Chapter 13

After his talk with Ella, Maksim cleared out his whole calendar. Instead of attending fundraisers and dinners with the elite, Maksim devoted his time to the people of the city.

On his first day, he visited the retirement community for the veterans. He spoke to the many men and women there who had served under Xavier's reign until Mavi became queen. They told him stories of how the town used to be, the friends they lost, the battles they fought. Maksim took a long walk with one veteran who showed him around the neighborhood. Upon the prince's request, the palace guards had stayed back. He was free to walk around and meet the people the old man introduced him to.

"This...." the man pointed to an old coffee shop. "This used to be the only coffee shop in two. Everyone used to gather here. AT midday it was impossible to find a table at this place. We used to go sit on the sidewalk with our little cups of coffee. It was only 10 cents."

"Are they still open?" Maksim looked inside.

"Yes," the old man said proudly. He tried to open the door, but Maksim rushed forward and held it wide open.

They stepped into the shop as the bell on the door dinged. The man behind the counter looked up and frowned.

"Afternoon' Morry," Phill, Maksim's guide, said as he took off his hat.

"Hey, Phill," Morry said as he eyes Maksim.

"Two coffees please," Phill put his shaking hand into his pocket and tried to retreat his wallet.

"Please, allow me," Maksim stopped him. He quickly pulled out his own wallet and paid the man at the counter.

"I'm not sure I got anything for him here, Phill," Morry said. "I don't serve no fancy coffee. All this is home grown."

"Home grown is fine," Maksim smiled.

"We ain't got no fancy oat milk or almost milk either," Morry poured a cup for Phill.

"I drink my coffee black," Maksim said.

Morry narrowed his eyes at the prince as Maksim patiently waited. Phill took his cup and cleared his throat.

"The boy paid for two cups, Morry," he said.

Morry grumbled unintelligently under his breath and poured a new cup. Maksim thanked him as he followed Phill to a table.

"Drink it while it's hot," Phill told him.

Maksim nodded as he picked up his cup. He could feel the man from behind the counter watching him. Slowly, Maksim sipped the coffee and nodded.

"It's good eh?" Phill laughed.

"It's really good," Maksim nodded. He looked at Morry over Phill's shoulder, "Medium roasted? Arabica beans? Am I tasting a bit of..... Lemon juice?"

"Yes," Morry said, a bit surprised. He lifted the counter and came around to the table as he wiped his hand on his apron. "It's an old family recipe. My grandfather used to add lemon juice to his coffee. He said it helped him sleep less."

"It's very good," Maksim took a longer sip of his coffee. "Oh there's cinnamon."

"Yes, yes," Morry smiled. "Do you taste the acidity of the beans?"

"Not really," Maksim shook his head.

"That's the nutmeg in there and the lemon juice."

"Wow," Maksim chuckled. "I never had coffee with so many different ingredients in it."

Phill and Morry laughed. The man pulled up a chair and took a seat at the table.

"You have to try it with the scones," he said. "Binta! Hey Binta!"

Phill looked over his shoulder as a woman emerged from the back. Her eyes immediately landed on her husband sitting with the prince and an old man.

"Get some of those scones," Morry said to his wife. "The ones I just took out front the oven. Hurry."

Maksim smiled politely as the woman recovered from her shock of seeing him and rushed around to plate the food. She brought it out along with jam and cream and placed it on the table.

"The cream is fresh, we make it daily," she said proudly.

"Thank you," Maksim took a bite.

"Try the ham and cheese," Morry insisted.

For the next several hours Maksim and Phill sat in the little coffee shop and tried all of Binta's dishes. Morry laughed and chatted about how the business passed down his family line and the trouble with the new age coffee shops taking over. After some time, he invited a few of his friends down and soon the cafe was filled with small business owners who had been in the community for ages. Some were reserved at first, but as Maksim asked questions and tried Binta's food, made jokes, and asked for coffee refills their guards lowered. By mid day, they were all inviting him to come stop by their shop.

