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1271 Words
♡ Gabrielle ♡
I open my eyes, and light streams through my closed curtains. I got up, yawning, stretching, and massaging my eyes for sharper eyesight. I open the curtains and wince at the brightness. After some time, I strolled down the stairs to the dining room. When I arrived, all my family had already gathered to enjoy breakfast.
''Good morning,'' Mother greets me.
''Morning,'' I said, beaming.
I sat beside Gabriella, and the maid served me a pancake. I sprinkle syrup on it and immediately consume it.
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I'm in my study room reading when the door opens, exposing Gabriella. She then approached me.
''We should inform them,'' she stated.
I gazed down at my book, thinking about her choice.
''Gabrielle, this will not remain a secret for long,'' she remarked, referring to our mate, then she continued, ''now or never.''
I glanced up at her, and she gave me a desperate expression. I nodded my head in agreement. She runs to me and hugs me.
''Okay, we'll inform them at dinner,'' I replied. Gabriella then nods her head.
''I'll see you at dinner,'' she added as she exited the room.
I slumped down in my chair, overthinking how my parents would react once I told them.
♤ Alexander ♤
I was sleeping peacefully in my bed, the sun pouring through my curtains, forcing me to stir. Then a knock on the door arrived.
''Come in'' I replied.
The door opens, showing the maid. She approaches shyly toward me and bows. Then she stands upright and blushes as she glances at my bare upper torso.
''Your royal highness, y-your breakfast is ready.''
''All right, you may leave,'' I assured her. She departed, and I instantly got off the bed and walked toward my bathroom for a quick shower. After I came out of the shower, I dressed in everyday black attire. And left the room, then proceeded to the dining room.
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I entered the dining room, and my mother was already seated with Clyde (second-born). I proceed to my chair, and the maid pulls out my chair. Then I am instantly seated. The maid serves me a continental breakfast consisting of coffee, yogurt, fruits, and pastries. I then immediately consume it.
''Alexander,'' my mum calls out. I glanced up at her while cutting the pastry.
''Yes?'' I answered.
''We need to resume our recent conversation,'' she stated firmly.
''Mother, I truly don't want to continue that conversation.''
''What conversation?'' Clyde barged in, food in his mouth, gazing at me, then at mother.
''Nothing serious'' I gave him a straight expression.
''It's serious. We'll speak about this in my office,'' my mother said severely.
''What's going on here?'' Violette, my younger sister, questioned while wiping her eyes. It seemed like she got out of bed without bathing or changing her sleepwear. Then she sat alongside our mother. Violette was always lazy and pampered among the three of us.
''Where were you yesterday?'' Mother questioned Violette.
''I was sleeping, and I'm too lazy to dress up in that uncomfortable gown,'' she replied in a sleepy voice.
Mother rolled her eyes. There's nothing she can do about Violette's idleness, and she never gets punished if she misses a gathering.
''I'm gonna go,'' mother eventually said. ''Come to my office later,'' she reminded me.
I nodded, and she exited the room.
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I'm now in my studies, playing chess by myself. Then the door opened, revealing my closest friend, Blaire. She came up to me and then patted my back.
I knew she was going to ask me to train. We both met when we were youngsters. I first saw her when she got into a fight with a guard. I don't know the problem, but she drew my attention while I was wandering the city. Blaire has always been the one to win arguments by fighting rather than communicating to address the problem. When she beat the guard, I was impressed by her skills. And after that, she started fleeing as more guards came approaching her. I attempted to follow her, but the guard grabbed onto me.
I slipped out of the castle the following day to locate the girl. I put on my disguise and tried to seek a hint about where she would have gone. I went a bit further than I intended. I was in a forest. When I was in the middle of strolling, I noticed a rustling sound. I was startled by the sound and located a small cottage in the woods. I stepped ahead and sneakily lurked behind the tree. And I saw the same girl yesterday. She was battling with a hay dummy that I suppose she constructed herself. She was sweating and breathing hard from exhaustion. Her muscles flexed from her sleeveless top. I gently came forward without alerting her. But I was unsuccessful because she quickly glanced toward me and aimed her sword at me. I quickly hand up.
''What are you doing here?'' she said with her deep voice.
''I was strolling around. I needed some hospitality, and I came across your house,'' I lied.
''Oh, I apologize for aiming my blade at you. I'm Blaire,'' she extended her hand.
''Alexander, please meet you.'' I took her hand for a handshake.
''Let's go inside. You must be hungry,'' Blaire suggested.
''Actually, I came here to ask you to train me.''
''Why would I do that?''
''I was amazed by your skill. I saw you yesterday beating the guard.''
''Who are you?'' Blaire questioned.
I scratched my neck and said, '' I'm Alexander, the Prince of The Spade Kingdom.''
She instantly dropped her weapon, making a clinging sound. She bowed to me, kneeling.
''It would be my privilege, your highness. I'll make sure to teach you the best I can.''
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''Let's go to training,'' she said.
''Okay,'' I nodded. I stood up, and we both left the study room and headed to the training area.
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After training with Blair, I headed up to my room and showered. After the shower, I decided to head to my mother's office. I don't enjoy talking about it. However, I still need to negotiate with my mother. There could be another way, maybe someone capable of reigning alongside me. Then I was standing in front of my mother's office and knocked twice on her door.
''Come in,'' she responded.
I opened the door and approached the chair in front of her desk. She looks up, takes her glasses off, and then I sit in front of her.
''Who is it?'' she asked.
''His name is Gabrielle. He's a prince from the Heart Kingdom.''
''The white-haired boy?'' she asked.
''Yes,'' I nodded.
''What's wrong with him?'' she asked.
''He's weak, and he's not capable of leading.''
''You're claiming he's uneducated?'' she murmured with a questioning stare.
''No- what I mean is-''
''Alexander, please-'' she put her hand up to stop me.
''No! Mother, listen to me for once.''
She quite down and crossed her arms, and peered at me with piercing eyes.
''Fine, tell me what you're going to say,'' she sighed.
''Forget about the law. I need a decent partner who can govern alongside me. I need someone that I can depend on. Mother, I'm doing this for our kingdom and the people.'' I pleaded.
She sight and said, ''Fine, bring me anyone you believe is suitable, and invite Gabrielle,''
''What do you need him for?''
''If you believe he's not suitable enough, then I'll make him suitable,'' she stated forcefully.
''Fine, if that's what you wanted,'' I snarled and rushed out of the room.
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