The Modern Princess

CHAPTER FIVE

I headed to the apartment which I have rented since I know I’ll be staying here until we get married. They are persuading me to accept the house they bought but I refused, then they asked me to stay at the palace but I refused still. I know that will be a hot issue and it is against the customs of my country.

The unit that I had was fully furnished, a big factor why I liked it. I took a rest so that I’ll have energy when I meet with the royal family later at dinner time to finalize things about the wedding. Less than a month. That’s all I have.

Almost everything has been settled now and yes, in less than a month we will be married. Even though Jeanne is second to the throne he attracts a lot of media, he’s been caught clubbing, chatting with women and even closing business deals. I usually see him as front covers of tabloids, but I never read any of them. I don’t really mind if he wants to go out and enjoy his life, that’s his right anyway.

I received my tickets back to Lexumbia just a week after I went home, telling me that this is really going to push through. When I resigned, I started going home in my parent’s place and against my will I started looking after the family business, which made all of them happy.

On that week also, finally, Dad and I had the heart to heart talk which I knew was going to happen, he lectured me about life but unlike mom he was calmer, and unlike granny he was factual, no romance or imagination involve, just experiences and facts. At that night when we talked he hugged me and told me that I’ve had enough and I’m old enough for him to decide for me.

It was around seven when I arrived at the Palace, I wish Laureen and Laurent will be coming. I really like them both; they are so charming and wise kids. I headed to the dining room, I came earlier than them. This will be the first time we’ll see each other again after I left to go back to Manila; the time when I told them I understand if they can’t accept me.

I saw Duchess Marie coming in, when will she give me a I-don’t-like-you look? She’s always warm and I can feel her love for me, though she barely know me.

“Kathy, are you ready to prepare for your wedding?” Right.

I answered with a smile “Yes auntie” Is he ready for it?

“By the way, we forgot to talk about the pre-nuptial agreement” I said. I forgot to talk about it last time, maybe because I was too pre-occupied.

“There will be no pre-nuptial.” Jeanne said, coming out of nowhere, walking straight to us and kissed her mom and my hand.

I smiled, a fake one of course. His action is sweet, I said at the back of my mind sarcastically. “I think we should talk about it” I tried to sound so good and charming, but not seductive. Why will I try to seduce him? I mentally rolled my eyes.

“It’s a not issue” he said. “There will be none”

“But, it is not just…I mean…Your wealth is too much”

“Kathy, you will be a part of our family” Duchess replied. I can’t believe his mom will not consider my offer, or even ask for a minute so they can talk about it.

“But let’s be practical, that will be inconvenient for Jeanne” I really want to roll my eyes.

“I do not want a pre-nuptial agreement.” Jeanne said, he stands firm with his decision. He’s not angry, just casually talking to me.

“Jeanne I know you’re not sure of your decision” I said, having a sharp edge on what I said. I’m getting serious about it.

“I’m definitely certain.”

I sighed in surrender. Adamant man. “Auntie, I think you should also decide about this.”

“You better talk about that, just the two of you” I can’t believe she just let us talk about this on our own. Jeanne walked towards the terrace, he was cool, not pissed at all. He was looking at the sky. I know he’s waiting for me to talk.

“Jeanne please” I started. See? I can plead.

“Kathy, wealth is never an issue” he said, not looking at me and busy roaming his eyes at the sky.

“I don’t want you to think that it’s all about the money” he tilted his head on me, looked through my eyes, he shake his head. “I never thought of that.”

He must wake up from whatever he’s in with right now. I will not let this happen. “Let’s face the reality, we are not in love, we never know how long this will last, the moment we had a divorce I will get the half of your wealth.”

He looked away for a while then he looked at me again and said “I don’t mind”

“You don’t mind? That’s worth million pounds and you don’t mind?” I squealed. I was not able to control my mouth. This prince is f*****g crazy, doesn’t he know that when I marry him today and I filed a divorce tomorrow I will be millions richer? What a spoiled brat!

“There is no certainty that we will separate” Did he just really said that? Is he thinking? Now I really rolled my eyes. This really is not sweet for me, this is an i***t idea.

Calm down Katherine, I sighed, trying not to let him see. Talk to him calmly. I used the best calm voice I can “But there is a great probability. Look, even George and Grace have a pre-nuptial agreement, considering the fact that they are in love they can choose not to have a pre-nup but they became realistic; they are in love while we are not”

“I am against the pre-nuptial agreement and that’s final”

“Consider it Jeanne, you have to think wise”

“I told you I’m certain”

“Just consider” I persuaded.

“Okay I will, but I’m certain that I will not”

Jeanne and I never talk that much. I’ve been really very busy as everybody trains me to be a Royal. Royal Etiquette, Foreign Languages and Shopping. Yes. I said shopping. Jeanne have been filling my closet with the new arrivals every week. Lucky b***h aren’t I? Since I came back from the Philippines he called me only thrice. One was when he told me he’s going to fetch me for the food tasting. Second was when he said he can’t with me to look at the venue and third was when we fitted our dresses for the wedding and he said “You’re gorgeous” I almost collapsed when he complimented and I gave him a wry smile in reply.

