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Chapter Two

Fortunately, the prince went unnoticed as we slipped out of the library. I raised my hand to hail a taxi, but Prince Rex intervened.

"What are you doing?" he questioned.

"Calling a taxi to downtown," I replied, still sensing the imprint of his soft lips.

He recoiled. "You expect me to ride with a stranger? Don't you have a car?"

Suppressing frustration, I held back words. His hand on my chin hinted at a misunderstanding.

"I have a boyfriend," I clarified, more for myself than him. Why was I affected by someone I just met?

Shaking off the confusing thoughts, I met his gaze. "I kissed you to divert those girls looking for you."

"I am aware" He arches his eyebrows.

"If this is your communication style," I grip his hand, displaying it, "we do not do it here."

He sighs, scanning the surroundings. "Find another plan; I don't do taxis."

"Why not act like a regular person for once?" I groan. "Hop in the back, tell the driver where you're going. How difficult is that?"

Prince Rex licks his lips. "I'll manage downtown alone."

"I believe you can," I nod, glaring at him.

Raising my arm to hail a taxi, as one pulls up, the Prince opens the door, assuming it's for him.

"Oh, that's my taxi," I inform him. "You don't do taxis, remember?"

Entering the backseat, I bid farewell to the prince while instructing the driver to head to my home.

Regret gnaws at me for leaving the lost prince, an action contrary to my usual self. The unfamiliar feelings after the kiss, the locked gaze – it all unsettles me, especially considering I have a boyfriend.

Noticing him still standing there, guilt overwhelms me, prompting a change of plans. Instructing the driver to turn around, I pull up beside the Prince.

"I'm a good person who does bad things. Want to join?" I offer through the rolled-down windows.

He smiles slightly, opening the door, and I shift to the left side. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I mumble. "And don't judge people for using public transportation; it's normal here. Also, sorry for asking you to act like a normal person."

"No, I should start acting like a normal person," he shrugs. "After all, I am a normal person."

Instructing the driver to go downtown, our conversation unfolds during the short ride – ages, life experiences, favorites. Prince Rex finds solace in motorcycle rides, while I resort to sleeping pills to escape thoughts.

Arriving downtown early, I intend to pay the driver, but Prince Rex beats me to it.

"Let me cover this as your guest," I insist with a smile, but he playfully sticks his tongue out, insisting I don't open the door.

Swiftly moving to my side, he opens the door, and I thank him with a blush as I take his offered hand.

"Of course," he lets go, leaving an odd emptiness. "Wait, I'll call my brother."

After a brief call, he informs me they're at 'Blue Roof Bistro.'

"It's a ten-minute walk," I mention, looking ahead of us. "He could've stopped us there."

I check my phone every now and then to ensure I don't miss any calls from my parents.

"More time to chat," Prince Rex smirks, nodding his head at me.

"Haven't we talked enough?" I chuckle.

"No," Prince Rex shakes his head. "I want to talk more."

"Have you met your brother's friend?" I inquire.

"I hate him," Prince Rex laughs. "My brother wonders why he's not the crown prince."

"Who's older?" I ask.

"My brother. He's not a bad guy, just doesn't learn from his mistakes," he chuckles.

We each carry unique challenges, diverse battles, and distinct methods for coping with stress, yet our hearts shatter alike, shedding tears of a shared sorrow.

Observing Rex, I perceive a prince wearied by life, yearning for respite. Though absent dark circles, his eyes convey a profound sadness, concealing a multitude of untold stories.

I empathize with their struggles, recognizing the formidable effort they exert to appease the world while navigating a path fraught with caution.

"How are you?" I inquire casually.

He glances up, wearing a surprised expression. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how are you holding up mentally? Balancing being both human and a prince must be challenging."

"So, princes aren't considered human?" Prince Rex chuckles, tilting his head back.

I appreciate the way he laughs. "Of course, they are. However, they're groomed to be poised, mature, and confident."

