33

33- Luke

I swear, I’ll need to question my mothers choices from now on, I feel like she’s playing with me when she decided to choose one of my best soldiers and now this brazen lady from the East appears and shows this side that’s completely not welcome to the people of Estrella. It's like she's not giving me any choices but the one she truly likes. I bet that for the rest of the ladies, there will be more surprises and I have this inkling feeling that my dear mother is already pushing me to someone that she's already approve of. I won’t be shock at this point if one of the ladies becomes the most sensible and appropriate than the others.

As this lady from the East kept on making flirtatious moves, I also kept on pushing her away. I even said things I wished I never said but she deserves to hear them and yet she didn’t seem to mind any of my insults nor did she seem to see that my actions are not of teasing or flirting. I still don’t get how her mind works but I do get how her body does so for our the little time I had with her, that’s the only thing useful I learned. Though I have to admit that she can be very useful as long as it involves her body and nothing else. I knows its bad but she's the type of lady who doesn't seem to mind being subjected to this kind of thoughts.

I am now down to my third date of the day and honestly, I was getting a little hungry, and a little pissed. I had fun teasing Eimalia during the first date but for the second one, it took a lot of strength to keep my cool and not order my guards to take her away so to return miss Helena back to where she belongs. I don’t like how dirty she could get when excited and I definitely don’t wish to have her beside me or she might just show her body, flaunt her senseless mind and embarrass me in the future. I already have enough issues on my shoulders, I just can't handle another one, especially when it involves someone who is supposed to be helping me. That would just make me crazy.

But now I am expecting food and a nice company because if my mother chose yet again another lady who has a damage in the head, I swear i’ll have myself remove from all these embarrassment and tell my mother how much I feel about her missing care. If I didn’t know her better, I would have assumed she hated me for tolerating my delinquent side before, but sadly my mothers actions are always predictable. Once you realize her pattern, you can always predict her next moves. And right now, a crystal clear image is already forming inside my head and I might just understand the Queens plan.

I was glad that I was at least given a few hours of rest after Helena. I had some time to think and breathe. I didn’t want to look like the kind of person who just tolerates whatever comes my way, I also need some time to plan my next course of action and try to restore the strength I lost earlier. However, despite the hours given to me, I still find myself tired but hopeful.

“My prince, its time for you to meet the next lady” Drey informs me and I could only nod since i’m trying to conserve whatever strength I still have for the next lady. I quickly stood up to follow Drey and he led me to one of my cars without any side comments. He knows that I’m hanging by the cliff and it’s a good thing that he’s not trying his best to make me talk, he must have realized that I don't have the proper strength to entertain him so he chose to let me be.

The driver then drives off to our next location to which was chosen by some random person because they are obviously involve during the events so a random loyal subject was given the chance to decide what will happen for my next date and luckily she or he chose a secluded space at the up hills of Estrella. Its actually a reflecting space where a lot of our subjects would go in times of need. The place is refreshing and its one of those places you see on billboards where it overlooks the whole kingdom of Estrella and just appears to be the perfect place for anyone to propose.

I must say that whoever chose this place has something else in mind. Something that I am not even going to entertain.

“I must warn you sire, the next one is rather familiar, so maybe you should try and be nice to her.” Drey tells me as soon as he opens my side of the door. I think I already know what he means and so I fixed my suit and tie before proceeding to the next place.

I don’t need to see her face to know who she is. I already know that she’ll be part of this from the very beginning and excluding her would only cause too much of a question.

“I hope I didn’t make you wait long” I plastered a smile on my face and tried my best to be sincere, she’ll know when I’m lying so I’m not even going try.

She slowly faced me and just like always, she made this gesture that only I can understand. She tilts her head to the side before slowly bowing and showing me the resistance she had with the whole greeting etiquette. Nevertheless, she followed the whole protocol and as someone born and bred to be noble and lady-like, she showed me no flaws at how she presented herself.

“It doesn’t really matter how long I waited, what matters is that you are here and finally, we can be together” She gave me her familiar smile and then she pointed at the tea table with all the snacks and tea, perfectly made for the both of us to share.

I helped her sit on her chair before going to mine and facing her to start this date with the sun setting before us.

Romantic? Not so much!

“How have you been, Isabelle?” I asked her since there has been no news about her since her father was put into custody and still being investigated. Knowing her personality she would have done something already but instead she’s being silent.

“If your inquiring how I’m feeling right now with my father being investigated for something that me and my family has no idea about, then you shouldn’t worry about a thing. You know me, I don’t mix my business with my fathers and whatever he has done that’s against the laws of the kingdom, I don’t want any involvement. I have my own battles to face and my focus is set to winning those battles. I’ve come this far, I won’t waste another day just so I could do something for my father.” She explains in a calm but very disturbing tone of voice. I feel as if I’m in the presence of a different person and that’s bothering me. She’s onto something and I just can’t figure out.

