22

Princess Amber ordered her people to leave us while we, well, “talk”. But it seems to me that she has other agenda as to why she wanted to be alone with me.

“I’m not supposed to say anything but given that I owe you for bringing David back and for what I have caused you in the past, this is the best thing I could give you since you seem to be someone who would rather have knowledge that any material thing.” Princess Amber looks at me, hoping that I would say something but my shy self is getting the best of me so I kept quiet and just waited for whatever it is that she wants to tell me. “Prince Luke is about to choose his wife, but with many available and suitable ladies out there, it only seemed fair to hold a choosing ceremony.”

I kept looking at Princess Amber and wonder why she would divulge something that is yet to be confirmed by the royal family.

I mean I did have the idea that there is going to be a ceremony for the next crownprincess. Prince Luke appears to be someone whose interest to ladies are below minimal and its been years since the kingdom kept hoping for him to find someone to lead by his side.

“Both the Royal Regent and her Highness supports you, from the very day you came to the palace until now, they’ve showed you nothing but kindness, its only natural for the ladies of the court to assume that you’ll be one of the ladies who’ll compete. If that really happens, you’ll need a lot of support.” Princess Amber kept going with her words. She has this impression that’s new in my knowledge. In my years of plainly observing the royal family and just being their subject and nothing else. I never once saw Princess Amber frown or slouch or even be entirely different. She’s always the image of kindness. etiquette and class. They never use adjectives that are defaming of her character, its always the positive ones that describes her.

“It may sound confusing but the inner palace, especially the inner courts are the places where you need a lot of peoples support. Outside, we play a role that seemed to be happy, contented, and above all, simple. But whatever we have in privilege, we fight for it here everyday. Some powerful families will try their best to kick you out of your place. If not, they’ll do everything to just hurt you and possibly brand you with things that are entirely opposite of who you are.” She takes a tiny sip of her tea before she looks at me with a glimpse of fear and worry. “I’m telling you all of this so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. You need allies not enemies. As far as your reputation goes, some Lord will object of you but you have to strive Lady Danielle. I don’t see anyone else who could carry the crown and responsibility better than you do”

“Your highness, you must be mistaken” I lower my voice just incase someone is listening and they suddenly think i’m disrespecting the Princess “This is not the first time I am told that I could be the next.. well crownprincess” I perfectly remember both Queen Tatiana and the regent trying their best to persuade me to get married with their dear prince “i’ve thought about it and I can’t do what you think I can. I am not someone who is capable of being a leader of a country. I am more of an indoor kind of person and the only reason I’m even staying inside the inner palace is because someone is…” I bit my tongue before I could continue what I’m saying. I almost told princess Amber about the killer that’s after me. “I mean the only reason I’m even here is because my life is very complicated. I’m still waiting for some parts of my brain to come around” I exasperated but I soon regretted what I said.

Princess Amber, fortunately, smiled with what I said.

“I miss the days I could freely say no just like you did.” She smiled while looking like she’s about to bawl her eyes out in from of me. I grew uncomfortable of my behavior, I didn’t want her to feel nostalgic or that envious. If the thing I read from novel are right, being a royal is already hard as it is but it is an extra challenge for the ladies to survive within the kingdom.

“Your highness… I didn’t mean to…” Before I could say anything else, Princess Amber waved her hand to stop me from saying anything else.

“Oh don’t panic” She genuinely giggled, which by the way is unusual “I would always, normally feel this nostalgic since I’ve been in the palace for quite long. Seeing someone who’s free and well honest, feels new” she explained.

I guess she could also feel that way. I am honored though that she at least feels comfortable with me.

“Its getting late, you should probably go back now to your place. I’ll make one of my servants accompany you” Princess amber immediately stood up, she looks a little rush which made me confuse because seconds ago she looks really calm and serene, now its like in a quick second everything would collapse if she does not move.

I of course followed her instruction without saying anything, I bowed before leaving her place while one of her lady maids accompany me back to my own place. I admit I was a little worried that something bothered Princess amber that made her act the way she did. Maybe its just the red eyed monster inside my head but I can’t help but be worried. Did I offend her? Or is it because of the things that I said? Or hers?

Just thinking about another royal offended because of what I said made me restless the whole evening so when morning came it was no surprise that I was in a foul mood. I don’t think I would be able to deal with any sort of human being today or else I might do something crazy that would or might cause my exile. So to avoid any form of harm, I decided to stay in and well do some of my research in my place. Borrowed place.

I already know that there is a chance I might compete for the choosing ceremony and me denying everything last night doesn’t mean that I also don’t feel the need to at least prepare myself for what’s about to happen. I don’t really plan to win or anything but the royals did say that this is one of the ways I can be safe against the person or people after my head.

Well not the choosing ceremony itself but being part of the royal family.

I don’t exactly need to be the crownprincess of the Estrella but I can just be a wife or a lady of the prince.

