Emily's POV
"Gen, for the last time! It wasn't Sebastian you saw at the club last night," I semi-shouted to my friend, who was still pleading to me about seeing my ex-boyfriend. "Think about it, what would Sebastian be doing out here?" I asked her as I got into my pair of heels.
"I have no idea, but I'm certain that I'm not mistaken."
"Girl, you were drunk out of your mind last night. It's a wonder that you're not hungover, but that's excellent because we're heading to the construction site now."
I took my purse off the table and checked myself in the mirror to make sure everything was on point. It was a habit of mine.
I ushered Gen through my hotel's room door and took my car to the site where the new hotel would be established.
______________
"Boss, we have a big problem," one of my contractors said as I reached the site and got out of the car.
"What seems to be the problem, Jerry?"
"The land around us."
"What's wrong with the land around us, Jerry?"
"It belongs to a prince."
I laughed and placed my hands on my hip. It was just like Jerry to be funny when he should be starting jobs and taking them seriously.
"I'm a very busy woman, and I don't have time for games, Jerry."
"I'm not joking around this time boss. Here, the men who came to warned us. Gave me this to give it to you." He handed me a white envelope and inside was a letter that stated all construction development should be terminated immediately.
"This is plain bullshit!" I yelled. "I've already paid for this land and I've got the papers to prove it."
"Boss, those men who came by, they weren't joking about this land. You have to straighten this out before we proceed. I don't want to get into trouble over this."
"I'll handle this. Gen, get this so-called kingdom on my GPS. I'm going to pay that prince a visit."
Everyone looked at me as if I had grown two heads but I didn't care. I was furious.
"I've located the Palace on the GPS," Gen spoke as I drove angrily.
I glanced my eyes at the monitor and turned on the Voice Navigation System.
"Destination three miles ahead."
I stepped on the accelerator.
"Em, you want to, please, slow down," Gen said as she held onto her seat belt.
I slowed down.
_________
Half an hour later, we arrived in front of a massive and beautiful palace.
"My word. This is as beautiful as Buckingham Palace," Gen spoke as she stared in awe.
We approached a guard at a tall gate.
"Good morning, I'm Emily Hollen and this is my assistant, Generosa. We're here to settle an urgent matter with the Prince."
"Which one?" the guard asked firmly.
"Um, how many are there?" Gen asked in a flirting manner and I gave her the look, which indicated she should keep her mouth shut.
"I have to stop you right here ladies. No one enters unannounced and uninvited."
"Uninvited? He invited me here when he stole my land." The guard's eyebrows rose in fractions. "Are you the hotel developer?"
"Yes," I answered shortly.
"Please, come in. They've been expecting you."
"They?" I asked, but he didn't clarify on that.
He opened the gates and Gen and I walked in.
"Hold it!" He took our cellphones and wanded us with a mental detector.
Afterwards, we walked up the very long pavement. We took in the surrounding as we walked by. Trees lined the neatly trimmed lawns, beds of flowers spread around, water fountains looked like waterfalls and more guards dressed in red, yellow and white lined the entrance.
"Okay, this is freaking me out," Gen spoke softly.
"Sshh," I let out.
We walked through the entrance of the palace.
"Oh, sorry, can I help you?" a woman asked when she accidentally bumped into us.
"I'm really not sure who I have to go to actually, but I have a problem with the land I'm to build my hotel on," I explained.
"Oh, you're that brave hotel developer. Conovia praises you on your efforts, but you can't go around stealing lands."
"I didn't steal it. I have the paperwork that shows I paid for it. All of it."
"Oh dear. Right this way please," she offered and we followed her down a very long aisle.
My feet ached, my breathing increased and I thought that I was going to pass out at any minute. Gen looked the same but she dare didn't complain, nor did I.
"In here," the woman spoke finally, and I let out a breath of relief.
We walked into a large room that resembled a conference room. Golden chairs and a large golden table with golden coloured curtains were the decorations. A large air conditioning unit blew out cool air.
Gen and I took a seat and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
"How much longer? I'm becoming hungry," Gen asked.
I was becoming irritated. I tapped my nails on the surface of the table and looked at my wristwatch.
The door finally pushed open and an elderly man appeared.
I stood and Gen did the same.
"Good afternoon. I'm King Charles the Third. Welcome to Conovia."
"It's a pleasure Your Highness. I'm Emily Hollen, and this is Generosa Sky."
"Yes, I know who you are. Please, have a seat." We sat down and he took the chair at the head of the table— Gen and I sat at the end. "My son will be here shortly to resolve the issue."
"Thank you."
The doors pushed open again and I almost fell off my chair when I saw who entered dressed in a uniform fitted only for a prince. My eyes widened, my heart leaped and my brain bounced around in my head. I couldn't believe it. It was indeed him. It was Sebastian.
