Emerald St. Clair's POV

I screeched when I saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

What the hell?!

I went out of the en suite bathroom and glared at the sleeping man on the massive bed. "Hey, wake up, you dastardly bastard."

He was still soundly asleep but I don't care he needs to wake up and face my wrath. I jumped on the bed and straddled him in his stomach. I hit him with my fist repeatedly.

He finally roused from his sleep, his sleepy eyes flutter to open. I wicked smile formed on his lips. "What a sight you are early this morning! I hope this is how you wake me up every morning from now on."

Heat spread through my cheeks. I forgot that I was still naked when I went out of the bathroom. Then I remember why I want to show him my naked body.

"What did you do to my body, asshole?!" I asked indignantly. The bastard just gave me a self-satisfied smile by looking at my naked body. My eyes narrowed in his direction I slapped his muscled chest due to my irritation.

"What's the matter?" He asked in a raspy voice.

"Are you serious?" I asked him in disbelief I pinpointed the reddish-purple marks scattered all over my body in case he hadn't noticed them yet. "What the hell are these? What on earth are you thinking to give me hickey all over my body?"

"Sorry," he apologized but there was not a hint of remorse in his voice and then there were his eyes who held satisfaction in their depth.

"Shut up! You are not sorry at all." I groaned, shaking my head in the process. "How can I hide these hickeys now?" This guy was hopeless. He was so wild last night sleeping with him, he already taught me different kinds of sexual positions that a few of them made me blush just thinking of them.

"Now that you woke me up." I heard him saying while his large hands started to travel on my ribcage sensually. "How about I eat you for breakfast."

"No," I answered flatly, and then I realized how scandalous our position in the bed was right now. I felt a little shy that I was straddling him like one of those positions he made me do last night. I was about to slide out of the bed but he held me in my place.

He grinned wickedly in my direction. "No. Stay there."

"No way! I want to take a shower." I retorted. I silently curse when I felt his morning erection poking my bottom. "I'm hungry. I am about the raid the kitchen--then I realized that there is no food yet because you threw the household help before we even arrived here?"

"Don't worry," Al-Farsi replied, his eyes were darkening with desire. Uh-oh. This is bad. "I will cook breakfast for us."

I raised an eyebrow looking at him with distrust in my expression. "I can't still believe that you know how to cook."

"Yeah. Is it hard to believe?"

"Frankly, yes."

He gazed amusedly in direction. "And why is that?"

"Because you are a king? You have an army of servants who can cook for you every day."

Laughter vibrated in his body. "Darling love, even if I am a king sometimes I like to do things for myself, and fixing a simple meal is one of them especially when I am in New York. I like the idea that I feel like I am just a normal guy when I am in the US." When he saw me snort he added. "Go and take a shower after you're done breakfast is ready."

I smiled at him as I slid out of bed and went straight to the bathroom to take a quick shower. This is our third day at the Royal Lodge so far everything is perfect for our little holiday. This feels like our own little slice of heaven when nothing can come between us. At first, I wasn't sure about the alien feeling inside me, and then gradually in the past few days of our stay here, I found out that I might be falling for this arrogant king.

And I am not sure if this discovery was a good or bad thing. I sighed deeply while under the shower. May I not fall for him but I just mistook lust for love. Because if that happened I am fucked up and I am not ready for that.

After I showered, I wore a simple ripped denim shorts and a white cotton t-shirt as I went out to the kitchen.

"Just in time," Al-Farsi announced turning his head slightly to look at me. He was still cooking something on the burner. I sat on the wooden chair and admired him while looking half-naked. He was only wearing denim jeans and was barefooted.

Once he was done, he sat on the head of the table. "After lunch, we need to get ready for our return to the palace."

I stopped from peeling my boiled egg and stared at him. Dismay crept inside me at his words. "Already?"

He nodded with an apologetic smile on his face. "Yes. There will be a ball tonight for my upcoming coronation. We need to attend."

"Can't you just attend without me?" I queried unable to meet his eyes. I don't think I am ready to face the elite Saqrian society. Besides, what would they think about me when I attend with their king?

It seems that he doesn't like my suggestion from the annoyance on his face.

"No. You will come with me."

"What about that princess?"

"What about her?" There was unmistakable irritation visible in his voice right now.

