Eleven

Apeke followed Prince Adelaja to his Chambers. "Sit."He told her.

She did as he said.

"What do you want?" The prince asked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"What is your goal? Apeke,is it?"

"Yes,the one and only." She made a poor attempt at a joke. She laughed but he didn't. His straight face made her feel stupid.

" This is no joke. You tried to seduce me,a pathetic attempt by the way."

"Hey! I did that really well . Don't you dare insult my dance moves. "

The prince was surprised,to say the least. Was that what she was seriously upset about?

"I can insult whoever and whatever I want. Now end this charade and tell me what it is you want. It's clear you wanted my attention. Now you have it,so speak."

"Your attention? You think too highly of yourself. "

"Oh really. So why did you try to seduce me then?"

"I was trying to prove some people wrong. I didn't think it would even work and even if it did it was supposed to be a joke . Now, your mother is making wedding preparations simply because I winked at you. If you ask me , you're the one who's trying to seek my attention and not the other way round."

Adelaja didn't know whether to be angry or amused. She was turning this against him. He try to seek attention? How dare she utter such nonsense.

"So, you aren't interested in marrying me?"

"No, I'm not."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I don't care whether you believe it or not. The truth doesn't change simply because you choose not to believe it. You don't want to marry me either,right? So,please just cancel the alliance."

The prince was once again surprised. He'd probably never admit it but her words hurt his ego. She was literally begging him not to marry her . Every other maiden in the kingdom would kill to take her place ,yet she was begging him to let her go? At first he thought she was only pretending but he was beginning to rethink that,now.

"You like princess Jumoke, right? I also have someone I like . So,please break the alliance. I mean it's obvious we aren't compatible but princess Jumoke is definitely the right woman for you."Apeke said with an innocent smile.

She had to convince him. It was the only way.

'Now it makes sense.' He thought to himself. She liked someone else.

"She came to you , didn't she?"

"Yes. "

"My apologies for whatever inconvenience she might have caused."He actually apologized? That was definitely unexpected. Apeke didn't think the royal family ever apologized especially not the crown prince.

"Are you trying to charm me with your sweet words? I won't fall for it."

"All I did was apologise. You also think too highly of yourself. I'm not trying to make you fall for me. Why would I do that ? Like you said Jumoke and I are compatible. You couldn't possibly be my queen."

"What in the world is that supposed to mean?"

"You haven't been trained to rule . You wouldn't be able to survive by my side. I don't simply want a beautiful woman, I want a strong woman whom I can seek advice from."

"But you can have as many wives as you please. "

"Did you just volunteer to be my second wife?"He smirked.

"That wasn't what I meant."

"It wasn't? "

"No,it wasn't."

"I don't see the use of having more than one wife . If she's good with politics and she can give an heir why would I need more wives? Plus,women are a lot of work. One is enough."He said seriously.

"I have to go now. "

"What about the alliance?"

"Don't worry , I'll see to it that we never get married."He promised.