Chapter 11: Chapter 11

I was led to a pavilion where the queen sat at a table, waiting.

My heart pounded hard. What was I to do? I clumsily lifted the skirt my dress and courtsied like I watched women do in historical movies.

Her face was expressionless even as she waved for me to sit. She watched my every move. She made me feel I was incapable of anything and way beneath her. Trust me, I do not like the feeling. Not one bit. Guess the Prince got his snob attitude from her. They both need serious help.

The maids poured us tea.

"Anna Bill. Why are you here?" She asked with a voice oozing confidence and disdain.

My eyes narrowed in confusion. What sort of question is this?  They brought me here because of some stupid deal two possibly drunk old men made eighteen years ago.

"I, um, am here because of the deal between the previous monarch and my grandfather."

"Why are you here?"she asked again

I stared at her perplexed. What would she have me say?

"I am here... I am here because I had to do something to protect my family. I couldn't let my dad go to jail. I couldn't let my family suffer. There was a solution and I took it."

"The royal family is not a charity home nor is it a place for prancing," She remarked, her pitch increasing with every word. "It is a political establishment created for the smooth running of the country so if you think it is a place for pity party you have a chance of going back home.''

My lips parted slightly in shock. I knew getting married into a royal family was a big deal but for nothing of love and cold shoulders...

I couldn't think of what to say. I just sat there unaware of my own laboured breathing.

"Well, what is your decision?"

"If I stay will the bills we owed get settled?" I inquired before I realised what I had said. Oh shit! Me and my mouth.

The queen looked at me disgusted. A first expression from her.

Think what she might, it's all for the family.

"If so, yes. Yes, I will stay and marry the Crown Prince"

She waved for me to leave. I obeyed wholeheartedly. That woman left a chilling feeling on me. I hoped I didn't have to meet her personally ever again.

As I was led back to my rooms, I spot Nolan on the phone with an entourage of guards and casually dressed men beside him. From where I stood, I'd bet he could not see me.

I wanted to go home.  I missed my Mom and Dad. I swear the queen has it in for me. From reading the super boring history of the past royals to talking and acting like one, I am going to drop. I want to quit. No more. Do you want to know what's worse? She freaking seized my phone and cut off any connection to the outside world.  I hate Queen Gabrielle and don't get me started on different types of cutleries and their uses.

So here I was sitting in the freaking library alone with a quadrillion books and all I was allowed to read was some stupid history. Ugh.

Didn't eunuchs back then have any other things to do other than recording kingly deeds?

"Eighteen fifty-one." The pages fluttered open when I open the next record scowling. It weighed a tonne. What the hell? Who cares what happened in eighteen fifty-one and this biege lace gown was so stuffy and itchy. As gorgeous as it was, it was so not accommodating. I squealed in annoyance kicking myself. I should have said no.

Trying to remember what I had read before and what I was about to didn't work. I could not even remember why the country has twelve provinces. It was already done so why did it matter?

I mixed up the names of the queens of the 19th century for the fourth time, and it was all I could take. I slammed the book shut and shoved it off the table. Maybe the library floor would open and a giant bookworm would eat it and go regurgitate it in the Queen's face. Ha!

A loud grunt echoed beside me as the book crashed to the floor. I tilted my head up. Crown Prince Nolan stared down at me, pain flashing through his eyes.  His hands cupped around his crotch and he let out a small whine before dropping down to his knees.

I sucked in a breath of air as my fingers clamp around the edge of the desk.

Uh oh.

Oh crap.

I did not just do that.

I did not just hit the Prince in the nuts with a ten pound journal that is older than me.

Another groan ripped out of him as his right hand tangles in his hair. I wanted to say something. I needed to say something. Quietly, I got up from my seat, mouth quivering. I bent over him thinking of what to say. I knocked him in the nuts. What do you say to a guy you hit in the nuts?

I manage to say the most simple not impressive word, "Sorry."

