Chapter 6
SHIT HITS THE FAN
ELOISE
London Daily Times
Lady Vanessa LeRoux, former girlfriend of The Prince of Wales, released an official statement.
She claims that she was “violated by internet trolls” and describes the texts as being “wildly out of context” and “during a fight like most couples have.” She notes that she often referred to him in poor ways, too, and that their relationship was not one filled with abuse but, rather “very wonderful, happy times.” Ms. LeRoux wishes His Royal Highness the best and just wants to get on with her wedding.
This makes the waters a little calmer for the Queen. At least there are some signs that Prince Duncan might not be an abusive, angry person all the time. We shall see what his statement holds in a bit.
“Do what you can to get him to sign off.”
Jax couldn’t bother to visit the Palace as Abi fought for her life in emergency surgery. I, her most inexperienced agent, was left to manage our wayward charge as Jax travelled to Surrey to “reconnect” at a yoga retreat only hours after ordering me around like a lackey barista.
“If you can manage him, your star will rise, but he needs to agree to do the film,” Jax insisted.
I knew she was right despite how much I loathed her.
I returned to where Prince Duncan would make his speech.
For such a painfully self-obsessed man, The Prince of Wales was having a moment and so was I!
We stood off camera waiting for his cue to take a seat and begin.
He kept adjusting his tie. I assumed all members of the Lyons Family were natural public speakers, but Duncan didn’t show confidence.
“Do I look alright?” Duncan asked, face white.
“Can we get some more powder, please?” I asked, not answering.
A makeup artist appeared and dabbed his shiny brow.
“I’m going to do just fine,” he lied to himself.
I began doubting my client’s capabilities but needed to project a belief in him. I sent his parents away as they only made him sweat more, but now I was his only source of support.
“Yes, you will,” I lied.
Somehow, Duncan knew I only played along.
“You know, this wasn’t my idea,” he grumbled. “I don’t even care about any of this. It will blow over.”
What sort of prick whines this much after being handed a lifejacket?
“It is my professional opinion that it won’t. But I think if you follow the steps, you can fix your image. That is why your mother hired us.”
“Apologies, Miss Mills. I may be a massive knob, but I’m not daft. I’ve played this game longer than you’ve driven a car, I suspect.”
“And yet, you find yourself here.” I gestured to the room around me.
The statement was too off the cuff and out-of-line, but I was exhausted and sick of his bellyaching. To distract from my clear defiance, I straightened his tie, then worried maybe I wasn’t allowed.
He looked down at me, tone changed. “You’re right. I am at your mercy, Miss Mills.”
A shiver ran down my spine. How could one man cross a line with a single, simple sentence? How did deference feel so inappropriate?
The Prince took a seat at the desk. Even after numerous adjustments, he looked wooden and annoyed. He couldn’t go on like this. Or, at least, he read that way. That was the real issue. He needed to project competence, contrition, and remorse. I had an idea.
“Your Royal Highness, would you rather… stand?” I asked.
“I didn’t know that was an option.”
“We can move the desk,” I said.
“I would feel more natural if I could,” he agreed.
“Great. Gentlemen, he will do the speech standing. Let’s move the desk and adjust the teleprompter.”
I was surprised by my own ability to bark orders. I always knew I had it in me but now more than ever I needed that confidence.
After a flurry of activity, we’d been reset for the new approach.
“Better?” I asked.
Duncan nodded, relieved. “Yes. Thanks. That was brilliant.”
Yes, because I’m not an idiot!
I let it go. I wanted to go off on him for earlier but both of us needed him to not suck at this. I was grateful his ex agreed to put out her statement. I suspected money changed hands somehow, but I ignored any concerns of impropriety.
This time, with more confidence, I asserted, “You will sell it just fine. Treat it like any other speech at any other thingy where you cut the ribbon or pull that stupid curtain chain to open it.”
He chuckled and scratched his chin. “Yeah, I see that. I don’t know what the technical name is. I think… a pull?”
I snickered. “Cool. Ya learn something new every day!”
“Sir, we’re on in one minute!” A staffer called, prompting the Prince to move to his mark. A producer directed him with hand gestures and eventually counted him in.
He looked at me like a scared child. I smiled back like an idiot.
It could do no harm to give him some confidence.
I still found him beyond infuriating but at least I was earning my pay.
A raise could be just around the corner.
I luxuriated in the thought of taking Jax’s office and tossing her shit into the hall.
That thought would get me through the next five minutes and onto the train home.