Prince, Melt My Heart

Chapter 1

"Make way! The Queen is here!" The large horns' sounds covered the entire banquet when the Queen, my Mom, arrived.

"Queen Amaryss! Queen Amaryss!" People are shouting her name so loud that I placed my hands to block my ears.

"What's wrong, Castrielle?" Father leaned in so that I can hear what he says.

"What?!" I moved my throne closer to his.

"I said, what's wrong? Why are you blocking your ears?!" 

"They are so loud! But it's fine, they will stop eventually!" I made my voice louder.

He nodded his head and looked at the people, plastering a fake smile. I know these past few years of ruling Starlington, they are tired. I know we share the same thoughts, being a Royal doesn't always mean getting the best. Sometimes, you will give your worst, for your people to have the best.

"You are still stunning, Your Highness," A Princess from another kingdom greeted my Mom.

She smiled and nodded, that's her way of saying 'thank you'.

Mom sat beside my Father, they are the rulers of our kingdom, Starlington.

The ceremony continued, it's almost impossible for me to know what this ceremony is about. I participated here just because staying in my room sucks.

My everyday routine is sleep, wake up early, run errands, visit the people, and repeat. Who wouldn't get tired of that lifestyle?

Even gadgets and internet are almost prohibited here. Internet companies were named after my parents but they never allow us to just slack off and do whatever we want. Because after all, we are future rulers and we need to give a lot more effort than everyone. Good thing they decided to build a house for us in the city. That way, when we don't have much 'Princesses' and Princes' duties', we can stay there. That house has every technology a Princess could ever ask for.

They were always saying about how we should prepare for the future, that we should be disciplined because we are future rulers, and we can’t live like other children our age. I feel incomplete and I think it's because of the thing I haven't experienced as a child, but that's okay because I know, I'm doing this for everybody's future. 

I once asked little girls about what they think of being a Princess, and their answers are all the same. "Because I will get everything I want Ate Castrielle!"

('Ate' means 'Big Sister' in tagalog)

They were so happy just by hearing to be a Princess. But do you see what effects does 'fairy tales' do to children like them? They believe that if you are a Royal, you would get everything you want, you would gain respect and attention from the people. 

But what they don't know is it's actually not. Even I, myself, dreamed to be a Princess and sit in a very beautiful throne. When I knew that I was actually a Princess, I jumped on my bed the whole entire night. But it only lasted for that night because the following day, I discovered responsibilities that were already there even before I was born.

That day was the last time I watched my favorite cartoons, because the next day, instead of holding a doll in my hand, I'm holding a pen and a book, a five-year old girl, learning to read and write instead of playing outside.

They forced me to learn so many things, ever since then, they would always remind me of my responsibilities, the people and the whole entire kingdom should be my life.

A week after knowing the truth, I prayed that everything would be back to normal. I didn't want to write or read. I wanted to play and make friends, but they never let me to. I want to go back to those times when I was still watching ants climb a rock and not staring at my hand the whole day for not writing properly. 

I was 5 when they told me that I am a Princess. That was 15 years ago. I never really knew that I was living in a palace. I didn’t know that my family was the most respected family in our place. But I was also 5 when they removed my innocence.

It was so hard, every time I would go out to visit the people, I would see children laughing with their friends, dirtying their shirts and pushing each other at a slide. That was something I can't get even if I trade my title for it.

The ceremony was just about to end when I suddenly felt dizzy, seconds later and everything went black.

I woke up in my room, I saw a Doctor and maids staring at me. I saw a man with a very nice body figure, his gaze was against mine.

“W-What happened?” I forced myself to get up but I can't. 

"The Princess has woken up," The maids went to me when they heard my voice, The Doctor stood up from his chair and the man with a nice body figure looked at me.

I pointed my finger at him, "Who are you? Why are you in my room?" I said while holding my head, it hurts.

He didn't show any reaction, "The Queen summoned me to accompany you, Princess." His voice was full of authority, the kind of voice that can scare your soul out.

I was confused, "Accompany me for what? I don't even know you," I avoided his gaze.

"We can only trust some Doctors nowadays, Princess. The Queen told me to guard this Doctor for you," He looked at the Doctor who's now trembling.

My Mom is so great about finding someone to serve the Royal Family, I have to trust her standards this time.

I nodded my head and laid down, I'm feeling quite well. This Doctor id a great job. "Leave me alone," I said, making my voice as fierce as possible.

