Nineteen

- LUKE

"As you may have heard, the council is proposing a choosing ceremony. I'll be choosing the candidates as per custom and you my prince, will be the one to choose at the end of the ceremony whoever you desire to marry" Mother smiled as she tells me the reason why she invited me so early in the morning.

I understand that she had her meeting with the council yesterday and I thought it was just because they had to plan for the upcoming festivities in the kingdom. Turns out that aside from those events they were also talking about the choosing ceremony. Amber was right after all.

"The council must be itching to see me with a lady" I smirked "So mother, what do I have to do so you can tell me the ladies you have in mind?" I prepared myself to whatever my mom would ask me to do since this is literary how we deal with each other.

"Well my dear Prince, since you look so eager to know. Then could you do me a favor and order your people to gather the things I need for the festivities. Since your father thinks that what I want is unreasonable and wouldn't give me the people I need to gather them, then I'll just turn to my supportive son" I rolled my eyes at how my mother sweetly talks to me. “In return, I’ll give you what you want and I’ll owe you.” I studied the Queens aura, I was contemplating whether I’m putting myself in between of danger, meaning between my father and my mother. Next is, I might just put myself in a situation where I have the upper hand to my mom. Its risky but I could use this opportunity.

“Okay then. I’ll have my people look for what you need” I smiled “Does Grandma know about the ceremony?” I took a little sip of my tea while I kept watching my moms reaction change from being too happy to being too subtle. Somethings up.

“She knows and she fears someone else might use this opportunity to take charge of the kingdom" She sighs "But she's not wrong. Marriage is a powerful weapon. Though some may not see it but marriage to a royal is the quickest way to rise up to power." Mother spoke with bitterness in every word. "You have to be strong my Prince, there will be ladies who'll only love you because of your place in the kingdom. Choose the one who would love you even without your crown or your power. Someone who would serve and light your way. Someone who would be on your side in every step that you take."

I watch as my mom gracefully described the kind of lady I should choose to be by my side. I'm not really sure if there is still a lady out there who would love me without my crown or someone thats exactly like what my mother said. I've been seeing girls since my younger and stupid years. All of them would only like me because of my standing and my looks. They like flaunting me to their friends, to their families and when I'm done with them, they make a scene like crazy girls without their candies. They all want to tame me, to make me obsess with them so they could use me however they want.

The only Lady who I assumed to be different was Isabelle. That was during the time I was willing to try, but she also proved me wrong. She's just like the rest of the ladies who I already fucked and left. But then she suddenly reveals that she the Prime Ministers daughter and someone who can't be put to shame, I had to practice being calm and concealed with her. Especially when half of the council supports her and thinks that she'll be the perfect candidate to be my bride.

"You know me mother, I am never easy to sway" I assure her with a wicked smile. She only laughs at my reply but nevertheless she genuinely gave me smile.

"Do I really know you my son? I've been hearing a lot of whispers this past few days about a certain lady and a prince" Mother suggestively smiled before winking at me. I shake my head for how mature this conversation I'm having with my mother. "Though I must admit they were quite an entertainment."

"Shouldn't you be busy with your subjects mother? You seem to have a lot of time in your hand" Her highness covers her mouth as she laughs at my face. Of course she finds this funny. She likes Lady Danielle and i still don't know for what but anyways, she likes her. Thats why she is so amused like a teenage girl finally witness her beloved love team getting together.

"I can't help but listen when little birds chirp my dear. You know me. I love you and I also like her with you. You should see for yourself how much you have glowed since she came."

I looked at my mother and all I could see was her being happy to something thats completely fake. I don't know why she's so happy about that girl. Lady Danielle is a threat, she said it herself back when she was talking to my father. I don't know if she's trying to send me a message but through out the years that i've been watching both of my parents, I've come to memorize their genuine and true emotions and their fake ones. And the one i'm seeing right now is unfortunately a genuine happiness emitting from my mother.

I still don't understand what she sees in her but right now, I feel so guilty. I'm lying to her and to everyone around us. I made her see an illusion of something thats never going to happen. I don't wish to lead her on, just like I intentionally do with Danielle, but if this is the only way for me to protect her and everyone else, I'll keep doing it.

Mother kept teasing me for the rest of out meeting, fortunately I had other things to attend to so I had a perfect reason to excuse myself. I would have done that sooner but I had to stay for the sake that we don't spread another issue about my difunctional relationship with my parents. They're not true, but, people believes any rumor thats about my family or my relationship to any of them.

