Hidden Secrets

Chapter Five

Turns out, the queen had no idea about Mehdi's situation. Their conversation was about the announcement of marriage to the public. The queen explained that it was going to happen in a week or so and was going to be broadcasted over the royal channel for the townspeople that had a television.

For the next couple of weeks, it was purely chaotic. Servants, butlers, and maids ran around the palace, getting everything ready for the report. Meanwhile, the prince and princess hung out more, trying to convince that they were lovers, but there was always something off. Every time a certain guard would be on duty, Mehdi would get all flustered.

Of course, nobody knew—or noticed for that matter—why the prince would get flustered, but Princess Reyan had a feeling and was nowhere near stupid. She saw the looks shared between the prince and that guard from across the room. And then there was the sexual tension that entered the room when both boys were there. She started noticing it during broadcasting.

Reyan was wearing a sapphire blue off-the-shoulder gown that hugged her curves and fluttered out at the waist. She was sitting next to Prince Mehdi, who seemed fidgety. To the right of him, two throne chairs were placed on the stage but were left empty since the king and queen were conversing with the broadcaster.

Reyan knew how this was going to go. The cameras would turn on, signalling the royal report chime, recording for everyone to see. She turned to look at Mehdi, who had the same expression before he left the dining table that one morning. He told her that he doesn't like the attention, which was ironic because he is the Prince of Arowdor. But this time, she completely understands him because who wants to lie in front of the whole kingdom, or, have a secret that could destroy the kingdom's reputation.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked Mehdi.

"As long as I don't throw up on camera," he responded.

Reyan gave a half-hearted laugh. "Ah, I'm sure you'll be alright. All you're saying is that you're engaged to me—the Princess of Panlea—and then you're done. It's as simple as that!"

Mehdi was about to reply, but someone caught his eye. It was Theo. He was watching over the room when he felt a sense of someone watching him. His eyes scanned the room, searching for the source. Theo's eyes landed on a certain chestnut, who was staring right back at him. He gave a little smile and turned his attention back to the room.

Reyan was waiting for a response, but when nothing came, she glanced back at Mehdi, noticing the gazing of his eyes, and followed his line of sight, which led to that guard, and smirked.

"So, what's his name?" she asked. Mehdi wrenched his gaze from Theo and back towards Reyan, a blush creeping up his neck.

"Theodore Harwood."

"That's Theodore? The one you drool over?" she teased.

"I do not drool over him," he objected. "And yes, that is Theo."

Reyan tilted her head to the side to study Theo more clearly. "You got pretty good taste."

Mehdi wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but he thanked her anyway.

The broadcaster was signalling for everyone to sit down so they could cue the cameras. The chime played and the logo popped on the screen. The king stood from his chair to stand in front of the recording camera and started speaking.

"Today, we are gathered here to tell you an important message. Queen Kara and I have arranged a marriage for our son," the king explained, bringing a hand out towards Mehdi, signalling for him to come up front. The prince swallowed hard as he stood from his chair and made his way towards his father. As he stood in front of the camera, he tried not to show any nerves.