"Perhaps we'll stay married. perhaps we'll divorce after a few years. our young love that we thought would last forever dimmed out when we reached the real world?"

"And our child?" I asked

" We both know that should you get pregnant, the child most likely won't be mine." He murmured I wanted to chuckle because I almost believed him.

"I cannot be with him. He cannot break his engagement."

"He already did."

"In public we only stayed friendly. Friendlier than Zituang may like but friends, strictly platonic." I replied. " I cannot fight for him. He was never mine to take. Will your lover let me share you for appearances?" I asked

Ryan hugged me tighter, I was still shaking. " You know she will. I'm not supposed to belong to her either." I nodded softly.

"What a wedding gift." I whimpered. This was real, the medics were much too late. The shot killed him instantly even I could tell. The kingdom will get a new king. My father, my master was dead. I belonged to myself for the first time in many many years. I remembered the fairytales my grandmother used to tell me about good versus evil and valiant warriors and strong princesses. She told me stories with happy endings and I had forgotten all about them. Now however they seemed so clear. This was my happy ending. For now at least, now I can continue my story on my own, I am my own master. I hugged Ryan against me as I let tears stream down my face.

Two weeks ago, I got married. Last week my father was laid to rest. Since the wedding I would wake up in the morning and Ryan would still be there. It felt like a dream. I wasn't blissfully, madly or deeply in love- I knew Ryan wasn't either, but we still held some form of happiness. We lived in a castle in Georgia. It was beautiful, though, I felt uneasy since it was on a plantation. Though slavery of that kind was long ago it wasn’t until 2060 when everyone was fully aware of the systematic slavery that plagued the world and abolished it. Given Ryan was suddenly kinder to me. Every night since our wedding night, when we fucked, he said my name. Not Alisons. Mine. Last night I relished in it. How he said my name made me want to ride him harder, dig my nails deeper, climax quicker. I called out his name in return. I loved it. Still,I knew sometimes he wished he was elsewhere, with someone else, inside someone else. But I didn't sit on those thoughts for long. I couldn't be upset with him for that. Sometimes I wasn't with him either. We belonged to each other but we also belonged to someone else. We both knew it. I knew only one of us could cave. The other option wasn't plausible, but I was okay with that.

Sitting in the library was one of my favorite past times. There were books everywhere and it wasn't just historicals though I've been drawn to those more as of late. The space was massive almost the size of a ballroom and the walls were filled top to bottom with books. There were three floors and it was styled so the top two ha an open space in the middle so the main floor could be seen from their balconies. The room was painted in different shades of blue with some sand and green colors here and there. Often I'd fall asleep there and wake up in the bed I shared with my husband. I wasn't simply reading or sleeping with my husband during my time off from school. I joined him and guests for a business dinner a couple of days ago. The two crown princes were to talk about their business and the wives were to simply eat and side with their husbands. This was the year 3000 and royal women didn’t have to stick to such roles though many wives did, especially if they weren’t royal to begin with and didn’t have an understanding of the conversations being had. I was hungry and just wanted to focus on my food, however the deal the guest prince proposed was a complete joke. My husband was eating it all up from our guests hand. In theory it sounded great but there were certain clauses that would hinder Ryan if he agreed to such a deal once he became king.

"Prince Byron, did you come up with this proposal on your own?" I asked as I cut my filet mignon.

He stuck his chest out slightly "Why yes, I did indeed." He said boastfully

"Are you sure that it is something to boast about? Surely you didn't think this was a proper proposal to give my husband. Only someone daft, would say that this was a brilliant idea.Are you trying to insult us, Prince Byron?" I asked finally turning my cool gaze to meet his. I could have smirked at the look on his face.

"How dare you, this here is a proper proposal for Ryan." Prince Bryon argued.

I raised a brow. "So you find my husband to be a daft man? Pray tell what he is to gain out of such a treaty? Your country seems to get all of the benefits while using our military to do so." I said before taking a bite out of my food. He glared and Ryan looked at me surprised.

"The Americas receive a bountiful of benefits." The foreign prince said to me.

"Such as what? Gold? Keep it, We have enough, Resources? We are now in a whole new era your highness, I'm quite sure you know where you can respectfully, stuff those resources you are trying to give to us. Your offerings are not gains. We already have all of that plus more. How about you give us half of what you will gain from this agreement? Plus a little monetary gain that we can give to our soldiers. They do work very hard you know, they should also get a share for the work you wish to put our soldiers through." I said resolute. His idea was a shit idea. If Ryan was going to agree we should get something we can use and the citizens as well.

"Surely you jest princess Adeyemi." He whispered leaning into me from across the table.

"The only time I joked around was when I told you I came." I whispered back before leaning away from him.

I looked toward Ryan. "What do you think of this Prince Ryan?" I asked, he looked deep in thought.

"Hm, yes I believe I'll have to side with my wife on this. Should I agree, I want what she has stated. It's only fair." He said "After all, I've entertained your proposal for the entirety of this dinner. However truthfully speaking it's poorly planned. Should it be executed it will take a lot out of my soldiers. However, you are more than welcome to revise your proposition and return once again." Ryan said diplomatically

I loved it when he spoke like that. It caused a shift in the way he carried himself. I liked that look on him. It reminded me of someone far away. He always carried himself like that, even when no one was watching.

Prince Byron. Seethed in his seat. "I don't know why you let that little tramp speak. Her mouth is only good for shoving cocks down her throat." He snarled

Quickly Ryan turned red, I'm still not sure if it was from embarrassment or anger, or both. Princess Jessica, Byrons' wife gasped loudly and covered her mouth but her eyes were wide in shock. I simply sipped on my water.

