"You were going back home, so go away. You needn't stay here for a selfish soul. It's like I'm blackmailing you and it's making me feel more guilty. The feeling is getting worse, Noah and I don't think I can bear it. I give up. I don't deserve to live. I really don't--- "

"I care about you! I was just going to tell you that I already forgave you and if you see, it wasn't really your fault. It was my dad's job to protect you and I know you had to keep it confidential so don't do this," he spoke so softly and gingerly, but I shook my head. I couldn't get distracted. I had already disappointed numerous people and I didn't deserve to live, I had inflicted much pain on everyone around me already.

"You needn't do this. I know you're doing this to save me--- "

I was cut off mid sentence when I saw Emma entering in calmly, pressing the button of her wheelchair. She didn't give any reaction as I threatened to kill myself, but she didn't listen to me. My body was shaking to take any spontaneous action. She came beside me quietly and held my clammy hand. The knife from my hand involuntarily slipped through my fingers and dropped on the floor as I hugged her. I never knew that my sister was my ultimate weakness. One touch, the pain in her eyes, her incredulous look made me realize that she needed me, we both needed each other.

Tears rolled down her eyes and I gasped. She hadn't cried from years, even when she was going through so much pain. She confronted each problem bravely, but today, she was crying for her baby sister.

"I'm so sorry Emma, I-I . . . Please don't cry," I begged her.

"What were you thinking? Didn't you realize that millions of people in England are waiting for your coronation. They look upto you as their next queen. They love you and care about you. Didn't you realize that you were leaving your elder sister, Noah, your friend, millions of people who care so much about you?" Emma demanded and I burst into fresh tears.

"Oh Emma! I know I was being silly! I'm stupid, stupid, stupid--- "

"So stupid, you didn't realize that the man standing at the door truly loves you," Emma interejected and I cocked my head.

I turned around and saw Noah smiling at the doorstep, the deep blue colour of his iris splitting into pools of water. Within two long strides, he was right in front of me. From the corner of the eye, I saw Emma exiting the room quietly.

"I-I'm sorry Noah--- "

"Hush, quit apologising . . . "

"But aren't you hurt after what all I did to you?" I asked and he didn't reply for some time. We both were sitting on the floor with our foreheads touching and his eyes shut. He lightly stroked my cheek and inhaled deeply.

"These few days, I thought about us a lot. I don't know where we both will end up in the future, nor do I worry about it. Our journey was rough, but no matter what happened, this was the best summer. I'm glad I spent it with you. I'll work hard and prove to your parents that I'm worthy enough for a princess, because Strawberry I truly love you and none of this was your fault."

I was speechless and the emotions were overwhelming. Noah just confessed his love for me, despite knowing the fact that I was the murderer of his father. He forgave me!

"I love you too Noah, I always did," I admitted coyly.

"I know," he said and that was when Noah kissed me with so much passion and raw emotions. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, tears of joy.

I pulled away to breathe and he grinned as he wiped my tears. His hands travelled down my chest where my skin was bleeding due to my suicide attempt. He frowned and wiped the blood away carefully. He leaned down and placed a feather like kiss on that spot.

"Never even think of doing that again," he said sincerely and I nodded.

"I promise, I would never act stupid again."

"Good, because even if you think people don't love you or care about you, they do, they really do. At least one person in this world would be deeply hurt if you had given up on your life."

* * *

It had been few days since that incident and I had been juggling between various therapists. After Dad got to know from Emma that mum was the one who triggered the suicidal tendencies in me, he sent her far away from England for own therapy. I felt bad for mum, guilty even, but dad said it was for the best.

I was recovering quickly because Noah, Emma, Doctor Thomas were always there to support me. Anne was touring around England and she had finally gotten over Luke and was happy being single. Marya and Andrew got along pretty well as she was now staying with Andrew permanently.

Noah got an internship at the famous Italian painter. The Itailan painter was extremely impressed with his skills and I still remembered that day when he got selected. He was so happy that he nearly jumped on me and pulled me into this bone crushing hug. He seemed so overjoyed that the whole day he showered me with sweet kisses.

There was a knock on the door and I quickly wore my robe and said, "Yes, come in."

"Ma'am, tonight your majesty has arranged for a masquerade ball," the maid announced and my eyebrows furrowed.

"For what reason?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, but your majesty didn't mention it. You can come down and select the dress."

I nodded at her. Why would dad throw a masquerade ball for no reason? I could sense some trouble.

* * *

"Hey, Strawberry! What's going on?" Noah asked blithely as he planted a quick kiss on my lips. I smiled at him. He sat on my bed and stretched.

"Noah?"

"Hmm?"

"You know about tonight's ball? Dad has arranged it for no reason as far as I know," I said, tapping my index finger on my chin.

"Everything happens for a reason, but that doesn't means that you should know everything. Don't ask questions, just attend the ball."

"You know why the ball is kept?" I asked again and he simply shrugged. I huffed in annoyance. Maybe I was over thinking. I looked down and fidgeted with my top as I was lost in deep thought. Noah took both of my hands and placed it on his lap. He lifted my chin so I was looking straight at him and said, "Something is wrong with you. What happened? Tell me."

"I don't know, it's just that I'm scared. I don't know where we both will end up. I don't know if I can become the next queen. If I'm even capable of being a kind yet a firm queen," I confessed in a low, embarrassed tone.

Noah cupped my cheeks and his blue eyes bore into mine. He tucked a stray strand of my blonde hair behind my ear and said, "You're already the queen, the queen of my world."

* * *

A/N

Yes, I have been thinking lately of writing Noah's POV. Comment on which chapter you would like Noah's perspective.

Love,
Subu <3