Our eyes collided and I saw a tiny smile displaying on his familiar lips, but it quickly disappeared when his father spoke.
"Son, resolve this matter, now!"
Sebastian turned towards me. "Emily Hollen, what makes you think you could build on my land?"
His tone was harsh. I wanted to laugh it off like we were back in high school, but when I saw the stern look on his face, I knew it was no joke and I was serious trouble. I reached for my papers with trembling hands and handed them to him. He looked over the documents then handed them to the King who did the same.
"This is a big misunderstanding," Gen spoke finally.
"Indeed. Someone ran foul play on you for land that wasn't theirs to begin with," the King said.
"Oh my goodness. So what should I do now?" I asked as a terrible feeling flooded me.
"That's not our concern!" Sebastian answered and exited the room.
I got off the chair and went after him. I didn't think twice on whether I was allowed to run after a prince or let him be.
I caught up with him in the long aisle. "Sebastian, why did you speak to me like that in front of the others? It's like you don't know who I am."
"Maybe I don't Emily. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get to a meeting."
I watched his tall, beautiful figure walk away.
Emily's POV"Are you shitting me?" Gen asked rhetorically as she threw herself face down in my bed in my hotel room, worn out from exhaustion."I can't believe Sebastian is a prince," I finally spoke while staring at my reflection from a wine glass.I poured myself another drink. I was having one hell of a day. First, I had to put an abrupt end to my hotel project then I found out my ex-boyfriend was the Prince of Conovia and I was summoned by him and his father about the rights of the land.I downed three glasses of wine— one after the other."At least share with me as well! I'm having a bad day too!" Gen snatched the bottle out my hand."No! Give it here Gen! Give it here!" I squealed and a competition to tug-of-war broke out.A sudden knock came at the door, putting an end to the battle of the wine. I got off the bed, straightened my clothes and opened the door slightly to reveal one of the hotel's rece
Emily's POV"A WIFE?" Gen shouted loudly when I told her how the dinner went. She had come over to my hotel room, again, and was drilling me for every detail."Yes, a wife," I confirmed."Em, if you were to marry him that means you'd become a queen. It would be a dream come true for you. You always wanted to be a queen. Remember when we were kids and we would play dolls? Instead of being a mermaid, you'd rather be a queen."I smiled warmly at her. Gen had always had my back. She was very supportive and called me out whenever I was wrong about something or did something that didn't fit my character. She was a real friend."I highly doubt he'd even consider having me at his side, Gen. He's not the same guy I left at high school. He's different. He has transformed."I got off the bed and closed the windows. The rain had been pouring down and it was beginning to get extremely cold. I cuddled up in bed next with Gen
Sebastian's POVHer sweet scent lingered around me. When she pulled away and I stared into her deep grey pair of eyes, I wanted to get lost in them. I wanted to wake up to them every morning for the rest of my life. I exhaled sharply as I remembered the message I received from my father.In order to take over my father's position in the court as king, I would have to marry someone, and my father thought it would be appropriate to marry someone already of royalty. Princess Naomi was from a neighboring country and was raised by her parents King Leon, III and Queen Emeralda.King Leon was cold-hearted and his people feared him. He made enemies wherever he went and that was one of the causes of his untimely assassination five years ago. The news was devastating to the Three Kingdoms, so the Queen of England advised my father that the next king of his court should marry the Princess of Scots to form an alliance and a much more united kingdom before the thron
Emily's POVThree Days Later"Em, why are you not dressed for the ball?" Gen asked as she poked her head through the door."I'm not going," I answered as I lay my head on my pillow, feeling sorry for myself.Gen was already dressed in a lovely purple and white dress that hugged her chest area but flowed freely from her waist down to her ankles. Her white heels, silver earrings and necklace added the finishing touches, and her makeup was extra flawless. I almost didn't recognize my best friend."You were personally invited by the prince himself, and you're going to turn that down because of what you thought you saw?" She was in the room and standing next to my bed."I know what I saw Gen!" I snapped and she put her hands up in surrender."Emily Hollen, you shouldn't be wallowing like this. Sebastian will be looking forward to seeing you. He invited you. If you want to get back at him, I think you should get your ass of
Emily's POV"He's getting MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE?" Gen asked, her last words ringing out.We were back at the hotel in my bedroom, and I was sobbing like a child who didn't get their way.Gen came over and wrapped her arms around me. "It's going to be okay Em.""H-How?" I cried."Maybe... maybe he won't get married. Maybe he'll put you first and call off the wedding.""I don't think he'll do that Gen. His responsibility isn't to me anymore. It's to his father and his country. He won't give up the throne for me."I sat up and stared out the window, facing the now dark ocean. I felt hurt, but I had no reason to be angry at Sebastian for the way I was feeling. We were just rekindling a bond that had been broken almost ten years ago. I had no say in his life and his choices.My phone rang. I answered without looking at the screen."Why did you run off Emily? You didn't even give me a chance to explain things
