Despite the Royal Palace's official statement, Mr. Osmeña still flew to Davao City to discuss with the duke his security arrangement and updates for his upcoming investiture, scheduled for the second week of December. Instead of driving to school early in the morning to start his law readings, Win is sitting on his mom's office desk discussing matters with his chief of staff.
On top of the agenda is the recent hullabaloo on Twitter caused by the dating rumors involving him and the Prince. Surprisingly, Win was just okay with everything. He didn't even get concerned with the consequences of this dating "scandal" when his phone nearly exploded with all the notifications he got. It's not like something is going on between him and Bright. Win is pleased to be friends with the Crown Prince. Bright is a really nice guy, thoughtful, insightful, and humble, despite his status as the king-in-waiting.
He was reading the public reaction all over social media, which was kind of mixed. Some accuse him of being a gold digger, while some views remain, traditionalist, saying a commoner like Win isn't fit for the Crown Prince. But they also generated quite a strong support base, shipping him and the Prince. Overnight, photos of him and the Prince were cropped and edited close to each other, all praising their visuals and apparent chemistry. Win just laughed, thinking this will just be a phase, and soon the public will forget, and he will be just like Off and Tay, Bright's good friends and confidante.
"Your Grace, I wish to suggest that we increase your security now that you have sort of become a public personality," Mr. Osmeña opened, who is now sitting in front of the Duke at the home office of Win's mom.
"I think there's no need yet. Ladislawa's security is impressive, and they have already assured my mom that no member of the media can't enter the community. Also, Ateneo and the Royal Palace's security team has already cordoned and regulated the entry to the streets and thoroughfares surrounding the campus." Win answered.
"A bodyguard serving as your close-in security, Your Grace, would add additional peace of mind perhaps?" Mr. Osmeña trying to push for added security.
"It will be fine, Mr. John. Besides, the Palace already denied the dating rumor, so it will just take several days before this...everything will be forgotten by the public. I was somewhat low-key, wishing that we refrain from upending my life, my old life before I get to be announced to the public with my true identity. I want to live normally before I would be thrust into the public spotlight."
"If that's your wish, Your Grace. But if there will be an incident of any harassment from the public, I must insist that we upgrade your security arrangements." Mr. Osmeña agreed. "Also, I will be here in Davao until next week so that you can approve our final list of guests for your investiture. Per tradition, since you are the premier duke of the realm, His Majesty the King will personally bestow your title, and he will be with the Queen and hmmm...the Crown Prince."
"Oohhhh," Win was lost of words. "Uhhkay? So it will be a surprise for Bright, I guess."
Mr. Osmeña gave Win a list of the shortlisted guests, which the latter scanned. He saw a particular last name and title, to which he immediately connected the dots. This must be the dad, Win thought.
"Mr. John, kindly remove from the guest list the Duke of Ilocos Sur and his son," Win ordered his chief of staff with a stern voice.
"But Your Grace, it will be unprecedented that a duke uninvited and barred another duke from his own investiture." Mr. Osmeña.
"Well, one thing you have to know Mr. John about me is that I'm a petty person. I'm also vengeful if I feel that I am wronged." Win answered, voice remaining neutral. "And I just want to set a new precedent. Aristocrats need not invite everyone, especially the ones they don't like."
"If that's your wish, Your Grace, it will be done." the well-dressed chief of staff gave in to Win's request.
After their meeting, Win decided to stay at home and drive to school later, just in time for the 5 PM class. AdDU's law school is purely night classes primarily to accommodate its professors' schedule, who are all practicing lawyers. Since daytime is allowed for their practice, the lawyer-professors can only squeeze in the after-work hours to lecture at the law school. This seems to work perfectly as AdDU performs so well in the Bar Examinations, giving the top schools in the capital a run for their money.
Honestly, the dating rumors surprised Win. He admits that he and the Prince are now getting closer, which also came as a surprise to Win. He had this impression that aristocrats are snobs, much more if they're royalty. But Bright is completely opposite to any prejudice Win might have had for people of royal and noble backgrounds.
Win admits to himself that he enjoyed Bright's friendship. For the past few months, they've been doing mundane things — reading, studying, chatting over coffee, jogging around the estate, lifting weights at the Prince's home gym, and baking at the Rama's residence. Sometimes their other friends join them, but most of the time, it was just the two of them, and Win saw and felt nothing outside the bounds of friendship...until this dating rumor spread like wildfire on social media.
Why me? He asked himself. It could be Khao. Maybe Love, if the Prince is also into girls. But why a dating rumor? The Prince doesn't treat him differently about how he treats Tay and Off or Love and Khao. So it puzzles Win why the person behind the Royal Dispatch immediately jumps to a conclusion. He can't remember being extra touchy or sweet with Bright.
He enjoys this new friendship, but Win is sure that at this point, romance isn't laid on the table. The Prince is still reeling from his past relationship, and Win thought Bright is far from getting over the hurt and pain. Healing is a long process, and while he's inexperienced, Win has been well-read and well-acquainted from friends' experience, that picking up the pieces of a heart shattered by a great love lost does not happen overnight.
Shit! Why am I thinking this? Bright moving on shouldn't be any of my concerns, Win thought.
Waking from deep thought, Win realized that he only has an hour and a half before classes begin. He hurriedly fixed his stuff and drove to the campus, now ready for another evening of intense recitations.
YOU ARE READING
The Prince and I | BrightWin FanFic
RomanceA few months before graduation, Win learned that his normal life would soon change. He is set to inherit the title of Duke of Cebu. Bright, whose heart was broken before returning to his home country, is the Crown Prince who surprised everyone when...
