The Royal Romance Book 1

Chapter 7: Fire and Ice

Traveling away from the palace...

I find myself in the Alps! Me and Maxwell, along with Drake and Han, stand on a vista overlooking the Nevrakis chateau.

"Here we are... Welcome to Lythikos! Land of ice, snow, and mountains." Maxwell gestures his hand out to the vast scenery laid out before us.

The fresh snow sparkling in the small rays of sunshine. The mountains and trees coated with the flurries dancing around us. It's like something from a dream.

"This is where Olivia lives?" I exclaim, trying to take in everything.

"Some of the time, yeah. She's primarily at Lythikos Hall, which is further south, but she'll host us up here for the social season, so we can take advantage of the snowy festivities..."

"And so she can take advantage of the Prince?"

"She does have the edge here, but that's no reason to admit defeat!" Hana holds up her fist to show she's remaining strong.

"That's the spirit!" Maxwell says as we all continue walking around the grounds.

"What happened to your brother, Maxwell? I notice he's not around lecturing Summers. I thought he hated to miss out on the chance to eat fancy food and rub elbows with the royals..." Drake catches up with us. There was something weird about him calling me by my last name. I couldn't explain the feeling.

"Bertrand was called away for some business having to do with our estate."

"Bertrand is gone? This is starting to sound like a real vacation after all." I laugh, breathing in the fresh air and possibilities before me.

"That's one way to put it, Riley. Now we can really enjoy ourselves." Maxwell chuckles and relaxes his shoulders.

"Well, it is beautiful out here..." Hana gazes towards the lake frozen over. It's just waiting to be ice skated on.

All these wonders surrounded by good people, and yet, all I want is Liam by my side. This competition is getting harder, mostly because I feel like a contestant on the Bachelor.

"It's a little colder than expected." The breeze hits my face with an icy sting.

"Didn't you pack anything warmer?"

"Not exactly... I didn't realize it'd be snowing quite this much... but I'll survive. What say we check out the inside of the chateau?"

"Good idea, Riley. Let's go! I can show you where your room is..."

Soon, the party arrives at the Nevrakis chateau. The warmth of the estate begins to comfort my cheeks. I follow Maxwell into the lavish, grand bedroom.

"Come on, Riley! Put your stuff down, so we can go!"

"What's your rush?"

"We've got an entire day in the snow planned out! Plus, I already see Olivia and Liam out there on the ice."

My heart skips a beat and I quickly unzip my bag in search of something to wear.

"Better put on something warm..."

I decide on the outfit 'Snow Bunny', a white cable knit sweater, a plaid scarf that keeps me toasty, and an elegant brown winter coat that hugs my body just right. I can brave any snowstorm with this jacket.

"Here we go."

Back outside, Maxwell leads you towards the frozen lake, where you both don a pair of ice skates.

"You know how to ice skate, right?"

"Ice skating? I know the basics." Remembering my time back in New York, the only time I ever ice skated was Christmas time at Rockefeller Center. That was only a couple times, each ending with me on the ground. "Try to stay upright and don't fall?"