Royals (A Prince Harry Fanfiction)

Chapter 10

Jackie let out a breath and tucked a piece of wavy blonde hair behind her ear, which was adorned with a small pearl earring. She smoothed her simple navy dress, putting her hands on her waist and bending over, feeling nauseous. She was about to make her first public appearance with Harry, during which they would make it clear they were a couple. Harry was playing in a charity polo tournament. Unfortunately, Harry and William were on different teams, and they weren't playing each other that day, so Jackie was making the trip without Kate. She had been loosely coached by Michael, reminded to keep her expression pleasant, not to be absorbed by her phone, and to completely ignore the cameras, but she felt utterly unprepared.

Jackie flipped down the visor in her Jetta, giving herself a stern look in the mirror. "You can do it," she said sharply before flashing a convincing smile and stepping from her car. She locked it, looking around the grass lot packed with cars. No one was around, so she checked her appearance once again in the reflection on the side of her car. Her dress, according to Kate, was just the right amount of casual and class, and her sandals revealed perfectly manicured toes. Jackie took another deep breath, flipped her best sunglasses over her eyes, and marched towards the field.

As soon as she was in the vicinity of the field, she felt eyes on her. Photographers had mingled throughout the spectators, and they immediately took notice of Jackie's arrival. Remembering what Michael had said, Jackie ignored the flashes, keeping her eyes straight ahead and a relaxed expression on her face. She had to fight the urge to pick at her fingernails or wring her hands, nervous habits of her's. Instead, she made her way to the side of the field where the players and their horses were mixing with the crowd.

Jackie's eyes found Harry, her stomach growing familiarly warm. She could feel her cheeks flushing, which they always did when he was around. Jackie knew the reporters were watching as she strode across the grass towards him. Harry had just finished speaking to an older couple, his facing lighting up with a grin when he saw her approaching.

And then, with the eyes of the world on them, Harry put an arm around Jackie's waist, pulling her in for a kiss. It was short and light, but Jackie felt as though her knees would give out from the nervousness inside. Had they done the right thing?

Harry grinned even wider, retracting his arm and asking, "How was the drive over?"

Jackie couldn't help but to laugh, tilting her head down to hide her blush. "Alright, I suppose. I almost pulled over to throw up a few times."

"You don't have to be nervous, I'm the one who's playing," Harry laughed. "My teammate, Ben's, wife is here, I'm sure she would be glad to keep you company."

"That would be great," breathed Jackie gratefully.

Harry climbed onto his horse with ease that left Jackie in awe. She pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and used a hand to shield her eyes the sun, another on her hip, as she looked up at him, noticing how prince-like he looked atop the beautiful horse.

"We'll be starting soon," said Harry. "Thank you again for coming. I'll play better knowing you're watching."

Jackie's stomach fluttered. "Good luck." Then, Harry leaned down, one hand on his horse's neck, the other lightly finding the back of Jackie's head as he kissed her once more. She smiled and gave his wrist a squeeze before she walked from the field, attempting to stifle her massive smile, hardly even noticing that every camera in the vicinity was now aimed at her.

(I love this photo of Diana and Charles at a polo match in '84, it inspired this chapter!)

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"Did you get it?" Jackie asked in a hushed voice.

"Of course- I got them all."

Jackie eagerly took the brown paper bag from Emily, dumping it's contents on her kitchen table. Three magazines spread across the wooden surface, Harry and Jackie on the cover of each. She couldn't help but to smile at the photo that graced each cover, her standing on tip toes to kiss her prince on horseback at the polo match the day before.

"You look beautiful," Emily said approvingly. She took one magazine and began flipping through it, Jackie following suit. "Oh- 'Jackie showed off her bum, made famous at the royal wedding, in a navy shift dress that can be found at Gap for just 49.99'."

"They said that?" Jackie asked, her heart swelling with joy.

"All rave reviews here. 'The sweet, mild-mannered, 28-year-old nurse was all blushes and smiles while supporting her new Prince. Daily Mail has been informed by sources close to the couple that the two have been friends since meeting at University, through mutual friends, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.'"

"How do they know all this?" Jackie wondered aloud. "I just wonder who is telling them."

"I've read that lower level employees at the Palace always talk," Emily said quickly, flipping through her magazine. "'Chemistry is evident between the two, they left the match arm in arm, reportedly returning to Harry's flat at Kensington Palace.'" Emily raised an eyebrow at Jackie, who nodded.

"At least they're only saying good things," Jackie said with relief in her voice. "I was scared they would tear me apart."

"I don't know if you should make it a habit of reading these," warned Emily. "It's all fun and games until they start saying mean things."

"What makes you think they'll be mean?" countered Jackie.

"Get real," Emily scoffed. "Give them a month. I'm sure if you keep avoiding them like you are, they'll start printing lies to get you to interact."

"That's a dark thing to say," Jackie said, but in her heart, she knew Emily was right. Jackie read each one of the magazines, reveling in the sweet photos, but made herself swear she would never purchase another tabloid about herself again.