Days passed and I was able to give my mother everything that she needed so as promise she's going to give me some of the names she’s considering for the choosing ceremony. Initially I already asked Drey to gather informations about any lady thats around our age and those who are eligible to marry. Drey being a perverted person that he is, it really didn’t take him long to gather the things that I asked for. He already has a list before because of grandma so It was easier for him to collect the things I needed.

I wanted to have an idea about the ladies around my age or suitable to be with me anyways, just so I'll know what i'm getting myself into. To my surprise, there is actually a lot of them. Aside from the ladies I already know, I also read the files from different prospective ladies. Some of them came from families thats been supporting the royal family and they all grew up nicely.

I'm not being a pervert but I am still a man and if i'm ever going to marry someone, she has to at least attract me. I did have a background of being someone whose precise and accurate when it comes to my ladies. I won't settle for anyone less. Thats for sure.

"She's adopted?!"

I read a little louder than usual which caused Drey to look back and wonder what was I talking about. I was still in my office and reading through the files when I finally got the chance to read Danielles file. The last time I asked Drey to run a background check on her, he wasn't able to get as much useful information as what we have now. I'm not surprise he was able to dig up more than the last time, he always has his ways to get what he wants.

"Ah, trust me I was surprised too. Plus, I was really suspicious when she first came here with the leaders of the West. So I went deeper and found out that lady Danielle is actually noble by blood. I still don't know whose daughter she is but the royal regent and your parents seem to know something. Maybe you can ask them, I don't think they'll be suspicious to you since they all want her to be close to you." Drey shrugs like what he wants me to meant nothing. "Or better yet, you can just ask Lady Danielle herself" he them gave me a teasing look before he grabs his tab to type something.

"What are you doing?" I was getting this dark vibe coming from Drey. He smiled wickedly as soon as he was done typing something. He then faced me with a glint of evil in his stature. "What did you do?"

"Lord Michael Harrington is coming to visit in a few days. He'll be staying here for a few weeks because he'll be representing the West for the upcoming business collaborations between Estrella and the West. As a welcome to the young Lord, her highness is arranging a simple and intimate dinner party. Intimate because it will be just the royal family, the Lords and the business owners all over Estrella." Drey explained to me. Aside from the fact that I still don't get the connection between this party and my dilemma with Lady Danielle, I am also bothered that my own mother failed to inform me about her plans. I was with her a few days ago and she didn't even mention that she has this sorts of plan for the young lord of the West. i just thought that the things she asked me to look for was for the festivities of the kingdom, turns out she has other plans.

"And I'm only hearing this now because?" Part of Dreys job is to always update for anything that concerns the kingdom and my family. He should have told me what my mother is up to not because I could help but just so I'm aware and I could prepare. Plus I am really suspicious of everyone that comes from the West.

"Well, I thought you won't really bother since its just another party so I didn't inform you but now, it appears to be important since it will become our gateway to Terabithia"

"Shouldn't it be Bridge to Terabithia...?" If my memory serves me right, thats a title of a movie we once watched for the sake of my sister.

"Gate, Bridge, Loo, I don't care what it is and you know what I mean. We can use this event to our advantage, you can get close to Lady Danielle and maybe use your charm to extract some useful information” he enunciated the word ‘charm’ a little longer than the rest. I know what he meant even without the enunciation, I'm just not into my mothers events. Though Drey said its just an intimate one but knowing my mother, she could change her mind and make everything a grand celebration. And if i'm going to show up with Lady Danielle then thats just another problem i'll need to deal in the future. Plus, there's a chance Danielle would dare reject my invitation, in fact I am positive that she'll intentionally reject just for her own entertainment.

"We'll have to do something to make her say yes. I can ask grandma for help but she might do something stupid, so I don't want to risk it. I can't ask mom or that might give her some crazy idea. She's in the middle of filtering ladies for the choosing ceremony so I don't want to influence her with ideas of Danielle and Me"

My mother is not gullible but when she gets excited about something she tends to make things a little extra and forgets that she's a sane woman. Thats why I don't want her to get ahead of herself again and risk embarrassing herself. The last thing I want is to spoil my mothers image of pristine and beauty to shameless and undignified. As far as I want to make Danielle regret ever attacking my family, I won't use my parents safety for my revenge.

"Then. We can just let fate guide us from today onwards. When an opportunity presents itself, make sure to ask her. I have a feeling as well that she won't deny you because she'll be to afraid to go alone after the last time you both...well you know" Drey pointed out.

