The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 17: The Prince Interacts

"Must you have to dress me, Sebastian? I can tie my own tie." I complain while allowing Sebastian to tie my tie as though I was a boy again.

"I'm only doing my job, my prince. You have to look presentable tonight at your father's birthday ball." Sebastian dismisses as he fixes my tie. He took a step when he finished and nods in approval. "There, now you look like a prince and the soon to be king."

"Thank you, Sebastian." I reply, smiling at the compliment.

A knock on the door was heard before I could inquire Sebastian's whereabouts during the ball. My butler walks to the door and opens it. "My king, please come in." Sebastian politely greets with a bow by the door, allowing entrance to my father.

"Much obliged." Father answers, striding inside my room in a formal black suit. "Would you give us the room?"

"Certainly. I shall be with the other servants attending to the final preparations." Sebastian declares and leaves my room, shutting the door.

"Happy birthday, Father. I'm sure tonight will be as you wish it." I comment.

"Thank you, Antonio. Although, I do hope you will find a princess tonight." Father states.

"Father, we've been over this. I will find someone as soon as the Americans agree to your terms and we return home for good." I remind him.

"At least try to meet someone tonight. You know as well as I do that the Americans are still discussing our proposal. It won't hurt to introduce yourself to someone." Father attempts to persuade me.

"Alright, Father. I will try and find someone who could potentially be my future wife, but in my own way." I comply which seems to please him.

"Very well. Go check on your brother and remind him to also be on the look out for princesses." Father commands. I nod my head and excused myself as I left my room with Father following me before parting ways.

Walking to Leo's room was a bit far from mine since he insists that he liked the view of the ocean from there. He is not wrong, though I prefer the view of our garden. Regardless, I head to his room and knock on his door.

"Come in!" Leo shouts from his door. On that invitation, I walk inside to find my brother buttoning up the last few buttons of his white dress shirt.

"I see you slacked off in getting ready. Did you took a nap?" I tease, smirking at him while shutting his door.

"Ha ha, very funny. But if you must know, I got carried away with texting." Leo retorts and dons his silver vest.

"Who were you texting at this hour?" I ask, curious to know who he found to communicate with.

"Cassiel. You know, you really need to restore your friendship with him." Leo answers. Why did he bring him up? Has he been speaking to him? I hope he's alright. . . Ah! I shouldn't be worried about him!

"You're not supposed to have any connections with him." I remind him despite the fact that my thoughts are now filled with endless questions on Cassiel's well being. Is he alright? Has Thomas left him alone even after I ended our friendship? He better have, otherwise he has some explaining to do.

"I'm not the one who has Father's complete attention." Leo interjects while he puts on his black blazer. "In any case, you should have stayed by his side until Father discovers him."

"And then what? Allow Cassiel to develop feelings for me so that when Father does hear about him, he asks why I haven't ended our relationship sooner?" I challenge as I watch my brother straightening his blazer.