The Crown Prince's Love

"I don't think I can do this." I heard him mutter as he let go of Ana and began walking off the pitch.

"Desmond!" I called his name, and he stopped, turning back to face me. "Are you alright?"

"Do you care, Your Highness?" He retorted and turned to continue walking, not bothering to look back at me.

A knot formed in my stomach, and the voice in my head urged me to follow him, so I did. "I apologize, Henrich, but you should partner with Ana. I have something I need to take care of."

I told him before running after Desmond, who was heading toward another building near the pitch.

"Your Highness, wait..." Henrich's shouts repeated in the distance but I ignored him and pursued Desmond.

Desmond was my priority now, and I wasn't prepared to engage in arguments or fights so early in our relationship.

"This is it." I said to myself as I rubbed my hands together and entered the building where Desmond had disappeared.

Once inside, it was pitch black, and I couldn't see a thing. I considered calling his name, but I held back to avoid drawing attention. I had almost thought he wasn't in the building until I caught his scent.

Like a professional sneak, I inched closer to the scent, and as it grew stronger, I felt a presence in front of me.

"Are you Randy Akuffo messing with me?" Desmond's voice brushed against my ear as he whispered.

I shivered and reached out to touch his chest, and he took my hand, pulling me into his embrace.

"Desmond." I whispered his name.

"Randy, do you have any idea what you are doing to me?"

"And what is that?" I inquired.

"Goodness, why do you act so clueless? How dare you laugh with another man!" He exclaimed.

I sighed. "Well, at least I'm not talking to my ex."

"I told her that she and I couldn't work because I don't love her anymore." Desmond replied.

I smiled. "Desmond."

"I don't want you getting too close to another man, and..."

"Henrich just wanted me to join the game with him, and...."

Desmond placed a finger on my lips. "And I don't like it." He said, his voice tinged with possessiveness. "I don't want him talking to you or looking at you. He keeps saying that you're handsome, and I'm afraid that he might take you away from me, and I don't like how he is..." He paused and groaned.

"Why am I acting like this?" He added in frustration.

"I think it's because your emotions are all over the place." I replied to him.

He suddenly pulled me into his chest again and sighed. "Was this how you've always felt while we were apart, and..."

"Yes, but I can control mine..."

"Randy, I'm sorry. I don't want us to fight on our first date." He muttered and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Desmond, I understand you,..." I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'm not going to be with another man because you're mine. Only mine."

"Only yours." He replied. "What do you say we go on our first date tomorrow?"

"Really?"

"Yes, Randy."

"Of course. Let's go on that date." I agreed.

Desmond sighed in relief and neither of us spoke for a moment until he broke the silence. "We should probably go back now before they start searching for us." He said.

"Alright." I agreed. "Desmond," I called his name as I pulled away from him. "We shouldn't fight anymore because it's not a good thing."

"Yes," He said, and then I felt his lips on mine. Even in the darkness, it amused me how he could find my lips.

When we returned to the pitch, we joined the games, momentarily forgetting our earlier jealousy.

After the game finally ended and the yellow dormitory was announced as the winner, I took a break to get some water from a nearby shop. On my way back, I encountered Ana standing in my path.

"I never knew you were this greedy, Your Highness." She remarked, clicking her tongue. "Aren't you afraid that everyone will find out that you're gay?"

I clenched the bottle in my hand, at a loss for words and unable to respond.

She knew my vulnerability and the potential consequences it could have. I wasn't ready for anyone to discover this about me, given the negative effects it could have on my family and the reputation my father have spent years building. "What's happening here?" Desmond's voice sounded from behind, and I released the breath I had been holding. My heart began to race as he stood by my side and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Do you have a problem with the Crown Prince, Ana?" He demanded.

~Desmond~

He was finally mine. Who would have thought that the prince would belong to me?

Not in my wildest dreams.

During the arena games, I couldn't resist stealing glances at him, making it obvious to everyone that we were together. He didn't want that, and I respected his wishes, but I yearned to hold his hand without fearing judgment from others. I didn't care what anyone else said. I wanted to be with him constantly, without worrying about what others thought.

It was none of their business, we were together, and I loved him.

But, did he love me, or was it just a crush? He hadn't confessed yet, and I respected his decision not to rush things, though I'd already fallen for him.

As the game concluded, I followed him as he left the pitch. Was it insecurity, our bond, or possessiveness?

I couldn't pinpoint my true feelings, but I couldn't stand being apart from him.

When he encountered Ana on the way, I couldn't remain silent any longer, and I walked toward them.

"What's happening here?" I asked. When I received no response, I pressed on, "Do you have a problem with the Crown Prince, Ana?"

Ana scoffed and pointed at both of us.

"Are you two dating now?"

I exchanged glances with Randy, searching his eyes for answers, but he remained silent. So, I took it upon myself to respond, "You're mistaken, Ana. If you continue to accuse the prince, I might need to report this to the king." I warned, hoping she would back off. Instead, she laughed.

"I know you're hiding the fact that you're together."

"But you have no proof." I retorted. "I already told you on the pitch that the Crown Prince and I are just friends. Yet, you keep spreading false rumors."

Randy cleared his throat, and I turned to him. "Desmond is..." He paused as if searching for the right words, so I gently pressed my hand on his shoulder. "He's my bodyguard, and you're jumping to conclusions."

I couldn't deny the tight knot in my stomach. It felt like I was being rejected, but I realized I had done the same just moments ago. So, I laughed it off. "The Crown Prince and I have been friends since childhood. Accusing us is disrespectful. I don't want you spreading baseless rumors."

Ana scoffed, flipped her hair, and then offered an apology. "I'm sorry for saying things that aren't true, Your Highness, but I'll find a way to prove you're dating." She declared before leaving.