Am I your one and only desire?881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ymInqqZdL
Am I the reason you breathe?881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdNL2bPvgE
Or am I the reason you cry?881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcP6T0QoGg
"Always" - Saliva
You freeze as Bastien speaks. There is an uncomfortable silence that surrounds the three of you. Your mind flashes back to this morning. You remember Bertrand mentioning that Bastien had told Liam that he had already checked in with Drake on your whereabouts. Then you remember how Bastien had been patrolling the train when you and Drake had snuck into Drake’s room.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZaE60qcQ
Bastien is the first to break the silence. “It is time for Lady Lily to leave, before she causes any more… problems.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1NaOxcDPr
Drake blinks a few times before his lips form into a hard line. “She’s not the one causing problems. You are the one that has caused all of the problems.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcWSfKsj9V
“We know it was you that told Penelope to hire that photographer.” You add. You are still stunned that Bastien had heard you the night before, but try to remain focused.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiVZFHJc9U
“Are you willing to lose your friendship over her? Do you think Liam is going to take all of this well? You are sacrificing a great deal by continuing this.” Bastien turns to you. “You have turned everyone’s lives upside down and don’t seem to care much about it. I owe you no explanation.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmNx2MvyaG
Your eyes narrow at him, but before you can say a word you hear Drake begin to speak. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that. This was my decision. She’s… important to me.” His voice is soft as he says the last part. He isn’t looking at you but staying focused on Bastien instead. “You sure as hell owe me an explanation.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrekaqCU4Ga
“Would you really have rather I let Liam marry her when I knew exactly what was going on? Did you really want to deal with all the emotional baggage that would have come from that? You are lucky I was able to stop other pictures from being released.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDscD5TlL1
“What other pictures?” You finally speak up. You recall the photo Olivia had shown you earlier. Someone had snapped a picture of you and Drake kissing outside of the palace and somehow those hadn’t gotten published. “You mean the coronation?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5boNs7r6b
Drake quirks an eyebrow at you. “Wait… why didn’t you tell me about that?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNdkQYpTjY
“I only just found out this morning. Olivia has a copy of it.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Excb5KUZ
Bastien clears his throat. “No, these ones are far more damning than that. The photographer had stayed put long enough to take those pictures of Tariq – and a few of the pair of you.” His eyes move from Drake to you. “You’re playing a very dangerous game.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM246ifkpcS
“So, you did do this on your own?” You breathe.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkupk1KaveM
“How could you?” Drake’s voice is a low growl.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83IwRj4yTb
“It would be a betrayal to the crown to do something like this of my own volition. That’s not to say I didn’t think this was a good idea to get her out of here before she ruined any more lives.” Bastien seems to grow tired of this conversation and grabs you by the arm. “It’s time to leave.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRujLeYhQh
“Unhand her this instant.” You hear a familiar voice behind you and turn your head to see Bertrand pulling himself up to his full height with his eyes blazing. “You wouldn’t dare cause a scene with my house and the members within it.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbuNc30JcU
You are taken aback with the fierce protectiveness Bertrand is showing regarding you. Bastien releases you and Drake spins around to face Bertrand. His eyes are aflame with contempt and you get a sick feeling in your stomach that this is about to get much worse than it already is.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly1eTlQNGn
“Don’t pretend you care about us commoners.” Drake whispers harshly.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSgemoUPXW
Bertrand scoffs. “Lady Lily is a member of House Beaumont. She is a noble in her own right, but that is beside the point. Even as a commoner she is under my protection which you seem to take joy in jeopardizing at every opportunity.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kVEl2BlV0
Drake bristles at the comment. “What about Savannah’s protection? What about her wellbeing?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHQfNB2SZT
“Everyone was very upset by what happened with Lady Savannah. I have tried to reach out and have yet to find her. If something were to happen to myself and Maxwell, Lady Lily would be the heir to house Beaumont.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkNik6Avxr
“No, she wouldn’t… your son would. My nephew would be.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ324TQYvQa8
You exchange a look with Bastien. It seems that Bastien was unaware of this. For a moment, you swear you can see a flicker of rage in his eyes. You know that Bastien had been the one to take care of Drake and his sister when they were younger. It’s easy to see that he has an emotional attachment to both of them.
