Chapter 11

ALEX

The revelation of who I am did not go exactly as planned. It hurts me to realize how much confusion I had caused Mia. What hurts the most is the state I'm in right now. I had no idea how I was going to approach her. I couldn't sleep after seeing her leave in disbelief.

I paced around my quarters, my mind racing with ideas about how I would persuade her to listen to me. Clint's calm and shady appearance bothered me for some reason. Why is he so composed?

"Your Highness, it would be greatly beneficial if you could just calm down and relax," he said with a smile.

"I can't," I said, ruffling my hair. "I need to make sure she's okay," I explained.

"I'm confident she is alright. It's understandable that such shocking news would make her unstable " He stated.

"I need to see her," I sighed, collapsing on my bed.

I felt bad for concealing my identity from Mia, but it was unavoidable. I adored our relationship because we were so open with each other. I couldn't let a royal title get in the way of that.

I sat up quickly as a bright idea flashed through my mind.

"I'll have her back, and this time I'll make things right," I said with a smile.

"And how do you think you're going to do that?" Clint inquired.

MIA

I entered the palace slowly and cautiously. I can't afford for him to see me. I couldn't believe Alex was a prince. The mere thought was terrifying. What happens if someone finds out? What would become of me? I'd be gone. I shook my head and entered the kitchen. I suddenly remembered how he chased me around the kitchen after I had duped him. It was a hilarious experience but wait...I did that to the Prince of Scotland, and now I'm dead. I hit, insulted, and otherwise misbehaved with the Prince of Scotland. The next King. I sighed loudly, noting the trauma I had put myself through. But, when I think about it, it wasn't entirely my fault. I mean, how could I have known he was the prince? But, on the other hand, there were hints. Oh my goodness.

"Are you okay, Mia?" Rebecca inquired about releasing me from my thoughts.

"Yes, ma'am," I said as I straightened up.

"How did you find your meeting with the prince?" My heart skipped a beat when she asked.

"Oh...oh...um...it was brief?" I rubbed my temples.

She had her brow furrowed. "You didn't embarrass yourself at all, did you?"

"Oh no, ma'am," I said quickly, shaking my head.

"Good," she said as she walked away.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Nobody should ever know what had happened.

Work came to an end quickly, which I appreciated. I hurried out of the kitchen and towards the palace gates, desperate to get out of this uncomfortable situation. Two spears stood in my way, preventing me from fleeing.

"Mia, you haven't been excused yet. Your attention is required in the main palace " One of the guards stated.

This is it, the end of my story has arrived. I didn't plan this, so why should I have to suffer? As we walked into the main palace, my heartbeat quickened. We finally arrived at the place I dreaded the most. I begged the ground to open up and swallow me, but it didn't seem to be in my favor at the moment.

The guard announced loudly, "Your Highness, the lady has arrived."

"Let her in," he said from within.

This was not something I was prepared for. The guard motioned for me to enter the chamber, and I did so slowly. The beauty of this room never stopped being breath-taking, but my mind was on how I was going to get out of here alive.

There He was standing by the window again, but this time he was facing me. We made eye contact, and I immediately dropped mine. What are you supposed to do in front of a prince? Silence was the only thing that could be heard, I couldn't bring myself to speak or even look at him and I posed like a child, ready to be chastised.

"Oh Mia," he exclaimed. "Please do not behave in this manner in front of me. It's revolting " He sighed.

What exactly is he on about? He walked closer to me until there was only an inch between us.

No, stay back and don't get too close.

"Look at me," he said as he gently lifted my chin and my gaze met his. "It's still me, Alex. I made no changes " he explained

I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I had a lot of words in my mouth, but I couldn't get a sentence out.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my true identity at first. I didn't want anything to sever our bond " He took my hand in his.

What? Is this some sort of joke? He didn't want me to know he's the prince because he didn't want us to lose touch?

"Mia, please say something," he asked.

"I...I'm not sure what to say....your highness," I said softly.

"No, don't refer to me as that." He scowled. "That isn't who you know me as," he explained.

"But that's your personality," I exclaimed sharply before I could stop myself.

I bit my tongue because of how carelessly I had spoken. He paused, and a smile began to form on his face. I sighed and chose to speak boldly; I had already begun.

"Why now? Why did you decide to tell me now?" I inquired.

"I promised to tell you after the war. I've never been at ease with the fact that I have something I'm keeping from you " He stated.

I remained silent.

"Mia, I love you and desire to have you by my side at all times. I understand that telling you who I am would take us a step further " He stated

"How does it intend to take us a step further? Look at me, I'm not in your class, and I'm sure you already have a betrothed. We're not going to be able to work. We cannot be together." I stated

My heart broke as I spoke those words, but they were the truth. We can't be together.

"We can be," he stated. "I'm not betrothed to anyone" he declared

"What?" I asked, surprised.

"You're the only one I want to be with Mia." He stated firmly. "I don't care if I'm a prince or if you're not a princess. What we have is superior to any title or rule that exists" He went on.

How can I refuse? How can I refuse to be with the one person to whom I have already given my heart? What is it about you that you always have something to say?

We just stared at each other, and silence filled the air.

"Please don't leave me, Mia," he said as he drew me in closer. As he wrapped his arms around me, he rested his brow on mine.

He moved his head closer to mine as his gaze was drawn to my lips. And as his lips lightly touched mine, I felt a rush of desire through me. This was a sensation I had missed. I seemed to tighten my grip on him as he intensified the kiss. At this time, I had forgotten whether Alex was Prince or not. The desire to have him filled me with a rush of blood and passion. As his hands loosened the lace on my dress, we drew closer to the bed and I realized that whatever was going on between us had just started.