Emily's point of view

There was something off yet awfully familiar about this man called Kain. For starters, his eyes looked oddly similar to Judy's, and yes, I know people can possess the same eye color but it was just so damn familiar like I was talking to the same person.

Their voices were not exactly the same, he was much deeper but then age has always been known to influence that coupled with a neurological disorder, or psychological stress or whatever. The point is there was something about him that reminds me of Judy.

And he couldn't be Judy, I laughed nervously in my head. Because he's dead - even though his body was never found- but then, if he were… like if he were alive, which is impossible. If Judy had survived, he would have called or tried to reach out to me since he promised to come back for me.

"Judy couldn't have been alive and let me pass those hellish years alone" I comforted myself with that thought.

However, there was another problem, why was my heart pounding so quickly for this stranger? That run must have affected me. Yes! that must be it! Else I wouldn't have this ridiculous thought of kissing him if his Goddamn face wasn't covered with a mask right now.

Gosh, Emily, get a grip of yourself. You're not a kid anymore, you're married, and not just married, but to an aspiring president of a country. Ahmed's strict grandparents would eat me alive if I did anything that caused the failure of his son.

They already disapproved of me for having the nerve to let him father another person's child and yet can't produce a child with their bloodline for them - that would be comforting at least. What a witch I am.

So I pulled away from kain, creating space between us. Whatever attraction between us must come to an end - this was too risky neither was I an adulterer.

"So, what's this place and why didn't those guards care to search here?" I asked to ease the awkward tension in the air. Thankfully, this kain didn't try monkey business with me.

"It's a secret trophy room and yes, they don't know of this place yet. I had it designed for that purpose,"

My gaze narrowed together suspiciously,

"I didn't know relatives could have secret rooms built in a palace without even the royal guards sent by the queen herself knowing of it ?"

Something was not right with this man. Maybe I shouldn't have trusted him that easily whether he had Judy's eyes or not.

"Urm, yes, that's not possible." he laughed awkwardly, "But then the idea was suggested by the prince and I carried it out in secret," he added with a sheepish grin, "For the prince,"

I smiled back at him but inwardly, searching for an escape out of here. He was lying to me and it's kind of dangerous because I don't know why he's lying, what's he trying to cover up? What if he's some sort of serial killer who has lured me to a perfect arena where he can kill me without being noticed?

Good going, Emily. Your excessive trust would be the end of you.

"You don't believe me, do you?" he asked, an odd emotion crossing his gaze.

Uh-oh, I couldn't let him believe I've caught up to his lie else he kills me faster than scheduled.

"Of course not!" I laughed, hitting him playfully on the chest, "I believe everything you said, you're the prince's favorite relative, aren't you?"

He didn't smile causing the forced smile on my face to freeze as well. Things just got serious. And if I've watched enough crime films, this is the part where the psychopath begins to confess his identity and motive before knocking out the girl.

"Emily," He called me with a voice that sent shivers down my spine. Why does this killer's voice sound creepily affectionate?

"You're right, I'm not who you think I am," He stated.

I took a step back, it has begun: the confession that leads to the final murder.

"I lied to you,"

Alright, how many steps more do I have to take to get to the door.

"Y-you did?" I purposely indulged him in a conversion so he can't guess what's on my mind.

"I'm not kain,"

I gulped upon hearing that confession. My fears have been confirmed, what did I just get myself into? But I can't die yet else Akim would be all alone in this world.

Without being told, I sprang forth to the door, taking him by surprise or so I thought because we pushed the door close as soon as it was opened.

"Get away from me, you killer! " I attempted to throw a fist at him but he snatched my hand, pushing me up against the wall.

"You don't have to be scared of me," He pressed his body against mine while struggling with me.

"That's what all psychopaths say before their victim ends up drugged and finally dead!" I spat, refusing to give up on this fight.

