by Jennise K
Copyright © 2019 by Jennise K
All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known, hereinafter invented, without express written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Typewriter Pub, an imprint of Blvnp Incorporated
A Nevada Corporation
1887 Whitney Mesa DR #2002
Henderson, NV 89014
www.typewriterpub.com/[email protected]
ISBN: 978-1-64434-042-4
DISCLAIMER
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. While references might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
A Royal’s Tale
Beasty
Jennise K
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
CHAPTER 1
I would like to dedicate this book to each and every one of you who stuck by this book and I, while I took my precious two years writing and rewriting it. For your patience, I am grateful.
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Chapter 1
They said life was wonderful.
“The possibilities a person can have are endless, the tales their lives can spin—countless.”
That’s what everyone around me said.
And every time they said that, every time they mentioned peaches and sunshine and candies and perfection, I couldn’t help but laugh.
After all, they were all optimists—my mother, my dad, my sister. Hell, even her self-proclaimed nerdy accountant of a husband shared the same perspective as them.
But what had the glorious life they spun given them in return?
An untimely demise.
What optimists always forget to realise is the ultimate hard fact that life isn’t all peaches and sunshine. There is only a limit to where all the plan Bs, Cs, and Ds actually work until something goes wrong again. It is a game.
It’s not like I’m a pessimist. I’ve seen the joys of life. I’ve walked through fields of flowers. But I know that has never stopped the fields from drying—turning barren—when seasons change. Growing up, even I knew that sometimes life’s game could rival that of The Hunger Games. But dammit, I wish life would realize I am no Katniss Everdeen.
Cringing at even comparing The Hunger Games to my own life, I shut my eyes for a minute before I did another sweep around my workplace. Midday Wednesday found me behind the counters of a very posh and fashionable boutique situated just near my college campus.
I was employed because I wanted to have a few extra bucks in my pocket besides the allowance my scholarship offered. Another reason I preferred to work? I didn’t want to be a burden on my aunt. I was lodging in her home, after all, ever since I moved to Berlin.
Aunt Prue (her real name: Prudence), in the professional world, was a high-end, independent career woman and one of the most talented lawyers Berlin had.
After my mother and my grandma, she was my only living relative left within considerable distance since Grandma Primrose lived all the way around the world in Australia. Aunt Prue had insisted—no, in fact, ordered—that if I were to study in Berlin and not in London, my home city, I would have to live with her.
It had taken a few weeks of convincing, but in the end, I gave in. It wasn’t such a bad idea. After all, I did need a new environment to take my mind off my family’s tragedy.
“Erm…excuse me?”
My eyes immediately darted up and met with warm ones. I gave its owner a genuine smile. “Hello! How may I help you?”
The red-haired girl, who looked about thirteen, fidgeted on her feet before extending a dress towards me. My eyes moved over to the dress and stopped.
It was skimpy de la skimpy. Definitely not the kind thirteen-year-old girls wear on the daily.
“Going to a party?” I suggested lamely, not at all judging the poor girl for wanting to wear that piece of rag. I bet my woolly socks it could barely cover anyone’s posterior, if at all.
“Yeah,” the girl mumbled out shyly. I nodded, smiling, as I reached out and took the dress from her extended hands.
“It’s beautiful. Impressing a date?” I asked, eager to make small talk.
Her eyes fidgeted to mine and back to the dress. She nodded. “Kyle likes…girls in these sorts of…clothes.”
My fingers froze just before touching the register’s keypads. I looked up at her. “How old is this Kyle?”
The girl fidgeted again. “Twelve.” At my frozen expression, she quickly added, “I’m twelve too!” as if that alone justified her wardrobe choice. I kept my composure so as not to hurt my customer’s feelings, but in my mind, I was screeching Girl, where your parents at?
I shoved Jiminy, or my conscience, down as I looked down at the nervous girl, “What do you want to wear to the party?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Honestly?”
I smiled. “Honestly.”
“I’d rather wear that.” She pointed towards a pretty pink dress. I smiled. So, she preferred classic style dresses. Good taste.
“Well then, let’s get you that dress!” I grinned and then urged her, but she only stared at me. “Well, bring it over then!”
As if on automatic, like something was activated inside her, the girl moved almost instantly towards the dress and brought it over. I took it from her.
“B-but what about that dress?” the young girl blurted out, desperately hoping I’d still opt for her to take the rags instead of the classic pink number I just pulled.
“Can I tell you something?” I spoke softly as I held onto the dress, the bright red one completely forgotten on the counter. The girl nodded.
