Chapter 4

Prince's POV

The next day, I knocked on Princess's door and entered uninvited

“ You should wait for me to say “come in” before entering”

I leaned against the door frame, my arms crossed “ This is my house. I go wherever I want without permission” I said, my tone sharp.

She stepped forward, pointing at me, her voice rising. “ Remember the rules in the contract, Mr man. You're not above them!”

I smirked, taking a step closer. “This isn't why I'm here. We're having dinner at my family's house, so get ready,” I said, my voice cold.

I paused at the door as I was about to leave, looking at her outfit with disregard. “ And don't wear those old-fashioned clothes. You'll follow me to a boutique for some good clothes”

She clenched her fist “ I'm not your doll”

I looked at her with cold eyes “ You'll be whoever I want until the contract ends. Now get ready before I lose my patience”

I slammed the door as I left, the sound echoing in the small room. I went downstairs to have my breakfast but Princess did not come even after I told the maid to go and call her.

I went upstairs to her room after eating; I leaned on the wall with my hands in my pockets. “Why didn't you come downstairs for breakfast?”

She sat at the small dressing table, brushing her hair nonchalantly. “ I was not hungry Mr man”

I straightened, my jaw tightening. “ Stop calling me that. I hate it”

She turned to me, a hint of defiance in her eyes. “ Then stop treating me like a nobody”

I stepped closer, towering over her. “ inside this house, you're just someone under my roof. Outside you play your part as my girlfriend. Don't make it harder than it needs to be. Now get dressed we're leaving for the boutique”

Princess went to the dressing room and came back in a floral knee-length dress. I sighed and ran my hands in my hair. “ Is this the best dress you own? What a pity”

I motioned to the door, and then one of my maids entered, holding a sleek red cocktail dress. I threw the dress onto the bed. “ Wear this. I need you to look presentable tonight. This dress won't help.

She glared at me, snatched the dress, and stormed into the dressing room to change. She came back and we went downstairs to my car. Then, I drove us to a high-end salon with mirrors lining the wall. Princess sat stiffly in a stylist’s chair, her reflection in the mirror showing how exhausted she was. I sat nearby scrolling my phone, looking at her occasionally.

Poverty had done so much harm to this woman. She looked unkempt, like someone who had never seen luxury. I thought as I looked at her.

Princess finishes with freshly styled hair. She looked at herself in the mirror and bit her lips. I nodded approvingly as she walked towards me with a face I couldn't explain. “ At least you're starting to look like a human being,” I said, my tone casual.

I stood up and went to my car outside while she followed. “ That's an insult, Prince”

“I'm not ready to respect young women like you when one had already disrespected me.” I opened the door and sat inside; she also sat, and we drove off to the boutique.

The boutique was filled with rows of elegant dresses and shiny heels lining the wall. I gestured to the attendant to bring shoes and dresses. She brought it and I gave Princess one of the heels to wear.

When Princess stumbled in her heels, I automatically reached out to steady her only to pull my hand back at the last second. “ Watch where you're going” I muttered, annoyed more at myself than her.

After shopping and everything, we went back home to prepare for the family dinner. I called a stylist to come and apply some makeup and other things on her for Princess to look presentable in front of my family.

I waited for her after I was done with my preparation. It's been hours; I checked my watch repeatedly and paced back and forth in front of the house. Finally, Princess came out of the house, and I snapped. “ Why are you late?”

She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hip. “ Do you think looking like this will happen in two minutes?”

I stepped closer, my voice dangerously low. “ Watch your mouth when talking to me”

She looked at me defiantly, walked past me to the car, and entered.

I joined her in the car and drove off to my family's house. A grand family mansion with marble floors and high ceilings. I knocked on the front door, the door was opened by Mom. Princess and I entered arm in arm, our expressions carefully composed.

“ My son is here! Welcome, dear,” my mom said with a beaming smile.

Princess smiles politely, her voice warm. “ Thank you, ma'am. It's nice to meet you”

We went to sit down on the plush sofa in the richly decorated living room. My mom left us to continue what she was doing. The door swung open and it was James, my cousin.

“ Look who we have here. I thought that you were against this gender because of a bad experience,” he smirked, looking at Princess, and I felt that he was mocking me.

I snapped, my posture stiff. “ Who invited you here, James?”

He took a step closer to the big couch and leaned casually against it. “ I invited myself, of course. Let's get to know your new…fiancée.” he went to sit beside Princess, and she shifted uncomfortably. I held her hand tightly, a silent command to stay composed.

My mom called out that the food was ready. I held Princess's hand leading her to the grand dining room with a long table adorned with silverware. When we got there, my bubbly little sister leaped from her chair and ran to me, her laughter breaking the tension.

“ Big brother! You're finally here!” She said grinning, opening her arms wide.

A rare smile tugged at my lips as I knelt to hug her. “ Hey trouble maker. Missed me already?”

She pulled back, her eyes sparkling. “ Not as much as you missed me. Did you bring me a surprise?”

I rubbed my chin, pretending to think. “ hmmm, let me see…I think I left it in my other car”

She pouted dramatically. “ You're the worst!”

I chuckled, ruffling her hair. “ But I'm still your favorite right?”

She nodded excitedly. “ Always!”

I straightened, holding my little sister, Ivy's hand as we walked to the table. I sat beside Princess while Ivy sat beside me ignoring her usual place.

Ivy turned her gaze to Princess as we started eating. “ Are you going to marry my brother? He needs someone to keep him from being so boring”

“ That's enough from you, munchkin. Eat your food before I change my mind about dessert,” I said, laughing.

“ Okay, bro.” She then turned her gaze to her food and started eating.

My mother, who had been quietly listening to us curiously, asked, her eyes on Princess. “Prince, who is this beautiful lady with you?”