"Thank you so much for all your hospitality," Maksim thanked Morry and Binta as he slowly started to say his goodbyes for the day. "I'm afraid if I say any longer I will eat you out of home and business."

"You are welcome anytime," Morry laughed.

"If you don't mind," Binta said with a shy smile. "I packed some scones and muffins for the Queen. I....I don't know if she likes....."

Morry looked at his wife and shook his head. He whispered to her that the Queen wouldn't eat scones and muffins and she shouldn't put him on the spot like that.

"My mother loves muffins," Maksim said quickly. "And my sisters never leave any scones for me so I hope you packed some extra."

Binta started to blush as she laughed and handed Maksim the basket. Morry smiled proudly as the prince thanked them and stepped outside. The many cameramen started to flash away all at once as Maksim shook Morry's hand and thanked them again. He waved to the rest of the men from the neighborhood as he got into his car and headed home.

For the first time, Maksim felt a sense of duty to the people of the town. They weren't all spiteful, walking around with protest signs demanding his head. They were real people, not just numbers on a spreadsheet.

The next day, Maksim came back to visit the little coffee shop. Only this time, he brought his father and Cleo along. As an avid coffee drinker Owen had many questions for Morry. The two men talked for hours as Binta made Cleo fresh scones and cream.

And by the end of the week, the palace had declared Morry's coffee shop as a historic site. As the oldest shop in town, it carried the Queen's cypher proudly and put up her flag they had once burned.

As news of Maksim's daily visits to town spread, Ella grew more and more proud of him. He has actually listened to her. She read all the articles about him, followed all the social media pages talking about him, and even donated to the charity he set up for the veteran home.

"Can you believe this?" Dean said over breakfast one morning.

Ella looked over her shoulder from the sink and spotted her father reading the front page of the newspaper. There was a picture of Maksim and Clare at the orphanage playing with the children in the yard. The headline read "A royal ball."

Ella smiled as she walked over and picked up the paper, "It's cute."

"It's dirty politics," Dean mumbled. "Kissing babies, drinking coffee, visiting schools."

"You won't be saying that if your diner became a historic site," Mia laughed as she took the newspaper. "Morry is rolling in dough right now."

"I don't need their help with my business," Dean snorted. "This is all just their game. This kid is going to leave town in a few days and all this will be forgotten."

"It says here he's not leaving," Mia said as she read the newspaper.

Ella looked up from her breakfast as her heart skipped a beat. Dean sipped his coffee and groaned.

"What do you mean?"

"It says here he's finishing his senior year at St. Vincent," Mia looked up and locked eyes with Ella.

"You know anything about this?" Dean looked at Ella.

"What?" Ella asked, baffled. "Why would I know anything about this?"

"I don't like this,"

"It's a big school Papa," Ella rolled her eyes. She set her toast down and pushed her plate back. As her stomach turned she couldn't even think about eating. "I probably wouldn't even see him."

"I still don't like it," Dean shook his head. "The kid already tried it with you and the flowers and how he's going to be in the same school as you."

"There's nothing I can do about that," Ella picked up her plate and moved back to the sink.

"Isn't the senior class at St. Vincent like only twenty kids?" Mia asked.

Ella groaned in her mind as she forcefully dumped her breakfast. What was Mia's problem? Why would she say that aloud?

"Yeah, so?" Ella asked over her shoulder.

"So he's going to be around you," Dean said.

"Papa," Ella sighed. "He's not a disease. I'm not going to die from sitting in the same room as him."

"I don't don't like it," Dean shook his head.

"Okay, now you're just being stubborn,"

"He's just worried about you," Mia said. "You wouldn't understand, you're not a parent."

Ella couldn't believe her hears. She narrowed her eyes as she slowly turned around.

"Oh I think I can imagine," she said slowly to her sister. "I remember you being so worried about Leo."

Mia narrowed her eyes at her sister.

"Thank god that all worked out, right Mia?" Ella smirked.

