LUNCH

{Kenneth's pov}

I stared at Evelyn, she was really full of surprises, that shy and fearful lady was actually bold, blunt with words and honest. She was truthful and I found myself admiring her. Although most of her words hurt me, I was interested in her, she said she didn't want to have anything to do with the royal family, let's change that perspective.

I drove to a restaurant, parking at the garage, we got down and walked into the restaurant, Evelyn wasn't dressed in a sexy way like others but I still prefared her to others, she was not a pretender. I ordered for both of us.

"Will you eat here or in the car? I asked.

"Car" she said, she was always avoiding gatherings.

We ate in the car talking about random things and laughing at every little joke, it was fun, she made enjoy my lunch, it was fun being around Evelyn.

Evelyn's real personality was now visible for me, she's a funny and jovial lady, she was free, kind and always full of jokes, she made me laugh nonstop. After eating, we drove back to the spot I picked her up from.

"Thank you for today Ken" she said and I was excited she finally called my name without adding 'Mr' as usual.

"Welcome Evelyn, I may not be able to come here again tomorrow but I'll be here next week Saturday, same time on Saturday" I said already feeling sad that I won't be able to see her for 5 days

"Okay" she replied with a sad look too, she was missing me too, I was glad I won't be the only one missing her.

I surprised her by hugging her "I will miss you" I said and disconnected from the hug.

Evelyn smiled shyly before alighting after I had given her some money for her upkeep and waved me goodbye before I ignited the engine to drive away.

{Evelyn's pov}

I walked home really excited, I didn't know the reason why I was so excited, I was happy, blushing and smiling as I approached home.

"Mum, there she is" Yelin shouted and my heart skipped, did they see us together?

"Evelyn where are you coming from? Jane asked me and I felt my palms sweating.

"From..... from the.... market" I stammer.

"What took you so long to return? She asked again.

"I didn't finish selling on time" I lied

"Where is the money? She asked and I handed her the money and some that Ken gave me "seems as if you increased the price? She asked

"Yes, I did" I said

Jane smiled brightly "wise girl" she praised.

"Mum but she's back late" Yelin yelled

"Shut up. Can you do it? Foolish girl" Jane shouted at her "and you" she turned to me "go inside and prepare dinner" she ordered and I rushed in. Again I was lucky, very lucky, God had just decided for me to have a bit fun.

{Kenneth's pov}

I parked the car at the garage before walking into the empire.

"Welcome my prince" my assistant greeted me at the doorway.

"Ian, I want a report on the east side of City S" I said

"A report? Ian asked me to confirm.

"Yes Ian" I confirmed "and also fix dinner with my uncles especially uncle Dan, he must not miss it" I said again as I moved upstairs.

"Yes my prince" he replied.

I felt someone pull me immediately into a room covering my mouth, I couldn't scream because I noticed the room was Gina's. As soon as she uncovered my mouth, I turned to shout at her.

"Why are you so dramatic? I exclaimed

"How'd it go? She asked ignoring my agreesive gaze.

"What? I asked

"C'mon don't play dumb with me, I mean how did it go with you and Evelyn? She asked

"Why are you so interested in her? I asked folding my hands together in front of me.

"Nothing I just like her" Gina said and I stared at her, not buying her excuse "I don't like Delilah, so what?" She bulged.

I laughed loudly "but it's the tradition" I jokingly reminded her.

"To hell with the tradition" she shouted and I couldn't be more grateful to God for giving me a sister like her "so how'd it go? I asked.

"As usual fun, we..." I explained everything to her and told her about the complain Evelyn relayed to me.

"Uncle Dan would not do that, he recently collected three million naira from Dad to establish a business for young adults in the east" Gina said.

"Gina, Evelyn wouldn't lie to me. It may be that Uncle Dan collects money from Dad for projects but he doesn't do it, instead....he collects the money for his own selfish interest" I explained to her.

"...." She sighed.

"Have Dad for once sent anyone to check on the projects Uncle Dan claims to have done? I asked.

