Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 3

She had guts. Reluctantly Philip admitted that to himself. With Emily's condition of two weeks, the Royals found themselves at a loose end. Grandmamma was insistent that if she agreed, she was to return with them.

The heat confined his grandmother to her room which left him to roam the city as he pleased. Of course his guards would have a stroke if they realised he actually wasn't in spa or in his room. He wore jeans and a thin hoodie and walked around just like anybody else. As much as he wanted to just walk the streets and take in the city, he found himself looking up the girl's place of work. He told himself he was just doing the tourist thing. It was just a coincidence that she happened to work in the same mall he was headed.

She looked neat in her unobtrusive black suit, smiling and bowing as customers bought outfits that were completely unsuited to them. She praised, she cajoled and joked her way through her sales. He walked away after a while. Curious or not, he had better things to do than watch a girl sell clothes.

Back at the hotel later that evening, he was startled when he almost ran into her in the lobby. Wearing frayed jeans and a voluminous tshirt she sauntered up to the front desk. They greeted her and she launched into a conversation in Thai. Then the lady behind the counter picked up the phone, "Mr Norris? A Miss Stylianou here to meet you. Yes, sir, in the lobby."

Cool as you please she seated herself while she waited. There wasn't a suitable hiding spot close to where she was sitting so he had to content himself by finding a potted plant all the way across the lobby.

Mr Norris didn't keep her waiting long.

"Good afternoon Ms Stylianou," he sat down next to her.

"Emily, please." She smiled brightly at him even as her fingers twisted in her lap.

"What can I do for you?"

"I am bursting with questions and I've nominated you to answer them." She grinned at him and Philip marveled when marble faced Norris smiled back.

"Would you like some coffee?" She nodded and Mr Norris ordered. "Well then, go ahead."

"All right. First question. Are all the other women in Miionis dead?"

Mr Norris laughed. "That was not the first question I was expecting. But to answer your question, no they are all alive and for the most part, well."

"Well then what's wrong with your Prince?"

"Nothing."

"Then why can't he find someone suitably influential and to his liking back home? He's a Prince, surely, he's got the ladies lining up for him."

"You should probably ask him that."

"What I'm trying to ask Sir, is why me?"

"I'm sure there are many other women from rich families who can take on this Stylianou mafia." Norris chuckled at the description. "I find it amazing that so much importance is being given to a marriage to a no name shop girl in Bangkok."

"Strangely enough it does. You're the only girl of marriageable age in your family right now."

"But it defies logic. I bring nothing but a genetic connection which is not honoured. What's the guarantee that this man will stop being a nuisance just because I'm there and related to him?"

"You're right. He will not stop. But it will force him to be more cautious. You will learn more about our ways should you come, but what you need to understand is that the Queen is old and Prince Philip's claim to the throne is being contested."

"Why?"

"A complex question. I wouldn't know where exactly to start. And I will refrain from saying too much before you consent. It wouldn't be right for me to talk about private family matter unless you are, of course, family."