Grace stares at the tall dark-haired man stood at the counter of the cafe, ordering a drink. He's in expensive clothes; a Burberry jacket, high quality black jeans, and Gucci shoes. He looks as though he hasn't had to work a day in his life.

Grace frowns. Of course, she thinks, I should have known.

"Richard." She calls out, not loud enough to draw attention to herself, but so that he can hear her.

The man looks over to her, then his face lights up in pleasant surprise.

"Grace!" He exclaims, sauntering over to her table, drink in hand, "It's good to see you, love!"

He leans down, gives her a slight hug, then greets her with a kiss on the cheek.

Grace smiles warmly at him, waiting for him to sit down before she replies.

"Hey, nice to see you too."

Rich, bless his soul, doesn't seem to notice the tightness of her expression, the way that her smile doesn't meet her eyes. Instead he just grins and starts telling her about his day.

"You knew." She interrupts him quietly, with no accusation in her tone. She's looking at him resolutely.

Rich opens and closes his mouth, recognition setting into his face.

"He told you then?" He says solemnly, slipping his expensive scarf from around his neck.

Grace just nods, shifting in her seat anxiously.

"Well, I guess I should explain." Rich continues, getting comfortable, "Arthur is my cousin. My grandmother is his great aunt. His grandfather, King Andrew's, sister."

"So, you're royalty too?"

"Yes, I'm not a prince though. Too far down the line, thank god."

"How far?"

"I lost count." Rich shrugs, "Somewhere over 20."

Grace raises her eyebrows in shock, "And Arthur? He's sixth, right? That's pretty high."

Richard shrugs again, it seems as though that's his default response, "Yeah, I suppose. But he's not in the parental line though. His uncle's entire family would have to die before he even smells the throne."

"And... would he want that? To be king?"

Rich's eyebrows draw together, he seems to think about it for a second, "Not that I'm aware. He's happy being anonymous. To be completely honest, I think he and I have a life that most royals dream of."

"How so? Surely you miss being waited on hand and foot?" Grace teases.

"Well, it's a sacrifice I had to make for my privacy." Rich smiles sadly, "Arthur knew since birth that he wasn't an heir, and no one ever treated him as such." He pauses, "I think he's better off for it."

"No expectations?"

"Exactly." Richard nods, then smiles cheekily, "Or limitations," he winks, "My life wouldn't be half as enjoyable if I were Prince Edward's child. Neither would Arthur's."

Grace ponders over their conversation, sipping silently at her latte. Arthur was so down to Earth, so normal. Even private school kids have some semblance of reality, but Grace didn't expect that of royalty. Their entire shtick is that they are different, special. But Arthur didn't act like that at all.

"Why is he going back to his royal duties?" She asks after a few beats of silence, "If he enjoys his private life so much, then why give it up?"

"Because he's a good man. And he can do so much more good with his title than he can without."

And Grace can't disagree with either of those statements. Arthur, though a little uneducated, cared deeply about the lives of those with less than him. She knew that from the way he would converse with her about current events. Poverty in less fortunate areas, discrimination that people different to him might face.

She thought back to the conversation they had had just before he revealed his identity.

"I want to change everything you're saying."

Is that what he meant? That he was going to use his title to champion against the things she felt so strongly about? The things he felt strongly about.

"But he wanted to be a scientist. Get his PhD." Grace shakes her head, "Why would he give that up?"

"Because some things are more important to him than his own happiness. Like the well-being of others."

Grace feels herself swoon slightly, her heart filling with pride as she mulls over Rich's words.

"That and..." Rich continues.

"And?"

"He's always wanted to make his parents proud." He explains, "He did well in school because it makes them proud. He picked a challenging degree because it made them proud. He's going to go back to royalty because it'll make them proud. They never ask this stuff of him, but he still does it. He loves them so much that he's terrified of disappointing them."

"That's... actually kind of sad." Grace's face falls, "Does he ever do anything because it'll make him happy?"

Richard smirks, "He's dating you, isn't he?" 

Grace splutters, "I hardly think that counts!" Then she looks down, as her face heats up.

Rich smiles at her knowingly, "He's falling for you, you know." He tells her, "He wants to be with you, and he doesn't care who knows it. And when the media decide to swarm in like vultures, he wants to show that he's proud to be with you."

"Setting an example." Grace says, in awe, "Arthur knows what a frenzy it would cause to be with me officially."

"It's not much. He's not so high ranking that who he's with would cause much upset." Richard comments, "But I think it will open the door."

"But..." Grace starts, her heart thundering, "I don't know if I'm cut out to be... I dunno... The face of interracial relationships in Britain."

Richard let's out a delighted laugh, "Then don't be. He wouldn't force you to." He places a hand onto hers and squeezes, "Just be his girlfriend. That's all he would want."

~~~~~~~

"So... let me get this straight." Elina says, pouring hot water from her kettle as she makes Grace a cup of tea, "Arthur, our handsome, down to Earth, cinnamon roll Arthur... Is a prince?"

"Yep." Grace grabs the mug, blowing on it slightly before taking a sip. She hums, and leans back onto the soft sofa, "Why is your flat so much nicer than mine?"

"Because my parents are poor, so the government gives me more money. You know this." Elina jokes, half serious.

"How could I forget?" Grace rolls her eyes playfully.

"Anyway, what made him tell you? He was doing a bloody good job at keeping a secret."

"Because we got together last week." Grace says quietly, sipping her tea and avoiding her best friend's eyes.

"WHAT!" Elina exclaims, jumping from her seat beside Grace, "Why the hell didn't you tell me?!"

Grace rolls her eyes, "Because I was dealing with a bigger issue, like that fact the he was a fucking prince!"

"That likes you!"

"I didn't tell you he likes me."

Elina gives her a sassy look, "The boy likes you. He couldn't have been more obvious if he walked around with a sign that said, 'I'm Grace Roberts's bitch'."

"Harsh."

"The truth." She tilts her head, "What are you worried about?"

Grace sighs, sinking deeper into the sofa, "The future. Arthur told me who he was because he wants me to know what I'd be getting into."

"Do you like him enough to get into it?" Elina asks seriously, trapping Grace with her gaze.

"I don't know. But I don't want to fall for him and be in too deep to get out."