A/N: So, yeah. Another story! Above is a picture of my personal favorite actor of all time, David Tennant! I'm using him as a faceclaim for Prince Grayton. So, when you think of Grayton, think of David! Also, this is like the Selection series by Kiera Cass from a prince's perspective. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to vote and comment!
-MaddieBee
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Prince Grayton's mind teamed with thoughts. The frigid wind cut across his cheek as he rode his Clydesdale horse, Tennant, to his 'Cloud Nine' as he had dubbed it. It was late January, and the weather in Angeles was chilly and mild.

Once at his 'Cloud Nine', Grayton dismounted Tennant and tied him up on a lead. Grayton's 'Cloud Nine' was nothing more than a private sanctuary in the woods, hidden from Illéa's eyes. He took a whiff of fresh, crisp air and walked over to his tree. The sanctuary consisted of a small pond overlooked by a lazy old tree from King Maxon and Queen America's time.

Grayton sat in the tree's shade, relishing the quiet while it lasted. He closed his eyes for a moment as he leaned back on the tree's trunk. Twilight began to fall, signaling dusk. Grayton pulled out a sketchbook and a 2B pencil from a small wooden chest by the tree and began to sketch a drawing of the sunset.

As he sketched, he thought about Reinette, the Princess of France, who had come to the castle to meet Grayton and, according his parents' ideas, potentially wed him. She had come several months ago, and Grayton had fallen madly in love with her. He wasn't exactly sure how, but something felt extremely off about the whole thing. Grayton had gone out of his way to make his guest feel comfortable and happy during her time here in Illéa by taking Reinette on several dates, one even resulting in a kiss, and an extremely awkward kiss at that.

Grayton started to softly sing an old song he found comforting as the stars blinked their sleepy eyes and smiled at the earth below.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches, whatever you wish for you keep. Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true."

After the words had departed from his lips, Grayton looked up into the sky and fixed his gaze on the moon. He looked back at his sketch and smiled. He liked it. Happy with the finished product, Grayton stood up and stretched a bit. He took off his shoes and his socks and rolled up his pants' legs. He walked over to the edge of the pond and took a seat by the waters. Letting his toes dip into the mirror like face of the water, Grayton closed his eyes as he began to imagine spending the rest of his life with the Princess of France.

~Grayton's Thoughts~

I exchange a smile with my wife, the former Princess of France. Two small children resembling myself and my wife race up to me, both wearing happy grins.

"Come on, Father! Don't want to be late for the picnic!" a little girl with a distinct resemblance to Reinette dressed in a sky blue frock pleads me, her petite face glowing radiantly with a big smile. She takes my hand in her soft little one and leads me closer to a quaint clearing in the woods. A little boy resembling me pulls Reinette along too.

I roll my eyes playfully, and with an amused smile, obey my little daughter. Once at a spot we deem worthy of eating at, Reinette sets a picnic basket and blanket down on the emeraldine grass.

The children chase each other around the clearing while we set out the food. Once everything is ready, I call my children to the blanket. They come, and we eat the satiating lunch. After we are finished, I chase my children around, and when caught, let them ride my shoulders. I take a deep breath as I turn back to my wife and smile.

This is my paradise.

~Grayton's Thoughts~

* One month later*

Grayton let out a shallow sob as he walked back slowly to his room, the news ringing in his mind. She was gone. She had thought nothing of everything he had done for her.

Reinette had chosen Prince Allister of Scotland over him.

She was gone.

"Did I not do everything to make her feel welcome? How am I supposed to find a wife amongst thirty-five women when I can't even make one princess feel as though I care about her?" he muttered, worry echoing in his voice as he turned the knob of the door leading to his bedroom.

Grayton shook his head as he closed the door behind him and walked out onto the balcony, his heart beating like that of an Indian drum.  He sighed as his eyes looked intently at the roaring waves of the Pacific Ocean ahead of him.

"Grayton Schreave, will you open this door so I can talk to you?" his father, King Romeus, called behind the closed door. Not waiting for an answer, he opened the door and walked up beside his son, despite the fact that Grayton was taller than his own 6 foot frame.

"Look, I don't care if you're upset, you've got to act like a prince. I'm done with waiting for you to 'find your true love' like a fairytale like your mother says you will, because you and I both know that the real world doesn't work like that. I'm giving you a month, then we will send out selection forms, got it?" he said sternly, turning to leave.

A soft sigh was Grayton's reply, and he let the tears fall as he heard his father close the door on the way out.

"Yes, Father."