Trigger Warning: Mentions of Homophobia
Vanderburg Twin seen Cheating from His Commoner Boyfriend
These are the words sitting in front of Dowager Duchess Margaux.
On her screen, a picture of her son, chatting with a woman on a pub probably around Foxbury. They were quite close in the photograph. She thinks they were about to hug, or had just hugged, but she could see the body language–none of them had tense shoulders, and none of them wore an awkward smile.
She rubbed her temple. What gave her a pounding headache was the tabloid’s assumptions of her son dating a commoner boyfriend–Louie Davis, the twins’ friend.
Every showbiz news network, news site–whatever–speculated that he and Louie were dating, as the paparazzi had taken quite a few pictures of them together when their friend group were out, when they were still at high school. Her private secretaries spent a lot of time giving the networks kill orders to kill every picture of the children, especially the photographs of Louie and Seamus “together”, on a reason stating that they were minors, and scared the networks that they could be sued by the parents for taking their photos without their consent. They made sure they never mentioned Mousse’s relationship status.
She even sent a peace offering to Louie’s parents, some new set of high-quality pots and pans for the father, a new handbag for the mother, and a new dress for Sidera Harper–Louie’s girlfriend.
Louie has a girlfriend, for Watcher’s sake.
Bernie entered the room, slamming the door. She could see him stressed. Obviously.
“This is why I told him to release a statement!” He almost growled. “The family never batted an eye when they said he’s gay. But I know the Queen Mother was disappointed.”
“Didn’t stop her from showing her favoritism to the twins, though,” Penny pointed out.
“Yes, Penny,” Bernie exasperatedly sighed. “But the disappointment is there. Did you see how she’s preferring Julie more than her brother?”
“Or maybe,” Penny rolled her eyes, “Julie is the Duchess so she’s more focused on her?”
Bernie exhaled. His heated glare targeted the ceiling, “Look,” he looked back at her, “the family is giving me shit right now–excuse me, Your Grace–they don’t like the cheating allegations. They can leave the boy be and be gay than see him as a cheater. He is considered his father’s spitting image, and they would hate it if he’s painted as an adulterer!”
Penny scoffed, “What, you’d rather have the family be homophobic than give you shit about a cheating scandal?”
“What? No!” Bernie let out a noise of frustration. “Look at Prince Gerard and Mr. Simon, since when did the family release their disappointment?”
“Obviously not publicly. Prince Gerard and his husband stepping down from royal duties, retiring from his senior royal work, and moving to Starlight Shores is very telling. And don’t reason with me with Milo and Ramon Perez. The family doesn’t mind them– don’t care even –they’re distant relatives of the household. They’re far away from the throne, Bernie. As long as it’s not the main family, not from the line of King Pierce, they’re fine with it, because it doesn’t steal the show, doesn’t steal the limelight, doesn’t tamper royal values.”
Penny pointed a finger to Bernie. If he was near, Margaux knew the younger secretary would shove him with it, “That’s how homophobic they are.”
“Enough, you two!” Margaux raised her voice. “Let’s not put the blame on my son here.”
She held her hand as she stood up from her seat. Bernie closed his mouth.
“What we’re going to do is fix this. You will drive to Foxbury, get my twins, their friends, including this girl, and we will debrief them. From there, we will ask Mousse to release a statement, which includes clarification on why he never spoke before–force him if need be, and then we will have Julie release a statement that shows support,” she motioned to Penny, “which includes a picture of their friend group, with Louie and Sidera together– take note of this –and my son and this girl sitting beside each other. Stage them to be as intimate as possible, have him sling an arm around her waist–anything. That will shut them up.”
“Excellent idea, my lady.”
“And if this doesn’t work?”
“Then we face the wrath of the Queen Mother.”
Seamus spared a quick glance to Bea, who stood beside him, helping him with his presentation.
Lou? He recalled the conversation he and Louie had. How did you know you…liked…Sid?
Louie had whipped his head to face him so fast Seamus had almost laughed. Dude…
He had sighed. I don’t know Louie. I thought of Bea as a friend, but I’m starting to see something more. I can no longer see her as a friend. Every night I think about her, her voice, her laughs, the way she speaks. The way she smartly answers our professors, the way she handles her fans inside the campus, telling them to move their asses away and not disturb her education…I always look forward to seeing her, Lou, but I’m also nervous when I’m about to see her. I was never the one to look conscious about my appearance because everyone finds me handsome anyway –
– Woooow. You sounded like a prick there. Louie had laughed at him.
