Royally Kidnapped by the Prince

49

THAYER

The entire country was celebrating. My family was beyond relieved. We just did a video call with the

King. My grandfather was still weak but managed to wave to the camera. His speech pattern was still

slurry, but he could remember us.

Thank God. I sighed in relief again.

I felt a million tons lifted off my shoulders. My heart filled with contentment and happiness. I wiped my

face, not knowing I just cried. This time, it was tears of joy.

Grandfather and I were very close. We shared this special bonding since I was named after his father.

That was why he called me Camren instead of Thayer.

“I’ll address the people,” my father said.

“Good idea,” I agreed.

“This is great news, son. A wonderful gift. The best gift we’ve received so far.” I saw the excitement and

happiness flowing in my father’s eyes.

“I couldn’t agree more, Daddy.”

Our PR had already called out an urgent press conference. In less than an hour, my father would

address the nation and tell them the good news.

I went to my mother with my sister. “Still a good way to end this year, yeah? It’s been a roller coaster

ride, but this is a good year.”

“You can finally take some rest, honey.”

I chuckled. “I’m still not complaining. Besides, Grandfather can’t be on his feet and do his duties. He

needs his full recovery. We still take full precautions, and he will be under his doctor’s watch twenty-

four seven even if he’s back on his feet. I wouldn’t take that for granted.”

“Brother, chill a little bit. You’re still tense. Let’s celebrate this win. Loosen up. This is still our victory.”

I inhaled audibly. “It is a victory, indeed.”

“Don’t go blaming yourself again. Your grandfather is stronger than you think. And this is great. He can

have your blessings in your marriage to Kennedy.” Mom’s eyes lit up.

Fuck.

I forgot to call her back.

“Give me a minute.” I fished out my phone. She sent me a text that she couldn’t answer if I called. I

dialed her number anyway. The rings went on, and she didn’t pick up.

I typed a message.

Darling, call me as soon as you read this. I have good news. Love you.

I pressed send. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

“She didn’t answer?” Carlott asked. “Don’t worry. What time is it there?”

I checked my watch. “Almost two in the morning.”

“See? Nothing to worry about. She’s probably sleeping alone in bed.”

I arched my brows. “You’re saying?”

She hit me playfully. “I want you to smile. Thank me for it. You’re gonna get married to the woman you

love with Grandfather’s presence. So what’s with the frown?”

“I’m not frowning.”

“Keep telling yourself that. Ahh, I need a drink.”

Mom came in. “Children, get ready. Your father is about to give his announcement.”

Outside the Chateau, hundreds of people gathered. I stood beside my mother and my sister while my

father went on the platform.

“It’s been a rough month for this country, economically, financially, and the health of the King. We gave

you brief updates on his health. But as of hours ago, we’ve confirmed through video conference. From

where His Excellency has been treated for a couple of months, Your Majesty, The King has improved.

In fact, he’d be happy to give his first appearance in a few days.” My father paused when the audience

sighed in relief. “I’m asking you to continue praying for his fast recovery. My family and I will be forever

in your debt. Thank you so much for coming tonight.”

“Your Highness, when is the royal wedding?” the man in his forties asked.

“Prince Thayer will answer you, himself.” I’d love to protest since this wasn’t about me, but I’d like to

give them a reason to celebrate.

Before I walked forward to answer a question, the head of the PR whispered, “Make it brief. Let’s not

be overwhelmed by the purpose of this conference.”

I cleared my throat to show him that I had not forgotten anything. “Good evening. Let’s celebrate

tonight’s victory. We’d been looking forward to giving this good news to the People of Triberis Capria.

We thank you all for sending your prayers to His Majesty. As for my marriage, we’ll give an update

another time. Long Live the King.”

***

My phone kept on ringing. The loud banging on the door continued. What was the emergency all

about? Then Ash’s voice echoed. The door swung opened simultaneously.

“Damn it, Ash. You can just come in and wake up as normal people do. You have the key.” I groaned.

My body was still sleeping, but when he turned the light on, I rubbed my eyes.

“Get up, Your Highness. We have pressing matters that need your attention.”

My sleepiness dissolved without a trace. I was already sitting in the bed. “Is The King okay?”

“He is, Your Highness.” He swallowed hard. His expression was stoic, but I knew he was keeping the

huge bomb to blow on my face.

“Thank God. Then what is it all about?” I stood up and grabbed the robe he offered. I went to the

bathroom to empty my bladder.

When I came back, he gave me water. I took it from him and drunk half of it. “Are you gonna tell me

about it?”

“It’s better you see it yourself.”

