The third point of view :

"Mom, do you think the queen would like me?" Akim asked his mother who was examining the Central Venous Catheter inserted in his chest by the doctors to give him fluids, blood, and medications faster.

Today was the day when the queen was going to pay him a visit. Though he was excited at first but with her coming closer by each passing minute, he became nervous.

"Do you feel any pain?" Emily asked her son, checking for redness or swelling after administering his usual medicine.

"No, I feel good," he replied.

"Alright," she pulled down his shirt, then clasped his face in her palms saying, "Have no doubt Akim, the queen's going to love you beyond unreasonable doubt," because she's your grandmother and you're the only grandson she has, Emily didn't say that one out loud.

Her son would be treasured for sure until Judy marries another woman who would produce an heir. She has to get powerful so whoever gets into the queen's position doesn't maltreat her son.

A knock came on the door.

"I think they're here. Where's Cecil?"

"Right here," the woman came out from the other room all dressed and dolled up. Turns out Akim wasn't the only one excited to see the queen.

Emily went ahead to open the door for them.

Judy was the first to step in and she didn't fail to catch the way his eyes took her in which made her self-conscious.

Emily had put a lot into dressing today, after all, they were to see the queen and one had to dress for such an occasion. It wasn't much though, just a simple black long-sleeved gown that reached her knees with stylish embroidery on the skirt, the material hugging her waist, and a unique feathered pattern on the neckline.

For makeup, she added a slight red on her lips and powder on her face. Her hair was left to fall on her shoulder, not because she didn't want to curl it but taking care of Akim had swallowed much of her time to dress up.

The queen made her appearance right after Judy and damn! She saw the reason people bowed down to royalty. She was just ethereal! The woman carried herself with dignity and grace that even walking seemed as if she was gliding. Wow, Emily was stunned.

She could see where Judy got his looks, he was her copy. He took her hair, face, everything except the eyes. That particular feature must have been from his father, the king - may his soul rest in peace.

Even Judy had the same aura today, seems he intentionally lowered it on other days. Emily didn't dare look him in the eyes, not after that argument that day.

After discovering he survived, Emily had been pretty mad at Judy for making her believe all those years that he was dead. Who knew her father was the one who orchestrated the whole plan?

Adam was capable of such cruelty? Well, what was she expecting? Her father would have forced her to abort Akim if he knew on time, so attempting to kill Judy shouldn't surprise her - She was a fool for trusting him. Now she couldn't face Judy any longer.

"Goodday, your highness," Emily bowed to her and so did the others - Cecil almost fell to the ground in the process of bowing.

"Good Day too, Emily," The queen smiled warmly at her that made her relax a bit. She didn't have a great relationship with her mother-in-law considering the fact Ahmed's grandmother disliked her strongly.

The queen's eyes were trained intensely on Akim who was uncomfortable with her scrutiny.

"Good day your highness," Akim did an elegant bow which pretty much impressed the queen.

Emily wished she could kiss Akim right now. Her son was smart and a good lady charmer.

The emotional queen quickly took Akim into her arms, however, she was careful not to hurt him.

"He's exactly your blood," She gasped, tracing the boy's face with her hands.

Emily scratched her hair awkwardly and hoped to God that Akim wasn't smart enough to figure out what that comment meant. She looked at Judy as if asking for help.

Judy, who understood the meaning of that gesture, went over to his mother and whispered into her ears which made the woman look up at Emily with shock.

"You haven't told him?"

"That is still a work in progress" she answered, nervously.

"Oh don't worry, I know already," Akim said out of nowhere.

"What?!" Everyone shouted.

"I know you're my father..." He pointed to Judy, still reeling from this open confession, " And that you're my grandmother," He pointed to the queen too.

"B-but how?" Emily found it hard to believe.

Akim rolled his eyes, "Mom, this is the twenty-first century, kids know stuff parents might not even have an idea about. Moreover, I never understood why you always had to dye my hair black to fit my father's until I saw him,"

Emily came over to her son, sitting beside his bed, asking, "If you knew all this while, why didn't you say anything? "

"I just wanted to confirm it further besides, it was fun seeing you treat me like a three-year-old, " He grinned, exposing pearly white teeth.

Emily facepalmed, she was worrying over nothing all this while.

"Your majesty, the queen, does this mean I'm a prince too?" the young boy bit his lips, hoping to get a positive answer.

"Of course you should call me Roselle. Though your father is still a prince he would assume his kingly status once he gets married…"

At the mention of getting married, Emily's heart ached. Why was she feeling this way? No, what was she even thinking? That she would be Judy's wife, not to mention being the queen? What a big joke.

Ahmed would never let her go as far as the election is forthcoming. Even if they do separate, what kingdom would accept a divorcee as a queen? The queen dowager might be friendly to her now but not when the issue of the future queen's position is concerned.

To the queen, she would just be the mother of the first prince. Once Judy got married, the woman would birth many other children - prince and princesses - who would contend for the throne with her son. Then, she might not even be worth anything in the queen's eyes anymore.

However, if fate does rule in her favor and she marries Judy, she still could no longer give birth. So, she should just give up on this fairytale dream of hers.

Emily nearly jumped out of her skin when someone took her hand in his. She was so lost in thought that she had not noticed him sit beside her on the bed.

She tried to pull her hand away but that man was stubborn, he wouldn't let her hand go. In order not to create a scene or get the queen to notice their struggle, she let him be. However, Emily couldn't relax with him caressing the top of her palm and all.

The queen sat on the chair provided for her, having a great conversation with Akim when she suddenly declared, "I'll have you moved to the palace and have the best doctors attend to you. It's your home and as the prince, I need to introduce you to your people while you undergo treatment"

Oh no, this was moving too fast; Emily felt like her son was slowly being snatched away from her. she almost shot up to her feet to counter that decree had Judy not stopped her.

"No," He told her through eye contact.

"He's my son!" She communicated back.

"Just pretend you didn't hear that, we'd review that later,"

Emily gave in with difficulty. It has been she and Akim all these years. Suddenly being away from him was an awkward and unwelcome development.

Ever since she found out that Judy was alive, she knew deep down that a moment like this would come no matter how much she tried to deny it. But she wasn't ready to let go of her son, yet. No! She would not give up on him. She had been the one who risked her life in keeping him alive all those years. Her right to him has to be acknowledged too.

But a commotion outside captured everyone's attention. What was going on?

Suddenly, the door snapped open, and there stood Ahmed in his furious glory with the guards owned by the queen after him - they must have thought he was an intruder.

"Ahmed!" Emily sprang up to her feet, shocked. He came?

To fulfill all righteousness, Emily had informed him about Akim's illness. But she never thought he would fly over to Lincolnshire considering it's been a week since she sent that.

"Father!" Akim stiffened, affected by his presence.

"Uh-oh," Cecil breathed

The guards let go after seeing what was going on.

"What the hell is going on?!" he bellowed.

"Could you lower your voice a bit young man, you're hurting my ears?"

"Who the hell are you?" Ahmed narrowed his eyes on the queen before resting his gaze between Akim and Judy.

"Oh, I see what's going on," He connected the dots, "You've found his father who you clearly told me was dead! " he seethed

"Ahmed, I can explain….! "

But the person in question had already strode out of the room.

"Ahmed, wait!" She tried to go after him but Judy grabbed her hand.

"Emily," his eyes begged her not to leave.

"I'm sorry but this is family business," She pulled her hand free and ran out of the room.

Free, Emily ran out in search of Ahmed but the person in question had disappeared into thin air. She couldn't find him anywhere in the hospital nor did he pick up her calls. Shit! She had to return to the city.