The Prince That Got Away ( A Royal Romance Novel )

The Past

Louis's POV:-

I watch as shock registers on Emilia's face. She certainly didn't expect to hear the words I had just uttered.

" I- Louis. I just don't understand. Did you just say that you thought Leyla was me all this time?" Her brown eyes are wide as saucers.

" Yes, Emilia. That's exactly what I am saying. You must think I am a fool and I guess I was stupid that's for sure. But in my defense, I have to say this: Leyla knew everything about our conversations. She seemed to have read and memorized the messages we used to send to each other. Nothing about her family background seemed suspicious. She successfully managed to trap me and waste years of my life."

"But why would she do this? Why would she lie to you like that? Why would she pretend to be me?"

" Obviously because she wanted to be a Princess. Her motivations for what she did are not a mystery. The real question is how she managed to know so much about our relationship. She couldn't have pulled this off on her own. Not without outside help." I run a hand through my hair.

" I heard you talking about having someone investigated that day at Katerina's party. Was it her? Leyla?"

" Yes, it was her." I nod." You have sharp ears I must say." I smile wryly at her.

" I also heard something about your mother. I think you suspect Lady Ariella had something to do with this."

"Yes, I do, I remember telling my mother that there was something off about Leyla and she told me that she had personally looked into her background already and had found nothing suspicious. She was also a big champion for Leyla always trying to make me see her in a positive light. It was only when she realized that Leyla had become a full-fledged alcoholic and her actions were hurting my image that she started insisting on me leaving her."

" I don't want to say this Louis but I honestly hate your mother. I can't forgive her for all of those years we spent apart. I can't forgive her for making me think you were in love with Leyla all this time." Emilia's eyes glisten with tears and I can feel her pain.

I pull her into my arms cradling her in my lap.

" I can't forgive her for what she did either. I don't know why she would do such a thing. Possessiveness? Control? I don't understand why she would go through the effort of planting Leyla into my life so you couldn't be a part of it."

" Because she's bloody insecure! I can bet that she was afraid that your future wife would supplant her and she needed a daughter-in-law who she could control. Think about it. Leyla could never go against your mother because she knew her secret and could expose her. She wanted a woman in your life who she could manipulate. It was all about power and control." I have never seen as much loathing and fury in Emilia's eyes as I do just now.

" I think she's also one of those parents who are always afraid their child might leave them behind and get jealous of their children's spouses. I think she just couldn't bear the idea of you having a woman in your life who you could love as much as her. I guess she assumed you could love me that much and thought I was a threat to her. Obviously, she was completely wrong. " She adds that last sentence looking a little flustered for some reason.

"Yes, she was. It was ridiculous to assume that you would be a threat to her." As I say this I notice a look of disappointment on Emilia's face. As if she was expecting me to say something more and I didn't.

" Your Highness, there's been a problem. " One of the bodyguards approaches me.

" What's wrong?" I ask with dread.

"The Lady Ariella is in hospital." He says.

A few minutes later we are on the way to the airport. Emilia looks very pale and I bring her close to me leaning her head against my chest.