Royally Kidnapped by the Prince novel Chapter 4

THAYER

I felt drained after we visited my grandfather. He’d been in the private hospital for months. My country was praying for his recovery, but after I spoke to his doctors, I wasn’t sure if our prayers were heard. He’d been in a coma for almost three months, and they had not seen any improvements.

My family wanted to keep this bad news, but the people in the country needed to know. Despite that, they still had to keep a few details from the press.

I could see the struggle from Aunt Alessia as she joined me inside her father’s room. No one knew, except my family and the advisors, on which country my grandfather was admitted. It was for his security and privacy.

We had the best hospitals and doctors, but it was best to keep him away from media exposure. It had tight security. The staff was under indisputable NDA so that they wouldn’t leak crucial information to anyone outside this floor.

I’d known my grandfather to suffer from such illness just like everyone, but this time, he had a hard time recovering. I’d known a few people surpassed ninety or even reached a hundred years old. I wished I could still witness him celebrated his ninety years birthday, but judging by his situation right now in machines, I couldn’t let my hopes up.

“Grandfather, it’s Camren.” He was the only family who called me Camren.

 I missed his voice. I held his wrinkled hand. It even felt a little warmer—a good sign. “I came all the way to visit you. I know you can hear me. Your people are praying for your fast recovery, Grandfather. So don’t let them down, okay?” I knelt and bowed my head in front of him. “Your son, Isodore, and your daughter-in-law Aimrose have sent their love.” I kissed his hand before I rose to my feet.

Aunt Alessia had not said a word since we entered. I could see she was crying, but as a strong-willed woman, she kept herself composed.

“I’ll give you some time with him. I’ll be right outside.” I gripped her shoulder before I walked out.

Ash and Lud met me in the hallway. They knew the prognosis, but I knew they wanted to hear it from me.

I shook my head before I entered the room that served as the personal details room assigned to my grandfather.

“Just stay strong,” Ash said.

The entire room went silent. I wasn’t aware they weren’t briefed with my arrival. At least twelve people nodded at me.

“When I’m in this country. You won’t do that. You can call me sir or Thayer, but do not address me by my title unless you are ready to pack your bag and hand me your resignation.”

They apologized in unison.

“Take care of my grandfather, The King.” I left the room. Ash and Lud followed me out.

“Are you okay?” Ash asked.

“Not even the least.”

“We all are, T.”

“I need you to do something for me.”

“You don’t have to ask,” Lud replied.

“We have an agreement that you both can enjoy during your stay.”

“I would feel terrible if you won’t ask anything from us, Thayer. You’re still—”

“Don’t.” I cut Ash off.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you both bugged my room.”

They looked down. Guilt plastered all over their faces. “Following orders. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. But you still have access to security details, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. With audio?”

“No, sir,” Lud answered.

“Fair enough. I want you to check on someone.”

Their gazes flew to me. Hopes were brewing in their eyes.

I shut my eyes, sighing deeply. “She—”

“She?” they cried in unison.

“For God’s sake. Behave yourself.”

“The sooner you find her, the sooner we can get home,” Lud said excitedly.

“Are you serious? Do you plan on kidnapping her?” I shot them a murderous glare.

“You can invite her like normal people.” Ash shrugged.

“To my country? Like right now? Who stupid woman would agree to that?”

“Well, use your charm,” Lud suggested, smirking.

“Do you how hard for me to lie? To pretend as if I was just an ordinary guy walking around the city, thinking that it’s easy to bring someone home? That fact that I’m not just an ordinary man, how do you think she would react as soon as we landed in the airport?”