A Queen Without A King

Chapter 3

The next morning, things are pretty awkward at breakfast because of the way dinner ended yesterday. As I eat my food, I go through what I'm going to tell Owen after eating. Hopefully, he agrees to work with me and doesn't put up too much of a fight. 

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to Owen's parents as they leave today. Part of me is surprised that Owen doesn't just leave with them. I mean, he made it clear yesterday that he and I just aren't going to work out. The King and Queen of Kabet hug their son goodbye and head out. 

As Owen is about to walk away, I stop and ask him to talk. He ignores me and tries to leave despite my protests. In a last attempt to get him to listen, I mention what I need to talk to him about.

"I think I have a way to get us both what we want," I say, which seems to catch his attention. "I just need your attention for 5 minutes, please." 

"I'm only coming because you said "please"," Owen says following me to my bedroom. 

Owen takes a seat on my bed as I go and get a folder from my desk. I woke up earlier this morning to write down the key points of my plan. I hand Owen a copy of the notes I made.

"Very organized, princess. Don't you think it's a little much?" I roll my eyes and start going through my plan.

"So here's what I'm suggesting, we act like we've accepted to marry."

"Yeah, no." Owen gets up to leave but I pull him back down and tell him to let me finish.

"You and I both know that our parents aren't going to just let this all go if we don't at least try. And it's all going to be fake. We're putting on a show, moron." Owen scoffs and tosses the papers onto the bed. I ignore his attitude and keep going. "Look, for the duration of your stay, we pretend to be falling for each other and we almost go all the way through with the marriage."

"Yeah... not gonna happen. Our parents aren't idiots like you." 

"Our parents are desperate enough. So trust me when I say that they will believe it." I let out a sigh and shrug my shoulders. "And it really can't hurt to try."

"Actually it does hurt to try, especially with you. I don't want to spend any more time together than necessary. So, that's a hard pass." Owen gets up to leave. I follow him to the door and block the exit. I'm not letting him leave until he agrees. I really need to try and get my parents off my back and Owen will help me whether he likes it or not. He's acting like I want to hang out with him by choice. "Move, Orillia. I won't hesitate and push you out of the way if I have to."

"I don't want to spend time with you either," I say. Owen scoffs and rolls his eyes. "I seriously don't. I'm just getting desperate here to get my parents off my back. And try to move me and I'll scream."

"I'm not going to pretend to like you just to please our parents." Owen tries to walk around me but I block him. "Orillia, for fuck sakes. Move. Now."

"I'll move as soon as you agree. Think about the prize you get in the end. You never have to see me again, and you get to be King alone without your parents complaining. My plan will work. You just need to cooperate." I see Owen considerating the plan in his head. After a few seconds, I see him make up his mind. 

"Okay, fine. But this better work, princess." I smile and move out of the way to let him to leave my bedroom but Owen turns around and goes back to sitting on my bed instead. Wasn't he just trying so hard to leave? I tilt my head at him, confused as to why he didn't take the opportunity to leave. "Don't look at me like that. We're going to actually have to spend time with each other to make it as believable as possible."