Savannah came to my room crying.  I could hardly understand what she was saying, so I sat her down and got her some tea.  I still felt awful about how I had treated her.

“I’m sorry,” she finally said.  “I was fine when I started to walk up here, but I just started to think about everything that’s happened and then I couldn’t stop crying.”

“Sh-sh, it’s okay,” I said, rubbing her back.  “I’m sorry about how I acted earlier.  It was childish.  I just was a little freaked out, as they say.”

“No, it’s fine,” she said.  “This whole thing is a shock to everyone.”

“No, my behavior was unfit for a prince,” I insisted.  “I should have embraced this news.  An heir for me would bring me great joy.”

“I’m glad you had a change of heart,” she said, drying her tears.  “I just don’t know what I’m going to do about this movie.”

She told me about her argument with her director.

“You exaggerate,” I dismissed.  “You’re a big star.  He cannot simply end your career!”

“You don’t understand!” she cried.  “A few years ago, there was this actress, a friend of mine.  She got pregnant from a movie producer.  He blackmailed her into never working for anyone else or he’d take the child.”

“She could fight him in court.”

“No!  You don’t understand, it’s the money these people have.”

“Well, I understand that!”

“Then you don’t understand how little money everyone else has,” she cried.  “My friend ended up broke.  She’s lived under his control for years now.  Like a prisoner!  I could end up like that or worse.  Totally penniless!  Acting is all I know!”

“Oh, now-now,” I said, hugging her.  “You’re very smart, you can figure things out.  Besides, I have some connections in L.A.  Friends at the studio.”

“I don’t know, Byron,” Savanah said.  “These things are pretty delicate.  And you don’t know Travis.  He’s nuts sometimes.  Anything can set him off.”

“Nonsense, he’ll be reasonable,” I assured her.  “Don’t you worry about it.  Here, let’s get you a nice warm bath so you can relax.”

I took her into the bathroom and drew a bath.  What could better, huh?  Nice bubbles, warm water, some candles---  I know what the ladies like!  And I know what I like, she took her clothes off right in front of me.  That was a nice little strip tease, let me tell you! 

Holding her hand, I helped her into the water and she got comfortable.  This is how you pamper a woman.  This is how you woo her to be yours!

“You like?” I said.
“I like,” she said, finally relaxing.  “Thanks, Byron.”

“Now you relax, I’m going to step out for a bit and take care of something, all right?” I said.  “I’ll be back soon.  And what was that director’s name again?”

“My director?  Travis Banyon, but---  Wait, don’t get him fired.”

“It is fine, it is fine,” I assured her.

I stepped out of the bathroom and shut the door.  I was furious.  How dare this Travis Banyon push Savannah around.  What kind of man threatens a woman?  I should destroy his career!  Then the shoe will be on the other foot!

No.  I will take the direct approach.  I shall call him.

It took several minutes of calling and searching, but eventually I got his number.  I left a message.

“Travis Banyon,” I said.  “This is Crown Prince Byron Bianchi.  “I am great friends with the head of your studio and I am considering financing your next film or not.  You know with my considerable wealth, I could possibly buy the studio so you might consider rearranging you schedule for my friend, Savannah Kelly.”

I hung up.  Such monetary threats from my family are not to be taken lightly.  We could very well buy the entire studio and then where would Mr. Loudmouth director be, huh?  Sure enough, several minutes later he called me back.

“Ah, Mr. Banyon, you got my message,” I said knowingly.

“Look prince,” he said with disdain in his voice.  “I don’t know what you and your buddy are trying to pull, but Savannah Kelly signed a contract.  She’s gonna honor that contract or get blackballed in this town.”

“You would fire a pregnant woman?!  What kind of man does this?!” I said, disgusted and outraged.

“A busy man,” he said bitterly.  “My career will go down the toilet if this movie is late.  Tell her to drop out and then we have no problem.”

“Never!  You sir, are a pig!  That you would exploit the fears of a beautiful woman for a few mere dollars?!”

“There are millions of dollars at stake.”

“These dollars are not yours,” I pointed out.  “People like me finance these movies.”

“Well, you’re not financing this one.  Forget it.  The schedule stays the way it is,” he said.  “Like it or lump it.”

“You are the one that may very well lump it, Mr. Banyon,” I threatened.  “You have twenty-four hours to reconsider.  I want you to change the movie production’s start.”

“Oh, man!  Listen to you!” he laughed.  “You can tell Savannah, she’s finished after this picture!  I mean, before I was just blowing off steam.  Sure, I would blackball her when I can, but it wasn’t like I was going out of my way.  But this?  Getting you to call?  We’re in all out war, baby!  No survivors!  Well, I’ll survive, but her?  Bye-bye!”

“Do you know Fred Beechum?  Your CEO for Rangar Pictures?”

“Of course!  What you and he are friends.”

“I play jai alai with him every other Sunday.  He is a nice man.  Very personable.”

“Well, you don’t know the real Fred!” he laughed.  “The guy is a cut throat pirate!  One of the worst in this business and you know what, he already hates my guts!  But he won’t fire me, ya know why?”

“Why?”

“Because my movies have earned him over two billion dollars in the last ten years!  That’s why, princey!  So, you go ahead.  Make all the phone calls you want.  But I hate to disappoint you, Fred Beechum can’t touch me!”

“We shall see, Travis,” I said.  “It does not have to be this way.  We could be friends as well.  Why do this?  Why ruin her career and risk yours?”

“Because I don’t like being pushed around, princey!  You think you rich fucks can just walk over us little people?  I’m a self-made millionaire, you pansy, silver-spooned prick!  Do your worst!  I’d rather die than bow down to your bullshit!”

“I think you are overstating the issue,” I said.  “Savannah is my friend.”

“Who gives a fuck?  You and the other one that knocked her up can kiss my ass!”

And with that, he hung up.  Such vulgarity and rudeness in this director.  Why the confrontation?  Could he not see us all being friends?  Why would he not want to be friends with me?  I’m very charming and very rich.

I could have Fred ruin his career, but why?  That would be too much.  I just want to save Savannah’s career.  Oh, well, I will work it out later.  These things have a way of working out.  I popped back in the bathroom.

“Mmm, this is so nice,” Savanah said.  “Thanks so much for the bath.  I’m so relaxed now.”

I picked up a robe for her and she stood out of the water.  Her body glistened with moisture.  I was tempted, but I did not want to seem too forward with her.  Now was not the time for sex, but for rest and relaxation.  I helped dry off her body and gave her the robe.  We retreated into the bedroom and relaxed on the bed.

“I’m sorry, Byron,” she said.  “I should’ve been more careful at the party.”

“Nonsense,” I said.  “Like you say, we were all drunk.  We took precaution.  It just didn’t work this time.”

“Stupid two percent,” she muttered.

“Yes, the odds were against it, but here we are,” I said.  “Relax now.”

She cuddled up to me and quickly fell fast asleep.  Her body was warm and I found myself drifting off.  I pictured a future time with a little me running around the embassy.  He had blonde hair and was dressed like me!  I would teach him what it meant to be a Royal and to be a prince, as my father had done with me.  He would become a part of that grand lineage, forever enshrined in our country’s history.  He would be smart and strong, like his father.

Towards the end of the dream, I looked up and there was Savannah.  Was she my wife?  She was smiling and looking on as we played.  Yes, it must’ve been us later.  We looked happy.  But what of Dominique, my friend?  Oh, he was there too, but where was his princess?  It was a strange dream, no?

Then perhaps there will be more children.  I always wanted to have many!