My Prince?

Of All the People...

The next day, Anthony and I spent the entire day out in the city visiting museums and parks. We went to a horse race and ate at the fanciest restaurant I had ever been to. We laughed and talked the entire time. When the sun began to set, Anthony took me back to the bench.

"You know you never answered my question yesterday. Will you stay with me?" he said staring into his eyes.

"You mean stay here, in this country?" I asked.

He nodded and smiled.

"Look, Anthony, I really like you. I really do. Its just, I have a family and friends back in America. I can't just drop everything and stay here. My family would miss me and I would miss them. I have plans. I want to go to college and start my career. I can't complete those plans here. I mean, its my dream." I said avoiding his eyes.

He lifted my head up to look him in the eyes. "You can always find a new dream."

He pulled me in to kiss me, but I turned away.

"I can't just get a new dream, I have been planning this for years." I said.

"I understand. Just promise me one thing." he said seriously. "Never forget me."

"I promise." I said. He kissed me and we sat on the bench for a while. Suddenly Alexander's warning drifted through my thoughts.

Relationships never work out with the prince.

It was true.

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The next morning I got up to go to breakfast with Anthony. I walked out into the hallway and froze. There was Anthony...

kissing a maid.

I felt a catch in my throat. They stopped kissing and Anthony turned to see me. I could feel the hot tears start to trickle out of the corner my eyes. His eyes widened in sudden realization.

"Laura, I-" he started.

"How could you! I trusted you! You said I was special! You liar!" I took of running through the hallways.

I ran and ran through complicated twists and turns. I found a dark room and went in and closed the door. I turned my back to the door and slid down to the floor. I brought my knees to my chest and cried.

I thought about what Alexander said. He was right. I could faintly hear Anthony yelling my name. I shut my eyes and shook my head. I heard rapid footsteps rush by the door. I got up and reached for the door knob. The door then opened to show Alexander.

He looked at me and frowned. He then did the unexpected. He pulled me into a hug. I then let loose another torrent of tears.

"Why are you being nice to me, Alexander?" I asked between sobs.

"Just call me Alex." he said. "Because I knew someone who went through this pain too."

"Who?" I asked weakly.

"My sister. He claimed that he loved her, and he broke her heart. I hated him afterwards. I watched him break heart after heart. It was awful. Not only that, he messes around with the maids. If they tell the king or queen, he threatens to fire them. Its sick." he said sadly. "But something about you was different. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but he treated you differently. I tried to warn you. For some reason, I didn't want you to get hurt."

I looked up at him. "Why?"

"I-I think-"

"Laura!" Anthony yelled suddenly.

I looked at him. He was smiling.

"I'm so glad I found you. I needed to explain, that maid just suddenly-"

"Don't even try it!" Alex yelled at him. "I've already told her everything she needs to know. She isn't going to fall for any of your tricks."

"Laura, you're not going to let him talk to me like that, right?" He said stepping around Alex. He reached out to touch me. Suddenly, Alex punched him. The prince staggered back.

"Don't you even think about touching her!" Alex yelled infuriated.

The prince straightened his posture and looked at Alex smugly. "I see what's going on here. Do you, Laura? I think Alex is jealous."

Alex tensed. "I-I just..."

"Oh my God. Don't tell me. You've fallen for her, haven't you?"

Alex looked at the ground then over at me. I stood with my mouth with my mouth wide. Trying to take in everything that had just been said.