Royalty Gone Bad

***

Asahd’s POV:

I woke up very early the next morning because I’d slept uncomfortably. The bed was so spaceless and the mattress was stiff. The nightmare wasn’t over. Yet, what was happening to me, wasn’t a dream. This was all real.

I got out of bed and the room. I went to the little kitchen where I found an electric boiler. The joy! I immediately boiled some water and put in a bucket I found in the bathroom. Shower my ass. I wasn’t going to use that shower until the hot water supply was fixed. If it ever got fixed.

I mixed the hot water with some cold water and eventually took a bath.

′I’ve hit the bottom. I, Prince Asahd, bathing with a bucket instead of relaxing in my jacuzzi or huge tub. I am so miserable right now.′

After showering, a lump in my throat, I dried off and wore my sleeping clothes. I grabbed my towel and things before leaving the bathroom. On opening, Saïda was on the other side. Seems she was about to open and get in to shower, herself.

“Good morning, Asahd,” she said with a bright smile. A satisfactory one. The pest was having the time of her life, calling me by my name and saying whatever she wanted to me. No royal obligations now. The lump in my throat grew bigger.

“How did you sleep? Comfortably right? My mattress is quite soft. Luckily,” she added, clearly provoking me.

′Slap her hard.′

I thought. But then I remembered she was still Djafar’s daughter. Ugh!

“Are you provoking me?” I asked, slowly.

She smiled even more.

“Me?? No,” she said as innocently as possible. “I’m just happy with a this new life. I’m happy we are living it. You are living it. That you have no choice but to live it. It’s amazing right?” she said proudly, folding her arms.

’Breathe.′

I stared at her.

“You have something nasty in your hair,” I said slowly and her smile faded a little.

“What? Where??”

“Here.”

Before she could guess my intentions, I grabbed a hand full of the hair at the back of her head and pulled on it. I pulled hard enough to make her head fall back and make her scream.

she squealed, helplessly hitting my chest and trying

asked, looking down at

pulled even more and she

like she

more you try me, the more I’ll ignore the fact that you’re

I’m serious! It hurts!” she

a frown and red cheeks. I smiled, satisfied that I’d hurt

survive a week,” she scoffed. “Start thinking of a way to

and slap when bored. Even when in Zagreh, we would argue like cat and dog, but she would mind the

to my face,” I stated, stepping closer. She backed away

she retorted, folding

“You are a witch.”

she said with a little frown. Being quite the religious type, Saïda

bad one.” I walked up to my door’s room and

***

I wore some of the common clothes. I felt terrible. I looked terrible! I wasn’t used to this! I wore sneakers! Sneeaaakers! A T-shirt and a Jersey! I realised that not all the trousers in the

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at the little table for breakfast. Pathetic breakfast. Toast, butter, jam and milk. And that was

okay in those clothes, Asahd,” Djafar said, after he’d

the clothes. I’m pissed enough,” I

has to go looking for a job, right?” Saïda said

told you about it yesterday. So, you know that you have only till the end of this week to find one. Else, less food for you. Because you have to contribute to pay the bills, Asahd. You have no choice. And if you still refuse to take this seriously, mark my

I knew Djafar and at that moment, he was dead serious. There

I couldn’t believe my

you don’t find

find one?! I don’t

not a serious or permanent job that I want you to find. Something little but

eyes grew wide. “Nooooo. Read my lips

warned you. If you don’t want to starve, go out and find something

was on

you a bit of money. For your transport. You’ll go to town today, search for available jobs and then you return when you

I was speechless.

***

breakfast, having no choice at all and believing in