The Choosing Game

Dates and Unexpected Turns

Alex's POV:

The girls have been here for four days now. Apart from their little banters with each other everything was running smoothly. I was juggling council and the choosing but i was managing.

I got to know all the girls better. well, Except for one "Liliana" she has managed to avoid me at every turn since our last encounter. Not that i mind. She gets on every last nerve on mine. Emily seems to like her though, she spoke about her so fondly, i didn't see why though. The girl is a heathen.

Right now i was having lunch with Ruby at the east keep's garden. The girl is sexy as hell. From the way she talks, to the way she moves, it drives me nuts. I had a feeling she knew what she was doing to me.

She crossed her beautiful tanned legs and leaned into me "so tell me the truth. A little birdy told me you watched the edition of Miss Arindele i was on and you even voted for me"she said smugly.

I chuckled at her statement, that little birdy is surely Lucas. "Well.. i have to admit that it is true," i answered honestly.

"I'm flattered," she said batting her lashes at me. "If i may ask why my prince dimmed me worthy of his vote?" Her hand gracefully ran over mine, sending shivers into my spine.

I knew she was just fishing for a complement, and i was going to pay her some. "Let's see.. You my Lady showed all the skills of a true leader; tenacity, confidence, wit, and a sense of better judgement and to top all of it up, you are very beautiful" i decided to downplay it, i had a huge crush on her back then and Luke knew it that is why he told her my obsession with the show.

"Aww my prince" she giggled in a low sexy tone. "Such a gentleman that you'd rather call a girl beautiful rather than hot" she smirked.

"I had a feeling you already knew how hot you are"i smirked too.

"I do, but i want to hear you say it.." she said seductively.

Just then we were interrupted by a guard "Your highness I'm sorry to disturb but you are needed in the thrown room" he said and left.

"I'm sorry. we will finish this next time" i said as i stood up.

she stood up to and place a kiss on my cheek and whispered into my ear "until next time my prince"

After two long hours at the thrown room with my Father and his advisors i made my way to my chamber running into my mother, May and some children visiting the castle.

"Ah! Alexeviar i was meaning to talk to you I guess we can do that now" Mother said and excused herself .

I followed her into an empty meeting room.

"How is it going with the girls" she asked immediately. My mother is a person that never beats around, i have always admired her for that.

"Good I guess" I answered.

"I hear you haven't been seen with one particular girl at all" she raised an eyebrow.

I stayed silent not knowing what to say, even though i wanted to talk about how impossible that girl is and how much she is aggravating me.

"Well then i hope you will be drafting her name for elimination" she said looking dead into my eyes.

"No, I will not mother" I answered looking at everywhere else but at her.

"Don't test me Alexeviar!" She warned "we had an agreement about this girl" she reminded me.

"I know we did but I don't want to let her go just yet," i replied.

"Why? To prove a point?? Is that it?" She said raise her voice a little.

"Listen and listen good now! You will either try to get to know and win this girl over or you will let her go" she sneered " and I will personally see that she goes home" she said turning on her heels before I could reply her.

...............................

Here i was in my room pondering over what my mother said to me, i want to get to know Liliana but i don't want the hassle. I mean this girl is a radical. but i do not want to let her go, not just yet. What would that say about me? That i give up easily?

With that i made up my mind. I'm going to get to know her whether she likes it or not.

It was 7:30pm i got dressed and made my way to the girls quarters, i knew by now she had to be back from the library. Most of the girls were out in town and just to my luck i ran into Emily and Liliana heading out.

Emily was wearing a a black dress with a slim gold belt around her waist with her hair in a ponytail and Lilly was wearing a pale yellow lace dress that complemented her skin and wore her hair down. i would be lying if i said she did not take my breathe away every time i saw her even when i saw her in her little pajamas. There was this thing about her, like a sort of innocence that made her stand out from the rest of the girls.

"Hello ladies," i said with a charming smile.

"Alex hi. what are you doing here?" Emily asked as Lilly looked away, i looked at her carefully.

"I'm actually here for her" i said sheepishly

" who?" they asked in unison. Emily with a smile and Lilly not so much.

"Liliana. i hope you don't mind Emily" i said, still holding mu smile.

"No, not at all" Emily smiled and nudged her.

"Of course she minds. we already made plans and i don't want to go anywhere with you" she said stubbornly.

"We can make other plans Lils. Come on just go" Emily said pleading with her.

"Thank you Emily. Shall we?"i said turning to Lilly

"I'm not going anywhere with you" she said flatly, she crossed her arms over her chest and that was when i noticed it, where i held her yesterday, it bruised. A pang of guilt settled in my chest.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, my anger got the best of me" i told her truthfully, i was not an abusive person.

She rolled her eyes at me, i noticed she does that a lot. "Can we start over? Please?" I pled with her.

She eyed me with a stoic expression on her face "apology accepted. You can go now" she dismissed me.

I was shocked, no one ever spoke to me like that before. I was surprised that i wasn't even angry, i just laughed "you mean we can go" i corrected.

"No no. I'm not going anywhere with you" she repeated, standing her ground.

"Of course you are Babe. It just depends on how you wanna go, see it's either with your legs or i can carry you" i smirked, Emily giggled at my statement.

"One, do not call me that. Two, i choose neither"

"Well then, since i am a gentleman i will choose for you, and well option number two sound delightful"i said moving forward to carry her with a mischievous look on my face.

