Adored (on hold)

Prologue

Annabelle Bailey had spent her first 3 years out of high school travelling. Her mother believed that she should experience the world before learning to hate it. She spent those 3 years going to tourist locations, immersing herself into varies cultures and meeting new friends along the way. Unforgettable memories were formed as well as moments she'd rather regret, but she wouldn't trade her trip around the world for anything.

So, at the ripe age of 22, Annabelle had found a somewhat secure job working at a little boutique in London while sometimes working the various odd jobs around the busiling city. After seeing the world and it's wonders she had decided on calling the calm but busy city of London her home. Annabelle preferred the exciting attractions of other countries to be reserved as holiday destinations rather than a day to day life style. You know what they say, too much of something is bad enough ... or something like that.

Her living wasn't much and she definitely didn't have any direction, but it felt right. Every time she thought of "appropriate" career choices they didn't interest her or just didn't feel right. Although it may seem childish and lazy, Annabelle preferred to live in comfort rather than dread of the next deadline or even a simple Monday.

Annabelle wasn't necessarily spontaneous but she wasn't very organised either. She liked to know what she was doing that week, maybe even month if she was feeling particularly mature. However, if someone asked her how she saw her self next year? She wouldn't be able to answer. She preferred to call it "seizing every opportunity within reason". This lifestyle enabled her to live a life full of passion and fun while also not preventing any future plans.

At 24, Annabelle Bailey was content with her life and to her, the future is never planned but always inevitable.

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The royals have always been the epitome of grace and leadership.

Although throughout the years they have been involved in their fair share of scandals, when thinking of the word 'royal', high society always come to mind. In order to be apart of said "high society" one must be sworn to secrecy. Even a small secret such as an officer sleeping on duty to a distant royal family member's affair, your lips should be sealed. Of course every now and then, intel is leaked through nosy low level staff looking for a bit of extra cash, but the royals prefer to keep their private lives private. And for the most part they are.

That was until one day a very very distant member of the royal family by the name of Stephanie Braker decided her status as a royal wasn't enough. She had started with little stories here and there to build her credibility. Then she dropped a bomb that would shock the nation.

It was revealed that the immediate royal family had an oddity among their bloodline. Only the children of the heir to the throne possessed a "soulmate". Mate for short.

From the birth it was written in the stars that another person would be the one they were destined to love and eventually marry. They could be from any walk of life, social standing or race, all that mattered is that they where the perfect match for their respective royal.

Once this news became public, all hell broke loose.

Some where up in arms about concealment of a potentially "threatening species". (How much of a threat could ridiculously gorgeous men and women pose to the world other than killing dreams once they found their mate?) Others rushed to the palace in hopes of being recognised as the current princes mate.

Of course this caused varies dramas left right and centre but that's a story for another time.

That was years ago now but the world hasn't forgotten. Especially all young girls within the age range of prince Nicholas.

All dream to be the one whom is mated to the prince. Who wouldn't? The cliche prince and the pauper was ingrained in their heads. To become a princess overnight and be practically married to a handsome prince was a dream come true. Also the idea of having a soulmate was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Still, at the age of 25 he still hadn't found the one. Not for a lack of trying. He'd been trying for the past 9 years.

In what felt like the 183649th attempt to find said mate, he went around the world visiting each country in search of them. The trip was disguised as a way for him to get accustomed with the other nations which he would soon be dealing with when he became king. Of course many could see the real reasoning.

He went from city to city, country to country and continent to continent, growing progressively saddened by each failed attempt. Nonetheless, he continued his search for the one and tried to no give up on his destined as he knew once they were found, all would fall into place.

He couldn't help but want destiny to hurry up however because he had a future to live.