Amaani gritted her teeth in annoyance as Daman rubbed his hand over his face trying his best to control his exhaustion. He stood 6 feet away creating the much needed distance after what he had done.

"I thought..." he began but then thought better of it. She didn't need an explanation. Sometimes Daman asked himself if he was leading the princess on hence she refused to keep her distance but all he portrayed was warmth and friendliness. It was his nature to be kind. He always though if Amaani as a dear childhood friend but perhaps the clinging, kissing and crossing boundaries are now enough.

"Nevermind. Please just leave." He stated respectfully and calmly opening the door for her.

Amaani simply nodded her head and gave him a pitiful look. Nevertheless she approached the duke slyly and placed her hand on his chest.

"It's alright. We'll just forget about it. Hera doesn't have to know a thing."

Daman didn't really care for what she had to say. Both women had a strong distaste for each other hence he didn't want to add fuel to the fire. He shrugged her hand off his chest and opened the door wider.

"I don't mean to be that person, but I had something emailed from Lailli earlier, an anonymous sender," Amaani said innocently ignoring his gesture for her to leave the room. The princess dug into her robe pocket and produced a little suspicious envelope. "I couldn't possibly hide these from you. I mean, surely the person - whoever sent these for me- wants you to know something."

With that, the princess sashayed out of the room with a small evil glint in her eyes.

Daman slammed the door shut irritated at his now disappeared sleep. He hated moments like these where he was exhausted but his body wouldn't cooperate.

Daman faffed around with the little envelope wondering what was in it. Pouring himself a little bit of bourbon from the stash in his room, he took a seat on the couch and ripped open the top. As he pulled out the contents he grimaced wondering about what game was going on.

Was he supposed to blow a fuse seeing the pictures? Was he suppose to go mad and angry with Hera? Was he supposed to be jealous?

Perhaps the last question deserved confirmation because indeed a little pain in his chest appeared as he stared at Hera tangled up in the bed with Mikael. Her hands were enveloping him in a loving hug while he clicked the picture. Both of them had a shining bright smile and Daman swallowed hard seeing her bare chest pressed up against a bare Mikael. It hurt even more reminiscing that was him and Hera the previous night.

Daman flipped through each picture quickly and carelessly aware that he shouldn't look at them anymore but also aware that he couldn't stop. They were mostly intimate selfies that were taken by either Mikael or Hera.

He couldn't help but wonder if she had lied about sleeping with Mikael. A year was a long time to resist temptation hence Daman's pathetic track record of long-term girlfriends.

The duke huffed out a breath and looked at the next pictures of the duo kissing when he could practically feel the bile rise up. Why in the world would Hera even document their moments like that? He hated to even think of it. But then again, he'd notice Hera take a picture of everything in her life. Every morning she'd document her breakfast and every evening she'd stand outside and click multiple pictures of the sunset posting it on her Instagram.

He hated to admit that those pictures served what they had intended to. His intrusive thoughts were wafting around and he was uncomfortable.

A subtle knock was heard and the door opened revealing a gorgeous Hera. She looked so fresh in her natural state. Her smile was from ear to wear as she closed the door softly. Daman took that moment to stealthily placed the pictures on the coffee table and place a book over it and stood up.

Hera bit her lip as she felt like a little school girl seeing her crush after along time. Immediately she wrapped her arms around the duke inhaling his smell when he stood. "It's been such a long day. I've missed you," Hera said with a precious smile and pulled back.

"Indeed it was a long day," Daman affirmed trying to push away the images that were fresh in his mind.

Hera padded to his bed with her bare feet and was bout to get comfy when she realised he wasn't following. "Come on, then." She bobbed her head gesturing for him to join her. "Your bed is the comfiest anyways so you might as well share it with me," Hera teased. "I've got to tell you about the LeClaire case I got handed today, it's so manic," Hera sat on the bed ready to share her day. "And let me just point out that you grandma was extremely nice to me today which is a real surprise becau-"

"Actually, I was heading down to the gym. I haven't worked out in a while." Daman rubbed the nape of his neck uncomfortably as he cut her off.

