CHAPTER 10

At least no one could call him late.

The council could call him unintelligent, unaware, neglectful, a bit too blond, and a humiliation to the throne, but they couldn't say he was unpunctual.

It was the little things that Cade held on to as he sat in the meeting room, fifteen minutes before it was scheduled to begin, waiting for the various council people to drift in from their morning coffees or overdue paperwork.

He had tried his best to look put together. A heavy blue pen sat next to his notepad so he wouldn't have to look for one, and the folder that contained the agenda for the meeting had already been stowed under his chair.

Every member of the council bowed when they walked in, as required by proper etiquette, though very few managed the gesture (or even tried) without insincerity dripping off of them. Cleveland St. John didn't bother, muttering something under his breath that didn't sound much like Your Highness. Meyers, who still hadn't said anything to Cade about the missing outline, barely concealed his eye roll as he ducked his head. On the other end of the spectrum George Hyde nodded at him when he walked in with Uncle Albert, something that Cade took to be a rather decent sign.

"Good morning, everyone. I think the first thing today is-"

"Excuse me, Your Highness," Cleveland St. John interrupted. Cade winced, he knew what was coming. Cleveland was one of Cade's most loathsome skeptics, he probably could barely contain his excitement. Cade hadn't done anything this reprehensible for a long time. "I beg your pardon, but there is a matter several of us wanted to discuss before the meeting began."

"Oh, well, maybe at the end?" Uncle Albert offered.

"We wanted to discuss it now."

"I suppose…will it take long?"

"We don't plan on it taking very long."

"I…sure. Alright then. Go ahead."

Cade tried to make himself invisible in his chair. If it wasn't against at least a thousand different sets of protocol, he would have attempted to slouch so far down that he was under the table. Instead, he kept his face blank and stared at the lines of the wooden table in front of him.

"I'm sure by now we've all seen the photos from his Highness's date last week," Cleveland started, sliding a thick manila folder onto the table. "I personally am appalled by the utter disregard this showed for the country. It makes the selection look like a joke. We were all afraid of that when we began, that this tradition under the current leadership would make a mockery of the government."

Uncle Albert opened the folder, holding one of the photos at arm's distance. "I don't think they're that bad."

"They're awful," a different councilwoman insisted.

"Immature."

"Disgusting."

"These are making us look ridiculous!" Cleveland insisted. "What is the point of having personal guards if he is just going to run away from them? I know I speak for several people in this room when I say I am offended by how hard we work to maintain the royal family's safety only for there to be such blatant disregard by the heir to the throne."

"I'm sorry," Cade said, not managing eye contact. "It seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

Cleveland ignored him. "It's embarrassing that the money is spent so carelessly too. The protection clearly isn't going to good use. The guards are afforded by the taxpayers' money, and I know that Waverly is paying a premium this quarter."

"So is Clermont, more than Waverly. I've received eighteen furious emails this morning!"

"Clermont is filled with retired billionaires. They can take the hit," a woman commented distastefully, "Bonita can barely afford food, and now they see this…well, it's not looking very good."

"Who do you think pays for the guards?"

That was when all resemblance of order in the room crumbled.

The council members yelled over each other all trying to make their points across and not caring what anyone else had to say.

"It's outrageous, in my day no one would have dared to do anything like that with photographers present!"

"The paper should be sued. Is that legal?"

"Didn't something like this happen a few years ago with one of the boys from New Bulgaria and he ended up dying?" That one was said with a bit too much concealed glee for Cade's liking.

"The guards didn't even include this on their reports for the day. Sounds like bribery and coercion to me."

"Oh, and you would know."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Cade made eye contact with his uncle who just shrugged. He never was one for interrupting the fights. He usually just sat back until the council either tired themselves out or reached a conclusion by way of arguing and thinly veiled insults. Finally, Hyde, with a pitying glance towards Cade, took it upon himself as the head of the council to end this misery.

"Everyone, that's enough. I understand we're all disappointed. Cleveland, do you have a suggestion of what can be done to remedy this?"

Ah. The councilman turns mercenary. Isn't that always how these things ended?

"As a matter of fact, I do. The next election cycle for the northeastern provinces is coming up soon, and his Highness running away from the guards could negatively influence people's minds."

"How- never mind. Go on," Uncle Albert said, shaking his head.

"It is disrespectful to the current government. So, we would like Prince Cadence to attend the debates held in northern Los Angeles next weekend. I won't be in attendance, of course, none of us will be, but it shows that he is willing to listen to the current representatives."