He laughs heartily, once again throwing his head back. "Indeed, etiquette training has been a constant since our arrival in this world."

"That sounds intense," I comment, furrowing my eyebrows. "Isn't childhood meant for exploration?"

"We experienced our childhood," he smiles, yet his mouth only tells part of the story. It's a smile tinged with sadness, not a complete one. Meanwhile, his eyes reveal a tale of sorrow.

Hiding emotions isn't his forte.

He pulled the 'do you know who I am' routine back in the library, and he was a bit harsh for a moment, revealing that hiding emotions isn't his strong suit.

Nevertheless, I empathize with his behavior; perhaps he's fed up with everyone's nonsense. It's likely he's weary of evading attention and constantly eluding the spotlight.

"Don't they teach you how to conceal your feelings, Prince Rex?" I playfully wiggle my eyebrows, teasing him.

"They certainly try, umm," his expression falters as he realizes he hasn't learned my name yet. "I usually inquire about names, but we got along so well that I forgot I didn't know yours personally."

I chuckle, briefly inspecting my hands before locking eyes with him. "We shared a kiss, and yet my name remains a mystery to you."

He attempts to justify himself, prompting more laughter from me. "You never asked," I casually shrug. "Do you not know who I am?"

His eyes widen in recollection. "I'm truly sorry for how I treated you. You might be right; I'm not great at hiding my feelings. I was upset with my brother."

"Even royal families have their spats, huh?" I smirk. It's amusing, but it rings true because what kind of siblings are you if you don't argue?

Grace and I argue more than I do with any of my other siblings, perhaps because she's my only sister or maybe because she can be annoying.

My phone rings suddenly, and Ben's name pops up, making my heart drop as I realize he's supposed to pick me up from the library now.

Feeling remorseful, I answer the call, "Ben, hi," a signal he knows means something is amiss.

"What's the story this time, Vee?" he groans. "Did I yank my friends out of the coffee shop for a library pickup?"

"Don't be mad, but I'm downtown with a new friend from the library," I confess.

"You made a friend at the library?" Ben scoffs. "Is she at least attractive?"

I chuckle, glancing at Prince Rex, who's observing me. "He's not too shabby."

"A guy in the library? Uh-oh, my sister's marrying a bookish weirdo," Ben pretends to gag. "Go find yourself a prince. Grace is on the prowl."

I widen my eyes, laughing loudly. "Speaking of Grace, where is she?"

"At home," he replies. "She's devastated that the Prince didn't make it to Alaska. Yes, Grace, the Prince will cross the country for you."

This time, I not only laugh but playfully hit the Prince, finding the irony hysterically amusing.

Prince Rex chuckles quietly as he holds my hand instead of pushing it away. I stop laughing, and continue my chat with Ben.

"Anyway, I am really sorry about not telling you that I left," I apologize, frowning. "I completely forgot to do that as I was excited to hang out with this friend."

"First of all, I would be mad but it happens sometimes," he says. "Although, I do not feel comfortable allowing you to be with a stranger, let alone a guy."

"He's not really a stranger," I shake my head. "I really have to go, Ben. Will talk to you soon."

"Alright, but before you do that, please send me your location as I don't want you to be kidnapped," he claims. "I don't mean to be that kind of brother, but it's more about your safety."

"I will," I nod. "I understand that you're worried."

After we hang up, I immediately send him my live location. Ben and I weren't always like that. He did not look out for me at all, and did not care where I went or with who.

He was this normal brother who couldn't care less about his sisters' whereabouts. I used to fight with him more times than often.

However, we grew up and things happened that led him to change and become a better brother, who's always there for us and always brings a smile our faces.

"Was that your brother?" Prince Rex inquires.

"Yeah," I nod. "He was supposed to pick me up from the library, and I forgot to tell him that I was going downtown."

His eyes widen. "I am so sorry! I d-"

I cut him off. "Don't, please. You know that it's not your fault."

He opens his mouth to say something, but is interrupted by someone calling my name.

"Violet?"

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