Royalty Gone Bad

***

Asahd’s POV:

I was in a great mood for the rest of that day that had started off in the wrong manner. Djafar, my parents and some employees had asked me about my wrapped hand and blood stained knuckles and I had to come up with some believable story to tell them. They believed.

I couldn’t help it but be in a great mood. I’d never worried about anything and even more now that Saïda had confessed to me. What made me even more happy was what I’d heard her say to Noure, about me. It’d boosted my ago and confidence times 10, when that fool had succeeded in making me insecure.

′In your face, moron. I’d told you I would get her. And I did. It’s not over yet. I will marry her.′

I thought in amusement. There was no way I could’ve let Saïda go. I loved her way too much. If it’d been a case where she didn’t love me back or so, I don’t know in what state I would be. I would probably lose my cool or so, in the worst way ever.

My love for her was actually some sort of sweet obsession. In such little time, a lot had changed between us. I would’ve never believed that I could fall deeply in love with Saïda, to the point of being ready to risk it all just to be with her. If someone had predicted our present situation and had told me back before I was sent to New York, I would’ve called them crazy and maybe even gotten angry at how absurd it sounded. Because trust me, Saïda and I disliked each other very much. I couldn’t stand her at all and had withheld myself from slapping her or so several times.

′And now I’m dying and shedding tears for her.′

Life sure was teaching me a funny lesson. And Saïda definitely thought same too. I remembered an instance about a year ago when I was walking through the palace gardens and heard Saïda gossiping about me to the others, close by behind the bushes.

She’d been condemning my attitude like she always did back then, acting like “Miss Perfect” who had the right to judge others.

She’d called me a Billy goat or so and it had pissed the hell out of me. I appeared where they were and she shut up immediately. Though she’d curtsied, she gave me the most provocative stir ever. I almost lost it. Well, I did.

Having an empty water bottle in my hand, I didn’t even think twice and aimed it hard at her. She tried to dodge but it hit her head hard, to the amusement of the maids with her. She gasped and immediately spoke:

“What type of Prince acts like you?!” she’d exclaimed and I frowned, eyes wide.

“What did you say?! Repeat it!” I retorted, more than ready to catch her and pull on her hair.

“Nothing, your Highness. Pardon my manners,” she apologised in the most fake and insincere manner ever!

“Yeah you better. Stupid,” I’d replied and left, though I heard her grumble and mumble something to the maids that made them laugh a little.

-

The thoughts of such instances made me chuckle as I went up to my room. Saïda had always been quite stubborn and whenever I angered or did something to her, she would gather the courage to talk back sometimes or retort. But then, she would apologise immediately or cover up, still in the most insincere or provocative manner. She’d always had that bit of courage because unlike the others, she wasn’t a maid I could treat or boss around disrespectfully.

Not only was she preparing to be my Royal adviser back then, she was also Djafar’s daughter. She knew I couldn’t fire or treat her any type of way because I really considered and cherished her father. And that used to frustrate me so bad and I could only teach her a lesson by giving her so much work to do that she would be more than exhausted at the end of it all. At least that satisfied me a little.

-

I laughed again at the thoughts and entered my room. We used to fight and argue like kids or troublesome siblings would and this tired my parents and Djafar most of the time. While my parents scolded me for my “not royal, irresponsible and childish” behavior towards Saïda, Djafar on his side did same. But it never ended. I just couldn’t stand her and we were never together for up to twenty minutes without verbally attacking or provoking each other.

There were times when Saïda would simply shut up and hold her tongue, her eyes threatening to kill me and doing all the talking. And that was just because I was a Prince and she worked for me.

′I would’ve never believed that our tumultuous relationship would turn into this.′

I thought with a smile on my lips. I looked at myself in the glass of my bathroom.

′It’s just amazing. She’s the woman of my dreams now.′

***

The next afternoon, Saïda and I were chatting and laughing in the library. We were in great moods because for some reason, Noure had called off the engagement that was supposed to have taken place that afternoon.

mother that had been busy with the preparations, hadn’t complained or gotten angry about the

Noure had called it off. Saïda had asked him why but he’d ignored her question said he would soon tell her

-

stop that but the man was so into the rules and customs and so I let him.

so happy?”

you

“Which is, father?”

future

walked in with a smile. I remained glued to my chair and

frowned a little and stared at Noure but then changed her expression because

still smiling and the provocation and competition very

seemed to muse

my only reply

and stretched a hand out to Saïda who gave me

that she should play along because her father was there. She slowly grabbed his hand and he made her stand, hugging her

′Self-control, Asahd.′

see him my dear?” Djafar

I’m just surprised. He called

to personally explain why,” Djafar replied happily, patting

all stared

started and I rolled my eyes. Luckily Djafar

cheek, I wanted to ask him to

Saïda cleared her

off

“What do you mean?”

I can just marry you? I’ve decided, with your father’s permission as well as that of my

heart sinking. My eyes widened

“W– what??” she muttered.

and

knowing what to do. I was seconds away from breaking the silence to Djafar about my love for Saïda, when I saw how happy he was. And at the same time, I realised he would not let me marry her because of how respectful he was of the ‘rules’. I realised I

He would think I betrayed his trust. He would probably think that I’d gotten so close to Saïda for an unclean reason?? Thoughts flooded my mind at that moment and the anxiety increased. What if Djafar took it the wrong way? What if he misunderstood the situation and called me a betrayer?? What

then that I realised what Saïda felt. At that point, none of us wanted to hurt Djafar. I was confused on what to do.

hugged his daughter. “Finally, all that I’ve worked

advantage of it to

we talk outside?” she

“Sure, my love.”

themselves and left. Djafar

with watery eyes and a smile.

Djafar,” I stood

he

---

Saïda’s POV:

was your plan??” I said angrily to Noure

will be,” he smiled, reaching

unable to refuse or tell him the truth?! What is wrong with you?! Is this who you really are?!” I

doing this for your good and

If you really cared for me, you wouldn’t force me

chuckled sarcastically and rolled his