PRINCE : A Destiny - A choice

Prince 1

Since I was born, I already knew what my destiny would be. I think that's how it is for royalty. I am Lorenzo Alexander Thompson III , Prince of Thompson and consequently future King, but that will not be until I find my wife and future Queen.

As I said before, I already knew this would happen, after all, since I was little, I heard my mother telling me how it was to meet my father, in addition to all her summons and stay at the palace. A rather prolonged stay in fact, as he chose her and together they had their happily ever after.

I had been lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling for a good few minutes. It had been released after spending the day between papers and pictures of girls, yes, that's right. We were choosing the fifteen possible candidates for the crown. Palace aides had obtained the files of several girls from the province, all between eighteen and twenty years old.

Fifteen of them would be summoned and come to the palace so that I could choose my wife and consequently future queen. It seems quite strange when it comes to choosing , let's face it, it really is, but there weren't many options, actually, more precisely fifteen.

I took a deep breath and got out of bed, leaving the room. I descended the stairs and made my way to the front of the palace, where I found one of the guards standing by the door. I asked him for Marcos, one of the palace drivers, and the most trusted.

— Sir, did you call? Marcos bowed.

— Yes. I want to go to the center of the province. - Warned.

He nodded in agreement and asked me to wait while he went to get the car. I waited in front of the palace and a few minutes later we were on our way downtown. I didn't go there much, not for specific reasons, but because palace activities took up so much of my time. Meetings, decisions to be made and trips to other provinces to create ties, in addition to strengthening existing ones.

Thompson is a strong province. I say this because our kingdom has lived in harmony and peace since it was created. We have strong ties with other provinces that respect us and my father is a king much loved by the people.

When we were getting close to downtown I asked Marcos to park. I got out and started walking slowly down the street. The good thing about not showing up often was that he wouldn't be recognized so easily. In the city's newspapers it was always my parents who were in the spotlight , so my image was still kind of unknown to most.

Marcos walked a little farther away so that we wouldn't attract so much attention, after all my clothes were already a little flashy. She was wearing a royal outfit, but she didn't have ordinary clothes , so the trick was to try to act as simple and natural as possible.

He was standing outside a sewing shop. There were a few models of suits on display in the small window and I looked at them appraisingly. Really that seamstress had a good hand for the thing, maybe on the way back she'd talk to my mom and she'll call her to make a model or two for me.

I was still watching the window when I heard the sound of something falling. I looked ahead and found the girl lying a few steps away. Next to it was one of the decorations at the entrance to the store, and I deduced that this was the reason for its debacle.

I walked over to her, who was still sitting on the floor. Dark hair covered her face and I heard her swear under her breath. She was visibly angry at having fallen. I held back the urge to laugh, after all it wouldn't be polite to laugh at a lady in that situation.

- Need help? I asked as I approached slowly.

- No, thank you. - He still denied without looking at me.

- Dropped down? - I insisted even without reason.

In fact, I don't know why I was still there, as the girl clearly didn't seem willing to be nice, but I think that's really what held me back . The fact that she didn't know who I was and was treating me normally, without flattery or formalities.

“No,” he denied again.

Not holding back, I gave the laugh I'd been trying to hold back since before and that miraculously made the girl raise her eyes, facing me for the first time.

I watched her more closely, for I had the distinct impression that I had seen her before. I frowned as I searched my head for the answer, until a light came on. Was her!

I smiled widely and saw her face gain a rosy tone on her cheeks, which made her even more beautiful.

- Can I help you? - I questioned extending my hand with the intention of helping her - Even if I don't need to, of course. I quickly justified it.

I heard her low sigh as she accepted my outstretched hand. As soon as she was on her feet I took a better look at her. It sure was much prettier in person.

Her dark hair contrasted with her fair skin, perfectly framing her face. The honey-colored eyes were penetrating and conveyed a certain tranquility, I can't explain it, but it was something I would have liked to feel more often. She wasn't very tall, but that gave her a certain charm. So small and helpless, at least on the surface.

“Alexander, my pleasure. I introduced myself, squeezing his hand that I still held.

— Mabel. He smiled slightly.

I smiled when I heard her say the name, immediately remembering French lessons.

— Ma Belle . I whispered smiling.

- How? ' he asked frowning.

“High…Alexander. Marcos called, appearing close to where we were.

— Yes, Mark. — I looked at him.

— It's time, you know we can't delay, sir . - He warned discreetly looking around us.

It would be pretty complicated if someone recognized me here. I knew Marcos was worried and just wanted to help.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Mabel. - I confessed as I brought her hand to my lips and placed a soft kiss on the back.