The maids bowed, also the Doctor, they left my room.

But the man with a nice body figure didn't, I looked at him, "What? Didn't I say that I want to be alone? Are you deaf?" 

I made my voice louder but he didn't even move a single muscle! "Are you insulting me? Do not make me repeat my words!" 

I moved my head even though it hurts, "Okay that's it. I will call my Mom and she'll tell you to get out of here," I was about to reach the telephone when he got it first. "You are getting in my nerves! I am the Princess and you will obey what I say!"

He placed the telephone back and emotionlessly looked at me, "The Queen said to not let you be alone in here and do not let you ruin the ceremony out there. I have the Queen's permission, you are only the Princess so I won't listen to you," After he said that, he stood up as if he was a part in the queue of the soldiers.

I placed a pillow under my head and let his presence in my room, this is so boring!

Why not play a game with him?

I quickly got up to get two glasses of water, he was about to stop me but he realize that I was just getting water. I filled the glasses, he was just looking at the the whole time.

“Can you check if the bathroom is clean? I will take a shower later,” I looked at him and saw him raised his left eyebrow, probably confused. 

“You just fainted out there, you can’t take a shower,” I got closer to tease him and pretended to give him a glass of water.

He stepped backwards because of what I did, "Check.The.Bathroom. I won't take a shower but at least let me pee!" I got closer and closer, and he ran his to the bathroom.

Weakling.

I started to find my sleeping pills on my pockets, I always had these because we'll never know what we'll encounter.

I placed a pill inside his cup, the pill melted fast and it didn't changed the water's color. What a relief.

I heard the door of the bathroom closed, I placed his cup on the side table, I'm holding the cup without the pill and his cup with the pill is ready for him to drink.

“The bathroom is clean, Princess.” I was facing towards the bed, my back faces to him. 

I turned around and smiled at him, “Let’s play a game?” I got the cup from the side table while holding the other cup on my other hand. 

The cup with the pill is in the left, the cup without the pill is in the right. Remember it, Castrielle!

I gave him the cup with the pill, he even smelled it!

“What kind of game?” He sat on the bed, I found my own seat and placed it near to him. 

“This game is called, ‘never have I ever’. Familiar with it? Heard of it before?” I looked at him and he shook his head, “So basically, we’ll say something random, and if we already experienced or did that, we'll each take a drink, game?" He was confused but he eventually nodded. 

I smiled, “I will go first,” I started to think of something I'd like to ask him, “I know! Um, never have I ever fell inlove!” I’ve never been inlove before, I’m safe.

Come on, drink it! It's impossible for you to not be inlove before!

Seconds passed and he drank from the cup. Yes! He fell into my trap.

Who could be the woman he loves?

I hid my smile, “Your turn, ask me anything,” I waited for his answer.

He held the bridge of his nose and slightly shook his head, “Never have I ever judged someone without even knowing them."

I rolled my eyes and drank from my cup, “Yeah, right.”

Are there even anyone that don't judge people based on their apperances?

I didn't ask anymore and just watched him lose consciousness and sleep right to my bed, couple of minutes passed and he fell asleep. 

I laid half of my body next to him, "You're appearance is fascinating, we just need to change a little bit of your attitude, and you will be Princess Castrielle's." I smiled while looking at his rosy cheeks and pink lips.

I glanced at him for the last time and opened the door of my room, I slowly walked in the hallway to avoid someone hearing me. There are only few people at this side of the castle because of the ceremony going out there. Soldiers and men should all be there because they would have to protect the Royal Family. They can't let anything happen to us.

I escaped the castle using my own way that I discovered. From the room next to my room, I found a little door that leads outside the castle, the back part. Good thing there aren't guards in this side. They are all in the banquet, I will take this chance to walk around the city.

Today is Friday, and weekends are like our free days, no Princess' jobs or duties, just living like a normal people. It was also long ago when I visited the kids, Rin, Ran, Jen, Marie and Charl. They are probably waiting for me.

I'm sure they are in the park, especially now that their parents are also on the ceremony.

I started to walk my way to the city. At the palace's place, I can see the middle part of Starlington, it's not that big but it can't also be considered as small.

I was smiling the whole time I'm seeing these animals here are freely doing what they need to do. Every one can take an animal as long as they would take care of it.

I just realized that Starlington became a lot better when my parents took over the position, compared to the times when my Aunt was the Queen.