"It's past midnight and you got home barely an hour ago. Did you even eat?" Hera asked concerned. Looking closer at him Hera could sense that something was off. "Is there something wrong? Are you alright?"

Daman nodded quickly and let out a shaky breath. "I guess so..." he trailed of and abruptly excused himself not wanting to question her about the pictures which would only lead to blowing the matter out of proportion. Regardless of it being midnight, weightlifting seemed to be a good tension reliever according to Daman. Perhaps he'd blow of some steam and return in a better mood.

He just couldn't help being bothered after looking at those pictures.

Evidently, Hera was left stunned and confused. Daman was the kindest and nicest man she had ever met in her life and even when they were fighting he was never that cold towards her. They'd had such a beautiful night prior to this which was a whole 180.

Regardless of Daman's weird behaviour, Hera decided to leave him be. Perhaps he just needed some time to himself hence she didn't follow him downstairs to the apartment gyms. Maybe work was stressing him out. Hera retired in her own bedroom not pondering over what had happened, simply letting sleep take over when a fat yawn escaped from her.

* * *

The next day Hera woke bright and early, earlier than she usually would in hopes to catch the duke in a better mood. She simply wanted to spend some time with him and talk to him. As Hera got ready for her day, her mind wandered off to the princess. Did Amaani have anything to do with last night?

Hera applied curl custard to her hair, running her fingers through the strands careful not to cause damage.

Afterwards her hands found their way to Daman little gift from the previous week. The affirmations book. It was a surprise to her that merely writing down positivity helped her life in so many ways. She had received her first paycheck not too long ago and immediately decided to pay back her pending rent to her previous landlord. Her righteousness wouldn't allow her to not pay. Karma always caught up and she wasn't risking it. Once she got that out of the way, her next goal was to tackle the credit card debt she had gotten herself into. Slowly but surely, after around and estimation of 3 payments she'd be able to get her life sorted in that department.

For once, since her departure form university, finances were coming along. Clearly it wasn't a strong suit of hers but she was learning as she went. She even managed to draw up a whole budget for the small necessities in her life. Hera promised herself to never go back down the broke route again.

Similarly, she started to feel more confident with who she was as a woman.

Walking downstairs into the kitchen and dining, the queen and princess were only present. They were engrossed in a hearty chat as they devoured breakfast and she ran her palms down her skirt suit preparing herself for the unknown.

Yesterday, queen Donia was exceptionally kind as they conversed. Hera thought that maybe she wasn't so bad after all and that her sometimes uptight nature was due to her duties. The queen had again asked her about her family and her profession in a noncondensing manner without judgement.

"Salaam," Hera greeted as she walked to the dining table with her heels noisily stomping against the floor.

"Welcome, darling," greeted Donia with a pleasant smile. Amaani only sipped on her decaf coffee granting Hera a snare.

The hired help came in and served Hera a hot cup of tea as she preferred. "Thank you."

"Anything else ma'am?" the polite help asked.

Hera raked her eyes over the room unsure whether to ask, "Did Daman leave already?"

The help nodded her head as she placed a serviette next to Hera's plate. "The duke left at 4am."

Hera forced out a smile and nodded. Daman was being weird and she didn't like it. He usually greeted her every morning and they both left the penthouse together before getting into their respective cars.

"Oh my, is he avoiding you?" Amaani asked like a snake waiting to gossip.

Clearly, Hera thought internally. "Of course not, moving his company all the way to London for me will obviously demand a lot. I'm sure it's just one of those busy days," Hera let out a saccharine smile not sparing anything for the princess.

Quickly, she downed her tea not bothering to eat. She wasn't even that hungry anyways.

"Your majesty, if you'd excuse me," Hera said respectfully to the queen who wasn't bothered by them. Queen Donia nodded and got back to reading the newspaper in front of her.