“If Kyle really liked you, he wouldn’t make you change who and how you are. You’re already good and pretty. In fact, I love your taste. Don’t change it for someone who doesn’t see the beauty here.” I tapped a finger on my chest and smiled when I saw the girl crack, understanding flooding over her face.
Her helpless eyes met mine, and she wailed, “B-but I like him!”
A small movement on t
he far corner of the shop caught my eye, and I looked up to see a young boy standing in the dark, waiting, his soft gaze directed at the girl before me.
“Who’s that?” I cocked my head in the boy’s direction.
The girl turned then smiled. “Oh, that’s my best friend, Hugh.”
My gaze moved back to the boy, and a smirk formed on my lips.
“Does he ask you to change your style?” I asked the girl, thankful there wasn’t much traffic in the boutique today. Not that Madame Crawfort would be happy about that, but eh!
“No.” The reply was instant, and I felt my smirk increase.
“That’s because he really does like you. In fact, I think he’s really cute, don’t you?”
“But he’s my best friend!”
I shrugged. “So?”
The girl froze. She looked up at me. “You mean…”
I shrugged again. “Hey, like Olaf said, ‘Some people are worth melting for!’ Take a chance. Go to the party with Hugh.”
“But—”
“Better a guy who likes the real you than the one who makes you be someone else, aye?”
I watched as the guy’s eyes moved from the girl to me, clearly confused. So was the girl.
“Think about it!” I shrugged, smiling at the very confused girl in front of me. Pressing on the keyboard, I keyed in both the dresses and put both on my card. I handed the bag out to the girl.
“But you didn’t—”
I waved a hand in the air, dismissing the girl. “It’s on me! Think about what you want. Any choice that makes you happy is the right choice.”
The girl gulped, and tears suddenly formed at the edges of her eyes. Suddenly, I felt like running away. I didn’t know how to deal with people crying. Heck, I didn’t even know how to comfort myself because I couldn’t cry anymore. No more.
“T-thank you!” the girl croaked, and I blinked, reaching out to her like how my mother used to do every time I cried. Only I was sure I did it more awkwardly.
I patted her cheeks. “It’s okay! Now go. Hugh’s freaking out.”
Looking back, the girl giggled and confirmed my remark; the kid really was freaking out. She looked at me with her eyes bright and said, “I’m Lessie by the way.”
I grinned, secretly glad that she wasn’t going to cry anymore.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lessie. I’m Olivia.”
~
“I am so glad you didn’t av any classes today, ze boutique vas quite—ow ze say eet?—busy!” Madame Crawfort, the owner of the boutique, said in obvious satisfaction.
Handing over her pair of the store keys, I smiled at my employer. “To be honest, I do have a class just in a few minutes.”
“Zet is disastrous! You must not go! Oh, you must not! You look seemply tired beyond any good point!” she said indignantly, shaking her head as she did so.
I shrugged then sighed as I pulled on my coat. “I understood the consequences when I decided to work while I studied, Madam Crawfort.”
“Aw, you poor child! Vell you can, take—ow ze say eet—tomorrow off! I vill tell Mary to cover for you.” With the way she clucks at me, one would never think she’s my employer. I gave her a very thankful smile as I made my way towards the door, keys and bag both in hand.
“Thank you, Madam Crawfort. You’re too kind! Have a good night!” I called out, stepping out of the front door and closing it behind me.
Walking towards the elevator of the mall, I counted on all the lucky stars I had to help me get into class before Professor Hern showed up. No one really liked being late to his lectures.
~
“And that is all for today. Please don’t forget to hand in your assignments by late next week. Good evening, everyone.”
At that, the whole hall instantly jostled with excitement as tired people—meaning all of us—hurriedly and lazily shoved our books into our bags and tried to make it first to the exit.
“Please tell me you’re not going to the library now,” Abigail, my best friend and personal psychologist, asked. She looked like she was close to dropping down unconscious.
“You know I have to, Aby. I’m dead for the day as well, but I have to get some books first. This assignment won’t finish itself.” I sighed as I flung my backpack on my shoulder and made a move towards the door, Aby and Jaydin, my other best friend, already following behind.
“It won’t kill you to search online for once, you know?” Jay teased me, nudging my side.
I stuck my tongue out. “Shut up.” Jay was unperturbed and responded in kind.
“You guys heading over to the pub downtown, again?” I asked aloud as we walked towards the library. with Abigail close behind; she has a tendency to bodyguard me. I couldn’t deny that both she and her instincts were always correct, though.
Our feet pounded against the cobblestone floors, echoing back our urgency to the cold walls, as we hurriedly made our way through the corridors that led towards the massive library.