Now we’re here at the Saturday talk show with Olivia, the renowned queen of talk shows. This is the same show where Greg and Grace talked about their wedding details. Olivia is in her mid-thirties, she’s a red-head woman with a porcelain white skin and she’s very professional. She never did any act to flirt with Jeanne or did I get used to it? Wherever we go, literally wherever, when we went to the mall, to dine and even on the food tasting all of the woman are flirting on him. Not that I really care, I just say what I’d seen.

“Good day Future Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhower” Olivia jolly greeted, she kissed my cheeks and shook his hand.

“We’ll be starting the interview in two minutes” she said and settled on the seat in front of us.

Jeanne held my hand and narrowed his face on me. “Don’t be nervous. Say what you think and that’s it.” And I saw Olivia smile on us. I half-smiled and nodded in reply.

“Thirty seconds and we will start” someone shouted.

“Get ready Prince Jeanne, Kathy” she said and she sits up straight.

“Three…two..one..action” Oh my god. I think all of the people here in the set can hear my heartbeat. No one aside from the crew and Olivia was around, and that somehow, kept the pressure low.

“Good afternoon Lexumbia! This is an exclusive interview of the most talked about wedding couple as they talk about the wedding of the year. His Royal Highness Prince Jeanne of Lexumbia and his fiancée, Miss Katherine Humphrey.

“Good afternoon” she greeted

“Good afternoon” we smiled.

“So the wedding will be on Thursday, come the following week. How do you feel? Prince Jeanne?”

“I’m very excited about it, finally we are getting married.” There were no pretentions in his acts and voice, maybe he’s an expert at this?

“How did you meet?” she started.

“Kathy’s family came here to visit my parents, they haven’t seen each other for long” Yes. Hundred and twenty years. Not too long right? “And luckily I was there when they came so I met her” That’s kind of realistic, it’s just that the arrange marriage thing was not told. My family went in Lexumbia last month to meet the Royal Family. Dad and the duke jived easily, as well as mom, granny and the duchess. They spent a week for roaming around and a week for tailor fitting of their dresses.

“Was that at dinner or something?” she inquired.

“It was a dinner, I saw her with her family and the first time I saw her, she beguile me”

“I believe that’s because you we’re destined to fall in love” Yeah right, you never know what we are really up to.

“Next question for you two to answer, the moment you’ve seen each other was it love at first sight?”

“For me it’s not, I don’t believe in love at first sight, I call that attraction, you get attracted the moment you see him but it doesn’t mean you love him, you fall in love when you start accepting him.”

“Were you attracted?”

“Well who wouldn’t be attracted to a Prince in the first place?” If you don’t want to answer the question, throw another question.

“How about you Jeanne? Was it love at first sight?”

“It wasn’t, but I find her attractive.” He paused “Very attractive.” He emphasized The last time I looked at the tabloids someone was whispering in your ear. Right Jeanne? And as I said I never read any of it.

“What traits did you like from Jeanne?”

“He’s actually a gentlemen, very caring and kind. He gives me more than my needs” take that literally, the first time we go out, our first appearance to the public, when I told him I didn’t like anything, he bought every dress I held. I was surprised when I saw it all in my wardrobe in the hotel.

“How about you Jeanne?”

“She’s an extraordinary woman who knows how to fight for what is right, she’s also charming and very intelligent” I’m not charming I guess and intelligent? I’m not so certain where he get that or maybe he is describing someone else?

“How did he propose Kathy?”

I tried to remember the day he proposed, it was last month. A Friday.

“Jeanne, I’m now here at the hotel” I said, I called him before I went down from the Volvo CX70, my second service in this country, just in case you want to know they gave me an Audi A6 car, jealous with what I have? Then why don’t you try to be where I am now and see how hard it is to be a damn Princess! I rolled my eyes. Can you please stop talking to yourself Katherine?

“The party’s starting, I can’t fetch you anymore can you just come up here?” I hear the soft mellow music as his background.

“Okay.” My reply was long isn’t it? I then hung up the phone.

Ava and the rest of the team let me go up alone, after a hundred years! I was again alone. I pushed the P on the elevator button and sighed. What will his friends tell about me? I never met any of his friends, will they like me? Of course they wouldn’t! I think they know about this fix marriage.

I arrived at the penthouse and look around. I was surprised by what I saw. Jeanne walk towards me with a huge smile on his face.

“Hi” he said, wearing well-ironed plain white long-sleeve polo inside his black buttoned coat with his violet stripped necktie.

“I thought we are up to some party?” I asked before I kiss him…his cheeks I mean.