"You might be right. I'll read more into her files, see if I can find a loophole."I sighed and massaged my head to "You're supposed to meet up with the rest, right?" I subtly asked

"Yes, I've arranged everything. Like always, you do your own thing. I'll handle the rest, right?" He made an obnoxious remark. which only earned him a dead glare from me. He knows I hate being kept from action but because of my standing in the kingdom, I can't be involved. So to compensate, I always have to make a show. And that gets me mad all the time. "Come on! You always get the best part. Unless you want to trade places you know i'm more than willing to accept the responsibility of being the Crownprince of this Kingdom, especially its vast choices of loyal and charming ladies" He winks, which only made me even more irritated.

"Focus Drey, this operation is important. You better make sure your heads in the game and not in some kind of a quest to get pussies" I warned Drey because we can't risk tonights plans. I need him focused and point on. He is one of the best people I know when it comes to this kind of operations so I can't have him distracted.

Tonight is really important because one of our spies just alerted us about a drug deal thats about to happen at one of our trading ports here. Before Mark died, he assembled a team focused on catching criminals involved with trafficking drugs and firearms, in and out of Estrella, but he could even lead this team, all of them were assassinated. Each hunted and killed mercilessly.

Mark of course wanted to seek justice for those who died for his purpose. He felt responsible for his mean but that didn't sound good for the kingdom. So the council decided to cover this horrific event and just comforted those who grieved with a promise for justice once they capture those who murdered their loved one. Mark and I knew that there was another reason why the council wanted to cover up the murder, someone manipulated the attacks and its someone from the inside. Since then Mark and I operated off the books. While he becomes the Prince everyone wanted, I put on a show, became the Prince everyone hated and gathered as much information as I could get about this smugglers and murderers. Things were getting cool and we almost reached to a point where we could already pin down the one responsible for Marks teams death, but he died. Mark died and our parents found out what we were up to so they immediately asked me to stop, to keep my mouth shut about everything that I know and to be the Prince this kingdom needs.

I listened to my parents for a few months just until they feel assured that i'm not up to something bad. Little by little, with Dreys help, I was able to gather my own people, people that I could trust. I've learned from both my brother and I's mistake, so I know where to put my pieces now. I don't want another blood on my hands, innocent ones of course, so I can't risk Drey having his divided attention.

As far as the council knows, theres some kind of vigilantes running the streets seeking justice. My parents once thought it was me but because of the shows i've been pulling, they eventually stop looking at my back. They are still in the dark of whose running this force that brings justice to our kingdom, but that doesn't mean they've stopped looking for answers.

My parents may have been against me and my brothers action but they too are doing their own secret investigation. I know how much they want to bring justice for the people thats been sacrificed before but they also have to thread lightly or the very thing that keeps us above the people whose running this crimes, might disappear in a snap.

As long as I have no clue whose behind this drug deals and so does the other crimes, I would never reveal my people and expose them to death. For now, Drey would meet with my people, giving them my orders and I would just act the way a Prince should.

"You don't have to worry about anything. We are set to go and I've prepared the perfect evening for you so you should be the one preparing. I'm quite sure lady Isabelle, as much as she likes you naked, would still prefer you dressed in front of your common people" I rolled my eyes as I stood up to see the clothes prepared for me by Aaron.

Since I have to make a show, Tony's art show just became our opening. And just to add a little sizzle to my plans, Drey decided to pair me with Lady Isabelle. Something about appeasing a ladies broken heart. It was Drey's words so I don't really have any ideas what he meant only that I need Lady Isabelle as my cover up for the evening.

"Even if I show up in my casual clothes while accompanying her, she would still flaunt me like i'm her personal hand-bag for show." If it wasn't for my usual serious tone, I would have mistaken my words as a whine.

"Well you need to man up and bear with her. She might do something crazy if you keep on entertaining Lady Danielle and neglecting her. She won't just sit still, so be useful and tame the lady while I'm gone"

Drey had the audacity to even smile at me innocently when he literally just ORDERED ME AROUND. I feel like I have given too much liberty on this guy, he keeps on forgetting where his mouth should be. When things settle down, I might just add more to his job.

Drey left me after synchronizing both of our times. I then went back to my place to prepare with my lady maids and Aarons help, I was done within an hour. Just enough time to pick-up Isabelle and make it to the show.

Tony is one of my schoolmate back in the university, he is Isabelle's friend and also someone who made a great influenced to Estrella through his art. Amber might also be present during the event but I don't think she'll be staying long, some critiques of paintings and sculptures will be there and she hates when she hears some of them ogling and talking about her work when they are looking at a piece made by the artist hosting the event. She's sensitive when it comes to art and she supports anyone with talent, so she doesn't like critiques who doesn't value the works of others.

