32

32-Luke

“I enjoyed the meal your highness, thank you for asking the staff to bring out my favorite dishes, if my gym instructor saw the amount of food I took in today, she’ll strangle me without a flinch” Amber chuckles as she thinks about her gym instructor, I only watch her as she relaxes and smile at her hearts content. I did ask my servants to wait outside and give me and the princess a chance to comfortably eat our food and act freely, since this actually happened, Amber finally lets her guard down. She lively interacted with my jokes and just like when we were young, she always see right through me,

“You need more meat in your body, you look like a walking stick and if my brother’s still alive, he’d choose to fatten you up than this” I poured wine at her empty glass which she happily accepted. We’re both now allowed to get drunk at this hour since we still have other duties to attend to but the wine is good and it would be a shame if we didn’t finish it off.

“And he would have scolded you right now for being so naïve” she raised her brows to challenge me to answer but if I fight back she’ll just again go back to talking about the ladies who is about to compete and I’m just not in the mood to discuss about them when I don’t know anything about them. Although, I have this feeling that Amber already has an idea and that she’s only trying to taunt me. “You know if you simply listened to me when I told you about a certain lady, then you we wouldn’t have to deal with tons of other ladies and go through the public so you can get a wife.” Amber shakes her head and looks at me in disbelief but nevertheless she had a glimmer of teasing in her eyes.

“What can I say, I’m a picky man and I just don’t randomly pick my ladies, I sort them out and try them out until I see who fits under my wing” I bragged like a kid would, only to annoy Amber because everyone who knows the Princess, knows how much she hates scums and narcissistic men. Of course what I said did the trick and Amber was very annoyed to the point that she threw me her napkin before shaking her head in disbelief.

“I honestly wish that someone from the ladies would have the guts to actually punch you in the face. Because you really need some reality check, you’re not that special. You’re just the prince who apparently loves the idea of messing the whole kingdoms mind” Princess Amber sticks her tongue out after what she said and then she made this other facial impression that only had me laughing. She’s trying so hard to diss me but she can only come up with those ideas and nothing else. “I swear if your mom hears you, she’ll castrate you and throw you out to the wolves”

“Oh I have no doubt that she’ll do that. She loves the idea of making an example out of me anyways.” I finish off my wine after what I said and Amber did the same only she did it in a lady like manner.

“You can’t blame her, you always enjoy giving her a heart attack, may it be with your life choices or your rebellious moments, Mother would always get so worried. You better give her another daughter to dote on so she’ll get off your back” She again gave me this look that only means one thing. She has a point though, the only way for my mom to stop meddling with how my life works is if she finally sees me having a family of my own.

Before my brother got married to Amber, our mother would always find a reason to meddle at how Mark would handle some things. That of course made a lot of problems between my brother and the Queen of Estrella. For my brother, there’s a line that we all should follow. A line that always separates family and royalty. In front of the whole kingdom, we are royalty but inside the inner palace, that is when we are considered as family. Mark didn’t like the idea that our mom would always associate her maternal rights in times where she needed to be the Queen. He hated the idea that he couldn’t do anything on his own, but when he finally got married to Amber and eventually became the Crownprince the Kingdom needed, mom backed off.

Dad eventually explained to us why mom acted the way she did during Marks time and its all because as a mother she was scared to see her own child fail be scrutinized by a lot people. She was even more scared that if by some bad luck her son does fail, she couldn’t be a mother but instead she needed to be the Queen. A queen who would need to open her childs mind to how cruel our fates would be. So when she has the opportunity, she gives us all this motherly interventions. Its her simple way to avoid being our Queen.

I guess that is what she’s doing right now with me since between me and Mark, I tend to do bad decision often and she always had to see me suffer the consequences of those decisions. Thought they were days that I would always think that they didn’t really care what would happen, but both my parents would always find ways to intervene and do something about out mistakes before anyone could notice and scrutinize us again.

“She still has you to dote on, so just like always. Please keep my mothers attention close to you so I can freely choose to love whoever I want to love” Amber only laughed at my words and so did I. We didn’t talk about anything important after that and soon, her own assistant came to get her and inform her of her remaining schedule that needs to be attended. Drey did the same with me and that ended our little break from all the act we’ve put up all this time.

Love.

Love was never included to my duties, so it never occurred to me nor did I ever thought of myself falling in love. Though I did have some fair share of likes and dislikes in the past, but I never once considered any of those things as love. The only love I know of is the one I have for my family and sometimes that would involve heartaches and betrayal. It will be a miracle if someday I learn how to love someone like how my father loved my mom and how Mark did with Amber. If I even have the right to experience what they all have.

Days passed by just like the winds would and today, I can finally meet the ladies who’ll probably have motives against the royal family or they could be someone who would happily help me and become my helping hand someday. There maybe someone who would use the choosing ceremony as an opportunity and whoever it is that plans to use the ceremonies as their leverage to power, I’ll make sure to squash every part of their plans and make them regret for even having the chance to think of undermining the royal family.

