39

39- Danielle

This noble man should just quit trying to get close to me. He was persistent with what he wants from me and unfortunately, it is not what I need. He is offering his last name and not his sponsorship.

“We both know that the prince will only make you one of his ladies but with me, you can expect to be my one and only. I will make sure to give you the life that you deserve, I can promise you diamonds and stars for as long as you want. You just need to say yes to me and I can just ask for the Queen to release you from the fate that binds you with the Prince.”

And now, we are witnessing a man putting his head on a death row. I have a feeling that he is only here to visit and that he came from a different kingdom since he doesn’t really know where his place should be. As I am now claimed as one of the Prince’s ladies in waiting, I can’t be pursued by any other man aside from those that are in the royal family.

The man in front of me didn’t even bother to tell me his name, he just straight out told me his desire to pursue me. He really doesn’t hide his intentions and it is starting to bother me. Someone might see and hear this conversation and think that I’m the kind of women who only seeks men with money, worst, that I’m some brazen women with no loyalty to the royal family.

“My Lord, though you sound sincere with what you are offering but I have to politely decline. And I also suggest that you don’t do this again with any of the ladies claimed but the Prince, if someone hears you they might mistaken your sincerity for treason.” I tried my very best to say my last words in a lower tone so that no one else would hear us. I don’t want to cause another misunderstanding within the inner palace, I already have enough problems to worry about, I don’t need to add another one.

“You don’t need to decide so soon, you can just think about it and get back to me once you already reach a decision” I don’t think this man understands anything I’m saying right now. I get that half my face is covered by the mask given to me by the Prince earlier and probably covering the real impression I’m having right now, but it is pretty obvious by my words and action that I am not the slightest interested with what he is offering.

I was speechless for a few seconds but I was formulating my next course of action but this man had another ideas and that involves him advancing towards me which by reflex made me move two steps back.

“I think Lady Danielle has already made herself clear towards you Sir Drak. She’s not interested with you and she is sworn to me so you should know better than to keep your advances to a women who obviously doesn’t like you.” Prince Luke suddenly walks in between me and the guy that I now know is Sir Drak.

Prince Luke looks at me for a second to see if I was fine and when he was satisfied he returns his attention to Sir Drak who was by now looking like he was about to challenge the Prince.

“I will give you five seconds to disappear in front of me before I decide to cut all ties between our family.” There was warning lacing to each word that comes out of the Princes mouth. I didn’t want to be the damsel in distress so he could be the shinning armor but I don’t have the guts to complain since he is saving me from an asshole who doesn’t seem to know where he should be waving his cock on.

I was afraid that these two boys would fight in front of me and cause another rumor to circulate all over the kingdom. I need to stop these two or else I’ll have to yet again face another week of being stared at and scrutinized for every single decision I make.

I should have an option, heroins in novels who usually experience the same dilemma as I do would always have choice and most of the time they choose the dangerous one. How come I don’t get my own set of options? In fact, I am so close to believing that the one who created my life, the one that is up there and not on the ground, is playing with me.

The tension between the two guys in front of me is starting to overwhelm me, my heart is pounding really hard and this might just be the longest five seconds of my life.

“Prince Luke…” I whispered to hopefully stop him from doing something stupid. I must’ve looked like a dog begging its master for some attention. Sir Drak then decided to retreat and bow his head as he slowly left without another word.

My face relaxed and my whole demeanor was able to ease up, I could feel air finally entering and filling my lungs. I was sure that my body was already shivering, not because of the cold but because of fear. It is maybe because of that, Prince Luke turns to look at me. His face wasn’t showing any sign of anger instead he was looking at me with curiosity written in his eyes.

“How many men should I face just so the world could understand that I already have my eyes on you?” His voice was laced with bitterness and longing that it almost feels like, he is talking about someone else and not me. “The whole kingdom is filled with malicious men, if this thing happens again, don’t be afraid to call out for help. You are my lady and no one can offend you nor treat you like another normal single lady roaming around, unless I tell the world that you are no longer my women, no one can touch you.” Rather than mad, he sounded like he was begging. An unusual act for a prince.

“I already told you where my loyalty is before. You don’t need to worry about the other guys. I am not easily swayed and I am now very aware of my position within the kingdom.” I took a step closer to Prince Luke, just so he can hear the other detail I am about to say. “I owe you for saving me today and for remembering about my little problem with flowers. I’ll make it up to you somehow but for now, we both need to go back to the event. You need to do you princely duties and I will do my own business. We can’t be seen like this or someone might think you’re already choosing favorites.”

