𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

TWO

|Vultures|

For someone who very rarely thinks before speaking, I feel the need to prepare myself before saying anything at all. "Prince Xavier" I stumble over the words. Typical for me to walk into some planned scenario that was probably created by the prince to test my real interest in him. Smart, I'll give him that, but monumentally awkward.

He frowns. "Please don't call me that?" Although it's a question it sounds more like an order like there isn't a way around it.

"Your name ?" Lacing my reply with a questioning tone I await his response.

"That is my title, since I'll be seeing you around for a month or less, I'd much rather have you call me by my name only. " He moves away from me and his shadow follows him to the window.

Xavier.

The word seems foreign. I've shown little to no awe towards the Prince, but simply ignoring who he truly is and calling him by his name seems and feels odd, wrong even. Then again, it would break the ice a little, maybe even make him more comfortable around me.

"It's beautiful, don't you agree?" He stands in front of the open window, gazing down at the palace grounds. He's jumping from subject to subject, once again showing evidence that he might not usually do these types of things alone. Or maybe he just wanted to show someone the great view from up here, because it truly is amazing.

Either way, something about him seems different somehow. He has this sense of mystery that makes him handsome. Nothing like you'd expect after reading the articles about him and there certainly was a lot. He somehow draws you to him. He also seems relaxed here, more so than he was yesterday surrounded by all those people. This means that now could be a perfect opportunity to ask him a few of the questions that Wyatt had suggested, although maybe I should ease into it.

I slowly step forward to stand next to him, more nervous to trip over my own feet than to actually talk to him. "It is. May I ask you something?" He smiles not moving or speaking for quite some time, leaving the question in the air.

"It's an odd place to run to, not exactly what would be expected for me to prefer so profoundly. But you see, my family has grown quite accustomed to luxury, the finest of everything from wines to the type of paper we use. This room is so different, untouched, and unchanged. I come here to escape the extravagant lifestyle. To feel normal in a way. That is why this is my favourite part of the palace."

I don't know what to say. Yes, that was what I wanted to ask, but it seems weird that he knew that, maybe it's predictable. He had to know I'd come here since only seconds passed before he was here with me as well.

"You know, Xavier, if you continue answering questions before I've asked them there won't be much use for my presence."

"My apologies." He smiles down at me, although his length is not overwhelming, the way he needs to arch his neck to meet my gaze makes me feel stupidly self-conscious. It leaves me making a mental note to wear more high heels around him, how well that will work out.