Chapter Twenty-One

May’s POV

The flight back to Nicholas’s palace in an unknown country that I forgot totally to ask about was longer than expected. I’d said yes because I wanted to be there for him, make him feel better, and get to deliver my condolences message to the Queen myself.

After I’d agreed to go with him, I sent a quick text to Declan about my plan and he also replied to my text that he’ll be going to his mom for a few weeks, hoping we’ll see each other again by then. He also added that I should try giving Nicholas a chance. When I questioned him about how he knew about Nicholas, I didn’t get a response.

“Are you okay?”

Nicholas was sitting right beside me, while I sat next to one of the windows. Immediately I agreed to go with him, he called someone to prepare his private jet. We both went into his room, packed my bags together as he has already packed his, and went out. I thought we would be going alone until Bella and Gabriel joined us.

I don’t have a problem with Bella going on that trip with us but how much do I hate being in the same space with Gabriel?

Very very much.

I mean I hate that guy with so much passion that I keep reminding myself every second that killing him will only make things worse for me.

Nicholas hadn’t smiled or said a word ever since I agreed to go with him. He was awfully silent, scaring me and getting me worried about him. Even if it was an argument, I still want him to talk.

“Are you okay?” I asked again when he refused to answer the first time.

He breathed out, looked over at me, and gave me a small smile. When I looked up at him, I realized his eyes had gone black.

“Your eyes?” I asked out of surprise.

“Contacts” He simply replied, and I nodded.

The trip continued, me silent and him not saying a word as well.

Suddenly, he held my hand tightly in his and his shoulder suddenly shook furiously his lips quivers. I knew at that point that he was trying hard not to cry.

“You know it’s okay to cry, right?”

I touched his face and gently placed his head on my shoulder.

He lifted his head, “My big head will hurt your tiny shoulder”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m stronger than I look” I replied “For real, why didn’t I notice that before?” He was trying to be sarcastic.

“Come on” I ignored his statements, tapped my shoulder lightly, urging him to put his head right there.

He obliged.

I held his hand tight and noticed the strange ring on his finger. It has a tiny crown on its head and two small pieces of diamonds were embedded around it.

I touched it lightly, awed at its beauty.

“My father gave it to me. It’s a royal emblem passed down from generation to generation” He said.

“Are you his first child?” I asked

“No! I guess you don’t know anything about my family, right?”

Nicholas went on to explain that his father was no longer a king, his brother, Richard Amaan was the current king. His father had to leave the throne for his brother because he felt it was the right time. They knew their father’s health was not the best, but they had hope that he’ll go through hundreds of years without failing but it didn’t turn out as they thought.

Nicholas's only regret is that he wasn’t there when his father breathed his last.

He also told me of his brother’s family, his wife and children; a daughter and a son who I was so looking forward to meeting.

When we finally got to the palace, I couldn’t stop looking at it. It was ginormous! Huge, big, ancient, and beautiful.

Half of the palace looked like it was built hundreds of years ago but kept on remodifying it years after years. Stones, artifacts, and statues were right in front of it with a fountain in the center of the outdoor.

We were welcomed by his family, a man, and a beautiful woman.

“It’s good to have you back home, Aslam” The man hugged him for s few seconds as if comforting each other for the loss.

“It’s good to be back, Richard”

“Introduce me to the young lady, Aslam,” The petite woman asked, smiling sheepishly at Aslam.

“This is May, she’s my friend and so also is Gabriel and Bella here works for the Queen mother” Turning to us, he said, “This is my brother, the King and my ever-intuitive sister In-law, Vanessa”

I was a little bit disappointed with the way Nicholas had introduced me but what was I expecting him to say.

A friend is all I should be to him. At least, I didn’t get introduced as the enemy.

“It’s so nice to meet you, May”

Bowing a little, I said, “It’s nice to meet you too, Queen”

“Don’t be silly, May. Call me Vanessa. I feel old when I’m being referred to as Queen” She tapped my shoulder a little before holding my hand to drag me away from the men.

“Tell me, how did you meet Nicholas?”

She asked immediately when we entered the house.

“He’s just a friend from high school”

“Really?”

“Yes,” I replied nervously.

“If you say so, but trust me, that guy got his eyes on you, girl” I ignored what she had said and used that opportunity to look around the house.

“You’ve had a long ride, you should rest. I’ll inform one of the maids to come direct you to the guest quarters so you can take a shower, rest for a few minutes and then come back downstairs for dinner”

I smiled, nodded at her, and watch her walk away with so much grace and elegance. I turned back around to look at the pictures hung around the wall. It was of the royal house descents from the first generation to the current one.

“You know you shouldn’t feel special. If I were you, I wouldn’t feel any special”

I didn’t need to turn to know who that was. I already knew it was Gabriel.

“You ain’t special to nobody so, stop trying to drag me down to your level, loser” I replied, controlling my anger, not trying to let him get to me.

“At least I’m special to Nicholas”

“Good for you both, in fact, I’ll be expecting your wedding invitation” I replied sarcastically.

“You know Nicholas invited me here because he wanted me to be by his side, right? He wants me here to stay and help him cope with his loss but you” he laughed before he continued. “You’re here because the Queen instructed Nicholas to bring you along”

“If the Queen hadn’t asked, Nicholas would’ve left your pathetic ass back in that crampy town because you’re nobody to him. Get off your high horse, sweetie, Nicholas is only using you in case you need to know”

His words struck me hard and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I didn’t want to be here, I only came because Nicholas asked but now that he just told me that the Queen was the one who wanted me here, not him, it hurts bad.

“Ma’am, your room is ready, shall we go?”

A maid called out, dragging me out of my thoughts.

I couldn’t turn back to look at Gabriel as I walked away from him because I didn’t want him to see my disappointment.