Arabella's and Hardin's story continues....
After almost three years of blissful marriage, and reigning as King and Queen, our star crossed lovers can't find a single fault in their perfection of a life.
Then, it gets even better with a special deli...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I stared at the three men before me. All wore similar expression, except for Max who smirked, his eyes roaming over the tight fitted silk gown I had chosen to don today.
Clasping my hands in-front of me, I let out a shaky breath. Xander's gaze met mine and he nodded in support, giving me the strength to carry on.
"I have found this process to be very difficult, not just because of my husband, but because I have found that I have connection with each of you in very different ways. However, I must act as I feel and I feel as though what me and this man have is a friendship. A great beautiful friendship, but sadly nothing more. I hope you well and that you find the woman you're looking for one day, I'm sorry she's not me. So the man I am choosing to eliminate is Jose."
The cameras turned off and everyone applauded for Jose, this happy bright wonderful man who I now considered a close friend.
"I'm so sorry," I blurted out, as his wrapped me into a hug. Guilt poured out of my eyes but settled, when he pulled back and I was greeted with nothing but a smile.
"Don't be Arabella, you followed your heart. Never apologise for that." With a single nod, he turned around and left to pack his belongings.
I let out a shaky breath and then met Elliot's eyes. Relief and confusion consumed his piercing gaze, and as his mouth opened to call out my name, I walked away.
Xander opened his arms for me and pulled me aside, so I could privately freak out over what I had just done.
This entire thing was unnatural. Choosing someone to leave all down to a single kiss? I mean, it was ridiculous! However, Elliot hadn't kissed me. He didn't want too, not in that moment. I could help but think, what if our kiss would have been terrible? What if Elliot and I weren't compatible? What if he was making up excuses and didn't want to kiss me?
I was going to eliminate him, he was dangerous risky choice. However, Hardin always said that to live life fully is take risks. I had too, if I didn't I would regret it for the rest of my existence.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine." I snapped. Xander gave me a pointed look. Huffing out a breath, I closed my eyes and inhaled. "I'll be fine Xander." I said, gently this time.
Despite the polite nod of his head, I knew something was wrong just from the guilty expression in his eyes. "What is it?" I grumbled out.
"The villagers are starting to revolt in eastern Alyssum." Great. Another problem.
Not that I disliked helping my people, I wanted to find the best way possible to better the kingdom but after the ten crises that could have been solved in a simpler fashion than calling the Queen to travel out everyday, I was exhausted and so was baby.
"What's happening?" Xander sighed, knowing the toll all this was taking on me. Late nights, excessive travelling, long hours meant that I was often exhausted, aching and hungry.
