A Royal Deal

Chapter 1

Click. Clack. Click. Clack

The sound of my $25 heels hitting 1,000 year old glistening white marble echoed through out the main corridor that lead to the Prince's Study. 

The prince had never been out of the palace or it's grounds alone without his formal guard to accompany him. This was his home. For the royal family all floors were marble, what else would they be? All stair railings were of the best mahogany, carved and polished so that it shined. Generations of family members, past royal portraits were painted in oils and hung in gold frames along the corridor. Nothing ever got dirty - more so the maid staff never allowed it to do so.

Then there is me. I am not a maid no. I am oh-so-lucky enough to be given the privileged of being the Prince's personal secretary. How that happened even I am not too sure. When you are desperate enough for a job at the lovely age of 22, and fast food just isn't cutting it. A job at the castle sounds very tempting. Till you get stuck with this asshole.

I reach up to his study, and knock 3 times. I pause and wait for a response. 

"Enter". His familiar rough voice echoed and vibrated through the door. I pushed the heavy door open into the room. The study that was probably 4 times bigger than any bedroom I could dream of opened in front of me. A large fire place is lit in the far wall to balance out the 12 degree (F) weather that can be felt near any entrance or window.

The only sound is the crackling of the fire and the tick of the clock on the far wall as it aims closely to 8:27 am.

"I have you schedule for the day sir." The words leave my mouth as I turn the page on my planner to today's date. I don't dare look up at him to "watch my manners around royalty". 

I hesitate waiting for some form of indication for me to continue reading for what is to be accomplished for the Prince today. When he makes no sound indication of acknowledgment, and glance up at him. 

The 24 year old Prince is standing slightly leaning into the large ornate window with what seems like a world of thoughts passing his eyes. The morning sun is glowing on his olive tanned skin making him glow. With his strong features, picture perfect physique, and perfect height, Prince Xander. 

I cough slightly to get his attention, "Uhm, Prince Xander?". He jumps slightly coming back to reality, as his golden eyes dart over to me. I look back down at the planner in my hands under his intense gaze. 

"Sophie." He pauses, "Why are you here?" He asks in his low yet orotund voice.

I clear my throat before speaking, "I am here per-usual to read you schedule for the d-"

"No," He cuts me off. "Why are you working in the palace. Why aren't you I don't know swimming with dolphins, finding a cure for cancer, or I don't know on a date with some guy. Yet you are here." I look back up and catch his gaze. I was beginning to get caught in his strong stare by the gold flecks in his eyes. "Why." He finishes exasperatedly. 

"I-I uhm." I don't know what to say. What do I tell him. I have been alone since I was a teen? That all I've done is work to support myself and my cat? That I am just here for money and to have a solid job for myself.

Before I utter anything else, Xander removes himself from the window frame and walks to the opposing side of the room which was covered with a 12ft wall full of books , and began sitting in one of the red plush chairs. "Did you know I spent 24 years of my life behind marble bars, and I have accomplished nothing?"

"But sir," I interject. " What about the things you did for the people. You got rid of the intruders on the north mountain, helped the others on the far side of the valley with their crops, you signed checks for the orphanage just a few weeks ago!" 

He stares at me blankly. I look back down in submission. " I apologize for speaking out of tongue my prince." I slightly lower my head. 

"Don't do that." I look back up and meet his gaze. "I am not worth being called your Prince, or anything for that matter. My father did those things. The council did those things. Me on the other hand? I am just a face to the image of the royal family."

He sits at his study desk his head falling to his hands in a deep sigh. "Do you know what it's like, to be known around the world, but have never accomplished a thing. For never doing anything."

I scuff. How terrible

"Excuse me?" My body freezes.

"I-I mean uhm" I stutter out.

"Clearly you have something to say. Let it out." He looks at me waiting to continue.

"I am just saying sir. It definitely doesn't sound like such a harsh life living here. You have what, unlimited women, money, and food in this gorgeous palace? That sounds like such a hard life." I don't drop my gaze from him. He has no right to complain over what he has handed to him. 

He gets up from the chair and in 3 long strides is right in front of me. I stand my ground to him, tilting my head up to still meet his eyes. 

"You have no idea what it's like being trapped here under lock and key! I can't-" He swipes a hand through his wavy chestnut hair. "I can't handle it anymore".

" You 'can't handle' it?" I snarl putting my hand up to air quote. "You aren't struggling or stressing. You have the world at the tips of your polished fingers. You don't have to worry if you will have a place to stay in a month, or if you will meal at the end of the day. You don't know how hard it is to go home hoping you have power, and if not that you did laundry so you can put on 17 layers of sweaters and hopefully not freeze to death!" I yell dropping the schedule onto the floor and throwing my hands in the air exasperated.  "and you think I don't get it Prince Xander?"

A spark comes to his golden eyes. He raises his hands onto my shoulders clasping on both sides. "Fine, then show me. I want that struggle. I want to work to get what I want. To pay for my meal. I just want to. to" He tries to find the right words, " I want..to live."

Without a second thought, "I will not help you with anything. I am here to work, earn money, and leave. That is all. Not help in your 'I'm so unfortunate wah help me fits' no your highness. That is NOT my job". I try to pull out from his grasps, but instead he tightens his grip.

"One month. $10,000. That is all I am asking for. Give me one month."

He tightens his grip on my shoulder. My mouth gapes like a fish as I look up at him. He is staring hard making sure to not break eye contact. After a moments thought, I relax my body under his grasp and he automatically puts his hands down. 

I pull a strand of my brown hair behind my ear. Looking at him. What happened to the ruthless, playing, asshole that I've had the dread of knowing for the last year. Why do all I see is-

 "Fine. One month. That is it. I get my money and you get to..live whatever that means".

A bright smile stretches across Prince Xander's face. It's hard to tear away from the amount of relief and happiness that stretched to his eyes.

"You won't regret it Sophie, I promise!" He directs his boyish grin at me.

Why do I have a feeling I am going to regret this.

~

WOW I did a lil short story blurb thing for the first time. I am not sure how this is going to go. I was not going to continue it at all, but I thought this was cool to try out. I got the inspiration when watching a documentary about Princess Diana! (although this reminds me more of Charles than anyone else >.>)

Please let me know what you think, what I should fix. I am still very new to this all! Thank you!