The Matchmaker: Wreck The Royal Wedding

Chapter 2

"It would really be very helpful to us all if you can please quit looking so bored, Your Highness."

Mix glared at his royal advisor and closest friend, White. He knew White meant well - it wouldn't look good if the King's youngest son is featured on the front page of a newspaper or magazine looking so bored in the middle of the ceremony to kick-start the world-renowed Songkran festival.

But Mix can't help it. It's the same cermony every year, and every year he needs to "grace" the event as a member of the Royal Family. It would have been fun if he gets to play in the water just like everyone else, but it's not as if anybody would dare throw water on the King's son.

"Would you like some water, Your Highness? It's quite hot this morning."

The deep voice of Captain Earth immediately woke every fiber of Mix's being. The young prince knows nothing good will come out of having a huge crush on the head of his security team, but he can't help it. No one in the Kingdom of Thailand wouldn't agree that Captain Earth Pirapat is a gorgeous man. He perfectly fits the "tall, dark and handsome" category, and somehow, he's both fierce and gentle, at least to Mix.

He's wearing a white tank top today instead of his usual uniform, as the guards sometimes opt to blend into the crowd. This way, they can easily protect the Prince without the bad guy spotting them.

"That would be nice. Thanks, Captain."

White leaned closer to the prince.

"Making heart eyes to the captain is so much worse than looking bored, Your Highness."

Mix didn't miss the way Earth's eyes slightly twitch in what he could only describe as irritation when he saw White leaning closer to him. That brought a small smile to Mix's lips, one that he tried to instantly hide. Who doesn't secretly feel giddy when your crush acts possessive of you?

"So help me Buddha, Yahweh, Jesus. You are going to be the death of me, Your highness."

This time Mix didn't try to hide his smile. White is overreacting again. His father is a close aide of the King so it's not like he's getting punished for Mix's faults. If anything, Mix is going to suffer from his own mistakes and the King is never merciful when it comes to his son's punishments. The latest one? Trapping him in a marriage with a foreign girl he has never met.

Mix didn't notice that the cermony was over until the people started throwing water at each other. This is where it gets fun, but this is also the signal for the Prince to go back to the Palace. There's too much going on during these festivals that it's best if the Royal Family is secured in a place where less people can access.

"Somehow we survived that. I just hope the papparazzi doesn't publish anything crazy for tomorrow or the weeks to come. Time to go now, Your Highness," said White as he guide Mix away from the crowd.

Splash.

"Are you okay, Your Highness?"

Everything happened so fast. One minute White is holding Mix's arm and staying away from the all the water splashing and spraying. The next minute a dripping wet Earth is standing in front of Mix, shielding him from the crowd and the water coming out of what looked like a giant hose.

If Earth is already a feast to the eyes in his usual soldier uniform, a soaking wet Earth Pirapat is what wild dreams are made of. His tank top hugged every muscle of his perfectly built body - his upper arms, his chest, his abs - as the wet fabric clinged to his skin.

"Your highness?"

"Ahh, uhmm, yeah, uhm, I'm fine, Captain."

"You're wet, though"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean aren't you cold, Your highness? My apologies that I didn't get to you sooner, some of the water splashed on you before I got here."

To say Mix is embarrassed is a total understatement. Earth looks concerned, but Mix is sure that he didn't miss the way he involuntarily marveled at his body.

"It's ah, uh, fine."

"Thanks for your service, Captain, but the hose has been off for about 10 seconds now and there's no immediate danger so you can quit being too close to the Prince."

Earth immediately moved at the sound of White's voice.

"Right. Let me find Your Highness something to dry yourself with."

"No, no, we're good. Just round up the guards so we can leave. Palace is just 5 minutes away, the Prince can just changed clothes there. Lady Alicia is waiting so we need to move now."

*****

"Oh my, what happened, Your Highness?" Alicia greeted Mix as soon as he got to the Palace. Instead of noticing the blonde duchess from Italy, Mix can't help but notice Aran, his cousin, son of his mother's older brother, looking at the two of them. Since Alicia arrived in Thailand, Aran suddenly developed an interest on the things Mix is doing. Aran used to care about nothing except matters involving the King or his eldest son, the Crown Prince. But lately, Aran has been trying to talk more to Mix, asking about his day or his time with Alicia.

Mix suspects that Aran might actually be interested with Alicia, but it's not like he can freely act on his feelings. Somehow, Mix understands how that feels. How it feels to supress your emotions and desires before it grows, because you already know from the beginning that unneccessary feeling have no place in the Palace.

"Just got caught up in a crowd having fun during the Songkran. Have you seen what the water festival looks like in person?"

"Oh right, I saw it online. The three-day holiday starts today, right? Is it it possible for us to go there, too?"

"Sorry, Lady Alicia. It's better if the Royal Family stays indoors at times like this. It's just very...overwhelming outside and it's harder to protect both you and the Prince,"said White.

"Maybe next time, Alicia. Let me just change clothes, okay?" Mix have been trying to treat Alicia well since she arrived. It's not her fault that her father sent her to marry a Prince who is attracted to another person.

"Hmm.. okay. Meet me for lunch?"

"Ahh, yeah sure. Just let me get changed."

*****

"You don't intend to watch me change clothes, do you?"

"I'm keeping a closer eye on you from today. You're getting married in two months, Your Highness. Two months! Everything between now and then should be perfect and peaceful."

"Did the King order that?"

White seeemed apologetic. "I know it's unfair to force you to marry someone who barely know, but it's the King's wishes. He's serious about this, Mix. He even told my father that if anything goes wrong with your engagement and marriage, he should be ready to retire earlier than expected."

Mix sighed. "Fine. No funny business, I get it. But really, White. What can I do in a room with guards stationed outside, not to mention the whole army surrounding the palace? Can you just please give me two minutes to myself?"

White smiled and for a moment, he is Mix's friend - not his Royal advisor or the son of the King's right hand man. "You're a good guy, Mix. You've always done what was right. This time is a bit harder, but you can do it. For your family and for your people, okay?"

Mix smiled back and nodded. That's the only thing he can do now, since he isn't sure what is the right thing to do. Why does the "right thing" always involve getting hurt, or setting aside a part of himself?

After White left the room, Mix removed his shirt and went to look for a new one. Just when he was about to leave the room and follow White to meet Alicia, his phone vibrated, indicating an incoming call.

"Win?"

"Hey there, Your Highness. Are you in the mood for some good news?"