I know its weird that I would rather choose to be one of the ladies than be the one beside the prince at all times. Its also crazy that I would still choose to be part of the prince’s harem when both the regent and the Queen are offering and backing me up to be the next crownprincess.

I just don’t really see myself as someone who is in power. Yes I do like the fact that I’ll be given an opportunity to have a voice that matters. It would be a dream to anyone who wants to be heard. But this is not the kind of step I want to take.

Mom once gave me a book, it’s titled the Ladies in Mask. Basically the novel is about some ladies who would hide in masks every night and roam all over the the streets to spread their words. They wanted to be heard but in order to do so they had to hide who they are and well protect their lives to those who are against their believes. Until someone from a noble family, a lady who is well respected by many because of her father and because of her great knowledge, decided to join the ladies of the night and applied everything that she knows to point out the mistakes of the country and its government. Her name was Emily Desantos. Emily had a plan and it was a clear plan and would have been possible if she pushed it through.

I actually admired Emily because she encouraged the ladies of the night to stop their running and to actually stand up for what they want to say. Emily knew that its not an easy step to take but she took the first one and during one of the nights they wore their masks, she went ahead and stood up at the center of many people and removed her mask. Surprising a lot of people and officials. Before someone could stop her, she spoke loudly and clear. She spoke of freedom, of equality , of love, forgiveness and truth.

Maybe what I’m really trying to say here is that if I just accept the role given to me and become the crownprincess and have the voice to influence others. I’d be just like the other ladies of the night, mask with their frustrations, their difficulties and their opinions. Their fears weighed more, all the reason why they kept hiding behind their masks. But when Emily stood up and removed her masks, she showed that she was not afraid for as long as her true and sincere words reached the hearts of the people, she’d offer everything. And that’s what I want.

I don’t want to have a voice because I’m a royalty, I want my voice be heard because of what I have, of what I can offer. If its just because of my title then it becomes my own mask.

-DREY-

I roll my eyes as the lady who I completely forgot the name, moaned and shake as she orgasmed in front of me. She didn’t saw me roll my eyes but I figured she should already know that because of what she did, this would be the last time.

“You really are amazing master Drey” she purred right after I wore my pants back. Of course I am great, I’m always great. I’m too great that I swear I can be qualified as a perfect person. But I don’t really need her to say those things. I’m already well aware of how good I am, especially in bed.

“You know the way out once you are dressed. I have something to do so I won’t be able to accompany you back.” I quickly stoop up and left even when I heard her whine.

Don’t get me wrong, I like playing with ladies. But I don’t like hearing them whine or even complain about my inability to sustain any form of commitment with them and also I don’t like entertaining their special needs so I tend to act coldly whenever they act weirdly.

Yes, you can say I’m using ladies like I’m using them as a tool but that’s not really the case here. I don’t and would never go to ladies that are respectable and most likely would never allow themselves to anyone bedding them just for the sake of fun.

There is always two types of ladies. One that’s hard and ones that easy. Hard ladies are the kinds who have their own say, their own believes and would never result to guys who would wont take them seriously. And the easy ones, those ladies who would rather depend on guys to survive and basically, easy to please.

I don’t simply go and grab any girl that I like, I also have my standards. I may have a reputation that’s negative but when it comes to my job and other things, I do tend to impress. This is why even with my reputation and multiple Lords trying to stab me in the back, I still have a place in the palace and the royals still trusts me. And I don’t really intend to break that trust.

I swore with my life that I will protect the royals in front of the late crownprince’s grave and I intend to do it even if it causes me everything. They gave me everything that I have today, and Luke is my best friend, my brother. I would still serve him even if a day comes where he has to castrate me. That’s how much I am loyal to him.

I was about to enter my car so I could drive myself back to the place where I really stay when I saw a familiar lady looking like she’s waiting for a cab. I know for a fact that she doesn’t belong in this parts of the kingdom and that she’s a long way from home.

Being the gentlemen I was trained to be. I decided to offer her a ride since I’ll be going to the same direction as hers. So I drove my car and slowly parked it in front of her. I rolled down my windows and gave her one of my precious smiles.

“Do you need a ride?” She looks startled for a second but then when she recognized who I was she instantly sighed. She then randomly look at both her side before she steps forward and entered my car. She fixes her black fitted dress and adjust her glasses as she settled in. She then looks at me with curiosity.

“Well…are we waiting for somebody else?” She asks me with a tone that’s very confusing. She sounded a little irritated. I only gave her a smirked before pulling my windows up and driving back.

“So tell me, what is Lady Lori doing so far from her own district?” I intriguingly asked. She is after all Lady Danielles friend and I am tasked to find out things about her so going through her friend might just give me an advantage.