I glared at him. “This is better be worthy of my time.” We climbed downstairs. He led me to the study.

Marko, Lud, my PR, my social media account manager were also here.

“What’s going on?”

Nobody answered. Instead, Marko pressed the remote of the tv. My engagement picture with Kennedy

flashed on the tv screen. He changed channels five times or more. I lost count. The same image of us

together flashed in every television and news channel.

“What are these all about?” I asked Marko. I couldn’t keep up the headlines.

“It’s trending on Twitter, every social media, gossip sites, morning talk shows. Everywhere.” He showed

me on the iPad, swiping every page. They were all the same. "They call her A Royal Wrecker. Hashtag

#RoyalWreckerBitch. My apology for the word, Your Highness.”

I grabbed the remote from Marko, turning the volume loud.

My heart sunk.

My skin went cold as ice.

“We’ve just received a confirmation from the Royal last night that The King of Triberis Capria is

recovering well in a secured location. Then this image of the future wife of Prince Thayer just came

over an hour ago and has been spread all over the internet and trending on every social media. She’s

seen in Hollywood, where these images were taken. We’re still waiting for the confirmation from the

Royal family and their comments about this.”

The remote flew to the wall, shattering into pieces. My chest heaved. My gaze was still glued on the tv

screen as Kennedy’s pictures, almost wearing nothing but a skimpy outfit, kept flashing.

I raked my fingers through my hair, pulling it out, praying I was dreaming that what I saw was just a part

of my nightmare.

A surge of rage crowded out of all other emotions as I gaped at the tv screen. The voice of the

newscaster muffled around. All I could hear was the pounding of blood in my ears. I wanted to scream,

but my jaw clenched. I couldn’t open my mouth to speak because what would I say? That it wasn’t her?

When it was Kennedy. Her drunken self, hovered by two men.

Jesus Christ!

I wanted to kill those men who dared to touch her. My hands formed into fists. My knuckles cracked,

itching to punch something or someone who dared to talk trash about her.

“Give me a fucking phone,” I growled. My anger intensified.

Ash gave me his phone. “Think before you say something you might not be able to take back.”

“It’s crystal clear. I saw what I saw, and I know my fiancee. Now, it’s clear to me why she’s so adamant

to get out of here. What the fuck else isn’t obvious to you?” I tried to keep the anger out of my voice,

but I was shaking that if I couldn’t get out, I might explode.

“I’m asking someone to investigate before we will give a statement to the press.”

“But the press is waiting, Your Highness.”

I snapped my head to the head of PR. “You, shut the fuck up. If you release one word out there, I will ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

make sure you lose everything, including your own life.” I pointed at him. “Did you fucking understand

me?”

He bowed his head. “Yes, Your Highness.”

With my hand was trembling, I dialed her number on Ash’s phone. When it started ringing, I pressed it

to my ear. I tried to take deep breaths to calm my anger down. At this moment, nothing really helped.

All I wanted was to smash things that came to my sight.

“Hello?” My heart pounded as soon as I heard that sweet sleepy voice. This time, my heart didn’t beat

fast out of excitement—it hammered with pure rage.

“What the fuck did you do, Kennedy? Did you quickly forget what I told you? You just couldn’t take my

words seriously and never have ever listened to me, have you? You have to fucking do something

against my will!”

“Thayer, is that you?”

“Are you out of your fucking mind? I can’t believe you just pulled that card out on me!”

“What’s going on? I just wake up, and why are you yelling at me?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “You just crossed the line, Kennedy. I’d been trying to let everything stuck

into your head to be very careful that people would judge you no matter, but still, you have to do it your

way. Now, look what the fuck you just did, the damages you did to my family, to my grandfather? And

for fuck’s sake, Kennedy, you have to drag the honor of my family down with you—the repute we built,

the name we cared for so many years. And the worse thing is, you didn’t just ruin me. You ruined

everything! My life, my works, my career, my family, my country, my kingdom, and my title. Every-

fucking-thing!” I threw my hand in the air. “Jesus Christ, Kennedy! I love you. I love you so much. Is this

how you repay me? They might be right after all. You’re nothing but a wrecker.”

“Thayer, please? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She seemed shaken from the other line of the

phone call.

“Just fucking shut up because nothing can repair the damages you’ve done.”

“Thayer!”

I snapped at Ash beside me. “It’s Prince Thayer to you. Your Highness. Do you fucking understand

me? Get the fuck out! I will call you if I need your service.” I turned to my right. “You, all of you! Get the

fuck out!”

“You just destroyed me.” My anger didn’t dissipate. It was growing and growing big in my chest, and I

might explode. “Bitch.”