51 - My Royal Kidnapper

THAYER

“Where’s my son?”

I was startled by my father’s words. Then I froze like a corpse when I sensed him behind me. He was probably with my mother.

I ruined everything. Now, I realized what I just did. I probably lost the woman I loved as well.

“Son?”

I was fucked-up mess. Shaking, I turned around to face my parents and the consequences I would face. But it wasn’t what I saw before my blurry eyes.

“How are you holding up?” my father asked.

I shook my head. My emotions were everywhere. What had just happened was like a freight train running over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to erase those images out of my mind. Jealousy stabbed me in my chest, and I lost control. I just couldn’t bear someone or those men touching Kennedy.

A hot warm liquid rolled down my face. I bit the trembled on my lip, wiping off the tear on my face.

“Honey, we’re gonna fix this. Ash is already asking the men he hired to watch Kennedy. We still haven’t heard from her, though,” Mom said, rubbing my arms.

“After what I said, I doubt if she ever talks to me.” Guilt and regret shouldn’t mix because it made a man insane.

“Everything is gonna be okay. I don’t believe even for a second that Kennedy could do such things in those images.”

“So did I,” my father agreed.

“Yeah, but I already fucked up.” Tears threatened to fall again.

My body shook. I dragged myself down to the floor. I realized the damages I’d done to my family and Kennedy. If there was one person to blame for this was nothing but me.

“Your Highness.” It was Ash’s voice.

“Any news?” my father asked him.

“I think I got something, but we have to confirm the flight.”

“What flight?” I snapped my gaze to Ash.

He didn’t even bother to look at me. “If what the men I hired said was true, Miss Gilby and her friends booked two flights. One to Hollywood and the other to Las Vegas. They lost them before the flight to Vegas took off. The flight to LA was three hours after Nevada.”

“Those pictures were taken in LA. Am I right?” my mother asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Well, finally, there’s some good news.

***

I woke up with a terrible headache. Those images flashed in my head again. They said the show must go on. The PR advised me not to cancel any public appearances.

My popularity just dropped fifteen percent. Most of those comments were saying that they couldn’t rely on me anymore. That was how people could quickly judge someone like they knew every fucking bone in my body. I couldn’t blame them, though. I, myself, couldn’t trust my decision anymore. I let my emotions clouded my judgment.

The next day, I arrived to meet Princess Eina. She and I shared interests. We became good friends since she fought to save the animal sanctuary last year.

“I’m sorry to hear about you and your fiancee.”

“Thanks.” I smiled despite the excruciating pain in my chest. The beautiful forest should grant me peace of mind. Right now, I couldn’t even appreciate anything.

“Thanks also for coming over. You could have just sent a representative.”

“This is the best way to clear my head.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, we have another Arctic fox.”

My chest lightened up a little bit. “That’s great. How did acquire it?”

“One of the hunters found it the Scandinavian forest.” She stopped. “If I can help you with anything, please, Thayer, don’t hesitate. I’m your friend.” She held my arm.

Heart-wrenching sorrow rolled down inside me. “I know. This is what I just needed for now.”

I boarded the private jet later on. As soon as I locked my seat belt, Ash put a piece of folded paper on the table. He then settled at the back. I didn’t have to unfold to know what was that. I just destroyed our friendship as well. I let my anger, my rage, and my anguish consume me. Now, I started to hate myself.

Accepting my defeat and mistakes wasn’t easy for me, but for the sake of my friendship with the most important people in my life who would never hesitate to catch a bullet for me or even donated their vital organs, I should do the right thing.

After the takeoff, the seat belt light turned off. I unhitched my buckle and joined Ash and Lud.

“Let’s talk the elephant in the room, shall we?”

“I’ve got nothing to say. I made peace with my future, and this is my last day,” Ash said, audibly let go of a sigh of relief.

“I guess I’m done with this as well,” Lud agreed.

“You both are leaving me?” My stomach just did a nosedive.

