Royally Kidnapped by the Prince

12

THAYER

“So?” Lud asked. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Don’t stick your nose in my business.”

He shook in the front seat. I wanted to hit him in the head. He thought it was funny. In my entire life, I

had never encountered being turned down by a woman. I was the one who was used to turning offers

down.

Even if Kennedy knew who I really was, I might still be getting the same answer. She wasn’t ready to

give up her job. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“It wasn’t so bad. She’s in love with you, but you left with so many unanswered questions.” Ash looked

over his shoulder.

“I hope you’re right.”

“I know when a woman has feelings or not. She wouldn’t have acted the way she did if she didn’t have

feelings for you. She was confused and undecided. You have to give her time. She’ll come around.”

“And that precious time you didn’t have,” Lud sang.

“Shut the fuck up, Ludovic.” Ash glared at him.

“She doesn’t fully trust you, man,” Lud was still talking. "I can't blame her, though."

“Damn it. Do you have a plan to stay in the US?” Ash warned him again.

I rolled my eyes. “I need peace of mind before I meet my father.”

My phone rang. It was Aunt Alessia.

“Let me guess. You’re on your way.” Those are her first words.

“Yes.”

“And you don’t sound so happy.” Nothing made me happy at this moment.

I rubbed my temples. I could still feel her kiss, the taste of her lips. Her scent was everywhere. I

squeezed my eyes shut. “I need a favor.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” There was excitement in her voice.

“You don’t know what favor I am asking from you, Aunt Alessia.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“I want you to fire Kennedy.”

My words caught Ash’s attention. “What?”

“Why in the hell would you do that?” Lud gave me a look as if I was losing my mind. Right now, I was.

“I can’t do that, Thayer,” she answered with hesitation because she shouldn’t have said no to me. But

she was also a family.

“Would you rather let me live in vain? If I couldn’t have her, then I would be breaking my words. That’s

the only way I can think of right now.”

“Let’s kidnap her instead.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Ash spat out at Lud.

“I have a better idea. And it works in progress,” Aunt Alessia replied from another line.

My chest expanded with hope. “What do you mean?”

“My assignment to her.”

“Are you kidding me?” Ash faced Lud in disbelief. “She would surely succeed. I’ve only known her for a

few days, and she’s the kind of woman who never gives up until she gets what she wants.”

“I hope you’re right, man,” Lud sang. “Because I can feel that you’re her next conquest.”

“She would, but by that time, she would learn who you are. Secrets are always the reason for

unsuccessful relationships, Thayer. All you have to do is show her the real you.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I never said about anything easy. You really have feelings for Kennedy, haven’t you?” Aunt Alessia

asked.

“Are you doubting my feelings?”

“Then I would be the last one to come in between the two of you. But firing Kennedy without any

reason, I couldn’t do that. Her works contributed a lot to the company, and she would be my great loss

if I fire her. But for the sake of my family, I’m willing to give her up as long as you will take care of her,

Thayer.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“Don’t thank me yet because you are about to face the most difficult quest.”

***

I couldn’t think of anything other than the image of Kennedy while I watched her sleep. She consumed

me. She was all I could think about.

“You need to get your head straight, Your Highness.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay.” I looked at Ash through the wall-sized mirror. We just landed an hour ago, and I

was about to meet my father.

“Your father, the Prince, would be hard to convince at this time.” I knew exactly his point since The

King’s chances of recovery were getting low every day.

“If I will be the Prince one day, I would pass the bill to void that the next prince apparent in line should

be married before his inauguration.” My jaw ticked. I couldn’t let my future heir would go through as I

did.

“That’s the essence.”

An hour later, my pulse quickened. After announcing my presence, the double door to the conference

hall swung open.

I marched toward and stopped a few feet away to the Prince, Duke of Burkhese, my father, and his

Princess, Duchess of Burkhese, my mother.

I acknowledged them. “Your Royal Highnesses.”

