Royally Kidnapped by the Prince

53

THAYER Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Son, where are you? You’re supposed to land two hours ago?” Right on time. We just touched down.

The reverse thrust break roared against the airstrip.

“I apologize, Dad, but we just landed.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. Ash and Lud were already on alert,

gathering the luggage from the bin.

“You never call me dad if you won’t apologize or ask a favor, Thayer.” He inhaled audibly to the

mouthpiece.

“You’re right, Dad. I’m not asking for a favor, though, but an understanding from you. And you know

exactly where I am right now even before we land.” I climbed down the airstairs. The memories of how I

met Kennedy sprung in my mind.

“Very well, then. Are you going to see your grandfather?”

“Yes. That’s a part of my plan. Any message you’d like me to relay to Grandfather?”

“Just tell him that we can’t wait to see him.”

“I’ll relay your message, Dad.”

“I won’t get in the middle of whatever you’re planning. Good luck. And Thayer?”

“Yes, Dad?”

“I’m proud of you,” he said before the line went off.

My heart melted. I barely heard those words, and coming from my father, it was a fulfillment.

“Is everything okay with the call?” Ash asked, opening a car door for me.

“It’s even better than okay. That was my father on the phone.”

“Let me guess. He’s not impressed.”

I looked at Lud in the passenger seat. “Quite the opposite, actually.”

He chuckled. “Wow. The stars are aligned, and the universe is in favor of you, Your Highness.”

“I haven’t done anything yet. Don’t be too cocky. Let’s head to the hospital first.”

The King was indeed improving. He was still in the hospital bed but alive and talking.

“My boy.” He was still slightly slurred. That part of his brain was affected by the stroke that affected his

speech.

“Your Majesty.” I bowed my head. “I’m so happy to see you, Grandfather.”

He gestured his weak hand for me to come closer.

I kissed his hand and his head. “I missed you. I’m so glad that you are well.”

“So that you can’t marry?”

“What are you saying, Grandfather?” I took a seat on the chair beside his bed and held his hand.

“How’s your appetite? I will bring some soft food for you.”

“Don’t change the subject, Camren. Don’t wait until I die.”

I chuckled and smiled. “Of course not. I want to get married to the woman I love while you’re watching

me reading my vow. That’s a promise.”

“Then what are you still doing here?” He hit my hand, narrowing his eyes at me. Well, he was strong

now. I could see that.

I laughed softly. “Asking for your blessings.”

“Silly boy. I know about Kennedy, the American girl. She came to visit me.” He paused.

My brows shot up. “She came to visit you?”

“She asked my blessings. I played the video. Good woman.” There was pride in his eyes.

“What did she say?”

“Stop talking and get married. That’s my last wish.”

“Grandpa, don’t say something like that.” I squeezed his hand.

“I’m not going to die now. Now go. Make me proud.”

“Father said he can’t wait to see you.”

He slightly nodded.

“I love you, Grandpa. I promise I’ll make you proud. And I will grant your wish.”

I left the hospital with a smile on my face. I still had a lot of things to do. If there was one thing I was

quite sure of, was Kennedy wouldn’t ask the King’s blessings if she never loved me.

I knew I let her down. I hurt her again. If my plan would work, I had all my life to make up for her.

“Is this the house?”

Ash parked the car in front of the two-story modern ranch house. “That’s the address.” He climbed out

and scouted the area before he opened the door to me. “Good luck.”

“You both are coming with me.” I walked towards the main door.

Ash and Lud followed me, carrying a ruggedized laptop in his sling bag.

“Just knock already. You’re killing me with the suspense,” Lud said. His hands in his pockets.

“I’ll be at the back. At least if Kennedy throws something to T, I won’t take the hit.” Ash stayed behind

me.

“Very mature. You’ll take a bullet for me, but you won’t take a what? A shoe?” I looked behind my

shoulder.

So was Lud. “It’s Kennedy’s scorn, man. Can't wait to see the look on her face.”

“Whatever.” I pressed the doorbell. We waited.

My heart jumped to my throat when the door swung open. My heart stopped and sunk at the same time

when it wasn’t Kennedy, but her older version instead.

“Laura.” I kissed her on her cheek. Her eyes were enormous, swallowing hard.

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” the two bad wolves greeted Kennedy’s mother.

