Trapped in Royalty

9. Prince Asher

I was too shocked to move, so Prince Asher used his finger and pushed my lower lip up to close my mouth.

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed. "Prince Asher, is this really you? Please slap me to show me I'm not dreaming." I babbled, and he laughed, the sound of it making it feel more like I was dreaming.

"I thought you would say kiss," he smirked. "Because I do consider it rude to slap a lady."

"Am I supposed to bow? Curtsy?" I blurted and attempted to make a curtsy, but he quickly stopped me by grabbing my shoulders.

"No just act as you would normally." he dropped his hands from my shoulder.

"Hi!" I squealed and he smiled in amusement.

Oh, earth please open up and swallow me, so I can embarrass myself no further!

"What is your name?" he asked, and I opened my mouth to tell him, but the previous events that happened less than ten minutes ago occurred to me and I looked down in shame.

"I'm just a nobody really." I shrugged.

"Everyone has a name," he stated.

"I do have a name, just that I'm no one significant. I don't have any money and I must look ridiculous in this dress and the fake necklace and..."

"Hey," he cut off my rambling and lifted my chin with his fingers, "you look lovely." he breathed, and I stared into his lovely eyes, getting lost in the moment.

"You still haven't told me your name." he dropped his hand before putting his hands in his pants pocket. That simple action made him look cool and my heart fluttered.

"It's Jacqueline."

"Nice to meet you Jacqueline, I am"

"Prince Asher." I said, then regretted it when he looked, seemingly sad, and an awkward silence followed.

"I wonder why no one is here," I said to break the silence. "Not even the guards." I added and looked around, but I could only see more trees, hedges and flowers in the dark.

"Well, there's more security outside the castle than inside, our guests don't need to feel like they are thieves." Prince Asher looked up.

"So there aren't any security guards in there?" I motioned with my head to the castle. I don't recall seeing many guards inside the hall except the two at the door.

"There are guards inside alright, but they are disguised as guests, so you can't tell them from the others," he said, and kicked a stone on the ground.

"Let's go inside, it's a bit chilly out here." he offered, looking at me, and I shivered at the thought of facing my tormentors again. And I also want to spend more time with the Prince because he will probably forget about me the moment we step in there, and he is swarmed by people like him.

"After what happened in there, I don't think I want to ever go back there again." I grimaced. "I would rather go back home." I whispered and hugged myself.

"I do not want to be there either," he muttered to himself. "Let me take you home then," he offered, and my eyes widened.

"For real?!" the Prince taking me home on his ride? Awesome!

"Of course," he nodded.

"But it's your grandmother the Queen's birthday, you are supposed to be there. And what if the paparazzi see you leaving the castle with me?" I said on second thought.

"I'm sure the paparazzi can't see through a tinted car," he replied with a smirk. "And I can always come back."

*

Prince Asher's car was an all-black sports car, one I had never seen even in the streets. The inside was another thing entirely. The soft leather cushion and the air conditioner made me feel like I could sleep in there, and the fact that the Prince is driving it?

As the gates of the castle were opened by the guards, and we passed by the dozens of people outside, I felt like rolling down the car window and shouting 'yes it's me, I'm in the Prince's car!' but I held myself back, as much as my body itched to do so.

Prince Asher was easy going as I told him the directions to my apartment and when he stopped the car in front of it, he offered to escort me up to my room and my eyes widened.

"No you can't!" I protested.

"Why not?" he furrowed his eyebrows, looking offended.

"Well the thing is," I clasped my hands together, looking for an excuse. "My neighbors are just too nosy and will probably swarm you as soon as you get in."

The truth is, I didn't talk to any of my neighbors, everyone was just minding their own business. I just don't want him to see the shitty room I live in and treat me like every other person I met at the castle earlier.

"If you won't let me escort you," he shrugged, "then at least allow me to do this." he said, and I watched, a little confused, as he opened his door and got out of the car. Prince Asher came to my side, and I was surprised when he opened my door for me. I felt a little sad because I wasn't ready to get out of his cooler than the fridge car, but I appreciated his gesture so I stepped out of the car with a smile on my face.

"Thank you." I uttered.

"You are welcome."

"I guess I will go now." he put his hand in his pants pocket.

"Yeah, you have to go back to the party." I mumbled, looking down.

"Hey," he lifted my chin with his fingers. "Sadness doesn't suit your pretty face, you look better with a smile," he said and a broad smile stretched across my lips. He smiled back, making him appear more handsome than he already was, and we stared at each other, with me not wanting the moment to end.

I felt myself shiver and a chill ran down my spine when Prince Asher moved his finger from my chin, up my face and down again. It felt like a dream and I felt myself swoon as the scent of his perfume hit my nose as he stepped closer. I felt myself in suspense and each second felt like a minute as Prince Asher leaned in, and I closed my eyes, waiting to feel his lips against mine.

It felt like a long while passed and I was finally disappointed when he kissed my hand instead, and I blinked, before opening my eyes.

"Goodnight Jacqueline." he stepped back, and I watched as he went back inside his car and closed the door. He started the car and then rolled down the car window on my side. Prince Asher waved with a smirk on his face, and I waved back before he rolled up his car window and zoomed off.

I stood there for a few minutes after he left before a triumphant smile stretched across my lips and I went inside the apartment, if only I could prove to anyone this really happened. I sighed.