Page 18 of Coral Prince Conundrum (Runaway Prince Hotel #1)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Daryl

A night on the town is exactly what the doctor ordered.

I’ve been so overwhelmed these past three days being in a foreign environment.

But tonight is all about fun. We’re both dressed in the traditional green tunic and waistcloth, and I’m ready to see the countryside.

Seero’s private enclosed boat―tied to a sea dragon―takes us all over the plains and hills of the Coral Kingdom.

The waterways act like highways out of the city and through the suburbs and farmlands.

The workers in the rice paddies smile and wave as we pass them by.

Everyone seems so cordial, so content to live among marine life and the ocean.

For dinner, he’s apparently rented out an entire floor of a restaurant in a neighboring town.

We dine on smoked shrimp, spiced octopus, and rice noodles.

The food is heavenly, and my date is just as amazing.

Seero tells me all about his childhood eating almost exclusively seaweed and Corali-style fish.

I talk about my graduate studies and what I intend to take next semester, and he nods along in interest. When I bring up my future semesters, Seero’s smile wavers, but only for a moment.

I’m not sure what that is about. I bet the pressure of work must be getting to him.

So, I switch topics, and he smiles brightly again when I ask him more questions about the Coral Kingdom.

For dessert, we eat sweetened rice porridge in the shape of a cake.

There’s hardly any dairy in this country, but I don’t miss it.

I could get used to an ocean-based diet.

We sit on metal chairs on the terrace of the restaurant and share some wine as we watch the sun set over the green hills.

As always, I can’t stop smiling when I spend one-on-one time with this Coral Prince.

It’s like we’re in our own little bubble, two dudes chatting and laughing, with no interruptions.

This likely stems from the massive security detail blocking off almost everyone from coming to this part of the restaurant.

But still, when he talks to me, I get lost in our easy, friendly rapport.

Could I see myself being married to Seero Dagat for real?

We haven’t even broached the subject of how we’re going to fake break up.

If I stayed, it would be a massive culture shock, and I’d miss everyone at Café Magnifique so much.

And to be the future spouse of the king would be a big deal.

I gaze at Seero and take in his devastatingly sexy features, and warmth blossoms in my chest. I smile, and my hand itches to touch his again.

Then I recall that I’m the son of a ruthless fishery empire, and my face falls.

My life has been plagued by people being toxic to the ocean.

I’m only here temporarily to help stop political unrest; that’s it.

It’s been fun, but this is all pretend. Besides, Seero’s destiny is way bigger than mine.

Princes don’t fall for baristas, they just don’t.

After dinner, we make our way to the theater.

The complex is outdoors on the surface, as promised.

The security detail makes getting into the massive entertainment center a simple task.

I catch glimpses of the crowds waiting to get in.

A week ago, that would have been me, assuming I could even visit this isolated country.

And now, my fake fiancé and I are being ushered into private elevators.

“I keep forgetting you guys have electricity,” I murmur as the metal box moves us upward.

Seero sniggers. “Hydro power, mostly.”

“That makes sense.”

“How do you think you were able to charge your phone?”

I laugh. “Didn’t give it that much thought.

I was busy trying to scrub the scent of Jojo from my face.

” We both chuckle. “These past several days have been…a lot.” I glance at the serious guards standing by the door; they’re so stoic, but don’t seem to be listening to our conversation.

Still, I don’t want to admit to our little bluff.

“With all the, um, work we’ve been doing. And travel.”

“But are you enjoying yourself?” Seero seems genuinely worried as his dark eyes look at me.

I nod and smile. Without thinking, I slip my hand into his, lacing our fingers together. In a soft voice, I reply, “Yes. You’ve been…incredible. I would not give up our time together for anything.”

He squeezes my hand. “Then…perhaps…if you would consider it…you could st―”

The elevator doors open, interrupting him. The two guards promptly rush out, and we’re greeted by a familiar woman rushing in. “There they are!”

We don’t even make it outside before Seero is pulled into a massive hug. Seero’s mom is in similar purple robes to yesterday, but minus the crown. After a few seconds, King Ero strides up to us with a big grin.

“How’s the happy couple?” he asks.

