AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You want to canter up this hill?” Alexandra asked looking to Erin and smiling. “Race you,” she said.
Before Erin could respond, Alexandra’s heels were to her horses sides and the horse responded, powering up the hill. Erin urged her own horse forward worried for a second about the Princess’s safety. Should she ride that fast? But as she chased her she saw Alexandra’s perfect balance with the horse, she was a natural. There was nothing to worry about. She caught herself watching Alexandra’s rou
nd ass bob up and down ahead of her in the tight breeches she was wearing. She shook her head and tried to come back to reality. This was work. This wasn’t just a perv fest. She needed to stop being distracted by Alexandra. Somehow.
The wind was in their faces as the horses raced up the hill. It was exhilarating, fun. Erin could see why Alexandra needed the horses in her life. Riding was her freedom. The time when she could be really herself. At one with her horse. Once upon a time they were both pony-mad little girls. Just born into different worlds. Maybe Alexandra wasn’t that different from her after all.
5
A couple of weeks passed and Erin began to get used to Alexandra’s schedule. They settled into the dance of client and bodyguard. The bodyguard working to learn her client's every move, her every step, her every decision. Erin working to know exactly what the Princess wanted and needed before she knew it herself. Learning what scared the Princess, how present she wanted her protection in different situations. Still scanning constantly for danger. The only way to truly protect someone is to know them and their life better than you know your own. Erin found herself easily slipping into the role of Alexandra’s shadow. It was the most natural job she had ever found herself in. She was always alert and aware, but she blended easily into the background. Alexandra seemed happy with her. Alexandra began to be at ease and comfortable around her. Alexandra began to look to her for reassurance when they were out. Erin noticed a vulnerability in Alexandra that she would never have imagined was there.
There were walkabouts where they would visit cities and walk around meeting members of the public, Alexandra every inch the dazzling Princess they all wanted her to be.
There were charity events where Alexandra’s face and presence would help the charity immeasurably. Erin watched from the sidelines as people took and took from Alexandra. Everyone wanted a piece of her, her time, her words, her touch. How much did she have to give? How long would she be able to keep giving?
When they finished for the day and returned to one or other of Alexandra’s residences, Erin would always walk with her back to her suite of rooms- Erin’s bedroom and bathroom immediately next to the Princess’s. Alexandra would look tired then. The loveliness of her face carried the great burden of her role late in the evening in her private rooms. She would kick off her heels and sit quietly and sigh. Sometimes she would request a drink or snack. Usually a gin and tonic which would be brought to her room quickly, a nervous waiter shy behind the trolley.
Alexandra always seemed to be alone in the evening and late at night. Quiet, contemplative and alone. Erin went to her own room alone. She found herself more and more distant from her own life and more and more absorbed in the Princess’s. She ignored texts from Sophie. Sophie seemed so insignificant suddenly. Sophie’s beauty that had always stunned her had paled in her mind. She sat quietly and watched Netflix and read books.
She couldn’t stop thinking about what Alexandra might be doing behind the wall that separated them. Alexandra sleeping, her face gentle in repose. Alexandra undressing, her skin golden in the warm light from her bedside lamp. Alexandra. Alexandra. Alexandra.
I can’t stop thinking about you.
Six weeks after starting with Alexandra, Erin was settled into the routine. She attended the morning briefing at 7am each day with the security team. Half an hour every morning with Chief Inspector Evan’s inflated ego and big shiny head was a necessary evil of the job. He might have a higher rank than her but she could see it constantly irked him that he wasn’t in a more high profile position. He would never admit it but it was clear to Erin that he would have given anything to walk beside Alexandra or her father in public. He was the background man for the background men. He was stuck with organising and researching, sorting schedules, leading briefings, planning security advance parties for the venues Alexandra would visit.
The briefing was followed up with the promised daily 1:1 with an experienced officer. This particular day they ran through unarmed combat. Erin’s muscle memory acting fast. Her reactions passing the tests they gave her. Her relief palpable. She was doing it. She was doing the job and doing it well. She was protecting the future Queen of the United Kingdom. So far, she had had zero fuck ups. So far, the officers doing the 1:1s with her were quietly impressed.
This was followed by her daily gym session in the palace gym. Fit for anything, that was what she was supposed to be. And she felt it. In the best shape she had been in. Her muscles lean and strong. Her body athletic, but powerful.
Then back to her suite to shower and change and eat and study the daily schedule and ready herself for the day ahead. Alexandra was in the communal drawing room lounging and drinking tea as Erin returned from the gym. Alexandra in bare feet and royal blue silk lounge pants and an ivory silk vest. The straps were delicate over Alexandra’s own delicate shoulders. Almost pyjamas Erin thought. She had never seen Alexandra like this. She had only seen the perfect public Alexandra. This was the real Alexandra. This Alexandra was without make up, her ashy hair in messy waves, her skin glowing despite the lack of make up. Her eyes still intensely blue, her nipples clearly visible under the ivory silk. Erin felt suddenly deeply uncomfortable, a feeling of desire low in her belly. She couldn’t take her eyes off Alexandra.
She stopped still in her sweaty gym kit and looked uncomfortable.
It was Alexandra who spoke,
“Good morning Erin, How was your gym session? You look like you worked hard. Your arms are looking strong.” Alexandra’s eyes flickered over Erin’s biceps and forearms, still wet from exertion.
Erin felt more uncomfortable. Alexandra smiled.
“I have nothing till the dinner with Prince Nicolas of Sweden this evening so I won’t be getting ready until later. I am taking a day to relax and stay in.”
“Sure, yes. Of course,” stammered Erin. “You like Prince Nicolas?” Erin grasped at something to make conversation, then rolled her eyes at herself for the stupidity of her comment.
Alexandra didn’t seem phased and smiled curiously.
“Oh, I’m not so sure yet. My father wants me to consider him for marriage. So I guess that is what I am doing. Spending some time with him and considering.”
“Oh, erm…. Is that how it works?” Erin asked awkwardly. Still standing near the door in her sweaty clothes. Still staring at Alexandra in loose fitting silk that skimmed her curves.
“Well, sort of. I mean, I get to choose who I marry. But there are, let’s say, suggestions. A shortlist of suitable men. The trouble is, I’m not getting any younger, so the pressure to marry is high.” Alexandra sighed.
“Wow, I can’t imagine having to make that kind of decision,” replied Erin.
Alexandra laughed. Something about Erin’s awkwardness always tickled her.
“Oh, believe me, I wish I didn’t have to. Do you know of Queen Elizabeth the first Erin?”
“Er… sort of. I mean, we did history at school,” Erin said vaguely.
