The Playboy Prince and His Princess

Five

Alexa sat on her bed the next day, filled with mixed feelings. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad at the comprise they had managed to come to with her parents.

After they had called her brother, he had done exactly as he had said and came almost immediately. He was also unaware about the situation as their parents hadn't told him before hand.

He was furious with them for even considering the idea of marrying his sister off much less going forward with it.

But as much as he complained, yelled and argued, his the minds of his parents had been made and the hope that had filled Alexa on his arrival had quickly been dashed.

She really couldn't imagine herself getting married at 21, much less to a complete stranger and she couldn't believe her parents would make her do it.

They were even trying to guilt trip her by telling her how it was her duty as a princess to put the needs of the kingdom before her own.

She wished they could see things the way she did. All her life, she had been taught how to be the perfect princess and she had no problems following the rules.

She loved being a princess and she loved the perks that came with it. She loved her people and her country and she would do anything for them but just this once, she wanted to do something for herself, for her own happiness.

She tried explaining that to her parents but they wouldn't listen. She had never been more angry about anything in her life. It's like they were under some sort of spell. In fact, if magic existed, she'd believe that was exactly what was wrong with her parents. She had never known them to be this inconsiderate with her feelings.

It was suddenly like she didn't matter to them, like all they cared about was the kingdom. They even tried to persuade her by telling her that by marrying the prince that she'd actually have a shot at being queen.

She had always known she wasn't going to rule and she had made peace with that a long time ago. She didn't care about being queen especially if she was the queen of some stranger.

Later though, when she, Max and Courtney were strategizing on what to do next, Max got an idea, it was a long shot but at that point they were all out of ideas and it was worth a try.

It took a lot of convincing from all three of them but they were finally able to reach a common ground with the king and queen.

They knew there was no getting their mind off the marriage so they came to an agreement. Instead of getting married right away, they'd give her 3 months to get to know the prince.

Alexa would see if she was compatible with the prince, if she could stand to spend the rest of her life with him, which she was sure she wouldn't be able to.

They were able to make her parents see reason that even if she married him and it was a complete disaster, the union would break up leaving the kingdom right where it started.

It took a while but her parents were able to see reason with them on that idea and they had agreed.

So now, Alexandra had three months to prove to her parents that they were making a terrible decision. She didn't think that would be hard to do.

She and Courtney had googled the prince and he was the complete opposite of what would be considered her type.

Sure he was cute, or at least Courtney thought he was, but he was a playboy.

From what she found out, he was an arrogant, pompous i***t, who thought he was all that because he had a pretty face and was lucky enough to be born into a royal family.

She couldn't believe his family expected her to fix him. She wasn't a miracle worker and she had no idea what they expected her to do.

She sighed loudly. Courtney, who was in her room with her, looked up from her phone.

“What?" she asked.

“I can't believe I'm going to have to deal with the playboy prince for three whole months. The thought of hanging with him alone makes me lose brain cells", Alexa answered, using her fingers to massage her temples.

“He can't be that bad. On the plus side, you'll have a very nice view of a very handsome guy".

Alexa raised a perfectly arched brow at her friend.

“Should you even be commenting on how handsome a guy is when you're engaged?"

Courtney scoffed. “I'm engaged Alexa, not blind".

Alexa rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Anyway, I don't even think he's hot. He seems to always have this arrogant smirk on and he doesn't have a good reason to. He's not all that. He's a disgrace of a prince and his parents are sick of him, they want to make him my problem".

“Alexa!" Courtney chided, “that was really harsh not to mention mean and so not like you. I know you're not happy to lose three months of your time to him but you don't have to call him names. Chances are, if he's as much of an irresponsible playboy as the tabloids say, then he probably hates this as much as you do".

Alexa, knowing that her friend was right, didn't say anything for a couple of seconds. “Besides, he's not my type anyway".

Courtney burst into laughter then. “Oh yeah princess, and who is your type? Edward?".

“As a matter of fact, yes", she replied with a smug look.

Courtney just shook her head at her friends antics. Love really was blind. She had seen Edward lots of times and she hadn't even met the prince yet but she knew who the more attractive guy was.