Sebastian's POVI got into the steamy hot Jacuzzi first and watched as Emily slowly made her way over. She was so beautiful being shy."Finally. I was turning into an old man here," I joked when she eventually got in.I immediately pulled her into my waiting arms and, for once, my mind was rested. With Emily, I felt like a free man. I was just Sebastian and not the Prince with duties, responsibilities and expectations to a people and a country.I stared into her beautiful grey eyes. The water had plastered her hair to her back and made her tan skin look naturally flawless. She was amazing in every way and I didn't wait another second to kiss her with passion and flare.My hands roamed her body and I pulled her even closer towards me. Her pair of breasts rested perfectly against my chest as she straddle me like a woman on a horse. Her hands went through my hair as the sweet melody of her soft moans sounded in her throat. Her hands
Emily's POVI rose slowly— the maid's eyes growing wider and wider as I stood up— and faced her with my eyes still watered."I'm getting the guards." She dropped her cleaning supplies to make a dash for the door but I was quick in stopping her."Please don't. He knows I'm here. I don't want to get him into trouble," I begged."Who are you?""My name is Emily. Emily Hollen. Sebastian and I are...togeth— we're frie—" I was tongue tied as I remembered the reason I was crying.Apparently, the maid saw my defeat and came over and wrapped me in a small hug without saying another word. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks again and I attempted to pull myself together.Shortly after, the maid left and locked the door after her. I was alone again and, in my head, I was thinking about how to fight with Sebastian when he got back."You son of a bitch! No, that's too over the top. You bastard! No. I can't be so disrespe
Sebastian's POVI stood there, unable to move, as I processed my thoughts while looking at the invitation. My father had arranged for such to take place at the palace in TWO WEEKS!I tore the invite into shreds before tossing it onto the floor. I hated myself for dragging Emily into this— for making her cry.If Evan were here, he would knock my lights out for his sister, again.I walked back into the bedroom; Emily had come out from her hiding place."I heard," she spoke."Yes. He has a tendency of being very loud when he's upset," I responded.She nodded, sadly. Her grace had gone."I think I'm ready to go back to my hotel tonight. I need to do some packing.""Packing, are you leaving? Are you leaving because of this?""No Seb, it's really fine, honestly. Our fling is over and I think we should just both move on. Maybe you should get to know the Princess better and fulfill your duties with an
Emily's POV"Christian! I don't want you sliding on the banisters!" I yelled after my energetic five year-old."Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee," he sang as he slid down, disobediently, right into his father's arms at the end of the stairs."Hey son.""Hey Daddy.""Dismount the banister," he told him as he help him off. "Your mom and I don't want you sliding on it because you can really hurt yourself one day. Okay?""Okay Saddy. Sorry Mommy." His grey and hazel eyes looked up apologetically at me."Good, now let's get you to breakfast." I took his tiny hand and led him to the breakfast table where his grandfather was waiting for us."Grandpa!" he shouted and ran into his grandfather's arms, who was always excited to have him around.Christian was a fearless child with a side of adventure to him. He always wanted to go hiking and/or personal trips with his father and I. It broke our hearts on one occasion when we had to go to England
Emily's POV"Naomi. Put. Down. My. Son," I told her when she started rocking Christian back and forth in her arms.My blood came to a boil but I quickly put a robe on and threw my bath towel to the side."This should have been my child— my child with Sebastian. Not Yours!" Her voice grew louder and Christian started crying."Naomi, just put him back in his crib, he has nothing to do with anything. He's a baby! Are you crazy? We can get you the help that you need.""Don't you psychoanalyze me! I'm not crazy!""Okay." I put my hands up to look defeated and made small steps towards her.She was distracted by Christian's crying and was humming a song to make him stop as she continued to rock him in her nasty arms.I reached her and she handed him over to me without another word. Her facial expression was blank and she appeared to be distraught. I rested Christian back into his crib, and when I turned around to face Naomi again
Emily's POV*Six And A Half Months Later*"Baby, you're not getting any fatter," Sebastian said for the thousandth time, but I wasn't hearing it.I was trying my all to fit into one of my favorite dresses but it was a bit too tight. Accepting defeat, I sat down on the bed with a long face. Sebastian threw his arm around my neck and kissed me gently."I'm a cow," I let out and put on another dress."A sexy cow," he comforted and I huffed at him.I'd never seen a sexy cow but the weight gain was quite normal during pregnancy, along with the cravings._____Flash Back To Two Months Ago"Sebastian, I want ice cream," I said as I shook his sleeping figure next to me."Em, it's one in the morning," he groaned as he woke and turned on the lights."Yes, but the baby doesn't care about that. We want ice cream.""What flavor?""Cherry vanilla," I answered with a satisfied smile as he got up from th