“Look, Your Highness.” Ash did an emphasis. I knew why. “We’ve been through hell and shits together, but we better parted in good terms. You know I always do my best with my job. And I thought there’s more to this job than protecting a prince. I thought we were friends, but after what you did last night, I apologize, but I can’t work with you anymore.”

“That’s why I am here. I need to talk to you about that.”

“What happened?” Lud asked. “I was busy sorting out the situation outside the room. Care to fill me in?” He bounced his gaze between Ash and me.

While glaring at me, Ash said, “It’s Prince Thayer to you.” I winced, so ashamed of what I just did. “Your Highness. I will call you if I need your service that kind of shits.”

I looked down. I’d never been more ashamed in my life than facing the consequences of my action.

My cheeks burned. They were my friends, yet I let them down. I acted like a brat. An imbecile.

“Fuck me. That’s just so fucked up, dude.” I could feel the glare Lud was throwing at me.

“Not only that. You just destroyed me. Bitch.”

My jaw clenched. Before I could endure the pain upon hearing those words, my head snapped against the back of the chair. The sound of the crackle echoed in the jet. I winched in pain, but nothing I couldn’t handle. What I couldn’t was losing my best friends and the woman I loved. Warm liquid oozed from my nose.

I deserved it.

“You fucking asshole. If for a second, that you think I will let you demean Kennedy because she doesn’t have the same privilege you've got? You are fucking wrong. You can cut my head off, I don’t give a fuck, but as long as I am alive, I won’t let that happen. Do you fucking get me? That’s too harsh, dude, for someone who keeps chanting how much he loves his woman. You are fucking disgusting. And I wouldn’t apologize for what I did. Prince or not, I don’t give a fuck! I’m done. I quit.”

I touched the blood dripping from my nose. The stewardess came, carrying a box of tissue. I pulled some flies, wiping off the blood. “I deserved that.”

“Of course, you do. You’re far worse than her ex. Do you know that?” That was what I loved about Lud, even if he gallivanted too much. He extremely cared about the people close to him.

“That’s why I’m asking for forgiveness from the both of you.” I glanced at them. Ash didn’t seem to give a fuck, while Lud was still glaring at me. His anger boiled in his eyes. “I know I can’t take back the trust and respect you had for me, but I want us to part on good terms. You will be both very well compensated.”

“I could care less about your fucking money.”

“I know you’re still pissed at me, Ash—”

“Pissed?” His eyes narrowed. “Pissed? Try looking for any words you could find. It doesn’t even describe how I feel about you right now. You disappoint me, Your Royal fucking Highness. We’ve been through hell and back. Then it hits me hard. You don’t love Kennedy. What you only care about is saving your fucking ass.” There went the dagger into my heart again.

“That’s not true!” I barked. “I care about that woman. I love her still, even after what happened. I would still choose her over my title. I don’t give a damn about my birthright anymore. Fuck it! All I’ve done. All I did for the entire twenty-six years of my life was, pleasing the people and giving them exactly what they wanted to see. When I met Kennedy, I wanted to be myself. I wanted to show my people the real me. Look how quickly they judged me? So, I’m done as well.” I threw my hands in the air. I rose from my seat. “This is also my last engagement. After this, I’d be off to find my woman and grovel if I have to. I would ask for her forgiveness even if it takes the rest of my life.” I went back to my seat and looked at the clouds outside. It was so serene, unlike what I felt in my chest.

Any regrets? None. If there was one huge regret I had left was how I treated the woman I loved that she didn’t deserve.

“How about another mission?” Lud surprised me. Ash also joined across mine.

I stared at them suspiciously. “What mission?”

They shrugged without a word.

“Again?” My brows arched.

“Do you have any other plans you’d like to share with the class?” Pissed off Ash growled.

“It is then. But what’s the catch?”

Ash scratched his beard. Lud elbowed him.

“What’s the catch?” I waited.

“You won’t give up your birthright.” Ash played his card well.

“Then I also have one condition.”

Lud snorted. “We’re helping you. You won’t demand, prince of ass.”