Nervous.

I walked alongside the soldier, fearing for my life, waiting to be thrown out of the castle even before the tournament began. I cannot believe I could ever be so stupid as to go head-to-head with a prince.

This is the Royal Palace and I am going to be expelled from it for butting heads with a freaking prince. On my first day, before I even had the chance to sniff out my mate. I feel like a complete failure right now; Uncle Damian has every right to be mad at me. I am angry at myself for giving in to a simple miscommunication.

All I had to do was bow my head to the insufferable prince.

I walked several halls out of the castle's East Wing toward what I could only imagine were the officers' quarters. The more I walked, the number of soldiers I saw on my path grew exponentially. Finally, the soldier stopped before a closed door with a plaque bearing the name 'Armstrong' on it.

"You can enter now, he is waiting for you." The soldier instructed me dryly.

I felt as if I was going to face my executioner, but I had no choice but to open the door and enter the place. I found a man in a military uniform sitting behind a desk in an ordinary office. There was some distinguishable armed forces memorabilia, but other than that, it was pretty much standard.

As I walked inside, closing the door behind me because I didn't need an audience for my humiliation, I noticed on the wall behind the computer desk a case with a medal of honor in it. It was decorating the wall with its beauty. I noticed it right away because my father had one too in his office, though I am sure not for the same reason as his.

The wall was littered with decorations, awards, and a few diplomas. Whoever this guy is, I can tell he is the shot caller of this post. Once he had finished looking at his computer screen, he finally looked up at me, standing in the middle of his office.

The black man had a beard and his hair displayed few signs of his age. If I had to guess, I'd say that he is in his early fifties or late forties, but he is as fit as one would expect from an active soldier. He examined me thoroughly with his eyes before telling me to sit down on the chair opposite his desk.

I felt intimidated by his presence; he was giving major Alpha vibes. Though I am an Alpha as well, that man reminded me of my father in his commanding posture.

"So, you are the kid who thought it was a good idea not to make a courtesy to the Crown Prince of the United States?" He started, looking at me with a disappointed look on his face.

"In my defense, I didn't know who he was at first, sir." I defended myself, seeing that it was all I could do at this point. The dire was cast.

"I am Colonel Armstrong. I am in charge of keeping this castle secure. I don't appreciate getting a visit from the Crown Prince telling me I had to kick one of the contestants out of the castle because he didn't bow his head to him." He spat at me, clearly irritated about this.

"I'm sorry, Colonel. I didn't like his attitude towards me and my uncle. He called us peasants." I explained myself, though I am not so sure if that will do me any favors.

Armstrong scoffed at my words, looking sideways as if he were searching for an audience, even though we were alone in his office. He seemed taken aback as if I had no idea what it is like dealing with the Royal Family, which I don't.

"If I went around lashing out at people just because I didn't like their attitudes, I'd be in prison right now, not being the C.O. of the most coveted post in the country! News flash, kid. You are a peasant! And so am I! And so is everyone who is not a part of the royal family!" He berated me, reminding me of how my father used to act when I was little.

I lowered my head in embarrassment. He is right, I should have known better than to expect to be treated by Prince Elton as an equal to him. I am far from it. I guess I am just naive about the whole situation.

"Look, kid. I know you have never stepped foot out of Utah before. I also know that your uncle put you up for the tournament. I read your file. I'm well aware that you didn't know what to expect coming here to the Capital. I could chalk all this to youthful ignorance and be done with my day, but I can't. Prince Elton made a complaint, and I cannot just ignore that, or he will put his father on the case, and that is not a man you want to make enemies with!" He ranted as if feeling like he was backed into a corner.

I could feel his frustration from his tone alone. This is silly in the grand scheme of things, but a crown prince is a crown prince, and this is the royal palace, their playground. I know what is in store for me.

"Let me tell you a little secret. If you say this to anyone, I'll deny it, okay? But the thing is: I don't answer to Prince Elton, his father, the Lord Chamberlain, or any of the other members of the royal family. I am a soldier, so I only take orders from a General or the King himself. Nobody else. Theoretically, that presumptuous shitbag can go to hell for all I care. I don't have to do anything that he tells me to. He is nothing to me!" He admitted, irritated.

I could see how this whole business was affecting him. Despite what could easily be a simple assignment to punish me for disrespecting the prince, he is reluctant about it, which is more than I expected from a man who had never seen me before today.

"But if you disregard his demand, when he becomes King, he will destroy your career, to say the least." I contemplated what he was unwilling to admit to me, painstakingly.

"Look, no offense, kid. I'm sure you were well-trained by your uncle and everything. But there's just no way in hell the nobles are going to let anyone else except for the prince win this tournament. The only reason we're even doing this is to humor the King, who refuses to name his nephew as his heir." He confessed, frustrated about it.

"Why doesn't he like his only nephew?" I asked him, puzzled about this fact. Armstrong widened his eyes at my question.

"I didn't bring you here to gossip, okay? I brought you here to deliver your punishment." He snapped at me, irritated. It seems that I touched a nerve. Great... O.o

"I understand, sir. I'll clear out of my room and exit the castle today." I lowered my head in shame. It's the only available option for him, which is to make an example out of me. He looked at me with pity in his eyes, which made me feel even worse.

"Look, I didn't want to tell you this, but looking at your face right now is freaking me out. You look so much like your father." He admitted, surprising me the most so far.

"You knew my father?" I gaped at him in shock at the revelation.

"I served under him in the Battle of Monterrey." He informed me, matter of fact.

Oh, so that's how he got his medal... Exactly the same way as my father earned his. Fighting off intruders against incredible odds. Now I know why he seems so reluctant to punish me.

"I see." I am legitimately baffled to learn this; my mouth is agape.

"I will tell Prince Elton that this was all just a big misunderstanding and you'll apologize to him on the first chance you get." He instructed, leaving me shocked beyond words.

Wait, what?

"I have to apologize to him?" I was reeling from that statement.

"Would you rather I expel you from the castle now!?" He sassed me as if I dared to talk back to him.

"I'll apologize to him. Got it." I blushed, gulping down awkwardly. Yeah, I cannot leave this situation unscathed. I have to bite the bullet.

"And for Goddess' sake, do a courtesy next time you meet him. We all have to do it and you're not better than any of us!" He demanded of me, exasperating.

"I will do that, sir. Thank you very much!" I thanked him, feeling relieved to hear this. I didn't want to leave the castle before finding my mate. They have to be here somewhere; I just haven't had the chance to find them yet.

A|N: That was a lucky break!

Don't expect much of that here.

Challenges lie ahead.

Love,

Léo.