Emily's POV*TWO MONTHS LATER*"I can't find the hair pins. Jasmine where did you put them, in here?""Hold on, you'll wrinkle her dress!""No, you got the flowers wrong. There're supposed to be twelve, not thirteen. Do you wanna give her bad luck on her special day?""I swear, I put all the concealers in this bag. Emma, did you remove them to do your own makeup?""Yes I did, I left them on the table right next to the brushes.""They're not here!""Oh, check in the top drawer. I forgot I put them in there."The females around me were going into panic mode. I was the only calm one in the room with a wide smile on my face as I took them in. It was my wedding day, shouldn't I be the one panicking?"Ladies, ladies! Relax. Just calm your nerves and repeat after me, 'woosah'," I commanded.It was a technique Sebastian and I had learnt from the pregnancy classes we were attending until the birth of our baby. My baby bu
Sebastian's POV"It was no accident Father! Naomi pushed Emily over the stairs, and I'm not going to rest until she pays for what she did. Emily could have been permanently injured or worse! What the hell was Naomi thinking? All of this because I'm not in love with her and wouldn't make her my wife!"I was livid as I explained to my father that Naomi was responsible for Emily's accident."Sebastian I will take care of this, and you should be focusing on asking for Emily's hand in marriage. Along with the surprise you plan on giving her.""Thanks Dad," I replied as I gave him a manly hug before leaving his office.The following evening, I found Emily on her balcony reading a book. She had her feet up and her silk dress hoisted up, revealing her smooth skin underneath.I cleared my throat loudly to get her attention. "You know, if you look this good while reading a book, I just might want to make a few more chapters with you," I teased.
Sebastian's POVIt has been two weeks and Emily still hasn't woken up.I was in the private room with her, I had been all night long. I was exhausted, hungry and my eyes hurt from lack of sleep, but I wanted to be right by her side for when she woke up, and looked at me, and told me how much she loves me and wanted to get married to me.A knock came on the door. I looked up and saw her mother walking into the room with a large bouquet of roses."Hi," she greeted."Good morning Mrs. Hollen.""Just call me Emma. You've been here all night, haven't you?"I nodded."Sebastian, you look extremely drained. You can't carry on like this. Emily wouldn't want this for you. Why don't you head on home, freshen up, have a decent meal and take a rest.""But what if she wakes up and I'm not here?""I promise I'll call you, even if she only moves her fingers for a few seconds."I was hesitant on leaving Emily's side, but I trus
Sebastian's POVWe heard screaming coming from the hallway."What's going on?" my father asked, rising from his chair and I followed suit.We rushed out the door and followed the noise to the stairs. My eyes dreaded the sight. Emily was lying on the floor with blood pooling from the back of her head. Cuts and bruises were visible and she wasn't moving."WHAT HAPPENED!?" I shouted at the top of my lungs."We don't know, Prince Sebastian. We were in the kitchen and we heard a tumbling. When we got here, we found her just like this. She must have tripped over her shoe laces, lost her balance or something," one of the maids explained with tears in her eyes."We already called the emergency number, they're on the way," another stated before I could even ask.I dropped to Emily's level, carefully trying to wake her up."Don't move her son," my father commanded."Emily, baby, can you hear me? Emily, please make a sound, a movement
Sebastian's POVCreeping out of her bedroom wasn't on my list of things to do. I watched as she slept peacefully, loose strands of hair covering almost a quarter of her face. Her chest rose and fell with every breath she took, and she made soft snoring sounds.My hand landed gently on her stomach with the image of having a bouncing baby with her. I didn't care if it was going to be a boy or a girl, as long as it was with Emily. Hell, at one point, I didn't care if I was going to be the father. I would have adopted him or her and been a family with Emily.An idea crossed my mind at that very moment, and I quickly got up from the bed and freshened up in my own room. Afterwards, I went to seek out my father. I found him in his office with a frown looking Naomi."Good morning Father, good morning Naomi." I still had the decency to acknowledge her.She smiled at me right before leaping onto me and embracing my frame in a rather tight hug."Let go
*Strong Content Present*Sebastian's POVI bumped into my father as I walked through the grand hall to get upstairs."Son, I'm sorry," he stated, "for pushing you into marriage, for favoring your cousin over you, for everything."I squirmed as my cousin was mentioned and I remembered Emily's pregnancy. Putting it at the back of my mind was only working so much, and no matter how I looked at things between us, that baby was coming."Apology accepted Dad but you were right about one thing, Emily's baby isn't mine. The doctor said she's two months along and we've only been involved for four weeks now. She should be around three weeks at the most."My father's face fell, but he straightened his posture. "It is your baby. I told the doctor to lie to the both of you.""WHAT?! How could you? Why would you do that to us?""Because I wanted you away from her, son. I thought you'd hate her when you heard that the baby isn't yours, but I was wron