My father gestured me to take a seat. “How was your trip? I expect good news.” His chin up and always

glaring at everyone. He was in his early sixties, but he was still strong, and none could break his words,

and he was very old-fashioned.

“Leave us.” My mother looked at the people around us and was the opposite of my father. The Princess

was always kind-hearted, graceful, and poise in her late fifties.

They left.

“The King is very sick. Despite him being in the machine—”

“I wasn’t talking about your grandfather, Thayer.”

God, help me. My heart hammered. “I still have nine days, father.” I met him in the eye.

“And what can you do in nine days, son? Call your fairy godmother.” His sense of humor was always

dry. And it was him being sarcastic.

“My love, Isodore.” She held her husband’s hand.

“You’re son is only delaying things. We found a perfect candidate for him, yet he’s refusing our tradition.

Instead, he wanted to search for his own bride. Look what happened.” He gestured at me. “He came to

me empty-handed.”

“With all due respect, Father. That’s not entirely true.” I swallowed hard.

“Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been doing in the United States? I Have eyes everywhere,

Thayer. When it comes to my son’s well-being, my only heir, I wouldn’t just let you travel wherever you

want without my own eyes and ears.” Of course. I resisted rolling my eyes.

“So, dear. What happened? Tell me about this woman?”

My lips parted.

“Oh, come on.” She smiled in excitement, gripping my father’s hand.

“I don’t want to hear about this, Thayer. You’ll get engaged to the daughter of Lord Laudeau. End of

discussion.”

“Father!” My voice raised. I was already standing on my feet.

“You won’t dare disrespect whether you are my heir or not. I’m still the future King!”

I bowed. “Please, accept my apology. I don’t mean to disrespect you. Please, give me a week. That’s

all I’m asking.”

“You’ve been asking for expansion, Prince Thayer. I won’t give you another.”

“Honey, hear him out even for the last time. Even if he failed, at least you won’t regret it, or he wouldn’t

have regrets.”

“I never regret my decisions.”

I clenched my jaw enough to crack.

“I know, but we only have one son, haven’t we?”

“Sit down,” he ordered.

“Thank you, Father.” I took a seat again. My knees were shaking. My palms were sweating.

“She’ll be visiting, but not to see me. She’ll have an assignment given by Aunt Alessia.”

“Why not just invite her over? I would love to meet her.” The delight in my mother’s voice gave me a

little hope to hang on.

“She doesn’t know, yet.” I clamped my mouth shut.

“Jesus, son.” Two words coming from my father almost made me cower down.

“Oh? And you haven’t told her?”

“I don’t know, Mother,” I hesitated. “I’m not ready to tell her.”

“What happened to my son, for God’s sake? I raised you to be the future king—to rule this kingdom.

Not to be weak in front of a woman!”

“Isodore, you’re being irrational.”

“That’s why I’m not in favor of him marrying a commoner in the first place. Look what happened? He

failed and wasted his time instead of attending to his own affairs. Don’t you dare miss your next public

appearance.”

“I won’t, Father.” My tongue thickened in my mouth. Fuck. “Father, can I speak freely?”

“Go ahead, dear,” my mother replied instead.

I released a shuddering sigh before I started, “I saw how your relationship with my mother grew into

something more than just a marriage for the sake of this kingdom. Because your relationship is built

with love, honesty, passion, compassion, understanding, and trust. If I were to marry someone that I

don’t love, maybe, one day, I would learn to love her. But not the same feelings I have for the woman of

my own choice. I may learn to trust her, but I couldn’t promise to be honest with her with my feelings. I

don’t want to break someone’s heart because I’m in love with someone else. I don’t want to taint your

name, Father, or this family, and be labeled as a dishonest and disloyal Prince, Duke of Guardion.

Please, all I’m asking is a nine-day for me to enjoy my single life. On the tenth day, you can decide if I

should marry Lady Kadynce, or you may choose another candidate suitable for me. But don’t expect

me to fall in love with her when my heart already belongs to someone else.”