Royally Kidnapped by the Prince novel Chapter 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 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.