ROYAL CONTEST

8| CHAPTER EIGHT

CROWN PRINCE OWEN'S POV

I never thought I could spend more than five minutes talking to a stranger. Alyssa isn't a stranger per se, but that isn't the complete truth since I just met her. She hasn't been here for more than two days, but it already feels like I've known her for a lifetime, and talking to her like this feels natural.

There's an ease in our conversations that I didn't expect, a rhythm that flows as if we’ve been doing this for years. Her presence is comforting in a way that I find surprising and profoundly reassuring. The warmth of her smile, the twinkle in her eyes when she talks about something that excites her – these are things that draw me in, making me want to spend more time with her, to learn more about her.

I've realized that when she speaks, I want to keep listening to her voice, and that's why I end up talking more. Her voice is soft, and melodious, like a gentle lullaby that soothes the soul. It's in the way she pronounces words, her distinct accent adding a unique charm to everything she says.

She's so beautiful when she speaks, her eyes lighting up with every word, her expressions mirroring her thoughts and feelings. There's a genuine sincerity in her voice, an honesty that I find rare and incredibly attractive. It’s not just what she says, but how she says it – with a passion and earnestness that makes even the most mundane topics seem fascinating.

When she bumped into me earlier, I wanted to keep her there and never let her go. There was a moment, just a fleeting instant, when our eyes met and I felt something stir deep within me. I don't know what it is about her that draws me so much to her. Maybe it's her confidence, the way she carries herself with such grace and poise, even in her casual clothes. Or maybe it's her kindness, the way she looks at people with genuine interest and compassion. There's an aura around her, something magnetic that makes it impossible for me to look away.

"I wanted to take a stroll around the kingdom, but I was hesitating because I would be alone. I don't know if you could spare an hour of your time and accompany me?" I asked, my voice betraying the nervous anticipation I felt.

She looked at me in surprise, her eyes widening slightly. "Your Highness, I don't think that would be appropriate."

"Why? I'm the one who is inviting you. I am Crown Prince Owen, and if anyone dares to question you, that person will have to answer to me," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Well, if you say so, then who am I to turn you down? I was actually curious about what this kingdom looks like. Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness," she said, her smile returning, more radiant than before.

"I should be the one thanking you," I murmured, almost to myself. She could've decided to turn me down, but she didn't. It's been a while since I walked around the kingdom, and I think I have forgotten what it looks like. But now, with her by my side, I'm eager to see it anew, through her eyes.

As we walked together, I couldn't help but steal glances at her, marvelling at how effortlessly she seemed to fit into my world. Her curiosity, her genuine interest in everything around her, was infectious. I found myself noticing things I had long taken for granted – the vibrant colours of the market stalls, the laughter of children playing in the streets, the warm greetings of the townsfolk. She brought everything to life, making the familiar feel new and exciting.

As we walked together, I couldn't help but steal glances at her, marvelling at how effortlessly she seemed to fit into my world. Her curiosity, her genuine interest in everything around her, was infectious.

I found myself noticing things I had long taken for granted – the vibrant colours of the market stalls, the laughter of children playing in the streets, the warm greetings of the townsfolk. She brought everything to life, making the familiar feel new and exciting.

I haven't really been around for the past six years. When I went to Oxford, I rarely visited home, and even when I did, I had to spend a lot of time with my dad. My time was filled with relentless Alpha training, an almost suffocating regimen that allowed no room for personal freedom or exploration.

I actually envy those people who have normal lives; I wish mine was normal too. The weight of my responsibilities often felt like a heavy shroud, isolating me from the world outside the palace walls. Oxford had been an escape, but it also meant distancing myself from the place I was destined to rule.

Walking around like this with Alyssa reminds me of home in a way I haven't felt in years. There's a simplicity in this moment that I’ve missed.

"Walking around like this with you reminds me of home. My brother loves taking a stroll around our town, and sometimes he would take me with him. Sometimes my dad would join us if he wasn't busy. It was more like a family tradition, but ever since my brother started medicine, he's always busy with books."

As we walked, Alyssa kept looking around, her eyes wide with curiosity and delight. The smile on her face told me what I wanted to know: she was enjoying herself. There's something enchanting about seeing my kingdom through her eyes as if the streets and buildings have been given a new life. Her enthusiasm is infectious, making me appreciate the beauty of my home all over again.

