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‘For that I am glad, Your Majesty.’
‘It is unfortunate that you made such a grievous error.’
Zayed inclined his head. ‘Indeed.’ Part of him wanted to argue about the nature of that error, for Olivia was so much more to him than that, yet he did not. He couldn’t.
‘Under normal circumstances, I would not even receive you,’ Hassan continued. ‘While I understand your reasoning, as well as your intense desire to be restored to your kingdom, Princess Halina is my daughter, and a royal in her own right, and you attempted to treat her with immense disrespect.’
‘I meant none, I assure you, Your Majesty.’
‘Even so.’ Hassan blew out an irritated breath. ‘But the fact remains that the Princess’s circumstances have changed.’
‘Oh?’ Zayed stood alert, a new wariness charging through him. What did Hassan mean?
He made it plain soon enough. ‘Her mother took her to Italy a few weeks ago, to keep her out of the drama unfolding here,’ Hassan said flatly. ‘And it appears in that time that she got into trouble.’
‘Trouble?’
‘She is no longer a virgin,’ Hassan stated, his face set like stone. ‘In fact, she is pregnant with another man’s child.’ Shock ripped through Zayed, leaving him speechless for a few seconds. Hassan smiled grimly. ‘It is not what you expected, I imagine.’
‘I am taken by surprise,’ Zayed admitted carefully.
‘She has been dishonoured and ruined. The only way for her situation to be redeemed is for you to marry her as was originally planned. The child can be passed off as yours.’
Revulsion at such a cold-blooded suggestion made Zayed nearly recoil. ‘And what of the biological father? Has he no interest in his child?’
‘He has no say. He doesn’t know, and I have no intention of him knowing.’
‘Who is he?’
‘That is not your concern.’
‘On the contrary, it is most certainly my concern. You are asking me to raise his child as my own and potentially, if it is a son, to be my heir.’
‘That is the price you must pay for your own misdeed,’ Hassan returned coldly. ‘Did you think I would forgive so easily? If you want my support, if you want to reclaim your kingdom, then you will do this one thing.’
Zayed took a quick, even breath, willing his temper to stay in check. Hassan had always been autocratic, assuming more authority and power than he’d ever truly possessed. Abkar was a small country, smaller even than Kalidar, although it was rich in resources and had a stable economy. But he would not take orders from the man. ‘And what does the Princess think?’
‘It is of no concern.’
‘Even so, I would like to know.’
Hassan shrugged. ‘You may ask her yourself. I will grant you a private audience with her later today.’ His eyes flashed. ‘You will take no liberties, I trust, or this offer will be rescinded.’
‘Of course I will take no liberties.’ Zayed knew he could hardly claim the moral high ground, but he’d forgotten, since his last interview with Hassan years ago, how much he disliked the man. He could be charming when he chose, but underneath that veneer of paternal kindness ran an arrogant, self-serving strain.
Hassan gave him a cold smile. ‘Then we are finished here.’
A muscle ticked in Zayed’s jaw. He realised he was furious—and not because of the other man’s lack of respect for his title and position, the autocratic way he spoke, or the way he talked about his daughter, as if she were nothing more than a stain on his reputation. No, he was angry at this man, furious with him, because of his complete lack of concern for Olivia. She’d considered Hassan like a father. She’d viewed the palace as her home.
‘You have not asked about Miss Taylor,’ Zayed said, his voice low and level.
Hassan arched an eyebrow. ‘And you, it seems, think I should have?’
‘She has been a member of the royal household for four years.’
‘She has been a servant, yes. I assume, Prince Zayed, that you have treated her comfortably?’
‘Of course I have.’ Zayed glared at the man, fighting an urge to throttle him.
