Katharine's POV:

I haven't seen Nate for two days, he never came back home after what happened at the party the other day. I know I shouldn't worry or care, but I couldn't help it. I can't take it anymore, I just need to know he's at least alive.

I called Alex and asked him to give me Gray's number. Since they're best friends, then he might know something about his whereabouts. I decided to text him instead of calling him because he might be with Nate and I don't want him to know. I might be worried, but after all, I still have my pride to maintain. 

Kate: Hey, I'm not sure if you remember me or not, I'm Katherine. I was with Nate when we met at your party and I'm Alex's friend. By the way, I got your number from Alex, I hope you don't mind. I needed to ask you something and it's pretty urgent.

Gray: Hey, Nathan's special girl. Of course I remember you, how could I forget. Also, please don't worry about my number, I don't mind a bit. Now what can I help you with?

Why does he call me that, I'm nothing special to Nate?!

Kate: I'm worried about Nate, he haven't returned home ever since the night of the party. I was wondering if you know something of his whereabouts? 

Gray: I'm glad to see you haven't given up on him. I know he was an arse to you, but keep in mind what I told you the other night. Still, that doesn't mean you should forgive him that easily if you decide to do. Teach him a lesson, make him suffer and beg a bit ;)

I rolled my eyes, but chuckled at his words at the same time. Isn't he supposed to be on his side?  

Kate: Gray, off topic. You haven't told me about his whereabouts and don't worry, I'll keep your words in mind. Also, would you mind keeping this between us?

Gray: Oh sorry, Nathan's been staying at my house for the past two days. And don't worry about this, it'll be our little secret.

I sighed in relief and put the phone down. I was about to leave the room to go to the library to finish my book but stopped as I heard a notification coming from my phone. Another text from Grayson.

Gray: I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I have a feeling I might regret it if I don't. Nathan has been a mess for the past two days, he regrets what he did to you. He might have not said those exact words, but regret is written all over his face. He likes you, so don't give up on him.

This isn't what I expected from him to say at all, I'm shocked. Nate and regret? Well he deserves it, he did quite hurt me. 

Kate: Why are you telling me all of this?

Gray: Because I have a feeling the both of you are going to end up together, you just need a little push. I also think you can change him, help him get over his fear and make him happy again.

I sighed and put my phone down. I need some Chamomile tea to calm me down and help me think. I headed to the kitchen and started preparing my tea.

"Hey" Nate said from behind me making me scream. I put my hand on my heart trying to calm my crazy beating and turned to Nate and glared at him 

"You scared the living shit out of me!"

"I'm....sorry" he said in a small voice. Why is he having a hard time saying sorry? And why do I have a feeling this apology isn't just about scaring me. I sighed. I can't deal with him now, I have a lot of things running through my mind.

"What do you want Nathaniel, I don't have time to talk right now" I said in a cold and dry tone. He looked at me shocked with a hint of sadness written all over his eyes 

"You called me Nathaniel?" his statement was more of a question

"What do you want to call me then?" I said in the same cold tone. I know it might seem cruel but he did hurt me a lot and I made it clear to him at the party that we no longer are friends 

"You always call me Nate, since when do you call me Nathaniel"

"Well that was before, I hope you remember the conversation we had back at the party. We are no longer friends or anything, we are just mere acquaintances. So from now on, I'll call you Nathaniel if we ever have to talk"

He nodded as if trying to digest what I said to him "I'm..."

"Sir, Ma'am, you have a conference call for the both of you. It's all set in the theatre room" Maria said and left quickly not giving us the chance to ask who is it. Who would want to talk to Nate and I? Probably Alex or Gray. 

Nate and I walked to the theatre room, but what I didn't expect was to find my father on the screen "You both might be confused now, but let's start with introductions. Princess Katherine meet Prince Nathaniel, your arranged husband. Prince Nathaniel meet Princess Katherine, your arranged wife" I gasped in shock while Nate looked calm, as if he knew.

