Four

Calvin woke up with trumpets that announced that it was his birthday. He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. His life kind of sucked. He knew that guys his age would be making plans to get some at the end of the night. He was saddled with responsibilities especially since he was his mother's favorite. 

He yawned and rushed into the bathroom before the remote controlled maids attacked him. He hated how programmed they were. They followed orders and none of their words were original. He sighed. Maybe being the Prince was a punishment for something he did in his past life. 

He dressed in a button up shirt that exposed his chest and a pair of loose pants. His hair wasn't fully dried so it tousled in front of his face. He had the face of a Greek god (according to the media and his millions of fans). To be honest, most people didn't believe in his father's policies but the hotness of his son seemed to be a compensation. 

"Morning" Calvin greeted the chef before grabbing a mug. "Gracious!" Mrs. Greta held her chest. She was in shock mostly because she had never seen the prince so casually dressed. "Sorry?" He said unsure. "You naughty boy!" She smacked his hand with the big dessert spoon she was holding. "Ouch! I'm sorry". He blew on the hurting part. Greta wore a satisfied smirk on her face. Calvin wasn't going to let her win so he snatched a muffin and ran off. Greta hated it when people ate sweets before a meal.

The prince went for a stroll in the garden but not without his sketchbook. It was pretty early so most of the flowers had just bloomed. He was at peace. But his life was filled with the calm before the storm. His storm was marching around the palace in search of him. The Duchess of Edinburgh aka the Queen. His mother.

Duchess Christine was a fierce woman. She loved power and she wanted her ideas to always be adopted. She hated competition and she was strict about prestige. Calvin was the only person who treated her like a normal person. Many looked at her in admiration or fear. Calvin was disgusted by the way she treated many people like second class citizens. And she had this unexplained hatred for Americans.

"There you are", Christine sighed once she found him, "what are you wearing?" "They're called clothes, Mom". He rolled his eyes. She ignored his remark and forced him inside.

Calvin had no idea how it happened but he found himself in a posh suit getting ready for his birthday ball. He had many plans for escape that all failed. He straightened his cuffs as he looked at his reflection. He was drop dead gorgeous but he was uninterested in everything. 

"My son", Christine smiled while adjusting his collar, "you look handsome. Just like your father". "He's lucky that he's in Brazil". Calvin mumbled.

"Son" she paused. "Your father is in London".

"What? When did he fly in?"

"He never left. He's sick, dear. The doctors are worried. That's why tonight is special". Calvin moved back. He knew what she truly meant. "No! Absolutely not!" He raised his voice. "You have no choice!" She frowned, "I say when it's time around here! The only privilege you're getting is picking one out of many". She took in a deep breath, "you'll make the announcement at the end of the night", she stood by the door, "happy birthday, son".

She might as well have stabbed him in the heart. "Dammit!" He cursed. He was pained because he should have guessed her intentions but he didn't. He wasn't even capable of questioning her. "At least, I get to choose the robot", he murmured, "that should be fun".

His lips were tired from rejecting the ladies. He could feel his mother's glare but he ignored her. That was the only fun he would get. His ears perked when he heard a voice apologizing profusely. He turned to see a beautifully dressed lady at the entrance of the ballroom. She bumped into one of the guards because she was in a hurry.

She was muttering to herself about a part of her dress that clipped onto a nail. The stranger stumbled in front of him. She caught herself in time and sighed. He should have reached out to her but he was mesmerized by her beauty. She didn't have a make overed face like many of the ladies he had encountered earlier. "You saw that, didn't you?" She asked. Clearly American. He thought, this should be interesting.

"I did". He smiled, "great catch by the way". "It takes more to fall me down", she chuckled, "wow! This place is cool". 

"Is it?" He smirked waiting for her to sing his praises.

"It is. The royal family is loaded. Pardon me", she stretched her hand, "I'm Lathrina Mevens but you can call me Lacey".

"You're American". He pointed out as he shook her. Her hands were soft and warm. "Wow! What made it obvious?" She chuckled, "I'm actually English too. I was born in US lived in Manchester all my life then moved back and here I am". 

"Quite the adventure you've had". He was still puzzled that she had no idea who he was.

"Oh please! We all know you've gone to several countries. You're filthy rich". Calvin pulled Lacey to the dance floor even if she didn't stop her protests. "Will you let go?!" She whisper yelled. "Why the rush?" He asked smoothly. "This is technically assault", she struggled, "I should have argued with Merinda about coming". "The Hespsters?" "Yeah. You know them?" 

"Of course. Did she really force you to be here?" Lacey found the opportunity to free herself. "Yeah". She had 'duh!' screaming in her tone. "I mean...why would I want to force myself into this dress and drink champagne that's more than my tuition?" she continued rambling to the stranger, "what's a ball supposed to mean? I don't see balls around. All for a prince! Let's not get started on the royal family". She scoffed and rolled her eyes, "they care nothing about their subjects. My parents died because of their 'payment before service law'. I can never forgive that. And eurgh...can every single girl I meet this evening stop talking about how hot the prince is? Who gives a damn? I could do better than all their sorry asses but I would never want to get mixed up with such". 

She finally paused to take a breath. That was when the reality of her blabbing hit her. She just told a stranger that she almost bumped into all about her struggles.  "Dammit" she whispered, 'I'm sorry". Calvin smiled at her and walked away. He had heard all that he needed to. "Great!" She huffed, "I managed to scare away a totally hot guy with my motor mouth". 

Lacey checked her phone. It was five minutes before midnight. She sighed. She started walking through the crowd to find Merinda or one of the boys. Once she proved she was at the ball, she was free to go. A loud trumpet interrupted her plan. All the notable members of the royal family where standing together. She spotted Duchess Christine from afar. She was one of those that referred to her as a witch.

The stranger was standing beside her. She raised her brows in confusion. "Why is he beside her?" She asked herself. "Who doesn't know the Prince?" a random girl answered. The answer shocked her. The real bomb was his announcement. It kept ringing in her head. "My chosen bride to be is Lathrina Mevens!" 

Their eyes locked and Lacey gulped. The bell of the clocktower and her heart bounded in a rhythm. This cannot be happening She thought.