Chapter 9

"An act?" The woman who impersonated the Princess that night looked at him with a knitted brow.

He could visibly see the confusion on her face as she stared at him.

"What you had told me about yourself? The way you acted with me that night? Was that all a lie?" He could not stop thinking whether he had fallen in love with an illusion.

Did that woman undoubtedly exist, or was that all a performance to win him over and gain his trust? Was sleeping with him a part of their arrangement?

"Was that part of the role you were playing? Was anything about that night real?" He did not know what else to ask, only wishing to get to the bottom of the truth.

"Ahem!"

"Ahem!"

"Hey, Prince Charming, are you even listening to me?" His friend snapped his fingers in front of his face, catching his attention.

He did not even realize that he had zoned out. But ever since he had met his fake Princess, he had never been the same.

His mind had always been floating in the clouds, daydreaming about her. He did not know why, but she completely captivated him.

"I'm sorry, Nolan, what is it?" He did not appreciate his advisor's taunting, but he could not stop him even if he wanted to.

His friend had always taken advantage of their friendship card when it was just them. But he could not say he did not do the same thing to his friend.

However, his friend had always excelled at his job, doing and going beyond for him. Therefore, he never mind his load of craps.

"So, Eli, what happened with your search for the fake Princess? Did you find her?" His friend intrusively butted his nose in his business.

He could try to ignore him, but he knew he would only keep pestering him until he had the complete details.

In his friend's defense, his job was to know everything going on with his life. His friend was only looking after him and his interest.

Unfortunately, being a prince did not afford him much privacy. His life had always been and would always be under constant scrutiny from the public eye.

"Yes, and I offer her a contract like you suggested." It was not his finest idea, but he understood its relevance.

He knew he had felt something for this woman. Whether it was attraction or love, it still bothered him tremendously.

However, he could not help but wonder if he had fallen for her, thinking she was the Princess or the woman herself. But he would only know if he got to know her better.

"I have given her a week to get back to me with an answer." Maybe he would get tired of her after a week, a month, or a year. Then, he could move on and find himself a real wife.

He had to face the simple fact that a woman like her would never be wife material for a man like him. That was positively impossible. He was just being realistic.

"You know that is for the best." Nolan agreed with him, knowing the strict rules of their laws. "Besides, she would have nothing to complain about since her compensation would guarantee her future."

He would pay all her debts and provide for her while they were together. Then, he would give her a lump sum that would set her up for years, or maybe for life, depending on her lifestyle.

"I don't think she could refuse your offer." Nolan guaranteed it. "It is a very generous proposal."

His investigation revealed that she was overwhelmed by debt, struggled to maintain a stable job, and had no promising career prospects. Thus, he figured he was doing her a favor.

"What about the Princess? What would you do about your engagement?" Nolan asked, appearing concerned.

His parents seemed determined to pursue the arranged marriage despite his vehement refusals. Even Princess Jasmin could not convince her parents to end the engagement.

"I already talked to Jasmin. We already agreed to stay engaged to appease our parents. But we will never agree to the wedding." He informed his friend.

He would drag this engagement as long as possible until his parents had grown tired of it. But nobody was forcing him to get married.

But they needed to be discreet with their public appearance, thus the need to keep his romantic affair away from the press.

"I don't know about this. But you have to be careful, man. If the King discovers your plan, he will have your head." His friend reminded him.

He hoped his friend meant it figuratively. Knowing his father, he had no idea how far he would go to protect the image of the Royal Family.

In the meantime, he had to heed his friend's warning and avoid a scandalous affair until he had secured his crown. Then, he would be free to do what he wished once he was King.

"What about this woman, Charlene Maxwell? Did you tell her about your fiancée?" Nolan pried. As usual, he would not stop until he had all the details neatly arranged to a tee.

"Not yet. But I will once Charlie has agreed with the arrangement." He did not see the urgency of telling her about it. Besides, it was just a fake engagement.

He did not see how it would affect his relationship with her and his fake fiancée.

"Anyway, let us go back to business. You have missed several appointments already." Nolan changed the topic as he started discussing more pressing matters.

He only half listened to their conversation as his mind returned to the woman who had invaded his thoughts.

Damn it, Eli!

How could he fall for her? Maybe it was not even love, but just fascination or obsession. But one thing was urgent. He had to figure out what he truly felt for her.

What about his proposal? Would she agree to it? What if she did not? Should he offer her more money?

But more importantly, once this was over.

Would he be successful in getting rid of her?

Good fucking luck with that!