Running With Lions

Caroline clutched onto Harry's arm as he talked to, what he had whispered hurriedly to her as the two men approached, members from the House of Lords.

She had never been so nervous; Caroline could even feel her palms become clammy under the stares of these men. She tried to escape her fear by telling herself that she had met actors, fellow models and singers that were more famous than these two men could ever hope to be.

They were both dressed in thin pants, khaki-colored. But the man to her left, the one with full beard and dark eyebrows, wore a relaxed navy blue sweater. While the other, his copper hair receding far beyond his forehead, wore a plaid button up and a navy blue tie.

They held themselves well, their backs erect and heads held high with dignity. And even though they dressed casually the air around them made them feel like stately giants.

They paid no mind to Caroline as she was deemed insignificant, a commoner. They were much more interested in Harry and today's polo match between England and Denmark.

Harry was adamantly discussing the strengths and weakness of his team and their opponent. Caroline quickly lost interest with this talk and peered around under the giant white tent that shielded her, the players and spectators from the warm August sun.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see the Danish Royal Family making their way through the crowd, parting people like Moses once had a colored sea.

Ben and Alex were dressed in an identical uniform to Harry's except their shirts were red while his was a dark blue. Their black helmets were under their arms and wide smiles on their faces, excited for today's match.

They veered off toward the stables, a large brown building set on the other side of the field, when they were suddenly stopped by a voice who called to their names.

Caroline watched as Lavin -- blond, blue-eyed, perfect Princess Lavin -- rushed towards them. She hugged both of her brothers, first Ben and then Alex.

"Caroline," Harry said beside her, the two lords gone now.

"Hmm," she said, tearing her eyes away from the silent scene.

Harry's eyes were level with hers. His smiled was energetic, the smile he usually wore before polo matches.

"I need to get to the stables. The match will be starting soon enough," he said.

And this was when Caroline felt true terror shiver its way down her spine, her stomach heavy with bile that she wished she could purge herself of.

She would be alone, without Harry, and forced to be cordial with Lavin, Gen and Kate.

"Okay," she muttered, releasing his arm.

"Cheer loud for me," he said, before kissing her swiftly.

Caroline only nodded before he raced away from her, hurrying to catch up with Lavin's brothers.

She stood there looking around, feeling very alone among the group of people. She felt like an outsider.

Finally, instead of standing like a fool in the middle of everything, she sauntered over to the bar careful not to let her pencil thin hills slice into the manicured grass.

She sipped out of a small champagne glass as she sat on a bar stool, taking an interest in looking around the expanse of the white tent.

Her eyes landed on Lavin, Gen and Kate. The three women were standing around in a circle chatting and Caroline couldn't help but admire their clothes.

Gen wore a pair of red cropped pants with a pair of black leather flats. She had chosen a handsome white button up that she tucked had tucked it.

Caroline stared, wishing that she owned the black Chanel clutch that was tucked securely under Gen's arm.

Kate's pants were white and straight-legged while her feet had a pair of neutral wedges covering them, making her tower over the two cousins. A simple white tee was underneath a blue cardigan, cinched at the waste with a thin muted gold belt.

Then there was Lavin. She wore a off-white layered lace skirt that hugged her hips with a loose-fitting red silk button up, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her hair was straight, odd as Caroline usually saw it either wavy or in an up do, with two pieces from her long bangs sweeping to the back of her head where they were secured by a clear elastic.

As she stared at Lavin longer, envious of her and loathing her at the same time she concluded that with Lavin's hair somewhat messy she looked like a refined hippie who had been forced into heels and bribed to shave her legs.

Caroline inspected her own clothes. She was wearing a green dress -- which she was told was far too short for such an event by one of Harry's bodyguards -- and felt like an idiot that she wasn't wearing the navy blue that was Harry's team color, as apparently was the trend today.

Then all three faces turned to look at her.

Caroline's heart stopped, frantically wondering if they could hear her thoughts; but immediately dismissed the thought. Being royal didn't make you superhuman.

Then the three women made their way to her.

Kate flashed a relaxed grin. "Hello, Caroline."

"Hi."

Gen gave a short wave, passed her out and ordered three glasses of champagne. They were quickly poured and Caroline watched as Gen passed one to Lavin and then to Kate.