I glanced at him briefly before focusing my eyes back on my food. "She's their choice of bride for you, right? I don't want to create friction with my attendance to this ball."

"She isn't my choice of bride." He said with a firm tone. "You will attend this ball with me and that is final."

I bit my bottom lip. I don't think this is a good idea. "I don't have a suitable evening dress for the event."

He smiled victoriously in my direction. "I know you will say that so I already instructed the palace to send dresses for you to choose." He sipped his coffee leisurely. "Don't try to make any more excuses, Emerald."

I didn't bother to answer and just focused on my breakfast. Truer to his words, just after our breakfast the palace staff arrived with an array of dresses from different designer brands here in Saqr so I could choose.

The day passed in a blur we shared lunch in a painful silence way too different from the previous one we have since we arrived here. After eating we already prepare for the ball. I chose this long-sleeved black lace beaded evening gown with a high neckline. Khalil doesn't like the idea of me showing cleavage where other men could see.

I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I already did my makeup and hair now I am having a problem with the two hickeys on my neck. I let out an angry sigh when I saw him go out of the bathroom already dressed for the ball. He was so gorgeous in his traditional outfit. His white thawb was in contrast with his olive skin he was also wearing a black bisht with gold lining over his thawb to proclaim his status as the king. There was a ghruta secured with igal for his headdress.

"What shall I do with these?" I pointed to the bruise-like mark on my skin. Ignoring how devastatingly handsome he was tonight. "I want to put some makeup to cover them up but I fear that it will dissolve due to the humid weather. I don't want people to see these marks and assume that I am sleeping with the king despite the circulating rumors."

He ran his eyes on me appreciatively. "Don't worry. I have a solution to your problem, habibti."

I watched him from the reflection of the mirror as he stood behind me looking back at me through the full-length mirror. I gasped when I saw him put this emerald choker around my neck.

"There." He said delightfully once he was fastening the choker. "All covered."

I instinctively touch the choker studded with diamonds and emeralds with a very large stone at the center. "Where did you get this?" I wore pieces of jewelry as part of my job in the St. Clair Diamonds and I knew when the jewelry was genuine or not from their look and clarity. And this one was a real deal.

"A family heirloom." He supplied but there was a private smile playing on his lips that I don't trust.

"Then why are you letting me wear this one tonight? I can't wear this."

He rested his hand on my slender waist, resting his chin on my shoulder watching our reflection on the mirror. "You need to wear that so you can hide your love bites, my love." He kissed my neck. "Come our ride is waiting for us outside."

He led me outside and I couldn't shake off the feeling that attending this ball with him was a very bad idea. I looked at this hard-headed king from the look on his face he had no intention of letting me go. I glanced at our intertwined hands it felt as if he thought I would run away if he even let go of my hand.

It was already sunset when we arrived back at the palace. Our flight was delayed when there was a sandstorm to the route of our helicopter we waited until it vanished before the tower gave us a go signal to fly.

We were immediately ushered into the grand ballroom once we arrived. There were already visitors who arrived such as foreign dignitaries, members of the royal families from the neighboring countries, and somewhere from Europe inside the hall.

The progressing party stood still when Khalil and I entered the grand ballroom. I couldn't miss the stunned reaction on their faces seeing me with the soon-to-be crowned king. I grimaced but there's something more about their reaction that I couldn't pinpoint at the moment. And what's with their whispered conversation?

As soon as we arrived Omar was already at his side introducing people to his king and Khalil for his part chatting with them as briefly as possible. I remained silent most of the time since politics doesn't interest me but even though he was busy conversing with different people once in a while he would squeeze my waist where his arm rested permanently. He would look down at me and ask if I was okay. I would just smile at him with a nod.

A few minutes more my gaze was arrested by the familiar woman who was looking at us with a jealous expression on her face.

The princess...

Suddenly, I felt suffocated with the whole thing. I started to feel light-headed. "I need some fresh air," I murmured to him while he was talking to a foreign dignitary. "I will just go outside."

"What?" He looked down at me with a troubled expression. "Okay. Let's go together."

I shook my head. "There's no need. You need to entertain these people. I will just go to the balcony for some fresh air." I gestured to the balcony. "I will just be there. I won't go anywhere."

He nodded reluctantly as he loosened his hold of me. I could feel that his eyes were still trailing behind me. I fought back the urge to turn around and look at him. Once outside I looked at the night sky that was filled with stars and the moon felt so near me tonight. I took a deep breath to clear my head.

