The Florist And The Prince (ON HOLD)

~ 22 ~

Prince Alexander's POV

Looking through his laptop while seated on his bed, Alex saw that the internet was swarming with news the about the contest, whether they were true or not it didn't matter. It was everywhere, on the internet, newspapers and television. This was one of the things he hated, the attention and eyes of the world on him when they could be else where, helping the less fortunate people around the world.

"The twenty year old Prince of Northden was seen today by an eye witness, with a beautiful young brunette woman. Could this possibly be his chosen bride?"

Seriously. We just started and there is still nine more months left and I've already chosen a bride. He thought, irked at headline of one of the news agency's website.

"A source close to the Prince has stated that, he already has someone in mind to be his Queen."

"Could long time family friends; Raquel Montèrano or Graciella Carterton be the one?"

"Another source when interviewed says that Prince Alexander is planning to make his University girlfriend Naomi Curtis his Queen."

Releasing a exasperated breath, Alex shut his laptop and put it on the side before lying down, not wanting to see anymore absurd headlines. It was already the evening and after he met the next eligible Emily Walters, he came straight back to his room and spent the rest of the daylight there. Emily was a short, petite brunette girl with hazel eyes and was a little shy than Stephenie, but he tried to make her feel comfortable. Without realisation, Alex fell asleep before he was woken up by someone gently shaking his shoulder.

"Hmm?" He moaned groggily and opened his eyes to see that it was his mother, who was waking him.

"Wake up, dinner is ready."

He sat up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stretched. "Sorry."

"How were your first two meetings?" Queen Sofia asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"They were fine. Both girls seem very nice."

"Okay but we must not judge them yet. Let time and the tasks do that for us. People's true colours come out with time or being under pressure, and stressed. And you still have eighteen more girls to go."

The next day, after breakfast Alex and Lucas went out to the stables to take the horses for a ride, something Lucas has been looking forward too. They both raced through the wooded area of the estate towards the overlook with Alex and Hercules winning the race.

"I've missed this." Lucas breathed out, gazing down to the river and town.

"Yeah, we have not done this in a long."

"That reminds me about the gap that we found in the fence a few yards from here, when we were teenagers. We use to use it to sneak out of the grounds secretly to go swimming in the streams outside."

"It's still there."

"What?" Lucas eyebrows touched the crown of his head in surprise.

"Yeah, I haven't told anyone about it and it's hidden by a large white oak now. No one can see it unless you really look. But I have to tell my parents about it, with all those paparazzi outside."

"Yes, you must." Lucas nodded seriously.

Turning the horses, they slowly trotted back towards the stables.

"What was the name of the girl that you met this morning?"

"Miranda McCintyre." Alex answered.

"Kingston McCintyre's daughter?"

Alex nodded his head. "Yes. The youngest one."

"Hmm, I thought she looked familiar." Lucas nodded his head with furrowed eyebrows. Kingston was a well-known Lawyer in the country. "Well she's lucky. She's already got a bonus point."

Alex eyebrows creased in confusion and he looked over at Lucas. "What do you mean?"

"Kingston's daughters all know how to ride horses. They've been doing it since they could walk."

"She does play polo."

"Her big sister Celestine, was one of the best female polo players in the country but unfortunately injury forced her into early retirement. She was a spectacular player." Lucas said with a far away look of admiration in his eyes.

"Sounds like you have a crush on her." Alex smirked coyly.

"What? Of course not." Lucas rushed, getting pinkish around the neck area and tips of his ears.

"Hmm." Alex smiled.

They both didn't like to show their emotions but Lucas was more prominent about them than Alex, and unfortunately, he wasn't one to commit to long term relationships. The longest he has ever dated someone was his high school sweetheart, Clarissa Radcliffe for three years. He was a bit of a playboy/heartbreaker. The complete polar opposite of Alex.

He glared at Alex. "Piss off."

Alex threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. "Why don't you just admit it and stop torturing yourself. I've seen the way you look at her at charity events."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Your eyes must be playing up." Lucas grumbled stubbornly. He was not going to give anything away. "Alright let's head back. It looks like it's about to rain."

Alex nods his head in agreement when he looked up at the sky through the canopy of branches and leaves, and saw that the once clear blue sky was now starting to get crowded with clouds. Some parts milky white and others, ash grey.

"Let's go boy." Alex clicked his tongue and hit Hercules in the ribcage with the inner part of his feet, and Hercules ran forward along the path, with Alastair, the horse that Lucas was riding not that far behind.

Once they got back to the stables, they left the horses in their stables than ran back up to the palace as it had already started to rain. Without even bothering to dry up and change into a fresh set of clothing, Lucas walked down one of the main the hallways towards the King's entertainment room where he knew that he would find him. Looking at his watch on his wrist, Alex noted that he had half an hour left before he would privately meet with another one of the eligibles, so he jogged the staircases to his bedroom to change out the damp clothes.

Most people would find it difficult and exhausting to climb up three flights of stairs, but he was used to it and saw it as another workout. Once he made it up to his bedroom, he went straight into his bathroom and changed out of his wet clothes before taking a warm bath. After he was done, he wore his briefs, a navy blue knitted jersey, a pair of navy blue jeans and sneakers then went back downstairs to the library.

To pass the time until the next girl came, he picked out a random book from the factual bookshelf and sat back down at the table, and aimlessly flipped through its pages until he heard the doors open. He didn't look up until he heard the footsteps near as well as the sweet cologne that waft into the room, that he did look up.

"Your highness, I don't think any introduction is needed." Madam Eunice said with a small nod.

"No. Thank you Madam Eunice." Alex had to force himself to smile at the tall woman before she walked away, leaving only him and the dark haired girl.

"Hello Alex." The girl smiled coyly and sauntered forward towards him.

"Raquel." Alex simply said from where he sat.

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