear the American accent.”

  “Oh, well, to be honest, I’m not sure.” I laughed. “I really feel like I lucked into the position. When I left the interview, I thought for sure I had ruined the entire thing. Nobody was more surprised than me that they’d actually decided to hire me. Not that I’m not relieved, of course. I’m truly appreciative. I really needed this job.”

  “It does pay well, doesn’t it?” she asked. “I never dreamt myself a maid as a little girl, but when I saw what they were willing to pay here, I applied straightaway. I can’t get paid better anywhere else without an education.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty much in the same boat,” I told her. “I had to quit school early when my dad got sick, so I never actually got my degree. I flew him out here because even with our medical insurance back home, it seemed like medical care would be cheaper here. Not that we get it for free like you guys, of course, but it’s still more affordable. I’m hoping this job will be enough to help cover those costs.”

  I hadn’t realized how much I’d said until it was too late. I wasn’t sure why it was so easy to open up to Millie. She had a warmth about her. She felt like an old friend.

  “I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Will he be alright?”

  “I hope so. He has cancer, unfortunately.” I smiled, trying to play off the situation. “He’s in good spirits, and he’s responding to treatment.”

  “So glad to hear that. You’re so young to have to be taking care of your father that way. I can’t imagine how hard that would be.”

  “It’s hard. He does make it easier by being such a ray of shining positivity. I’ve got to hand it to him for that. Don’t know how I’d stay so positive if I was in his position.”

  As I continued to talk to Millie and eat my snacks, I started to feel less out of place here. I had a feeling I was going to actually enjoy this job, especially if I was able to make new friends along the way.

  Chapter 4

  Edward

  I strolled through the hallways of the palace mindlessly, bored and tired of waiting for the hours to tick by.

  It was Maggie’s first day, and if I was being honest, I was just waiting for a moment to barge in on her.
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  She hadn’t left my mind since the interview. Which was strange because girls didn’t usually stay stuck in my brain all that long.

  I felt like perhaps this was something I had to get out of my system. Like I’d seen her, I’d liked her, and now I’d need to pursue her to get her out of my head. That was how it often went for me. What could I say? I was a man who always loved the chase.

  I knew I couldn’t barge in on my brother and sister’s tutoring lesson, of course. Ms. Mitchell would never allow it and would cast me out immediately. Although, even if she didn’t, I wouldn’t exactly want Abigail and Drew to see me flirting with their tutor.

  Abigail and Drew were the only members of this family who still thought highly of me. All the adults knew better. They saw me as an irresponsible young man with no vision for his life. They were right about that.

  Abigail and Drew still worshipped me, like little siblings often did. They saw me as their invincible big brother. I could do no wrong to them. I did my best to seem like I had it all together around them. They’d never seen me drunk or flirtatious. In their eyes, I actually was a responsible young adult. My mom didn’t have the heart to tell them otherwise.

  At this point in the day, though, Abigail and Drew were most certainly with their riding instructor. Where would that leave Maggie at this exact moment?

  I walked out to the stables and didn’t see her anywhere, though Abigail caught a glimpse of me and waved eagerly from her horse. I waved back and was pretty impressed with how good she had become. She was a natural.

  Especially compared to Drew, who had always been a bit clumsy and likely always would be. It took him a long time to adjust to horseback riding, and I knew he still hated it.

  Well, if Maggie wasn’t out at the stables with the kids that had to mean she was on her break. I went to the dining quarters, though I normally spent no time there.

  Sure enough, she was there with one of our maids, Millie. It looked like another maid, Annabelle, was just pulling up a chair to sit when I got there.

  I waltzed over confidently to them.

  “Hello, ladies.” I smiled at Annabelle and Millie first because they were facing me. Maggie had her back turned to me, so I walked around the table and took a seat next to Millie so I was facing her.

  Annabelle and Millie both straightened their spines, noticeably uncomfortable in my presence. I expected this. I was used to the staff’s demeanor becoming tense around me. Not that I was mean or rude to any of them or anything. I wasn’t at all strict or demanding. I personally couldn’t have cared less if they did or didn’t do their jobs.

  Still, in their eyes, I’d always be one of the bosses. Nobody wanted to eat dinner with the boss.

  “Oh, hello. Nice to see you again.” Maggie smiled casually. She hadn’t yet noticed the other’s discomfort.

  Did this mean that she still hadn’t figured out who I was? Even after learning she was going to be working for the royals, did she not even do a cursory Google search?

  No matter, though. Her obliviousness would only make flirting with her more fun.

  “Yes, still here. I often am.” I smiled.

  “What is it that you do for the royal family?” she asked, as she fished her hand into a bag of trail mix and pulled out a raisin.

  Both Annabelle and Millie became even more uncomfortable at hearing this. Millie was first to excuse herself.

  “Uh, I think I’m … done for now.” She grabbed her plate and stood.

  “Yeah, me too.” Annabelle stood as well.

  “Annabelle, you just sat down!” I teased.

  She ignored this as she and Millie scurried away, leaving Maggie confused.

  “Do they not like you or something?” she asked.

