At the other place, Arthur was sitting alone on his apartment balcony. He gulped down a beer can–his third beer can that night. It has just been around 2 days since everything happened and he had to wait for another 5 days. A week feels like a year to Arthur and it is killing him.
He turned to his left side and touched the empty spot next to him–the spot where Gwen sat–and also where everything began, or might be the end for him. Arthur cannot keep his mind at peace. He really does not know what to do if Gwen rejects him especially when he already has a piece of her inside him.
—
A deep breath echoing through the small room. Arthur could not help but smile after Gwen and him came out of one another during their making-love session that night. They poured their whole feelings into it.
"Are you okay? Was I too rough on you?" Arthur asked with deep concerns since they had been doing this for hours. His hand softly grazed the top of Gwen's head in order to sooth her from the pain he might have caused her.
"I'm fine. Don't worry," Gwen looked up to him. Silence emerged between them. No one said a word but their eyes spoke loudly admiring each other's beauty, "I'm tired but I can't sleep."
"Why?"
"It feels nice to be held in your arms like this…" said Gwen while moving her hands to his cheek and caressing it softly. She moved her thumb around his lips and grazed it softly. The urge to kiss him was coming back again but she held back.
"Is it the right time to tell you the truth?"
"What is it? Do you want to tell me that you're the prince?"
"No, I don't. I want you to know that I have feelings for you."
Gwen stared deeply into his eyes, "Why is it?"
"I have no reason for it. It happened so suddenly. The more I know you, The more I want you."
"Have you ever fallen in love with someone else?"
"Of course I have."
"Did everything go well back then?"
Arthur let out a sigh and laughed, "Are you trying to compare yourself with my old crush?"
Gwen shook her head, "I'm just curious about your past love life."
Arthur pulled himself from her and lied down next to her. Gwen shifted her position and turned to him so she could be able to listen more, "I was a coward. Whenever I like someone, I never make a move on them."
"Why?"
"I'm just….I'm not as confident as Max. Plus, I wasn't so invested in love and relationships back then. I was just enjoying myself crushing on someone in silence. I don't even remember what she looks like–my old crush. I've been so busy with life–with work–that I don't have to fall in love anymore."
Arthur pulled Gwen back in his arms, "Is that enough to answer your curiosity?"
Gwen nodded and looked up to him, "I like you too….ever since you showed up at my cafe."
A dim smile formed in Arthur's lips. He was supposed to be happy when he knew that Gwen also has feelings for her. But he was afraid that she might have a change of heart if the truth was revealed that he is the prince.
—
A Week Later
"Agh!"
Arthur, who was busy working, turned around and saw Max shouted in frustration. He came in and threw a newspaper on the table. He took and read it; A picture of Max getting intimate with Helena appeared as the headline of the news. "They caught you?"
"I swear to God these Paparazzi–"
"How's your dad reacting to it?"
"I've explained everything to him! And he actually did not care much about it but suggested that I should talk with the prime minister about us! What does our relationship have to do with politics??"
"Both of your fathers work together simultaneously for this country. Of course it's going to be quite big news for everyone. But maybe Helena already talked to her dad, who knows?"
"Can you please just announce your girl–so we can date in peace??"
Arthur threw a questionable look to Max, "When did this happen?"
"I don't know!! I think, It was around 4 or 5 days ago..." Arthur quickly folded the newspaper and got up from his chair, "Where are you going?!"
"Buy some coffee!!" Arthur waved to Max while walking away. He took out his mask and pulled his hoodie out to cover his face.
—
"It's for table–"
"I'll deliver it," Gwen offered to deliver her customer's order. The cafe was quite packed that afternoon. The weather is starting to get chilly since autumn is slowly approaching makes everyone crave for some warm drinks.
The Palace's guards show up more than usual but it was not a strange sight for Gwen since this happens quite often.
Gwen came to table number 17. A group of young men were sitting there and made quite a scene that disturbed other customers, "I'm sorry if this might sound rude. I didn't mean to be impolite but many customers complained about you guys being noisy. Can you lower down–"
"Your phone number–"
"Huh?"
"We'll follow what you want if you give me your phone number and agree to go on a date with me…you're quite pretty??" said one of them trying to touch Gwen but she hit him with the tray.
"Hei!! What the fuck are you doing?! We're customers here!! You should treat us well!" One of them stood up and tried to confront Gwen.
"Just because you pay for your drinks and meals here that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want and recklessly touch a stranger just like that."
"I was just asking for your phone number–what's so hard–Ack!" He was about to touch her again but another hand moved faster to stop him. Gwen turned around and another guy in a hoodie, covering his face, sitting not far from these men stood up and held his hand to protect her from being touched.
He pulled his hoodie and took his mask down, revealing his face. "A-Arthur?" Gwen froze on the spot. She was so busy serving here and there so she did not notice Arthur's visit. He had been sitting with some of the guards since he came and ordered through them.
"Don't you hear what she said? If you just want to make a scene here, Get the fuck out of here–"
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" That man was in a rage and trying to push Arthur away. But at the same time, The guards were standing and pulled their swords out and pointed to the guy who had been harassing Gwen.
The man and his friends were quite shocked when they were surrounded by a bunch of swords pointed at them, "Who–who are you?"
"Oh My God…Is he the one??"
"Is he the hidden prince??"
"That's the king's son! The Prince of Astoria!"
"He's Prince Arthur??"
Gwen looked around and now the other customers found out about Arthur's identity. Arthur told the guards to bring those men out of the cafe and politely asked the other customers to empty the cafe.
"I apologized for making a scene in this place. You guys are right. I'm Arthur Frederick Zachary Of Astoria, The Youngest son of The King. I am going to pay for all the orders you guys made here and kindly asking everyone to empty this place because I need to have a talk with the cafe owner–PRIVATELY."
All eyes are suddenly on Gwen. She quickly looked down to avoid making any eye contact with other people. She could hear them questioning if she was the one that the prince chose for the finding.
Under Arthur's instructions, The guards guided the other customers and staff to leave the cafe until there were only Arthur and Gwen inside that place.
"The day has come…" Arthur pulled one of the chairs and sat calmly. "I've told you I'm going to make a scene here. So, May I hear your answer?"