"How did you find me here?" Father laughed "You think I didn't know about what's going on. I was the one who planned this whole thing..." I turned to Nate and glare at him

"You! You knew about this whole thing, you probably even helped my father" I was about to slap Nate when father stopped me "If you let me explain the whole story and not interrupt me, then you would get the clear image!" he took a deep breath to calm himself and continued

"As I was saying, the arrangement for running away for the both of you was planned. We made it seem as if our assistants were helping you but we were the ones who told them to do so. Today, you both completed a month together. It was supposed to be as an introduction and a honeymoon for the both of you, but now there's a change in plans. Pack your bags, you're going back home tomorrow morning. Oh and before I forget, your wedding's off. King Benjamin and I had an argument, but don't get too excited. The both of you are going to marry someone else"

Unknown POV:

She took away from me the only thing I've ever wanted. I won't let her get away with it, I would do whatever it takes to break off this wedding.

My plan is working perfectly now. The kings fell for my trap. They fought and broke off the arranged marriage. Katherine might marry someone else now, but as long as it's not with the Prince of the west side then I'm okay with it. 

Nathaniel's POV:

"Kate, wait!" she stopped in the middle of the corridor but didn't face me. I walked to her and turned her to face me. Her eyes were glassy and tears threatened to fall. Her sight broke my heart into pieces

"I'm...." why the hell is it that hard to apologise? I really should suck my ego and just say it. She really did deserve it after all what I've done to her. I took a deep breath and said the two words I never thought I would say to anyone

"I'm sorry, I really am. The day we went shopping I got to know of your identity and I immediately thought you were helping my father. I never thought of hearing your side and started treating you terribly"

She went down to her knees and started crying. I rushed to her and took her in my arms "The whole bloody runaway was planned" 

Did she not hear my speech or what?!

She looked at me with her red teary eyes and continued talking "I've spent my whole life trying to please my parents just to get their attention and love, until the day they arranged my marriage. That's when I accepted the fact that no matter what I do, they won't notice me. I ran away from them and from the bloody arranged marriage, but they found me"

She may not have suffered the same thing I did, but she did have a terrible childhood. The only difference is that we dealt with it differently. I became a rebel while she kept fighting for their attention.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry for making things harder on you" she shook her head "You hurt me a lot. I admit to you that I fancy you and you go bed women in front of my eyes. Not only that, you gave me a cold shoulder and treated me terribly. You expect me to forget all of that just because you apologised!" she snapped at the last part. 

I tore my eyes away from her and looked down, she's right. I heard foot steps so I looked up and found her walking away from me. I sighed. I really need a drink.

I took out my phone and called Gray since he's still in New York "Hey, buddy. Meet me at the club 'Golden', I need a drink and I could use talking to someone"

"Alright, be there in ten" I hung up and left the house

........................

"So tell me what happened before you start getting drunk" he stopped me from sipping my drink and I sighed 

"You were right, I should have talked to her about it instead of treating her badly. Turns out she was forced into this marriage as me and she ended up running as well"

"You were an arse to her, you deserve to feel terrible!" he snapped at me and I nodded "Still, I do think you have a chance with her" my head snapped to him immediately

"What are you talking about?" I asked confused and he just smirked "I did promise her not to tell-"

"Just bloody talk!" I snapped and interrupted him 

"Earlier today, she texted me. She was worried about you and she was asking of your whereabouts. I know I said before that your too late, but I was wrong. She was hurt and mad, yet she couldn't help but worry about you. She genuinely fancy's you, if not falling for you. As much as I think you don't deserve her, you still have a chance with her" 

I smiled, she was worried about me. God, he's right "I really don't deserve her" he shook his head "No you don't, but she chose you out of everyone in the world. Don't let her go"

"It's too late. I tried to apologise to her but she said an apology wouldn't do enough" he gasped and looked at me shocked "You, Prince Nathaniel, apologising? You, my mate, have definitely started changing. Don't lose her, she's a keeper"

"I'm not marrying her anymore, the kings fought. Instead, he arranged my marriage to someone else" he shrugged 

"If she won't accept your apology, then fight for her. Go talk to the king, find out what the argument they had was about and let them solve it. If you don't fight for her then you lose her forever. You get stuck with some stranger and she as well, but if he turns out to be a good guy then she might even end up falling in love with him. Live happily ever after, but with you out of the whole picture. So what are you going to do, because if I were you, I wouldn't let the love of my life go"

What love is he talking about, I don't do love "I'm not in love with her, I just like her" he scoffed 

"You clearly haven't seen the way you look at her, you even got jealous of me and you know I'm madly in love with my wife. You never even got jealous before. Trust me, your falling for her without even knowing"

.......................

New POV. You won't guess who he/she is, I bet you guys won't see it coming when you know the identity.