CHAPTER THREE: Royal Pleasures.

"Love . . . [is] a lack of personal selfishness." ~ Theodore M. Burton.

-

Lucia rushed from her house quickly closing the wooden door. She was excited, beyond hyperactive. After what had happened two days ago, she couldn't wait to be with Alexius. She couldn't wait for him to shower her with kisses, she couldn't wait to see his glowing skin, pressed against hers. Even when her aunt yelled at her, Lucia simply smiled. Is this how it felt to be inlove? she did not want to jump into conclusions just yet. She craved Alexius so bad, he always made her feel good... she felt so good, she even forget she was laid on the hard ground full of green grass or that she was pressed against the tree as he devoured her lips. Alexius had one of his chaperones set a picnic right next to the riverbanks, it was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for Lucia. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her too, she was smitten.

They did not only have sex, they talked. The Prince would tell Lucia about all the places he has traveled to. They enjoyed each other's campany, her smile made his heart jumpy. The cute blush on her cheeks whenever he put a strand of her white blonde hair behind her ear. The giggle she made whenever he tickled her. The passionate look she gave him whenever she talked about the things she loved or the books she read and the greatest things in her life. The Prince realised she didn't have much but she lived her life to the fullest, he had everything but complained about not having his father's attention and in need of a mother.

Lucia didn't have both parents.

"Lucy, where are you off to?" Khristian asked. Khristian was her neighbor, they grew up together. Khristian had a huge crush on Kyra while growing up even presently but Kyra looked down on him. Lucia didn't understand why because Khristian was a nice, kind, handsome man, with his jet black hair and hazel brown eyes. Khris was her bestfriend.

"I'm going for a swim." She gave him a small smile.

"Can I join? You know it has been long since we hung out." Khris said wistfully.

"Yes, I'm aware but I just need to be alone to clear my head." She felt bad for lying to her Best friend.

"Oh, is everything alright? Did your aunt whip you with the cable again because I swear, we will go pack your bags right this very minute then you could come and live here with my mom and I." Khris suggested.

Lucia shook her head.

"No, but she did slap me for breaking one of her souvenir glass that she got as a gift from the palace." Lucia explained but it was all sorted because she had told Alexius about it. He was so mad at her aunt. She didn't intend to ruin their moment and tell him but he had happened to ask what had happened to her cheek, Lucia had to be truthful. The Prince brought five more glasses, he said he had stolen them from the east wing kitchen at the palace. It wasn't a big deal because they were replaceable. He gave her a soft peck on the lips as he whispered the words. "Now you can break as many glasses as you want and simply replace them with these—" He smiled.

At that moment she felt so lucky, so lucky to have him in her life. She wondered how she lived before he had came along.

"That witch-" Khris sneered.

"It's okay, I have to go Khris." She said and he simply nodded. Lucia made it to the river, Alexius was already seated on the grass looking heavenly in his branded expensive royal suitor clothing. He always smelt so good. Compared to him him, she looked blunt and indifferent.

Khristian had followed her to the river and to his surprise. He watched as Lucia ran into the Prince's arms, they were all smiles, he looked like he had been expecting her presence. They looked well acquainted as Lucia straddled the Prince his strong arms around her small waist. They had no idea they were being watched as the Prince allowed Lucia to unbuckle his slacks. During their sexual encounters, The Prince had always pulled out excluding the very first time. He couldn't hold himself but he was glad when she didn't say anything about missing her period. They had been at luck.

Khristian was beyond appalled.

Sex before marriage was a sin and the Acamas kingdom took that very seriously. Lucia could get in trouble because of this. What would happen when Lucia wedded and her groom found out on their first night that she wasn't a virgin. These thoughts ran through his mind as he left the scene.

He didn't want to witness, the infidelity happening under everyone's nose. Lucia needed to stop, the King was capable of beheading her. The punishment would be severe. This was the Prince for goodness sake and she was well a nobody. He wondered how long this had been going on?

-

Lucia laid on Alexius chest, after their heartwarming love making. She could feel his heart steadily beating. He stared down at her rosy cheeks as he slowly caressed her blonde hair. "I brought you this book, I really think you will love it." He whispered into her ear. She smiled at how thoughtful he was.

"It's called the picture of Dorian Gray, one of my many favourites." He said huskily. "I would love to think you are Sibyl Vane." He said sadly. She smiled thinking it was sweet.

It wasn't sweet, Sibyl Vane was the girl who committed suicide because Prince Charming refused to continue seeing her. Prince Charming being Dorian Gray. In the story Prince Charming was Prince Alexius Nikoloudis II.

This only meant tragedy.