Royally Kidnapped by the Prince novel Chapter 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.” 

“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.”