Chapter 5 Can I Pass Out Right Now?

• Okay, can I pass out now? Or would it be too embarrassing? I was scared to death that he would notice my tremor. And I'm sure I blushed even though I didn't want to.
• Henry gave me a smack kiss and smiled:
• - If it's not the “brat”? You've grown up, cousin. He looked me over from head to toe.
• My father was called by a member of the court and excused our future guests. My mother accompanied him, leaving us alone with the Chevaliers.
• Aime put her hand on the flowers on Andrew's necklace and said:
• - These flowers are beautiful.
• He showed a perfect smile, removing the flowery necklace from his neck and putting it on Aime's:
• - Beautiful flowers for a beautiful little flower. – he added.
• - My father always gives the necklace to Alexia... - She looked at me. “Anyway, the necklace is finally mine. – she cheered leaving us and choosing a good place to photograph herself with the flowers received by Andrew.
• - I promise the next flower necklace will be yours. – Andrew told me.
• - I doubt you can beat my father again. - I claimed.
• - Well, then you would still receive the necklace the same way, wouldn't you? But I still think I would beat your father in another race.
• - You're good... But you'll have to live with an Estevan angry with defeat. - Pauline observed.
• - You are different... And beautiful. Henry observed, this time looking deeply at my sister.
• - I can say the same about you. - Pauline said sincerely.
• I looked at my sister in disbelief. Was she literally hitting on Henry Chevalier? My God, how could you do that without blushing and dying of embarrassment?
• - Hey, where's your ring, "wife"? Andrew asked mockingly.
• - Oh, it's saved. replied Pauline before me.
• Henry laughed:
• - When I saw Andrew giving the wreath to Aime, I remembered the kiss he gave you when you were only ten years old, Alexia. Remember that?
• - Clear. - Pauline said.
• - There's no way to forget. I went a month without dessert. - I confessed.
• - And I was sent to study in another country, for my irresponsibility and bad upbringing. - Andrew said grimacing. - So our kiss was unforgettable for me, believe me. It brought consequences.
• - Well, it wasn't exactly a kiss. - I said blushing again, going against what I really believed to have been.
• - I agree. Today I kiss in another way. He chuckled seductively, staring at me.
• - In my opinion it was never a kiss. - Pauline looked at me, surely remembering that I said yes, it had been a kiss.
• - We never played marriage again after that. Henry recalled. – And I think that's why we are traumatized by this word to this day. – he mocked.
• 'Kisses, kisses…' Andrew laughed. - We played crazy games. And I was already sixteen years old... If I were Estevan, he would punch me in the face.
• I felt a kiss on my face and when I noticed Gael was wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close to him:
• - Well, well, if it isn't the Chevalier brothers, cup thieves from Alpemburg.
• - This is Gael... - I said confused, wanting to bury myself in a very deep hole if I could.
• - Her boyfriend. – he completed.
• - You cheated on me, “wife”? – was Andrew's serious question, making me turn into a red pepper again.
• - Hey, it's just a joke, Alexia. said Henry playfully.
• "She's like that..." Pauline observed.
• - What's this wife story? Gael looked at me confused.
• - Yeah... Just a childhood game. - I explained.
• - And even? – Andrew asked me, mocking.
• I felt the blood boil inside me and for the first time in my entire life I felt like kissing a man without caring about anything or anyone. Our eyes met again and there was no smile on his lips. Andrew, how did you manage to become this man who takes everything out of me with a single look? It's like I've been waiting for you for exactly eight years. As if my life started from the moment we met again.
• - Honestly, I don't think it's fair that you ran for the cup. Gael continued.
• - Just because you didn't win it? – Andrew teased.
• - Not even. For the sake of justice. You can't come from Noriah and get the Alpemburg cup.
• - We won the place honestly, winning other GP's to get here. explained Henry.
• - I think he was upset because if we hadn't participated he could have won second place. Andrew laughed sarcastically.
• I felt Gael's breathing quicken, but he didn't say anything. Because, I think there was really nothing to talk about. Because he took fourth place. And if the Chevaliers hadn't raced, he would have actually been second on the podium.
• My dad came back, dissipating some of the antipathy that was starting between Andrew, Henry and Gael.
• - Well, boys, you must know that I will demand a rematch. – my handsome father said smiling.
• - Worth this cup? – Andrew observed his trophy still on the podium.
• - The cup is rightfully yours, as you won the national competition. But the challenge will now be in my lane.
• - That wouldn't be very fair, Estevan. Obviously you know the track better than anyone.
• - You will be in my castle. I give them time to train.
• - I think it's fair. - Henry said looking at Andrew.
• - How much time do we have to train? asked Andrew.
• - Depends on how long you want to stay.
• - We're not in much of a hurry, actually. Andrew looked at me again.
• Stay... Stay a lifetime, Andrew Chevalier. Because I'm no longer sure if I can live in a world where you're not present. Why was my heart pounding so hard in his presence? Why was I sweating? Why were my legs shaking? Why did I feel butterflies in my stomach every time he spoke? If I didn't walk away from that man, I would be dependent on him for the rest of my life.
