The Prince And His Pauper

Chapter 12: They Don't Know About Us

"Oh my gosh, Win! Are you okay? I just heard about...and who is this man?" Charlotte looked at Bryce curiously even as she hugged Win who is seated on the bed.

"He's my new bodyguard, Charlotte. His name is Bryce. Bryce, she is Charlotte my..." Win began impassively only to be cut off by Charlotte's overenthusiasm.

"Fiance, I am her fiancé by the way. Nice to meet you, Bryce," Charlotte beamed proudly as she offered a dainty hand to Bryce.

"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Charlotte," Bryce said in a low baritone before respectfully pressing his lips against the back of Charlotte's hand. The gesture made Win arch a brow in annoyance.

"Oh, how chivalrous! Where did you get him, Winfred? He looks more handsome than all the other bodyguards. He doesn't seem to be the typical soldier or trained police escort," Charlotte gushed giddily as she surveyed Bryce closer by running her hands along the length of Bryce's arm.

"Dad found him and hired him for me. You know I couldn't say no to him," Win said curtly as he threw dagger looks at Bryce who is standing stiffly while Charlotte look him up and down.

"If you don't want him, you could just tell your Dad, he doesn't strike me as one who would push something on you against your will," Charlotte said simply as she absently tugged at the hem of Bryce's suit.

"Well, he pushed this engagement to me against my will," Win said snarkily as he pointedly looked at Charlotte's hand still fastened on Bryce's suit.

"Winfred..." Charlotte began with trepidation in her tone as she saw the fury burning in the Ice Prince's usually impassive eyes.

"Nothing has changed, Charlotte. I only see you as a friend, no more, no less," Win said coldly and Bryce inwardly flinched at the impersonal tone, thankful that he isn't the one on the receiving end of such coldness.

"I am willing to stand up for you even against my parents' wishes, doesn't that count for something?" Charlotte finally let go of Bryce's suit and the latter scampered toward a corner where a glass booth is specially installed for bodyguards. This enables them to keep a watchful eye on their ward without hearing the actual conversation. He went inside and sat on the stool there with a relieved sigh after closing the plexiglass-made door and muting the ongoing conversation.

"I admire your determination but I do not want to lead you on, Charlotte. If I will be marrying you, it would be out of duty and not of love," Win explained empathically as Charlotte pulled up a chair so she can sit by the bedside.

"You're so cruel, Win," Charlotte clutched at her chest tightly for effect and Bryce inwardly cringed at the lady's theatrics.

"I'm sorry, Charlotte. I do not want to lie to you just to make you happy," Win said ruefully even as Charlotte reached out to take his veiny hand in hers.

"So, where is she right now?" Charlotte asked with fire in his tone.

"Who?" Win furrowed his brows in confusion as he glanced at Bryce who is sitting inside the soundproof booth.

"The person you fell in love with. Does she even know that you got sick? Did she even call you to check on you?" Charlotte gripped Win's hands tightly as her eyes narrowed in anger.

"It's not their obligation to check on me. I don't want them burdened unnecessarily," Win tried to evade the question as he struggled to pull away his hand from Charlotte's death grip.

"You should let me talk to her. Who knows, we could even be best friends since we are in love with the same man," Charlotte mumbled desperately as if he is a woman possessed and even if he couldn't hear their conversation, Bryce felt pity for the young lady who is obsessed with a man who doesn't love her back.