Personally, Cade thought that was stupid on so many levels. He had no idea why the council would even want him there, other than just to ruin his weekend. They didn't like him, he probably wouldn't be allowed to speak, and according to far too many polls they had shown him, the people didn't like him either. Even in their own self-serving headspace, wouldn't they think having him there would make the speakers look worse?

"He should bring some of the selected with him," a different woman interjected, "Make a celebration out of it."

Maybe that was it. None of them were going, and if they could make the debates look less well, serious and more like a big party, no one would take their competitors seriously. The headlines would be about Cade and his dates, not the substance of the nouveau politicians platforms.

That didn't seem fair.

"Wouldn't that be bad for the, uh, the debaters?" Cade asked tentatively.

"Nonsense. It would bring so much more press. We're doing everyone a favor. It's the least you could do for us after continuously showing Illéa the type of leader you'll be. We're trying to clean up your mess."

Cade felt his cheeks burn and looked down. He technically ranked above everyone in this room, but it never mattered. Something about being cut down by a man twice his age in front of nearly forty other people always rendered him speechless.

"I think that's fine, it seems like a fun time," Uncle Albert agreed. "Are there any selected in particular you would like to come?"

"Pamela Ramseyer. Blythe Cecilia. Desdemona Phobos. We would have preferred Ellis, she's a very talented girl, but we understand the need to be on a date with all of them."

"Okay. I'll do that," Cade finally said.

"And," Meyers started, who up until this point had been silent. "We want a public apology on the Report this evening."

Of all humiliating things. He knew that was purely for the council's own enjoyment. They liked to watch him squirm as he was forced to do embarrassing things. Things as immature as apologizing like a preschooler who got caught stealing crayons, only on a national broadcast going out to hundreds of millions of people.

"Apologize?" Cade asked, his voice squeaky. He cleared his throat. "Uh, to who?"

"To us! Do you know how degrading it is to have to answer for your actions? The amount of overtime alone deserves some sort of an apology."

Normally Cade would have complied without another word of protest. It was so much easier than having the council furious at him, but he really didn't want to.

"I'll do it, but does it have to be so, you know, well, during the Report? I can talk to some press people or something instead."

"That won't reach as many people. I doubt half of the south ever picks up a newspaper," Meyers answered, traces of disgust in his voice.

"Like Carolina has any ground to stand on there. You know what, I changed my mind. I don't want the apology on the Report," interjected a different councilman.

"We already agreed-"

"I'm retracting my vote!"

"Gentlemen, enough. Is there even time for this, ah, apology? It wasn't in the Report itinerary for this week," Hyde asked, looking beyond disgruntled with the way the meeting had happened so far.

Cade crossed his fingers. He knew Hyde was a stickler for schedules and that changing them was nearly unheard of for him. Sometimes that could be a bit annoying, but Cade had never in his life been so grateful for it. Maybe he could get out of this without having to apologize at all.

"We were going to cut the selection update to make room."

"If this was in the itinerary sent to the tech crew this morning, that would have been a possibility, but I'm afraid it's too late now," Hyde concluded calmly.

Uncle Albert cleared his throat, "Now then, if that's settled, we can get back to the drilling proposals."

Cade didn't speak for the rest of the meeting. He knew that he should, but he didn't want to push his luck with the council by interjecting his opinions which were sure to aggravate at least half of them. Based off the stinging looks some were giving him, at least a couple were on the brink of outright snapping at him. If, no, when he was king he would have a lifetime to give his own ideas, for now he should just be happy he got out relatively unscathed.

Only mildly insulted and forced to do the council's bidding, it was better than he had hoped for.

Now, Cade had a semi-date to plan. He didn't know if it was right to call it a date, considering that it was against his wishes and he was being forced to bring certain girls, but he supposed it technically counted as one.

He would have to give each of the girls a second one. It wasn't fair to them for their first outing with him to be one he desperately wanted to get out of, and while he would never say that, he was sure he wasn't a good enough actor to pretend that everything was fine and he wasn't forced into doing this.

The first room he stopped by was Mona's. He figured at the very least he should invite them all separately. This date from hell, for that's what it was sure to be with the council in charge of it, at least should have some resemblance of a proper excursion.

"Your Highness," she curtsied, "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Oh well, I was going to ask you out, but I realize, this is a really bad way to phrase it." Cade counted backwards in his head, eight seven six, until the red flush from his cheeks faded.

"I accept. I think. Where are we going?" Mona asked.

"Um, there's a debate happening for some politicians running for the first time in the next election cycle. I'm supposed to attend."

"Supposed to?"

Cade rephrased his words. "I have to attend."