"I'm sure he will take you with him once he gets time. I've seen how busy medical students are, and I'm sure your brother is no exception," I said, trying to reassure her.

"I know that, and that's why I don't say anything to him about it. I was also busy when I was in culinary school. I used to try to make all these new types of food, and when I thought of a recipe, I would try it," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and passion. Her dedication to her craft is evident, and I can almost picture her in the kitchen, experimenting with flavours and techniques.

"My mom told me that you're an artist in the kitchen. I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to taste your food," I said, genuinely curious and eager.

"We will be cooking food for you as part of the competition. You will get to taste it when that time comes," she said, with a hint of professional pride.

"That's different from what I meant." She stopped walking and looked at me, her expression puzzled.

"I don't understand," she said.

"I actually meant that I wish I could eat what you make, just for me and not as part of a competition. Do you think I can have that privilege?" I asked, feeling a bit vulnerable and hoping she understood the sincerity behind my request.

She didn't say anything at first; she just blushed instead, and I have to say, I want to see that more often. She is beautiful when she blushes, a delicate pink spreading across her cheeks, making her even more captivating.

"I know it is a lot, but I was hoping that you could do that for me. I'm not going to force you if you don't want to, but it would really mean a lot to me," I added, my voice softening.

"I will when I get a chance. I'm not sure how long I'm going to stay in this competition, but I will definitely make sure that I grant you your wish before leaving," she promised, her voice steady but filled with an unspoken promise.

I wanted to tell her that there was no rush because she wasn't going anywhere. She is the one for me, and no matter what happens, I will still choose her in the end, but I don't want to scare her.

This realization fills me with a profound sense of certainty and calm. I can see a future with her, a life where we walk side by side not just through these streets, but through all the challenges and joys that lie ahead. Yet, this isn't something I can just blurt out. The intensity of my feelings might overwhelm her, and the last thing I want is to make her feel pressured or uneasy.

So, I decided to just follow her and say nothing back. We just walked in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, a shared understanding that didn't need words. It was like we were somehow communicating in our heads, our thoughts aligning in a way that felt almost magical.

I wonder what it would feel like to mind link with her. I bet it would be the best feeling in the world. The thought of such an intimate connection sends a thrill through me, and I can feel my wolf agreeing with me. My wolf is a constant presence, a part of me that craves connection and communication.

I communicate with them almost every day, but he is the one who is more interested in mind-linking people; he enjoys it, and I guess that's why I also do. The ability to share thoughts and emotions with such immediacy is something I treasure, and I can only imagine how much more special it would be with someone like Alyssa.

There are many wolves and lycans in our pack, so it doesn't really matter how I do it, but it is different when it comes to my dragon. I can only mind-link my mom. The connection with her is unique. It's going to be different once I have a mate, though, since she will be the closest to me. She will be the only person I will be mind-linking once we mate, and then I will have to stop mind-linking my mom. This transition is something I’ve thought about often.

For dragons, once they mate, the bond that is the most important to them is the mate bond, but once you have your kids, you can also mind-link them. The idea of building a family, of creating those deep, unbreakable bonds, is something that fills me with both excitement and a little trepidation.

I don't know why the bond breaks after you get mated, but it is like that. It’s a part of our nature, an ancient instinct that prioritizes the mate bond above all else.

I once asked my mom if her mind link with my grandparents broke, and she told me that it actually happened the day she realized she was in love with my dad, which meant he also loved her back. It’s a profound shift, one that changes the very fabric of your connections, making your mate the centre of your world. I can only hope that one day, Alyssa will be at the heart of my life in the same way.

I wonder if it's going to be like that too for me. I know the person that I love, but I guess she doesn't love me back yet. The uncertainty gnaws at me, but I find solace in the quiet moments we share.

Her presence beside me is enough for now, even if the future remains uncertain. I looked at her as she continued admiring the beauty of our town. This town is actually the most beautiful town in the Harrington Empire, with its charming cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and the gentle murmur of the river that winds its way through the heart of it. Every corner holds a memory, a piece of my past, and seeing it through Alyssa's eyes makes it all the more precious.

As we continued our stroll, a comfortable silence settled between us, punctuated only by the sounds of the bustling market and the occasional laughter of children. Her presence beside me felt natural as if she had always been a part of my life. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have more moments like this with her, to share more of my world and learn more about hers.