Happy Ever After

Metawin

He takes care of me. And whenever I sneak into the palace (Fine, I do it every day) for a midnight snack, he always eats with me. And I could be imagining it but am pretty sure he finds ways to make me stay longer than I have to - a show he wants to show me, my opinion on a song he's trying to write, my thoughts on a speech he has to give to some important government body I don't quite understand.

And he called me perfect.
In public. 

So naturally, he's now avoiding me. And he calls me a nuisance. Stubborn Prince. He should be thankful I find him so fucking handsome.  And hot. Who has arms like that? They're like marble tree trunks with veins that - okay, am getting distracted.

It's the fourth day in a row that he's declared himself too busy. He's suddenly always in some far flung corner of the Kingdom. Today an assistant told me the Prince was indisposed. He's not even doing his own dirty work anymore.

And I don't get it. Okay, I sort of do.
Dara, flings, duty, blah blah blah. Plus, Dara told me that the Royal Family usually date with marriage in mind. So he has to be 99.9% sure he wants to be with me.

Did he want to be with me? What if he was just being nice?

How about me? Was I sure I wanted this? Because that would mean being Prince Consort. And -

And I am getting ahead of myself again. Thinking about marriage and the future when this annoying prince won't even talk to me in the present.

I stomp towards the Royal Kitchen, no one even gives me a second glance. They were so used to having me lurk around here now, stealing a bite left and right. But today, I am not here for food, I am here for Mindy.

Chayakorn raises an eyebrow as I open every door and shelf. "Can I help you?"

"I am looking for something."

"I can assure you that his Royal Highness is not behind the flour."

"How about Mindy?"

"Not there either," Chayakorn chuckles.

"Where are they? Why are they hiding from me?," I pout, allowing myself to act like a child.

Chayakorn puts a plate of  cookies in front of me. "Have a freshly baked cookie, it might help."

I cross my arms across my chest, I'm not going to be bribed by sweets today. "I'd rather have the Prince, thank you very much," I blurt out.

I freeze. I think Chayakorn almost chopped off his finger.

A beat of silence then Chayakorn laughs.
"I shouldn't have been surprised."

"Please don't tell anyone," I grimace.

"I am pretty sure everyone with eyes knows, my Lord."

"Your Prince doesn't seem to know," I huff, taking a cookie. No need to waste perfectly good food, after all.

"Do you want me to ask his aides where he is?," smiles Chayakorn as he begins to salt the potatoes in front of him.

"I was told he's in some important meeting." I hated how bratty I sounded.

"But I could ask which room? They should be breaking for lunch in a bit anyhow."

"He's just here?"

"Well, this food is for the Royal Golfing Association -"

I snort. The what now?

"I know, it sounds a bit impractical..."

"Just a bit?"

"Well, they're a group of really wealthy dukes. And the Prince would find it remiss to miss a meeting with them."

"Meaning he's here with a bunch of dude bros. And I could just take him if I wanted."

Chayakorn laughs again. "The Prince is 6 foot tall and has an army of guards, my Lord."

I shrug. "Minor detail."

"I am assuming you have a plan?"

I beam at Chayakorn. "Do youuu need help serving the food?"