The Playboy Prince and His Princess

Four

Dominic took a look around. His parents had a steely glare on their faces and James wouldn't even meet his eyes. He started to get confused. He didn't remember doing something wrong so he couldn't imagine what would prompt this behavior from them.

“What do we have to talk about that's so important that you dragged me all the way here for?"

“Dominic, we're not going to beat about the bush", his father started, “you're getting married soon".

Immediately, Dominic burst into wild laughter but stopped when he noticed that no one was laughing with him. He was starting to realize that they might actually be serious.

“You're not actually serious, are you?" he asked for clarification.

“Yes Dominic we are", his mother answered.

He looked back at James but James still wouldn't meet his eyes. He knew then that they were dead serious.

“Wait a minute", he started, “where did all this come from? Getting married? To who? Why?"

His mother sighed. “Dominic, you're not getting any younger–"

“Yeah but I'm still too young to get married", he said cutting her off.

“But you're not too young to start acting like the responsible crown prince we want you to be", his father replied.

“And how's getting married going to change that?"

“Alexa is a fine young woman, beautiful, kind, charming and most importantly responsible. We're sure being with her will help you become the prince you were always meant to be", his mother said.

Dominic could not believe his ears. He went through his mind, trying to see if he could remember any Alexa's that his parents would think was responsible enough to fix him but he couldn't come up with any.

“Who's Alexa ?" he asked slowly dreading what she'd say.

“She's the princess of Gavaria".

His eyes widened. A princess? The last thing he wanted was to get married but what made it even worse was that it was probably to some stuck up princess. Could his life get any worse?

“You can't do this", he pleaded, “I'm not ready to get married yet. You can't make me do this. Please".

“I'm sorry Dominic but the decision has been made".

“You can't make me", he said as he turned to leave.

“If you don't agree to this, you'll be cut off", his father said stopping him in his tracks.

He turned slowly to face them. “You can't do that".

“I can and I will".

He and his father were locked in a staring competition. His father was a proud man and he would not back down for his son.

Eventually, Dominic took his eyes away and left. He went straight to his room, making sure to slam the door.

Not a moment longer, the door opened again and James walked in.

“I'm sorry man", he said.

“You knew about this, didn't you?" Dominic asked glaring at his friend.

“I wanted to tell you but your parents forbade me".

Dominic rolled his eyes. “I wonder if your loyalty is to my parents or to me", he muttered.

He dropped his head into his hands. “What am I going to do?" he asked no one in particular.

He felt the bed dip beside him and knew that James had taken a seat beside him.

“I hate to say it but you don't exactly have a choice in this. Your parents must have been mulling this over for a long time because when they told me about it yesterday, I could already see that their minds were already made up".

“So you're saying I'm stuck marrying some stuck up princess?"

“Well yeah, except you don't mind being cut off from the family".

Dominic raised his head up to glare at James. The latter raised his hands in surrender.

“I'm screwed", Dominic said, running a hand through his hair.

“Not quite. I did a little research on the princess and you might actually like her. I mean she's not really your type but you might find her interesting". James brought out his phone then, bringing up the articles and pictures he had found about her.

They weren't a lot though so he figured she must keep a very low profile. He had to do quite a lot of digging to be able to find the ones he did.

Dominic went through them. She was pretty, for a brunette. He didn't exactly fancy them and in some pictures, she even wore glasses. The last thing he needed was a nerdy princess.

He read through the articles and found himself getting more and more annoyed. She seemed like a very nice person, the people's princess, the one who attended balls, charity functions, kissed babies and all that s**t.

No wonder his parents chose her for him to marry. From what he had read, she was definitely the joy of every royal family.

He couldn't imagine himself with someone like her. They had absolutely nothing in common. She'd probably try to change him which in all fairness, was what his parents wanted but he wasn't ready to change. He wasn't ready to deal with life yet.

He handed the phone back to James. “I don't like her", he said.

James rolled his eyes. “You haven't even met her yet. You can't just conclude that from a couple of articles and pictures".

“Yes I can. She's everything I'm not and this whole marriage thing is a disaster waiting to happen".

“Well you don't exactly have a choice. So you might as well start trying to like her", James said.

Dominic looked at his friend in anger. He knew he was right but he wasn't exactly ready to listen. He stood from the bed.

“I'm heading outside. Don't follow me", he said as he opened the door and left.

He went straight to the gardens where a familiar face brought a smile to his lips.

She hadn't seen him yet so he tiptoed behind her and covered her eyes with his hands.

“I know it's you Derek", his sister, Daphne said. He laughed. “Oh really?" he said before dropping his hands.

Daphne turned back and squealed on seeing him. “Dominic", she screamed, getting up to hug him.

He wrapped his arms around her. He was as happy to see her as she was to see him. “Hey Daphne", he greeted when they pulled back.