"No" she replied

"Evelyn didn't lie to me then" I said

"So what is the plan? What are you thinking of doing? She asked

"I want to get to know them, the best way to attack an enemy is to get close to them and that's exactly what I am going to do" I said.

"Wouldn't that be too dangerous? You just got back, is it advisable to involve yourself in this? Why not tell Dad? She panicked for me

"Gina I would soon be crowned King of City S, Dad won't help me to rule my kingdom, this is the interest of my subjects, I returned from Country V to make my step, all I need is your support" I said

She hugged me "you have grown wise Ken, just be safe and don't do anything illegal because I won't forgive you if you die" she said.

"I won't die" I laughed out loud.

*In my bedroom*

I laid down on the bed on video call with Louis, he was lying on his bed too.

"So man..... what's up with you? How's princely life treating you? He asked smiling cheerfully at me.

"All good and very interesting.... I'm glad I returned home" I said.

"The other day, you hung up on time what happened? He asked

"Oh it's my Mum, she brought in this lady.... Delilah and told me they engaged her for me"

"Shit....I thought that only happened in folktales" he said

"Thought so too until that day"

"So what's up with the bitch?

"She's not a bitch and she's good though"

"No I mean is....she....like...curvy, boobs and ass or she's just a shapeless whatever"

I laughed loudly "You won't change, will you?

"Never"

"She's okay"

"Can you still be on the call and let me get a glimpse of her?

I laughed again "badass child"

"You said you are not interested in her, why not let me handle her, I'll be good I promise"

"Shut the fuck up"

He laughed out loud and long.

"I miss you man" he said

I chuckled at him "go get yourself a girl, I am no gay"

"Nahh women are stress.... that's why you don't wanna date your Delilah of a princess"

"It's not that...I don't like her, we have no connection whatsoever....I'm interested in someone else"

"Pinch me, fuck. Wait, this is Kenny speaking. You didn't drop your habit of flirting with girls and here I was, thinking you did"

"I did.... I'm not flirting with her.....I actually like her that's if I have not already fallen in love with her"

"Fuck...." He shouted "don't hang up, I'm turning this call into a group video call" Louis said.

"What" I shouted and soon the call connected, four of my friends joined in the video call. I felt like strangling Louis.

"Ken what the hell is Louis saying?" Olive asked, he was one of my friends in college.

"Ken is in love? Dave asked, a friend from college too.

"This is a classical joke, Ken can't be in love" John a friend from high school who followed me to same college doubted.

"Guys calm down, it's becoming crowdy and noisy" Louis spoke up "Ken we are all ears" he added when the questioning died down.

"Did you mention that you are in love with someone, a girl?" Louis asked slowly and everyone turned silent as they stared at me.

"Yes" I replied slowly and everyone shouted loudly jumping up and down, Dave disconnected from the call and later reconnected.

After some time, silence returned.

"Ken what happened? You were totally against love, we are learners compared to you and now you fall for a girl within one month that you've been away, it's not even up to one month, what the hell happened? Olive asked

"Stop making a fuss out of nothing"

Everyone started shouting again and I just stared at them as they misbehaved, silence finally returned again after some time.

"Who is this lucky girl? John asked "I want to know her and personally congratulate her" he added.

"She deserves an award for capturing the heart of the cold hearted devil prince" Dave said.

"So you guys gave me a nickname? I laughed.

"Is she a princess too? Louis asked.

"No"

"No? Everyone chroused

"How many surprise in one day? Olive exclaimed

"Who's she then? Please don't tell me she is a maid in your empire or I'm coming down to Country H to congratulate her today" Louis said.

"No she's not a maid" I said

"Phew! Everyone exclaimed

I stared at these clowns for friends.

"She's one of the people who reside in City S" I said

"Okay, how did you guys meet? John asked

I told them how we met.

"If her aunt is so wicked why not bring her over to the empire? Dave asked

"Two reasons; I lied to her about my identity, she doesn't know I'm a prince and the tradition is to marry only a princess" I said

"Ahhhhhh..... royal life sucks! Olive exclaimed.

"Still I'll be coming to Country V soon to congratulate her"