“Your highness, we’ve arrived. Lady no. 1 is now waiting for you inside. I hope you two get along.” Drey already has the names of every lady that’ll be joining the ceremonies but my mother was too wise and annoying that she made sure that every name will only be revealed minutes before the actual date. This way, I won’t have the time to run and potentially have my people find dirt on this ladies so I could blackmail them before the ceremonies until they back out and leave. Mom knows me best so she’s probably thinking I’d chase the ladies away so this is her way to block any opportunities.

Each dates are prepared by the people involve during the ceremonies. For my first date, it was Lord Aries who had to prepared the whole date, those I must say, for someone who reads a lot he is the one who has the poorest of taste. I’m still trying my best to accept the date that he arrange because the place he chose for me to meet the first lady was the bridge where thousands of people died and one of the historical places here in Estrella. Though the place has been renovated and made into some kind of a spot where people would well, date and walk around.

Drey told me that the place has been sealed to the public, making it safe for me and the lady to roam around and talk. Though i’m pretty sure that aside from the guard we are with, there are others roaming the whole place and hopefully, they won’t make this whole date awkward.

I left the car and walk my way to the bridge and saw that there really was a lady waiting for me at the very center. The bridge was a little longer and I honestly think this is not the right place for a date but who am I to question Lord Aries’ plan. There must be something he wanted for me to learn while I’m here with the first lady. You can always count for Lord Aries to make every opportunity a learning process.

Cold wind blew but the lady, whose back was turned against me, seemed to be unbothered even with the thin clothes she was wearing. Her curly auburn hair flows with the air and it rather looking pretty, I saw a glimpse of her face and when I finally realize who this lady is, all I could do was smile.

“I never thought you consider me worthy to be called husband, Lady Eimalia” I hid the excitement I was feeling inside but when she finally turned around, I couldn’t help myself but smile from ear to ear. If I could hug the person in front of me I would have already, but that would be going against all protocols and if the guards see me giving a lady that is not my family, some physical attention, they might report to my mother and she’s assume I already found the lady I wish to marry. And Eimalia, she’s not that person. Not yet and i’m not closing my options.

“Don’t worry I still do and for the record, you didn’t see me in this dress and in this pretty face” She has warning written all over her face but eventually she laughs with me with her almond eyes almost looking like just two plain lines. “Its been awhile Luke, I hope you have some kind of a plan because I never imagine myself being a princess, worst your wife. I never liked your dick, I will not start now” she continues and that just strikes another knife in my heart. Just like she always does.

Eimalia Zentuan, daughter of Lord Brohm Zentuan and one of my loyal captain in my own army. She’s been assigned to a remote place in the East kingdom to lead and spy. She’s around my age and she’s a good friend. She’s one of the few ladies who I allow to diss me and well, offend me in every possible way. I never thought a day would come where i’d actually see her wearing a dress since I always see her in her uniforms or in those track suits that she uses to train. Now that I’m seeing her full feature, I can’t believe that I never notice how pretty she was before and stupid that I didn’t think she’d be chosen by my mother.

“Well, you don’t have a choice, you need to like my dick since it looks like if I don’t like anyone else after you, then i’ll be pushed to marry you and eventually make you my baby mommy” I teased her with my most innocent look and a tone that’s suggestive but she didn’t like any of it to a point where she almost raise her fist but she then looks around remembering that we have company and any form of threat against me would cause her pain in the ass. She works for me so she knows my protocols.

“You know how weird this is right. If I didn’t have any respect to your mom I would have straight out said no to this whole thing. How did I even become one of the eligible ladies, I pretty much sign myself to death when I chose to follow you and this is where I end up. So you, my dearest commander, better have some plan because I have no interest at becoming your baby momma and to hell with being the next crownprincess” Eimalia ranted and she was so close to hitting the heck out of me for even laughing at the situation we both are in.

“Relax” I assured “There is some other ladies joining the ceremonies, mom must have other plans for you, otherwise, she would not have waited this long. If she did think of you as the next crownprincess, she wouldn’t have allowed me to train you. Plus, I still have the last say to everything, so you just need to relax and do what you need to do during the events.” I smiled as I formulate a new plan inside my head.

“Your smiling. That’s creepy”

“Don’t be alarmed. This is only natural to someone who is handsome as me. I’m just happy because this could work in my favor. I’ll of course immediately send someone back to East so someone could continue what you left meanwhile, you continue working for me. Most of the time you’ll be with the ladies and I need to know more about them. You know what I mean and be discreet” I seriously explained to Eimalia.

Back when I was in training, Eimalia was one of the few people I trusted in the academy. Things were competitive back in the day and being the Prince and someone whose a delinquent tends to attract attention from a lot of people. So as I rise through the ranks, there were some who wished to see me go down that they would do so much as to plot my own death during our training. Lets just say that during my time in the academy, it all felt like my last days. Nevertheless, because of those days that I was able to gather my own people and friends that I could trust at any moment in my life. Eimalia is just one of those people and she’s one of the best soldiers I ever worked with and for jobs that is related to the safety and prosperity of the kingdom, I can always count on Eimalia since she would literally lay her own life for Estrella.

