It was one thing to asking her to lie which ultimately turned into some sort of truth but now suddenly Daman had cold feet? Hera had enough. She was sick of the men in her life who constantly underestimated her and thought her value low.

Therefore, Hera now sat alone in the dining room of the hotel watching the other patrons heartily enjoy their supper while she scowled away munching on her bruschetta as she reviewed another contract for work.

She didn't understand Daman's sudden change towards her and neither did she have the patience to care for an explanation. Did he finally realise she wasn't good enough? Did he look down upon her because of where she came from? Or did he finally succumb to Amaani's charm. Whatever the reason was, Hera tried her best to not care.

Hence she ran. She packed a bag and ran without a trace. Choosing to work electronically for a few days was no issue for work and it was enough time for Hera to gather her thoughts. 6 days into her little scamper and again her direction was unclear. But it was something she was beginning to get used to. Perhaps she was just born under the cloud of hard luck.

Hera spent the rest of the day galavanting around town, aimlessly sightseeing meaningless things yet the peace was welcomed. She had surprisingly felt at ease as she walked in the cool weather and kept to herself.

Arriving back at her hotel room just after sunset, Hera noticed the lights were on which spiked her concern. Cautiously she entered but let out a breath to find the intruder to not be a threat but upon seeing Daman lounging on the sofa her anger returned to new heights. Her heart knocked against her ribcage watching him watch her.

"I thought I made myself clear when I left," she spat out heatedly. "How did you even find me?"

Daman eyed Hera intently kicking himself internally for hurting her. "You tagged the hotel restaurant on your Instagram when you posted your breakfast," he said calmly.

Hera wanted to groan out loud but she held it in keeping her composure. Daman treated her terribly and she wasn't standing for it. "Please leave, Daman. I have nothing to say to you."

Swiftly Daman went up to her and took in her appearance as he towered over her. As usual, he was in awe of her beauty. "I have a lot to say to you though," he said tenderly and pushed a random curl away from her forehead. "Let me explain. Please my qiTa," he whispered with emotions heavy in his voice. Daman has missed Hera terribly and it was hell trying to locate her for the past 5 days.

It eventually became enough for him and as much as it seemed rude and disrespectful, Daman requested for his grandmother and for Amaani to return to the islands. Everything was becoming one big mess and he needed to set the record straight. Begrudgingly, the wedding festivities was called of by his grandmother as she returned to Doulah with immense anger, seething with Daman. However, Amaani was another story. Crying and berating him for sending her back knowing the situation she was in. He'd assured her that he'd talk to her father but all the princess did was scream at him some more before leaving.

"I don't blame you for running, Hera. I deserve that for how I've treated you lately."

Hera stood still with her breathing steady. Being away from Daman for these past few days was torture for her more that she'd like to admit. Suddenly, even more heated than a few second ago, an immense amount of anger bubbled up within Hera. Anger at how she had fallen for Daman, anger at how he had made her fall for him.

"Why?" she screeched seething. "Just why? You ignored me like no other! You made me feel as if I was the biggest hindrance in your life for those moments!"

Daman was surprised by the amount of anger exuded from Hera. Her eyes were dark and hard directed at him.

"I know," he whispered softly and remorsefully, "I know." Daman took her hands in his much to her resistance and pulled her towards the bed where he made her sit. Swallowing heavily, he kneeled in front of her trying to get her to calm down.

"I'll admit to saying that I was heavily influenced to believe the worst about you and for that I cannot express how sorry I am."

Hera snickered at his remark. She thought Daman to be better than that. "By the princess right? You believed her."

Daman tenderly rubbed his fingers over Hera's hands and looked down as he contemplated his words. "Trust is hard for me Hera. Most people in my life see me for my title and add that to a shaky upbringing which I am sure you can relate to... it's a simple recipe for disaster. Unfortunately this time, I succumbed to it. I have known Amaani for decades! I've always trusted her words blindly and it has done me no harm. Until now, that is. I'm sorry for hurting you, Hera."

Hear vigorously shook her head and pulled her hands away from the duke as she stood up and made her way to the window for some fresh air. "With her in your life, it's going to constantly be like this, Daman. Each discretion after each discretion you will apologise to me, and I will forgive you each time until there will be nothing left. She hates me because she loves you, can you not see it?"

Daman ran a shaky hand through his head seemingly disturbed. "I've been denying that only because I didn't want to lose her as a friend. But now..." Daman hastily approached Hera and turned her around so that she was facing him. "But now you're more important to me. I haven't felt this way about anyone in my life, Hera. Trust me when I say this scares me more than anything."

Hera stared deep into Daman's eyes waiting for him to profess his love to her. All she wanted was for him to tell her he loved her and she'd make it work. She loved him.

Daman wrapped his hands around Hera and brought her close. "I'm sorry. Come back home," he gently pleaded which had Hera's heart melting.

Home. When last was she part of a home with someone?

Despite Daman's shortcomings, he'd done a lot for her and his kindness towards her would always beat the negatives. Hera nestled closer, linking her arms around his neck as she pressed a soft kiss on his lips.

Eagerly, the duke returned her action with more vigour as they made up. Pulling away, Hera swallowed hard with her emotions being thick. "Daman..." she so desperately wanted to tell him she loved him but what if it scared him?

Daman smiled won upon Hera soaking up her prettiness once again. "How about we elope?" he offered ever so casually.

Hera looked at the duke with shock evident on her face. "Elope?" Somehow just even thinking about it made her giddy. Would life married to Daman be what she had always dreamed off?

"But... you can't just.." Hera began again evaluating the protocol of what was expected from someone like Daman.

Gently, Daman stopped her from speaking. "If we want something different, then we have to do something different."