"Nice to meet you, Gwen!"
"I have to go back to work! Bye!" She went back to the cafe while my eyes were not done staring at her yet and ignoring the chaos behind me due to The Finding tradition announcement.
Starting from today, I will be the one that everyone searches for. But who would expect that right on the first day of The Finding Tradition, The Prince has already found his crush when everyone just started to look for him.
I just have to hide and work harder to convince her to be my queen, The Queen of Astoria.
—
I was walking down the street on my way from the cafe to my office. I am currently working in a private architect office run by my cousin, Max.
I looked around and giggled to myself seeing the street buzzing due to the announcement of The Finding. My dad used to tell me that it was fun seeing people talking about him without knowing that he was the one that they're talking about and now I know how it feels.
This tradition has been running down in my family for ages. The main purpose of this Finding tradition is to avoid the throne's war among the royals. Since the only way to sit on the King's throne is by marrying the King's son, no people from inside of the castle are able to snatch the throne from us.
My parents got married in 1994 and then my mom gave birth to me and my sisters in 1995, 1996, and I was born the last in 1997. The last Finding tradition was held around 1993 before my dad became a king. So it has been 30 years since the last The Finding tradition was held.
My dad was wary that he wouldn't ever get a son, Because that means he would still have to lead the country until my sisters gave birth to a son but then I was born and he was delightful. He did all his best to protect me from the media so he sent me away to study abroad in England until I'm ready enough to come back here.
I entered the office and put my takeaway orders on the table. I shoved the Iced Americano to Max, who was currently busy building blocks for our current project.
"You must have heard the news…."
"Yep, I was there when it was announced," I sat down on my chair and enjoyed my cake.
Max paused for a while and looked at me with both of his hands on his waist, "Congratulations for being the most wanted guy in this country," he said while starting to enjoy his Americano.
"Tch–still, they haven't found me yet."
"They will. It's just about time."
"What do you think about this tradition? Sometimes I think it's kind of ridiculous. But It's fun."
Max let out a breath before resting on his chair. He felt refreshed after drinking the Americano, "It's fun. But it's gonna be tough for someone like me–who's not a prince."
"You can be one if you want–"
"I don't want to."
"Just talk to my Dad–"
"I don't want it, Bastard–" I chuckled when I heard Max started to cuss at me. This is just a normal convo between us since he is the only same-age man in our family. We grew up together like a best friend, enemy, and cousins.
Max's dad is My dad's little brother. He is a businessman and currently working for the Economic Ministry of Astoria. Max was studying architecture in England and We came back to Astoria and he built his own Architect firm and I am just one of his workers. I can't run a business like him since I'll replace my father's position as a King.
"So, What's the problem with this tradition?"
"Women will be wary of us since there are some jerks who'll use this opportunity to scam them. They might claim themselves as a part of the royals and they'll believe it. And when I told them that I'm the son of the Economic minister, they won't believe me! I am looking for a girlfriend too!"
I laughed and totally understood his concern. At times like this, many women will not believe it when men say that they're a part of the royals. The Finding days is the fun time to see many men and women fight in front of the castle to prove the truth if the men they are dating are truly a part of the royals because the guards won't open the gates unless you're a part of us.
Max, Me, and the rest of the royals have our own id card that lets us enter the castle.
"Are you busy tonight?" Max asked me.
"Nope. Why?"
"Let's go to Roxy. I'll book the VIP."
"With the girls?"
"What do you think?" said Max, smirking while waiting for my answer.
"Please don't. It's risky. The Finding has just started. It'll be a problem if I get hot with them while I'm drunk. If I spill the truth, My dad will kill me."
"Okay! Just the two of us. I feel like hitting on the dance floor today…but anyway, since it's just started, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Is there any woman that picks your interest?"
My mind quickly runs to the cafe that I visit regularly. I don't have any exact reasons for why I keep coming back to that place except because of the beauty of the cafe owner, Gwen.
"I think…we've already got the future queen of Astoria…who is this lucky girl?"
"Not yet actually."
"What do you mean?"
"I think she is not interested in living inside the castle. She said she would reject the prince if he has feelings for her unless she has the same feeling as me."
"So, You mean…you're going to make her fall for you before you reveal yourself?"
"Kind of like that…but we'll see how it goes."