Nathaniel's POV:

I felt someone's hand playing with my hair and it made me feel uncomfortable. I've always hated someone playing with my hair, plus whoever's hand it is, they are cold and felt somehow rough. 

I opened my eyes and found my last night's one night stand staring at me with her hands still in my hair. Ugh, why is she still here, I thought she would be gone by now. Wait, Why am I still here, I should have been back at the palace by now. Buggers!

I scrubbed my way out of bed and started getting dressed "Babe, where are you doing, don't you want round 2" I cringed at her fake purring sound

"You probably do not know what's the meaning of one night stands so let me explain it to you. You have sex with a stranger for one night, the next day you wake up and go apart. You do NOT repeat what happens in the morning. I slept with you last night and that is it. Do not expect more of me. Don't think I would magically fall in love with you, get married, and we would spend whole lives together living our happily ever after. You are nothing but a one night stand; get it through your head Tiffany"

"It's Amelia you arse" she snatched her clothes roughly from the floor, got dressed, and left the hotel room. I got this reaction almost every time so it isn't surprising. I don't need to warn them because my reputation precedes me. I make it to the front page of the newspaper almost every time. I've been called a womaniser, a playboy prince, and a lot worse stuff. Sadly, it's all true. 

I don't do it because I want to, I do it because it pisses off my so-called father, his majesty King Ben and plus its a little fun. I've always hated him for what he did to my mother and growing up; I turned into a rebel and started disobeying him.

I got out of my hotel room and headed to the palace. I had a hotel room always ready for me since I couldn't take my one night stands to the palace. I snuck into the palace as I usually do and headed to my room immediately.

I took a quick shower since I was late already and headed to my walk-in wardrobe. I decided to go with a pair of navy jeans paired with a white button-up shirt. Jeans is a NO in the palace and I must wear a suit all the time, but as I said earlier I am rebelling.

I brushed my hair back, put some cologne on and headed to the dining room. No one was there, probably because they finished eating already, but the food was still set on the table. I took my seat and waited until I was served. As I was about to take a sip of my coffee, Derek interrupted by clearing out his throat. Derek is my father's new assistant. He took over his father, and he is as good as him. My father though doesn't trust him enough yet because he is new. 

"Your Highness, your father has requested your presence at his office. He would like to discuss an urgent matter with you"

"I shall see him after eating breakfast" he nodded and left me to my meal. I took my sweet time eating knowing how much it will sod off his majesty. After an hour, I decided it was time to see what he wanted.

"How nice of you to join us" he said with a fake smile as I entered his office. He was sitting on his chair as usual and my step mum was sitting on one of the sofas "Take a seat son" my step mother said sweetly. It was all fake and I could see it right through her eyes.

"Don't son me, you are not my mother. Anyways, it won't take long so I shall stay in my place" I then turned my attention to my father "So what did you want to take about?"

"King William's daughter turned 21 not so long ago and we decided to proceed with our plan. We are going to merge both sides of the Island and in order to do that, both of you are going to get married. Her name is.." I interrupted him "Her name won't make a difference. I am not going to marry her"

He slammed his hand across the desk "Do not interrupt me" he took a deep breath to calm himself and continued talking "Anyways, you are right, her name won't matter. As I was saying, you both are going to get married and rule the merged Island as King and Queen. No one is to know of this arranged marriage especially the public. You will fake your affection towards each other and pretend your love for her" I cannot believe he sold me out like this for his own benefit. I mean I know he doesn't love me, but to get to this much is unbelievable. 

"I shall not marry her" I stubbornly said. I will not spend the rest of my life stuck with some slag, which probably was in agreement with this whole thing. I do not believe in love and I know that everyone wants something from you. Every single person I met stuck with me for my money and fame, including my own father.

"You will marry her and that's it. You have no say in it" he gritted through his teeth "I said it already and I'll say it again, I shall not marry her" I replied in the same tone. 

"If you don't, then you lose the title and your inheritance" that old bastard, he thinks he can buy me 

"Keep it" I simply said and left the room. I shall leave this hellhole, even if it's the last thing I do. I dialed my best friend's number while heading to my room. 

Grayson and I met at one of the parties we usually have at the palace. His father was one of the most well-known businessmen in the country and Grayson was the heir, so his father forced him to come to the party with him to start getting connections. Grayson and I met at the bar and we were both bored so we hung out together. Since that moment we became best friends even though he isn't a player like me and we are not that alike. He is actually happily married to his high school sweetheart Stella, and they are about to have their first child.

"What's up mate" as he said that, I heard flipping paper, he's probably at his office working "Busy?"

"Not much, go ahead" I took a deep breath and started "My father wants me to get married to merge both sides of the Island and wants to pass me the crown to rule it with my so-called queen. I had a fight with him and he ended up threatening me with my inheritance so I told him to keep it. I need you to pick me up, I am leaving this place"

"Are you sure you are making the right decision? I mean you are going to lose everything and you literally don't have anything to replace the loses" he spoke after a while of thinking

"So you are against my decision?"

"No, you know that I'm with you on whatever you decide to do, I'm just telling you my opinion. I mean what are you going to do if you left the palace" I shrugged not knowing what to say but then remembered that he can't see me 

"I actually started a business of my own, nothing major yet. I'll use this as my chance to improve my business; I just know that I cannot spend my whole life with a woman who is probably with me for some benefit of her own"

"Not all women are the same you know, you just have to find the right one for you" he sighed "Anyways, I'll pick you up within an hour. That will give you enough time to pack" I thanked him and hung up.

I headed to my room to start packing. The moment I got my suitcase out, I heard a knock on the door. I muttered a 'come in' and turned my attention back to packing

"You decided to leave sir?" I nodded as a reply to Derek without looking at him 

"Thought so, if I may suggest your highness, there is a mansion in New York that you can stay in until you figure out things. No one will be at the mansion except a friend of the royal family who will be staying there temporarily. The royal family hasn't been to the mansion for years, so no one would think that you would be there. I can arrange everything and you leave tomorrow. No one has to know of your identity including the friend so that it doesn't get to his majesty. I know that you need some time to think and figure things out, that is why I'm offering my help" he said the last part as he probably saw the doubt written on my face

"Alright, make all the arrangements needed for tomorrow and pick me up from Grayson's house, I'm staying there for the night" he nodded and left me back to my packing.

"This is my only solution to escape this marriage, I have no other choice" this was my last thought as I looked back at the palace while leaving.

..........................

What a coincidence, both ended up escaping and to the same place. 

Hope you enjoyed this chapter