She thought it was a shame how Alexa's feelings for Edward clouded her judgement. She'd let her figure it out for herself though.

From the pictures she had seen, the prince oozed charm, she could only imagine how it must feel like to be standing in front of him.

“Hey, speaking of Edward", Courtney started, breaking the silence that had formed, “have you broken up with him yet?"

Alexa whipped her head to look at her so fast, she probably got whiplash. “No. Why would I?"

Courtney looked at her like it was obvious. “Because, you're going to be dating someone else for three months. You can't exactly date both of them".

“It's not like I'm dating the prince. I'm just getting to know him so I can prove to my parents that they're making a terrible mistake".

“Isn't that dating?"

“Nope".

Courtney sighed. Sometimes, her friend could be so stubborn.

“What if you find out during the three months that you actually get along with the prince. The deal wasn't for you guys to fall in love, it was for you to see if you could stand each other and live amicably as future king and queen", Courtney pointed out.

“That's not going to happen Court", Alexa disagreed.

“And how do you know?"

“Because, we're too different. The two of us together, we'd be a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I'm sure of it", Alexa replied matter of factly.

“Ever heard that opposites attract?" Courtney inquired.

“Not in this case they won't".

Courtney sighed again. There was no reasoning with Alexa when she got her mind fixated on something. She was just like her parents when it came to that. Actually, she was just like her parents on a lot of things but now wasn't the best time to point that out.

“Anyway, have you at least told Edward? Even if you're not going to break up with him, he should at least know what's going on".

Alexa sighed. She knew she had to do that but she had been putting it off because she was nervous.

She knew how she'd feel if the tables were turned and Edward was the one who had to break something like this to her.

She'd get mad, furious, upset, sad, jealous and she'd probably do or say something she'd regret later.

She didn't know how she'd break the news to Edward. He had a bit of a temper and she knew it wouldn't be easy.

She had been debating telling him at all. After all, it wasn't like she was actually going to date the prince. It was more of a business arrangement, a royal arrangement if you will and there would be no romantic feelings involved.

Everytime she thought in that direction, her conscience always pricked her and the more rational part of her knew that Edward deserved to know.

The only problem was that the more rational part of her, was also the more cowardly part of her.

“Judging from the rainbow of emotions that just flickered over your face, I'm guessing you haven't told him", Courtney said bringing Alexa out of her thoughts.

“I'm too scared to tell him. I don't know how he'll take it".

“If he really loves you, he'll understand", Courtney said, letting the sarcasm drip from her voice.

She didn't actually believe that Edward loved Alexa. In fact, she felt there was something off with him, she just couldn't put her finger on it.

“I know you're being sarcastic Court but I'm going to ignore it because you're right. If Edward does love me, which he does, he will understand. Especially since this isn't my fault and it's completely out of my hands", Alexa said.

Courtney nodded. She was too tired to say anything. Turns out she didn't need to because Alexa continued.

“I should tell him tonight or tomorrow maybe. I can invite him over to the palace and gently break the news to him", she said although it seemed like she was talking more to herself than to Courtney.

**************

Max paced around his room. He was very disappointed in his parents for the decision they took and he was angry that there was nothing he could do to change their minds.

He felt bad for his sister. He could imagine if his parents had forced him to marry someone else when he was in love with Courtney.

He wouldn't have agreed. He'd gladly give up his crown and his throne if that ever happened.

As much as he disliked Edward, she made his sister happy and he knew that she was very unhappy now with the situation on ground.

He wished there was something he could do to change the situation but his parents were stubborn. He could only hope that those three months turn out well for her.

She deserved to be happy, no matter where that happiness came from and he was going to do everything he could to make that possible.

**************

The two girls where still in Alexa's room when a guard came to inform them that her parents requested her presence.

She was tempted to just ignore it but she knew she couldn't. Reluctantly, she went to meet them.

“You called?" she said on reaching them. She wasn't happy with them and wasn't really interested in what they had to say. She was only here out of common courtesy and respect.

“Yes" her mother said, taking a sip from her cup, “we wanted to inform you to get ready. You're meeting prince Dominic next week".