She knew he would not stop convincing her to take her place at his side, but she was also determined to do what she thought was right. To pursue what she believed was what she wanted with her life.
“I’m gonna hang up now. Love you, Dad.” She quickly said, avoiding hearing any more of his litany.
“Don’t hang up on me, Princess.” Her dad commanded, but it was too late. She already pressed the end button.
She still believed that she was his princess. She loved her parents dearly, but she just did not share the same principle with her dad. Her mom was ok. She supported her cause, and she acted as the referee, always caught in the middle of their argument.
She had a perfect childhood. A fairy tale that every girl would dream of. She lived like a princess and her parents were the king and queen. Living in their huge mansion which served as their castle and the city was her kingdom.
She knew what her future was back then. To follow her father’s every wish and eventually marry the prince of his choosing.
She was raised to be an obedient child, until the moment she realized that she was different. An incident that opened her eyes to the truth. Her world was not perfect. Her life was not a fairy tale.
“Sorry, Dad but I will never be like you.” She mumbled at the picture of her dad and mom on her table.
She went back to her work and focused on the files that were on her table. She opened the one on the top of the pile and checked the first page.
“Ok. Let me see what I’m up against.” She mumbled to herself, with the sound of the street as her background.
She booted her laptop on and typed the name of her new nemesis. She needed to dig for more information regarding this company that she was going against. She swore to do her best to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. She would defend the weak.
“Excuse me, Prince Alexander, but the Duke had sent me to escort you back to the palace as soon as possible.” One of his father’s trusted heads of security, Major Barry approached him in a club.
He was out celebrating the success of his new acquisition with Marcus, his best friend, and most trusted lawyer, who handled all the legal aspects of his business ventures.
He was not expecting the sudden intrusion, but he was not exactly surprised. This would not be the first time that his father summoned his presence.
“Tell my father, I’m busy.” He took his glass of scotch and continued to talk to Marcus about the plans they have about the business. It was also not the first time he had declined his request. “I’ll visit him when I’m free.” He was sure this would not be the last.
However, he knew that ignoring his father’s demand would not work, but he moved away for a reason. So that he would not be answerable to him or the king. He already denounced his claim to the throne so he would be free to pursue his life the way he saw fit.
Agent Tim, his head of security approached him, assuming that he might be needing his help. “Boss, is there a problem?” As always, he had a sense when he was in a bind.
He always had clear instruction with his man not to meddle unless it was quite necessary. He did not want others to notice that he had security details around him. So, he usually had at most four at a time since there were no threats at the moment in his life.
“There’s no problem.” He told his man as he signaled him to stand down.
“I’m sorry, Sir, but we have strict instructions to take you home through your willing cooperation or by force,” Thomas said as he finally changed his formal address into ‘Sir’ for security reasons in the presence of a commoner.
His security did not exactly come from the Royal Empire. They were locally hired by him, but that was again a long story to tell. But he would trust his life with his team compared to the men who served his father.
“I don’t think that would be possible,” Tim said with a slight threat, sensing the unusual behavior of the man standing at his boss’s side.
Knowing his father, it was not a mere threat anymore. Whatever his father wanted, he was seriously determined that he presented himself before him. He began to weigh in the pros and cons of conceding to his wishes. Then, eventually made a decision.
“I don’t think I would be needing your service tonight. Take your men and go home. I’ll contact you as soon as I got back.” He instructed Tim.
“Are you sure, Boss?” Tim tried to confirm, so when he nodded, he had no choice but to abide by their orders.
Tim started to back out and signaled his men to vacate the premises. Leaving him with Marcus and his unwelcome visitor.
“Just give me a few minutes. Wait for me outside.” He informed Major Barry who moved towards the exit.
“Well, whatever your father wants from you, he must be truly desperate.” Marcus jokingly said, drinking the remaining alcohol in his glass.
Marcus might not share his royal blood, but he considered him as his brother. He knew everything there was to know about him and his family. The same went for him. He trusted him with his secrets, even with his life.
“It would seem. I have no choice but to check on what he wants this time.” He ordered one more round of drinks and shared it with his friend. Hoping that it would ease his tension.
It had been more than a year since he last visited home. Although he missed his mom, Duchess Katherine, he still avoided going home. He was not particularly keen on talking to his father who always insisted that he should take his responsibility to the crown seriously.
In truth, he had run away from home for the fact that he did not believe in the Royal Empire anymore. He had stopped considering himself part of the Royal clan and decided to make it on his own with the money his grandmother left to him.
“Good luck with that.” Marcus tapped him on the shoulder as they finished their drinks and moved towards the exit.
The trip was a swift one since they never have to go through customs because of their diplomatic privileges. Just some of the perks of having a title on his name. Although he did not want it, it was unavoidable. He was stuck with it.
He even used his mother’s surname to avoid association with his father, but there were times that people did get the idea of who he was. Then, his team would do their best to conceal his identity once again. It was a tedious effort, but something that he valued. His identity remained a secret.
As soon as they landed at the tarmac, he was quickly escorted to a private helicopter that would take him to his home. The Blackstone House. Home of the Duke of Blackstone and his family.
“Where’s my father?” He walked past his secretary and strode towards his office, opening the hugely heavy door without even knocking.
“He’s in a meeting…” His father’s secretary slowly said as he was already inside the room before he could stop him.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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