The Playboy Prince and His Princess

Three

“What?!!" Alexa exclaimed. Her mom sighed, pinching her nose. “I know it's sudden but we wouldn't be asking this of you if it wasn't important", she said.

Alexa was dumbfounded. Her parents had just told her that she was going to get married to someone that wasn't Edward, her boyfriend.

She hadn't been able to form a coherent sentence since they told her. She had just been opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

Nothing in her entire 21 years of life had surprised her as much as the bomb her parents just dropped on her.

Courtney on her part, just stood there feeling very awkward and wishing she had just stayed inside. She felt conflicted so she kept quiet.

On one hand, she wanted to support her best friend because she could imagine how it must feel to be told you'd have to marry a complete stranger and she knew she wouldn't stand for it especially if since she was already involved with someone else.

Courtney didn't particularly like Edward, she didn't trust him but Alexa was smitten with him and she tolerated him because he made her happy. She couldn't imagine how Alexa must be feeling hearing how she can't be with him because she has to marry something else.

She couldn't quite voice her opinions though, because she couldn't go against the queen and king. Other than being the rulers of the kingdom, they were also her future parents-in-law and she wanted to remain in their good books. So, as conflicted as she was, she remained silent.

Finally, Alexa was able to find her speech. “Mom, dad, please tell me you're joking. Please tell me I'm not going to have to get married to someone I don't even know".

Her voice was eerily calm. It was betraying the turmoil that was going on in her heart. Her parents would never joke about something like this, she knew that but she still hoped.

“I'm afraid not", her father answered simply, “it's what's best for the kingdom. We're going bankrupt everyday and you know this. Your marriage with Prince Dominic is going to prevent that from happening. You marrying him would strengthen the bonds between both our kingdoms especially after everything that has happened in the past and—"

“Why is it my job to fix the rift between the kingdoms?" Alexa yelled, furiously blinking back tears from her eyes. She was angry, furious, upset and sad.

“Because you're a royal, the princess of the kingdom and it's our job to do what's best for it", her father replied with a steely glare in his eyes.

As much as he loved his daughter, he would not tolerate any form of disrespect from her and he was doing his best to reign his anger in.

“Well I didn't ask to be princess", Alexa replied, “you're asking me to do what's best for the kingdom but what about what's best for me? Don't I matter? I love Edward and I don't want to marry anyone else".

“Well sometimes, we royals have to make hard decisions and that includes marrying people we don't love if it means that the kingdom survives", he thundered.

Alexa looked at him with unshed tears in her eyes. She looked at her mother, pleading with her eyes for her to intervene, to say something that would save her from this but her mother wouldn't meet her eyes and that was when she knew she was doomed.

Before the tears could spill from her eyes, she turned and ran out of the throne room leaving behind a heavy awkwardness.

The queen, the king and Courtney all looked at each other, none of them saying anything.

Finally, Courtney broke the silence. “I'll go after her", she said.

“Please do", the queen responded.

“I know you're a reasonable person, try to convince her to listen", the king added.

“I'll try my best", she said, curtsied, then left. She released a breath she didn't know she was holding once she left the throne room.

That scene was intense and as much as she wished she wouldn't have to witness another scene like that, she knew it was inevitable.

Once she said yes to marrying Max, she knew she had signed away her drama free life. She didn't mind much though, she loved Max and she'd walk through fire for him.

She did a quick mental think of the most likely place that Alexa would be. She usually went to the gardens when she wanted to be alone but before she left, Courtney had seen tears in her eyes.

Alexa was strong and she didn't like anyone to see her cry so she'd probably be somewhere private.

Her best bet was the library and she headed there. The librarian bowed on seeing her but she didn't have time to reply. She headed straight to where she knew Alexa would be.

She met her at the very last row of the library, where no one would be able to see them unless they came to the back, bawling her eyes out.

Courtney's heart broke for her friend. Alexa was the strongest person she knew, after Max and she hated to see her cry.