I'm not really into this kind of things I mean i would look at a painting and maybe admire it if its especially good but its not really the first thing I would do on my free time. I've seen Ambers finished products before and all of the looked great but they also look the same to me. Just a bunch of colors mixed and thrown to a blank canvas. I don't mean to offend so I don't usually say my opinion but thats just how I feel.

Since this is a formal and exclusive event, I would expect that only those of high position and an art fanatic would be present so I didn't really need a bunch of guys tailing me behind but because I'm distracting the eyes of the public, i'll have to be escorted by my guards to and from the event. This is also to attract reporters and paparazzis so that tomorrow's news will only be filled by my face and possibly lady Isabelle's.

I waited for Isabelle to come out of her place because i'm pretty sure that she is well informed that i'll be accompanying her to the event. I know that she's been acting up this past few days especially when word got out of the whole palace about my little walk in the maze garden with Lady Danielle. I'm quite used to her temper since she's always attacking Amber whenever she feels like i'm getting too involved, now that there's another lady in the picture, though I've already explained to her the situation with regards to Danielle, she's still acting like an immature baby so I'll have to dispense the fire before it could even start. Plus with his father watching my steps, I can't have her on my enemy side as well. She's one of the shield I'm using against the Prime Minister. I know I'm evil but at this point I don't really care anymore.

Appeasing a ladies burning heart is not a hard task for me anyways so I'll just need to survive the night. For the sake of my plans and my people.

"I apologize for making you wait your highness" Isabelle as soon as she entered the car and now facing me.

I looked at her and analyze how she dressed up for the night and damn she's a stunner. I mean I won't lie and say she doesn't look great when in fact she does. Plus, I won't really have anything with her before if it wasn't for the fact that she's beautiful and a little hot. She even wore this silver dress that just hugged her curves and it fits her so well. I would have liked tearing that dress off her, its just too bad that when I look at her, all I could see is her father smirking and mocking me. So even when she looks great and deserves a little complement, I only gave her a slight smile and a shake.

"You don't need to apologize. I totally understand the concept of ladies taking longer than they should when preparing for this kind of events." I nonchalantly answered while I hide the look of satisfaction in my eyes.

I am still a guy and I've been with multiple of ladies, seen and captured beautiful ones in fact. So its no surprise that i'll be attracted to her, plus my memories of her from the past are still as clear as the day.

We both kept to ourselves during the ride, well I did. Isabelle did utter some words but I was busy looking into my phone waiting for any kind of report from Drey, to even think of answering her questions. She must have understood my vibe, so she then kept quiet.

When we arrived at the venue, just like how I expected it would be, the entrance is already filled with camera's pointed at anyone who's coming in or out of the lobby. Since I came with the royals car, the paparazzi's immediately rushed to the fences while they ready themselves to capture and throw questions to whoever royal gets out of this car. If they see its me, I'm positive they'll be agile to talk to me.

"Ready?" I looked at Lady Isabelle and saw how excited she is that she'll be going out in a crowd filled with reporters and cameras capturing this moment where she'll be walking with the Prince of Estrella. Though I can't read her mind, I'm certain that her face confirms my words, accurate.

"Ready!" She then smiled like how ladies of the court would smile in front of the public. The one thats fake and obnoxious.

I took a sharp breath and gave a signal to my guards. One of them opens my door while the other one opens Lady Isabelle's. I stepped out of the car and welcome the rushed statements, screams and flashes, coming my way. I smiled for the cameras while I wait for Isabelle to come at my side, I even waved for some just so I would look great in some of tomorrows headline. When they says Isabelle coming out of my car, they all looked surprised but they still kept on taking pictures as she flaunts herself in the eyes of everyone. She does like the attentions so I just let her do her thing while I wait for her.

She finally reached my side so I offered arms just like any gentlemen would, so she can slip her hand and use me as her support when she finally walks for the stairs. I keep hearing question about our relationship to each other but I refused to entertain any sort of question thrown at us, its enough that they only have our pictures and nothing else. Its better that I don't say anything, makes them curious. Thought I did sense that Isabelle wanted me to say something but I refuse to say anything else that would make her and her family have more attention.

-DANIELLE-

"Hi!" I said to the kid I saw once during the dinner I had with the whole royal family. Yes, the very kid who got me in such a huge trouble. I know, I know, I should probably just ignore the kid and be on my way, just so I could also avoid trouble but here I am approaching trouble like its my best friend. I believe his name was David and he was reading something while his seated at one of the pavilion benches.

As I greet him, he slowly looked at me before he showed me his toothy smile.

"Hi!" He waves his hand then he slowly puts down the book he was reading so he could talk to me. I sat next to him before I took a second to look around us. Why was he alone?

