8

andrew

"I'm going to ask to start organizing this ball by inviting all the prettiest princesses." You will inevitably find your bride among them. I will set a date and announce it to the media. »

On this, I have nothing more to say. I get up and leave this palace where I am suffocating considerably. I join the back of the palace where the garden is. I need to breathe fresh air. I hear footsteps behind me and see my brother come through the door and sit down beside me.

" I am sorry. »

I frown. My brother doesn't have to be sorry for our grandfather's decision-making. In any case, it is for something. My brother is the wiser of us two, he should have been born first, not me.

“I hope you find a good girl. »

I give him a smile.

“Thanks but I'm not ready for all this, Alexander. »

He fidgets a little. Maybe he's cold?

“I know Andrew. I know you ! he smiled. “Father is counting on you. Please don't disappoint him. And mom too, she wants to see your happiness, too. »

I sigh.

"I know mom wants me to be happy but I feel like dad and grandpa don't really care. I don't want to get married, I'm not ready, damn it! I'm only 28, it's too young to get married. »

“Soon to be 29, old man! Laughs my brother.

“Never mind, Alexander. I'm too young to get married! »

A silence settles. That's not embarassing. I like being in the presence of my brother. He's a bit like my mother, he reassures me and somehow he protects me in his own way. He is younger but more mature than me. He really should have been in my place. He would have been perfect in this role. If I abdicated, the day when I would have the power, he could become king in my place and I would be quiet. Unfortunately, as long as my grandfather reigns, I will be forced to get married and start a family, even if it is not what I want.

"You know, Alex, I met a girl..." I began thoughtfully.

At these words, my brother sits up and looks at me with wide eyes. He does not only know my “seducer, who chains girls in a bed” part. No, he also knows that I had a long relationship with a girl and she destroyed me.

He puts a silly smile on his face.

" What's her name ? How did you meet him? How is she physically and morally? »

“Her name is Scarlett. I met her at her workplace... It's a long story, I'll tell you later, but if you saw her... This girl could be a model, brother! She is incredibly beautiful and morally, she is adorable and very friendly. »

Alexander raises his eyebrows with a smirk. He can't help it, he's full of various thoughts, I know that!

“You fell for her, what! » He exclaims laughing.

“A little, yeah. " I smile.

Thinking of her, I can't help myself. I saw her a few hours ago but I already want to see her again to get to know her better. I forget that she is not a princess and that she will not be present at the ball.

“I can't even attempt anything with her. She's not royalty…” I sighed as I realized the reality.

Alexander gets up and positions himself in front of me, looking annoyed.

“But finally, brother, is it love that makes you stupid or what? Even if your Scarlett isn't royalty, you might try to get her accepted by father and grandfather because you can never marry a girl you don't like, even if she's royalty, her. »

“It's more complicated than that, Alexander. »

“I don't see what's complicated, Drew. If you have this girl in mind, you'll never be able to find a girl at the ball that Grandpa is going to throw! »

I sigh. He's right and it's hard to admit it. Still, that's not what I want at all! I don't want to get married, neither to Scarlett, nor to another girl. I do not want to get married !

I try to think about my brother's words but I find it too hasty anyway. I barely know Scarlett and I'm already thinking about getting her accepted by my family, it's insane.

But I like the idea. My brother is totally right in his words. If I think of Scarlett, I won't even be able to bring up the conversation with a prom girl.

It won't even be worth trying, I know myself. Alexander also knows it, he knows me perfectly.

The door leading outside opens on my progenitor. She gives me a smile and slowly approaches me.

" Is everything alright ? »

“I don't want to get married, mom. »

She sighs.

“I feel like I saw your father again when he was your age. He didn't want to either, but your grandfather wanted to marry him off. He organized that stupid ball too. »

I frown.

"But you didn't meet there!" »

“No, we met the day before and, apparently, I managed to disturb your father. She laughs thinking back to her memories. "Maybe you'll find the love of your life before this ball, just like your father." »

"What if she's not royalty?" »

She walks a bit to the door and presses the handle but turns to look at me.

“It doesn't say anywhere that she has to be royalty. »

*

I spent my night thinking about that evening. But not only. I also thought of Scarlett because I can't stop thinking about her. How weird!

I don't really understand what is happening to my body and I no longer control my thoughts. She is permanently in the latter without me being able to escape.

Waking up is complicated given the number of hours sleep has reached me. It's not so bad, I'll be able to sleep on the plane that will take us to the country where we have to go.

I get up slowly and take a shower before putting on normal clothes. I want to be comfortable for the trip and I won't be if I'm in a suit.

I grab my suitcase that I packed in the middle of the night and I go downstairs. I should have called Maria to take down my suitcases, but I preferred to leave her alone and do it myself. I'm impressed by my behavior but since I haven't slept much, I don't have the head to think about why and how.

“You have a dirty head, brother! »

I stare at my brother for a moment.

“Shut up, Alexander. »

"It was Scarlett who occupied your thoughts?" he scoffs.

I really said he was mature, me? I shouldn't be in all my states. He laughs and gets into the car. My parents are taken in another car to the airport. So I'm going to make the trip with my brother who will constantly laugh at everything I told him the day before.

I feel that this trip is going to be very long!

“Let's go for a fortnight of travel! »

Fifteen days away from her. I will be able to think and stop thinking about her. Maybe I'll end up forgetting his gaze and his big eyes that constantly stare at me in my thoughts. And his smile... It's off to a bad start!