He glared at me and tried to get up but fell to his knees again groaning in pain. I got up, my gown swishing around my feet, to call for help. I paused in my steps and nibbled my lower lip. I couldn't call for help. I would be hanged.

"Are you okay?"

"Am I okay?" he snorted, "You knocked my balls off, woman."

"I really am sorry."

"Sorry doesn't make me feel any better. Didn't you see me?"

"I didn't. I-"

"You are walking bad luck. Something is always wrong wherever you are."

That does it. "Hey, I didn't tell you to put your dick in the way. I was caught in my frustration and you are the bad luck. Problems showed up when you came into my life"

I sat back down eyeing the books on the table, tempted to hit him in the balls aagin. This time, on purpose. He got up from the floor grunting. He held the table to steady himself. He looked pissed and I do not care for proud egotistical guys like him.

"It was a book. You knocked my-  with a book."

"Yeah, whatever." I opened the pages of another boring journal.

"You probably maimed me for life!"

"At least you ain't dead!"

Furious, he grabbed my arm pulling me to my feet.

"You're hurting me." I winced in pain as he pressed on harder. That is going to leave a mark.

"Good."

"If I hit you on the head, would your idiocy leave?"

He scowled growling. I won't be surprised if he turned to a classic Wattpad werewolf.

"Let me go, you baboon." I pushed hard and hit him but he held on still. It hurts so much. Tears blurred my vision. I won't cry not in front of him.

"You need to control your tongue."

"Let me go," I pleaded with my eyes, "Please."

A few seconds later, he pushed me to the chair. An angry red mark on my arm glared at me. Breathing hard, I frowned at him.

"For someone so good looking, you've got an ugly attitude."

He smiled, "Thank you," his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You've got issues buddy, serious ones." I dived back to the books trying to ignore his presence. He sat on the desk, whistling and tapping on it. I was not going to acknowledge his presence. I rang the tiny bell I was given in case I needed something.

A few seconds later a maid came. "Yes, Miss Anna"

"I-" Feeling him standing so close to me I decided to act like a royal.  I sat up straight like the queen taught me and spoke with finesse. "Could you get me a beverage to quench me of my parchment? "

Prince Nolan burst out laughing hard. The maid look at me incredulous. What? What did I say wrong?  I needed a drink.

"Oh, and could you do away with this man sitting on my desk? He's terribly disturbing."

The maid looked from me to him and back, confused and obviously scared of what I had told her to do. "Oh, just get me a drink."

The 'almighty' Crown Prince laughed so hard he held his ribs. Once the maid was out of earshot, I glared at him.

"'Could you get me a beverage to quench me of my parchment?' What on earth?"

"Get off the desk. You are disturbing."

"You don't have to starting talking like someone of the former century."

You are not the one reading about it. "Mind your business. Why are you even here?"

"To propose a deal."

My brows drew tight and eyes narrowed, "I don't want to hear it."

"You marry me and I pay off your debts and we divorce after two years so we can get on with our lives."

"What?"

"When I'm king in two years, I will have the power to get you out of my life."

"You're joking."

"Am I? Am I?" He pointed at his face.

Okay. He was really serious about this.

"Do we have a deal?"

"Um give me a few, I'm trying to wrap my head around this."

"One minute."

"Seriously?"

"40 seconds."

"Oh come on."

"Do we have a deal?"

"It isn't even a minute yet."

"Do we have a deal?"

"Fine!"

"Fine?"

"Deal."

"Good." He jumped off the desk making it shake.

"Look what you did. You assaulted the table."

He snorted shaking his head.

"And we are not getting involved in each other's life during those two years." I shut the book I was reading. At least I had tried to.

"Don't worry. You are not my type."

I made signs with my fingers. W. E.M.L

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What. Ever. Major. Loser" I got to my feet, hugging three journals to my chest and walked away from him.

Strike one for Anna.

Nolan zero.