The telephones in the parlor rang periodically to inquire about the bride's health, which became clear to the staff later that the messages were delivered to sign the papers immediately. Yet Ella was adamant on doing it, so much that she had never used the phone Prince gifted her. Such news attracted many curious ears.
"I think the Mistress is unwell. Do you have fever? Or your ears need cleaning?" Roy inspected while scanning her face and neck which was bruised last night. She was reminded of last night when he stopped her arm from leaving the room and tended to her neck and face with first aid. When he asked if she had any other injuries Ella shook her head, feeling numb. It was this morning her left shoulder was burning during her bath, giving her the realization of another bruise. "I am fine. You don't have to use your time concerning me." She answered, still aching somewhere in her heart that he chose not to tell her whatever he knew. True she didn't tell him about her discovery as well, but it's 'because' he didn't tell her.
"Why are you avoiding the Prince? Surely a strict and sound lady like you won't do anything to make him angry." Ella met her eyes, "You seem to be having problems with that." "Of course I would. We have a corporation to run, and you are the Inceptor for that." "How gratifying."
Silence prodded in the drawing hall as she continued sipping her tea, knowing well his gaze was on her and what was in her mind. "What do you know about the Prince tricking us into a contract when there is no actual reason for us to accept it?" She questioned which sounded more like a statement. "Why do you ask me? It is you who has accepted it." She finished her drink and looked up to the man who was reading the newspaper as if the headlines were more interesting. "Pass another proposition. I do not wish to marry."
Roy stopped admiring her uneasy smile and posture captured in the front page sighting his eyes on her, "I would have loved to hear that earlier but now it seems to be a burden for my ears." "You do not approve. Pass it. Today." Roy was speechless with her contrast, sliding the paper towards her he stated, "Today's newspaper seemed to be saying a different language than yours."
"You will do it or not?" "What you are asking seems too difficult to happen now!" Ella's heart pricked when she heard him, she couldn't help but reply, "You knew about the routes being changed?" "What routes?" Against her judgment she searched for any falsity in his eyes when he asked that, which were none.
"What are you saying Elle? What routes?" Before she could say anything, the room to the hall opened wide, drawing their attention. Roy stood ahead of her shielding her behind him, them being the only residents in the palace except the servants who knocked before entering; it was strange to find such intrusion.
"My dear Ella. I'm sorry I am here unannounced." Both of them stared at the Prince who entered in as if he owned the place. Ella felt Roy going rigid as the Prince entered, which thumped her heart loudly. Zayn walked over crossing Roy as if he didn't see him and took her hand to kiss it. Reluctantly Roy turned to the man then her and back to the man with his guarded look he used when dealing anything. Zayn Khan continued, "I was concerned if you were well. Normally I am not obviously ignored, but what can I say, I had never had such an encounter with my fiancée," staring her showing how displeased he felt.
Ella said, "I-" "Ella! Miss Ella was busy with arrangements. She would not want to make you feel ignored as she had asked for me to call you here immediately. But you're here!" Roy clapped cheerfully. "I would be happy to help you," the change in the tone of the Prince only confirmed her decision of cancelling the arrangement. "Before that I would like to have a word with you." Roy spoke turning his back from them to which the Prince was ready to pique in, "It can wait. Ella is busy now."
"Oh I wasn't talking about her, my Prince." That statement confused the other spectators present. Ella wondering what he wanted to speak to the Prince and Zayn thinking that he was wanting to back him off by speaking alone, which was better for the man. Zayn replied, "Why not? Lead the way knight." The mockery in his line was evident and before Ella could interrupt, the men were out of her sight.
Fifteen minutes had passed with Ella sitting nervously, sometimes pacing around waiting for them to be back. She said about not marrying, but she didn't know he was going to execute it this early. There was no proposition declared yet, as per the process or it might prove to be a foul play behind the Royals. What was she thinking? She should have researched more before agreeing to this and now the world knew about the marriage between her and the Prince. Blaming herself, blaming that she didn't dig deep faster, blaming everything Ella imagined the consequences of this. She could handle the issue of Oil Supply but she didn't know what the Middle-east will react when they hear that England failed to keep the promise.
After what felt like hours, Roy entered the hall alone. She looked up behind him expecting the other but she heard no footsteps approaching. Whirling to him, she asked, "Where-" "He's gone. Urgent business." "What did you say to him?" "What you said to me. To cancel the marriage." He answered skimming the cuff links on his coat.
"And?" Ella asked to know further. He looked into her eyes innocently, "What? Did you want me to say him anything else?" "What happened Roy? Tell me everything!" He sighed and explained, "I spoke to him not to marry you any more, he asked why I said you didn't want to that is why! He made a fit like a child, but I... managed." He spoke the last line suspiciously making her mind sticking to it, "Don't worry I handled everything. You are free now," he continued and rubbed her cheek with his thumb.
"You are hiding something," Ella accused him. "Can't a man have talent of handling things?" He faked a gasp like a wounded tiger. She would have given in, to his games, but they weren't having any time for that. "You worry too much." Roy decreased the distance between them, running his fingers through her hair, "I have heard women lose their hair when they worry too much." She swatted his hand away in reply to his 'concern'. Before she could move back from him, he caught hold of her arm suddenly, making her hiss in pain. He losened his grip but held it still and asked her silently what was it about, when she didn't answer he didn't let go speaking, "I can always remove your dress to see what has happened." His suggestion was not something she wanted to take now thus she complied, "It happened last night." She deliberately missed out the details knowing it was for the best.
"And you didn't aid it properly." "I'm fine!" She argued taking hold of her hand which he let her to.
"What did you speak to him that he ran off like that!" She persisted which only bought a smile on Roy's lips at her constant craving for knowing everything. "I won't tell you." She gaped after him as he walked away just like that. She hurried after him and was about to ask him again when she realized, "I will tell you about what I found out and you will tell me what happened there with Zayn Khan." He stopped in his tracks making her follow suit. Then she heard a satisfying answer, "Fair enough. We'll talk later." "But-" Roy turned around kissing her lips silencing her in the middle of the hall where any servant can drop by and find them like this, but the man kissed her deeply, gnawing her lips hard, making her thoughts disappear to focus only on working lips against his. After he pulled she was breathing heavily and his eyes lighted up with desire, he could have continued but he had to complete some unfinished business which could hinder them being together. There was never any hindrance living between them as he had ensured to pluck them out from its roots, in order to have her only for him. And he always did that. He always had her in the end. "I have a lot of work to implicate this new arrangement for the city and the corporation. Rest well and we will talk tonight. I'm serious Elle, take care of your shoulder or I'll personally nurse it." He threatened at the last part reminding her of how he told about ripping her clothes to see the injury.
After the kiss the senses seemed to heighten up for the girl. Another small peck on her lips reassured her to look forward to the evening, whether it was for the answers or the kiss, she didn't know. Maybe both, a tiny voice whispered in her thoughts as she looked after the receding form of his.