My father bustles into the room about twenty minutes later.

He eyes the empty glass next to me but doesn’t say anything as he takes a seat across from me in the matching armchair.

I opt to preserve the silence. I simply move the first piece, and he follows suit. We’ve barely started playing when there’s a loud knock on the door of my father’s study.

“Come in,” my father calls.

One of his many aides opens the door and bows. “My apologies, Your Majesty,” he says. “But the Council would like your input on one more matter.”

“It can’t wait?” my father asks.

I glance at the clock above the fireplace. It’s already almost ten.

“No, I’m afraid it can’t, Your Majesty.”

My father sighs.

“It’s fine, Papa. I need to go anyway.”

“Okay, Vivvi. Have some fun.” My father kisses the top of my head as he walks out of his study.

I head to the front entryway to discover Michael is already waiting for me. Three other members of my security detail linger behind him.

“Ready, Princess?” Michael asks.

“Yup,” I reply, then follow him out to the waiting convoy of cars. Two more agents climb in.

A half hour later, we pull up in front of a house that would look opulent to anyone who didn’t live in a palace. There’s a long row of limousines and town cars parked in front of the mansion, dotted with uniformed drivers loitering around, waiting to be summoned.

I stride up the front walkway, flanked by four agents. The other two remain by the car. As we near the front door, I see Charles leaning against one of the columns.

“You actually came,” he says. Surprise is evident in his voice.

“My other plans fell through.” I grin at him before I stroll past him into the house.

The house is crowded with groups making polite conversation, but an audible hush falls as I enter the foyer. I continue walking forward, not bothering to stop and talk to anyone. I was right; every other girl I see is wearing a dress. I even spot a couple of guys in suits. I head into the kitchen first to survey the spread of expensive liquor. Despite our luxurious surroundings, I know my security team won’t let me drink anything that’s not sealed.

I end up with a bottle of water.

I stand in the kitchen, sipping at the cool liquid with my agents standing nearby. It’s a stark contrast to the last party I attended, where I got drunk and played poker with a group of raucous football players. I halt the train of thought before I can recall any of the other events that transpired that same night.

Sick of standing around, I inform my security team I’m heading to the restroom. I’ve never been to the Lennox estate before, so I wander down the long hallway aimlessly.

Finally, I open one of the doors. It turns out to be a bedroom, and I swing open the door of the dimly lit room. A thick cloud of smoke envelops me. I step back, coughing. Two guys are sitting on the bed, with lit joints dangling from their fingers. They stare at me, wide-eyed.