“I am not really obligated to tell you but since you saved me from the scorching heat of the sun, I had to do something for my boss. That’s why” she sounds like she’s whining but she had a serious look so I don’t that’s the case here. As much as I’m aware of, Lady Lori’s a writer or like a journalist. She often has this things written about the royals and some of them are not so good for the public that the PR people of the kingdom have to come up with some bizarre but eye catching news to cover up her stories.

Remember what I said about the two types of ladies before. Well she is one of the hard ones.

“Well I hope it has nothing to do with the royals, otherwise I’ll have to warn the PR team about your upcoming work.” I scoffed after but that didn’t make Lady Lori react, in fact she kept looking straight with a poker face. I bit my lip to keep it from forming a smile. She’s interesting.

“What about you Master Drey?” I felt her eyes looking at my side while she asks me a question “What is the Crownprince most loyal friend and assistant doing so far away from the palace? Another assignment from the prince or perhaps, did you fool another lady and toss her to the sides?” I looked at her and she looked serious as hell with her questions. They didn’t really fazed me but its kind of new hearing someone interested with my sexy adventures. And, I usually do the fishing for answers, not the other way around.

“I never knew you were this invested about me”

Teasing has always been my defense whenever I feel like not answering questions thrown at me. I don’t wish to tell people things that might lead to the royal family, plus I don’t like the hassle of taking care of important information leaking throughout the kingdom. Lady Lori is still a reporter whether she promises not to tell or write anything about me. I may just be a mere assistant to the prince but what I do can be damage his name. Just imagine a future King being friends with a guy who fucks around. Now that’s not a positive view for Luke. The ladies department knows my reputation but at least they also know to keep their mouth shut. I don’t like being put into spotlight and I especially don’t fancy ladies who wishes do that to me. I still have another reputation and the whole kingdom knows it.

“Ah, evasion! One of your expertise I presume. I guess I won’t have any honest answers from you. Another empty paper back to the pile of files of you” Lady Lori intently said in a daring but sexy voice. Yes, I said sexy. She made a very low but intriguing accent that made me bit my inner lip just to prevent my grin from coming out.

I felt her smile when she saw my reaction, then I felt her move so now she’s facing front.

“If I did want you as a subject of my writings, I would have done so. I’ve had multiple ladies uttering your name, bashing and slandering you in the streets. But still wished to get you back after their one night fantasy ride with you. They are stuck playing your game and they don’t even know why.” She chuckled with her words “I don’t want to taint my writing and my masterpiece with something petty and stupid. So you don’t have to worry about the things that you said to me. As long as its not pivotal to my work. I won’t write about you”

I slowly looked at her and thought of how crazy she sounded like. I’m also not sure if she was trying to insult me or encourage me. I feel like she’s testing me, almost like taunting me. Should I buy it or not is the question circling between us.

I couldn’t help but think that she’d be perfect for a job I had in mind, but I don’t think she’ll ever agree so I won’t even dare ask her. I don’t wish to be rejected multiple times by her. Plus, I have this strong desire to keep her around. If there’s anyway I could do that, that’s by not pushing her buttons and make her feel like she has the last laugh. She’s interesting, it would be a waste if I don’t enjoy this little chase.

-ISABELLE-

As soon as my people told me of what happened to my father, I immediately ordered my people to prepare my ride so I could go and find out for myself what really happened. My father is not someone who you could just simply put into custody without any explanation. He’s practically next to a King in this kingdom and that’s the reason why many feared him. Because of this, its only natural for me to wonder what’s happening.

I need to know the exact reason why he had to stay at one of the royals’ guest houses and guarded. The information I received was limited but my servants told me that it was an order from the King.

King Francis and my father never really had the kind of relationship where they try and see each other’s point. They always have something to quarrel about and up to this day, it’s a surprise to me that King Francis haven’t stripped my father his title and ranks, with the number of banters they both had in the past, one would assume the king removing the prime minister from its duties.

Now that I’m running as one of the ladies of the court, I can’t have his desire to aggravate the King become a hindrance to my own plans. Luke is finally seeing me as someone who can once again be by his side, if my father becomes an enemy of the kingdom, then I become as well. And I cannot be like that. I need the support of the kingdom, if I do not get their support, I will never get Luke.

In this lifetime, I do not care about anything else other than being someone who is besides my love and rule the kingdom together. If my father becomes a hindrance to that dream, then he can start erasing my memory in his mind. I do not need a father who can’t think head and protect the chance his only daughter has.

Not now when there is another lady trying to take what’s mine. Its enough that she already has the support of Queen Tatiana and Royal Regent Czarina. I only have Luke’s support and I know it should be enough but if that Danielle gains another leverage against me then I can’t just stay still. I’ll have to get rid of her if I have to, she can keep enjoying the things she’s receiving right now but one wrong move, and I’ll make her life crazy. For now I’ll have to make my fathers name clear first, otherwise, they’ll have to erase my name in the family registry. I’ll do anything for Luke and the crown, and that includes removing my own self to the family. I don’t care about anything else, as long as I get to the top, that’s my only goal.