Next Step
The dim light of Taylor's apartment created a cozy, intimate atmosphere as Alexandra leaned against the couch, her lips curling into a playful smirk. Taylor stood before her, holding two glasses of wine, the warmth of her gaze making Alexandra's heart race.
"I don't usually bring royalty here, you know," Taylor teased, handing Alexandra a glass.
"Well, I feel honored," Alexandra replied, her voice low and teasing. She took a sip, her eyes never leaving Taylor's.
Taylor sat beside her, their knees brushing, the contact sending a spark of electricity through the air. Alexandra set her glass down, turning to Taylor with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"You're going to regret inviting me over," Alexandra whispered, leaning closer.
"Somehow, I doubt that," Taylor murmured just before Alexandra's lips captured hers in a heated kiss.
The tension that had been building between them exploded as their hands tangled in each other's hair. Alexandra pushed Taylor gently back against the cushions, her kisses deepening with every passing second.
Taylor's hands explored the soft fabric of Alexandra's blouse, her fingers finding the buttons and slowly undoing them. Alexandra shrugged the blouse off her shoulders, revealing the delicate lace beneath, her confidence making Taylor's heart race.
Not to be outdone, Alexandra's hands slid to the hem of Taylor's sweater, tugging it upward. Taylor raised her arms, letting Alexandra pull it off and toss it aside. Their lips found each other again, their breaths mingling as the heat between them grew.
Taylor's fingers moved to Alexandra's belt, fumbling slightly as her heartbeat quickened. Alexandra chuckled softly, kissing Taylor's neck, her lips trailing down to her collarbone.
The sound of a phone ringing shattered the moment.
Both women froze, their breathing heavy, their lips just a whisper apart. Taylor groaned in frustration, her head falling back against the couch.
"You've got to be kidding me," Taylor muttered, reaching for her phone on the coffee table.
Alexandra flopped onto her back with an exaggerated sigh, staring at the ceiling. "That better be important."
Taylor glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of mild annoyance. "It's Tree."
Alexandra raised an eyebrow. "Your publicist?"
"Yeah," Taylor said, biting her lip. "She never calls unless it's urgent."
Alexandra sat up, adjusting her bra strap as she smirked. "Answer it, then. I'll just... wait here, half-dressed, looking incredibly irresistible."
Taylor laughed, swatting at Alexandra's arm. "You're impossible."
She swiped to answer the call, her tone shifting to professional. "Hey, Tree. What's up?"
As Taylor got up to pace the room, Alexandra watched her with a mix of amusement and longing. Her gaze lingered on Taylor's bare shoulders, the way her hair fell in soft waves. Despite the interruption, Alexandra couldn't help but smile.
"Duty calls," Alexandra murmured to herself, leaning back against the couch.
When Taylor hung up a few moments later, she turned back to Alexandra with an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry. There's a press thing I have to deal with—nothing major, but it's time-sensitive."
Alexandra stood, closing the distance between them. "It's okay. I get it."
Taylor's shoulders relaxed, her smile returning as Alexandra brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Rain check?" Taylor asked, her tone hopeful.
"Definitely," Alexandra replied, pressing a quick kiss to Taylor's lips. "But next time, I'm confiscating your phone."
Taylor laughed, pulling her into a hug. "Deal."
As Alexandra entered the grand hall of the palace, the familiar scent of polished wood and fresh flowers greeted her. She barely had time to take off her coat before her mother appeared, gliding toward her with the elegance of a practiced monarch.
Queen Eleanor leaned in, planting a light kiss on Alexandra's cheek, though her expression quickly turned into one of mild disdain. She wrinkled her nose, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"You smell like... an American girl," the queen said, her voice tinged with disapproval as she stepped back. "Poor Amanda."
Alexandra rolled her eyes, letting out a short laugh. "Mother."
Eleanor raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her lips pursed. "Are you doing this to hurt me?"
Alexandra sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "Honestly? I might find a bit of fun in teasing you." A sly grin tugged at her lips. "But I really like Taylor."
The queen's eyes hardened, a glimmer of disappointment flashing across her face. "Alexandra..."
Before she could finish, Alexandra's grin softened into something more sincere. "Maybe I'll even ask her to be my girlfriend soon."
The queen froze, her composure faltering for just a moment before she quickly regained her royal poise. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Why is it ridiculous?" Alexandra asked, her tone light but firm.
Eleanor waved a dismissive hand, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her unease. "Because you have responsibilities—to your family, to the crown. A pop star, no matter how charming, does not belong in this world."
Alexandra stepped closer, her voice calm but resolute. "And what about my happiness? Or does that not count?"
The queen's gaze softened slightly, though she didn't reply immediately. For a moment, Alexandra thought she saw a flicker of something—regret? Understanding?
"You're young, Alexandra," Eleanor said finally, her voice quieter but no less firm. "You don't see the bigger picture yet."
"Maybe not," Alexandra replied, her chin lifting defiantly. "But I know what feels right. And Taylor... she feels right."
The queen let out a long breath, her hand briefly touching Alexandra's arm. "Be careful, Lexie. The world isn't as forgiving as you want it to be."
With that, Eleanor turned and walked away, her regal demeanor unshaken, leaving Alexandra standing in the hall with a mix of determination and frustration swirling within her.
Alexandra stood in front of her full-length mirror, adjusting the high neckline of her tailored navy-blue dress. It was formal enough to convey her status but simple enough to allow her some comfort. Her usual preference for more relaxed attire had been set aside for this occasion—her father, King Edward, was hosting a foreign dignitary, a king from a neighboring kingdom.