• - Stay as long as you want. Our home is your home. My cousins' children are like my daughters to me. I have great regard for Dereck and Magnus. - my father said.
• - We came personally to bring the invitation and also take the first place, Estevan. – Andrew joked. - But I still appreciate the invitation to receive us in your castle.
• - I go back to school at the end of winter. said Henry. “Not that we intend to stay until the end of winter. – he insisted on explaining, confused, looking again at Pauline. “What I meant is that I'm finishing my college and that's my only commitment in Noriah.
• - And you... What have you been doing, Andrew? – asked Estevan curiously.
• - Well, I'm investing a little bit in participating in GP's all over the world. I want to gain visibility... And maybe enter the biggest one of all: the world championship.
• - A pretentious Chevalier. - said Gael.
• - In fact, ambitious. – Andrew explained.
• - You have potential, Andrew. I confess that I never thought that a boy could win me. – Estevan said.
• - I think I'm not a boy anymore, Estevan. He explained smiling. – I am now 24 years old. I run professionally. This for me is no longer a hobby or a game. I take it seriously.
• - And that makes me happy that you took first place in Alpemburg. Even if it took away my years of invincibility, it will bring you greater popularity. I run for pleasure... And you should know that.
• - And you, Gael? – Andrew asked directly to him. – Do you also run for pleasure?
• "Yes…" he explained, trying to find the right words. – I am a possible candidate to be part of the court, high political leadership of Alpemburg, which assists the king in making important decisions.
• - Assist the king or "queen". - Pauline insisted on remembering.
• - Yes... I know this, Your Highness. – he referred to my sister.
• "So your goal is to be part of the court..." Andrew stared at him. – That's why you don't mind improving your way of piloting?
• Before Gael could respond, my father said:
• - He just doesn't take first place because I'm the best in Alpemburg. Or rather, it was. Still he's the best after me.
• - And me and Andrew now. – Henry made a point of helping Andrew in an attempt to end Gael.
• I was confused and not understanding the reason for the immediate dislike between them.
• Gael smiled and said clearly:
• - Only first place matters to me. He pressed me against him, tightly. – The place in the heart of Alexia D'Auvergne Bretonne. And on this podium I will always be first.
• I blushed again, feeling his kiss on my cheek and Andrew, Henry, and my dad's gaze on us.
• - Well then... Each one with their life goals. And that we can respect everyone. So, boys, will you take the rematch?
• - Clear. Andrew shook my father's hand, sealing a new competition.
• Henry put his hand on top and when I saw Gael let go of me and put his hand over theirs:
• - I insist on participating, Estevan.
• - Why not? Andrew smiled mischievously.
• We waited for my parents and Pauline to finish their press interviews. There were some reporters from channels from other countries. I looked for Gael, while I saw Aimê in the distance, interviewing someone with his cell phone, probably going live on his channel.
• - I wouldn't leave you alone if you were my girlfriend.
• I turned quickly, meeting Andrew's eyes beside me, watching me intently.
• - You scared me, Andrew. I confessed, feeling my heart pounding.
• - Excuse me... It was not my intention. - He said putting his hands behind his body, trying to find what caught my attention.
• - All right... I hope you like Alpemburg.
• - I already like it. He smiled, looking at me.
• - I'm glad.
• - Did you never want to visit Noriah again after what happened to us?
• - I don't know if this was the real reason. - I confessed. “I think things started to get more difficult around here. We grew up, Pauline taking her place as heir to the crown...
• - I was afraid that the reason was what I did.
• - We didn't commit a crime... At least I think. - I confessed laughing.
• - After all, it wasn't a real kiss. - he remembered. - Just child's play.
• - Exactly.
• - Even so, I still keep the flower you gave me.
• I looked at him confused. What did he want to do to me, after eight damn years away, populating my dreams and my mind?
• - Me me...
• I didn't know what to say. He laughed and shook his head:
• - I'm just kidding.
• I sighed, not knowing if it was relief or not.
• - But I really hoped you had kept the ring. I thought I understood that the wedding was for real at the time. – he was serious. 'Do you think I, at sixteen, took it a little too seriously?' Plus, I think I liked you…" He shook his head, giving a half smile. – That's why I think Estevan should have given me a good punch. I was a sucker... almost a pedophile.
• - I kept the ring that was part of a key ring. And I walked around with it a long time on my finger, proud to have married Andrew Chevalier. - I confessed, laughing, feeling my heart get completely involved with that conversation.
• We stared at each other for a while, saying nothing. His hazel eyes, narrowed, searched for something I didn't know what it was…but I could feel it, as hard as my breath, starting to get faster.
• - Anyway, time has passed. And you grew up, brat. He gently pushed me with his body, smiling.
• I took a step to the side, with the impact of his body. Gael picked me up, putting his arm around my shoulders:
• - Shall we go ahead, beautiful? Waiting for your parents will be an arduous task. You know Estevan doesn't dismiss anyone who wants to talk to the king.
• I was a little surprised by his presence.
• - Clear. I replied mechanically.
• - Where's Henry? he asked Andrew.
• - Must be looking for some girl out there. - He explained.
• - And why don't you do the same? – Gael questioned.
• - But I was just doing that when you arrived! Andrew laughed sarcastically.