The Orphan And The Crown

17

"I want you to be my girlfriend."

Those words kept ringing in my head. I was at a loss for words. No one has ever asked me to be their girlfriend and I certainly didn't expect the first guy to be Prince Alessandro. It felt so right but so wrong at the same time. He was a prince and had duties to fulfil yet he cancelled everything to prove he wanted to be with me. 

"Gia?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry," I said, still in a daze.

"I'm not pressuring you to be my girlfriend. You can take your time and come to me when you feel you're ready. I did what I did today to free myself of marriage. I'm free to do what I want now without some contract binding me."

He uttered and I nodded.

I left his warm embrace and sat up straight on the bed facing him.

His blue eyes stared at me, curiously watching me. I felt a bit overwhelmed by his stare but I was getting used to it.

I let out a heavy breath.

"The timing may not be right to jump into a relationship. I want to be with you but I don't want it to be out in the public." I admitted.

He nodded. "I understand you. Why don't we just keep it between us for now? No has to know and when things simmer down, perhaps we can make an announcement."

I looked down at my hands as I pondered. I remembered what mum said about choosing for myself first. My whole life I've always given people what they wanted, putting my feelings aside. Perhaps this time I had to be selfish and choose my happiness. Choosing Alessandro is what I most desired. To have him by my side without a care in the world is what I choose.

"Okay, fine." I told him and his lips parted into a genuine smile.

"So, will you officially be my girlfriend, Gia Hamilton?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded. Before I knew it, I was clutched in his arms, pressed to his chest. He moved away and latched his lips onto mine. I grinned into the kiss, feeling warm all over. We broke apart and he had a smile on his lips.

"You've just made me the happiest man." He whispered resting his forehead against mine.

"I just want to keep this private for now. I don't want people to know."

He moved away and ran a hand through his hair.

"We can keep it between us for now but it won't be easy to keep private for long. So, I'm just preparing you. And once it gets out it will be quite chaotic."

I rolled my eyes. "Well that's very consoling, people's prince."

He laughed. A deep genuine laugh. He couldn't have looked more handsome right now.

"I'm just being realistic. But I'll always protect you no matter what. The publics opinion is nothing to us. We know what we have and that's all that matters." He said, reassuringly.

I nodded.

"Are you hungry?" He asked me.

"Yes, food sounds great." I got up.

"The chef should be done preparing dinner. Let's go to the dining room."

He held my hand in his, our hands fitting perfectly.. My stomach was doing somersaults and my heart was beating out of my chest. I had a boyfriend. I wanted to shout it at the top of my lungs but I had to play it cool. 

"So, are you going to lose your title for not marrying Beatrice?" I asked him, taking the last bite of pasta.

He nodded. "That is what the contract stated but I have a meeting with my father to discuss what happens now."