The chatter of the Eastroom faded into a dull roar behind Alexa . All she wanted was a single, solitary moment from the crowd. She slammed her hand on the lacquered bar, the sound sharp in the quiet corner. " Something strong,please'' she muttered not bothering to look at the bartender.
Alexa saw the moment again in her mind: her hand extended, a polite greeting on her lips, Edmund's cold, dismissive stare as he turned his back and walked away. A powerful, irritational anger flared in her chest.
A familiar poke landed on her shoulder just as the bartender set a glass down.
She turned , her eyes narrowed , ready for confrontation, but her expression softened when she saw it was her best friend turned secretary, James Doughlas, whose been her rock beside her mother from the beginning.
"Hey Ail,already exhausted?'' James asked , his voice a low , teasing hum.
" Yeah, what can I say, Jay?" Alexa replied , her voice a tired sigh. She picked up her drink and swallowed half of it in one go, the cold liquid doing little to quench the fire in her chest.
He settled on the stool beside her. " What's bothering you?"
" That asshole ". She didn't looked at him as she lifted the glass and drained the rest in a single, defiant gulp, the empty glass slamming back down on the bar.
James watched her with a knowing smile. " Yoo, easy peasy".
Alexa spun on her stool to face him, her eyes blazing. " What's easy peasy?"
He held up a hand. " Calm down. Tell me what's the matter."
" The soon to be Duke of Italy Edward —"
" No, it's Prince Edmund, " He corrected gently.
" I don't care whether he is a prince or king or whatever he is," she fumed, her voice rising.
" How dare he ignore me? That arrogant son of a–—"
" Yoo, yoo, calm down," James said, cutting Alexa softly. He placed a hand on her shoulder. " It's okay. Just take a breath".
Edmund standing near a table, swirling a glass of expensive red wine as he conversed with foreign dignitaries. His perfect posture, his carefully measured expressions — it all screamed arrogance.
Alexa overhears his conversation with another aristocrat. His crisp Italian accent was unmistakable.
Edmund speaking to the guest, unaware that she is nearby." It's quite amusing, really. The American people seem so desperate to make history , they'll electoral just about anyone, even if they're painfully unrefined. "
Alexa pushed James's hand over her shoulder,with her glass and started to move.
" Ail, stop," James said, his voice now urgent, but she ignored him. He reached out to grab her arm, but she dodged his hand, her gaze locked on the prince. She walked forward with a single purpose.
Alexa, holding her drink, immediately stopped in her tracks after hearing the prince saying her mother is unrefined. Her eyes widened; Did he just—
The guest chuckled awkwardly, " Oh, come now, Your Highness, she's not that bad."
Edmund smirking . " I wasn't talking about the President. I meant her daughter."
Alexa approaches him and bluntly calls him an " asshole".
Edmund caught off- guard, responds," Is this how you behave with guests?"
She immediately fires back. " Says who? The one with no manners? And this person is supposed to be the next in line for the throne? Unbelievable!"
Alexa mockingly raising her glass. " Well, cheers to the most charming royal I've ever met."
Edmund taking a sip,uninterested. " If that's your attempt at flattery, I must say, it's rather poor."
Alexa rolling her eyes," Oh, trust me, Your Majesty, if I ever wanted to flatter you, you'd know. But seeing as you decided to ignore me like I was some alien, I figured I'd return the favour — with a little more style."
He raising an eyebrow. " You seem awfully concerned about what I do. Is this an American trait, or just a you thing?"
She let out a sarcastic laugh," Oh, I'm sorry, is talking not allowed in the presence of royalty? Do I need to bow too?"
He gave a slow,one-sided smile, a smirk that held no humor,only cold amusement. " You could, but judging by your attitude, I'd assume you wouldn't lower yourself that much. "
Alexa mocks surprise, " Wow, you do get me! You know what else I wouldn't myself to? Being fake nice to someone who clearly has a stick so far upto his—
He interrupted and amused," Do, finish that sentence , please."
She leaned close,her voice dropping to a whisper. " I would, but I believe it's inappropriate to discuss in royal company. "
He chuckled , intrigued but keeping his cool." Interesting, I was expecting the President's daughter to be more diplomatic."
She folded her arms across her chest," At least, I have a personality outside of posing for stoic royal portraits."
Before Alexa could retort , a waiter carrying a massive tray of hors d' oeuvres passed by. She stepped aside to avoid him, only to feel a sharp tug at her gown. Her heel had caught in the hem of her dress.
Time slowed as she wobbled,arms flailing. Before she could regain balance, she collided into Edmund. He tried to catch her,but it was too late. Both of them stumbling backward straight into the centerpiece of the gala.
A mountain of elaborate pastries and cupcakes towering at least 10 feet high,stood proudly in the center of the room. It was the chef's masterpiece, meant to symbolize diplomacy,art and–—
Splat.
This entire structure gave way as Alexa and Edmund crashed into it, sending a tsunami of frosting, cream, delicate pastries flying in every direction.
The Eastroom fell into stunned silence. Guests gasped. Cameras clicked.
Alexa groaned , pushing herself up on her elbows, only to find herself covered in buttercream. She wiped frosting from her face and turned to Edmund, his once impeccable suit ruined, a cupcake perfectly perched on his head.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, she unable to help herself — burst into laughter. " Oh my god. You look like a royal wedding cake gone wrong!"
He blinked , unamused. He exhaled sharply, then reached over, scooped up a handful of frosting from his sleeve, smeared ot straight across her cheek.
Edmund deadpan. " Now, we're even."
A chorus of gasps rippled through the room.
Alexa , her eyes wide, stared at him in shock. Then, narrowing her gaze, she grabbed a cream puff from the wreckage and launched it at his chest.
And just like that , all hell broke loose.
The tabloids called it " The Great Pastry war", marking the official beginning of their very public rivalry.