"I'm not a psychopath nor am I a killer!" He claimed

"Like I believe a word you say! All you have ever told me since we met are lies, so don't think you can fool me and let me go this instant!" I strived against his ironclad hold.

"I'm not a psychopath because I'm the prince!" He yelled at me.

"Huh?" I was startled.

"My name is not kain but Kai. I'm prince Kai," He continued with this new act, who does he think he's fooling.

"You have a vivid imagination," I mocked, resuming my escape.

"Damn it, I'm really Prince Kai,"

I hissed at him, "Like I'm going to believe a word that comes out of your mouth. Royalties are known for truthfulness, why would you dare to fool a commoner like me if you weren't a fraudster,"

"Because I wanted to expose the truth to you slowly, one after the other, it's a lot to take in," was his excuse.

"What truth? That you're the prince that's been giving me anxiety since I landed in Lincolnshire? How's that shocking?"

"No, there's more to that," He said.

My eyes widened, "You're keeping another secret from me," It slowly dawned on me, "What's indeed your motive of approaching me?"

He grabbed my hand, "I have something important to tell you,"

"Yeah, sure. It's going to be extremely shocking,"

"It is,"

"Try me," I urged him.

Our eyes met, my breath hitched. There was just something about that gaze that made me feel butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't possibly be attracted to this fraudster - I'll believe he's a prince when I see the evidence.

"Emily, the truth is… I'm not who you think -"

"You've said that before, go straight to the point," I interrupted him.

He swallowed and I saw him flex his fingers, was he nervous? Why was he nervous? Am the one who should be nervous!

"Emily, I'm -"

My phone rang.

"Sorry, I have to take this call," I said to him with uncertainty. If he was a serial killer, he definitely would not allow me to answer this.

"Sure, I have all the time in the world," He shrugged.

I gave him a thankful nod- at least I'm not dying anytime soon. I picked up, "What is it Cecil and if you are calling to inquire if I'm having a good time at the party, then you-"

"Akim is in the hospital,"

"What?!" I shrieked, drawing attention from that fraudster.

"W-where," I choked, "What hospital?"

She gave me the address, I ended the call

"What is it, Emily?" He grabbed me as soon as I wanted to leave.

"No, you have to let me go. My son, he's in the hospital,"

His eyes showed deep concern when he heard that but I was too disoriented to take note of that.

"Come, I'll take you there,"

"No, you don't have to bother…" I was still saying when he grabbed my hand and began to lead me out with powerful strides. One look at him and one might think he was more worried than me.

However, he hardly made it out of the hallway when those guards from earlier caught up to us.

"I believe you've had enough fun already, Prince Kai?" One of them who seems to be the head guard said.

"Tell the queen I'll come to see her when I'm done," He said to them but none of them budged out of his way.

"She wants to meet you, now" He enunciated the "Now"

"Fine," He gave in, then turned to me, "I'll come to the hospital once I'm done here, one of them would take you there, alright"

I was speechless, he was Prince Kai? I was communicating with him all this while yet I had no idea nor did I believe him when he told me? But then, I was more concerned about the safety of my son.

I found myself nodding as a response.

"You take her," Kai said to that headguard.

"But my prince..." the others protested. It seems this man had a high status here.

"It's either you take her while I see the queen or you don't escort her and I don't see the queen, there are no two ways about it," He conditioned.

"Fine," the head guard said.

"If a hair on her head gets hurt, forget about your life," He warned the man to my surprise. Why was he so concerned about me? We didn't even know each other until tonight.

"I'll see you later," He smiled at me before leaving with the rest of the guards. I would ask him why he's so kind to me the next we meet but at the moment, my son was my priority.

Thanks to the guard who I came to know as Dominic, I didn't get to miss my way, arriving in the hospital as quickly as possible. Akim had been stabilized but then, I got the news that shook my world.

"Your son has leukemia and he needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. You should ask family members

if they are willing to donate their stem cells, and then we can conduct tests to determine if they are a match for the patient,"

Yeah, exactly, who?