Chapter 4

Zander's POV

Rolling out of bed this morning, a little stiff from my endeavors from last night, I stretched out my muscles on the way to my closet.

Speaking of, I need to make sure she signs the confidentiality paper before taking off, can't have random women claiming they slept with the prince.

I put on my robe, and head downstairs for some coffee, people bowing their heads as I stroll by uttering "Your highness".

I do not take a woman home often but being a man and single, it happens, soon or later.

It doesn't hurt being nineteen years old, good-looking, and carrying a crown has its advantages also.

Having the west side of the palace helps with privacy, so I can wander around without running into my parents. They have the east side, and we reserve the middle for tourist groups, media, and other official royal events.

Finally, making it my private kitchen, I grin as my dearest friend and personal assistant that already has a mug of coffee ready for me.

"Good morning, your royal highness. Coffee is ready, and I already assigned one maid up to the room with the young woman's now clean clothes and confidentiality form. I will be back in a few after making sure she signs it, then we will go over your schedule for the ball tonight," Zack said before disappearing.

Oh crap, I forgot about the charity ball tonight, my mother's intention of trying to uncover a future queen, I'm certain.

Sipping my coffee alone deciding to go through my stockpile of mail, I recognize a red envelope. I sighed out heavily, another threat... Sometimes these characters get on my nerves.

Reading the threatening message which promises impending death soon, with no name, or return address like expected, I huffed.

Part of being royalty I guess, and this is the same man for the past few months saying the same thing, but no substantial physical threat so far.

Throwing the letter on the counter, I glance at my other mail as Zack comes back in "All is set, and she says to tell you she had an amazing time" he snickers.

Zach is twenty-three and a respectable-looking guy himself, he has been by my side for the past ten years, first friends, later turning into my secretary.

He is also somewhat of a security guard, seizing the fawning women off my hands with pleasure.

"Today we need to pick up your suit from laundry... set up your meetings for the next few days while we are in the city of Aeredale while on the jet ride. It should take four hours to get there".

I grunt "I loathe going to that place, all those people annoyed me, they wave their wealth around, and assume they are better than everybody else,".

Zach chuckles, "I know, I don't like to go either, but duty calls. This is a charity event, after all, we require their cash for the children. Plus, you might find someone worthy of staying more than a night"!

I laugh at that, "Sure. Most are after my crown or wealth, you know I don't want all that! If I meet someone capable of handling their own, and not after those, then maybe. You notice I am a man of my people and will not put up with greedy women".

Zach grabs my coffee and his clipboard "Let's get you ready, we need to get moving, just promise me you will smile tonight," accompanying him to my room, I think on his advice.

Yes, I will, only because the orphaned children require the money for food, housing, and to aid their loss... for them, I will smile.

I do not advertise my wealth or status most of the time like others, everybody knows who I am, and they know I care about my people.

Intrigued at what Zack said about meeting someone though, what I said is true, and I have cut off my affections, I do not need a woman to mislead me when I should focus on the kingdom.

They will crown me king when I turn twenty-one, so that is my focus, then my country will be number one...