“I am not a creepy person and you can’t use me for your perverted ideas. If you want to know more about your ladies to be, then why not try something new and talk to them” She raise her voice as she dares me to do exactly what she just said but she’s not my mother or my boss, in fact, she’s working for me, I have no obligation to her and even when she’s one of the ladies joining the ceremonies, she needs to follow my orders or I’ll take her little bitchy tone and attitude as an insubordination.

“I am still your boss and you have your orders. If you keep going against my plan then I might just choose you at the end and require you to look like a barbie doll for the rest of your life. Just imagine those pink lacey dresses waiting for you….” My mouth is then covered by a hand and a furious looking lady who is about to eat me alive if I keep going.

“One more word and I swear i’ll tell the Queen everything that you did back in the academy” She warned and she knows that what she said works all the time, just like how my threat towards her works. She hated the idea of looking like a lady and in pink, for her there’s a difference between a lady and a woman, a lady would always have her looks to brag but a woman would have her qualities and her achievements for the people to see. So she hates looking like a lady but she would love to be recognize as a woman full of valor.

I, of course don’t want my mother to know about the things I did in the past, especially the one during my academy days or she might just collapse and regret that she ever felt so proud of me after my whole years of training and rising through the ranks. Its enough that she already experience heartaches from me in the past, well, so did headaches and possibly up until now she still feels the same but the worst things has passed and now, I only act for the sake of the kingdom and my family.

“You follow my orders and you get to live your boring life again. Deal?” I now offered to her so we could both move on and I can now go to the next place and prepare myself all over again. I don’t really need to know anything about Eimalia since I’ve known her for such a long time that it would be a waste of time to ask her again when I don’t have any plan on choosing her.

“Deal” she was skeptical but she agreed. We both trust each other and we both always get things done.

Negotiating with Eimalia is like a normal thing, she does follow my every order but she would always try and push my buttons so I could give her a favorable gain on her side. Though when things get rough, she’ll come without any form of reward. That’s just how she is and I respect her for that.

As I was done with Eimalia, I am now off to the next dating palace and talk to the second lady who I hope to be someone who doesn’t completely make me bored.

Drey knew about Eimalia so he kept laughing the whole time we were traveling to the next place. He kept claiming that he couldn’t believe when he read her name on the list and that she’ll be joining this kind of things. Of course Drey knows everything about Eimalia, they sort of used to like each other. But then, after a few months of teasing each other back at the academy, they just became this two people who simply works alongside each other and then they just grew apart.

I assumed I was going to some fancy restaurant to meet the next lady since its nearing lunch time but when I look outside, I sector three’s heritage museum. Its this large building that has many art work from all the royals who from generation to generation, would release this paintings, sculpture, unique to weird pottery and even those who make stories or poems that doesn’t make sense, are showcased in this very museum and treated as one of those Art works that has value and priceless.

Honestly though, things that are shown in this place are some what useless and no sense of creativity whatsoever. That’s why I don’t really get why this place is chosen as my next dating place. Drey told me that it was the two concubines who decided to put me in this place with the second lady and even with that information, I still don’t get why they chose this place. Out of all the beautiful places in Estrella, they chose to bring me on the boring ones.

I fixed my tie as I got out of the car and was welcomed by two managers of the building. I didn’t really care about what they were saying so I just kept moving as they talk and nod at their from time to time. They both led me at the very center of the place where one of the biggest paintings of Lord Krisolva, a cousin to the royal family seventy years ago, was framed and made into some kind of a basis to scholars to study things of the past. The painting was after all the only picture they could get from seventy years ago and it just happened to be many shouting people bland color scheme and no eyes. Weird but they all treat that painting as something they would hang at the highest pedestal.

I was left alone by the managers and they were both escorted by my guard away from the scene as the next lady comes in and walks slowly in front of me. She was in a veil, so I didn’t get to see her face right away and she’s acting creepy. I wonder what’s the deal with the gloomy aura, though I must say, she has some gorgeous figures. I now grew curious as she approaches me with her head hang long and the black veil covering her whole face. She was wearing a skin tight clothes, just like her intentions. I don’t think I’ll need to know more about this particular lady, she looks like someone who would do anything just to get a chance and when I say anything, I really meant ANY-THING.

“My prince” She bows in front of me before she finally removes the veil that’s been covering her face and reveal to me the face of this person beholding such tempting body. “Its such an honor to finally make your acquaintance, I am Helena Sarei, daughter of Wolf clan leader Reyuzo Sarei, next in line to my fathers clan and now to your kingdom” she gives me this smile that is full of mystery and not just that, but her voice, it sounded much lower than she looks, its like she’s pushing her own mouth to sound alluring but really she’s not. I can’t believe my mom even allowed the likes of her to join, I pretty much could see the whole people of Estrella hating her for this attitude she’s showing me right now.

“I didn’t think you’d be this advance my lady, I wonder if this is how women from the East kingdom, get their man” I raise my other eyebrow, hoping that she gets what i’m trying to hint here. But I don’t think she did because instead of toning her actions down, she even step forward creating this very tiny inch of space between us. I obviously didn’t back out and I’m pretty sure i’m still holding the same expression since she came out and introduce herself. She’s trying her best to intimidate me but the only thing that’s making an impression to me right now is that this lady is bad news and I can’t have her as my next crownprincess.