Royal Pain (Rewritten)

Chapter 15

It was one in the afternoon when Deva finally woke up. She was the only one in the bed; Darius was gone. Perhaps it was all a dream. It couldn't be because Deva didn't have luck on her side. What she did have was a massive headache. She took a shower to wash away the nasty evidence of the night.

The kitchen was another safe haven for her and chef was already cooking.

He laughed in his Italian way. "Bella you look like a dying pussycat."

"I feel like one too," she sat on the stool closest to him. He placed a bowl of stew in front of her without even having to ask.

She didn't care what it was. Her stomach was famished.

"Grazie."

Out of pity chef Antonio handed her some pills.

"Is this the part where you vow never to drink again?"

"No," she washed down the pills with water but was secretly wishing it was alcohol. "The key is to always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."

His jolly laugh filled the room. "Are you sure you're not Italian?"

"I might be." She slipped off the stool and fixed her appearance.

"Going somewhere?"

"I need to find me a prince." Her plan was to smooth things over with Darius. She felt like she needed to justify her recent actions.

Before making it out the kitchen Deva stole a bottle of wine off the counter. Antonio didn't see her so she continued to sneak it out.

Every door in the hall looked exactly the same. How was she supposed to remember which one was Darius'? She took a few swigs out of the bottle to calm her anxiety and then asked one of the security men where his room was located.

Luckily his door wasn't locked. His entire room was painted black and extremely simple. There was no artwork hanging or personal artifacts on display. His bed sheets were grey and every piece of furniture was a burgundy wood. It was a neat freak's room; everything was in order.

It was also empty. She snooped around to find something, anything out of place. How could someone be so clean? It freaked her out a bit. The only personal thing in his room was a picture of him, his brothers, and Izzy that was on his desk. She opened the top drawer without thinking. Prying wasn't her typical hobby but she wanted to find something of his to connect too.

She found a unique leather journal but before she could tear into his private written thoughts Deva heard the shower turn off. She shut the drawer quickly and rushed to jump on the armchair nestled close to his bookshelf.

Deva drowned down more of the bottle to celebrate her victorious close call.

Darius walked out of the bathroom wearing just a towel around his lower half. She shamelessly admired his wet, glistening body. The v-line running down his hips made her swallow.