"You took your time." She ignored his tone replying,
"Is there any issue?" asking about any other problems the corporation was facing that she needed to know.
She looked around the empty hall which she didn't notice while going through what the Prince had said to her, "Where are the others?"
"I sent them away. The less they know the better." "About what? The city knows about the Prince residing here." He acknowledged, "More of the reason why I had shut the parlor early." He gaped at her suspiciously, "You entered the parlor and didn't notice that there was no one present? What is wrong Ella?" He walked over to her scanning her from head to toe searching for any signs of harm. It was rarely possible for her to forgo such important detail unless something happened to occupy her mind like that. "What did he say?" he demanded. She breathed deeply expressing her opinion, "Nothing that we don't know. It was his work. All this problem has been initiating through his collaboration with the suppliers. Who would deny their royalty after all?"
They both stood in middle of the room with Roy facing the ceiling high windows, overlooking the security which was still keeping the reporters at the bay. The glasses were built in a way that it can only be viewed from inside to outside and not vice-versa. For those reporters it would be a pitch black view, if peeping through all the closed windows, unaware that the CEO was watching it all unfold. "What have you decided?" He asked while watching one of the reporters trying to climb the spiked gates only to be falling back when his leg slipped, resulting in a tear of her shirt. With her embarrassed self hiding away from the gate he was convinced she won't try that for a long time now.
"I'll be announcing tomorrow." Roy shifted his line of focus from the funny crowd to the woman in the room. His changed stance was visible to her. "The alliance of Middle-east and London. I'll accept the marriage." For a moment everything went quiet, which surprised Ella as she had expected a reaction from him. In fact, she had thought of all the things to convince him into agreeing with her. She looked at his face to see a cold emotionless barrier placed. It was exactly how she had encountered him to be when they had first met.
"You have decided then. I shouldn't be surprised. It's something followed along generations among the rulers. Selfish rulers." Each word formed only broke her heart one by one. Why? Why was she feeling like this? If only she didn't feel anything for this man. She continued to hear him say, "I suppose you don't need anyone's opinion in that. You do what you like." He almost splatted the last sentence.
Ella snickered softly, biting her lips and slightly turned away, she said with her head held high, "That is why a commoner will never understand a Royal. That is why we are not together. We… can never be together." Even though they both were hurt by this decision of hers, it hurt her more that he didn't bother to understand her distress of doing something like this.
"I see our partnership is terminated here since we no longer appeal each other's interests. Have your wishful marriage life Miss Kingsly." He said in finality and turned his strides away from the room, not that he was expecting her to stop him. The tears that were welling up around her eyes finally let loose with him leaving the room, leaving her behind. Ella clutched the table striding down to it and sat weeping quietly. Didn't she say earlier, nothing stayed constant. Not even people.
The dinner that night consisted of only two of them at the table. The Prince who was making it known to the host that he was here for her and was just waiting to hear her answer for his unspoken question while Ella was dutifully fulfilling the responsibility of taking care of the host. She knew Roy was there in the palace, but was portraying his absence knowingly. When the Prince had asked about him she had replied that he had to attend an important task, not bothering to satisfy the guest's curiosity about the household.
"Ella, I will be leaving for Dubai tomorrow evening. I could have stayed longer but some matters need my attendance immediately."
"I won't stop you from attending your business." Ella replied while cutting her omelet. She wasn't feeling hungry at all but was enduring to accompany Zayn, not wanting for him to be left out. That showed the almost empty plate of hers except a slice of omelet.
"Iilhi! You haven't eaten anything yet."
"I am feeling full. Please enjoy your meal."
"Hmm. That would change soon. You will get used to our food and once you do you won't be able to withdraw yourself." Her throat went dry listening his words. Yes she knew the consequences of this but hearing her life from him, being bound to forever, was something she had not thought about yet.
"Are you alright Ella?" His words didn't reach her ears but his hand touching hers on the table caught her attention where he repeated himself. She cast her eyes down presuming it to be a nod saying she was fine. "Of course you will be ruling your place too. And there is no hurry Ella. You just have to give me your answer and I'll take care of the rest." His husky accented voice taking hold of her hand who was already tasking as the future husband should feel reassuring for her but it only made her feel trapped. She never imagined herself to be married not even when her father was giving her off, and now when the possibility was so close it just made her anxious of her decision.
He probably noticed that and rubbed her palm soothing her. Ella moistened her lips and spoke nervously which was a mistake as he viewed her to be a lamb to prey upon, "I... I have to ask you something." "Nem?" "I want you to declare a public statement of our alliance. Such that no other demand of England is overlooked by any of your countries including your allies." This time her voice was steady with her people in her mind. It would be a small price to pay for ensuring their well-being.
She was staring ahead while Zayn was sitting beside him, who leaned from his place to kiss the side of her head, freezing her on spot. "Yes." The Prince said out loud that it was ringing in her ears. She nodded at that which only looked more appealing to the man. The moment he had stepped out of the car to reach her she looked to be a docile creature, intelligent and beautiful as he inspected her during their conversations. Such a treasure would be foolish to pass, that he was being lenient at this woman thinking to declare their marriage as a base for strongest trade relations. That was the least he could do to thank Allah for bringing this woman in his life.
Grazing his eyes along her eyes which were dazed at one place, to her lips she had been biting the whole day which was understandable due to everything happening so quickly. As his eyes dipped lower and lower he couldn't help but take her as his own at this moment! But the man calmed his inner beast from pouncing on her, she would need time to adjust and then she won't escape from him. Ever.