It is only natural that people will get more curious about each of the ladies joining the choosing ceremony. Many will have their own favorites and right now, I can’t be anyones favorite if they see me hanging casually with the prince like this. I have to earn their votes by being myself and completely letting them see as I and hopefully the Prince, develop some FEELINGS. That is my plan. Earning the peoples trust and letting them see my true side and the true nature of living with the royals. I don’t want shortcuts from here on. I already skipped the part where I needed to be trained as someone worthy to be here, I can’t be brazen enough to even skip the part where the Prince slowly likes me.

“If I am to choose a favorite amongst you, I’m quite positive you are not that person.” I looked at him in shock but then he started laughing at my reaction so I knew that he was teasing. I would have slapped him in his shoulder but that would have been rude since he is the prince, no one can touch him unless he lets them. “Don’t feel so heartbroken, you already know what your place in my heart, you don’t need to be my favorite too. Don’t be so greedy” He teases even more but I couldn’t react the way that I want too because I can see some people passing our way now. I have to be compose and lady like or I may never get myself a sponsor for this whole event.

“I will make you regret saying that to me soon enough. You are lucky that we’re in the center of a lot of people so I can’t do anything to you. I’m going to leave you alone now before you even think of another word to tease me with.” I abruptly bowed in front of him and left with him still chuckling from our conversation.

I walked back to the sea of people, well they are not that many but for someone like me who avoids a lot of people most of the time, these many is already a sea. I would wish that Lori was here to at least enjoy the event with me. I haven’t heard anything from her but I’m not that worried since the last time she texted me she did say she’s following a story so she might be gone for some time. I just really hope she’s in better situation than I am and that she’s in no trouble.

“Hey there sis” I look behind me to see Michael smiling from ear to ear. I look around me to see if someone else heard him or we might both get in trouble. Fortunately no one was paying attention to the both of us. Everyone was busy talking and doing their businesses.

“What are you doing? Someone could have heard you and cause another trouble” I reprimanded Michael but he didn’t seem to mind.

“No one is going to give a crap about us right now, this sorts of event is everyone’s chance to meet future business partners and hopefully someone who can feed their fantasies.” Michael explains. He casually sip some of his man and now with everyone focused on their own lives, he can casually call me his sister without thinking about the consequences once someone notices. “Plus I’m actually here to collect you. I’m pretty sure you already know about the sponsorship scheme happening during the event.” Michael waited for me to give him a respond even when his statement clearly states and not asking, so instead of correcting him, I simply nod. “Well, Dad wants to talk to you about that.”

“Why would he want to talk to me about that?” I asked confuse but Michael only looked at me like I’m some sort of a stupid person asking shit. “What?”

“You do remember that Dad happens to be the leader of the West Kingdom and that he is more than capable of supporting you on his own. Aside from the fact that he is also your…well” He didn’t say the ‘Dad” word since someone passed by.

“I thought I made myself pretty clear that I am not that interested with his richness. I accepted the clothes and so did the other help ha gave me, now I at least want to earn my keep by doing my best to impress these people around here.” I’m not being a brat but I simply don’t want to cheat. The fact that my real identity is already hidden and that I’m basically lying to a lot of people makes me feel really bad.

I don’t want to be prideful but I really need something pure to at least balance every lies that I made. I guess I’m just masking out the fact that because of this big lie, I’m starting to feel like a different person.

“Come on now, we both know you’ll need more than just a sponsorship to survive the events. Yes it may look fair in the eyes of the public but once the cameras are off and you five are alone and minding your own business, someone will pull some pranks that could end you out of the competition. We don’t like that and I especially don’t like seeing you suffer.” Michael looked dead serious and he seemed to be doing his best not to grab my shoulders and make some sense in to me.

I understand that as a brother, he only wants the best for me and for the past few weeks that I have been talking with him, he is genuine with all his intentions towards me. He doesn’t see me as a threat like those step-sibling in some of the novels I’ve read. Michael somehow has the heart of gold.

“Why don’t we do this then? I try impressing someone, enough to make them my sponsor and when that plan fails, I’ll personally ask him for help. Will that be enough to you?”

In cases where you have a stubborn person in front of you, it is always safe to just make a compromise and get on with it. Rather than fighting your way out of the conversation, give the person something to hold on about and when things fail, you just go back to what you both talk about and agreed on so that the two of you can have a win-win situation.

“Fine, but I you do fail don’t be afraid to ask. Do we have a deal?” He raises his brow and when I nod in compliance, he yelped which made a few surprise glances from the people around us. I made a gesture for him to shut and he eventually did with a laugh and I had no other choice but just shake my head.

And so I continued searching for the best sponsor I could get and hopefully I land on someones good graces, preferably someone who is nice and positive.