“Well I am glad that you look fine. I am quite sure that my father is doing the best he can to make your father comfortable to wherever he may be right now. I believe that his innocence will be proven soon enough so you don’t really need to worry about anything”

She smiled at my words but those smile didn’t reach her eyes, she’s faking. It seems as if she doesn’t really care about what will happen to her father. Or maybe this are all just a hoax, a little scheme to get to me. However, if she really does have other plans, I can only care about it if causes something bad on my family, otherwise, I don’t really give a damn what she’ll be up to from now on.

“Enough about my father, we are here to get to know each other and though we know each other to a much deeper level, we still need to talk about each other.” And she just kept over using the those two words. She breathes in deep before finally releasing a sigh and facing me with a new expression on her face. “Why don't we talk about your little set up with that girl from the slums, should I be worried?” She suddenly raise her eyebrow while facing me with her ready to snap look, and this body language that says 'warning'. I know that she meant Danielle and I could pretty much feel the hate airing from her words and its not something I like. Weird but Isabelle's word didn't situate well inside my head, and its making my nerves twitch for some odd and unnatural way.

“We already had this talk before and you should know better not to talk about something that’s crucial in places such as this. Someone might be listening and an issue within the inner court is not something I would like to deal with just when the choosing ceremony is around the corner.” I cleared out to her while preventing myself from increasing the fire that already started.

“Why is it that when I speak of her, you seem to react differently than you used to be? Don’t tell me you like her now? Why does it bother you that i’m talking about her out in the open?” Isabelle’s voice was getting harsher and a little snappy. She appears to be unevenly breathing hard, like she's trying her best to stop herself from ranting but really, she wants to give me a piece of her mind.

“You are reading too much into this, I am not bothered that you are questioning about our little friend, I am bothered that of all the time you could ask me about her, you choose the time where any person who wants me down could possibly be listening and gathering information as we speaks right now, right this very second and you are feeding them information that’s very useful against me.” I may just be trying to cover things up but I am also speaking the truth.

This little issue of Isabelle against Danielle could pretty much raise some question from the public once it gets out. Its only natural that when the people of Estrella learns about this, they’ll go crazy just to get more information so they’ll keep track of everything that’s going to happen between me and the two ladies. And this kind of things are what the PR team of the kingdom loves, they might use this piece of information to entice the public and for this to happen, the PR team will push me to tell them everything that’s happening between me and the two girls so they could make stories out of those information and then make the whole kingdom follow me and the two ladies until the very end.

Though there is still no confirmation if Danielle will be joining since she simply vanished. I had Drey confirm if what my sister told me was true but sadly, no one was able to answer our questions and now I’m assuming that Michael, the one who came here from the West, took her when he suddenly asked for my parents to permit him to go back home, ahead of his schedule and miss the rest of the meetings between the west merchants and Estrella. That is actually another story for another time but up until now, I still don’t have any news about his mysterious actions. Long story short, when he left that's when Danielle decided to just magically vanish. It was fishy but I had to focus all my attention to todays event so I only made Drey dig deeper and up until now, we still have no proof or whatsoever about Danielle's whereabouts. Though I admit, when I asked Drey to dig deeper about it, I was more of worried than curious.

So if and only if Danielle decides to join and the people gets a hang of this little issue between her and Isabelle, plus the PR teams amazing story making, I’ll be a celebrity with paparazzi following me all around. Not that its anything new but with my other plans and secret transactions, I can’t have paparazzi’s following me around. My years of patience and masterpiece might leak to my precious enemies and that's not something I want during my reign.

“Fine, I won’t push this topic with you today, but expect that I will do so the next time we are both alone.” Isabelle reminded and of course I had to agree or else she won’t shut up about it. Of course everything went smoothly after that, she flirted a little but she still made sure that she remains a lady up until the end.

Some of our conversations led the both of us to talk about the past, the past where we both had some kind of a relationship and when I almost considered her as someone important to me. Truth is, even with everything that occurred between me and Isabelle, she did once become someone who knows me best. There were days in the past where I confided to her and told her things that I wish I didn’t but I did so now she has something to hold against me. She may not look like it but she’s just like her father in terms of acquiring whatever it is that they want.

When the hour I had with Isabelle finally ended, I released a sigh and close my eyes to relax my body. Isabelle’s been collected by the royal guards and now she’s travelling back to the palace. I ask Drey to give me just a second before we travel again and meet the last lady. Though I’m actually losing hope that I’ll even encounter someone today that’s going to be sensible. I’m a little upset that today was not going according to what I think of. The only lady who I could at least be comfortable with was Eimalia, the rest are just pain in the ass.

“My prince, I apologize for cutting your reverie short but we should be going. You still have two more ladies to conquer today and I’m afraid to say this but we can’t let them wait for you your highness” Drey fetches me and in his own little way, he tried begging me to come to my senses and deal with what w have right now. But something in his reminder caught my attention, he said two more ladies when I’m positive that I heard my father said four ladies. When did it become five, or was I only assuming that there will only be four of them. Nevertheless, I can’t really question this things now, I can only face them all.

“Let’s get this day done then” I stood up form my sit as Drey led me back to the car so we can move to the next location which was chosen and planned by my grandmother. Knowing her personality, I wasn’t surprise when Drey informed me that for the next location we will be going to the flower farm my grandmother managed until she became the royal regent of Estrella. It’s her pride and glory and she wouldn’t miss this opportunity to show it off.

