Duchess in Distress

Chapter 4

NATHALIE

Catching my breath, I arrived at the Queen's cafe faster than the lightning. The downtown was too busy even though it was Tuesday afternoon. People were walking here and there, and heavy traffic was already starting for the rush hour. The sun was still glaring at all of us.

Queen's Cafe looked like an average coffee shop outside. No one could imagine how it looked so ancient on the inside—the history embedded in the interior design. The walls were made of those old bricks I always saw in the picture of ancient towers. There were sculptures and paintings, which looked too old for the present time. This coffee shop started operating a century ago, so they maintained this kind of design.

My sweat was like Niagara waterfalls when I entered Queen's Cafe. The barista behind the counter greeted me. Almost all tables were occupied, and it was not easy to look for that freaking prince. This coffee shop was three times bigger than an ordinary coffee shop.

"Oh, Nathalie," I turned my head to Sam, a colleague of mine. She was part-time also in the 5-star hotel of North Valley.

"Hi, Sam," I greeted her while my eyes were roaming around the coffee shop.

"A table for one?" She asked after serving a glass of water to one of her customers.

I was taller than Sam, but she was a real charmer. I knew she was the favorite of the customers here and even in the hotel. Maybe, her looks were one of the causes. She was half-Asian and half-Luvian. I always envied her shining black hair that matched her eyes and small nose.

"Uhm no," I hesitated to ask about the prince, but I had no other choice. My 10 minutes were up several minutes ago. "I mean, I'm looking for someone," I whispered.

She came closer and became more interested, "Who?"

"A blonde guy, wearing shades, he might be wearing a suit, he's taller than anyone," it was not an option for me to directly tell who I was looking for.

"Does he have a pair of blue eyes?" Sam said with a musical tone. I furrowed my eyebrow. "Because if you're looking for a blonde guy, wearing a suit, taller than anyone, but he's not wearing shades," she pointed at the farthest table at the corner, which had a screen partition for privacy.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, scared of that privacy at the corner, "His Royal Highness is sitting there?"

"Yes, what is your appointment with him?" She was shocked with her thought, "Don't tell me you are hired as his assistant here in North Valley? What a lucky lady!"

I was not lucky. I wanted to tell her that. But, knowing Sam, she was thinking faster than anyone. If I told her about the misunderstanding, she might think about my funeral.

I didn't respond and walked straight to the end corner. The screen partition blocked the view from everyone, but once at the front of the table, I saw the Crown Prince. He was reading a newspaper, and it took a few moments before he realized I was already there.

"4 minutes and 58 seconds late," he said in the most threatening way and put down the newspaper.

I bowed down immediately, "My apology, Your Royal Highness. I did everything, but my legs are shorter than I expected."

I heard him chuckled, but he immediately hid it that made me wonder if I only imagined that. He said, with all his authority, "Sit down."

I immediately sat down across from him at the table. That was the time I saw his face. He was the synonyms of the word 'handsome'. His blue eyes were the most beautiful I had ever seen, and his not-so-thick eyebrow complimented his looks. His nose was straight, and his lips were heart-shaped. His chiseled jawline made him more attractive. The magazines and television never brought justice to his appearance.

However, it was at this point in my life that I never saw him as a man. I saw him as a threat to my life.

I waited for him to start the conversation because he was the one who made me run to this coffee shop. However, he didn't speak until a server came to our table.

Her name was Julie, according to her nameplate. She looked at the prince and curtsied, "Your Royal Highness, my grandmother, who is currently the owner of Queen's Cafe, is preparing the speciality of our coffee shop: the strawberry cake."

I had eaten strawberry cake before, but they said that the strawberry cake of Queen's Cafe was the most delicious among the European countries. Many tourists in North Valley would not forget to go to Queen's Cafe to try the strawberry cake. And, I was so happy that I would finally eat that famous pastry.

The prince smiled sweetly, and all I could do to is to glare at him. He said in a kind voice, "Uh, thank you very much, but just treat us like a normal customer."

"Your Royal Highness, my grandmother, is already 94 years old, and she had served your great grandparents and every next generation kings when they had visited North Valley and Queen's Cafe. It is her pleasure to serve her fourth-generation crown prince and the future king," Julie explained in a very lady-like manner.

My mouth opened, and amazed by her grandmother's story. That was incredible. She saw almost the whole history of this coffee shop and the history of the four generations of the monarchy. That was one of the perks of being alive long.

Maybe if I asked her who the worst crown prince was, she would definitely answer the prince sitting across me.

"Thank you so much. It is also my pleasure," His Royal Highness said as if he was not a jerk.

"May I ask for your beverage, Your Royal Highness and the lady?" Julie asked and got a small pad from her pocket, together with a pen.