Lavin took a long drink before speaking. "Excited for the match, Caroline?"

Caroline froze, opening her mouth then closing it. In a different place like a pub she would have easily given Lavin a sarcastic, snarky answer but this...this place was Lavin's domain.

She ruled here and Caroline was her lowly subject.

Finally: "Yes, very excited. Should be a good match."

"Very good match. I don't think Harry and Will stand a chance against my brothers and my cousin."

Caroline blinked her gray eyes. Lavin was actually continuing this conversation further than niceties?

Caroline shrugged in response. "We'll have to see."

"How's modeling going? Will we be seeing your face on billboards or covers of magazines soon?" Kate asked a silent laugh etched onto her face.

"I've just booked a Marc Jacobs ad in New York. That'll be next month. But recently I worked for a local designer to help boost her sales," Caroline said, gloating at her success.

Kate and Lavin's face held interest while Gen was staring into the bubbling amber liquid of her drink, looking like she'd rather get kicked by a horse than stand here making idle chitchat. Then she interrupted:

"I'm going to find my mother. I'll see you in the box."

With that she drained her drink and left.

"So," Caroline breathed once they couldn't see Gen any longer. "How was your grandparents' anniversary?"

Lavin nodded her head pleasantly. "Really great."

"So much fun," Kate added.

A trumpet sounded from the field, calling everyone to their seats. The match would be starting shortly.

Lavin brightened. "Let’s go to the box, gotta beat Grandpa to the good seats."

Caroline balked when Lavin grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. "Come on, sit with us."

"Okay," Caroline answered.

What the fuck is going on? Caroline thought. She had only been into the royal box once and that was a year ago when she was still considered one of Harry's fleeting playmates.

______

After the match Caroline found herself back at the bar with Lavin, Kate and Gen as they waited for the teams to freshen up.

Denmark had won much to the dismay of three-quarters of the spectators, but Caroline -- even with her dismal amount of knowledge of the game -- found it to be a very thrilling match.

But the match was no longer in her mind. She thought back to the conversations had between her, Lavin, Kate and sometimes Gen. They had talked about their favorite fashion designers, who they were wearing today, their most comfortable pair of high heels and some beauty secrets.

Not even in a dream had Caroline thought she would ever have a full conversation with Lavin let alone them being friendly with each other.

At first Caroline thought it was just a front but Lavin introduced her to a majority of her family whom all greeted her with smiles, some of them mentioning that they recognized her face from magazine ads and Alexander McQueen's fashion show last summer.

As she sipped what was her fourth glass of champagne she felt like she had slipped into an alternate universe, very much like her own Wonderland.

Cheers erupted when Peter, Ben and Alex came to the bar. Congratulations were shouted and pats on the backs were passed out in rapid succession.

Then came Harry and Will, their smiles still hanging on although their shoulders were slumped with defeat. Caroline found herself laughing when Peter, Ben and Alex began booing them.

Ben even good-naturedly heckled Harry. "Do I need to get you a seatbelt for your horse?"

Harry laughed and slung an arm around Ben's neck, pretending to choke him. "Just wait till our next match, mate."

Caroline couldn't help but smile. She felt like she finally had received her invitation to the most exclusive club in all of England and, perhaps even Denmark. She was almost giddy with excitement and joy.

That all deflated in an instant when she watched Lavin embrace Harry, kissing him on both of his rosy cheeks. They remained very close to each other and Caroline couldn't help but notice the stupid grins on each of their faces.

Caroline felt the flames of hatred that she usually felt when Lavin was around. Her entire skin prickled with fury. She stood there unable to move when the only thing she wanted to do was throw herself at Lavin.

"Great match," she heard Lavin say. Her voice chipper, almost playful.

"It would have been a great match if we had won," Harry said as he ruffled Lavin's hair a bit. "My good luck charm must be on the fritz."

Was that flirting? Were Harry and Lavin flirting with each other? Did Harry initiate it or did Lavin? No matter what angle Caroline looked at it they were most certainly flirting.

Shamelessly so, in fact.

Caroline looked away, telling herself over and over again that she was the one with Harry. She was the one who was going to become the next Princess of Wales. The next bride of England that everyone swoons after and talks about for months.

Quickly she ordered a vodka tonic, simmering in her hatred for the blonde, blue-eyed, tramp of a princess.