She quickly moved back and backed up against the wall making me chuckle. Emily was just standing there laughing at the whole scene in front of her making Lilly to turn to her and mutter "traitor!"

we all laughed at how adorable she looked. I put my arms around her and moved to scoop her up

"Wait wait!" she squeaked realizing that i was serious.

"What? Are you ready to walk to the car?" i taunted

"Fine! Just don't touch me" she warned as she moved pass me and huffed

"Have fun guys"Emily said

"Fat chance" she shot at her friend.

"It will be interesting, to say the least" i said laughing.

I quietly lead her to the garage beneath the main house. By the glint in her eyes i could see she has an interest in cars, i smiled to myself knowing i was one step closer to knowing the real her not this facade she was putting on.

i walked straight to the red Lamborghini veneno and unlocked the car. i walked around to open her door she silently entered.

Lilliana's POV:

We drove in silence to a five star restaurant, thinking he would impress me. He led me inside, where we were greeted by a hostess in a slutty silver dress.

"Your highness, your regular table is ready" she said assessing me fully. I rolled my eyes in turn.

She led us to the "regular table" as she put it.

"Thank you Leena" he said smiling at her charmingly

'The nerve on this guy' i thought.

Just on cue another girl in a tight red dress strutted her way to the table. "Hello. I am Vivian, I'll be your waitress tonight" she twisted a strand of her hair looking at Alex. He was smiling at her, i don't know why but i felt angry.

She told him about the special of the day. Here i was seated and he was flirting shamelessly with the waitress.

"Lilliana are you ready to order?" he asked me softly

'oh so now he remembers he's with me' i thought not bordering to even look up a continued looking at my menu as if it was the most interesting book I've ever read.

"Lilliana?"he tapped the table.

"What?"i asked looking annoyed

"Are you ready to order?" he asked again

"I'll have whatever is dead and cooking" i said flatly.

She looked at me with disgust and said "this isn't a road side diner ma'am"

"Well it certainly looks like one with you looking like a banjo billy whore." I immediately regretted my outburst, it wasn't like me to talk to strangers like that but i was annoyed by her lack of professionalism.

she gasped. The prince looked at me with amusement in his eyes and turned to Vivian "can you give us five more minutes?"

"Certainly my prince," she said chewing her lips seductively. i wanted to gag!

After she left, he turned to me "what is your problem?"

"My problem? oh my problem is that you drag me out and bring me to a lousy restaurant where the staff flirts and you get to flirt back in front of your so called date? Is that the type of girl you take me for?"i asked now fully annoyed.

"It's called being friendly " he simply stated.

I just glared at him.

He kept quiet for a while then said "I'm sorry. Do you want to leave here?"

I was surprised at his response i thought we would have a spat like the day at the library. "Yes"i nodded

Alex put out a hand for me, i reached out mine when they touched i got this weird shock feeling which made me immediately pull back my hand. I'm sure he felt it too. He led me outside where the valet brought the car and gave him the key.

"i want to drive" I've been wanting to drive this car since i set my eyes on it.

He looked slightly hesitant then answered "Tell you what, if you behave yourself at the next place we are going to, I'll let you drive" he said opening my door.

"I do not make any promises." i said as i slipped in. I heard him chuckle at my response.

We drove to a cute little ice cream parlor in town. At least the help here was nice. I order rocky road and he got plain vanilla.

"Do you want to take a walk?" He asked cautiously.

"Sure"

We went out with our ice cream for a stroll around in silence. I forget what i was so mad about earlier, i kind of even forgot that i did not want to be here at all. He stopped walking which made me stop too, "look Lilliana, i am very sorry about yesterday. I was way out of line and i never intended to hurt you" he brushed my hurt arm slightly, i moved back a bit, i felt the electricity again and i didn't like it one bit.

I looked away from his intense gaze "it's fine really. I know i provoked you"

"That does not excuse my behavior though, i'm really sorry" he apologized again and i knew it was sincere.

"Hey, it's fine really." I said as i started walking.

He followed behind and dropped the issue, which i was grateful for.

"When do you start med school?" He asked breaking the silence

"In the fall"

"I have always wanted to be a veterinarian" he said trying to make small talk

"Really?"

"Yes. Since i was a kid but my duty comes first and what not"

"Must be hard and boring"

"I am used to the life. Besides its all for the good of the kingdom" now i was intrigued

"Why can't the kingdom have a veterinarian king?" I asked.

"It needs a military king that can strategize war or go if need be not one that can fix their dogs and cats."

"It's a sad life to live" I actually felt sorry for him

"It's not all that bad. I'm allowed to have fun you know " he smirked.

"Mmhm fun. That is what you call vanilla ice cream?" I asked raising an eyebrow

"Hey what is wrong with my choice of flavor?"

"It's plain and boring. That is what is wrong. Come on take a walk on the wild side" i said wiggling my brows.

"Fine then switch " he said like a little kid trying to switch his lunch at recess which made me giggle. I switched mine with his and he cautiously brought it to his mouth.

"Oh my! I'm alive" he said exaggerating the situation which made us both laugh. We talked and talked for over an hour completely forgetting everything. We decided to call it a night. He even let me drive us back to the castle.

The night turned out to be better than any of us expected it to be. Maybe the prince isn't so bad after all.