THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER

Chapter 12

Beverly's POV:

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    Watching Asher apologize intensifies the guilt I was feeling. For the past two days, I have been thinking about everything. I tried to think from his perspective but I have been unable to figure out why he snapped at me like that. Besides, I have been feeling guilty about judging the Royal family like that. Asher was right, what right did I have to judge people I do not know? For God's sake, until recently I did not even know the Prince's name. I let my emotions get in the way. 

"It's okay. It was my fault. I should not have said anything about the Prince or the Royal family as it is not my place", I said, still trying to pull my hands from his grip.

"Do you forgive me?", he asked with a sad expression on his face.

"There is nothing to forgive. It was my mistake for which I deeply apologize", I said. "Could please let go of my hands?".

His face fell. He looked so hurt like his favourite toy has been snatched from him. He looked at my hands which he still holding and then looked at me again, "you are still upset".

"Do not fret. I have nothing to be upset about, Asher", I said as I kept looking around expecting someone to come out and get me due to my secret.

He hesitantly left my hands, "why don't you come and sit with us"

"No, thank you. I am quite comfortable over here, I appreciate your offer nevertheless", I responded.

The four of them looked at each other before they began to convince me to sit with them. After a while, I decided to sit with them but I still kept my distance. I was very cautious around them. I fear the moment I let my guards down, someone will jump out to grab me. I sat so rigidly, you would think I was sitting on a rock. I kept looking around just to be safe.

'Why do you keep looking around? Are you expecting a company?", Asher asked.

"She thinks we must have told someone about her secret", Collins voiced out whiles looking at me. 

"We would never do that to you, Beverly. Your secret is safe with us", Steve assured.

        They looked at each other when I just nodded but I was still so tense. It looked like they were communicating with each other through their minds. I had a feeling they wanted to say something- actually ask, they wanted to ask me something. A part of me knows what they want to ask. They want to know the story behind my powers. I wonder what I would say to them once they gather the courage to voice out their question. Do I ignore their question? Do I lie about it? Do I brush them off? I have never been in this situation before so I have no idea how to react. 

"How were you able to do that?', Aiden was the first to break the silence.

"I do not know", I replied honestly.

"What do you mean you do not know? To my knowledge, only Royals, Protectors and fire Nobles can do that and you are certainly not one of them", Collins said.

"I do not know. I have always been able to do that. I guess I was born like that", I replied.

"Maybe you are a fire Noble. You might probably be adopted. no offence", Steve said.

I shook my head, "I am not".

"Steve is right. You might be a fire Noble. That's the only explanation", Aiden said.

"If I am a fire Noble, then how am I able to do this?", I asked as conjured a small tornado wind on the palm of my right hand and a waterfall on my left palm. 

    They looked at me with a stunned expression. I do not know what I was thinking by showing them. I never showed or told anyone, not even Mike, James and Ashley. But what do I have to lose? I already revealed my fire powers to them. I know it is risky. My head and mind tell me not to trust them, but my heart says I can. Well like they say,  whenever your mind and heart clash, follow your heart because it will never misguide you or lead you astray. 

"How the hell did you do that?", Collins asked stunned.

"I told you I do not know", I replied. "I do hope I can trust you not to disclose this to anyone"

Asher held my hands tight in his, "You can trust us, Bev, we would never speak of this to anyone as it can gravely endanger you".

"Thank you", I nodded as I pulled my hands from his. He looked at me with hurtful eyes.

"Can we talk in private?" he asked as he looked at his friends. They nodded and walked to the river to give us space. He looked at me with his beautiful eyes that I just can not get out of my mind. He held my hands again even though I had just pulled them away from him. 

"I really like you a lot Beverly. I have never felt this way towards anyone else before, I assure you. You are all I think about recently, I just can not get you out of my mind. These past two days, I thought I had lost you before I even got to call you mine. I really fancy you. Beverly, will you please be mine?"

I felt the air get sucked out of me. I can not believe he fancies me. I know I have feelings for me but I always doubted he felt the same, after all, what can he see in me except my enchanting beauty. I know what I want, ad I want him.

"Yes, I will be yours, Asher", I replied as tears rolled down my face. He looked at me with wide eyes as if he had not expected me to accept him so easily, but my heart wants him.

"Say it again", he said as he tightened his grip on my hands.

"I will be you-" before I could complete my sentence, his lips fell on mine. My eyes were opened wide in shock. I had not anticipated the kiss. My very first kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist like a vine. He nipped on my lower lips and I opened my mouth instinctively as I put my hands around his neck. His tongue explored my mouth like he is trying to mark his territory. My hand found its way to his hair and I tugged on it causing him to let out a groan. He kept kissing me fiercely until someone let out a soft cough. I jumped away from him with my face ablaze.

"We should get going", Aiden said with a teasing smile on his face, intensifying my blush.

Asher groaned. "Do you still stay will your friend?", I asked suddenly.

"No. We already got a small cottage for four of us", Collins said quickly.

"Oh, that's nice", I said.

Asher got up from the floor and came over to me. He wrapped his hands around me and kissed me deeply. "I shall miss you tonight. Shall we meet again tomorrow at the same time? We can show you our new place?" his friends looked at each other quizzingly.

I blushed as I nodded.

"I will also try to do some studying regarding your powers and inform you of my finding tomorrow", Collins said.

"I will be ever so grateful", I responded with a smile. "I shall be on my way now"

I gave a quick hug to Asher and waved at the guys as I left with a smile on my face.