"Why are you here alone? Its late, shouldn't you be preparing for bed?" I curiously asked since I might be confused again for someone who would hurt this kid.

"I should but I wasn't tired" He pouts then he lowers his head while he hugs the book he was reading awhile ago.

"What do you have there?" I sense that he's not in the mood to talk about why he's here alone.

"Its the story of Crimson the red bee" I smiled as he perky told me what he was reading. I knew the story of what he was reading so i also know that he's reading a book thats for kids older his age. I would assume his reading books that has pictures on them but he seems to be the kind that enjoy deep and meaningful books.

"So tell me, Is this the first time you're reading this book?" I curiously asked. I could actually feel that this is not the first time he's reading this book, I mean he looks like someone I used to see. My self. If he's by some miracle addicted to reading then i'm just willing to bet that he's read this book more than twice.

"Nope, this is the tenth time I'm reading this book. Mom made me promise to only read books that are of my age" He looks like he wanted to continue but he chose to keep his mouth shut instead.

"Well there are certain books that are not good for you and there are some that can also be good for your knowledge. But above anything, you did good when you listened to your mom. She knows what is best for you, so you must always listen to her and do what she says" I smiled.

"I know." he pouted "but I really want to read this book I saw from my uncles library but they won't allow me because they keep saying i'm too young for those books" He makes a deep sigh before jumping off the bench and making a sad look.

Of course my kid heart melted the moment I saw his delicate state. I can't help but feel a little soft watching this kid pout in front of me. If I could, I would have already squeezed his cheeks. For a young kid, he looks responsible enough to take care of himself. The fact that he was able to come here without anyone following him only means that he either got away from them or that he simply waited for his attendees to think his asleep and went on.

He kept on pouting in front of me so I did what a sensible person would do in front of a kid. I kneeled down in front of him so I could talk to him at an eye level.

"How about we do this, I'll accompany you to your place then maybe tomorrow I can help you find a book thats good for your age and good for your mom? but i'll only do so if you stop pouting and start smiling" I know its stupid that i'm even negotiating with a kid but I did some baby sitting before and the only way to get through their minds is when you give them an option thats beneficial.

Though I did say I'd help, which mean i'll also need to ask his mother and maybe get her approval before doing anything but right now, my only goal is to get this kid back to his place.

He finally gave me a nod after he kept looking at me. He then gave me a smile before letting me hold his hand so I could get him to his place without losing him on the way. Not that its possible since the way is practically desolated but I just like holding his tiny hand and since he is a genius, he might change his mind or be attracted to something that I might just lose sight of him. So its safer for me to hold his hand and bring him to the crownprincess place.

"Oh my gosh! David...." Princess Amber shouted as soon as we entered the crownprincess yard. She was still dressed and looks like shes about to collapse looking for her child. She must have gone somewhere when someone told her that David went pass his maids again. I swear they need to put a tracker on this kid, he always manages to slip away from his guards.

She rans towards David, not even minding that there are other people here she kneels down in front of David and hugs him tight. I let go of Davids hand and I slowly turned around since we can't really look when a royal displays their affection.

"How many times do I have to tell you never to ran away from your maids. You could have been kidnapped David. What can you do when someone grabs you and take you away?!" I heard princess Amber cracked her voice when she was reprimanding David. Anyone that's in here would know that David means the world to Princess Amber., just like any child would be to their mothers. I involuntarily smiled at how Princess Amber treated David, though she's relieved that his son is safe she still needs to correct her child's mistake. And thats just tough love.

"Lady Danielle, you may turn around now" I heard Princess Amber cleared her voice before I slowly face them back. David was no longer at her side and I was only left alone with the Princess and some of the guards. "I wan't to properly thank you for bringing David back here and to also apologize for again disturbing you with my sons behavior" Worry was still lingering in her eyes and she looks like if she could kneel in front of me, she would, so instead she's trying her best to show it in her face "Is there anything I could do for you to repay you for your goodness?" She sincerely offered but I immediately shake my head.

"You don't really need to give me anything your highness. I simply accompanied the young prince back here. I just saw him reading at the third pavilion just a few steps away from where I'm staying, he was alone and I was afraid that he might wander around and get lost." I explained, not wanting to get in any sort of trouble.

"Still I want to thank you. I know that he can be hard to persuade once he sets his mind on something. He kind of acts like his uncle from time to time" Princess Amber smiled while she gave me a suggestive look to come and join her at her garden where a table and four garden chairs were set.

I already know that there's really no saying no to a royal so I simply nod and followed Princess amber as she led me to the chairs and waited for her maids to serve us something.