"Who the hell is Prince Nicholas?" I screamed frantically at my friend to gain his attention.

I knew better than to disturb him while he played his video games but this was an emergency.

When his face turned white as a sheet of paper, I knew that name meant something to him. He paused his game and turned to me in horror.

"Where'd you hear that?" he asked in a panic.

"Look" I pointed to the article I'd just come across on my phone, "It says right there, 'Lenorian Prince Nicholas spotted with mystery woman after disappearance from public eye'"

Normally I wouldn't care about shitty tabloid gossip but incredibly the grainy photo that accompanied the headlines was quite visibly one of Nick and I.

He took my phone and inspected the screen in disbelief.

"Oh no"

"What do you mean 'oh no'?" I half shouted.

"Morgan, I can explain"

Can you believe it? That was how I found out that my best friend, my only friend really, was Prince Nicholas, second son and last child of King Richard and Queen Arabella of the Kingdom of Lenoria, one of the last surviving absolute monarchies.

"You're really a prince?" I asked him again still trying to overcome my disbelief.

"Not by choice" he answered defensively.

"We've known each other for 8 months, you didn't think to mention it? What, it never came up?"

"I was trying to get away from all that" he answered as if that made it all better.

"I can't believe this" I paced around our shared living room.

Three months after we met, I'd expressed to him that I was looking for a roommate due to an increase in my rent. He'd offered to move in with me. He had been living full-time in a hotel so I figured he simply had a bit of money to throw around but now it made so much sense.

"You arsehole, you even had us split the bills" I stared daggers at him.

"You know, I would have thought you'd be more upset that they called you a woman. I know how much you hate that"

"We'll I'm getting there".

I threw myself back on the sofa and took a deep breath. This couldn't be happening.

I rubbed my forehead. That article was already going viral. The most likes I'd ever gotten on a post was 200 and suddenly, there was a photo of me floating across the internet with millions of likes.

Even worse, thousands of people were speculating about who the mystery woman was.

I really shouldn't have put off that haircut. But I could barely survive on my paycheck as it was; I just couldn't afford a haircut, which was crazy to say since my roommate had been a prince all along.

"What am I going to?" I groaned.

"Nothing," Nick said as he sat on the sofa next to me "People have short memories. A few days and they'll have moved on to the next thing".

I turned to see him smiling reassuringly. He was trying to not make me worry but I could tell he was. Looking at him, I still couldn't believe he was a real-life prince. He looked just like a regular guy. A really attractive guy but regular still.

I was always jealous about how popular he was with girls. They fawned after him. He mostly just ignored them.

Eight months and I'd never seen him work a single day. I guess it made sense now.

"I'll have to disappear now" he added nonchalantly like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Why? What are you a Bond villain?"

He laughed. "Now that they know I'm here, they won't stop looking. It'll be worse for you if they see us together"

I guess that made sense. It was bad enough already, but if the whole world found out that I was the mystery woman, I would quite literally die.

"Where will you go?" I tried getting over the fact that I was losing my best friend. That's if he even qualified as such anymore.

"I don't know yet. Milan, maybe" He answered.

Damn, he really was a Bond villain.

Suddenly, his loud and annoying ringtone rang out breaking my train of thought. Nick was one of those people who actually listened to TikTok music. I mean, his Spotify library was filled with songs you'd find in TikTok edits. Utter disgust every time his phone rang.

"Sorry, gotta take this," He said. He looked worried still trying not to show it.

He got up and briskly walked through the sliding doors and onto the balcony of our apartment.

Nick had two kinds of phone calls. Those where he had no issue sitting next to me and talking loudly and those which he took in absolute secrecy.

Usually, I wouldn't have cared. Let a man have his privacy, you know how it is. But not today. There would be no more secrets in this house.

I tiptoed and got closer to the window that had the balcony on the other side of it. I carefully slid it open just enough that I could hear without arousing any suspicion.

"... Mother, I told you I'm not seeing anyone"

...

"He's not even a girl. He just has long hair. You know how they are here"

...

"No, we're not dating"

...

"We've been through this"

...

"I'm not coming"

...

"Mother, don't send him, I'm not coming back"

...

"I know Father can't stand me"

...

"It's true and you know it"

...

