Emily's point of view

Judy and I were back in Lincolnshire.

After handing the divorce papers to Ahmed, the both of us had a pretty deep discussion. Ahmed apologized for his insensitive behavior over the years, turns out he was under pressure from his grandparents and took it out on Akim and me.

Well, what could I say? I had no choice but to forgive him. I failed Ahmed just as he failed me; I had a child for another man and he did the same, I kind of think of it as a tit-for-tat situation here. But that was until he demanded an outrageous request: for us to be together, Akim could stay with his father Judy, and I could be Julie's mother - his baby mama would just be a surrogate.

You should have seen the laughter I released, someone was taking me for a fool - I guess his baby mama wasn't the prim socialite he desired. All those years of being with him, I had to become someone I wasn't just so I could please his grandparents and save his face in the public. Whenever his friends came over, they praised him for having such a well-mannered and efficient partner - what a submissive wife!

Unfortunately, I'm done being a good wife, she has gone rogue! I just want to be me! And not some barbie doll who has to watch each of her actions so as not to bring shame to her in-laws and her husband's political life.

So the once peaceful conversation turned into a full-blown argument. His ploy of getting me to come back was not going to work. Yes, let's say I become Julie's legal mother, and then his mistress comes to control my family - thanks to the backup from his grandparents. Oh please, I know a sinking boat when I see one, I have to save my life and happiness before it's too late.

I left the divorce papers with Ahmed, whether he signed or not, my lawyer would follow up on that. The only promise I made him was not to leak our divorce news till the election was over. I don't want to be held as the reason his political career failed - I'm done being accountable for the blames.

Now talk about Judy or prince Kai - I'm honestly at a loss at what to call him, it was all so damn agitating.

Well, things have been a bit awkward between us, maybe, not for him, definitely for me. I mean we had sex and sex complicates issues. I'm not a fool to delude myself into thinking I'm going to be his woman just because we joined genitals. I'm not right for him and he knows it, even though we can't keep our hands off each other.

As expected, we returned to discover Akim was settled in one of the best rooms in the palace with proper medical attention and facilities - the queen did not joke with her heir. With no time to waste, my son had the transplant and we have been on tenterhooks ever since.

According to the doctors, while the majority of children do well after bone marrow transplantation, there are possible risks. After the bone marrow transplant, when the new stem cells enter Akim's body, they travel through his blood to his bone marrow. In time, they multiply and begin to make new, healthy blood cells. They asserted It usually takes several weeks before the number of blood cells in Akim's body starts to return to normal or even longer.

And this is where the risk comes in.

During this time, Akim is at risk for infection or bleeding. Infection or bleeding may be severe and, in rare cases, may cause death. Aside from that, the transplant may fail, leading to the return of the sickle cell disease and possibly other risks to the point of being life-threatening.

Thanks to that, my son was under close monitoring and might even receive periodic lifelong follow-up appointments with the doctor to monitor for late complications.

However, it warmed my heart to know my child finally found where he belonged, I had always worried about his future in Ahmed's household.

"You should have a rest," I nearly jumped out of my skin when Judy touched my shoulder.

"No, it's alright. I'd just watch him a little longer," I declined.

"Akim is asleep, Emily. Even if a complication arises, there are monitors around to alert the doctors of what's going on. There are also bodyguards outside to stop anyone with evil intent from getting in. Though there are no cameras because of privacy, the heat sensors do a great job. This place is locked tight, Emily, there's no need to fear," Judy promised me with an entreating look.

"I'm just not sleepy," I told him sincerely. I had no desire to shut my eyes at all.

"Then have a walk in the garden with me, you've been cooped up in here all day," He suggested,

I bit my lips, "I don't think that's a good idea," Ever since I got back to the palace, I've been conscious of my movement with him. I don't want to look like the woman who took advantage of the prince just because she had his son, the queen wouldn't like that.

"No, it is," He insisted, and before I could even protest, grabbed my hand and started to lead me out of the room. I tried to wriggle my hand out of his grasp but he held on tighter.

"Judy, what are you doing?" I whispered as we walked through the hallway with the workers staring at us interestedly. The news was surely going to fly around tonight.

"Prince Kai," A pair of bodyguards bowed to him without Judy even acknowledging their greetings as he walked on.

"Judy -" I say and they gave me an odd look which made me realize my mistake. I corrected it at once, "Prince Kai,"

Judy hissed at me.

I was taken aback, didn't he like me calling him Kai? Fuck it, this was all so damn confusing.

Judy didn't even say a word to me as he dragged me through the palace walls to the point I couldn't even remember the number of turns we made till we came out directly in a garden.

I was speechless as I stared at the large gardened plain of land with a pond and 12' x 16' Cedar Gazebo with an aluminum roof.

The garden pond looked magical with a floating sphere that was managed by remote control which makes the glorious glow ball change hues of color. The sight was striking with numerous balls sailing through the water.

To enjoy the garden's beauty at night, shady shrubs and bedding plants were given a lift with a pretty string of LED outdoor rose lights. It was mounted on an almost invisible wire making the flowers look as if they were growing amongst the leafy foliage in a rainbow of color.

I could see many flowering plants such as rose - it was numerous - hibiscus, marigold, night-blooming jasmine, and many more. The flowers gave out a

pleasuring fragrance that made the environment light and aromatic.

"Wow," I was breathless. This place seemed like something out of a fairytale and did I forget to add that it was so large a neighborhood could fit in here.

"Do you like it?" he asked from behind.

I froze, I was so distracted by the picturesque scene that I didn't realize how close he was.

"Judy," I turned around to face him, putting some space between us, "We have to stop this,"

But this stubborn hedgehog didn't listen, rather he drew closer, resting his head against mine, "Marry Me," was his outrageous request.

Shocked by that, I wanted to draw back but he didn't let me, "Judy, I'm sorry -"

"Make me the happiest man on earth, Emily,"

My heart was slamming wild against my chest but I had to be reasonable here.

"I just got out of a messy marriage, I'm not ready to start another," was my petty excuse.

"I would give you all the time you want. Moreover, you wouldn't have been in that marriage if I hadn't disappeared in the first place," He clasped my face,

"Allow me to take care of you now,"

I shook my head, "No, your mother would never allow that. I'm a divorcee and a single mother -"

"You're the mother of my son!" he growled, wrapping his hand around my waist, I couldn't escape.

"You're a prince, a soon-to-be king and you need a queen who would be able to give you more heirs which you know I can't do anymore," He made me bring up that issue.

"I don't care, Emily. Akim is enough for me but if you're that desperate for more, the kingdom of Lincolnshire have the best doctors and herbs here, they would be able to figure out what is wrong with you,"

I refused to believe this, it was too good to be true. "Judy, the queen -"

"Is my mother, not my wife," He clarified.

My mouth opened and closed helplessly, what was I going to say. I looked away, took a deep breath, and stared back at him, "You're not going to give up on this issue, are you?"

There was a burning determination in his eyes as he said, "No, not until you agree to be mine. My son Akim needs his mother, the queen, by his side,"