Drey lets me out of the car and just like I did before I have to again master up the strength to face another lady which could be just like the rest, a total buzzkills.

I must say, its been awhile since the last time I got the chance to actually visit grandma’s flower garden. The whole palace is already filled with gardens that its easier for me not to appreciate anything that related to flowers or trees. But now that I’m outside the palace and seeing this things, I finally understand what others say about breathtaking vibe when you see a bunch of flowers and trees in a single place. Or I may just be getting old and my minds really tired from all the ladies I just been with. Either way, I felt comfortable. Even with the sun slowly going down and giving me this little glimpse of serenity.

I turn around when I felt someone approaching me from the back and when I turned around, a lady in yellow dress smiled at me then she offers me a little flower. She waited for me to get it before she gives me a giggle and then bows. I couldn’t help but smile at her quirkiness but when she looks up, I quickly changed my impression to my usual poker one.

“Greetings your highness, I am Allaina of the South, please to make your acquaintance” She smiles like crazy, she’s like this lady you see in movies that always has a smile on her face that it becomes impossible to see her without one. She actually looks a little younger almost like a an innocent angel sent from above. Though, I have to be honest, I don’t really see myself dating her. She looks like she could be my sister. Yes, she looks cute and bubbly but I am much into adults than this younger ones. Nevertheless, her bubbly spirit could be infectious and that can help lighten up the mood during the events.

“Its nice to meet you Allaina. I wonder which family of the Southern people do you represent?” I smile as she perks up.

“I am the youngest daughter of Duke Charliesh Keith Abroess. I hope you see me fit to be here your highness, my father did tell me to make sure that I behave so that you’ll be very pleased and that would make the Southern people proud.” I feel like she’s saying stuff that’s supposed to be sad but she tends to twist every negative into something bright. Looks like she’s also been trained to perfectly hide her truest emotion. I wasn’t surprise about whatever nonsense her father told her, its only natural for greedy leaders to seek approval from those who are higher to them. I’ve known Duke Charliesh long enough to know where his loyalties are, now that his daughter is in front of me, I wonder if she’s just as greedy as her father.

“I know a lot of things about your father and I must say he’s a very wise person” Well I tried sounding true, but I couldn’t help the sarcasm coming out of my mouth. Her father is just the worst.

“You don’t need to sugarcoat my father’s ways. One of the reason he chose to send me here instead of my big sisters is because I am against his ways. I don’t like how he deals with things and I don’t appreciate how he pushes us to bend according to his ways” She explains with still a perky smile in her face and I’m so close to believing that she has a serious problem at how he presents herself. “Though I must say this before anything else your highness” She then gets serious as she slowly walks near me. She’s not that tall so when she finally gets and inch away from me, we look like I’m hovering over her.

She made this impression that was different from what she looks awhile ago, she’s portraying this dangerous image in front of me but I wasn’t intimidated or anything that’s close to feeling intimidated, in fact, I only felt curious.

“I’m not weak and stupid, I may look like an angel but I was raise by a devil so, what I’m trying to tell you is, I can be very flexible. Just tell me what you need and I’ll give it to you right away”

Since she only reaches the height of my chest, as I was looking down on her and she’s doing this whole trying to look sexy thing, all I could see was a kid trying her best to act cute. So instead of staying emotionless, my body shakes as laughter found its way to my body and joy filled the atmosphere. Lady Allaina was first very surprised at how I reacted, it was of course different from what she expected but she must have done some research and done something much more appealing than what she’s showing right now.

The whole flirty and acting tough look doesn’t suit her. I mean, if she didn’t show me this side of her I would have believed the whole angelic vibe coming from her. Now that suits her better. Though I must say, she has this awfully inviting vibe that would make you crack and laugh. I don’t know what it is but I’m quite sure it is something new within the palace and her presence could be a great addition during the events.

“I apologize for my lack of decency but I must admit, your little act seconds ago was exquisitely one of a kind but my lady, just a piece of advice and hopefully this would make a great impression on you.” I made sure that I was stern with my words so it’ll get to her without any other ideas “In the future, as much as I appreciate your little gesture, I think being you suits you better than anything you think you should be. This place is already full of ladies willing to bend just to get my attention or to just even be recognized by me, but they don’t stand out in the end. They just become one with the stalk.”

I took a stem of pink dahlia out of the red ones that it grew with. I took a step back and showed it to Lady Allaina before explaining what I meant.

“Just like this misplaced flower, it attracted more attention than the ones who are the same” I gave it to her to which she humbly accepts “From now on, just be you. I expect greater things from you from now on” I reminded her and when she saw how genuine I tried to be, she eventually smiled back. The kind that she had before and not those she made when she was acting all flirty and aggressive. Well a little aggressive.

I have a great feeling about her and I’m willing to entertain that feeling as long as she keeps showing me this positive and charming vibe.

I guess now, I have another reason to look forward during the events and thanks to her, I think the events will somehow be a little entertaining.