"Mind if I join you?" I froze when I heard a female voice beside me. My eyes widened when I saw the princess beside me.

"Your Highness," I muttered, mulling for my brain for her name. God! I don't even know her name.

She smiled at me which didn't reach her eyes. "I am Amina Kouri."

"Emerald St. Clair."

Princess Amina pointedly looked at the choker I was wearing. Is that pain I see in her eyes? "The king proclaimed to everyone present in this party that you are his chosen bride."

I blinked at her. "Excuse me?"

She gestured the choker Al-Farsi lent me so I could hide my hickeys. "That emerald choker is the symbol of the king's engagement." There was agony in her voice. "Whoever wearing that family heirloom means she already accepted the king's love. So everybody in this ballroom knew you are his bride-to-be."

My eyes nearly went out of their socket while I was speechless at her revelations. I glanced at where Khalil was at the moment. Once our eyes met I threw him a grim expression that sneaky bastard he didn't bother to tell him. I thought this necklace symbolizes nothing so that's the reason why he insisted I should wear it to hide my hickeys.

"You can't imagine how I feel tonight seeing how King Khalil openly shows these people his chosen bride when I have supposed that woman. Our marriage was arranged a long time ago before you even came into his life."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I informed her. I was genuinely sorry for her. If I was probably in her situation I would feel the same.

She laughed bitterly. "I don't know how to hold my head high in this party while some people who already knew our supposed to be union look at me when you arrived with His Majesty."

"I didn't mean to feel you that way because of my presence."

"I love him, you know." She said with brutal honesty. "I have loved him from the moment I laid my eyes on him. I know our union is purely political marriage but I am hoping that he will also learn how to love me back once we're married."

So do I. A voice inside my head whispered.

Princess Amina laughed softly. "But then you came into the picture and ruined everything."

I don't know why I feel guilty about the whole thing. Was it my fault? I knew from the start  Khalil and I were an ill-fated match. I somehow regret that I became close to him again after years of being adversaries with one another maybe if fate wasn't cruel enough she just let us stay as enemies for everyone's peace of mind.

"Do you think are fit to be his wife?" The princess dragged me out of my deep thoughts. "Do you think you can fulfill the role of the queen of this land? I was groomed to be that woman all my life. Are you aware of the pressure on King Khalil's shoulder when he's pushing the idea of taking a Western woman as his wife the council was repulsive at the idea because according to the law, his bride should be one of us?"

Pain crept into my heart. I have no idea that he's suffering because of me. He never tells me about this...

"If you love him--I know you do..." I heard her saying, she was looking at me straight in the eyes. "...don't make him choose between you and his birthright. I know you are a smart woman, Miss St. Clair. You know what's good for him. I am not saying this because I want you out of the picture but because we both love him. Don't make him choose it will be unfair to the people of Saqr if he abdicated because of you."

My eyes were burned with unshed tears it felt like someone put a knife in my heart over and over again. She was right. I don't have the right to come between Khalil and the Saqrian throne. Maybe I am just only his passing fancy and sooner or later he would get tired of me. The sooner I ended this madness between us the sooner for him to fulfill his duty to his country and that is to serve its people like his ancestors before him.

"I hope that you will make the right decision for him." Princess Amina declared. "I know he will be hurt in the beginning but he will understand it soon after. His subjects need him. He will be a good leader for them."

But I need him too.

I fought back my tears. I need to be strong here. The princess was right I don't have the right to be selfish here from the start I already knew that we can't be together. How I stupidly thought that we could work this out during our vacation in the desert. We were blissfully happy and I foolishly thought that this was our chance to be happy.

"I need to go." Princess Amina said with a smile on her face. "It was nice talking with you. Thank you for your time."

I only manage to nod while I remain on the balcony. I hope Khalil was still busy and did not come here. I took a deep breath fighting back the moisture in my eyes. Don't you dare cry, Emerald St. Clair!

"I see that you already talked to the Princess, Miss Emerald."

I closed my eyes when I heard the familiar voice of the old vizier. The last thing I wanted was for this man to see me crying.

"Yes, I am," I answered tersely, still looking at the sky.

"Then you are already aware of the discord His Majesty is having with the council about his chosen bride. They don't like the idea of a Western queen for Saqr. Who doesn't share the same values as us?"

