AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL
If morning had been chaos dipped in coffee, midday was full blown divine theatre. By the time I could finally stomach something more substantial than mint water and air, the palace had transformed into a battlefield of flirtation and panic starring, of course, Charlie.
He'd been cornered by Princess Wanessa three times already. The first time in the garden, she'd "accidentally" trapped him between a rose arch and a scandalously low neckline, the second at lunch where she spoon-fed him soup "to test his reflexes", and now… now she had him cornered by the koi pond, looking every bit like a majestic predator toying with its dinner. Zavier and I watched from our balcony seats, unofficial referees, coffee in hand.
"I give him five minutes before he dives into the pond." I said.
"Three." Zavier corrected dryly. "He's sweating already."
Below, Charlie was backing up slowly, smiling like a man who knew he was doomed.
