Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

"Father, I'm so scared," Fiona cried into the phone. 

After Emily lost the baby, Prince Kai lost his mind and almost killed her. Thankfully, the queen was quick to react, she rescued and sent her out of the kingdom where her son wouldn't be able to find her. But then, how long was she going to be in hiding? It was more than a month already and if she heard right, the both of them would be getting married soon - prince Kai and Emily.

"You have to get me out of here, father. 

It's so lonely. I want to get home, I miss you father, I miss Lincolnshire," She wept like a kid on the phone.

"It's alright, my baby girl. I'm here now. I'm about to have an audience with the queen. She would hear me out, I know it," Lord Albert assured his daughter, "You just have to hang on there, have a little patience my precious one," 

"Thank you father, I'll wait for your good news," Fiona was sure of it. Her father was one of the powerful lords in Lincolnshire and a member of the inner cabinet, he would surely be able to change the queen's mind.

Lord Albert sighed upon ending the call. Fiona was his only child and daughter, he would do everything to keep her safe. Moreover, having his daughter chased out of the kingdom was a huge slap against his face - he was already beginning to lose respect with the other lords already.

"You can come in now," The guards stationed at the front of the throne room ushered him in. 

The throne hall was exquisite and lavishly decorated with a vermilion rug running in a circle around the room, two paths at the throne, and the main entrance with its curtains adorned with jewels and embellished borders. The roof was gilded with golden leaves and the queen was seated on an impressive throne of gold covered with exquisite engravings.

The throne is adjoined by three similar, but smaller seats for the royal highness' direct family. However, it was known to everyone that the queen would surrender the throne to Prince Kai soon; the smaller seats would be her place. 

"You may leave now," Queen Roselle dismissed a man just as Lord Albert walked over to her, the top elevated platform housing the throne, being the only thing between them. 

"Lord Albert, take a seat," She gestured to the extravagant and comfortable teak benches facing the room in a half-circle. 

"Your highness, I'll rather not, because I come with you a heavy heart. My legs found no pleasure in these seats," He refused the pleasantry. 

The queen asked knowingly, "This is about your daughter, isn't it?" 

"Yes, your highness. Please pardon my daughter, Fiona, the girl has never been away from home for this long, not to talk of in a foreign country. Also, she didn't mean to push Lady Emily and cause her to lose the baby, she was just following orders," He hinted the queen was responsible for what happened. 

"Outrageous!" the queen fumed, hitting her hand on the armrest with furious eyes, "Are you accusing me of giving Fiona an order to kill my grandchild?!"

"Of course not your highness! Forgive my impudence!" The man lowered his head as a form of submission, but inwardly his heart was full of bitterness and indignation. How dare she act holy after pushing her daughter into this?

"I'm just saying Fiona is a naive child who mistook your orders. Please pardon her trespasses, your highness!" he pleaded, lowering his head again.

Queen Roselle sighed, rubbing her temple as her head throbbed. Lord Albert was right, she was responsible for what happened but then, she was a queen and a queen never submits.

"Lord Albert, Fiona is like a daughter to me and I've long forgiven her. After All, if things had gone well, she would have been my daughter in law,"

Happiness crossed his features, "So that means, she can return?"

The queen shook her head, "I'm sorry, but that's not possible yet. I might have forgiven her, but my son, Prince Kai hasn't done so yet, I don't know what he would do if he sees her," She added immediately, "But don't worry, I'll convince my son," That's the least she can do.

"You're magnanimous, your highness," Lord Albert faked a smile to her.

She gave him an appreciative smile, "Thank you for understanding, Albert. You're quite an amazing man and understanding father. Just tell Fiona to hold on, at least after the wedding, I'll do everything in my power to convince my son and have her back to Lincolnshire, her birthplace,"

"Thank you, your highness. May you reign forever," Lord Albert bowed to her highness and took his leave.

The instant he left, the queen let her composure leave her and sagged against her chair. She shut her eyes, her chin propped up. This throne was a heavy cross on her shoulder she has been carrying for years. Roselle couldn't wait for Kai to take over, she wasn't getting any younger.

The queen opened her eyes when she sensed a presence and was surprised to see Akim standing there and probing her with his blue stares. His eyes were the only thing he inherited from his mother, appearance-wise, he was all Kai.

"Akim?"

"You look tired," He pointed out.

"The throne is a battlefield. No warrior returns from battle looking the same," Roselle stretched out her hand, "Come to me, my dear child,"

The boy walked over to his grandmother who hoisted him up and kept him on her laps, however, the queen sensed a bit of reluctance from him.

"What is it?" she questioned him. 

"Aren't I heavy, queen mother? I don't want to cause you discomfort?" Akim fidgeted, concerned over her health. 

The queen threw her head back and released a peal of boisterous unladylike laughter. It was known in the palace that the queen tosses away etiquette when it comes to her family, especially when her grandson is involved.

"Young one, don't underestimate this old woman here. I your grandmother is not easily defeated, how do you think I was able to recover this kingdom from those up risers? Moreover, your weight is nothing compared to your father's when he was around your age?" she laughed. 

"Really?" Akim's eyes shone with interest, "Tell me more about my father, grandmother?" 

"Well, your father was a strong, cute child when he was growing up. However, he was plumpy. Your grandfather then..." the queen suddenly paused when she remembered her late husband. 

Akim sensed the sudden change in her demeanor, he glanced up and without saying much, simply hugged her. He heard about his grandfather, the story of how he died during the uprising - grandmother must miss him. 

"Don't worry, queen mother, I'm here now and I'll protect you," He rubbed her back affectionately. 

"I know," The queen nodded, "And I promise to give you a prosperous kingdom, free of bloodshed. Your reign would be a peaceful one - I promise you that," She said to him. 

Akim pursed his lips, "Grandmother, it's going to be years before I take the throne. That is if I do rule," 

"What do you mean by that?" the queen's expression changed, "Who said the throne doesn't belong to you?"

"I mean, father and mother might give birth to another sibling who might be interested in the throne," was his point. 

"Well, until then," the queen dismissed the discussion knowing it would be hard for Emily to give birth again. A trace of sadness crossed the queen's features, she eliminated the miracle one fate had planned to give her. Well, Akim was enough, she would do her best to protect him. 

"By the way, where are those unfilial parents of yours? How could your father leave all the responsibilities to me?" she lamented, "No wonder they said male children don't belong to the mother. Once another woman comes in, she loses her place. So irritating. 

Meanwhile, Lord Albert left the palace with a heavy heart. The queen's response was not what he expected and as if on cue, his phone rang. It was his daughter, Fiona. His heart pounded in his chest, what was he going to tell her? 

"Hello?" 

"Hello father," her voice was excited, " What did the queen say? She wants me back, right?" Fiona was positive. 

"I'm sorry, daughter but you might have to stay there for a while. The queen says she would find a way to appease the prince's anger," 

After Albert dropped the news, there was an eerie silence and he thought she ended the call until he heard her shriek, "No, no, no!" and then there was the sound of things crashing. 

"Fiona!" his heart was gripped with fear. What was his daughter doing to herself? 

"This is her fault... This is all her fucking fault! Who pushed me into pushing Kai's beloved? Her! Everything is her fault!" her voice turns to desperation, "You have to avenge me father. I cannot take this humiliation lying down. You're the strongest lord in Lincolnshire. You have to do something, " her words dripped with hatred.