Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

Prince Akim didn't leave for his room as soon as he left, rather he left for Jasmine's. His little sister was being dressed up for the festival and for someone going for such a celebration, she had not a single trace of excitement in her eyes.

Jasmine glanced up at him and smiled when she saw her brother. She couldn't help but get excited because he mentioned they would be leaving the palace, she couldn't wait to do so. But then, the expression she saw on her brother's face made her heart sink. She had seen that expression so many times she had gotten used to it. The excitement in her eyes died off, so much for having hope.

"Your highness!" The two maids who were dressing up his sister greeted him immediately.

"Give me some privacy with my sister," He ordered.

"But your highness, there's no more time to....." The maid trailed off when she met Akim's intense glare.

She rephrased at once, "Of course, your highness," and left before Akim had the chance to glare at her one more time.

"Jasmine," Akim called out for his sister who turned her back to him immediately.

"Jasmine!" He came to her bedside but the girl still wouldn't turn to face him.

"I'm sorry," Akim breathed, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

"You're sorry?" Jasmine whirled around to face him with tears-filled eyes, "You shouldn't have promised me at all. Do you know the greatest sin? Giving someone hope where there shouldn't be one," She blamed him.

"I'm sorry," He engulfed her in a hug as she cried on his shoulder, "You can be rest assured, I promise to never let our parents steal your childhood as they stole mine,"

"What?" Jasmine asked, speechless.

Akim pulled her away only to clasp her cheeks in his hands, "You'd go to the soiree while I work out a way for us to leave tonight,"

"Work out a way for us to leave for the celebration?" Jasmine was surprised.

Akim smirked at her, "You don't really think I'm not going to fulfill my promise to you tonight,"

Jasmine's eyes widened but for a slight moment because she narrowed it at him, "Don't give me hope where there isn't one, brother,"

"Then don't have hope," Akim said to her, "Believe," he added immediately, "Only when you're out," 

However, Jasmine boomed a smile to her brother, this was the first time she had seen him this determined. It was as if something in him broke free. 

She hugs him tight, "Goodluck with your plan," 

"Thank you," He kissed her on the cheeks and warned her immediately, "Be a good girl," Akim already knew her sister was a good trouble maker. 

"Above all, save your energy. Rest at the feast if you can - our parents won't blame you for that - because you would need the energy later," 

"Sure!" Jasmine was happier and felt she could tackle the world once more. She was hoping for her brother even though she knew how fast it could be broken. 

Akim left his sister's chambers fulfilled and motivated, he now had a mission to carry out. Although he was nervous, as he knew there would be lots of punishment from his parents if he failed, Akim pushed the consequences to the back of his head. He had to try at least.

He went back to his room and brought out his laptop. What was the use of his knowledge if he couldn't put it into use? As a prince, he had to learn a lot of things and be versatile in a lot of areas - including hacking.

Although his parents didn't know he had such skills - one of the many things they don't know about him - it wasn't difficult to possess those with the number of resources at his disposal and a natural high IQ.

He hacked the palace building plan and that included, of course, the secret passages. After the war ten years ago, he heard whispers of his father reconstructing the collapsed secret passages from the previous invasion - his father Judy had learned his lesson from the war when they couldn't escape due to the collapsed passages. And tonight, he was going to make use of those. 

Thank you for your great effort, father.

Akim was still going through with his plans when a knock sounded.

"Who is it?" He asked without taking his eyes off his screen.

"Your majesty, it's time to get prepared for the soiree," The voice replied.

"You don't have to worry about me, I'll make my way down there,"

"I'm afraid it's an order from the Majesty, the king," 

"And I guess I can't refuse that," Akim said to himself before shutting down his computer. He was confident that no one would search his device. His parents wouldn't think he was capable of that, they would only think he was still angry and sulking inside. 

Akim let the maidservants, who were two in number, into his room and they brought along his costume for the night. Her mother still hadn't given up on her love for fashion and had her own fashion brand in Lincolnshire - a business she started with her friend, Cecil. 

It made Akim sour to think that her mother had the freedom to do what she wanted while he was being treated and caged like an extinct creature. Well, he'd make his first escape tonight and no one would see it coming. 

Contrary to many thoughts, the maids didn't bathe him because he had grown past that nor was he comfortable with them touching his body. They only helped him dress up as his outfit was complicated and he had to dress to the fullest. Not even one accessory should be out of place. 

Moreover, they had to do his makeup and hair, a prince had to look flawless on every occasion. This was the life he was born into and had to live it whether he wanted it or not.

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