1 CHAPTER 1: The Arrival

ACHILLES' POV

"Why aren't you on your clothes yet?" My mom barged inside my room and found me playing overwatch on my computer.

I sighed, "I'm too lazy."

My mom suddenly grabbed the mouse from my hands and the headphones from me. I sighed in defeat and stood up to face her.

"Put your clothes on and go to the airport, right now. Princess Priya will be arriving shortly." My mom glared at me.

I face palmed myself, "Why do I need to pick her up? She's old enough to take care of herself, mom."

My mom went through my walk in closet and threw me some clothes I will wear.

"Because she is your fianceé, Ace. The Chanthara royal family expects us to be the first people to welcome her into our country." My mom answered.

"Fine." I grabbed my robe and went towards the bathroom to get ready. But before I could enter the bathroom, my mom shouted at me again.

"And remember to take her out to eat before you take her home!"

AIRPORT...

Why is she coming here anyway? Why won't she just stay in Thailand and leave me in peace? We can just meet up again when its a necessary occasion.

And as far as I know, we're not even close. We only met once at the family gathering where they set us up for marriage. The first encounter wasn't even that pleasant. She literally treats me like I'm non-existent.

Her attitude reeks disrespect.

And now, how am I able to communicate with my fianceé when I only met her once?

"Young Master, the Majesty has arrived." One of the guards informed me.

So I went to the arrival area and stood there to wait. I wore my shades because I knew too well that nosy reporters and photographers are around us.

Being the son of the Prime Minister is harder than you think.

"She's here!"

"Omo, she looks so pretty!"

"The son of the Prime Minister is here too!"

The arrival door swung open, revealing Priya wearing her shades and long coat to protect her from the winter season.

I walked towards her and bowed, "Welcome to New Zealand, Princess."

She noticed my presence and gave me a smirk. She slowly walked closer to me, our faces a few inches apart. She removed her shades and looked at me in the eye.

The camera flashes were too rapid but it didn't disturbed me from noticing Priya's perfect features.

"Long time no see, Achilles Ardern" She smirked. I smirked back at her.

"Let's go?" I asked. She accepted my hand as a response.

I led her towards my car, walking past the waves of camera flashes and reporters around us.

We finally arrived and went inside the car. The driver started the engine. I glanced beside me, noticing that Priya's been quiet.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "I want to rest. Take me to the penthouse."

"Aren't you hungry? We can stop by and eat." I interrupted.

She glanced at me and let out a small chuckle, "Drop the acting, Ace. It doesn't suit you. Don't worry. I'll tell your parents how good of a fianceé you are."

This brat...

I wonder how horrible can her attitude get. I don't know her too well yet but I don't like her already. Well, she clearly doesn't like me at all too.

This whole arrange marriage is going to be pointless. We'll end up filing divorce.

I sighed, "Okay."

We drove her towards her penthouse. The royal guards helped with gathering and arranging her things.

As a fianceé, I also helped with carrying things. It's the least I could do to please this woman. Paparazzi's are just around and I can't mess up or my Mom will kill me.

Just as all her things are tidied up and arranged, the royal guards and housemaids left us alone in the living room.

As usual, they often give us privacy to the things which couples do. You know what I mean.

It's all our parents play and we're just pawns. So we have no choice but to ride with this whole pathetic arranged marriage.

Priya sat on the sofa, while I stood infront of her. I put my hands on the pockets of my coat and waited for her to say something.

"I guess you can't leave until you take me out on a date today." She smirked at me.

"You don't know how much I want to get out of here. I was just waiting for you to tell me to." I shrugged my shoulders.

She chuckled, "I never thought you got this side of you, Achilles."

"Trust me, you haven't been talking to the real Achilles ever since we met." I smirked at her.

She suddenly stood up and walked towards me, "Really? I guess the real Achilles is this rude, huh?"

I just shrugged my shoulders and stared at her with equal intimidation, "That's a lot coming someone like you."

Her smile suddenly faded and looked at me with a serious expression, "Let me tell you one thing then..."

"I don't think you'll like it once you start to get to know the real me too."

I don't know if that was a threat or a just a mere statement about herself. But somehow, I felt intimidated.

"Now, wait here. I'm just gonna go change my clothes." She said and left me in the living room.

What's the deal with her? I thought she hates me and now she's agreeing on taking her out for a date.

11:24 am...

It's nearly lunch so I decided to take her to a michelin five star restaurant in Wellington.

Looking at her physique, I can tell she doesn't eat that much.

We arrived at the restaurant just in time. We were immediately welcomed by waiters and chefs as usual and escorted us towards the VIP area.

