The Crown Prince's Love
Chapter 15

"... I don't know what to say. I..." I stuttered, having no idea what to say.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I am sure that you will like my friend," She stated, and I smiled at her, returning my gaze to Desmond.

"So, Ana," Noah cleared his throat as he spoke. "Are you going to get back with Desmond?"

Ana laughed and nodded in response.

She grabbed Desmond's hand and placed it on the table.

Desmond raised his head and looked at her. "I let him go two years ago, but now, I will get him back."

"What..." Desmond stammered, too stunned to speak, like I was at that moment.

"I..." He suddenly looked at me, and when our eyes met, I felt my heart beating so hard and going thump thump.

Ana chuckled. "I know that you still have feeling for me," she raised their hands together and placed them on her chest. "That is my heart beating for you, Desmond."

Unable to endure it any longer, I stood up and slammed my hands on the table. The turmoil in my mind had reached its breaking point, and I could no longer feign composure.

The hushed conversations of students in the cafeteria resumed, and even my siblings shot me strange looks in response to my outburst.

I couldn't hide my emotions any longer, so I walked away.

"Excuse me," I announced to the others at the table. "Continue your meal." With that, I left the cafeteria.

Returning to the student walkway, I found a secluded spot and sighed deeply, placing my hand over my pounding chest.

"Why do I have to act like this in front of everyone?" I questioned myself, feeling the weight of my emotions.

Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice someone approaching from behind until they spoke. "You like Desmond don't you?" Startled, I turned around, and my eyes widened as I discovered the unexpected identity of the speaker.

It wasn't who I had anticipated.

"How were you able to..." I was lost for words, having no idea how quickly she discovered it. "How did you replace out about this?" I questioned again, hoping to understand how she had uncovered the truth.

Ana smiled at me. "I know about love, your highness, and even before that, I had already seen the way you looked at Desmond. You are in love with him, which is okay on your side, but have you ever thought if Desmond likes you?" I stared at her, lost for words and unable to say anything.

This was not how I had wanted anyone to replace out, especially not her. I tried to tell Desmond myself, but the fact that he doesn't seem to feel the same way made me wonder everything could go wrong.

I never thought Ana would see through me to the extent of realizing that I have a crush on Desmond.

"How did you replace out about this?" I questioned again, hoping to discover how she discovered it.

"Because I came back to the party that night, and then I saw you two kissing," She said and chuckled. "It was there that I realized my assumptions about you were right. Prince Randy, you don't like girls, do you?" "What... I..."

Ana chuckled yet again. "You are the reason why Desmond and I broke up. It's all because you wanted him to yourself, which was why we broke up."

"No," I argued. "Look, you are right about everything. I like Desmond, and you are correct about him being my crush, but I never wanted the both of you to break up. You may not believe me right now, but that is true."

Ana sighed and moved closer to me but ensured a space between us. "I love Desmond, and I am planning on getting him back because he was mine from the beginning. I know you love him, Your Highness, but I feel the same way. Aside from that, you are the Crown Prince of Bourne. Do you think you will be accepted when they all discover you love men?" She scoffed and shook her head. "You will only bring shame and rebuke to your family. Because of you, the royal family would have their names tarnished, which would be bad, right?" She tutted.

I felt my hands shake beside me, and my heart raced quickly.

I could feel the world going in circles in front of me. The fear that I had was coming to pass. I did not want anyone to replace out about my secret for fear that I would be rejected.

I had watched my parents love each other as a child, and as the Crown Prince, I was supposed to carry on their legacy, but now, I was about to bring disgrace to their names. "I.. I..." I stuttered like a fool.

I should be strong and face Ana to let her know that being different wasn't so bad, but I couldn't deal with societal stigma. Everyone would hate me, and I couldn't say the same about my parents. They would be disappointed because, according to them, I was supposed to continue the bloodline, but that wouldn't be happening because I was different.

"Is being different a bad thing? Why are you trying to make me feel bad?"

Ana slightly bowed her head, and when she raised it, a smirk appeared. "Forgive my manners, Your Highness, but do I need to remind you about your duties as the Crown Prince? No one will accept a gay prince who can't continue the generation of the royal family. I am trying to save you from yourself and let you know that you can still make amends and try to love girls as much as you do with guys."

No way that could happen. I had never pictured myself loving girls. It was not something that I could ever do. "I am different!" I shouted at her. "I know you are disgusted by me being different, but that is how I am born. I am..." Ana laughed. "I apologize, Your Highness, but no one is born gay. You choose to be like this because it is what you want. You may be different, but have you ever thought about Desmond?" She asked, folding her arms as she stared at me.