"Well then, Your Highness, I would be delighted to come with you," Mona answered. "God, that sounds so formal. What I mean is, sure, it sounds like fun. I've never been to something like that before, it sounds like something good to experience while I'm in Illéa."

That was one thing it was definitely not going to be. He should probably warn her, before she thought this date was going to be anything but an exercise in patience.

"Uh, Mona. I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think it's going to be fun at all. It's going to be an experience, if that's what you're after, but it's not going to be fun."

That didn't seem to phase Mona. "My mother said the same thing about kissing a crocodile, but I thought it was fun."

"This is…wait. You kissed a crocodile?" Cade repeated.

"Yeah, that was a wild day."

"Did it…try to eat you or anything?" Cade cleared his throat, "I'm sorry if that's rude, that's just…wow. Kissing a crocodile."

"No, I fed it before, so it didn't even nibble," she grinned. "Besides, Crocky and I are tight." She crossed her fingers over each other to show just how good friends her and this crocodile were.

Wow. Cade always assumed his first kiss would be an extreme let down for the girl, but he never considered the possibility of being worse than a reptile.

"It's probably not going to be as scary as kissing a crocodile," Cade conceded. "But I don't think…I wouldn't have high hopes for it."

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

"We can go out to dinner after, you, I, and the other two selected. We can try to make it an actual date."

"That sounds nice." Mona didn't look the least bit fazed that it was a group date, not a solo outing. "I think bad dates are the building blocks of long relationships though."

That perked Cade up. "Really?" he asked hopefully.

"Well, I heard it on a podcast."

"Oh."

Mona placed a hand on his arm, "I'm looking forward to it though. I was hoping my first date would be something a little more on the interesting side. I would have preferred rock climbing, but I hear politicians are like wolves, so maybe it's the same feeling."

Cade agreed with her a thousand percent, but he was the crown prince of Illéa and these people worked for him, so he couldn't say that.

"They're very dedicated. They work very hard to accomplish what they think is right for the country."

Mona grinned. "I'm pretty sure that's the prince in you talking, but it's okay. I get you can't just badmouth potential councilors. So, what's the dress code for this?"

Cade shrugged, "Anything will probably be fine. Whatever you normally wear around here."

"Not the pajamas though."

"No," he agreed with a smile. "Definitely not the pajamas."

"Duly noted."

They were quiet for a few moments until Cade broke the silence, "I have to uh, go invite the others, but I'll see you on Saturday."

"You bet you will. Who else is coming?"

"Miss Cecilia and Miss Ramseyer," Cade answered.

"Uh, I'm sorry, first names please?"

"Blythe and Pamela."

Mona just nodded. "That makes sense. They seem equipped for political stuff."

Cade didn't know what to say to that. He didn't know if she was referring to their illustrious families, Blythe's in entertainment and Pamela's in government, or their quiet dispositions. Come to think of it, Mona was the odd one out of the council's choices. Both Pamela and Blythe were on the shyer side, and Mona, well, there was nothing shy about her.

The council worked in mysterious ways though. Maybe it was her foreign background or her job as a translator that made them pick her. Or maybe she also came from some famous family abroad that Cade just hadn't heard about. He was sure they had some reason for picking her, even if it wasn't obvious to Cade. It wasn't like anything with politics was ever obvious to Cade, as he was so often reminded.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Pamela was the next lady Cade had to extend an invitation to. Unlike Mona, a maid answered the door when he knocked.

"Is Miss Ramseyer here?" Cade asked.

He was directed to the balcony, where Pamela sat holding a book and a glass of water.

"Your Highness!" She rose quickly to curtsy, before Cade could protest that it really wasn't necessary and that he had disturbed her, she didn't need to get up for him.

"Good afternoon," Cade said stiffly. "Can I sit?"

"Yes, of course. My maids can get us some cakes or cookies if you want," Pamela offered.

"I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Pamela persisted. "Do you want a beverage? Maybe some tea or juice. It is awfully warm out today, I apologize. I should have had some drinks out."

"Really, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

"Okay," Pamela said, surprisingly accepting of it given her previous insistence.

"Are you able to come with me to a debate tomorrow?" Cade asked.

"Yes, of course I am. What type of debate?"

Shoot. He probably should have led with that. "A political one, for people running for council seats in the next election. Ones who aren't already elected I mean."

Pamela furrowed her brow for a moment, "Why would they…"

"Hm? I didn't hear the end."

Pamela shook her head quickly, her confused look replaced by a pleasant, obviously well-rehearsed smile. Cade suddenly felt a bit on edge. He didn't like fake smiles, probably a byproduct of being raised in politics. They always made him unsettled.