“Your nephew?” Bertrand pauses for a moment as he tries to get a grip on what exactly Drake mean by that.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGVL1vFzuD
“Yes, my nephew and your son. You didn’t give a damn about my sister and Maxwell has been the one that has been taking care of your kid this whole time.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf40yyQeNu
Maxwell is blissfully unaware of the conversation as he sidles up beside Bertrand. “Uh… guys.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIE6z7pijG
Bertrand rounds on Maxwell. “You knew… you knew where Savannah has been this entire time.” His tone is low and dangerous, but before he can say much more Drake is grabbing Bertrand by the collar.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoga7pDpU3a
Before Bastien can step in you squeeze between Drake and Bertrand, your eyes narrowed at Drake. “Let him go.” You hiss.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFoWb6wdTD
“This isn’t what Savannah would have wanted.” Maxwell adds as he joins your side.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZvp7U7zzk
“All of you out!” Bastien finally growls as he grabs Drake by the collar of his shirt to pull him away. “Do you really want to embarrass yourselves further?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzA3wsXQjM
Drake roughly wrenches himself out of Bastien’s grip and glares at you, Bertrand, and Maxwell. “Fine.” He turns on his heel to leave.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Rco79z5H
Bertrand sighs and turns to Maxwell. “Let’s go.” Maxwell nods sadly before looking at you.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM40K4HE5ca
“I’ll catch up with you guys.” You reply softly before turning to take off in Drake’s direction. This is a lot to process. Bastien obviously knows what is going on between you and Drake. He confessed to his transgressions even if they were orders from higher up. Not to mention, he thought it was a good idea to do so.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDnVEUQKwx
“Drake?” You reach out to touch his shoulder, your voice quiet as he heads towards the limo. “Are you okay?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJACBGhSFzz
He jerks his shoulder out of your grasp and spins around to look at you. His gaze is angry as he looks at you. “No, I’m not. I thought you were my friend. I thought we had something but obviously, I was wrong.”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPi2YKEXvy
“What are you going on about?” You cross your arms over your chest.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJazmJYae2
“You sided with Bertrand. You’re just like everyone else now. Congratulations.” His words are sharp, angry tears sting the corner of your eyes.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCIP0ER09i
“So, all of a sudden I’m the bad guy here? You lost control. I’m not going to condone you using violence to solve your problems. Do you really think your sister would have condoned that?”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpEk8VX7Hx
“You don’t know Savannah. Stop acting like meeting her once gives you this brilliant insight into what she would want and not want.” Drake snaps.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCNIAXQ3JS
You know his anger is being misdirected but you aren’t going to allow him to talk to you like that. “Don’t lash out at me for trying to keep the peace and not cause a scene!”881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyghu3mnKa
“You’re just like them, you know that? Bertrand said it himself. You are a noble in your own right. You may as well follow their lead.” He growls as he turns away from you.
“Excuse me, you aren’t going to speak to me that way and just run off like some over grown man child when I’m trying to speak to you.” You reach for his hand and he quickly yanks it back.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWp9xPyxs
“With all due respect, Lady Lily, go find someone who gives a rat’s ass.” He doesn’t bother turning back to face you though his voice is hoarse. He’s upset and you find yourself so angry that you don’t reply. Anything you say in this moment will just make things worse.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCI0Jreqmd
You watch him get into the Limo and the driver shut the door behind him. The driver looks confused but doesn’t say a word as he moves to the front of the car to slide into the driver’s seat. As the limo drives off you allow a few angry tears to escape down your cheeks.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOERdVOCrbJ
“This is for the best.” You hear a deep voice beside you and glance over to see Bastien beside you. You are too upset to care just how long he had been standing nearby.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyG5t4gRDc
“This isn’t over.” You glare at him and turn away sharply as you see Maxwell heading towards the Beaumont limo. This night has turned into a mess and you just want to leave. You slide into the Limo with Maxwell and Bertrand. You stare out the window dejectedly wondering how things went this far and just how much worse things could get.881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dUQUgt1dK
Author’s Note: Yay!! I finally put out a new issue! Sorry that took a little longer than normal! The holidays are extra stressful this year. We have family coming from out of state this weekend. Thankfully, I have the best sister-in-law ever and they are going to stay with her. I still have a lot of prep work to do and my kiddos start winter break next Friday. I’m going to try to get another issue out this coming week before things get extra crazy! Thank you guys sooo much for all the messages and comments! I swear you guys really do keep me sane when things are nuts! Love you guys!!881Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuduBJJ8Tj7