Queen Marites turns to me and puts her arms on my shoulders.

“Has my son been treating you right?” I don’t get to answer before she hugs me tight.

I gaze around at where we are―it’s an open-air box-seating-type room high above the crowds.

Seero told me the theater is a round, colosseum-style structure, but witnessing it from high above is another story.

I gently tap the queen’s shoulder. “He’s been great. Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty.”

She pulls back and looks genuinely surprised. “Oh, how polite. I am so glad I can finally hear you talk.” She waves the air and puts her arm around me. “I do not like to spend too much time on the surface, but the theater is divine.”

“Especially today,” the king adds. He winks at his son, and I have no idea what’s happening.

“You enjoy,” Seero says. “I am going to go. Mother, please be kind to him.”

She raises her chin. “I am the queen. I am the picture of poise.” Then she relaxes and sits down in one of the chairs. “But he is so cute. I will protect your betrothed, do not worry, my son.”

She beckons me to sit next to her, and I follow. When I look up at Seero, I ask, “Where are you going?”

“I have some business to take care of.” He nods, a wordless look, like he’s asking me to trust him. I have no choice but to smile back, and he disappears into the elevator. The security detail fades into the shadows, silently standing guard, as always.

Finally, it’s just me, and the king and queen of a foreign nation, sitting together to watch a show. Wasn’t I just a barista, like, a week ago?

I gaze at the crowds below. The audience surrounds multiple round pools of water, with one large pool in the center.

There’s a tiny stage off one arc of the circle, with stairs leading down below.

Seero mentioned that this was a water mystic theater show, so I’m guessing those pools are where the magic happens, literally.

Speaking of the prince, where has my fake fiancé run off to? Is he getting nachos or something?

I sit back and notice the queen staring at me. “It’s your first time?”

I chuckle. “At a water mystic show? Very much so…Your Majesty.”

“Please, call me Mother.” She leans forward. “We are family now, after all.”

I nod slowly, trying not to appear nervous. I’m glad that Seero’s family, especially his brother, have accepted me immediately. But that doesn’t make me feel less like I’m being interrogated by a woman who could have me locked up at any time.

“I need to take this, my queen,” King Ero mumbles, before dashing off. He puts his phone to his ear and disappears into the shadows of the box seating. Now the queen and I truly are alone.

Seero’s mom calmly studies me, and I smile. “Are you enjoying your time in the Coral Kingdom?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I mean, Mother.” I wipe my palms on my green waistcloth.

She eyes me for a moment more, then sits back. Her dark purple gown has intricate patterning; all the garments in this country appear to be constructed from some elaborate underwater hemp fabric. “You know, Seero’s father was about your age when he met and decided to court me.”

I grin. “How did you meet, if I might ask?”

She nods. “At a party. My father was a sponsor of the Corali Court. Royalty and other wealthy figures are required to attend many galas for charity. I was invited often, and, at my father’s request, I went to one.

Reluctantly.” She pushes hair from her face and looks up, grinning fondly at the memory.

“The party was on the surface, and I wanted to spend my time underwater, like most Corali.”

The idea of a young king and queen at a royal ball warms my heart.

She gazes at the crowd and continues, “At the gala, Seero’s father claims he saw me from across the floor, and he just knew.

Before officially meeting me, he came to the conclusion that I was the one he wanted.

He walked right up to me. He introduced himself, even though I knew who he was; everyone did.

And he immediately asked if we could dance and then have dinner the following night. ”

“And what did you say?”

“I said no to both.” We both let out a hearty laugh. “I didn’t know him! The Coral Prince is a celebrity. I held a superficial level of understanding about this young man who could ask for anything he wanted and get it. I did not want to be another one of his trophies.”

I calm down. “And what changed?”

She shrugs. “He sent me a traditional starfish-and-jellyfish bouquet. It was very flattering. Then my father asked me to at least talk to him. And so I promised my father one single evening with the Coral Prince.” She looks up, recalling the memory.

“That night, he was so…wise. He was nothing like I thought he would be. He was charming and had me laughing so much. Our rapport was instantly so strong, so fun, like we had been friends for years. A week later, he claimed I was his predestined other half. His soulmate.”