“No, actually I lied. It was just the two of us” he said and gave me a bouquet of red tulips

“For you”

“Thanks”

“Do you like it? I have no idea of what you want”

“Yes I did, thank you” I love flowers, anything aside from Roses. . Seriously it’s the least I like.

“But why? What is this for?” I’m spoiling the moment aren’t I?

“I know everything had happened so fast, in a second you became a public figure. Your peaceful life is now like a chaos. Everything was being done by both of our families and crews and I haven’t done my part yet.” He started, he’s face was serious but every time I look on his brown eyes I have to look away. His beautiful eyes melt me. I’ll admit it for the first time, since I came here, his eyes showed nothing but sincerity and care. They’re simply…beautiful.

“I do not know if I am your dream guy. I am not certain if you can love me for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health or ‘til death do us part, but I am certain that I am willing to do my part as your future partner, to love you, please you and give you the best life I could give. Katherine Humphrey will you marry me?” Then he kneels down.

“You don’t have to do this” I said. Tears are filling up my eyes. This is a dream come true for every woman. The sad thing there is, this is not a real thing. This is fix marriage. I don’t deserve this.

“You are a woman; every woman wants her man to propose to her. Not everything has to be in that contract for me to do it. Every man do their best to give the best wedding proposal, that’s why I’m here kneeling in front of you and asking for you to marry me. You can still no, but if you said yes this time then we surely will get married” he chuckled and I did too but after a short while the light mood shifted again to that question.

I smiled and said “Yes, I do, I will marry you” and I have seen him smile, it reached his ears and I know that his smile that was from the heart. He put the engagement ring on my hand. It was a platinum ring with a diamond on it. He then stands up.

“I don’t know what’s running on your mind, but for 3 months that we’ve been together I can see that you’re a good person. Seriously, I don’t know where all of this is heading. I just want you to know that even if you are not a prince I will still decide to marry you, I also do not know why, maybe my confidence and love for my grandfather told me that I shall marry you. I believe you are the perfect man but I can’t be the perfect girl but I will do my best to fit in with you. Thank you for telling me that you will try.” and put his hand on my waist, I put my arms on his shoulders and we kissed a long sweet kiss that gave a shiver all over my body.

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I told the interviewer everything, well except for the you-don’t-have-to-do-this thing, of course we can’t spill that this is a fixed marriage.

“The next question will be again for you Kathy this is a hypothetical question, there are Royal Families that were not Roman Catholics, and some of them were Anglicans, what if Prince Jeanne was an Anglican?”

“I know we have different religions, we have different beliefs and traditions, but I believe we only have one God, we all believe in one God, but we praise him in different ways, in the ways that our religions teach us. Therefore, if Jeanne had another religion then I will be willing to be converted in that religion, for me it’s like knowing God, in another way”

“Very well said, you really deserve to be a Duchess”

“Thank you”

“Will there be a bachelor’s party?”

“Yes there will be but I do not know what will happen”

“I know what will happen, not the exact details actually but I am not allowed to tell” Lance told me a detail about it. Unlimited drinks. Girls of course. I don’t get why Jeanne hate him so much but he’s a good guy, despite of him being bastard when we first met. As we meet more I’ve known he’s a good man like Jeanne.

“How about you Kathy?”

“There was already, before I left the Philippines my friends arranged one” Yeah. I almost curse on my two best friends especially Sophia. He hired a man to dance in front of me…almost totally naked!

“Will there be a pre-nuptial agreement?”

“No, there will be no pre-nuptial agreement” he said and I shook my head. Until now I can’t convince him to sign the pre-nuptial agreement I made.

“You have something to say Kathy?”

I shrug and he held my hand and said. “She actually wants a pre-nuptial agreement, a thing that we’ve been discussing even before we got married…”

“But there will be no pre-nuptial” he said firmly.

“Why?”

“I believe everything has to be conjugal when you get married. Marriage is a matter of trust, confidence and love. Pre-nuptial is like a great barrier in between husband and wife, a barrier you can’t remove.”

“But for me to be love by a prince is too much, it’s more than too much” I said then he looked at me and gave me a smile.

“You’re a lovely couple.” Olivia complimented making me look away from him and smiled.

“Okay…so…here…You’ve been together for about five months and surprisingly you will get married for about a month from now, why does it have to be so fast?”

“We do not count the days, we count the memories, I have known people for long but know nothing about them, Kathy is exceptional the days we’ve spent together are enough for us to know each other well.”

“The most awaited question of all, Kathy, are you pregnant?”

“No, I am not, as I’ve said Jeanne respects me so much, he wouldn’t do anything like that. He doesn’t only respect me, he respect my family and most importantly his family.”

“Thank you for this interview” and they clapped and after awhile. “Kiss…Kiss..Kiss” the crowd shouted.

“The crowd asks for a kiss, will the Royal couple grant our wish?”