"Yes."

He took a deep breath. "I know that I don't have the right to ask you this but please I am begging you to leave him alone. Let the wedding of His Majesty and Princess Amina take place. The people of Saqr badly need this union after the death of the old king the people of Saqr are skeptical if the bachelor crown prince will ever marry. He needs to marry a woman who has royal blood he cannot just bend the law just for you."

I looked at Khalil he was still busy talking inside the grand ballroom. This is his life. I thought with despair. And I don't belong here.

I stared at Omar with a blank expression. "I-If I leave him..." I cleared my throat because it felt so dry at the moment. "Can you promise that you will take care of him?"

"Of course, Miss Emerald." Happiness was shown in his dark eyes. "I assure you that."

"Very well," I noted, hardening my heart in the process. "How soon do you think I can leave Saqr without Khalil knowing it?"

"I already booked a flight to New York this evening." He stated with glee in his voice. "Though it's only an economy class to avoid being detected by the king. I know it's not your usual seat on the airplane--"

I smoldered a laugh. "It's okay. You already planned this, are you?"

He shook his head. "Not really. But I hope that I can catch you alone even for a moment without His Majesty by your side. I hope that everything runs smoothly before the coronation two weeks from now."

"All right." I exhaled a heavy breath. I dared to glance at Khalil for one last time and then slid my gaze back to Omar. "Help me slip out of this room without him realizing it."

"Of course. This way, Miss Emerald."

Everything went blurry after that. Omar managed to help me get out of the crowded ballroom and I went straight to my room to pack my things. I slid off my gown and told Naima to return the emerald necklace to Khalil safely. I went out of the palace to find a car waiting for me in the driveway. Omar also gave me the ticket before I got inside the car. The plane would leave in an hour I hope I can catch it on time.

I closed my eyes as I felt crying again. I know I am being a coward here but it's for the best I keep on reminding myself. Khalil will be better if he marries Princess Amina. After half an hour of drive, I finally arrived at the airport and I went straight to the checkout counter just in time because the passengers were already boarding.

I went to my designated seat and thankfully it was near the window. I settled myself comfortably on my seat putting my ball cap over my head and my AirPods on my ears. I want to sleep I hope when I wake up I am already on New York soil.

It seems that I doze off slightly when I open my eyes I frown when I realize that we're still at the airport. I glanced at my wristwatch fifteen minutes had already passed since our scheduled departure time.

"What's going on?" I asked the woman sitting beside me removing my AirPods.

"Haven't you heard the announcement a while ago?" She glanced at me worriedly. "Our plane is being grounded."

I suddenly felt nervous. "Why?"

She shrugged casually. "The king himself has this plane grounded. From what I hear there is a passenger on board who doesn't have the king's permission to leave the country."

The blood drained on my face. "T-he king...?"

"Yes," she supplied with a smile on her face. "His Majesty, King Khalil Al-Farsi."

Holy fuck! Too late, from my plane window, I saw the king's motorcade the royal insignia was on the black car in the middle. I swallowed hard when I saw Khalil get out of the car. "Shit...shit...shit...he's here."

I removed my seatbelt. I need to get away here. I can't face him! I was about to leave my seat when one of the cabin crew stopped me. "Ma'am. You can't leave your seat."

"I need to go," I said frantically. He can't see me here.

"They are looking for a specific person who boarded this plane. Please stay on your seat while they inspect."

What should I do? Should I make a bomb joke so they will throw me out of the plane? But what if I went straight to jail because of that and then Khalil would have me where he wanted me for leaving him without saying goodbye in a Saqrian jail?

I puffed a sigh as I went back to my seat. I pulled my cap even more in my head. I hope he won't recognize me. I was nervous as hell when I saw his familiar sight scanning rows after rows looking for me with his bodyguard. My heart was pounding so loudly in my chest.

"Stand up, Emerald."

I closed my eyes as I winced when I heard the familiar but firm voice of Al-Farsi. I heard the woman sitting beside me gasp loudly.

"Stand up, Emerald." He repeated his command this time with a hardened tone when I didn't even lift my head. "We need to talk."

"No. We don't."

"Yes. We are." He stared harshly. "The sooner you come with me the better for these folks to arrive in New York in time. You are delaying their flight."

