Royally Kidnapped by the Prince novel Chapter 28

KENNEDY

It was a family dinner. Again, I didn’t know what I was doing here. I pinched myself under the table for the second time. The fact that I was sitting across the future king, I felt like I was in another universe. 

They looked regal. 

The apparent Prince was in his formal suit. The graying hair was scattered across his head. 

Thayer got his eyes from his father—fierce, deep, and expressive. And also his height—Prince Isodore was so tall and medium built. The rest of his son’s features came from Princess Aimrose. 

Carlott sat beside her carbon copy—her mother. From the color of her hair to the shape of her face.

“Is my son treating you well, Kennedy? I hope you don’t mind if I call you Kennedy.”

My gaze flew back to him. I smile timidly, even if I wanted to blurt out how his son kidnapped, teased me, and then treated me like his precious gemstone when he was in his Thayer-not-the-prince-mode. 

“To be honest, your son is nothing but humble and kind. And yes, I have the best accommodation and treatment I more than deserve.”

“You don’t have to be polite, dear. My husband knew what his son has been doing lately.” Princess Aimrose stole a glance at her son, who just put his cutlery down. 

“I’m sure Kennedy doesn’t have to cover up if I’d been treating her bad. Besides, having her with us is proof that I’m a gentleman.” There was something in his words that I grasped what the message was trying to send to me. 

My heart hammered in my chest to recall what he did to me in his study. That was the first time we’d been that closed since he kidnapped me. My skin tingled everywhere. My hand slightly trembled. I grabbed the glass of water. 

“Gentleman, my ass. I apologize for my choice of words, Father, Mother. How long has it been since Kennedy back? Did he take her on a date? Or tour around? Or even brought her a cheap flower? None.”

I swallowed hard. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Oh, please, Kennedy. He’s been an ass. I know he has a pretty tight schedule lately, but spending a little time with you won’t kill him.”

“Carlott, language, please? I’ve raised you better than to use such words in front of dinner,” Prince Isodore scolded his daughter. Then he turned his attention to his heir. “Sure, you have better reasons for yourself, Thayer Camren. If you want to be the future apparent, you should treat your woman right. You may be my son, but I won’t tolerate that kind of attitude.”

“May I speak?” I raised my hand. I felt like I should start talking since they weren’t exactly aware of what was happening between us, and it seemed unfair to Thayer. Or I just wanted to defend my man since his father just called me his woman. Yay! It sounds good, though.

“Of course. Please?” He gestured his hand.

“Um, Prince Isodore, I’m not defending your son, but it’s unfair on his side. I’ve been... arduous—”

“Kennedy.” I could see the sadness brewing in his eyes and feel the shame seeping through him.

I looked at him. 

“Let her finish.”

“It is true, I’m not here on my own accord, but before that I—I, um. I liked Thayer before I even knew he was a prince. I mean, I have feelings for him. But you may as well know my background by now, where I came from, about my family. We’re not a perfect match. We are from different worlds. He deserves someone better than me.”

“Kennedy.” Thayer groaned in annoyance. “Just, please?” His jaw ticked, sighing constantly.

“But his sincerity, his kindness, his compassion, and if there’s one thing we have in common is our passion for our jobs. He’s true to his words, and aside from being charming and most cocky, he’s also down-to-earth when he’s with me. He never used his power to belittle someone. That’s what I admired most in him. So, even if I didn’t come here willingly, I still would love to give this relationship a try whether you, Your Highness, or Princess Aimrose are against it. If he did his best to bring me back after I ran away like my butt was on fire, I think he deserves a second chance.”

“Yay! Great!” Carlott grabbed her wine. “To Thayer and Kennedy.”

Oh, God. What had I done? I raised my glass, so as the dumbfounded Thayer and his parents. I sipped my wine. 

I would surely regret this. I could feel it. 

I smiled genuinely at him. Now I just saved your ass. One day, I was going to ask that favor back.

“I’m happy for both of you, honey.” I suddenly felt guilty seeing how happy his mother was.

Damn it.

After the dinner, Thayer was on the phone, and it seemed crucial. Carlott toured me around, introducing her descendants’ portraits on the wall. 

“That’s King Camren. Thayer’s middle name came from. My grandfather’s father.”

“I can see the resemblance.”

“Father said the same,” she agreed.

“Excuse me for interrupting your tour, Princess Carlott. Lady Kennedy’s been summoned by your father in his study.”

My pulse quickened. My throat clogged. I had an idea what was this all about—my horrible saving Thayer’s ass speech. 

“Relax. My father won’t bite.”

“How did you know?”

“You look like about to collapse right now. Just chill. You can be yourself in front of my father. Trust me. He likes it better than you trying to impress him.”

“He’s gonna throw me back to the States.” I drew a deep breath. “I should go. I can’t let the Prince keep waiting. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it.”