"As I stated before Prince Byron, we are well past the age where women were to be seen and not heard. I am not an uneducated buffoon. I can and will speak on matters, as I please. Especially when a spoiled, bratty, no dick having men like you come in and try to cheat my husband out of time, money and military. You are being quite insulting Prince Byron. We have invited you as guests into our home and this is the behavior we receive in return? How upsetting. Princess Jessica however do you manage with such a man?" I questioned.

She blushed turning red from embarrassment.

"I apologize on behalf of my husband, perhaps it was the wine." She spoke so softly, I pity the girl. It must be hell having to deal with his tantrums.

I gave her a humorless smirk. "Perhaps." I repeated as I took another sip.

I took a peek at Ryan and he looked less red, he was now pink.

"Richard." He called, and our head of security walked to stand beside him.

"Escort our guests to the door."

The couple looked around in shock. Suddenly our wait staff moved all at once. Their dishes were cleared chairs pulled back, coat and purse on their laps. I gave a small wave as they were helped up and guided away. When they left the room and I could no longer hear their protests to being escorted off of our property I took another bite of my food and let out a small moan.

"This meal is marvelous." I commented as if the guests were never there.

"Is this going to be constant? Men coming in here, thinking they can speak to you however? Speak to me however?" He asked after a large gulp of wine.

"No." I replied and I heard him sigh, I smirked "Sometimes, it will be women." He nearly spit out his drink and I laughed.

"This isn't funny. I don't like this Ade. We need to make sure people keep their mouths shut and not think they can speak to use however they want." He said and stood abruptly. "I'm going to the study to think for a while."

I simply nodded and continued to eat. I didn't mind. Later that night I felt him slid into bed beside me and cuddle me into him. I could have sworn I heard him whisper something but I don't remember.I was lost in a book in the library when Ryan called me into his boardroom over the intercom. I smiled at the silkiness of his voice, it was something I still loved about him. I walked over to the boardroom, still dressed in my floor length silk night dress and matching silk robe, the robe was tied tightly around my waist. I couldn't let the staff see anything they shouldn't. Ryan spun around in his chair so he faced me.

“ Come and sit Ade.” He said with a smile.

I returned his grin and moved to sit beside him. “ What’s up?”

“We need to turn your past into our advantage.”

I gave him a confused look “What do you mean?”

“Fluster them. Don’t get embarrassed if they say anything out of line, you should say something out of pocket too. Don’t get scared get even.”

I nodded. " Okay. You should do the same. You turned all sorts of colors yesterday. Look unbothered at all times. That's how you win."

He looked down and tapped his pen on the table "Ahem. H-Have you spoken to him?"

I averted my gaze as well. " N-No. Have you had contact..." I trailed off

I could see him shaking his head from the corner of my eye. 

"Why haven't you gone to her, or called for her? Are you waiting until I go back to school next week?"

"No. I just I suppose I just wanted to try to make things work. I think if we try harder we can make it work for the both of us." He said putting his pen down and placing his hand over mine.

I looked at him in surprise. " Why? You've never loved me you just wanted my body. Why do you want me around?"

" That is true. I don't love you but I do like you. You aren't someone who is horrible or evil. I just- I want to try to learn to like you beyond that, I don't know if I'd ever love you as much as I love her but we have a role to fulfill we might as well make the most of it."He said honestly.

"You can keep seeing her. You are allowed to do that." I replied. I may not be able to be with Jae but his girl was a commoner, she had no ties to a throne - they could be together even if it's only in secret.

Ryan scoffed "I know but- but shouldn't we at least try to be good to one another?"

I shrugged " You didn't try before, why now? I'll do my role as your wife and she will do hers as your lover. Don't try to fool yourself, make me fall for you again only for you to go back to her and leave me heart broken again. We are civil and we're still attracted to one another. We should be thankful for this much. Our chances of having an actual relationship is pretty low but at least we can have a form of comradery."

He gave me a look of understanding. I'd keep sleeping with him but I wasn't going to keep him to myself when I knew who he really wanted. If she was fine with the arrangement, then we'd work together to find a way for them to be together. I wouldn't stand in between them.

Ryan held my hand gently. " What about you?"

I gave him a soft smile, "I'll be fine. Perhaps, I'll fall for the stable boy. Isn't that how it usually works in romance books?" 

The corner of his mouth tilted upwards " You won't go for your prince?"

"No. I'm not going after men that are already taken."

Ryan tilted his head "It seemed as though his heart belonged to you though."

"It shouldn't, I'm married and he has a woman he has to marry." I reminded him.

" Ah, then should we break them up?"

I stood his ideas were getting outlandish " There no way they are going to break up if it were that easy then you and I would broken off our engagement back in high school. We aren't interfering."

"What will you do in the next couple of weeks when you have to return to school?"

"Ah, I already switched apartment buildings."

"With your new found free time?"

"I'll be a TA, for the dance classes. Dance is my minor after all."

Ryan nodded "I'll be rooting for you."

"I'll do the same." 

I walked out of the board room feeling lighter. We had a conversation about our affairs and in a way I let him go. The next couple of weeks I'd think of as our long goodbye. Should we take a trip? Play games? I wanted to fill this time with joyous memories, because I knew that at times being his wife would be difficult and there'd be times where I'd regret not taking his offer to forcefully break Jaejeongs engagement. I wanted to remember these times even though it was short, when we were happy to be around one another. I hoped we'd be as close as best friends one day. So my unhappiness didn't last long. If Jae wasn't the crown prince then perhaps I would run to him just as Ryan was running to his woman. If he were just a prince, noble or commoner then maybe I could go. But he wanted to keep his spot as crown prince and I wouldn't take that from him. With a sigh I opened my bedroom door. I needed a nap.

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