I turned to look at the person holding me, and I quickly scurried out of his arms even though I was still feeling dizzy.

He was none other than the Prince himself—Prince Damien Knight.

I threw my heels to the floor and knelt, one knee down, my hand pressed against my collarbone as I bowed.

“I’m so sorry, my Prince. I deeply apologize, I—” I rushed my words, unable to find the right thing to say.

It was my first time seeing the Crown Prince in person, and I had already messed it up.

“Rise,” a cold voice said.

I bowed again before standing, not daring to look at his face.

There was a young man beside him. He was probably the one who had told me to stand. The Prince hadn’t said a word.

“Young lady, were you trying to get yourself killed?” the man asked.

I was forced to look at his face. He wasn’t dressed in corporate clothes. Instead, he wore palazzo pants and a designer jacket that didn’t hide his built abs, I couldn't count the number of earrings on his ear.

I caught myself staring, and he glared.

The Prince was right beside me, but I couldn’t look at him. I was sure he was even cuter or maybe hotter.

“Young lady?” the man snapped, dragging me out of my trance.

“I… I’m sorry, my Prince,” I apologized again and straightened myself. But then I gasped realizing that I've made another mistake

It was the man who was talking, not Prince Damien. But I was sure the Prince was staring at me, or probably glaring.

“Your Highness, please get into the car. Some people are passing by. We wouldn’t want to draw attention,” the man said.

A few minutes later, I heard the car door slam shut.

I still couldn’t believe I hadn’t been able to glance at him, even though he was right there. I've heard rumors of him being cute and all but I think they're just over hyping him.

“I’m so sorry, sir. I was coming from the Royal Company,” I finally said.

Gosh, I had apologized too much today, and it wasn’t even in my nature, not like he's a royal member or whatever.

The man eyed me up and down in disbelief. I couldn’t stop myself from glaring back.

He looked shocked, and I quickly bowed again. I had been making silly mistakes since morning.

“For what? The contestants are complete,” he said.

“One of them lost consciousness,” I replied briefly.

“And you were right there, waiting to take her place?” he asked, his eyes flicking to the royal badge pinned on my dress.

He must have realized it was not fake. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and I grinned inside.

it's quite nice to annoy rich guys.

“I apologize once more, your…?” I trailed off, indirectly asking him what his royal title was. Clearly, I guess that didn’t sit well with him.

This man was handsome. His pointed nose, sharp jawline, those brown eyes...oh no, I was staring again.

He walked back to the door, probably to talk with the Prince.

I tried to get a glimpse, but the car glass was tinted. My chest tightened at the thought that Damien might actually be watching me.

Would I have to pay a fine? No, he didn’t need my money. But he had carried me in his arms.

I remembered how my nose had greedily taken in his expensive scent. What cologne was that? I wanted to figure it out.

But how did he catch me so fast? I was sure I’d fall, yet he rushed out and wrapped his arms around me like it was nothing.

Maybe I’d be punished, for glaring at his guard. Or worse, for staying in his arms too long.

Gosh, I could still feel his abs pressed against my back.

“Miss!” the man snapped again, and I quickly bowed.

At this point, my head might just fall off from bowing.

“Are you always in a trance or what?” he said.

I almost scoffed but held myself back.

“The Prince said to let you go, but you should never wander near his car again,” he added.

I gasped in relief.

“Thank you so much, sir. And my Prince, I—”

He cut me off. “His Royal Highness. Not your Prince.” He glared, but I just giggled nervously like a little girl.

“I really appreciate it, sir.” I curtsied, grabbed my shoes and bag, and dusted them off.

“And please think about my qualifications,” I added with a smirk before walking away.

I didn’t dare turn around. I was sure he was glaring at my audacity.

From afar, I glanced at the Prince’s car again. What if he was looking back at me?

I tore my gaze away as the man climbed into the passenger seat beside him.

Oh. So he was special too. Sitting next to the Prince meant he wasn’t just anyone.

The cars drove off—Damien’s in the middle, with five others following behind. I hadn’t even noticed them before.

“Rich boys and jerky attitudes,” I scoffed under my breath.

The blaring horn of another car nearly burst my eardrums.

The driver shouted at me, and I flipped him off without thinking.

I just hoped I’d get home safely. I had nearly been hit by two different cars today.

How much more dramatic could this day get?

I continued walking until I finally arrived at my tiny apartment.

Calling it a house was a stretch. It looked more like an ant hole.

I slumped on my bed, tired to the bone.

How was Mom doing? I hoped she was fine. I’d visit her tomorrow.

I closed my eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.

---

Damien’s POV

The car halted at my company, and the guards rushed to open the door for me.

I was still thinking about that girl. It was clear she wasn’t intimidated by Royals.

In fact, she looked uncomfortable with all the bowing.

How rude could she be? She had even glared at Xavier. Almost scoffed, too.

Xavier stepped out beside me, visibly angry. I chuckled at him in disbelief.

He is my courtier and confidant.

“That girl from earlier—I want her details sent to me alongside her qualifications,” I ordered.

Xavier looked shocked but bowed quickly. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

I dismissed the guards and maids, stepping into my private elevator.

It took me to my office, where I finally loosened three buttons from my shirt.

Alone, I replayed the scene. She had stared boldly at the car. At me, directly.

That was something no one dared to do.

My secretary sent me the contestants’ records, and i scrolled lazily through them, I was the one that asked him to send it to me though.

They all had good qualifications, but they were trembling like frightened children.

Pathetic. I stopped watching when I got to the 30th contestant and just scrolled downwards.

I reached Contestant No. 200—the bold girl from earlier.

So, her name was Calista Vaughn.

I replayed her interview footage. The way she responded to Alex, without flinching and stuttering was very impressive.

She surely loves smirking because she even smirked at him before leaving

Alex’s cold demeanor usually scared people. But she had stared him in the eye. I think he has met his match

She intrigued me. And the most surprising part? She hadn’t been dressed luxuriously like the others.

I could recognize her dress as an old expensive design

Her perfume smelt cheap too, I perceived it while I was closer to her, earlier.

I should have been disgusted, but strangely, I wasn’t. She looked… clean, or maybe I still have to sanitize myself

My lips curved into a grin, mischief glinting in my pierced lips.

I picked up my tab, typed a quick message to Alex, and lit a cigarette, I took a slow drag and the smoke curled lazily into the air.

Contestant No. 200, Appoint her. I sent with a short smirk