Smiling and nodding at a few students who passed by us in the halls, Jay returned his attention to us to answer me. “Yes! And you can come too, you know?” he tempted us as he slung his arms around both Abigail and me.
“Getcho hands off me boy!” Abigail hissed immediately, shoving Jay’s hand off her and moving away as quick as a flash.
Aha, a clear sign of Aby being nervous.
Grinning, Jay looked at me and declared, “She wants me.”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes for good measure. “Sure, she does! As for the pubs offer, I can’t. You know I have Lolette’s file to read through. My three-week-old niece is under my custody, and I don’t know what to do, Jay. I’m only twenty!”
“I thought her grandparents refused to give her up?”
I sighed. The library was now in sight. “Well, ever since Elizabeth and Gerard…the car crash…It’s been hard. It has made everything harder.”
“You don’t want Lolette?” Abigail whispered, moving in closer as we finally caught up to her and went into the library.
I sighed again. This time a tad heavier. “I do. Of course, I do! She’s the last part of Liz that I have left! First, Mum and Dad…and just five years later, Liz and Gerard! It’s not fair.”
“We get it,” Abigail assured me as I walked towards the bookshelves. She understood I was still a bit reluctant to divulge on such a topic.
I picked out a couple of books on Behavioural Psychology then headed towards the fiction section.
“I think I’m allergic to this place.” Jay shuddered as he followed Abigail and me going over the books, carefully reading the descriptions, taking a second longer to decide if that was to be included as one of our resources for this week’s book review. I shook my head at the green paperback in my hand and placed it back on the shelf. Tonight was not the night for knights.
“It’s a library, Jay. Say it, acknowledge it, and you’ll feel better!” I mumbled while my eyes busily scanned the many spines aligned along the shelves. One grey spine whose frayed edges beckoned to me stood out among its neat neighbours.
The Hellion’s Fate.
Bleak, cold, and dark.
“Perfect.” I turned towards my best friends, smiling and feeling very accomplished.
Jay’s eyes caught mine, and he winked mischievously. I immediately knew the boy was up to no good. Moving between Aby and the bookshelf in record time, he wiggled his eyebrow at her. I bit my lip to stifle my giggle.
Leaning in closer to Aby, Jay spoke out in a husky voice, “Te amo.” My eyes widened, and my bite on my lip tightened.
Abigail just rolled her eyes and moved away. “Yeah, yeah, chow mein to you, too.”
I couldn’t help it. I barked out laughing but immediately covered my loud mouth with my palm.
Jay groaned dejectedly. “I can never win!”
~
“Reckon I’ll stick around here for a bit guys,” I told Jay and Aby as I placed my books on the tiny table. Sinking down on the sofa beside it, I let o
ut a happy sigh.
Aby cocked an eyebrow up in all her superior judgemental splendour, and I scoffed.
“I’ll get home safely, Mother. Now shoo! Have fun you two!”
Her lips quirking up at the edges, she rolled her eyes and looked away. “Alright, if you say so. We’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Laters, baby.” Jaydin winked before he turned around and followed Abigail out.
A hopelessly wide smile spread on my face. Not only was I going to be left alone with my reading, I just gave Jay more opportunity to take his chances with Aby. I shook my head before I get caught up with my imagination. My fingers stroked the book I was itching to begin reading.
I turned to the first page.
“I knew there was heartbreak in the future. But I couldn’t give up today’s smile for tomorrow’s tears. I couldn’t.”
~
“It’s already quite late, you know.”
I looked up to see who it was, sighed, then looked back down at my book again. “Go away, River.”
River Welshnit, university bad boy and the forever persistent flirt, frowned as he sat down on the couch opposite mine. “No, I’m serious. Go home, Olivia. It’s late.”
I ignored him.
A few minutes passed, and I could no longer bear his stare boring holes into my forehead. Looking up at him again, I gave up and peeked at my wristwatch.
10:35 pm
He was right; it was late. I needed to get going.
“Well…good night then,” I mumbled as I picked up the books and began walking towards the librarian’s desk. I felt River follow.
“No, thank you?” I rolled my eyes and resumed my business with the staff, checking out the books I needed for our assignment and The Hellion’s Fate. A few scribbles after and I was good to go. I began walking towards the exit.
I was already outside, but, still, River followed. Could he not take a hint?
“Thank you,” I blurted out. It was one of those cold nights, and as I spoke, my breath came out heavy in the night air, I could almost see it.
Beside me, River shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m just taking care of you—for Lolette. We both love her a lot. You know that.” I nodded. Slumping, we walked towards the parking lot. River was right. We both loved her a lot.