Chapter 18

Ben's POV

"Your Majesty, you have a meeting with Magnoline next week." My royal advisor told me. I nodded in confirmation. "Also you're scheduled for a public appearance later today, sir." I nodded and dismissed him from the throne room.

"Ben, sit up straight!" Father told me from the side. Mom and Katherine were there too watching me. "You're a king now! At least pretend to care!" I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore my father. He has no rule over me anymore. Because I'm king now.

After returning to Artois, the festivities began. It first started with a week-long harvest festival. Then a day of history to remember the past kings. And then a two day silent period for mourning for the first king's lover. And then the final day would be the coronation.

World leaders from around the world are invited to watch me become king. Our citizens would then have access to our wine reserves where parties lasted for several days. And I and my family would be in the castle drinking away while father showed me my future suitors.

And during all this time, there was only one thing on my mind. The person who was in the back of my mind, watching. All I could think about was him, wondering how he's doing ever since I left.

Mason Howard. Mase. My love.

Every night, I cried in my bed. I thought about everything Mase and I did. The only thing I have left of him is the pictures I took. Father is insistent on wedding me off. I don't even think I want to live if Mase isn't here.

"Benny, it's time to go." Kat said. I had finished putting anti-inflammatory cream under my eyes so it didn't look like I was crying. "I know you miss him, Ben. But it's time to move on." Kat said.

I snapped. "I'm not fucking moving on! I love Mason! Don't tell me to forget about him!" I caught my breath while Kat looked at me with shocked eyes. I've never yelled at her before. "Sorry, Kat." I mumbled. Kat stood next to me and adjusted my badges.

"No, I'm sorry. I know you love Mase. I can't imagine what it must be like to leave someone like that." Kat adjusted my crown on my head.

"I miss him. I really do." I tried hard not to cry. Kat hugged me and patted my back.

"It's going to be okay." Is all she said. Part of me believed it but I knew it's a lie.

I got inside the limo and drove to the capital center, where people will be there to greet me. Father told me that I have to accept the gifts and instructed me on how to properly greet people.

I was let out of the car and faced with flashes of lights and cheers from everyone. The whole area really began to make my head spin. Every place I looked, there was someone there to cheer for me. But I sucked it up. If I'm gonna be king, I have to get used to this.

'When are you going to marry a princess?' Someone asked.

I honestly have no idea how to respond to that. I keep being resilient to my father and telling him I don't want a match.

When I reached the Edward Center, I bent down to a little girl who was looking up at me. I saw she was holding something in her hand so I went down until I was eye to eye with her. She couldn't have been more than 10 years old.

"Hi, Benjamin!" The little girl said. She didn't address me as King Benjamin. Honestly, I want my people to refer to me as Ben or Benjamin. Not as King.

"Hi there. What's your name?" I asked. The little girl's mother nodded at her to respond.

"Cecile. Mama calls me Cece." She responded. "I got you this." She held up a flower crown. The sight of the crown reminded me of the one I made for Mase. The one I put on him and called him my king before I was taken.

"Thank you, Cece. It's really pretty." I said. I patted her head and put the flower crown on over gold one before I stood up. She whispered something in my ear.

"Are you going to marry him?" She asked. I was taken aback. There's only one him in my life.

"Who?" I asked.

"The boy you were with in America. Are you going to marry him?"

"I want to." I responded she looked me dead in the eyes.

"Then why not?" She asked. "You love him. Shouldn't that be enough?"

I ruffled the girl's hair and chuckled. "It's a bit complicated. I guess I'll see how life goes." I stood up and she waved goodbye. This girl just mind-screwed with me.

The whole day was full of more flowers and greetings. I had my picture taken at every angle.

Later that night, after finishing some negotiations, I entered mom and father's room.

"What's wrong, Ben. What do you need?" Mom asked. She got off the bed and came to me. Father walked out the bathroom and was surprised to see me in their room.

"I-" How do I say this? How do I tell my parents I'm in love with an American? "I need to tell you guys something." I said. I could tell my father was a bit uncomfortable since Kat and I never opened up to him or mom about ourselves. We've mainly kept everything to ourselves.

"Take your time, Ben. We're here to listen." Mom rubbed my back and sat me on the bed. I broke down crying. Mom rubbed my back while I'm guessing father began to piece together what this conversation may be about. Sometimes when I'm sad and looking at pictures of me and Mase, I could see my father watching my distress.

"I'm in love with Mason!" I sobbed.

"That boy from the US?" Mom asked. I nodded my head. "I'm sorry, Ben. But we can't do anything about that."

"Bullshit, mom!" I said loudly. Mom jumped back and father raised an eyebrow.

"Watch your tone, Benjamin!" Father yelled.

"Please! Just let me date Mason! That's all I want. I love him and I can't imagine losing him!" I pleaded.

"Mason. I wish we could, but can you imagine what the world would say if you dated not only a commoner, but a foreigner?"

"If I recall, we rule over Artois, not the world! Who cares what they think?! I love Mason!" Mom looked over at father. "Remember you and father!? Father was going to marry the Duchess of Sweden but he fell in love with you! But grandpa didn't approve of you being from the Baltics!" Mom was thinking.

"That was different, Mason. You know that." Mom responded. Father stood back and decided to just watch me.

"It's not! It's the same thing! I love Mason Howard. And I want to be with him!" I kneeled in front of my mom and pleaded. "Please, mom." I cried. Mom turned to father and they had a conversation with their eyes.

"Is he the one?" Father asked.

"He is. I know he is!" Mom and father then stood next to each and whispered to each other.

"Ben." Mom said. I turned to look up at them. I stood up and waited for their answer.

Father decided to speak up. "If you insist, we'll allow you to visit the US and see Mason." Father said. Fireworks popped in my head. It's a celebration all over.

I sobbed and broke down. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" The two smiled at each other. "I'll never disobey you guys again!" I cried.

"We'll have to discuss the details further. And you'll have to talk to Mason if he wants to consider possibly moving here." Father spoke.

"And you'll need to inform him of being in the public eye. The moment we announce your relationship, people will want to ask him for every bit of information." Mom added.

"It's going to be a tough few months. But this is what you want. And we'll stand by your decision, King Benjamin." Father said. I hugged them both tightly.

"I love you guys so much!" I cried. I pulled away from them. "When can I go?!" I was jumping at this point.

"We'll get everything set for tomorrow." Mom kissed father's cheek. Father blushed, not expecting mom to kiss him in front of me. Despite father's stern attitude, mom is the only one who can control him.

Their relationship is something I want.

To Mason Howard, I'm coming, my love. I'll see you soon and you'll be in my arms again. I just hope you didn't forget about me and move on, because I didn't.

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bye! i love you all!

<3