It was rare for Alexandra to be tasked with such formalities. Normally, her older brother James handled these visits with ease, while Lucas's military connections often made him a better fit for such events. But with James on a goodwill tour in Australia and Lucas inspecting a military barracks, the duty fell to her.
The heavy oak doors of the grand hall creaked open, and in walked the foreign king, a tall man with sharp features and a warm smile. He carried a finely crafted wooden box, which he presented to Alexandra with a slight bow.
"For you, Princess Alexandra," he said in a deep, accented voice. "A gift from my homeland."
Curious, Alexandra opened the box to reveal a beautifully handcrafted bow, adorned with intricate carvings that depicted scenes of nature and myth. Alongside it were a set of sleek arrows, their feathers dyed a vibrant shade of green.
"Exquisite," Alexandra breathed, running her fingers lightly over the carvings. She looked up at the king, her gratitude genuine. "Thank you. This is... stunning. I'll treasure it."
The king smiled, clearly pleased with her reaction. "It is a symbol of strength and precision. Qualities I hear you possess in abundance."
The meeting concluded with polite conversation and shared pleasantries, and once the king departed, Alexandra made her way to the smaller sitting room where her father was waiting.
King Edward sat in his usual armchair, a book resting on the table beside him. He looked up as she entered, his face lighting up with paternal pride.
"Well done, Lexie," he said, motioning for her to sit. "You handled that beautifully. And the gift suits you."
"It's gorgeous," Alexandra replied, setting the box on a nearby table.
Her father leaned forward, his expression softening. "Are you ready for your mother's fashion show this weekend? It's bound to be quite the event."
Alexandra let out a small sigh. "As ready as I'll ever be. I've already picked out something she'll approve of."
King Edward chuckled. "Wise choice. You know how she gets about these things."
As he stood, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket, he added casually, "Will you be inviting Taylor?"
The question caught Alexandra off guard. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if he was teasing or genuinely curious.
"I hadn't thought about it," she admitted. "Do you think I should?"
Edward gave her a knowing smile. "That's up to you. But I've noticed you've been... lighter lately. Happier. And I suspect Taylor has something to do with that."
Alexandra's cheeks flushed slightly, but she met her father's gaze. "She does."
"Well," he said with a nod, "then perhaps it's time for her to see this world of ours. Just make sure your mother doesn't faint when she hears about it."
Alexandra laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
As her father exited the room, she sat back in her chair, her mind already turning to the possibility of Taylor attending. It would be a bold move—but perhaps it was time for bold moves.
The recording studio smelled faintly of coffee and wood polish, its quiet hum broken only by the soft strum of a guitar and the occasional burst of laughter from one of the producers. Alexandra stepped through the glass doors, her tailored blazer and casual trousers giving her the perfect balance of regal and approachable. Her heart thudded with a mix of nerves and excitement as she asked the receptionist where Taylor's recording session was taking place.
Room B.
She made her way down the hall, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors, the muffled sounds of music growing louder with every step. Standing outside the door, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the handle.
She had rehearsed what she wanted to say countless times in her head, but now that she was here, her carefully crafted words seemed to vanish. All she knew was that she wanted Taylor to be her girlfriend. Not just someone she snuck out to see for secret coffee dates or countryside getaways, but her partner, openly and unapologetically.
With a deep breath, Alexandra pushed open the door.
Inside, Taylor was seated on a high stool, headphones perched on her head as she sang into the microphone. Her golden hair fell in loose waves, and she wore an oversized sweater that somehow made her look both effortlessly cool and irresistibly charming.
Alexandra smiled, leaning against the doorframe as she watched Taylor finish the final notes of her song. When Taylor noticed her, a grin spread across her face, and she gestured for the producer to cut the track.
"Lexie!" Taylor called, setting down her headphones and walking over. "What are you doing here?"
"Surprise visit," Alexandra said, her voice warm. "I wanted to see you."
Taylor pulled her into a quick hug, the scent of her perfume—a mix of vanilla and something floral—filling Alexandra's senses.
"You picked a good day," Taylor said, gesturing to a nearby couch. "We're wrapping up for the day."
Alexandra sat down, smoothing her trousers as Taylor plopped down beside her, tucking one leg under the other.
"I've been thinking," Alexandra began, her voice steady but her hands fidgeting slightly. "About us."
Taylor tilted her head, her expression curious but encouraging.
"I really like what we have," Alexandra continued. "And I want more. I want us to be more."
Taylor blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly. "More as in...?"
"As in, I want you to be my girlfriend," Alexandra said, her words soft but confident. "And I'd like you to come to the fashion show at the palace as my companion."
Taylor let out a breathless laugh, running a hand through her hair. "That's... wow. I mean, I like what we have too, Lexie. I really do. But are you sure about this? About us being more public?"
"I'm sure about you," Alexandra said, her blue eyes meeting Taylor's. "And I wouldn't ask you to do anything you're not ready for. If you want to keep things private for now, we'll do that. But I wanted you to know how I feel."
Taylor was silent for a moment, her gaze searching Alexandra's face. Then she smiled, reaching out to take Alexandra's hand in hers.
"I think I'm ready," Taylor said, her voice steady. "I want to be your girlfriend, Lexie. And I'll be there at the fashion show. But... let's take it one step at a time, okay? The world can wait a little longer to figure us out."
Alexandra's heart swelled, and she leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Taylor's lips.
"Thank you," Alexandra whispered.
"No," Taylor said, her voice teasing. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
They both laughed, the tension melting away as they leaned into each other, already feeling more like a team than ever before.