Tainted Royals
Plot: Prince Nathan Scott, son of King Dan and Queen Deborah Scott. A rich, powerful eligible bachelor used to the finer things in life. What happens when he meets Haley James, a commoner. From a "lower" class family…when their worlds collide. A friendship turned romance…but will love be enough?
Grandfordshire Palace. Home to the Royal family for centuries. Today, the Scott Royal family graced the halls with their presence. King Daniel Scott along with his wife Queen Deborah Scott and their two sons Nathaniel Scott and Lucas Scott. Second and first in line to the throne respectively.
The palace had architecture like no other in the world. The reigning monarch some three centuries earlier had shipped in an architect from an overseas district.
Queen Deborah knew his ideas, although perhaps common where he came from, would be sufficiently exotic in her kingdom to inspire awe in the populous. And so instead of the peaks in the roof, she had gold-domed towers instead. She had an open porch at the front held up with most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white. Inside there were no doors on the ground floor, only arches.
The flagstone floor had been shipped in also and was made with a stone of soft blue hues that had never before been seen in the district. After completion it's designer had been executed to ensure he could never make a replica.
Nathaniel Weston Scott, known as "Nathan" or "Nate", but only his close friends ever called him that. To the rest of the world though he was His Royal Highness, Prince Nathaniel Scott. Standing tall at 6 ft. 3. Nathan's eyes were electric blue, but not in the recurrent way the phrase 'electric' was used.
He was an artist, and true artists knew the colours and the many different layers there were to them. To every shade there were ten more shades abaft it, and Nathan's eyes were the perfect kind of electric blue for him. Striking yet soft. Not the electric shock that paralysed you or crawled under your muscles, but the kind that made your blood dance.
He had black hair and a body sculpted by God himself. He could easily get any girl to fawn over him. His body was drool-worthy. He had a chiselled chest and the skin on it was glowing healthily. His abdominals were sculptured to perfection as his six-packs popped, instantly giving off the impression that he came out of a Calvin Klein shoot.
"Nathan, son", called his father. King Daniel "Dan" Scott.
Nathan turned around and stopped, waiting.
"What?", he sighed.
He hated his father with every bone in his body. He had never had that normal father-son relationship with his dad. Primarily because his father always favoured his older brother Lucas. Dan, only cared about his status in society, the amount of wealth he had and the power. He was never a family man, nor was he a good husband or father.
Dan was a proud man. He was strict, disciplined and of high principal. He was short tempered and did some wrong in his life but he wasn't a bad man…supposedly. He had just been washed with the bad experience and born more short-tempered than most. He wore his pride like a parapet.
His judicious intellect, precise eye and impetuous anger led to a profoundly tarnished reputation amongst his distant relatives. He smelt like cigarettes and alcohol; the way broken people do. They find dipping themselves into alcohol to be the only way to forget about their mistakes, and to stay away from cleaning up their mess. Nathan thought he would be different, at least he didn't sound like them. But he is one of them and he wished he wasn't. He wished he was more like the father he used to be. But things changed, and so has he.
"Tomorrow is the Annual Charity's Banquet", explained Dan.
"Yes, I am aware"
"Tomorrow all charities from across the country will come, each will be given funding from our family to help them in the endeavours. Many esteemed guests will be in your presence. Be on your best behaviour", he frowned.
Nathan rolled his eyes and kissed his teeth dismissively at his father's words.
"Aren't you gonna feed any of this best behaviour bullshit to Lucas?"
"Lucas didn't get himself high and wasted at last year's charity event, now did he"
"Dad"
"He didn't make global headlines, tarnishing this families image. An image which I have spent years trying to perfect. To make you look like you're the least bit worthy of this kingdom and all its greatness. For this God damn family's sake, pull yourself together and make yourself presentable, you don't represent yourself. You represent all of us. You understand me, boy?", his tone had increased and he had fire in his eyes.
"Don't you mean to say, you. Not this family dad. Just you. You just want to paint this picture perfect image that we're this happy go lucky family, who have no problems or any other shit like that. Don't say this family when all you really mean is your God damn self, you hear me. You never cared about any of us, you only care about yourself", he yelled.
Dan grabbed Nathan by his neck, tightly wrapping his arms around him.