— The same Alexander. He whispered, looking into my eyes.

I waved discreetly and walked with Marcos, heading towards the car. We quickly entered and headed back to the palace.

Our path was made in silence as my mind worked the image of the girl I had just met in the center of the province. Her honey-colored eyes and a slightly shy smile came to mind with great ease.

— We have arrived, Your Highness. - Marcos warned parking in front of the palace.

— Thank you Mark. - I thanked getting out of the car.

I entered the palace and climbed the stairs, going straight to my room. It was almost dinner time, so I took a quick shower and got dressed.

When I was ready I went down to the dining hall. My parents were already at the table, as was Jason, my best friend and adviser.

- Hi son. - My mother smiled affectionately - How are you?

— Well and you? — I sat in the vacant seat in front of you.

— Well… Rested? ' he asked and I nodded in agreement.

Obviously they might know about going to the center of the province, but I didn't want them to worry about me and this summons, so I decided to keep that information. My mother worried about all of this, as she had participated and knew how things worked better than my father. She said she felt it would be pleasant as in her time. As for my father, if everything went well and without any unforeseen events, we would be winning .

Dinner was served and we ate while we talked about some provincial things. Nothing too important or specific. I think it was on purpose, since we had spent the afternoon depending on the girls' choice. They wanted to give me a break, at least during the meal.

— The letters will be sent tomorrow, son. My mother warned as we climbed the stairs, heading to the third floor.

- All right. The sooner the better, right? I gave a small smile.

“It will be all right, dear. He said taking my hand.

I nodded in agreement and kissed his forehead affectionately. I said goodbye to my parents in front of their bedroom door and walked down the hall with Jason.

- Anxious? – He asked as soon as we were alone.

- A little bit. I confessed with a loud sigh.

“Relax, it's only fifteen girls… What could go wrong? - He scoffed with a low laugh.

Yes, it would be fifteen girls, who probably didn't know each other and would live together for a long time. What's the chance of this working? So it is!

We said goodbye in front of my bedroom door and I took a deep breath as I closed the door, leaning against it. I walked calmly to the bed and sat on the edge. I sighed softly and looked at the desk on the far wall. I got up and took the folder full of papers from the top drawer.

I went back to bed and spread the cards out on the mattress until I found what I wanted, smiling at the sight of her picture.

— Ma Belle. ' I whispered with a smile.

It was too much of a coincidence to find her like this, out of the blue, just when I was trying to distract myself a little from the whole summoning thing. Was it a sign? I never really believed in these things, but on second thought, it was all strange.

I put the papers back in, but left her picture out. I put the folder back in the drawer of the nightstand that was next to the bed and went to the bathroom to take a good shower. I let the warm water soothe my muscles and when I was more relaxed, I went out to the closet to change into my pajamas.

I lay down on the bed and took a few deep breaths. The night was with a pleasant temperature and I took the opportunity to leave a crack in the porch post open. A light breeze entered and circulated through the environment. I closed my eyes and tried to empty my mind. Tomorrow the day would be busy again and in two days this palace would be full of girls. So any moment in peace was precious now.

***

I finished the shot of whiskey and set the glass on the sideboard in the office. We had been there since after lunch. My father had plans to renovate the hospital in the center of the province and for that we had to work hard on this project.

“So I think that's it, we can start as soon as we have the manpower and the necessary material. — My father concluded and Jony, one of our advisors, nodded in agreement.

— Yes sir, we will arrange that as soon as possible. He gave a discreet smile.

We said goodbye and ended the meeting, leaving just me and my father in the office. I unbuttoned the suit I was wearing and sat on the sofa in the corner, near the door. I heard his low sigh as he leaned farther back in his chair and looked at me appraisingly.

'How are you with all this? ' - Asked.

“Well,” I began thoughtfully, biting my lip, “I'm really not quite sure what to expect, but I know it's something necessary.

- Don't feel trapped in all this before your time, son. I know how you must be feeling, because I've felt that way too. - He gave a small, but warm smile - You think there's no chance this all ends well, but things can change. - He shrugged - Look what happened to me... I found your mother and honestly, it was the best thing that ever happened in my life.

- Thank you for the part that touches me. I rolled my eyes and heard his low laugh.

- You got it. - He insisted smiling and I nodded in agreement - I just want you to keep an open mind to the possibilities. It doesn't have to be bad and you can really find your happiness, just like me.

I nodded in agreement as I thought about his words. This was really a tricky situation. I've always been a bit of a romantic man, my mom raised me that way, so yeah, I always had an image in my head. In it I was married and had children, one, two, three or as many as came. Us at the palace, sitting on the green grass and having a picnic on a beautiful sunny day. It may seem fanciful, but not impossible.