"Black coffee," he said and turned his head to me.

I realized that he was waiting for my response. I smiled at Julie, “Mocha Frappuccino for me. Thank you."

Julie nodded, "I'll be back."

This was the feeling of being treated like a royal. Honestly, I never went to Queen's Cafe because coffee was here worth my two-night worth salary in the convenience store. I instead buy delicious cheap food from the other stores.

There was a moment of awkward silence. His Royal Highness reclined to the back of his seat and put his arms across his chest. It was my biggest mistake to look up and caught his blue eyes, putting holes in my face. I immediately looked away.

"Malin Duke of North Valley is your ancestor, isn't he?" He inquired as to if confirming my birthday.

I stared at him, "Yes, he is. But, things happened, as a result, dukedom removed from our family."

"I will return it," he firmly said and drank the glass of water in front of him.

My eyeballs almost popped out from its socket, "Eh?"

"You're not believing?" He wrinkled his forehead, "I'll be a king, remember?"

"Yeah, I know," I gasped some air before speaking again, "I mean, why? I thought you would give me punishment because of what happened last night. But, why?"

His evil grin said it all. He was doing it for his benefit. "I don't use my power just to punish a girl for asking me why I was buying a box of condoms," he rolled his eyes, "Do you think I was like some jerk-power-user?"

I shook my head, "No, you're one of the best." I exclaimed that wholeheartedly. I was wrong all this time. This prince, the crown prince in front of me, was different from other arrogant royals. Or, he’s just putting on a show? Why a sudden change of heart? And then the answer came…

"However," this was what I was thinking a few moments ago. He looked at me and continued, "I'll return your family rights and title when I'll become a King in the future, but you need to help me in the present."

Of course, this wouldn't pass without a condition. I lowered my voice, "How can I help you? I don't have money."

"You will pretend as my girlfriend and join the ladies in court," he casually responded. Hearing him, I thought we only talked about his favorite color.

"W-what?" I misheard him for sure, "I'll be a lady in court? And, what? Your girlfriend? No freaking way!"

He was surprisingly calm as he answered my questions, "First, you'll pretend as my girlfriend only. No string attached. Second, even though you have no title, you're still of royal blood. Therefore you're qualified as a lady in court. Lastly, you'll do this to take back your family rights and title, or don't do this, and then you'll be forever titleless."

Be a lady in court was one of my low-key dreams. I was too happy to take it. But, being his girlfriend made me want to puke. Never in my wildest dream to be this prince's lover, although I would only pretend.

However, I should think more about the future. This would be the way to return my family rights and title. Pretending would be temporary, but the title would last forever.

"How long?" I asked, more determined than ever, "How long will I pretend?"

He smirked in satisfaction, "I just need two months to prepare for my real marriage. And, of course," he got a folder from his bag, "We have a contract. Trust is needed in this arrangement."

He gave me the folder. There were two pieces of paper inside. On the upper left side of the document, the symbol of the crown prince was there: a small golden crown and square royal blue under it. The two papers had the same contents:

This contract involves Prince Theodore Isaac Magnus Edward of Luvia and Lady Nathalie Hendlefort, a direct-descendant of Malin Duke of North Valley. The parties will follow all terms and conditions given below for 2 months after signing the contract. Lady Nathalie Hendlefort, a direct descendant of Malin Duke of North Valley, will ascend as Nathalie, Duchess of North Valley, when Prince Theodore will be King of Luvia.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Lady Nathalie will pretend to be Prince Theodore's girlfriend during royal parties, public events, and other occasions that need the presence of Prince Theodore with Lady Nathalie. Pretending as a girlfriend means doing the acts like a real girlfriend of the prince.

2. Lady Nathalie will be a lady in court and act as one. She should wear dresses and act like a royal when she goes to the Royal Palace.

3. To avoid issues about fashion and suspicions, Prince Theodore will sponsor all the dresses and headdresses of Lady Nathalie. This includes the team for the total appearance of Lady Nathalie.

4. Lady Nathalie should not disclose this contract even to her family and close friends.

5. Both parties should not interfere with each other's party unless it will affect the contract. There should be no feelings involved during the contract.

Any violation of Terms and Conditions will result in a breach of contract. Hence, Lady Nathalie will be titleless for the rest of her life and her descendants.

Signed Prince Theodore Isaac Magnus Edward of Luvia

Signed Lady Nathalie Hendlefort, a direct descendant of Malin Duke of North Valley

After reading the contract, there were mixed emotions but mostly an annoyance. Terms and Conditions number 2 and 3 made my blood went to my head. This prince has really belittled me in his own simple way.

Anyway, I would just think about my title. I would do this for my title and family rights. My parents would experience royalty, at least in the last years of their lives.