"Oh, it wasn't important. It sounds like an enjoyable time, I'm very grateful you asked me to accompany you."

Yeah. Asked was not the verb Cade would have used there. To ask something implies that he actually had a choice in the matter. Which, he supposed he did. No one was holding him at gunpoint to ask the girls the council had told him to.

"Yes," Cade answered, suddenly feeling very formal. "I thought you would like it."

"Really?" Pamela suddenly looked very flattered, "Why?"

"Err…because…because family! You have family in politics! It seems, I mean, I think you enjoy these things when I see photos of your family." Cade cringed at the lie he just told. How many was that today? He must be reaching half a dozen.

"Oh, thank you then. I didn't know you paid attention."

"Yes." There was another one. "Well, uh, I'll see you tomorrow. At the debate. I mean, I'll pick you up from your room. Tomorrow."

With that Cade walked to the door as quickly as he could without being impolite, trying to turn his face so that Pamela wouldn't see how red he had become.

Blythe's invitation went far better than Pamela's. She accepted graciously, patting Cade on the arm when he asked her. She didn't say much, but she was on the quieter side, and Cade was just happy that she didn't ask too many uncomfortable questions. Cade wondered if she wasn't thrilled about the activity, but Blythe was an actress. An academy-award winning actress. If she didn't want Cade to know, then he certainly wouldn't.

After Blythe, Cade went to change into a suit for the Report episode. He thumbed through the script nervously when an overworked production assistant handed it to him, slightly worried that in the hours between the meeting and the filming, the council would have managed to sneak in his apology.

"Let me see that," Andrew said, taking it from Cade's hand.

"You can get your own." Cade mumbled. "They'll give one to you."

Andrew didn't pay him any attention, flipping through the script. "There should be a comma here, not a semi-colon."

"You don't really see the grammar in the episode, I think it's fine."

"Yeah. You would. Oh, this is a dangling modifier."

"A dangling…I really don't think it's that big of a deal," Cade said weakly.

"Me either, but I'm kind of enjoying this, so I think I'll continue. Unless you think there's something wrong with me reading such important government documents as the script for a television show."

"No, no, I don't!" Cade protested. "Um, why are you here? You don't usually come to these." That was Cade's way of saying that Andrew usually went to great lengths to be anywhere but the filming studio. Seriously, Cade once watched him fake a sprained ankle to get out of it.

"I know. Vivienne wants to watch it though. She wants to make sure that none of the selected slouch."

"Oh. Do you know how it's going with the etiquette stuff?"

"Fine, I think. Well, she doesn't like any of them all that much, and she thinks they're all horribly inadequate at all things resembling basic manners and knowledge of epidemiology. Her words, not mine."

That didn't sound like a very positive review. Granted, some of the niceties could have been lost in translation (or Andrew just neglected to tell him), so perhaps she had some warm feelings towards a few of the selected, but Cade had hoped for something a bit more…enthusiastic. He was looking for a queen before a wife, and Vivienne knew what a queen should be.

"All of them?"

"Yeah, well, no. There was one she liked. Uh," Andrew scanned the crowd of selected who had already made their way on to the risers. "That one." He nodded his head towards the center.

"Ellis?"

"I don't know her name."

"Your Highnesses," Porter said, coming up behind them. Cade jumped, while Andrew, after a flash of annoyance, smiled brightly. "Prince Andrew, I didn't know you were coming. Are you going to be speaking on the Report?"

"No, no, I won't be. My fiancée wanted to oversee some of the selected, so I decided to join her,"he said pleasantly, as if he was happy that Porter came over to talk to them.

"A few members of the council wanted me to extend an invitation to you to make some announcements. They said it would all be on the teleprompter."

"As tempting as that sounds, I'm afraid my throat is bothering me today. The pollen has been awful this week, but tell them I said thank you. I think they're all waiting for news." Andrew gestured to two men in dark suits anxiously watching the conversation. Cade hadn't noticed them.

"That was a smart one," Cade said once Porter had left.

Andrew gave him a funny look. "It wasn't a lie. My allergies have been really bad lately. I took three different types of medication today."

Cade winced, "I didn't know…"

"You didn't notice me sniffling all week?" Andrew asked, bitterness lacing his voice. He glanced towards the stage, "I think they're calling you."

Cade followed his gaze. "Yeah, they are. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…sorry."

"Mmhm." Andrew just shook his head as Cade walked away.

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful day. Guys, the amount of times it took me to spell towards right is kinda embarrassing so we don't talk about that lol. Anyway, I hope you all have a great morning/afternoon/evening (probably better than's Cade's, he had a pretty bad day all around).