"It's not my fault. I didn't choose this"

...

"He's the one that told me to go!" Nick raised his voice.

He composed himself before continuing.

"Let him tell me himself then"

...

...

...

Nick was shaking. He was always so carefree. Seeing him like this felt wrong, but I couldn't step away. I knew I shouldn't have been eavesdropping but I had to know. You understand, right?

...

"Yes father" he continued.

...

...

"Yes he's a boy"

...

"I don't know"

...

"He doesn't really date. I don't know what he's into"

...

Was he talking about me? Surely not.

"What's this about?"

...

"Fine, I'll ask"

...

"Okay, I'll text you the address"

...

"Yeah"

...

"Bye"

What the fuck?

I didn't have time to think however because Nick hung up and was making his way back to the sliding door.

I quickly ran over to the sofa, picked up my phone, and pretended I'd been scrolling the whole time.

Nick came back in and looked at me awkwardly before making his way to the sofa across from me.

"What's up?" I asked him since he wasn't making any moves to say anything.

"Are you free?" he asked.

"Tonight?"

"I mean for like a week"

"Uh yeah, 2 weeks PTO remember?"

He did know that. I'd told him several times already and again yesterday at the Cafe where we'd been photographed. Why was he acting so weird?

"My parents want to meet you?"

"What?"

"My parents..."

"The king and queen..."

"Yes"

"..want to meet me?"

"Yes"

"Are they coming here?" I asked with clear confusion written on my face.

"My mother hasn't left the country in eight years. She didn't even attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral, you think she's going to come see you?"

"Alright, alright, no need to be such a dick about it" I rolled my eyes "Why exactly do they want to meet me?"

"No idea, they're sending this guy Percival. He'll know more"

=^..^=

To his credit, Nick had told me multiple times to just stay indoors. I obviously hadn't listened to him as I was now walking the aisles of the grocery store.

I had been looking for toothpaste as we were running out as well as other essentials we would need if we were going to be stuck at home for the few days it would take Percival to arrive.

In truth, I'd already decided to accept whatever invitation was coming. A free vacation to a beautiful foreign country? Why would I pass up on that?

Lenoria, while small was very wealthy and as a consequence, very secretive. From what I'd heard, getting visas to visit was no easy feat. I was essentially getting an all-expense paid trip to stay in a castle.

I'd seen pictures of it online. Absolutely breathtaking. When I managed to calm down, the reality of things had finally dawned on me. My friend was a prince.

A stingy one sure, but a prince nonetheless.

I'd be a guest of the royal family. Percival couldn't get here soon enough.

"Is that her?" I picked up some hushed voices to my left.

"Looks like her" another voice said.

I tried my best to ignore it. Hopefully, they weren't talking about me although they almost certainly were. If they were, no good would come from looking.

My appearance was a constant bane of my existence. 22 years old, 5'5, and 137 pounds soaking wet. I knew my exact weight because I kept a scale in my bathroom to check for progress that never came.

Pair that with a dainty frame and pretty face and you have my unfortunate predicament. Nick had actually thought me a woman when we first met as well. Not that he was hitting on me or anything. That wasn't something he did.

I saw the flash and heard the camera click and my heart skipped a beat.

"Can you please delete that?" I turned and spoke before I had a chance to think.

The two girls looked so scared after. I hadn't meant for that to happen. I just really didn't want another picture of me out there.

I realized I'd subconsciously used my girl voice. It was something I'd started doing a while ago. I know it may seem counter-intuitive since I didn't like being mistaken for a girl but there was a reason.

The only thing worse than being seen as a girl was being seen as a boy that looked like a girl. So when in situations like this where I'd already been judged to be a girl, I used the voice to complete the image and prevent any embarrassment.

It was just a temporary measure. As soon as I managed to bulk up, I wouldn't need it anymore.

"I just really don't like people taking pictures of me" I continued.

"Oh okay," the one girl holding the phone said. She sounded innocent enough. Just a fan girl probably.

"You're dating Prince Nicholas?" the other girl asked.

"I really don't know what you're talking about" I answered.

I knew if I confirmed their suspicions, this encounter would probably end up on social media. Plus it was just plain false. We weren't dating. Far from it.