“I'll keep that in mind. I assured him and he nodded in agreement as he rose from his chair.

— Well, shall we have dinner? - He asked and I also got up following him to the door.

We walked calmly and silently to the dining hall. When we entered my mother was already waiting. She smiled as soon as she saw us and my dad kissed her cheek affectionately. I always thought their relationship was beautiful and especially their mutual respect. I think this is more than fundamental in a relationship.

Jason was already at the table, too, and I greeted him with a discreet nod. I sat next to him and then dinner was served.

Jason was funny and guaranteed us a few laughs. He lived with us since his parents died. I'm not quite sure what happened and I avoided getting into this subject, because I knew what it was like to lose someone. I still remembered how I suffered with the death of my grandmother Lívia a few years ago. We were always bonded and she was like a second mother.

When we were satisfied, I excused myself and retired. Tomorrow was the big day when the fifteen girls would arrive at the palace.

At first I would not have any immediate contact with them. Veronica, my mother's personal assistant, would be responsible for receiving them and explaining how their stay here would be.

I confess I was kind of nervous about it, after all there would be fifteen unknown girls living here. Well, technically fourteen unknown girls, since one of them I met recently. Mabel. Okay, knowing is kind of a strong word , but I was hoping this would actually happen. Something told me it would be interesting.

I got ready for bed and when I was already lying down I took the photo from the nightstand drawer. I looked closely until I had almost memorized every facial line on Mabel. Why couldn't he just ignore its existence? It was as if something was pulling me towards it.

I sighed softly and put the photo back in the drawer. I closed it well, after all, it would be kind of strange if some maid came to clean the room and found her there. It would certainly generate some buzz and I wanted this summons to be as calm as possible.

I rolled onto my side on the bed and pulled the thin sheet over my body. I closed my eyes and thanks to tiredness in a few minutes I fell asleep.

I looked at myself again in the closet mirror and fixed my tie better. It was already dinner time and he would finally meet the summoned girls . They had been in the palace since early in the morning. Jason helped Veronica welcome them while I resolved some important matters with my father, bureaucracies that were part of running a province.

Our lunch was normal, just me and my parents, plus Jason. In the afternoon we went out to visit the place where a square would be built, where our people could have some good moments of leisure and rest. When we got back I went straight up to the bedroom to shower and lie down, resting a bit before having to go downstairs for dinner and fatally start all of this.

“And here we go. I whispered.

I went back to the bedroom and picked up the jacket that was on the bed. I quickly put it on and then finally came out. If it took longer, it would end up arriving at dessert time, which wouldn't be elegant at all.

I went down to the first floor. My steps were slow, giving my mind time to get used to it.

When I was almost arriving at the salon, I stopped a little surprised to see the dark-haired girl just ahead. She was staring at the painting that was there, with a picture from when she was still a child. In it my parents were sitting in their royal chairs and I was standing in front of them, right in the middle. He must have been six or seven years old at the time.

I watched as Mabel looked to the side, as if searching for something, and then began to take a few quicker steps. I also noticed when she accidentally slipped and almost fell, I say that because I quickly ran to her and caught her. As soon as she felt safe and realized that her body hadn't hit the ground, where it would fatally hurt, Mabel lifted her eyes to meet mine.

We stared at each other for a few seconds and I noticed a flash of light pass through his honey-colored eyes, surely remembering our meeting in the center of the province. She knew that we would inevitably meet again, but I wasn't sure how it would be, nor what her reaction to discovering that I was Prince Lorenzo, Thompson's future king, but for her only Alexander.

“I thought you were joking when you said you liked to get in the way of people. - Smiles a corner.

I wanted to break that kind of weird atmosphere that had set in. Even if a small fear rose in my chest. Afraid she might get mad at me for cheating on her, which was technically true since I didn't introduce myself on my first name.

“I… I never joke. He whispered, still staring at me.

I chuckled lightly and helped her to her feet fully. That way I could look at her better, besides that our position was strange for anyone watching.

- He is well? I asked smiling.

“Yes,” he agreed. “ Your Highness . - He added shortly afterwards with a small bow.

— Stop fooling around. - I denied it with a certain tone of irritation, but I soon regretted it and smiled again.

Mabel wasn't to blame for anything, but I really wanted her to treat me like before, without any titles.

- Son? “I heard someone calling.

I turned towards the stairs and found my parents walking calmly towards us. My mother was arm in arm with my father and was looking at us a little appraisingly, but not with malice, she just seemed to have noticed that there was something different there.

“Dad, Mom… This is Mabel Fischer. — I introduced them.