"You listen to me, I made you. Because of me, you have all of this. The money, the power, the status, fame. Oh and don't forget the girls. You are just simply a product of the great Daniel Louis Scott. I'm not gonna say it again, I'm not gonna repeat myself. I'm gonna say it once, be on your best behaviour tomorrow", he yelled as he let go of him and walked away.
Nathan clenched his fists and angrily punched the wall next to him repeatedly. He was filled with anger and frustration. Suddenly a hand grabbed his fist and held onto it tightly, lowering it. Nathan turned around to see his oh-so-great brother standing before him. Lucas Alexander Scott.
"Great, now what the hell could you possibly want?", Nathan snarled.
"It's gonna leave a mark. On your hands. You need them to be impeccable, don't you? For tomorrow's banquet."
"Luke, do you want me to direct my fist into your God damn mouth repeatedly until your tongue falls out?"
"Calm down. I know we have our differences. But seriously, this banquet is a big deal to our father. The great King, remember. He really has to outdo himself this year, especially after your mishaps last year. Let's not forget about that"
"Oh yes, let's not. Daddies little angel, pshh, yeah right. More like daddy's bitch."
"I'll see you", he sighed as he walked off.
"Your Royal Highness", called a voice.
Nathan turned around, to see who it was.
"Jared", Nathan smiled.
Jared was Nathan's longtime bodyguard and friend. He had been working with Nathan for 8 years now and was probably the only one who he could really trust. Nathan didn't have a lot of friends, merely just acquaintance's. Everyone just wanted Prince Nathan, for what he was, not for who he was. Trust issues…
"Sir, always a pleasure to be in your presence. Although I noticed you look a bit off from your usual happy self"
"Jared, you always know how to make me smile. I'm alright. Just the usual"
"Aah. The usual. Sorry for that. Anything you want to talk about?"
"Nah, I'll get over it"
"How about a game of snooker. I know you love that"
Nathan smiled as he put his hand on Jared's shoulder and nodded.
"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I have wardrobe fittings in a few moments for tomorrow's big event."
"Not to worry. Very well then your royal highness"
"You go enjoy yourself, take some time off for a couple of hours. I'll be fine", he smiled as he walked off.
As Nathan left, he mindlessly wandered the grand palace halls observing and scanning the fine intricate detail that was every wall, every painting and pillar. What a waste, he thought to himself. All the money, all the power, the fame, the status. None of that meant anything to him. He had always had a void in his life, an emptiness, and he could never quite figure out what is was.
"Your royal highness! Prince Nathaniel", cried a voice.
Nathan took a deep breath and sighed. God Damn. Couldn't he be left alone, just for a second without everyone constantly needing him?
"What? What is it, Clay?", he seemed disgruntled.
"Your wardrobe fitting has been moved"
"Moved were? he raised an eyebrow
"To her Majesty's room, sir"
"For God's sake, what does that pathetic excuse of a so called Queen want now?"
"I am not obliged to answer that"
"Shut up", he moaned.
"My apologies your highness"
"Just call me Nathan okay? Now let's go", he choked.
Prince Nathaniel Weston Scott. His royal highness. The title, the name, the power, it all got a bit too much for him. Yes, it is awfully sad when your problems are having so much power, money and status when people have far less than you. He thought to himself. But these are my problems. My life. He sighed as he walked into his mother's room.
She had already laid out all of the clothes on her bed. The tailor stood there ready to make any needed adjustments.
"So, Nathan. Which one will it be then?", his mother asked.
"Whatever you want. Because we all know whatever I pick, you're gonna somehow change it and make me wear what you want regardless mother dearest", he moaned in a sarcastic yet annoyed tone.
"Nonsense. Come now, you have such a wonderful collection of suit's you can try on. Pick something, will you"
"That one", he pointed to a poignant dark grey Marc Jacobs suit, with a white striped shirt and a navy silk Gucci tie.
"Fine choice", she smiled as she motioned the tailor to pass it to her son.
"Now try it on and Jeffery will make any required adjustments", she explained.
Nathan shrugged as he took the suit from Jeffery and placed it on the chair next to him. He quickly ripped off his shirt revealing his beautiful crafted abs.