"I'll delete the photo," the other girl said again.

"Thank you," I said finally as sweetly as I could. I hated it, but it worked.

I picked up the rest of my items, bought a face mask to hide my identity, and hurriedly left the store.

=^..^=

I sat on the couch partially watching Nick's video game but also scouring the internet for information about Lenoria and its royal family.

Nick had two siblings. That bit he'd actually mentioned to me before. What he hadn't mentioned of course was that they were Crown Prince Theodore and Princess Sophia.

Sophia at age 33 was actually the oldest but Lenoria was still in its 'boys have precedence' phase so 28-year-old Theodore was first in line and 26-year-old Nick was second.

As an added blow to Sophia, both her uncles were third and fourth in line.

The firstborn child being fifth in line was just brutal if you ask me.

A bit about Lenoria, only 8 million people lived there. While it wasn't very open to the general public, it still enjoyed very good trade relationships with its neighbors. Lenoria's position as one of the region's wealthiest countries per capita is firmly established, owing to its substantial reservoir of natural resources, notably its abundant gold reserves.

"Why are you out here living in this shitty apartment when you could be living in a castle?" I asked him after seeing yet another picture of his family home.

"Trust me, it's not as fun as it sounds"

To be honest, it did sound pretty fun.

"I'd rather just live my life like a normal person" he continued.

"You don't work. That's hardly normal"

"I would if I could" he replied.

"That's weird"

"Yeah maybe"

I wanted to ask about the conversation I'd overheard but didn't want to give away the fact that I'd been eavesdropping. Instead, I turned my attention back to my phone and let him return to his game.

I particularly focused on the numerous speculation pieces that had been popping up online trying to figure out my identity.

Some people thought I must have been a royal due to both Nick's siblings dating within their social class. Most thought I must be some foreign celebrity but there were those who fantasized that I was a regular girl like them.

How wrong they all were.

=^..^=

Two days later.

After handing over my beat-up Mazda to the valet outside the Grand Aurora Hotel, the place Percival had requested we come to, Nick and I strolled toward the elevator.

Each step I took into the elegant building left me feeling more and more self-conscious but Nick strutted confidently even though his outfit didn't look much better than mine.

The mirrored walls of the elevator allowed me a brief respite to examine my appearance. Maybe I should have tried to dress up a little bit more. Following Nick's lead may not have been the smartest idea.

After all, I was meeting someone from his home country. No matter how I looked at it, my blue jeans and hoodie combo just didn't cut it.

I smoothed my hair with my palm and tucked some of it behind my ear. I looked a bit better but also girlier as a consequence. I alternated between zipping my hoodie up and leaving it open. Neither was satisfactory.

"What a waste" I heard Nick say.

"What?"

"Your looks. It's wasted on you"

I sighed. "If I need your opinion, I'll ask".

He raised his hand in surrender.

The elevator doors opened to reveal the most exquisite corridor. A red carpet ran throughout the entire length of the hallway.

Twelve women wearing black and red skirt suits stood six aside down the hallway. They were almost perfect copies of each other with the same hair color and hair styled in an exactly similar bun.

They stood at what looked to be equal distances apart and bowed as we stepped out of the elevator. They kept their heads low even as we passed. Nick seemed to pay them no mind. I thought they were fascinating.

At the end of the hall was a man wearing a simple but perfectly fitted black suit. He looked to be somewhere in his forties or fifties. I couldn't tell with that serious expression he had on.

"Your highness," he said with a short bow as we finally approached.

"Long time no see, Percy," Nick said.

"Indeed sir. This must be your... acquaintance" he said turning to me.

"Percival, Morgan. Morgan, Percival. Now why does Father want to see us?"

"This way please," Percival said finally gesturing to an open door.

=^..^=

"May I speak freely with him here?" Percival asked as the three of us sat in a large beautifully furnished sitting room.

"Go ahead" Nick answered.

He cleared his throat. "Your absence has been a sore spot for the king and queen"

"They sent me away. This whole thing was their idea"

"Forgive me sir but you know why" Percival glanced at me. Something told me he wasn't in fact speaking freely.

Nick turned his head away.

"Nick, is there something I should know?" I asked.

