ROYAL CONTEST

10| CHAPTER TEN

CROWN PRINCE OWEN'S POV

As I entered the royal living room, my senses were immediately on high alert. My mother was seated elegantly on one of the plush sofas, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race. I had hoped to avoid this encounter, knowing full well what it would entail.

"I guess I should just save my energy about trying to get you to choose Alyssa since you're already doing a good job by yourself," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of amusement and authority.

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure. "What are you talking about, Mother?" I attempted to sound nonchalant, but my avoidance of her piercing eyes probably gave me away. If I had realized she was in the living room when I entered, I would have chosen another entrance.

"Don't try to play smart with me," she continued, unyielding. "I know you went out with her, so don't try to deny it. You left the palace six hours ago, and everyone knows you were with her."

It was true. I hadn't thought much about it when I asked her to come with me.

"I didn't think you were going to make it clear to everyone who your heart wants this early," she continued, her tone softening slightly. "Alyssa is a beautiful girl and, unlike most girls in there, she is real. Everything about her is real."

Of course, I knew that. Alyssa's authenticity was one of the many things that drew me to her. But what my mother didn't know was that Alyssa had made it clear she wasn't planning to stay. She had other aspirations, other dreams, and the confines of palace life weren't part of them. "And it is your responsibility to make her stay," my mother added, her voice taking on a note of urgency. "She isn't going to stay here if she doesn't have a reason to. You have to give her a reason to stay because if you don't, she will leave and she will never look back."

How could I make Alyssa stay when she had already made up her mind? I had no idea my mother was so aware of the situation. I hadn't told her anything, yet she seemed to understand the complexities of my heart better than I did.

"Don't look at me like that. You forget that you always leave your mind link open when you're worried about something. Now, tell me, what's wrong?" My mother's words were a gentle prod, yet they bore an undeniable weight of truth. The connection between us had always been strong, a silent thread that carried my thoughts and emotions to her, whether I intended it or not.

"Nothing much," I replied, attempting to dismiss her concern, but the facade crumbled under her scrutinizing gaze. She knew me too well to be fooled by such a transparent attempt at deflection.

"You're worried about Alyssa leaving? You have complete control over that, and since you're my son, I know you will make her stay. I don't doubt that even for a second," she said with unwavering confidence, her faith in me both comforting and daunting. "If things were different, you would just choose her against her will and think about making her fall in love with you later, but that's not how things work in this empire, and you know that very well."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, highlighting a fundamental truth about our kingdom's values. Unlike other kingdoms, where the desires of the heart were often secondary to political alliances and power plays, our empire cherished the sanctity of genuine affection and mutual consent.

It was a principle I respected, yet at this moment, I found myself envying the more pragmatic approaches of other realms. If I could simply claim Alyssa and worry about her feelings later, life would be so much simpler. But such an act would go against everything I believed in, everything I had been raised to uphold.

"She didn't even notice how her words hurt me earlier," I confessed, the rawness of my pain evident in my voice. "She really wanted to make it clear to me that she wasn't interested in me. Even my wolf was affected, and that doesn't happen often."

"What do you mean?" my mother asked, her curiosity piqued. She had always understood the complex bond between my human side and the other parts of my nature, but this was uncharted territory for both of us.

"My wolf took an interest in her the first time I saw her," I explained, struggling to articulate the depth of the connection. "Not just him—my lycan and my dragon want her as much as I do. They've never reacted this way with any girl before, and today she completely broke them."

The words spilled out and my mother listened intently, her expression a blend of empathy and determination. She understood the significance of what I was saying. The different facets of my being, each with its own desires and instincts, converged on Alyssa in an unprecedented way. It wasn't just a matter of personal preference; it was a fundamental, almost primal, need.

"I know we don't have any rights over her," I continued, the frustration and longing intertwining in my voice, "but somehow, we want her to at least consider staying here and accepting us. Is that too much for her?"

My wolf, usually aloof and detached from such concerns, had felt a profound connection to Alyssa, and her indifference had left a mark that I couldn't ignore. It wasn't just my own heart that was bruised; it was the deeper, more instinctual parts of me that had been affected.

I couldn't understand why Alyssa wouldn't even pretend to enjoy being here. Harrington was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen, and I wasn't just saying that because it was my empire.