"What happened to Leo?" Dean looked up.

"Nothing, dad," Mia said. "Just some school stuff for him."

Ella rolled her eyes and turned back to the sink. She wanted to scream and shout at her sister for her hypocrisy. It was thanks to Maksim and his help that she still had her child. With De Luca representing Mia at court, the judge granted her full custody and only supervised visit to Liam. How can she sit here and not defend Maksim when he went out of his way to make sure she had someone to defend her at court?

"You gonna break those plates, princess," Dean laughed as Ella aggressively scrubbed the dishes.

"Fine, then wash them yourself."

In anger, Ella washed her hands and left the soap covered dishes in the sink as she stormed off into her room.

"What did I say?" Dean asked as Ella passed him.

Mia shrugged as she went back to sipping her coffee and reading the paper.

_________________________

As per the Queen's request, Maksim had cut off all contact with Ella after their talk in the greenhouse. He wasn't happy about it but as the media tied started to turn in their favor and the story of Lily's 'disappearance' moved to the background, Maksim bit down on his need to see Ella and pushed forward.

It wasn't long before the first day of school came around. The town buzzed with anticipations of the royal family attending St. Vincent. A large crowd gathered outside the school year and cheered as the black SUV rolled into the parking lot.

"Not too bad," Owen said as he parked the car.

"There are still protesters," Mavi eyed the not so cheerful crowd next to the ones holding giant hearts with Maksim's name on them.

"There will always be some, princess," Owen chuckled. He kissed his wife's hand before turning to look at his kids in the back seat. "You guys ready?"

"Let's do this!" Cleo had her game face on.

Clare shifted with discomfort and Maksim sighed.

"That's the spirit!" Owen fist bumped Cleo. "Now everyone out."

"Remember, big smiles," Mavi said.

Owen and Maksim got out of the car first and held the doors open for the ladies. As Mavi stepped out in her "casual mom" outfit of jeans and a simple white shirt, the crowd erupted in cheers and boos. She turned to the people and waved as they all stood together for the photographers to take some shots.

The principal of the school walked out along with a few teachers as they welcomed the kids to St. Vincent's Academy. Owen and Mavi walked their children to the front doors and kissed them all.

"Good luck, sweetheart," Owen said to Clare as he gave her a tight hug.

"Maybe this was a mistake," Clare mumbled.

"You will be fine, Princess," Owen laughed. "You have dragon blood in you."

"Man up, Clare bear," Cleo laughed. She was over excited. It was her first time attending school with other children. She couldn't wait to see if it was the same as they showed it on TV.

"Cleo," Mavi pulled the little girl closer and fixed her hair. "Remember to be calm and respectful. Listen to your teachers."

"Yes, your grace," Cleo tried to pull away but Mavi held her until she fixed her hair.

When she was satisfied with how the little girl's hair looked, Mavi turned her attention to Maksim.

"Come here," she smiled holding up her arms. "Good luck. Look after your sisters. Keep the other kids safe from them."

"Will do," Maksim chuckled.

"And Maksim," Mavi lowered her voice so the staff behind them wouldn't hear as she spoke into her son's ear. "Keep a safe distance from Ella. The storm isn't over yet."

Maksim sighed as he nodded his head.

"Please," Mavi pleaded. "And I'm sorry."

"I understand," Maksim gave her a half smile.

"Thank you," Mavi said as she kissed his cheek. "Now, go ahead before you're late on your first day."

Across town at the Dunbar's house, Ella was getting a similar talking from her parents, except they weren't as understanding as Mavi.

"Now, remember Ellie," Dean said as Ella pulled on her sneakers and adjusted her bag. "You're going there to get an education. Don't let all this foolishness going around distract you."

Ella nodded her head, "Got it."

"Stay away from that punk ass kid," Dean said sternly. "He comes near you, you walk away."

"Yes, sir."

"Alright," Dean took a deep breath. "Good luck, kid. Have a good first day at school."

