Royally messy

The first thing I noticed with him being so close was the color of his eyes. They were two different colors. One was brown and the other was Hazel.

They were beautiful. It was the first time I was seeing someone with heterochromia. His lips curled up into a smile and his gaze swept all over my face, taking my appearance in.

I stepped back.

"How can I trust that you're Willem and not just a stalker?" I crossed my arms.

He shrugged."You make a good point but I don't have anything to prove that I am Willem".

"Can't you like call your father? I know what he sounds like."

He frowned. "We're not really on speaking terms right now. Not with him arranging a marriage on my behalf ".

I dropped my arms. "So you didn't know too?".

He nodded and ran his hand through his hair.

"I thought you were in on the plan. That was why I stared you down at the diner. I was trying to figure out why you were dressed like that and how no one could tell it was you."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I think you're the weird one for recognizing me. I look too different to be taken for Soraya".

He scratched the back of his neck" I don't think so. Your mannerism isn't that different. The way you tilt your head when you think. Or the way you push your hair out of your face since you're used to putting your hair up all the time as Soraya".

I still wasn't convinced.

"That doesn't help you a lot. You seem like a stalker more now than ever ".

He groaned and brushed his hair back.

"Okay fine. Uh, there was a time when I had a huge crush on you and watched all the videos I could find of you online. "

My eyes went wide. He had a crush on me? Me?

"Don't think too much on it. That was years back. Years back".

I raised my brows" How much did you watch me that you could easily tell who I was from a glance? That was a huge crush you had there, Willem".

He rolled his eyes."Whatever!".

"Nuh uh. It's not whatever. This is huge!" I laughed. "I can't believe you were a fan. Awwn, that's so cute, Willem".

He shook his head and walked out of the room but I followed him.

"Wait!" I called still laughing.

He turned around suddenly and I ended up walking into him.

"Ooof! I'm sorry" I said stepping back quickly.

He stared at me for a while and patted my hair.

"Just so you know, your mother, Queen Laesa called last night. I told her you were with me and she didn't need to worry".

Oh!

"Did she sound angry?"

He shrugged. "I didn't really pay attention to how she sounded. You took up most of my attention span last night".

I gasped.

"Wow!!! You dirty-minded Princess " he scoffed. "Just what were you thinking I meant?".

He stepped closer to me and whispered" I thought we both didn't want this marriage. Should we rethink our stance on that?".

I shook my head. I didn't want to get married. I was just eighteen with my life ahead of me.

"Soraya, if there's anything you want to tell me, you can say it now. It's your choice. If you want to go ahead with the marriage, I'll agree. If not, I'll call it off".

"Really?" I looked up at him.

He stared at me with the most serious expression I had seen on him.

"Can I think about it? For a day?".

What was I saying? I need to call it off now!

Why would I need time?

He nodded and pointed to the kitchen.

"I made breakfast. Do you want to join me?"

"Yeah, thanks". I said walking behind him to the kitchen.

He made eggs and bacon. I loved bacon. I looked at him and saw him staring at me.

A smile rose to my cheeks.

"Oh boy! I still can't get over the fact that you had a crush on me.You even know how much I love bacon. Be careful, Willem, I might want to keep you".

He laughed. "You wish. I might not want to keep you if you keep teasing me".

I smiled"Speaking of this marriage arrangement, why do you think they came to this conclusion? And how are we to rule if we're both heirs?"

He chewed his eggs slowly before opening his mouth. Such etiquette.

"The whole thing is so complex. What I can say though is that they're scared of the royal families being overthrown. This merger is to increase their credibility and popularity".

Overthrown?

"People are trying to overthrow the monarchy?".

He nodded. "The government is getting power hungry. There's a lot they can't do with the monarchy in their way. And with the imperfections that the prince and princess dare to show, they can't be trusted anymore".

"Imperfections... Like Kael? And me? " I whispered.

"And my sister, Drela ". He added.

"Sorry if I sound nosy but what happened with your sister? Why did she abdicate?"

He took a slow breath in. And let it out.

"Drela was um... She fell in love with someone. Someone forbidden ".

"Someone forbidden?".

He raised a brow and let out an amused laughter.

"When I say forbidden, Soraya, I mean , an unconventional partner. Drela's a lesbian".

"Oh!" That made sense. The royal family didn't care for that. You couldn't be gay and be an heir.

"That tracks. I actually thought something bad happened to her. At least she alright. But,are you?"

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged. " I mean. It can't be easy suddenly being thrown into this role you didn't think you would find yourself in. I don't find it easy at all".

"Is that why you disappeared from the public eye after the picture of you drinking went viral?".

"Yeah. I realized after that . I didn't want to be scrutinized every time. Why did you never show yourself in public?"

He averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

"I don't know if you remember but I have been in public. That was seven years ago, when I was eleven. You probably don't remember. Of course, you won't remember ".

"You were?" I asked. "And I met you?".

He nodded.

"I don't remember ".

"Then you can search for it online. I'm sorry but I can't recount what happened to you. After what happened, my father decided it was best I stayed away from the public eye".

Was it that bad?

I stared at him trying to get a read on him but I got nothing.

We remained quiet for a while and ate in peace then Willem cleared his throat.

"Soraya, just so you know, I do not plan on calling off the engagement".

What?!

I looked up in disbelief .

Willem was smirking at me. He looked different. Willem looked cocky and egotistical.

What the hell?

"Who are you?" I hesitated. His answer would tell if what I was thinking was true.

"I'm Will?" He sounded angry.

My fork dropped. Oh no!

Willem had a split personality.