"We may not have birthed you but you will be our daughter, one way or another. Start with a scholarship and end as the Queen, any path you take is your choice to make."
In a modern-day monarchy, Ari is every bit a struggling student as any other. T...
Ari checked her dress twice in the mirror before heading out the door. Today was important. Joshua had been surprised when he had to arrange a luncheon in her already packed schedule but Ari was determined. She'd been going on about this day from the very first time she'd stepped into the Royal Residence. After all, she was finally going to meet the Second Prince.
"Are you nervous?" Dokyeom asked, seating her into the back of a black Mercedes with the royal flag pinned on the bonnet. He was the escort today, with Joshua covering up for her sudden schedule change.
Ari nodded, eager to reach. "I've been curious about him from the start, you know?" She watched as Seokmin got in next to the driver, shaking his head.
"Of course, I know." He spoke, reminding her to wear her seatbelt, "It's all you've been talking about for the past ten minutes." Seokmin's eyes swept over her profile briefly, checking once before signaling the driver to get moving. Fixing the rearview mirror, Seokmin glanced at her excited posture, the large grin that hadn't left her face all morning. "You're going to make a man jealous at this rate, your highness." He teased, "Someone might even mistake you for his fan club owner, you know?"
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"Oh come on. Make a man jealous? Me?" Ari felt giddy at his comment, nevertheless. "The only men lining up for me will be after my position. I've got the power now." She looked at her reflection in the bulletproof mirror, the happy floral dress-wearing, tiara-headed self, "I make my men Kings."
"That you do." Dokyeom agreed, "But there are very few Kings that will bow down for their Queen, your highness." He reminded, fixing his tie over his perfectly pressed white shirt. "There will be more who will fight to own you."
The headlines had been off the rails ever since Ari had been announced, face and profile as the Crown Candidate. There had been interviews scheduled around the clock, talks of her romantic interests, the chance of her inheriting the crown, and her best prospects. "I've read that article," Ari mused remembering the one on the list of Royal Suitors she could take. Joshua and Dokyeom had been on top with the two Princes and a few known faces. Ari smiled, "What do you think of your name on there? Develop any feelings for me yet?" She grinned, teasing her new friend.
"I could fall for you," Dokyeom answered to her surprise. What? Did her only friend inside the palace like her? But before she could be run off with her imaginations, Dokyeom added, "If I already wasn't in love with another." He shrugged as the car curved into the restaurant's park.
"What?" Ari grew curious at this new piece of information, "Who is it?" She'd found a new exciting venture as the car skidded to a halt.
Dokyeom got out of the car, opening the door for her with a mysterious smile on his lips. A hand extended, he gestured for her to take it, "I'm going to keep my work and play separate for this one, your highness." His lips were sealed behind a wall of mystery and Ari couldn't believe he would hide it at this point. Taking his hand, she clamored,