"Thanks Papa," Ella placed a quick kiss on his forehead and rushed out of the house.

Dean's words, more like warnings, against Maksim would have irritated Ella even more if she hadn't found him sitting in Lily's room earlier that morning. While the whole house rushed to get ready and make breakfast, Dean quietly sat in Lily's room in the dark. The few times Ella passed by in worry, she heard him sniffle and watched him wipe his eyes through the cracked door.

She knew he was worried about his daughter. It had been more than a month since Lily left home. Ella worried about her every night, wondering if she was safe and happy. But all they could do was pray for the best. Dean would never admit openly that he missed Lily. At the dinner table if her name ever came up, he would get a strange look on his face and grow quiet. His anger and stubbornness frightened Ella.

Would she become a ghost in her home if she left with Maksim? Would her family avoid ever talking about her just as they did with Lily?

The questions ran through Ella's mind as she rode the bus to St. Vincent's Academy. Due to the large crown and photographers gathered outside the school, the bus had to drop off the kids a few blocks away. Everybody groaned as the driver came to a stop and ordered them out. As one moving body, the students made their way through the crowd and entered the building.

"We can't be late to any of the classes today," one of the senior girls said to her friend as they stuffed their lockers for the year. "I want to wait outside and enter with Maksim so I can see where he sits and then sit next to him."

"You are so smart," the other friend said as they giggled and made more plans.

Ella rolled her eyes as she neatly organized all her school supplies into her narrow locker. She had to admit, she was excited about seeing Maksim too. But seeing all the other girls touching up their make up and brushing their hair as if it was a beauty competition made Ella want to vomit.

"Hey Ella," the girl with the genius plan to follow Maksim into the classroom finally realized who was standing beside her at the next locker.

"Hey Gwen," Ella smiled.

"How was your summer? I heard about your sister. I'm so sorry."

Ella took a deep breath, "My summer was okay. And thank you."

"Of course," Gwen touched Ella's shoulder. "Let me know if I can help you in any way."

"Thank you, Gwen," Ella smiled. "That's very kind of yo-"

"Oh my god, it's Maksim," Gwen cut off Ella as she grabbed her friend.

Suddenly there was a mass panic in the halls as the girls all rushed to do last minute checks of their lip glosses and hair. The boys rolled their eyes but Ella could see they too were a little concerned about how they looked. She followed Gwen's eyes to where Maksim, Clare, and Cleo came down the hall towards them with the principal.

All eyes were glued on the Radacovick family as they slowly and cautiously followed the man giving them the tour. Clare gripped the straps of her bag tightly as she kept her eyes straight forward. Cleo looked around, her eyes bouncing off every inch of the walls. And Maksim....

Like the rest of the student body, Ella became mesmerized by Maksim. He had a bright smile on his face as he talked to the principal. His chocolate hair was neatly combed over, showing off the luscious waves. He wore a crisp white shirt and khaki pants, trying very hard to give off the vibe of just an ordinary teen.

But his 6'7 figure and glorious smile made him anything but ordinary. All eyes were on him as he moved with the grace and manners of a prince.

Ella's heart hammered in her chest as a sudden desire to run her hands through his hair overcame her. They hadn't seen each other in weeks. The string pulling her to him became demanding as he grew closer and closer to her.

"Okay, just breath," Gwen said to herself as her friends squealed in excitement.

"Oh my god, he's coming this way," another girl said.

"Man, I would let him to anything he wanted to me under the bleachers,"

Ella turned her head to get a good look at whoever had just spoken those words aloud. But all she would see was a see of wide eyes and drooling mouths. She shook her head in irratation and pulled her notebook out of her locker. Just as she was about to turn back around, she caught Gwen's face flush. The girl became flustered and began to move her lips like a fish out of water, not making any sound.

Ella raised a brow as she slowly closed her locker.

"Hello, Ell," Maksim suddenly spoke from behind Ella. 

How do you think them attending the same school will go down?