Chapter 4 - Forced Proximity

Chapter four; Forced proximity

 

Adrian's POV;

 

The gala ended on a pleasant note, every dignitary that made time to attend the event thanked king Alaric and commended the gala.

 

If there is one person who is happy that it finally ended, that person should be me. I tried my best to be the gentlest man I can be.

 

I made sure that Seraphina didn't notice my attitude towards her, she was beaming with smiles and even asked when we will be meeting.

 

“ I will schedule a meeting for us later”

 

I said with an assuring smile, she bade me good bye and went home first. My parents and I left afterwards.

 

The next morning, I woke up feeling at ease again, finally I had let off the grudges that I had for that Ethan guy, so for anyone who might have gotten on my nerves the past few days.

 

I just got out of the shower when I heard a knock on my door,

 

“Your Majesty.. I have a message to you from the king”

 

Hudson, my personal guard said.

 

“You may enter”

 

I said, I had just worn my pants and I was still bare chested, he is a man so I didn't need to rush in my dressings.

 

“The king have received an important message from the embassy”

 

“And what is it about?”

 

“I'm not sure, but he requested to see you now, he said that the matter is very urgent”

 

“I will be downstairs in five minutes”

 

“ Yes my prince”

 

“You may leave now”

 

I said.

 

Hudson left to deliver the message to the king, I wondered what it was

 

“What could be the reason?”

 

I thought about dressing up quickly, I rushed downstairs once I was done.

 

 

“Good morning father”

 

I greeted bowing my head.

 

“You are here”

 

“Yes father, I heard that you wanted to see me for an urgent matter”

 

“Yes, you will be going to America for a charity program”

 

“Why all of a sudden? I thought the project was to be carried out next month”

 

“It was moved up, as the next election will be coming up”

 

“Okay…”

 

“You won't be going alone, you will be going with these man i picked out for you, they all have experiences in this area so you will be able to be done quickly”

 

Father said, pointing at the men behind me.

 

I didn't have time to carefully look at them when I entered as I was in a hurry, I turned to see the men I was working with till I met someone familiar.

 

“I forgot to mention, Ethan here will be leading the team, as he is very vast and most knowledgeable among them all so you will also be your right hand man”

 

Father pointed out.

 

I couldn't believe my eyes, it felt as if nature was being cruel by sending this man my way again, but was he basically stalking me?

 

“Naah he doesn't look like one who would do such”

 

I thought.

 

“I trust you will handle this project with care, it's a joint relations venture so it has to show unity, that's why I want you to be there yourself Son”

 

Father concluded.

 

My stomach knotted, I didn't know who suggested that this kind guy work with me. The last thing I want to do right now is share the same space with this infuriating outsider who lacks respect for people in power.

 

I wished I could refuse this task but refusal is impossible since my duty demanded compliance.

 

***

 

Ethan's Pov;

 

“Good, now I am babysitting royalty”

 

I muttered under my breath as I watched the prince leave the hall.

 

I wasn't thrilled with the unexpected turn of events, I thought last night would be the last time of me setting my eyes on the prince.

 

I wasn't scared of being in the space with him because of what occurred between us last night but the fact that I have been a shadow to someone I find really unworthy of my respect.

 

If not for the sake of my job I would have asked the king to please reconsider not taking me along with the others for the trip, but no one dares say no to the king.

 

It felt like an act of treason to do so. I bowed my head and went to get my things ready for the trip since we all will be leaving today … it was that urgent.

 

The trip to the United States was peaceful thanks to the fact that I didn't have any encounters with Prince Adrian. He travelled in first class, while me and the team stayed in business class.

 

It was a 6 hour flight from Valderra to America. We landed at the airport very late at night, our hotels have been booked as a car has already arrived waiting to take us there.

 

I got to my room and arranged my things, before taking a bath, tomorrow is going to be loaded with work so I have to utilize the time that I had for rest.

 

The next day after breakfast, the team waited at the hotel lounge for Prince Adrian. We had been waiting for more than thirty minutes and we were running late for the conference meeting.

 

“You are late your highness”

 

I said, I put on a straight face and looked directly into his eyes. The other members looked at me, one of them even dragging my shirt asking me to apologize immediately

 

But that is what I won't do, I know I still need to work for the royal house but that doesn't mean I should kiss his feet when he is wrong, he is only a prince and not a god, he should be addressed as every other person irrespective of his title