“Lexi, honey", she cried, going to hug her friend. Alexa fell into her arms, hugging her.

“How could they do that to me?" she sobbed, “I don't deserve this. I don't want to get married now and certainly not to some stranger".

Courtney couldn't say anything. She didn't know what to say so she just held her while she cried.

A while later, Alexa had calmed down and her body racking sobs had quieted into soft sniffles.

“What am I going to do? My parents, their minds are made up about this, there's no way I can talk them out of it", Alexa said. She looked so horrified and once again, Courtney didn't know what to say.

“I'm sure it'll all work out in the end", Courtney said.

“How?!! How is it going to work out? My parents aren't going to let me get out of this. It doesn't even look like I have a choice in the matter".

Courtney sighed. Alexa was right but she didn't want to say that and worsen her mood so she opted to not saying anything instead and just being there providing emotional comfort for her friend.

They stayed like that for a while before an idea struck Courtney. She raised her head from the table where she had been resting it and she turned to look at Alexa with a hopeful look on her face.

“What if we call Max, we can tell him about this. We can get him to come home and talk to your parents. I'm sure he can convince them".

Alexa liked that idea but she also didn't want to have to disrupt her brother's trip.

“But he's away on important royal business", she argued.

Courtney couldn't believe her ears. “Alexa, this is important royal business. Have you forgotten that your parents want you to get married to a stranger? Isn't that more important than whatever he's doing?"

Alexa couldn't argue with that logic and she really was desperate. “Wait", she said suddenly giving Courtney the side eye, “this isn't some plot for you to get to see Max right? I mean how do I even know he's not already in on it".

Courtney huffed, rolling her eyes. “Sometimes Alexa, you're way too dramatic. We both know your brother and we know he'd never know about something as important as this and not tell you about it".

Alexa sighed. She knew Courtney was right. “Fine. Let's call him"

Courtney brought out her phone and dialled his number. He answered on the first ring.

“Hey babe", came his cheery voice. He was happy she had called. He had missed her and was just a second away from calling her himself.

“Hey Max. How are you?" Courtney asked.

“I'm good, except that I miss you. Honestly, the next time I have to go away like this, I'm taking you with me".

Courtney could feel her cheeks turning red.

“Aww baby I miss you too but that's not why I called. This is actually important. It's about your sister".

The two girls exchanged a look. The phone was on loudspeaker so they heard his breath change.

“What about her? Is she okay?" he asked sounding frantic.

“Calm down Max. I'm okay", Alexa said quickly before he could assume the worst, “at least for now".

They heard him release a breath. “What's going on? What's so important?"

Alexa went on to brief him about the situation at hand and what their parents wanted her to do.

When she was done, Max was silent. They heard him breathing though, so they knew he hadn't hung up on them.

“Wow. I can't believe this".

“Did you know about this?" Alexa asked her brother.

“No, of course not. I do know that Mom and Dad have been mentioning Caldea a lot but I thought they were just interested in going into trade with them. I didn't know, they were planning on marrying you off to their son".

“So that means you'll call and talk to them?" Alexa asked sounding hopeful. She hoped he'd be able to get through to them.

“No. I'll be coming home as soon as possible. This trip can wait but the longer we let this idea settle in mom and dad's minds, the harder it becomes to get out of it. I'll try to be there tonight or early tomorrow morning but don't talk to them before I get there".

“Okay. Thank you Max. I really appreciate you doing this", Alexa said.

Max chuckled. “You don't need to thank me. You're my baby sister and it's my job to protect you. If I don't, who will? I'll talk to you guys later. Court, I love you. See you soon".

“Bye", they chorused just before the call ended.

Courtney and Alexa looked at each other. They were both sporting hopeful smiles on their faces. If there was one person their parents listened to, it was Max and with him coming home, they were sure he'd make some changes.

They couldn't wait.

.