A Royal Affair

Elara’s POV “f**k ass b***h!” I hissed as I tossed my ex’s photos in the trash bin. Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. When I saw the name of my attorney on the screen, I just knew there had to be some bad news coming. “Miss Windsor,” he started, his tone so very even; and I already knew it could not be good news. “Just spoke to Liam’s attorney. It’s…difficult.” “Difficult how?” I stopped my pacing. “He won’t give you the house, cars, or the money in your joint account. He claims he paid most of it, not you.” I laughed, but there was no humor to my voice. “His money? Really?” “I understand that indeed may be the case,” the lawyer said carefully. “But unless you can prove that you made that payment, he may easily paint you as the spiteful ex.” I let out a short laugh. “Spiteful? He used me for my cash!” “Yes, but we need something tangible. If you could get those receipts sent over to us, we can have an edge over him.” “Very well. I have it all. Every last receipt.“ I hissed. He hesitated. “What exactly did he do, Miss Windsor?” “That son of a b***h was a gold digger,” I can't help but say bitterly. “He told his real girlfriend he was only in it for my money, and that I was so stupid I believed he loved me!” “That’s horrible,” my lawyer said, calm as ever. “Please send the documents tonight; the sooner we start, the better.” “I will, I tell you. He will not be getting away with a dime that belongs to me. Not after what he did.” "Certainly. I will wait for your email." He hung up. I threw my phone on the couch and took a long, deep breath. My whole body was tense. Liam was unbelievable. Two years wasted on a lying leech. Still cursing, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV to calm myself down. I thought I was calming myself down until the sight on the screen made my jaw drop. The news reporter stood before a royal backdrop I recognized too well. “Breaking news out of Averelle: King Alaric Windsor has announced his decision to abdicate the throne. The King says he is stepping down to be with his long-time love, a hotel receptionist known only as Miss Eva Maren.” The news reporter said. The remote slipped from my fingers. “What?” I mumble, eyes glued to the screen. “This cannot be true.” In the next caption, a video flashed across the screen, showing my brother-King Alaric, beaming with pride while cameras snapped away. My mouth dropped wide open. "What the hell are you doing, Alaric?" I whispered as I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. He picked up by the second ring. "Elara?" He sounded as happy as ever. I didn't give him a chance to say anything. "Tell me that stuff on TV is not true." There was a chuckle on the other side. "I had a feeling you would call first." "Alaric! You are the King of Averelle! How can you just throw that away? You can’t do that.” "I can, and I did," he replied. "Why? For a hotel receptionist?" I couldn't fathom this. "What about your duty? What about the family? The crown?" "Elara," he said with as much calm as before. "You know our laws. Royals cannot marry commoners. If I wish to be with her, I simply cannot be King. It’s simple.” "That is not simple; that is crazy!" Now I was pacing again, my heartbeat rising. "Giving up everything for love? You have lost it." He chuckled softly. "You are too young to know. Love is great, Elara. You will see one day." "Great?" I laughed. "Sounds like loss to me." "Elara." His voice turned soft. "You have been away from Averelle for so long. Maybe you have forgotten what family means." "I have forgotten nothing," I yelled back at him. "I just don't get why you are throwing the crown over some woman who-" "Who I love," he cut me off. "I don't expect you to understand but I do hope you will, someday." I groaned. "You are unbelievable." "Have you talked to Celene?" he asked. That surprised me. "No. You know we never speak. Why will I talk to her?" "She is getting ready." Came his short reply. "Getting ready for what?" I asked. "For her coronation as Queen of Averelle, of course." He answered. I felt life leave me for an instant. "She is what?" "She is going to be Queen of Averelle. The council have already approved it." He kept replying, his voice calm. "What?!" I exclaimed, hardly controlling my volume. "Celene? You are letting her take the throne?" He sighed. He sound tired. "It's done. She's good at it, and she has been training for this moment her whole life. It's all in good hand, Elara. Don't worry about it." "Don't worry-Alaric, you just gave up your whole kingdom! How can you be so calm?" I asked, upset his calm voice is rage baiting me. He chuckled, very irritatingly pleased. "Because I am. You should try sometime." "Ugh, you're being ridiculous," I muttered. "I just can't believe this." "You will get used to it. Anyway, I have to go. Talk to you later, sis." "Wait-" He hung up. I stood there with my mouth still open but no words came out. My brother was stepping down; my sister was stepping up, and I had my hands full with a gold-digging ex refusing to give back what belongs to me. Could this day be any worse? My phone buzzed and dragged me back to Earth, making the curse words I was about to spit out remain on my tongue’s tip. I looked down and froze. Princess Celene. My stomach sank. I hadn't spoken to her in years. She was strict, proper, and I had never talked to her aside greetings. I hesitated, watching till it was cut off. I sighed with a bit of relief. Perhaps she would think I was busy. But before I put the phone down, it buzzed again. “Hello…Princess Celene of Averelle.” I mumbled as I picked the phone up.