"The Prince from another kingdom was here, Kate. It was said that he's with the Queen, did you see him?

"I did not, but what I know is he's handsome and his body is literally everything. I wouldn't dare to find another, Winslet."

Prince from another kingdom? Evander has a Prince? The last time I checked, Evander doesn't have a Prince. Fake news are really spreading so fast nowadays. I ignored them and continued walking to the park.

I saw the twins, Rin and Ran in the swing, while Marie and Charl are helping each other slide. Jen is sitting in the sandpit while reading her favorite book.

This is the scenery I love the most, only because I didn't experience these things. I didn't experienced being scolded because of my clothes were dirty. I think that is also the reason why I am so close to children. When kids are in front of me, I can't bear to be cold to them, I can't get angry at them and I don't know why.

I smiled and walked towards them, Rin saw me, "Ate Castrielle! Ran! Marie! Charl, Jen! Ate Castrielle is here!" 

I staye in my place and waited for them to hug me, Jen closed her book and also smile when she saw me.

I knelt down to make our heights the same, they hugged me, I didn't know which back I'm touching but what's important is they are hugging me. It was so tight, full of nothing but love.

“Did you missed me?” I looked at their faces, plastering beautiful smiles.

They all nodded and let go from my arms, "Yes, Ate! I think it was last month when you visited us here!" Rin answered my question.

Rin is a girl while Ran is a boy, Rin is the joyful one, while Ran is just so reserve and would copy what his sister does. Marie an Charl, they will always help each other, in everything. I'm sure when they grow up, they would be a perfect match. While Jen is this bookworm, she loves silence an quiet places, aside from these four kids, books are her best friends. She's quiet but not a killjoy. These five kids right here accompanied me when I'm sad or tired, I would just visit them and minutes later, I'm happy again.

What they only understand about me is that I'm the daughter of the Queen and King, they only know that I'm a Princess.

That day with them passed fast, the man with a nice body figure, what could he be doing right now? He should prepare a reason to show my Mom.

I got my keys for this house and opened the door, I cooked my food for this night, my brother is not always here so I don't need to make lots.

After eating, I took a shower. I don't need to ask for a permission from my Mom or Dad, at age 14 I can take flights myself. They know that I will come back at the palace on Monday. They won't worry about me.

I opened my closet and that is where I keep my phone, my laptops and computers. I checked my accounts last week so I might need to check it now. I was just about to open it when knocks at the door disturbed me, "Who's that? Wait!" I wore my slippers and quickly peeped at the door.

It’s just Mom.

I opened it only to see the man with a nice body figure standing right behind my Mom! He even smirked at me.

They came in together with the guards, Mom sat down in the dining.

She stared at me, “What did you do?”

I avoided her stares, “N-Nothing,”

“Look at me, Castrielle.” Her voice full of authority makes me tremble the most, I looked at her, “You played this so-called 'game', even let him drink water with a sleeping pill in it. Is this how a Princess should behave?” I shook my head, I’m not guilty, I just want this to stop, “You ran out of the palace without any one noticing, you could have left the palace with Theoden but you didn't!” She sarcastically smiled at me.

I looked down and scratched my head, so Theoden is his name.

"Now what will Queen Charolais say, huh? That we didn't even raised a well-mannered Princess? You will have to apologize t Queen Charolais and his son," Queen Charolais is the Queen of Evander. Evander is the closest kingdom to ours, our kingdoms are miles apart but because of it is the nearest, they also called it 'Neighboring Kingdom'.

I got confused, “His son?” So the talks I heard were true?

He held the Theoden's shoulders, "Yes, Castrielle. Apologize to Prince Theoden Kyst of Evander right here,”

I stared at the Prince, I gave him my fiercest look possible. Evander is actually a beautiful kingdom, Starlington was just a little bit bigger. I looked at him and what I heard was right.

He has a nice body and also a handsome apperance. A Prince is only for a Princess, right?

“What? Am I too handsome?” He caught me off guard, I don't care if he does. I'm not afraid of embarassments. 

I smirked, “Yes, you are too handsome, Prince Theoden.” I looked into my Mom's eyes, “Didn’t you say once I turn 20 I can get married?” She got confused but she also nodded, I smiled, “Then I’ll marry him.” I pointed my index finger at the Prince of Evander.

I told you, you will be Princess Castrielle’s.