Royalty Gone Bad

***

Writer’s POV:

Believe it or not, two days later, it was Saïda’s dowry day. Preparations were being made on that day as from the morning. The Queen personally took things into her hands as she considered Saïda as a daughter and Djafar a brother and friend. The sultan was absent but was going to return right before Saïda’s engagement ceremony in the next four days.

While Djafar, with the help of the Queen and all servants, rushed about that morning to get things ready for the future in-laws who would be coming in the afternoon, Saïda was not bothered and was with Asahd in his room.

---

“How do you feel?” Asahd asked with a smile, leaning against a table in his room, his arms folded.

Saïda sat at the centre of his big bed, legs crossed like a little girl.

Unlike the others who’d decided to dress fancy while awaiting the ceremony in the afternoon, Asahd had worn a simple long sleeve T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Completely indifferent to what was happening in the palace. Or unhappy about it, rather.

“I don’t know,” she chuckled nervously. “I used to long for this moment so much, you know. But now things are just so different.”

“Because they’re not right,” the Prince mused and looked out of his window.

After staring at the bright sky for a short while, he turned to her again.

“I’m not pleased with what’s happening,” his tone became serious and his smile had faded completely.

Saïda stared silently at him, swallowing a little.

“I’m not,” he repeated, staring straight at her.

“Asahd, I’m afraid,” she started. “What do you want me to do? I can’t break the engagement. What valuable reason will I give my father? He’s so happy.”

“Are you?” Asahd asked, still so serious.

“I don’t know, Asahd.”

Asahd scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning and looking out of his large window again.

“Fuck that, Saïda.”

“Asahd I’m doing this for my father. How will he react if I tell him that I can’t marry Noure because I’m in love with you, too?”

Asahd gave her a side glance.

“Don’t add ′too′ to it. You love me and only me,” he frowned.

“Asahd, I’m not sure of that.”

“In denial again?” he scoffed. “Say what you want but I believe my guts and instincts, Saïda. Facts.”

Saïda stared at her fingers, nervous and tempted to sob. Her feelings for Asahd were strong but she also felt like she owed Noure a lot and had to please her father who had invested so much in their relationship.

“Asahd, my father has never been disappointed in me. I– I don’t want to disappoint him now.”

“I’ll talk to him if you want.”

Saïda’s eyes widened and she looked up at the Prince who meant every single word that left his mouth.

“No! Don’t! You think he’ll understand? Just like me before I fell for you, my father is a diehard follower of every single rule, tradition and law. You’re a Prince, Asahd. I’m your employee. It is impossible here in Zagreh.”

“You are the same person who told me sometime back that I could marry Allison, a foreigner. I brought the traditional rules up and you were the same person who told me that as a Prince, I could insist and have the nobles have no choice but to accept my choices. You even cited a great grandfather of mine who married a German woman and they let him. True or nah?” he asked annoyed and frowning at her. “So don’t come tell me bullshit like what the rules are unshakable or whatsoever, Saïda.”

“Asahd, it’s different with me because–”

“Just shut the fuck up, Saïda,” he cut in rudely and very annoyed now.

He leaned against the window with his eyes shut tight and a heavy lump in his throat. He even thought he would shed a tear at some point.

“Why are you so damn stubborn, Saïda?!” he lost it and yelled angrily. “Keep trying me, you hear??” he faced her again. “Get married to Noure and see what I’m made of!”

Saïda shook, swallowing. She didn’t want him angry at her. Saïda’s main problem was her father. Noure wasn’t even really a thing.

“P– please don’t get angry with me,” she begged and got off the bed, rushing to him and hugging him tight. He didn’t hug her back at first.

“I’m so sorry, Asahd. Please, don’t be angry with me. I’m begging you,” she begged in a shaky voice. “I love you, Asahd. Please. Please don’t yell at me. I think so much about my father in this. His honor. Please, understand me.”

She pressed her face against his chest, hoping he would hug her back. And he did. It was very hard for him but he was trying to see it from her point of view. He hugged her tight in return and kissed her head.

“I love you so much,” she muttered in a shaky voice. It warmed his entire being whenever she said that. It made his days and nights every single time.

“I love you too, sweetheart. I’m sorry if I scared you. I didn’t mean to yell at you,” he said softly and she slowly looked up at him.

“I know.”

had some glimmer in them as she looked up

missed, Asahd,” she whispered with a little shy smile. He smiled back and lowered his head to kiss her on the

passionate kiss, Saïda melting into his arms. They kissed nonstop

you, Asahd,” she whispered breathlessly, her face

she spoke, she slowly raised T-shirt with a hand and ran her fingers over his abs

I’m alone with you. I don’t try to fight you back,” she looked up at him. “I’ve never been submissive to anybody else but my father. Yet, I

good thing,” he pecked her a few times on her

not,” she whispered, kissing him some

he kissed

I do get married, I’ll always run back to you. I’ll come back

submissive to you, Saïda. Proof is my patience,” he kissed her lips, pulling softly on her bottom lip. “I’ll make sure you come to me every single time. I’ll make love to you every single day you come to

up into his eyes. “Please, don’t

time you’ll be committing adultery is the day you sleep with Noure,

his mouth, trailing her fingers down his tummy till she grabbed the exposed waistband of

his belt and

seen Saïda??” it

Saïda rushed to sit at a

finally answered, after wiping Saïda’s colored ChapStick off his lips with the

soon stepped in and

Saïda stood and bowed, hoping

been looking for you my dear,

Queen,” Saïda dropped the schedule book and approached

the Queen started, worried. “Your face is flushed. Is it

a little heat, your Majesty. I’m

father’s calling you, I’ll join you two in

Queen,” she

turned to her son who smiled

not getting ready, my Darling?” she

“Nah, I’m good.”

that attire, Asahd?? You need

attending it, sorry. I have to visit

Asahd,” the Queen was surprised. “It’s Saïda dowry ceremony. You two

it to her, mother. Don’t worry. She understands. I’d promised to go visit those kids

still surprised but eventually gave

If you say

“Alright.”

gone,

“Dammit.”

***

dowry ceremony was a beautiful one. Noure had come, accompanied by many of his family members with his dowry for Saïda. They brought a lot of things. Bags of rice,

good family and with an absolute responsible guy and a gentleman, Noure. Saïda had to keep a smile

-

was so happy for his precious daughter. And proud of her as well. Everyone had seen Saïda smile and look happy. If only they could

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her room and went upstairs. On getting to Asahd’s entrance, she told the guards that she had to inform the Prince about something urgent. They let her pass, considering the fact that she was the Royal

-

and entered. The Prince

his side immediately and they snuggled up in

your arms,” she whispered, burying her face in his neck and inhaling the

that moment every single time,” he whispered back and lowered his lips to kiss her deep. Saïda melted, wanting to be no

***

Saïda’s POV:

been a day since my dowry and

they chatted. I was completely lost in their midst, thinking of Asahd and only

my engagement and wedding to Noure. But how? I can’t call it

thumb as

I’ll tell him the truth so he calls it off. He will tell

and left the table to the surprise of my friends. I had no time to explain whatsoever.

there and he happily welcomed me. I wasted no time in telling him that I had something important to confess to him and so he took

-

my love? What’s

hard, but he needs to

I was nervous

dear.

took a deep

“But...”

gonna pass out,

as well as Noure. You’re helping him so he won’t marry someone who doesn’t love him just as much anymore. You know it might not

what is it?′ he asked, very worried. I swallowed and decided to let it

also in love

it. Noure froze and

“W– what?”