Prince Adrian had to admit that this was one hell of a plan.

"You sure about this?" he eyed Megan, his assistant. Her face didn't break one bit—she was a statue, as always.

"Of course sir—my talk with the ambassador shows this is the right plan for you."

She looked back down to her tablet, returning to fixing and rearranging his schedule.

"So, what's on my calendar, then—get Adrian a royal to marry?" he said with a side smile.

She didn't look up at him, "That's at 2 PM today, your Majesty."

His jaw dropped. Seriously?

"I'm kidding sir—" her face didn't even crack a smile, "But, really, that's what our trip is for."

Adrian felt relieved that Megan was taking charge in this—but, he still couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. This was all happening so quickly—he didn't think that he was going to get married so quickly, and especially under these circumstances.

His thoughts raced back to the palace, of the engagement ring his mother had left him when she passed. She had told him to give it to his love. He never opened it—he hoped his mother would be around when he ready to pull out the ring. But that time was drawing near.

He adjusted himself in the back of the seat, trying not to feel the closeness of the limo walls as they drove towards the harbor. He looked out the window, ready to say goodbye to his home country. He always liked driving through the streets. He enjoyed watching the people, watching his people, and feeling the kind of responsibility over them, to protect them. This was also his duty, to get married—but, he had hoped his mother would be around to see it. He slumped down further into the seats. Adrian never thought he would be pressured to get married once his mother passed, and now that his step brothers were threatening the crown.

"This is all so stupid," he muttered. He felt like a child right now, being told what to do—he hadn't felt like that since his prep school years, he wasn't used to it anymore.

Megan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, she always had a solid and firm grip, she probably still had muscles from her pro wrestling years. Adrian looked to her, she was the closest thing he had to a mother now.

"Sir, everything will work out—this is just a hiccup."

He scoffed, "A hiccup—is when you can't find the peace treaty, not when your step brothers are intentionally sabotaging your throne."

She clicked her tongue as she went through her tablet, "Don't you worry sir—this is just a precaution, to ensure your throne sir..."

He had heard it a thousand times. It was like a broken record—his years of community service, charity galas, or the damn straight fact that he was the blood heir—did not give him the crown right away.

Nope. His brothers thought it was their turn, and god dammit, they had managed to pull their own strings.

"I should have let them go when I had the chance," he growled. It was tearing at him. He was the sole prince, the crown heir, and a grown man—and now, he was put in this stupid predicament.

Either way pointed to public opinion.

"The public wants a romance," he mimicked Megan just as she said it.

She eyed him over her red, wire glasses, with a smirk and then returned to the screen.

"We're here, your Majesty," his driver said.

Megan got out of the car first and Adrian followed. As soon as he stepped out, his bodyguard, Max, was at his side.

Adrian looked around the harbor—it was overcast now, but it almost always was. He took in a deep breath, noting the scents of salt and fish.

"Some of my last days as a free man," he muttered.

"We're lucky that we even have the chance, sir, your brothers have the upper hand right now—and it's against you," Megan grabbed an umbrella and shifted it above Adrian's head. It wasn't raining yet, but she always took precautions.

He began his walk towards the boat, it was a tall and large yacht. It was shining despite the lack of sun, and it was streaked with gold and silver, indicating luxury. He had been on plenty before, but he always loved life at sea—it reminded him of freedom.

"We're a bit early for our reservation—I wonder if the ladies will be able to find the boat OK..." Megan muttered out loud.

He knew what she meant, would his entourage of women be able to find their to way to the boat, without making it obvious they were there for Adrian,

Usually, he didn't care of a boat full of half-naked woman and himself were all over the tabloids—but, this time was different.

"I don't see why my own preferences have to surround my right to the throne," he spat, his temper was rising again. It wasn't anyone's right to exploit his escapades or his many, many girlfriends. Who cares if he didn't have a serious girlfriend—there were so many fish in the sea, so to speak.

Suddenly, a flash of flights erupted in his vision. He barely had time to turn around before they were surrounded.

A dozen voices filled the air.

"Prince Adrian—is it true you're losing the crown?"

"Your Majesty—do you really think your past of sexual escapades will hurt your chances to become king?"

"Sir! Your brothers say you're crazy and a philanderer—what do you say?"

Adrian closed his eyes and tried not to grit his teeth as the paparazzi went crazy around him.

He shielded his eyes, and tried to see his way through, to make it to the boat. He was outnumbered. They weren't supposed to know that he was there.

Megan called out to him, using her arms to create a protective circle around him, "Sir—get to the boat!"

This wasn't the first time he would have to high tail it alone.

He picked his sunglasses from his pocket and flicked them on, making a duck around his bodyguard and behind the crowd. He was quick, his years of training in the best gyms all over the world had made him more nimble than most princes.

Within seconds, he was walking around the group of photographers and hidden by the carts and street vendors that lined the city. They had lost sight of him instantly. He bobbed and weaved through the throngs of people, city dwellers and citizens. He was so comfortable like that, without anyone noticing him.

He ducked a few more times, and looked across the plaza to where Megan and Max still held the photographers at bay. That was also their downfall, with their blinding lights, photographers couldn't even tell when their subject was there or not, they simply kept snapping away—hoping for a good shot.

He found his way to the entrance of the boat.

He looked up at the climbing rail that led into the boat—he felt like his life was about to change. He had it easy up to now, he had everything he wanted. But now, they were going to give it to him, whether he wanted it or not.

He climbed the railing into the boat alone.