"She is Princess Carolina Ysabelle-Aurora Radieux Winzenried also known as Princess Laura of Switzerland," she said in a way that also translates to "I told you you're an idiot for not always listening to your mother."

I groaned aloud

"Mom. You knew all this time and you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't tell you because I thought you would have figured it out," she said, sipping her coffee. Like that's the most normal thing to do.

"How the fuck can I figure it out?"

"Language," she said before glaring at me. "The last couple of months I've been talking about the princess of Switzerland doing an amazing job serving her people. And being the epitome of the perfect heir to the throne." She took another sip before she continued. "Unfortunately, your mind is probably too occupied to even listen to my stories."

"Mom, you knew. The first time you saw her, you knew that she was a princess."

"Yes, and?"

"And you didn't tell me," I pointed out. "And besides even if I was listening to you months ago, it's not like I would have researched about some princess doing her duties."

"So, you finally admitted that you weren't even listening to me," she rebuked, making me slap my face. "Anyway, I told you she's incredibly beautiful. I know you, son. Just by hearing that some girl is beautiful, I know that you would have at least made some research about her if not pursue her."

"But she's the princess!" I blurted out, raking my fingers through my hair. "It's not like I would even have a chance."

"And you're a billionaire not a street rat. Stop talking to me like you're Aladdin."

I slumped down the sofa, eyeing the magazine my mother placed on my desk.

She's on the front page.

The beautiful blonde hair of hers that falls right off her shoulders. Eyes sparkling brighter than the stars. The genuine smile on her face that shows serenity and completes the magnificent picture that was her.

She's beautiful, they say.

She's kind, they say.

But she's more than that. Definitely more than that.

She's a prisoner of the responsibilities she was born for.

She's a bird in a cage that wants nothing more than to be free.

"Now that you know her real identity, you know what this mean.," my mom said, pulling me out of my reverie.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I know," comes out my blunt reply.

How could I not? A princess running away from her obligations? That's going to be a huge scandal – a royal scandal for that matter.

And I want no part in it. I have a reputation to uphold. I can't let a "royal scandal" dilute my name.

"A cheesy romance!"

My mother's sudden outburst caused me to tear the front page of the magazine.

"A what?"

"A cheesy romance," she repeated with wide eyes, as if that should be obvious. "I'm sensing some brewing romance," she beamed, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Mom. Will you please stop playing cupid?"

"Oh come on, son. It's going to be an amazing romance – between the two of you, I mean."

Just then, I saw Nana enter the living room.

"Ah, finally. Nana, back me up!" I said. "Please talk some sense into my mom."

"About?"

"About his PA Vanessa Carter being the princess of Switzerland."

I saw Nana's eyes lit up and somehow I feel that asking her for back up is not really such a wise idea after all.

"Oh. She's really beautiful. You two would make such a lovely couple."

Figures.

My mom gave me a triumphant smile.

I groaned.

"She's really humble for someone who came from a royal bloodline."

"Yes, she is. The fact that she is spending time with the common people so much, and how much she cares for them is proof of her good heart."

"She'll be a fine bride for Nate, don't you agree, Belle?"

"Oh, yes. Despite her kind heart, I'm sure she will also keep my Nate on his toes."

By this time, I got fed up hearing about them gushing over the two of us being a couple.

"Yes. That's why I admire her so much."

Wait a second...

"Nana, you knew too?"

"That you two would make a fine couple? Yes. Why do you think I would show her the ropes if I didn't? The first time I saw her, I already know that she be the lo–"

"NO! Not that!" I said, interrupting her. "I mean, you knew that she was a princess the first time and you didn't even bother to tell me?"

She grinned. "Oh, I didn't know at first. She just somehow looks familiar but I wasn't sure. But when she came here and your mom saw her, she told me who she really was."

Great! Two against one. Do I feel like winning?

I have to get out of here or I will go nuts. The two most important women in my life became a matchmaker.

"Mom, I have to go."

I rose from the sofa and was about to leave when I heard my mom called.

"Nate," I glanced at her as I felt her hand on my shoulder. "I think it's time that you stop fooling around."

"Mom."

"Just listen." She took my hand and made me face her. "I think you have to stop denying yourself of your happiness and I mean true happiness. Not that joy when you sealed a contract for the business but to your heart. What you feel is a vital part in your life. I know you were always trying to make me happy and because of that you are forgetting your own."

I squeezed my mother's hand. "Mom, your happiness is my happiness."

"I'm supposed to be the one saying that. Seeing as I am the parent between the two of us. But haven't you realized that I already moved on from your father's death?" She raised her other hand and brought it to my face. "For years I've only felt grief. For years, I've been doing nothing but mourn. And because of those years, I watched my son trying to do everything to make me smile again.

"Every day, you try. And every day, you fail. But that's all in the past now. The only thing that could make me smile is to see my son being truly happy. Not because you won something but because you were really happy. Not because of a girl but because you felt the real happiness inside your heart.

"I'm not forcing you to like her. Believe me son, I will never force you to do something against your will. But ever since she came to your life, I saw you smile genuinely for the first time again after so long. And that made me so happy.

"It was when you told me that you took her to the place where you can view the city lights. The same day she first steps in this house. When you were telling me that story two weeks ago is when I saw you smiling brightly."

She brought her hand to my other hand. Raising it, I realized that I was still holding the torn page of the magazine. The cover page in which her face was on.

"Maybe you should try to know her reasons for pretending before you bring her back."

"Mom, whatever reason she has–"

"Just do it," she said sternly. "For me."

And there goes my will. I let out a breath. "Fine."

I spent the whole night watching her interviews. It's just a few since she prefer not to be the center of the spotlight.

I smiled.

She's beautiful.

She's intelligent.

She's kind.

She's talented.

She's humble.

The perfect princess.

It has only been four hours since she slept. Here I am being creepy as hell.

Her head on my chest. Arms holding me tight.

She's sleeping peacefully as I recall the time my mother finally gave a hint – the magazine – of who Vanessa Carter really is.

Still stroking her hair, admiring its softness under my touch, I remembered the answer she always gives whenever she was asked about her greatest desire.

"I want to be whoever I want to be."

I chuckled silently, not wanting to wake her up.

The whole plan is to know her reason for pretending and then surrender her back to her palace quietly. But that simple plan flew out of the window when I realized that she only wanted to be free.

After watching those interviews and hearing the same answer over and over again. I no longer want to bring her back.

I'm not soulless. I may be an arrogant prick but I'm not one to break someone's hopes, dreams.

I don't want to break her.

She wants to break free. She needs to break free.

For once, maybe all she wanted was to be ordinary.

I heaved a sigh and stared at her sleeping form.

"What are you doing to me?" I asked in a whisper before placing a kiss on her temple.