Christopher's POV.
The table was set like a scene from a royal fairytale. Golden plates. Silver cutlery. Candles tall as towers. Everything sparkled beneath the chandeliers of the royal dining hall. But no amount of luxury could calm the storm in my chest. I was sick of all of it. Mia was here. My mother had reminded me last week, and now everything was happening exactly as they had planned. A royal dinner to welcome Mia and her family back to England and to announce the engagement. The beginning of a future I had never asked for.
I sat at the head of the table, beside my father. On my other side sat Mia, radiant in a navy-blue silk gown, glowing as if she were already rehearsing for her role as queen. Across the table, her parents laughed politely with mine. My mother smiled gracefully, playing the perfect royal hostess. My father sipped his wine slowly and calmly like he was already counting down the seconds to our wedding.
I didn't touch my food. I only stared at my plate and kept glancing at the door as if someone might burst through and save me. As if she might save me, Felicity, the love of my life and stop this madness. Just thinking her name in silence made everything in me ache.
"Christopher." My father's voice thundered suddenly, sharp and commanding.
"Yes?" I looked up, startled.
"Will you do the honors?" he asked smoothly.
"Sorry… the honors?" I echoed.
His lips curved into something resembling a smile. "The announcement."
My chest tightened and my stomach dropped. Mia beamed, sitting straighter as her parents leaned forward in anticipation. Then my father rose to his feet and raised his glass, standing tall as the room fell silent.
"It is with great joy and pride that we officially announce the engagement between Crown Prince Christopher of England and Lady Mia Harrison of Scotland. The wedding will be held next month."
The room went silent for a beat except for the scrape of my chair against the floor.
I stood. "What?! No. I'm sorry, but no," I said, my voice cracking despite my effort to control it. "I'm not marrying Mia, and you or anyone else can't make me."
You could hear her parents' shock in their silence. Mia's smile faltered.
My father's face turned red with anger. "Excuse me?"
"I said I'm not marrying her," I repeated, my voice firmer now. "You can't force me to marry someone I don't love."
My mother stiffened beside him. With a small smile, Penelope watched quietly, her eyes softening as she realized just how deeply he loved Felicity. Mia stared at me, stunned. "I don't understand."
I looked at her, my words heavy with pain. "You deserve someone who chooses you freely. I'm not that person. I'm in love with someone else."
Boom that was it. The table exploded.
"You insolent child!" my father roared, slamming his fist onto the table so hard the cutlery rattled. "This is not a foolish college romance. This is not a fantasy nor a romance novel. This is royalty. Duty. Responsibility. Honor. The crown. You do not get to follow your heart whenever you please. You were born into this life. You were raised for it. And you will do your duty, whether you like it or not."
The room fell silent beneath the weight of his anger.
I turned toward him, pulse roaring in my ears. "And what about my heart? What about my happiness? I was born into this, yes but I won't let it bury me. I didn't ask for this life, and I refuse to let it destroy me. I refuse to let it control me, to dictate who I can be or what I can feel." I met his furious gaze, voice steady despite the fear and anger in my chest. "I am a grown man, and I want to be with the one I love. I want to live my life on my terms, follow my heart, and choose my own happiness."
"You will marry Mia, and that's final!" he snapped. "This is not up for debate. This is not negotiable."
I glared at him, my hands trembling with fury. "Then crown someone else. Find another prince. I won't be forced into this."
Gasps echoed around the table. My mother's hand flew to her mouth, and Mia's father muttered something about disgrace. The King's eyes locked onto mine like daggers.
I started walking, ignoring the furious glare behind me. "Don't walk out on me!" my father barked.
"Sorry, Father, but I've made my choice," I said, my voice steady despite the storm in my chest.
I didn't wait for permission. I stormed out of the dining hall and didn't stop until I reached my old room. I slammed the door behind me. My room felt smaller than I remembered. I braced my hands on the dresser, my heart thudding and my breathing coming in sharp, hard gasps, so strong it felt like it could shatter my ribs.
Minutes passed. Then a soft knock came at the door.
"Go away," I muttered.
"It's me," my mother's voice said gently. "Please, son… I need to talk to you."
I hesitated, then slowly opened the door.
She stepped inside, graceful as ever, her eyes studying me with a mix of concern and sadness.
"Christopher," she began.
"I can't do it, Mother," I said before she could ask. "I can't marry Mia. Not when every beat of my heart belongs to someone else."
She took my hand gently. "Then tell me… who is she?"
I looked her in the eye. "Felicity Paddington."
Her brows lifted slightly. "Felicity Paddington—the American girl who came to Oxford? She made quite an impression in my home. She's your sister's best friend, and she defends her."
I nodded. "She's not royal. She's not rich. She's not powerful. She's not even someone the court would approve of. But she's everything to me. She's smart, kind, fierce, and beautiful. She makes me laugh. She makes me real. When I'm with her, I don't feel like a prince—I feel like me. She is incredible, and she defends me… and even my sister."
My mother's lips curled into a smile. "And does she love you?"
"I don't know," I admitted, voice breaking. "But I know I love her. Deeply. Fully. Messily. And I can't keep pretending I don't."
There was silence. Then she cupped my face, like she used to when I was a boy afraid of thunderstorms.