"Nathan! Not in here. There's a changing room to your right, honestly. Sometimes you don't use that brain of yours", she scolded.
Nathan shook his head as he angrily stormed off into the changing room. He quickly wore the suit and walked outside to a room now full of his mother, father, brother and a few of the Palace workers.
"Seriously? This isn't a fashion show!", he yelled.
"You fix up well", smiled his father.
Nathan shook his head and walked straight back into the changing room. He got undressed, and just wore his underwear and walked back out to his parent's dismay. Lucas just laughed, knowing this is how he was. Just another classic Nathan stunt. His father quickly reprimanded him, but it was no use. He had already walked out of the room half naked, as gasps were heard across the room as he left.
"That boy is gonna get us in serious trouble one day", angrily frowned Dan.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree", whispered his mother.
-With Haley , Her and her family sat in front of the TV in their humble abode, as they watched the news—
The house stood on a slight rise just on the edge of the village. It stood on its own and looked over a broad spread of West Country farmland. Not a remarkable house by any means - it was about thirty years old, squattest, squarish, made of brick, and had four windows set in the front of a size and proportion which more or less exactly failed to please.
"Latest news has it Prince Nathan was out partying yet again with another Victoria Secret model", said the news reporter.
"Change this garbage. No one wants to see who the Prince hooked up with. Honestly, what a pathetic excuse for a prince", sighed Haley's father, Jimmy.
"He's kinda cute", chuckled Haley's little sister Viv.
Haley laughed as she nudged her sister as their father changed the channel.
"Aren't you meeting him tomorrow anyway Haley?", asked her mother.
"Yeah probably. The charity banquet is at the palace. But I'm sure he doesn't talk to people like me.", she said.
"His parent's will probably force him to talk to everyone there, to make themselves look good. They always do", added her mother.
"Whatever, I'm not going to meet the royal family anyway. I'm going to get funding for my charity", she smiled.
"That's my girl", said her father.
-At the charity banquet—
Haley took an Uber to the Palace. When she arrived she stood outside, feeling intimidated almost. The palace was an old country mansion that had been extended over the centuries. It had four sides around a central quadrangle and over five hundred rooms. It took a small army of servants to upkeep such a large abode and indeed most of the rooms were ever used. The monarch dwelled in their own corners on one floor and rarely stepped foot in the rest of the outside. But the palace was a status symbol, it set them above the "peasants" and that is what they were to Haley, separate, apart, superior, untouchable.
Haley made her way to the grand hall. As she got inside, she was met with dozens of security and police. After being searched and questioned as though she committed some crime she was free to go and set up her charity table. "Wings of Hope", was the name she had given to her charity. It was a charity set up by her after her best friend Brooke Davis was diagnosed over a year ago. She was proud of how far she had come with it. Haley scanned the room to spot any "Royal", but to her disappointment, she was met with only the "commoners".
To her surprise, the royal family made their grand entrance, in their usual extravagant manner. With the security level, up to about a billion they walked in and everyone bowed to them, showing them great importance. Haley just stood there, not seeing what the fuss was all about. They were just people too. Just with more money, fame, power and status than she would probably ever have…
As they walked in, someone caught her eye. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. He must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course, the blush that accompanied it was a dead giveaway. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, or at least that's how he made it seem. It made the girls fall for him all the more.
He wore a loose black silk shirt with leather cuffs and black trousers. His mother had, of course, changed his outfit yet again. However, he got better the more she looked. His rich chocolate hair that had tousled griminess which promised finesse. He had strong arched brows and eyelashes so thick, it could be illegal.
And then his eyes- they were deep and catastrophic, a vivid baby blue as a great body of water that softly melted into a milky green. This close, she could see the flecks of silver in his eyes. He had distinct cheekbones and an angular jaw, his pale skin made him look devilishly handsome.
He was an Adonis among the other men who each pales in comparison. One look and both women and men swooned at the sight of him no matter their sexual preferences and one word passed from his lips had even the straightest of men flushing shades of red that no one ever knew was naturally possible. Adonis.
Haley gaped openly as she observed his sharp jaw, chin, and cheekbones. On either side of his straight nose were two blazing blue eyes. His dark brows were actually graceful but currently furrowed in a frown.