This seemed to anger Percival but he kept whatever he was feeling inside.

Nick seemed to be fighting a thought and gathering the strength to talk.

"It's okay" I assured him "You know all about my shitty family. I'm here for you"

"I'm gay" Nick blurted out like he had one shot to say it before it was locked away forever. "Sorry for not telling you".

Did I already know? Maybe a suspicion? All I knew was that I wasn't surprised when he said it so it was easy for me to keep my cool.

"They sent you away for that?" I asked. I knew many parts of the world were still backward about it but it seemed a bit extreme.

"Yeah which is why I'm wondering why they want me back now"

"Sir if I may, your father never wanted to send you away. He did it to protect you. So you could live the life you truly wanted"

"I wasn't allowed to go to my sister's wedding, Percival please"

"Sir, you have to understand people were starting to suspect" Percival was trying to reason with him. "You never entertained any advances from the ladies and there was that spectacle with Duke Charles"

"I haven't changed if that's what they're hoping for" Nick retorted.

"Their majesties were overjoyed when your sightings with a young woman were brought to their attention. They hoped..."

"Well, you're looking at her." Nick gestured to me. "Another man. So you can go back and tell them nothing's changed"

I couldn't help but notice how Percival always waited for Nick to completely finish his sentences before he spoke where I had no problems interrupting him if I didn't like what he was saying.

"His Majesty has a proposal. In his words, a way for you to have the male company you desire as well as provide the monarchy with the heterosexual relationship it demands. A way to bring you home once and for all"

"How?" I asked. I had a feeling about where this was headed and I didn't like it.

"You pretend to be a woman. You're doing a good enough job already," he spoke directly to me.

"I refuse," I said sharply.

"Morgan, hold on."

"To the outside world, you will be a woman. Completely. Personally, I detest the plan as this would leave the monarchy vulnerable if the truth is ever found out but His Majesty seems set on it"

"I don't want to do it," I said in case they hadn't heard me the first time. I got up and turned to leave.

"Of course, you will be employed with a contract so there will be substantial financial compensation among other things".

I stopped. Fuck I needed money. I hated my shitty low paying job with even shittier hours.

"Think about it" I heard Nick say.

Did he really want to do this? Did he want to go back? What happened to living his life like a normal person?

"How much?" I turned and asked.

"Substantial" was Percival's answer.

"How long would this go on for?"

"I would think that's up to how long you're willing and able to keep it up for. However, I should warn you."

He somehow grew even more serious and stared directly into my soul. I looked to Nick for support but he seemed to be pondering his own dilemma.

"Under no circumstances should your true situation ever be revealed. Is that clear?"

"Uh yes okay" I answered. Ever since he mentioned financial compensation, I think I may have been getting more and more on board. A 'substantial' payment just to live with Nick like I'd already been doing just in a more luxurious environment. How could I pass up on that?

Sure I hated the idea of living as a woman but one would argue I'd already been doing that for 22 years.

"What would I need to do?" I asked.

"Before you accept, you should know this will involve some cosmetic changes to your body. We can't afford any slip-ups"

Well, that caught my attention.

"Cosmetic changes?"

"All temporary. You will get a look at the actual contract when we get to Lenoria and you can change your mind at any time."

"Uh.. okay" was all I managed. Even now I still wanted to do it. It was easy money. A well paid vacation basically.

"Are you okay with this?" Nick asked me. "As far as everyone's concerned, you'll be my girlfriend"

"I'm sure there's worse things to be. Are you okay with this?" I asked him.

"Honestly, I miss home" he answered "If this gets me there, I'm grateful. Plus, you're not the worst person in the world" he smiled.

I smiled back "Yeah well don't flatter me too much"

"Excellent" Percival seemed pleased the matter had been resolved "Isidora will get you both ready then we leave for Lenoria"

"We'll just go home and pack some things?" I suggested to Will. I couldn't believe I was about to leave the country just like that. What should I bring with me?

"I assure you, there's nothing you have that we'll need. You get dressed and we leave. The plane is waiting"

=^..^=

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Is there anything more fun than starting a new story and building a new world? Thanks for reading the first one, hope you'll stay for the rest. Let me know what you thought about the first one.

If you're looking for something new to read, The First Mother is completed.