“Hon, who’s at the door?” My guess it was Kennedy’s father, Lucas.

“Um—” She clasped her hands over her mouth after touching where I just kissed her.

“Prince Thayer?” said her husband. “Oh, wow! We never have a prince standing at our front door

before. I apologize on behalf of my wife. She’s starstruck.” He bowed. I saw quite a resemblance with

Kennedy.

“Please, you only do that to the King.”

“How are you doing, Mr. Gilby?” Ash shook the old man’s hand.

“Please, come in before my neighbors recognize you.” He looked around before he stepped aside.

I looked around the living room. It was pretty decent and big enough for the two of them.

“Going somewhere?” I noticed boxes and stacks of newspapers, but I couldn’t find the woman I’d been

dying to see.

“Oh, my God. I still can’t believe you’re here.” Finally, Laura managed to say something, but she was

still smiling as if she just met her idol.

“I’m here, Laura.”

“Have a seat. Can I get you something? Does Prince allow to drink if we offer?” Lucas looked at Ash

and Lud. “Do you taste his water first?”

Lud laughed. “No, sir. I’m sure you’re not planning on poisoning the fiance of your daughter, are you?”

Lucas swallowed. “About that. I know why you’re here, Prince Thayer.”

“Thayer. Just Thayer, please. Where’s Kennedy?”

Lucas turned to look at his wife, giving her a signal. They were still both standing.

“No. You tell him,” Laura told her husband.

“Is Kennedy here?”

“She left.”

I was on my feet. I felt my throat choke up as I stared at them in shock. “Where to?”

“We don’t know.” They shrugged together.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” I asked urgently.

“She just left in the middle of the night without a word,” Lucas answered, but I felt there was something

more they were not telling me.

“Is there any way how we can contact her?” Ash asked calmly, while I felt nauseous with anxiety and

dread.

“No.”

“What do you mean no? She never called?” Lud inquired. “When did she leave?”

I turned on my heel, away, pacing, raking my fingers through my hair. “How about her friends? The one

who took her to Vegas. They must have been getting in touch with her.”

“She left five days ago. Her friends were also asking about her.”

“Five days? And you’re not worried that she might be in danger somewhere?” The house went deadly

quiet while Lucas placed his hand around his wife’s shoulder. Laura wrapped her arms around herself.

Ash cleared his throat. When I looked at him, he gave me a sign. I knew I just raised my voice to my

future in-laws, and I was being impolite in their own house.

“I apologize. These past few days had been very difficult. It’s all my fault. I hurt your daughter. I don’t

even deserve your kindness, but I want to see Kennedy. I want to talk to her and make amends for all

my mistakes.”

“It’s not your fault. You have too much on your plate. I may not be a Royal, but I can understand the

pressure, the threats you may have, the image, and the reputations you have to maintain. I’m not angry

with you, Thayer. I just wish you listened to my daughter. She had boyfriends, someone broke her

heart, but she’d never ran away in the middle of the night, leaving only a note on her nightstand.”

I looked down, hurt, terrified, while guilt was twisting in my stomach. For the past five days, I could

barely get some sleep. I was lucky if I got an hour. Then I still woke up and dwelt with the same agony

over and over again.

“What note?” Lud asked.

Laura went to take the note. When she came back, she gave it to Lud.

“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry if I have to leave while you’re asleep. I have a fear to conquer. I love you both.

P.S. Send this to him. What’s she referring to?”

I strode towards them, taking the note from Lud. I let go of a shuddering breath once I was done

reading her beautiful cursive. I stared at the piece of paper in sorrow. She just twisted a knife in my

heart. No, I did it to myself.

My eyes started to sting. “She took it off,” I repeated in whispers.

“You okay?” Lud asked.

I shook my head repeatedly. “I’m not. How can I be okay? She promised to never take that off even if

she—” I paused when my chin trembled. I forced my tears back. Who would think that a tough prince

was a crybaby? I took a seat on the sofa and looked at the note again. “She didn’t like the ring because

she thinks the stone is huge, but she wore it anyway when I said that I chose the color myself. When I

told her it’s rare, and I only found it in South Africa, she promised never to take that off.” I rubbed my

face with my hand to hide the tears.

When Laura gave me the box, I took it from her and flipped it open. I sighed deeply, fighting back the

pain. A small faint smile curved up my lips.

“It’s the color of her eyes.”