I helped Priya get seated and I sat on my chair right after. The menus were handed over but of course, as the gentleman that I am, I'll let the lady order what she wants.

"Just get me the expensive ones." She said when she didn't even open the menu.

"The expensive ones aren't always delicious, Princess." I spat.

She turned to me, "The menu doesn't show any price. I don't eat cheap food."

"It doesn't show the price because it's all expensive. Rich people like us, we don't care about prices as long as we're given the benefit. You should know that." I answered.

She smirked and leaned on her chair, "Why don't you order for us then? You know this place better than me."

I just sighed and did the job. She's a princess anyway and I know how spoiled it is growing in a royal family. Although, I'm not a prince or shits like that but I grew up in a quite comfortable family.

The food arrived few minutes after. I actually don't know this place. It's also my first time eating in this restaurant. I don't go out that often and I don't take women on dates either.

They go straight to my room, if that's what you're curious about.

"So... What made you decide coming here?" I started.

I know, I look interested but trust me, I'm beyond irritated and annoyed.

But I don't have a choice. I, atleast, need to get to know her. I'm going to marry her and I don't want to marry a stranger.

"You know why I'm here. Stop asking stupid questions." She answered boringly.

She's starting to get on my nerves. I can't believe she possess such rotten attitude for a princess.

"Can we atleast act civil towards each other? I don't want to ruin the contract." I said through clenched jaw.

She stuffed a spoonful of food in her mouth and lifted her gaze to meet mine, "Fine."

Thank heavens, I might've increased the urge to stab this woman with a fork if she insisted on giving me that brat attitude of hers.

"So, what made you come here?" I asked her again.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Our Parents wanted me to come here. They said it'll be better when we're closer. And of course, they expect us to have a closer relationship as well." She answered.

I nodded at her answer, "Are you here for a vacation aside from me?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm here to study too."

What?!

I almost choked on my food but I ended up coughing it out. I grabbed the glass of water and drank it all up.

"Excuse me, what?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"You heard me right. I just got enrolled in your school. What was it again? Prison Academy?" She squinted her eyes.

It's not Prison but you can still say it either way. There's no difference at all.

"It's Prime." I cleared.

She nodded, "Must be a boring school."

I couldn't agree more so I just continued eating.

"Why... Prime Academy? Why can't you just study in another school?" I asked her.

She can't possibly notice, right? My question wasn't even that obvious.

She smirked at me, "Asking that question makes me think you're hiding something from me, Achilles."

Shit.

"Why do you think so? It was just a normal question." I continued to eat.

"I'm getting curious. It makes me want to go to that school more." She muttered.

I looked up to her and met her hazelnut eyes surrounded by her beautiful features. But underneath all that ethereal appearance lies a decaying behavior.

"Get curious and you'll eventually get frustrated. Because I'm not hiding anything." I spat.

She chuckled, "We're both the worst liars, Ace. We're both the great pretenders here. You're not hiding anything? Ever since we got arranged for marriage, we've become liars."

I furrowed my brows in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

"Do you love me? No. Do I love you? Of course not. But our parents think we love each other. Acting all interested when they're around but you're just as rude filthy brat like I am, Ace." She continued.

I shut my mouth close, strongly agreeing to what she just said.

I guess I underestimated this Princess a little bit, huh?

"You talk well." Was all I could say.

"I do things well." She cleared.

I just rolled my eyes at her cockiness and continued to eat..

As soon as we finished eating, I immediately drove her straight to the penthouse. I'm a bit impressed she's not that jetlagged.

I dropped her off the building and we stood in the exit to bid our goodbyes.

Knowing that cameras are around.

"I had fu-" I was cut off when both our phones dinged.

I took my phone out of my pocket while she took hers inside her handbag.

I checked the message.

MOM

"How was it? Did you

take her to dinner?

You should impress her, Ace!"

I sighed in annoyance. I just slid my phone back inside my pocket and watched Priya reading the message she got.

I saw her sigh and roll her eyes in annoyance too. Then she suddenly handed me her phone. I furrowed my brows in confusion but I took her phone anyway and checked the screen.

MOTHER

"Priya, you should ask

your fianceé to pick

you up tomorrow to

school. You should start

building up your popularity

there. You're going to be

Achilles Ardern's wife."

These people. They think they're doing the best for their kids but their actually ruining it for us.

I handed back her phone and sighed in defeat.

"I'll just pick you up at 8 tomorrow." I told her bluntly.

She nodded, "Bye." And she left me, just like that.

I guess I achieved the closure that our parents asked. But it didn't turned out as a different closure. Enemies.

And the real battle starts tomorrow.

I'll make sure to protect her from Priya.