He has a plan

When you told your grandfather your decision, you expected him to be either understanding or angry. It turned out that he was very surprised at first but after a short moment he smiled again and accepted all your conditions without any questions. For some reason his smile had a hint of slyness, but this was probably just imagination.

With the help of the embassy, your mother got a break from her work and you got a break from your studies. Officially this was to allow you to sort out some stuff with your father’s heritage, which was at least not entirely wrong. Now, only two days later, you find yourself at an airport ready to board a plane to Jamaica.

According to your grandfather, who travels with you, Bahía Ámbar is located between Jamaica and Cuba. Since the kingdom is so small, there is no airport on the island. The whole air **** of the country contains just three helicopters, and they are rather used for police and rescue missions. But there is a ferry that goes from Jamaica straight to Bahía Ámbar in just an hour. For the rest of the way, one of your grandfathers’ servants has booked a first-class flight and since your family has a diplomatic status, you can just go on board with no waiting or security checks.

You can’t help but enjoy the privileges of being part of a royal family, even if it is from a very small kingdom. And is don’t end at the boarding. You never had a first-class flight before. Your grandfather has gotten a secluded cabin with direct service by the stewardesses. You get a couple of drinks before the plane even starts and the whole cabin looks more like a lounge to you.

It takes a while until all passengers are boarded. Your mother gets comfy on a seat and starts to read a book with her headphones on. She does this always during flights and bus drives. Your grandfather sits oppose to you and smiles friendly. He says he wants to get to know you better and asks you a few questions about your life. Also some about your father. He only stops when the plane starts to move. The flight starts now. after a short while the plane gets straight and you are allowed to walk around again.

“Oh, I must say I hate the pressure difference in these planes,” your grandfather mumbles and massages his ears, “every time my ears feel numb and I get a headache. I feel old every time. Would you please be so kind as to bring me one of those forest fruit chewing gums that they are distributing here? They always help me quite well. The young stewardess there should have some.”

“Of course,” you answer and head to the stewardess.

She is slightly younger than you, tanned and her uniform makes her look very cute. She smiles shy when you approach her.

“Your highness, what can I do for you?” she asks with a light accent you can’t assign to a specific country, “you don’t need to extra get up, sir. When you press the button on the side of your seat, one of my colleagues comes to you.”

“Oh, please I’m not really a king,” you answer a little embarrassed, “Just William please. And I just wanted to ask you for a chewing gum. My grandfather has some trouble with the pressure.”

“O-of course your … William,” the stewardess answers quickly and hands you a pack of chewing gum while being much more embarrassed than you are, “and you can call me Beatrice. Well, if you want of course. Not that you have any reason to do so. I … can I do anything else for you, sir?”

“Not now, Bea,” you say and it is priceless how shy she looks down when you call her by a nickname, “but thank you very much. Maybe later I come to you again if I need anything.”

“Feel free to ask whatever you want, sir,” Beatrice says and for a moment she is stuck between the try to bow her head and not to do it at the same time, “I … it was very nice to meet you.”

You head back to your grandfather who looks at you kind of expecting. You are not sure but you get the feeling he is pleased for some reason. And clearly no for the chewing gum alone.

“They told me we can call them with the button at the sides of the seats,” you say and hand your grandfather the chewing gum, “you travel by first class regularly. Did you know about this?”

“Yes, that’s right,” your grandfather says and takes a chewing gum, “did I forget to mention this? My mistake. But … what do you think about her? She is cute, isn’t she?”

“Well, yes, I agree,” you answer a little surprised by the sudden change of topic, “buy why do you ask?”

“Oh, I just get the feeling that she kind of liked you,” your grandfather mumbles and you get the feeling he has to hide a smile, “and you mentioned that you are currently single. If would be young like you again, I wouldn’t miss this chance.”

You look in the girl’s direction and suddenly she hides in the sideway. She has watched you and you caught her. you wonder if your grandfather is right. She acted like she likes you. but maybe it is just because of the royal title.

“I … grandfather, I barely know this girl,” you say and look at him again, “yes, she is adorable and a beauty. A very nice one too. But I can’t just go around and flirt with girls. I … can’t take care of a girlfriend right now.”

“I said nothing about a girlfriend,” your grandfather replies and leas back relaxed, “and of course you can. You are a good looking guy. Honest, friendly and from royal blood. And if you don’t want to meet her again afterwards, you don’t have too. She is permanently traveling around the world. There is little chance you will meet her again. Don’t be stupid and waste this chance boy!”

“I don’t know,” you mumble avoiding, “this just sounds not right.”

“Listen, William, I know you are raised different,” your grandfather tells you calm, “but there will be a lot of island beauties in Bahía Ámbar. You will soon drown in attention. The good kind and the bad kind. Use this chance and relax a little. How about a bet. If you go over and flirt a little with this nice girl, I bet that you two end up together somehow. Maybe just for a single time, maybe for longer. If not I … let me think. I donate 2.000 Dollar to a social organization of your choice.”