I glared at him darkly. How dare he blackmail me like this? I noticed that everyone's eyes were on us. I felt the stair spread through my cheeks. What choice do I have but to comply? I stood from my chair and walked outside the plane with much dignity I couldn't miss the stunned reaction from the cabin crew.

"What do you want?" I folded my arms in the middle of my chest once we were out on the tarmac.

He glowed in my direction. "What do I want?" He asked in a dangerously low voice. "Are you serious?"

From the distance, I watch the airplane door closed and prepare to depart without me.

"I need to go home." I glared back at him. "No. I want to go home."

"Why so sudden?" He asked indecorously. "Without even saying goodbye to me? Do you think that's even fair?"

"Look say whatever you want to say. I need to catch the next plane bound for New York." I said without a hint of emotion in my voice.

"You are not leaving Saqr until I say so!"

I gave him a deathly stare. "You can't stop me from leaving!"

He took a deep breath, putting his anger in check. "All right, fine. My plane will personally bring you to New York after we talk. I promise you that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Let's talk."

He took a deep again, I hardened my heart when I saw the agony in his eyes. "Why are you going back to New York so suddenly? I thought we already had an agreement?"

Don't let him choose between you and his birthright. Princess Amina's voice echoed in my mind. "I just realized earlier that being married to royalty is not the life I want for myself. I realize that I can't give up my career as a model to be a queen of Saqr. I am not fit for that role."

He remained silent as he stared at me with pleading eyes. "I understand that but what about me?"

I let out a shaky laugh. "We are meant for a different path in life. You are about to be crowned king while I won't pursue my career even more. Go marry that princess who patiently waiting for you to notice her and start building a family with her. While I never wish to marry with or without Granddad's demand."

He laughed bitterly. "Is that easy for you to say? Thrusting me in the arms of another woman?"

"I think you will learn to love her in time." I looked away as the words coming out of my mouth felt like slicing my heart open.

He sneered at me, his cobalt eyes were soulless at the moment. "If only that's how easy to teach the heart to love someone." He gave a self-mocking smile. "Too bad. My heart already belongs to a certain woman-- and that woman is you."

My heart danced with happiness but I stopped myself from celebrating. I need to let him go for his sake. I don't want him to have this heavy burden on his shoulders of going against his council and bending their ancient law for me.

He tried to hold my hand but I refuted his touch.

I am sorry, my love. I am not that worth it.

I knew he would probably hate me after this but it's for the best. I smiled pitilessly in his direction. "Too bad. I don't feel the same. I don't love you, Khalil. Go marry that princess and let me live my life the way I want it."

He was silent for a moment but I could see the torment in his eyes. Suddenly, I want to take back my words but I can't.

"Now for your promise, you will let me leave Saqr with your plane." I reminded him coldly.

"Let's go." He said with a voice that didn't sound his. "I will take you to the private runway of the royal family."

I reluctantly rode his car so we could go to the private airport. Inside the car was painful silence I sat as far away from him as possible. "What about your things?"

"I will just have someone to get them at the airport for me."

After a short drive, we finally arrived at the runaway and his plane was already waiting. I slid out of the car same time as him. I was about to climb inside his private plane when he grabbed my hand to stop me.

"Wait." He said with his voice breaking. "Can I hug you for one last time before you leave?"

My mind shouted 'no' fearing that one touch from him would melt my resolve but my heart pleaded so for one last time to hug that man I might love all along. I just waited for him to wrap me in the warmth of his arms.

My heart constricted with pain as I dug my fingernails into my palm to hug him back. I sniffed his familiar perfume putting it to my memory I felt his lips on top of my head. "Be happy. Socialized if you must. Date if you want..." he laughed at the thought. "...I will try not to kill them."

I drew away from our embrace. I smiled at him fighting back my tears. "You too. Be a good king for your nation and forget about me as soon as you can."

"I can't promise you that." He tenderly caressed my cheek. "You are my happiness. My whole life."

"Goodbye, Khalil." I walked towards the aircraft's iron steps and I turned around one last time to memorize his face. I saw him looking up at the sky with tears falling on his cheeks. I ran inside the plane and closed myself. Everything will be over soon.

Once upon a time, I love a king with all of my heart and I have to let him go for his sake. My heart was breaking into a million pieces seeing him alone standing on the tarmac like a lost soul as the aircraft prepared to depart.