  “Oh, I would assume they like me quite fine,” I told her, not extrapolating further. Her confusion was cute, and I was going to savor it.

  “How are you liking the new job?” I asked.

  “It’s very nice. Certainly, pays very well, though I’m sure you knew that.” She looked at me curiously. “How did someone as young as you manage to get a position with the royal family were you’re responsible for hiring on new people?”

  “Oh, don’t worry yourself about that,” I brushed it off. “So, where in America are you from?”

  “The west coast,” she answered, not giving more of an answer than that.

  “What year did you move to London?”

  She paused before answering. “Oh, am I still being interviewed for the position?” she asked. “I thought I’d already went through that process and done splendidly.”

  I was impressed by her quick wit. I loved a clever woman. Though, of course, I would have to respond with some snark of my own.

  “Splendidly? Were we at the same interview?” I teased.

  “Well, I did get the job,” she pointed out proudly.

  “Thanks to yours truly. You’re welcome, by the way.”

  She eyed me. “You wanted to hire me?”

  “I did. I made a very compelling case to Ms. Mitchell about it. In fact, I told her that your absolute and total failure of knowing details about the royal family was actually a positive attribute.”

  “How so?” She furrowed her brow.

  “Well, if you didn’t know anything about the royal family, that had to mean you weren’t here to spy on them, right? That you had no ill intentions? You were just a woman looking for a well-paying tutoring job. Every other interviewee we saw that day was extremely well-versed on the details of the royal family. So how could we be sure their intentions were pure?”

  I could see clarity befall her face. This made sense to her. She’d probably been wondering for a while now how she was able to get the job with absolutely no royal knowledge. Well, now she knew it was thanks to me.

  “Why did you fight so hard to get me hired?” she asked, a little incredulous.

  “I found you interesting. I was hoping I’d see you around. Perhaps ask some questions and get to learn you better.”

  “Learn me, huh?” She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m not too keen on being learned.”

  I leaned over the table, giving her a winning smile. “You’re a tutor. Helping people learn is what you do. Can’t you help me?”

  “I’m only here to help the royal children learn.” She put her foot down.

  She definitely wasn’t caving to me just because she learned I’d helped her get the job. That was fine, I wouldn’t have expected her to. I was once again impressed by her attitude.

  Though talking to her wasn’t exactly quelling my desires. The more she shut me down, the more I wanted to pursue her.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, annoyed. I didn’t want to be distracted further from Maggie, but I answered anyway.

  “Hello?”

  “Are we still on for tonight?” I heard Angelique’s voice ask me.

  Shit, I had completely forgotten.

  I’d been seeing Angelique for a month or so now. She was pretty and I liked her, though it wasn’t anything serious.

  I looked down at my watch. I was supposed to meet her in an hour. Which meant I should have been getting ready to leave now.

  “Oh, uh…” I muttered.

  “Seriously, Edward? We had plans. You were finally going to take me out to dinner.”

  This was something she’d been wanting for a while. I’d kept things pretty low-key with her, never going out on any actual dates since I had been seeing Cecilia as well, but she insisted she only wanted to go out to eat sometime. She said that she knew it didn’t mean anything more, so I’d agreed.

  But … right now? I didn’t want to leave Maggie.

  “Let me call you right back, okay?” I answered noncommittally.

  “Edward, you’d better not—”

  I had already hung up and turned my attention back to Maggie.

  “So, you’re off in a few hours, right?” I knew the routine of the tutors because I’d also had one. Next she had to talk
to the kids’ teachers.

  “I am,” she said, as she looked down at her trail mix and paid little attention to me.

  “Any chance you’d be interested in me taking you out after?” I grinned at her.

  She may have been pushing away my advances so far, but I had assumed she was playing hard to get. I felt like we had some chemistry and that she was interested.

  So I was surprised when she simply said no.

  “No? Just … no? No explanation?”

  “Just no,” she repeated on a shrug.

  Well, that stung.

  I was quiet for a moment, trying to figure out my next move. I had no intention of giving up—not now. No way. Her rejection only made me want her more. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been rejected. When you were the prince, it didn’t happen often.

  So, I had to think… What could potentially get me closer to Maggie?

  I nodded and turned my back on Maggie as I pulled out my phone and called Angelique back.

  “Hello?” she answered roughly.

  “Hey. Sorry about that, I was caught up in a conversation with a new member of the staff. Of course we’re on for tonight. I’ll see you in an hour.”

  “Oh, okay.” Her tone immediately changed. “I’ll see you then.”

  “Great, see you.”

  I hung up and turned to look at Maggie, trying to gauge her reaction. I was hoping it would make her jealous.

  If it did, she really gave no inclination of that. She kept eating her trail mix, straight-faced.

  “Prince Edward?” I heard a voice say from behind me. “What are you doing here?”

  I turned around to see one of our butlers, Raymond, walking over to the table.

  “Oh, I was strolling through the palace when I ran into our new tutor, Miss Maggie, and thought we’d have our introductions. I was actually just on my way out, though,” I said as I continued to stare at Maggie.

  "Well is there anything I can get you before your departure, Your Highness?”