My travels had taken me to countless kingdoms, each with its own unique charm, yet none could rival the splendour of our kingdom. The lush landscapes, the vibrant cities, the rich cultural heritage—all of it made Harrington a paradise in its own right. And yet, Alyssa seemed impervious to its allure.

"I can understand how you feel," my mother said, her voice soft and understanding. "Alyssa is different from all the other girls here and all the other girls you've seen in your life. The fact that she grew up in another country makes her even more different."

Her words echoed my own thoughts. Alyssa's uniqueness was part of what drew me to her. She was a breath of fresh air, a stark contrast to the rigid expectations and decorum that defined life at court.

But that very difference also made her resistant to the idea of fitting into our world. "As a woman myself, I can understand her," my mother continued. "She doesn't want to change herself just to be a princess."

"I didn't say I want her to change, Mother," I protested, feeling a surge of frustration. "I want her the way she is. I know she doesn't fit the mould of what a princess should be, but that's exactly what I like about her. Her behaviour, her independence—it's all different, but it's not a problem. In fact, I think it would make things fun. It would make everyone in this empire look forward to seeing her every day."

My mother's eyes softened, and she smiled warmly. "Then tell that to her," she advised gently. "She doesn't know all that. If you tell her, she will know, and who knows, she might even consider staying here and becoming your princess."

I did tell Alyssa what I thought about people who change themselves for the crown princess' throne, but looking back, it wasn't enough. I had danced around the subject, skirting the edges of my true feelings without diving into the heart of the matter.

What I should have done was tell her directly that I don't want her to change who she is just because of me. I should have laid it all out there, clear and unmistakable. But I didn't, and now I was grappling with the consequences of my hesitation.

My mother sighed, her eyes softening as she regarded me with a mixture of compassion and resolve. "Love and loyalty cannot be forced, Owen," she said gently. "But that doesn't mean you should give up. Show her why she belongs here, why she belongs with you. Give her reasons to stay that go beyond duty and obligation. Make her see the love and respect you have for her, and perhaps she will find a reason to stay."

"I... I don't know if I can do that," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if she doesn't want to stay? What if I'm not enough to convince her?"

My mother rose gracefully from her seat and approached me, her expression softening with maternal warmth. "You will never know if you don't try," she said gently. "Love is not about guarantees; it's about taking risks and being vulnerable. If Alyssa is the one your heart desires, you owe it to yourself and to her to at least try."

Her advice, though simple, resonated deeply. I realized that my approach had been clouded by my own fears and insecurities. Instead of focusing on the potential loss, I needed to focus on what I could offer Alyssa, what I could share with her that would make her want to stay on her own accord.

As I reflected on this, my mother's voice echoed in my mind again: "Look, I know this is going to be difficult but that is if you allow it to be. As long as you're honest with her, she will see through you and then understand the kind of person you are and if she doesn't, it will be clear that she doesn't feel the same way."

Her words were a reminder that honesty was my only path forward. I needed to be transparent with Alyssa, to show her my true self and my genuine intentions. If she couldn't see that, then perhaps it was a sign that our feelings were not mutual.

Though I wasn't sure how Alyssa felt about me, I was certain about my feelings for her. They were something I cherished deeply, something that had become a part of who I was.

Before Alyssa, I had never paid much attention to girls. I knew what would happen if I fell in love before the royal competition—the complications, the potential heartbreak, and the impact it could have on my duties as Crown Prince. My parents, despite their love and desire for my happiness, would never alter the traditions of our empire for me.

I often wondered what might have happened if I had met Alyssa before the competition. Would I have been able to resist her pull, to maintain the control necessary to fulfill my royal obligations? I doubted it. Her presence was a force, one that stirred feelings in me I had never known existed. Her smiles were rare, but when they did grace her face, they were the brightest thing I'd ever seen. Her smile gave me peace, a sense of calm that I found nowhere else.

"I want you to know that your father and I are behind you," my mother had said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. "The winner of this competition will be solely decided by you. Have a good night. I won't be joining you guys at dinner today."

She left before I could ask where she was going, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Her support was comforting, but it also underscored the responsibility I bore. The choice was mine, and mine alone, and I needed to be ready to make it.

Determined not to be late for dinner again, I made my way to my chambers to prepare. I didn't want to give my cousin any more reasons to provoke a fight. He was always looking for an opportunity to challenge me, to assert his own ambitions in the most confrontational ways. Tonight, I would give him no such chance.