The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 51: The Prince Understands

It's been over five weeks since I had Hunter confront me about Natalia and things have gone back to normal in a way. I haven't gone near Cassiel except for our close seating arrangement in AP Government and I have returned to Thomas' clique again. However, that wasn't a choice of mine. Over the past few weeks, Natalia has befriended Angelica which led to Angelica inviting Natalia to sit with them during lunch.

Unfortunately for me, I sat with her where everyone gave me confused yet peeved looks at me. I don't blame them because I ended what friendship I had with Thomas months ago which included the amnesty with his friends. But, I ignored their looks and refused to give them any sort of explanation for rejoining them. Natalia already knows my reasoning and has always managed to alter their attention to herself or someone else whenever they attempted to start a conversation with me.

"How long are you going to pretend that Cassiel doesn't exist?" I hear Leo asks from my right.

Today, my family had decided to take us on an outing with Natalia so she could enjoy some of California's beautiful places like Sturtevant Falls in Santa Anita Canyon. The falls have a fifty foot height and looks stunning from the moss and algae that's growing on the cliff. The different colors from the water to the greenery surrounding it gives the falls a spectacular view. An excellent place to have a picnic with family and friends during the weekend.

"Until we return home in a couple of months." I answer solemnly as I watch the water falling from the cliffs. How I wish I could show this to Cassiel. . .

"When we return home, we'll never see him again!" Leo whispers harshly so as not to draw attention from our parents no doubt.

"I know. But it's for the best, you know that already." I reply, fixing my attention to him.

"Best for him? Or for you as the future king?" Leo questions in what sounds like an accusation.

"For both. I can't ask him to give up his dreams to study abroad and miss out on all of the experiences college could offer him just so he could be with me. As the future king of our kingdom that our ancestors have reigned for generations, my happiness can not be above the kingdom. My first priority should always be the well being of my kingdom." I explain as I pick a grape from the fruit bowls the servants have provided for our outing.

"You're right, but you never told Cassiel any of this. The poor boy is suffering just by looking at you with Natalia!" Leo exclaims which only brought another stab into my heart.

"I can't do anything about that. He's no longer my concern and I want him to get over me. That way, he can move on and do what he had always planned to do before I came into his life." I lament, refusing to meet his gaze.

"That should have been a decision that the two of you could have agreed on regardless if you have told him about our lineage or not. Who knows? Maybe Cassiel would've thought of a compromise." Leo argues before standing up and leaving me alone with my thoughts.

However, I didn't get much time to think about what Leo said when Sebastian takes his place. Except, he doesn't sit down and is instead standing before me. Either he saw my hushed conversation with Leo or Father wants to speak with me because as much as I want him to enjoy the falls, I know he wouldn't overstep his boundaries with guests around.

"Your father wishes to speak with you, my prince." Sebastian announces in that professionalism tone he has.

"Thank you, Sebastian. I'll go see him right now." I reply then bring myself up from my spot on the ground. "Did he tell you why he wanted to speak with me?"

"He didn't say anything else. Except to meet him by the edge of the water." Sebastian responds while I dust off any dirt or food crumbs on my pants.