Hidden Royalties

eighteen ༉‧₊˚.

ELIAS HADN'T TAKEN the news lightly as expected. If my true identity was revealed along with the constant anxiety thinking about your ill mother, I'd be absolutely torn. His eyes were concentrated on the streets that flew by, something to distract him from the crazy world that wanted him. You can tell a lot by the way someone's eyes appear. His eyes were tired, half-closed and soulless.

"Hey," I said, trying to break the silence with the overbearingly loud classical music playing by the car. He stuttered in his realisation to look up at me and smiled.

"Sorry. I was just thinking," he said as his mind was brought back to reality.

"Might I ask what about?" I questioned curiously.

"Meeting the public." Ah, that detail. "Just trying to smile my way through it. But I'm glad I have you, even through this loveless partnership called a marriage."

"You make it seem as though our partnership is a burden,"

Elias chuckled. I haven't heard that in a while. "I've come to terms with it. You're not that bad, princess." Not that bad? I seem to find myself much more than 'not that bad'. My ego took a bullet because of that comment. It shouldn't have. Elias' words meant nothing more than a form of communication.

"Heard much from people at school?" I asked.

"I'm dreading going back. I might take a couple of days off for some damage control. Apparently, the girls that I've slept with have been bragging about sleeping with a prince."

"Ouch, parents aren't going to be happy about that."

"Tell me about it, princess."

We had arrived at our stop. After the unfortunate circumstances that had risen yesterday, Queen Fiona had suggested some retail therapy away from Petunia. Elias was not opposed to the idea, and neither was I. I'd take any chance to come to visit Paris. Plus, Mina was organizing some sort of bachelorette party.

The car parked right on the street of Avenue Montaigne, the infamous street with row upon rows of designer flagship stores. Elias appeared on my side of the vehicle with his hand out. We walked towards the store; his hand grasped in mine as security surrounded us into the building. The security was a nice touch by Mother.

Elias and I were greeted upon our arrival in the store. Fake smiles, rehearsed hand gestures and the clean smell of the store welcomed us. We were taken towards a private section away from the main function of the store. We were given a personal shopper who came running back with racks of clothing and countless descriptions of what they were.

Elias laid his eyes on the rack of clothing that he was to try on. He looked through the collection of outfits before grabbing a few and heading behind the curtains. He had brightened up from what he was like yesterday. He seemed less soulless.

I tried on a dress that seemingly fit the occasion of a bachelorette party however, I was uncomfortable looking at myself in the mirror. The dress was stunning, a sleek tea-length dress that hugged my figure. It didn't make me feel confident about myself, however.

"Is everything to your liking, your Highness?" the lady asked due to my moment of silence.

Elias had already come out of his dressing room wearing a patterned dress shirt and black slacks that fitted his legs. He unbuttoned his top buttons and cuffed his sleeves. His outfit was nice and made him seem a lot more put together. He immediately sensed that something wasn't right and looked towards me with his azure opals. "Is everything alright, my dear?"

I shivered at his term of endearment. He would only use that in the presence of others who knew none of our relationships. I'd prefer he just keep calling me by the pet name he uses for me. He walked towards me with a worried expression and grabbed the side of my face. His touch left a lingering heat on my skin. I hated it. It wouldn't go away.