All of it was framed by thick, warm dark chocolate curls. His muscled back was peaking through his suit. She couldn't see his chest. Part of her wished she could. The other very small part said she should get a hold of herself. She let out a shaky sigh.
Pull yourself together Haley. She was a woman of course. She had needs. She snapped herself out of it.
Nathan looked around the room pretending to act like he was the least bit interested. More fake smiles with fake people, in this carefully controlled environment where everything he said and did was being noted and observed. He just wanted to leave, it's not that he didn't care about all the charities here today. It's just that he hated being subjected to events in which his parents would decree.
Nathan walked off from his family with his team of highly trained bodyguards following closely behind. As he met different people of the different charities the corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of a massive banner, reading "Wings of hope". He drew his attention to the table and seemed impressed. He made his way to the table. Haley stood with her back towards him, not knowing he was behind her. He gently tapped her on the shoulder. As she turned around she was met with shock.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Was Prince Nathaniel really standing before her? She held her breath as she froze. Not knowing what to say, or how to say it. But he was just a normal guy, with more power than anyone she knew.
"So, what is this charity all about?", he spoke so eloquently.
"Wings of hope is a charity founded by me. Haley James. I found this charity after my best friend was diagnosed with Breast cancer last year. The name comes from the fact that Brooke loves fairies, butterflies, birds. Anything that can fly. Flying is so freeing, so beautiful. Just to be able to fly away from anything, to put ourselves first." She stopped, and smiled and picked up a leaflet and pointed towards it.
And hope. Hope is a bright star in a hopelessly dark universe. Through light years of distance, the brightness fills our inner selves. Hope makes us smile on the inside as well as on the outside. Hope is not just an emotion, it is a promise that smiling and laughter are just around the corner. When the fighter has been laid on the canvas by a well-placed right to the jaw, hope is there saying, "Get up. Take a nine count if you must, but be ready to stand, and have the ref dust off your gloves. You're going to win this match." Hope is drawn to the person who sees beyond the present defeat, beyond the moment of being cast down, beyond the loss of the job, and beyond the negative words of hopeless voices. There is that voice from the "bright star" telling us to look beyond the darkness - to the bright light of hope."
"That's beautiful. Your friend must be very proud of you. This is an incredible charity.", he was almost lost for words.
"Thank you", she smiled
"Give me your contact details. I'll have the palace contact you immediately, so you can get the appropriate funding you need for this charity of yours". He smiled.
"Seriously! OMG! Thank you so much"
On the top was flawless skin and eyes that shone brightly - making Haley want to get to know the person within. She watched him move, there was something of the urban warrior in him combined with a gentleness that made her heart reach out. He wrote down her details like he'd been doing it all his life, every movement competent and flowing. She bit her lip, how could she start a conversation when she didn't know him?
Then in that instant he turned and caught her eye; before she could turn away with shyness a genuine grin spread across his face, turning it from handsome into the divine. In that moment she felt her body flush warm. This was a person she wanted to know more than she'd ever felt before. This was a guy she could love forever.
"Not a problem. And don't seem so surprised, you did well. Be proud of that. Own it.", he nodded.
She wanted him to say more, she needed him to say more. But other than this charity, what else could she possibly ask him.
"So another Victoria secret model huh? Must get pretty boring", she stopped. What the hell had she just said?
He laughed as he scratched his head.
"It's all just fun until someone get's caught", he remarked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean that", she gulped.
"No, it's okay. I get it, you're probably wondering why I'm such a playboy or whatever. Not that it's any of your business"
"No, God no."- she was cut off.
"It's okay, I just have fun. Get away from this shit hole you know. It's nice to get away", he looked lost.
"And by getting away you mean, getting wasted, and drinking your troubles away? And this is a shit hole?" she smirked as she looked around.
"I know I know. I should be grateful for all of this. I didn't earn any of it, I was just born into it. Whatever, and like I said it's nice to get away. To fly", he winked.
She laughed and nodded.
"Wings of hope", she smirked.
"Nice", he smiled
"So you wanna take a walk with me?"
Haley froze. Was this really happening? Was Prince Nathaniel asking to go on a walk with her?