Inside the palace, a young handsome man, probably in his mid-twenties, was turning and tossing around his bed probably angry for not being able to sleep well. He kicked the bedding displaying his well-toned body to the golden rays of the morning sun. His hair looked messy but he looked cute anyway.

He ran his fingers through his messy hair revealing his cute baby face. He now looked more younger, a bigger contrast to his current age. Walking across the room, he reached for his robes and slipped into them. The golden-colored attire accentuated well with his body and one could tell by one look that he was royalty.

At the same time, a maid came in holding a tray with his breakfast. The moment she saw him, her face turned red like a tomato. The young man was fazed by her behavior and arched a brow at her questioningly. The maid blushed harder from his action and her gaze traveled to his well-toned abs that he was shamelessly displaying. The young man followed the maid's sight and realized that she was drooling over his body. Chuckling nervously, he buttoned his robes while still fixing his gaze on her. This made the maid feel more embarrassed and she couldn't help but excuse herself.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Your Highness," she said before she literall ran out of the room, almost crashing with another man who was making his way to Alexander's room.

Once the maid left, another man who was tall, regal figure, his features chiseled and sharp, entered the room. His hair, a deep shade of ebony, was swept back in a neat style, revealing a high forehead and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through a person. His face was lined with age, but it only added to his distinguished appearance, making him seem even more wise and experienced.

"Lord Richard, "the young man called amidst the silence in the room, "what brings you here so early."

"I am sorry if I am disturbing your peace my prince," he said before turning to the door ready to leave, "I will tell you later."

"Stop, "the prince called him halting Lord Richard on his tracks. He rose from his seat and strode at the far end of the room. "Is it about the marriage thing?" He asked turning towards the immobile Lord at the door. Lord Richard nodded at him. The prince looked at the distant hills contemplating on something.

"Prince Alexander," the Lord called him averting his gaze now to the Lord," This is for the best of the kingdom, and for your father's sake. Especially now that his health is failing him." The Lord look down probably saddened by the king's condition. Prince Alexander strode across the room and approached the Lord.

"I understand," he said tapping Lord Richard on his shoulder." I will do as my father has instructed." The Lord seemed surprised by the prince's response and hope sparked in his blue eyes. He nodded at the prince and left him standing there. As Alexander watched Richard's silhouette disappear, he couldn't help but fear for his father's failing health. He had fallen sick a few months ago and his condition seemed to worsen with every passing minute. Lord Richard, the king's advisor had always stood with him and helped him run the matters of the kingdom since his father was bed-ridden.

Not that the kingdom lacked in terms of treatment. In fact the best healers came from Valoria, not to mention the quality medicine they produced. The king was no exception to this kind of treatment but his condition seemed to worsen. The best healers had been deployed to the palace and paid handsomely but none of them seemed to find a cure for the king's condition.

Since the time his father was bed ridden, the royal family started to pressure Crown Prince Alexander to find a good wife. Though he seemed hesitant to marry as it came as a surprise, he knew that he had no other option. Beauties from Regal families and princesses from neighboring kingdoms had been lined up for him to choose occasionally but none seemed to have found his eye. His mother, Queen Victoria, had reprimanded him every time he failed to find a match for himself. And he was afraid that he would disappoint her today.

After finishing his breakfast and taking a cool bath, Alexander made for the throne hall. The throne hall was used to be full the first few days but people gradually disappeared after the prince delayed to choose a bride. But looking at it now, only a few people were there, most of whom were the members of the royal family and court officials. Alexander was glad that the number had reduced significantly. But he knew that the rumors would soon circulate that he had failed again. This did not bother him though.

All eyes were on him as he made his way at the front. He walked with his head held high with confidence as a prince would and sat at the throne. The murmurs died down immediately and everyone now focused their attention on the prince. Alexander breathed heavily and with a wave of his hand, the throne hall doors swung open. Beauties swarm in, each displaying their beautiful faces and curvaceous body for the crown prince to see. Unfortunately, he just stared at them, his face emotionless.

Rising from his seat, he approached the lined up ladies and stared coldly at them. The women began to treble in fear as his intimidating aura leaked onto them and he knew none of them was a perfect match for him. He didn't even spare them another glance before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

The beauties streamed out of the hall with their heads down due to the embarrassment of being rejected by the crown prince. The court officials seemed displeased by the actions of the prince. One of them stood up and faced the prince.

"Your highness," he sounded respectful," I think what you are doing is a grave mistake. You need to take in a wife soon. The other kingdoms have started to threaten us due to our unstable government. You need to take action quickly and fulfill your father's wish." The other members nodded in agreement with his statement.

Bang! The sound of a table being hit brought silence in the throne hall. Even the powerful figures present could not help but stare at the prince in fear. Alexander stared coldly at the court officials with a blank face. The sight of him alone was enough to send shivers down their spines. The standing court official coward back and sat down as if he had not spoken anything in the first place.

"I will marry who I want and when I want. Nobody, not even my father can order me who to marry," he yelled and his cold voice resonated in the room. At that time, Lord Richard stood up breaking the tension that now filled the air in the throne hall. The court officials released the breaths that they didn't know they had held for a long time. If there was anyone who could deal with the prince, it would definitely be the king's advisor, Lord Richard.