Royally Kidnapped by the Prince

47

THAYER

God, I miss her. But I couldn’t get out. I was stuck with work, and my family was expecting me for a

public appearance. It wasn’t new to me. I had no issue with that until I found love who lived on the other

side of the world.

I checked my phone and scanned through her friend’s Instagram. Apparently, she got her own fan club.

But her friends had no recent post with her on it.

I shoved my phone back into my suit pocket when my mother approached.

“How are you holding up, honey?”

I smiled. “We didn’t break up, Mom. She’s just spending holidays with her family.”

“I know.” She squeezed my hand. “Next holiday, you and Kennedy will be spending together at this very

same room. Just have little patients.”

“I’m fine. Really.” But my voice didn’t go with my words.

“You will be.” She patted my hand before she smiled and walked over to join my father.

“Family pictures!” the royal family photographer announced.

I wished Kennedy was here. My holiday would feel like a real celebration of family and love. We hadn’t

tied a knot yet, but I already considered her as my family and my wife.

My parents were sitting on a gold double throne chair while Carlott and I were standing at the back.

This year, my grandfather should be sitting on the throne chair. Unfortunately, it was impossible. So I

still felt this holiday was incomplete.

“Smile! Say cheese!” Classic. The flash flared. “Another one. All of you are standing, please?”

“Let’s get this done with, shall we?” My sister stood neck to my mother. I glanced over at her—

something had changed in her since she broke up with her boyfriend. And here I thought, they were

going to last. I still believed in forever, though. I believe in Kennedy and me.

I rechecked my phone, hoping to receive a text from Kennedy. I shouldn’t be worried, but I didn’t know

why it bothered me. I trusted her, and I knew she would be safe. I had arranged capable men to keep

tabs on her and protect her. Still, something I felt unsettling. I didn’t trust myself.

“Jeez. She’s been away from like less than a day, and you’re obsessing already? Where’s the trust,

brother?”

“For someone who just broke up from her six-month relationship, I would say you moved on pretty

quick.”

She sat beside me. “You’re saying?”

“Your ex might be right after all.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“And you learned to say that from him?”

“Just say what you wanna say, Thayer.” She pursed her lips.

I undo a button on my collar. “He’s right then?” I watched her shift on her seat. “Who’s he, Carlott?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her expression suddenly changed when Lud entered

the living room.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me? I prayed I was wrong about this. Lud would never betray me, and

it couldn’t be. Never. Carlott had a certain type in men, and Lud was not one of them. Besides, he was

way older than her.

Cursing, I huffed. “I’m gonna find out anyway.”

“Good luck then.”

“Your Highness, Princess,” he addressed with a wine glass in his hand before he sat across us. Carlott

was glaring at him. “Something wrong, Princess?”

“What’s going on with the two of you?” I asked, particularly to Lud.

“I just saved her ass—from possible humiliation. I don’t want her to wake up sleeping next to a Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

scumbag in the morning.”

I snapped my gaze at my sister. “Is it true? You should control and limit your drinking and partying,

Carlott. You’re not a kid anymore.”

“Then if I’m still a kid, why can’t I go to a party and get drunk?”

“You’re out of control,” Lud said.

“Can you stay out of my business—my family business?” she bellowed at Lud.

“Show a little respect, Carlott. This isn’t you. I wish you can just tell me like we used to do. What

happened to you?”

She got up. “Oh, I’m feeling great. Just mind your own relationship. That’s all. Lucky you, someone like

Kennedy doesn’t give a shit about your title. Unlike someone I know, he’s scared and gave a damn

about my status than his feelings.”

I was completely lost. I blinked it off.

“Well, he should be. You’re a princess, after all. You should choose someone in your circle, princess.”

Lud put a little emphasis on the word princess. And I was afraid I might be right.

“Then he should stop protecting me if he doesn’t give a shit!” She stormed out of the room.

“Carlott, come back here!” I called urgently.

She ignored me. What had just happened?

I looked at Lud. I caught the anger blazing in his eyes. His expression suddenly turned into a stone. His

lips pressed in a flat line to my sister’s emotional outburst.

“Care to explain what’s going on? Is there something I should know?”

“Your sister’s a brat. I just wanna get her out of trouble. That’s all.”

“Maybe she didn’t take the break up well.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

“Then what it is, Stellan? I was so focused on my responsibility and my relationship that I forgot to

check on my sister.” I ignored the twist in my stomach and recalled while Lud was drunk, at the same

time, Carlott was acting weird on the same week.

“Look, man. You can’t carry all the responsibilities and the burden of your family as well. You have to

live your life the way you deserve. Your sister won’t grow up if you won’t let her make her own mistakes

and learn from them. As long as you have her back when she needs you, you’re a good brother to her.”

“I think you should give her some credits. She’s been passionate about her job. You can't guarantee a

long-lasting relationship when she’s not the right one for you.”

“I’m not talking about her job. I know how she dedicates her life to it, but I’m talking about her personal

life. She’s your sister. I feel like she’s also a part of my responsibilities even if she’s not. You’re my

good friend. I just don’t want her to make decisions without thinking through over again.”

“Thanks for the concern, Lud. Can you look out for her? If it’s not too much to ask?” I knew I shouldn’t

trust my sister to someone like Lud, but I couldn’t think of anyone else other than him and Ash. But Ash

had a lot on his plate right now.

“I should be the last person you trust with your sister—”

“I know you won’t betray me, asshole.” I got up, fished out my phone, and dialed Kennedy’s number.

“Who’s an asshole?”

“Darling?”

“Did you just wrong dial my number?” There was excitement in her tone.

I was also grinning like an idiot. “I apologize. I was talking to Lud.”

“Uh-huh, the only asshole you care about. How’s he, and Ash, by the way?”

“They’re good.”

“And Carlott? How’s she holding up? Your family?”

“You asked everyone but not your fiance?” I faked my hurt tone.

“I know you’re doing great. I can hear it in your voice, Thayer. Don’t be a crybaby.”

“Fine. I buy your reason. I’m glad to hear your voice, too, Kennedy.”

“Me too. I missed you, babe.”

“I missed you more, darling.” I sighed deeply. “I wish I’m with you right now.”

“Well, I start counting down. Eight days more to go,” she sang. “Yay!”

“Yet, it feels like eight years to me.” I was still smiling.

“You’d be very busy in eight days, babe. And guess what?”

“Let me guess, you’re in your bed, wearing a red lacy negligee, and you’re about to hit a video call

button. Have you tried phone sex, darling?”

She barked out laughing. God, how I missed that rich voice of hers. “Seriously? It’s twelve midday,

Thayer, and I’m with friends in a coffee shop.”

“Oh? My bad. Different time zones, it is.”

“I was about to tell you about your grandfather.”

“What about him?” I asked quickly. My heart pounded.

“I visited him. Your Aunt Alessia came to my parents’ house to pick me up. So, I finally met your

grandfather, The King. It was such an honor.”

“I wish I was there with you. I’m sure he was glad to meet you, Kennedy. Thanks for doing that. I

appreciate it.”

“Alessia told me that there's some progress. He’s breathing on his own, did you know that?” That was

the latest update.

“I hope he will wake up sooner, darling.”

“I wish for that too.”

My phone beeped. Someone was calling me. “Darling, I have a waiting call. Can I call you back?”

“Sure. Take care. Talk to you soon.”

“I love you, Kennedy. Bye.”

I checked the caller ID, and I remembered the country code—it was from the US. I answered it. “Yes?”

“Prince Thayer, I have good news. The King has regained consciousness.”

“Excuse me, what?” I blinked, trying to process what I just heard.

“The King wakes up.”