Royalty Gone Bad novel Chapter 85

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Asahd’s POV:

I was happy. Very, very happy. I returned to the living room where Hammar was still waiting for me.

“Wasn’t that Saïda’s boyfriend?” she asked when I sat with her.

“Mm,” I called it off so she wouldn’t ask any more questions. “So, why are you here, dear?”

She raised a surprised brow at me.

“Why am I here? To see you of course. It’s been days now and I’ve scarcely been seeing you recently.” she held my hands in hers. “Are you avoiding me?”

I smiled a little.

“I think we should be honest with each other,” I started.

“Um, okay.”

“We’re very good friends Hammar. I appreciate you a lot and you know it.”

“I appreciate you too, Asahd.”

“Thank you,” I looked straight at her. “Hammar, before it’s too late, I don’t want you to think that we’re gonna be something again.”

She froze a little.

“I don’t understand.”

“Don’t get me wrong and correct me if I am wrong, but I know my parents want us back together and I’m sorry if because of them, you feel obliged to come here and–”

“No, Asahd!” she cut in immediately. “I’m not obliged to anything, I promise,” she held my hands tight and looked me in the eyes.

“I’m gonna be honest, I want us to be something again. I want us to be what we were before we parted due to our studies.”

“That’s not possible,” I replied, surprising her.

“Why??”

“Because time’s flown and we’ve both changed. Well, I have in some way.”

“But, Asahd. You used to like me very much. Remember we were almost making plans, though very young.”

“Like I said, Hammar. Things have changed. And so have my feelings. Okay? I still like you but as a friend and only as a friend.”

She frowned a little and pulled her hands away from mine.

“You,” she frowned a little more. “You’re seeing someone else? That’s it! You’re seeing someone else??”

′Here comes her usual tantrums.′

“Hammar, chill,” I mused.

“This isn’t funny, Asahd. Who is she??” she retorted.

“If you really want to know, yes, I’m seeing someone else. I’m very in love with her and I plan on marrying her. Now you know. So please dear, stop wasting your time with me.”

Her mouth dropped slightly open and I knew she wasn’t going to give up at all.

“I said, who is she??” she literally demanded. Typical of her.

′I wonder how we are able to stand and date each other for that long.′

“Hammar, I am not telling you. Deal with it,” I mused and stood. “If you want us to remain in good terms, then you better comport yourself.”

She stood too.

“Asahd, this isn’t right,” she complained.

“What?? That I’m in love with someone that isn’t you? I really like you Hammar but you’re still the same person. The girl who thinks everything is and should be about her. I’m telling you that we’re friends and can only be friends, that is, if you stop annoying me like you are right now. So, what do you say?”

She was frowning like a stubborn kid and literally stomped her foot. It amused me greatly. Hammar hadn’t changed one bit since we’d lastly parted.

“This isn’t fair,” she grumbled.

“Be happy for me, Hammar,” I chuckled. “You don’t even love me and you know it. We’re more of buddies now than anything else. I bet my mother convinced you to try and get back with me telling you that hopefully I would accept to marry you, blah blah blah so you would be Queen and so on.”

She stared silently.

“Admit it,” I mused. She was silent and then unfolded her arms, her frown vanishing.

“Well, yeah,” she rolled her eyes and I laughed. “I thought it would be cool to be Queen and stuff.”

“Probably. But it comes with a lot of duties, and I know you Hammar. You’re lazy as hell, plus, you go out and party way too much. Being queen will stop you from living the way you like, Hammar.”

“True,” she agreed with wide eyes. “But you’re the same. Yet, you’ll be sultan.”

“Cuz I don’t have a choice. I’ll carry out my duties as much as possible. Some part of me has completely changed, while another is still changing. It’s for my own good and I’m willing to.”

“Hm,” she sighed. “You’re right. And I’m happy for you,” she smiled and stepped closer to hug me.

“Thanks,” I laughed and hugged her back.

“So, you’re still not going to tell me her name?” she mused.

“Nope.”

“But why?”

“You’ll probably cause a scandal. I know you,” I laughed.

′And plus, you really don’t like her.′

“I know her?”

“Nope?”

“She’s noble?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm,” she was desperately trying to guess a name but I knew she never would guess.

“Bye, Hammar,” I mused, kissing her forehead. “Return safely.”

I said before leaving. I had to find Saïda so she would explain better, the little Noure had told me. Nothing could spoil my day.

′Well, unless Djafar refuses my love for Saïda. Oh I don’t even want to think of that possibility. I love Djafar, but if he refuses, I’ll find some way to wed or run away with Saïda. Point.′

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Saïda’s POV:

I entered the living room in search of Asahd but found Hammar who was already leaving.

I turned to go before she could see me but she immediately spotted me.

“Saïda??” she called and I halted reluctantly, rolling my eyes. I turned to her.

“Yes, Hammar?”

She approached me with a little frown.

“I believe you know a lot concerning Asahd and all that’s happening in his life, because you’re his Royal adviser after all.”

“Mhm?” I folded my arms.

“He just told me that we couldn’t be together because he’s in love with someone else and wants to marry this person.”

“Oh really?” I said, acting surprised and in the most sarcastic manner ever. She frowned a little.

“Why do I feel like you are making fun of me in some way?” she frowned. “I’m serious.”

“No, I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know of this Asahd being in love, issue.”

“You don’t know of any woman he is seeing?”

′Me.′

“Nope. Now if you’ll excuse me,” I turned and left.

-

Writer’s POV:

Asahd searched for Saïda while on her side, she looked for him. Finally, they met in one of the halls. He approached her immediately.

“The wedding’s called off,” Saïda whispered with a bright smile. There were guards around and so they kept their conversation low.

“So it’s not a dream,” the Prince mused lowly. “Noure told me on his way out. What did he tell you.”

She explained all that Noure had told her.

“It surprised me. But I’m happy he finally understood,” she smiled.

“Yeah, right. You scared the shit out of him after you threatened him. That’s what made him change his mind,” Asahd scoffed, rolling his eyes. Saïda laughed out and he chuckled.

“Asahd, you’re terrible,” she giggled. “You can stop hating on him, now that he’s given up, don’t you think?”

“Nah. I’ll stop hating after I put a ring on your finger, babe,” he smirked in amusement and she giggled again.

“Damn right,” she smiled and bit her lip. But then, she snapped out. “My father.”

“Oh right. Djafar actually is the major and most important obstacle.”

“I’m nervous, Asahd. He’ll probably come home to announce the news of my cancelled wedding to me without knowing that I’m aware.”

“I said I will talk to him. I will.”

“No,” she bit her thumb. “I will.”

“Baby, I don’t think you will have the courage.”

Saïda really was nervous to announce such, to her father.

“I’ll try, Asahd.”

“Under one condition.”

“Which?”

“I’ll be with you. Just in case. Okay?”

She swallowed and nodded a little. Asahd stepped closer with the intention of kissing her, but halted, remembering they were surrounded.

***

Later that afternoon, the Prince and Saïda were busy with organising a balanced schedule for the Prince’s Royal activities when Djafar stepped into the library. Both froze. He looked so saddened.

“Good afternoon, father,” Saïda immediately stood, her heart racing.

“Good afternoon, my dear. Good afternoon Asahd.”

“Good afternoon, Djafar.”

The man who seemed a little off, faced his daughter again.

“Come with me to the third living room, my dear. I have something to tell you.”

Saïda swallowed.

“Okay, lemme fix these.”

“Alright. I’m waiting for you,” he excused himself and left.

Saïda took a deep breath. Asahd stood and made her face him.

“Don’t be so nervous my love. I’ll come with you.”