"You sound just like your grandfather," she whispered. "He gave up a crown for love too. The world called him a fool. But he never once regretted it."
I swallowed hard. "So… what now?"
She straightened. "Now? You fight for her."
"I already have a secret to tell her. She doesn't know I'm a prince," I said bitterly. "And that secret might ruin everything."
"Then you'd better tell her before someone else does. Before the crown destroys what your heart already chose."
I nodded slowly. She was right. Because this wasn't just about escaping an arranged marriage anymore. It was about becoming the man I wanted to be for her and I was done running. Done running from duty. Done running from expectation. Done running from the crown that wanted to cage my heart. Felicity didn't care about titles or wealth or power, she cared about me, the real me. And I finally understood that love like this wasn't something you wait for. It was something you fought for.
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of my secret pressing on me, but also a fire lighting up inside my chest. Yes, she didn't know I was a prince. Yes, revealing it could change everything. But remaining silent would destroy everything that mattered even more. It was time. Time to face the crown. Time to face my father. Time to stand for Felicity. I took a deep breath, letting the tension roll off my shoulders. No more hesitation. No more fear. I was a man in love, and I would not back down. I was ready to love. I was ready to defy.
>>>>>>>>>>
Felicity's POV.
I hadn't eaten since morning, and now it was late afternoon. My stomach growled loudly, an embarrassing reminder of how long I'd gone without food.
"We're finally done for the day," Penelope sighed, stretching.
"Thank goodness. Let's go eat. I'm starving and then I'll tell you about Chris," I replied.
"About Chris? What's going on with you two?" Penny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Food first," I said, giving her a look.
Her eyes lit up as she grinned. "Alright. Oh, this should be good. Let's go."
We stepped into the hallway and there he was. Chris stood there, talking to Mia. My heart skipped a beat.
As we approached, I heard him pushing her away, his voice sharp and urgent. "Please, don't."
"Who is the girl?" Mia snapped. "I want to meet her, the girl who stole you from me. I want to teach her a lesson. I want to deal with her."
"I told you, don't," he warned, his tone hardening. "Don't you dare. Do you hear me?"
Penelope and I walked right into the tension.
"Hello, Mia, it's so good to see you again! How are you?" Penelope said cheerfully.
"I'm fine, and you?" Mia replied with a fake smile.
"I'm good, thanks," Penny said.
"Lovely as always," Mia replied.
I stood there, stiff and awkward. Chris wouldn't even look me in the eye. My heart dropped.
"Where are my manners? Let me introduce you to my best friend, Felicity," Penelope said brightly.
"Yes, I met her yesterday," Mia replied smoothly. "So good to see you again."
"Likewise," I said politely, trying not to look too stiff.
"We have to go," I told Penelope quickly.
"Oh no, you're coming with us! We're headed to the Oxford Lounge," Penny chirped.
'What the heck?' I thought to myself, eyes widening.
"Yes, I love that. Chris, let's go," Mia added, flashing a smile that made me groan inwardly.
Chris shook his head. "You girls have fun. I'm leaving," he muttered, walking away.
"Come on, Chris," Mia said, pouting just a little.
"It's okay. You hate girls' stuff anyway. Let's go, girls!" Penelope replied, tugging my arm before I could protest.
We left, but I couldn't help glancing back. Chris looked at me, too. Our eyes met for a fleeting half second. Then he was gone.
We got to the lounge, and while Penelope and Mia took a seat, I went to the counter to order us some burgers, fries, and milkshakes. I returned, quiet, waiting and hungry, avoiding every thought of him.
"So, tell me what happened between you and Chris?" Penny asked, grinning.
"I don't want to talk about it," I muttered.
"Just a moment ago, you said you would! What changed? Is it because Mia's here?" she teased.
In my mind: 'What the heck? Seriously.'
"It's not that," I replied quickly.
"Felicity, your secret's safe with me," Mia said, laughing awkwardly.
I didn't respond. The food arrived, and I dove in like it was a rescue mission. Penny and Mia joined.
"Please, please, please," Penelope begged.
"Okay, fine! Oh my goodness. I'll tell you but no more baby doll eyes! Please!" I sighed.
"Deal!" she said, grinning.
I began explaining, mouth full of fries and nerves.
Penny gasped. "Oh my goodness! He kissed you?! He's so in love with you! And you like him too, that's why you're all nervous now."
"No, I'm not! I'm not nervous, and I do not like him. Please!" I blurted, cheeks heating. "Why would you even say that?"
"Yes, you are. Totally flustered," Penny said with a sly wink, clearly enjoying every second of it.
"Whatever. I'm done eating," I muttered.
"Mia, why are you so quiet?" I asked, eyeing her.
"No reason," she replied, calm but sharp, her eyes tracing my every move.
I had to avoid Chris. Mia was clearly in love with him, and I couldn't risk stirring anything further.
"Okay, let me pay the bill," Penelope said cheerfully. "Let's get out of here."
I wasn't ready to admit the truth. I glanced at Mia and she was quiet, watchful, calculating and quickly looked away, needing space, needing distance. Whatever was happening between Chris and me? It was dangerous, and my heart already knew it. When I stood to leave, the weight in my chest pressed harder, my pulse thrumming with warning. Whatever this was—it wasn't over. It was only the beginning.