Seamus had chuckled at this, and then continued, When I’m with her, I always find myself worrying about how I look. Do I look good? I’ve asked the girls about it. Julie always says yes, and Sid just gave me a thumbs up. My confidence spikes–until I see her.
Yeah, and you buy the magazine that has her at the cover, Louie had teased him by adding another thing that he’s so embarrassed to admit.
Seamus remembered giving him a look. He also remembered Louie stuck his tongue out to tease him more.
Anyway, his friend had patted him on the back firmly. You’ve fallen in love, my boy.
And back to the present. This is why she’s here. He invited her under the pretense of asking her help. Honestly, he can breeze through this presentation with how inspired he is.
He’s going to confess to Bea. Right here. Right now.
He tried not to click his tongue. Smiling at Bea, he said, “I’ll get it.”
As soon as he opened the door, in came Louie, pushing Seamus back into his room, and kicking the door closed. He looks worried.
“Nobody freak out,” Louie said, but it looked like he said that for himself.
Worry etched on Bea’s face. “What’s going on?”
“Girl, I said, don’t freak out!” Louie let out a sound that made Seamus almost laugh.
“No one’s freaking out but you, Lou. What’s up?” Seamus chuckled.
“There’s…” Louie gulped. “There’s paparazzi outside our door!”
They jogged down the stairs, and when the paparazzi noticed them through the glass windows of their door, they pounded, demanding them to step outside. It was locked, luckily, and Seamus is sure they wouldn’t break the window–no one really liked to pay property damage.
“Juls,” Louie said to his phone, “lock your front door. Do not go out. Your brother and I will handle this.”
Seamus heard him. What his sister said, he doesn’t know, as Louie had immediately dropped the call.
“What should we do?” his friend asked. “Should we call Mr. Braxton?”
Seamus thought for a moment. He’d hate to have Bernie here. He’s going to give him one hell of a lecture. You should’ve released a statement a long time ago!
“I’ll go out and talk,” he finally said. “Just a quick announcement…”
“I’ll go with you,” Louie firmly nodded.
“Then I’ll go as well,” Bea added.
“Are you sure?” Louie asked, worried. “I think it’s safe for you to stay inside.”
Bea looked at Seamus. He sighed and gave her a small smile. “Okay, but if it gets too much, Louie will bring you inside, alright?”
“Lord Seamus! Is it true you’re cheating with your boyfriend?”
“Mr. Davis, how do you feel that he’s cheating with that girl right beside you?”
“Seriously? I have a girlfriend!” Louie scowled.
Seamus whispered back to him, “That’s the first and last reaction you’ll give them. Let me handle this.”
Louie shared a glance with Bea. She nodded at him, before looking down at her feet to avoid the paparazzi. Louie rubbed the back of his neck.
Seamus saw his sister and Sid watching through the windows of their door. He knows what she’s thinking. Don’t. He looked away.
“I’m here to confirm one thing,” Seamus started, and the commotion stopped. The journalists waited. He continued, “Bea and I…” he glanced at her. I’ll have to confess this way. I’m sorry.
“We’re dating. The cheating allegations are not true–never is, never was. No relationship before Bea. My sister and I are dear friends of Louie, and his girlfriend, Ms. Harper. I have been silent to the media for many years, even when you assumed my orientation, as I believed that leaving you be is enough, and not engaging with your behavior will keep my family safe. As I’m seeing right now, it’s not. You’re putting my friends at risk. Now, I suggest you leave, before we call the campus security.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the journalists started speaking over each other. A cacophony of more questions. Seamus turned on his heel, pulling Bea with him, and on cue, Louie followed suit, shielding them as they went back inside. He elbowed some journalists away, then quickly closed the door behind him, locking it.
“I’ll call Bernie,” Seamus said, exhaling. “Call security, please.”
Seamus looked at Bea. He doesn’t know what to make of her expression. He understood why she was angry. She should be. He should’ve confessed to her first before publicizing that they’re dating.
“We’ll talk after this,” Bea finally said.
There goes my confession.
I've asked some friends to beta read the first part of the update, namely Margaux and her conversation with her private secretaries, so I'd like to thank: @systsim, @novac2281, @plasmadaze, @authorspirit, and @changingplumbob. Thank you for your feedback 🩷