Daphne was his sister and youngest sibling and therefore the baby of the family. She was fifteen years old and the most identical to him. She had blonde hair like him and his exact shade of green eyes. They were features they both shared with their mom.

Derek, on the other hand was the spitting image of their dad. He was his immediate younger brother. He was nineteen and had brown hair and hazel eyes.

“When did you get back?" Daphne asked her brother.

“I actually just got back", he answered.

“How come you didn't tell me or Derek?"

“Because I didn't expect that I'd be coming home today either. It just sprang up on me too".

Daphne nodded. “Well I'm glad you're here. Tell me all about your trip".

She pulled his hand and dragged him to sit. Dominic laughed to himself. He couldn't exactly tell her what he got up to in his trips but he told her some.

He told her about his parties, his beaches, and all the things he liked to do for fun, except his escapades with girls.

Daphne looked intrigued. Between her and Derek, he always felt like she'd be the one most likely to end up like him although the idea of her sleeping with guys the way he slept with girls, repulsed him so he hoped she didn't end up like him.

Sometime during their discussion, Derek walked out. His eyes lit up on seeing his older brother.

He walked quickly towards them. “Dominic", he called excitedly as he got to them. Dominic stood up to hug him.

“Hey little brother", he greeted fondly.

“I knew you were coming back today but I didn't know you were already here. How come nobody told me?" he asked no one in particular.

“I actually got back not too long ago. That's probably why".

Derek nodded in understanding.

“Not that I'm not happy to see you but why are you here so suddenly?"

“Yeah, why are you here all of a sudden?" Daphne added.

Dominic huffed. “You mean mom and dad didn't tell you?"

His siblings looked at each other then back at him, confusion written all over their faces.

“Tell us what?" Derek asked.

“Of course they wouldn't tell you. They wouldn't want you to warn me", he muttered to himself although it was loud enough for both of them to hear him.

“They want me to get married!"

The way the looks on their faces turned into those of surprise was so funny that he had to laugh even though the entire situation wasn't funny at all.

“They want you to what?" they exclaimed in unison.

He nodded, going back to sit on the bench.

Derek and Daphne followed after him, sitting down too.

“You can't be serious", Daphne said after she was able to get back her bearings.

“I wish it was a joke but it's not".

“But why?" Derek asked.

“Because Derek, they think that will help turn me responsible".

The three of them stayed silent for a while after that.

“What are you going to do?" Daphne finally asked, breaking the silence.

“I don't know", he answered sighing, “they're threatening to cut me off if I don't agree".

Dominic couldn't imagine what his life would be like if his parents cut him off. Sure he didn't exactly like the responsibilities that came with being crown prince but it also came with a lot of perks that he wasn't willing to let go.

If he got cut off, he'd lose everything. He'd have to get a job, he'd lose his siblings and he didn't know how he'd survive. So being cut off just wasn't in the cards for him.

He looked at his siblings. Daphne looked worried for him. She was always the more empathetic child. Derek just looked to be in thought. He was the smartest of them and sometimes, even though he'd never admit it to anyone, he wished Derek was the first born so he'd be crown prince.

Derek was smart, responsible, kind, generous, he was crown prince material and even though his parents had never said it, he knew they wished they could make him crown prince instead.

He didn't exactly blame them though. Derek would make a perfect king someday. He wasn't afraid of making big decisions and he was very selfless, he was the opposite of his brother. It was a wonder they got along so well.

“I have an idea", Derek said suddenly. Dominic and Daphne looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Okay so we know that we won't be able to change mom and dad's minds when it's made up but what if we reach a compromise with them?"

“What kind of compromise?"

“Arranged marriages aren't something that's really common these days. Most parents want their kids to be happy which means they had to be desperate for them to suggest it".

“Where are you going with this Derek?" Daphne asked before he could.

“I'm sure mom and dad would still want you to be happy. What if, instead of getting married, they allow you to spend some time with this girl, see how compatible you both are, chances are that you won't be. I'm sure they won't force you to still get married especially if they see that it's a disastrous union waiting to happen".

Dominic thought that idea through. Derek actually had a point. Even if his parents didn't care, he was sure the princess' parents would. He was also sure that he wasn't going to get along with Alexa at all. They had nothing in common. Maybe he wasn't doomed yet. He had to go propose that idea to his parents.

He stood up in a rush. “Thank you Derek. I owe you one big time", he said as he sped off.

“Do you think mom and dad will agree?" Daphne asked Derek.

“I hope so Daphne. I really hope so".

Author's note: Hey people, this is to notify you that I'll be changing the title of the book from The royal arrangement to The Playboy prince and his princess based on advise I have gotten.

I hope you don't get confused when you see it. It's the same book just with a different title.

Also, I was supposed to start daily updates this month but I'm really swarmed with school so I'll try to update every other day if I can't update every day. Thanks for the continuous support.

~Tonia