Chapter twenty

The aftermath…

Selena ran quietly to Miley's room not wanting to be noticed in such atmosphere. She entered the room and quietly shut the door behind her. Turning around she saw Miley looking at her with eager eyes, "What's happening?" she asked with an excited whisper; it was four in the morning, the sun didn't shine yet and the whole castle was supposed to be sleeping, yet, the King was wide awake and furious, no, he was past furious by ages…

"Your father is going crazy down there, Miley, it's ugly." Selena said with wide eyes, she was seriously scared from what she just saw.

Miley's eyes widened as a result, "Oh God!"

The King has just found out about the disappearance of his daughter two hours ago – they were lucky he didn't decide to check up on Dem earlier, because by the time he was going up to Demi's room, she was crossing the forest with Joe.

When he entered Demi's room he was immediately alarmed seeing Liam's pretended unconscious body on the floor with blood coming out of his mouth. He didn't call for anyone, he just leant down and tried waking him up himself, he eventually did.

Liam told him that when he heard about the movement in the garden under the Princess's room he quickly hurried there, ordered the guards to go take care of it, while he went inside in case someone had the nerve to break in and hurt her. He said that out of nowhere, when he was talking to the Princess, someone showed up with his face covered and they fought until Liam was knocked down.

Then, the King went crazy, he screamed for the guards and soldiers to close down the gates and allow no one in or out of the whole kingdom not just the castle and of course he asked for the two guards to question them; they were most likely to end up imprisoned though.

And since then, he has been screaming around the court room, yelling at the guards, ignoring his wife's loud cries, dealing with Prince Harry's confused questions and taking advice from no one other than Liam. And of course he meant for all of this to not leave the court room so none of his guests feel any tension. Yet, rumors were spreading around like crazy. Maids talk can do all the gossip.

"Do you know if my name is mentioned yet?" Miley asked her.

"No, not yet I think. He probably won't until the morning."

"You think so?"

"Yes, you were at the party. He didn't notice your slight disappearance, did he?"

Miley shrugged, "When I came back he acted as if I never left. Never mentioned it."

"That's good then." Selena reassured, "Besides, he can't figure if she is kidnapped or ran away yet."

Miley gave a sarcastic laugh, "Oh, he'll find out soon from his messenger of Deniseliene's news." She rolled her eyes as Selena let out a chuckle. Miley gave a sigh, "You know, whatever happens, I just hope that she is okay."

"Yeah, Miles. She will be just fine."

"Yeah…"

"So, I'll go now in case someone checked the maids rooms."

"Yeah, go. We don't need you in trouble right now." Miley told her as Selena smiled at her reassuringly and left quickly and quietly.

Miley laid back on her bed in an attempt to relax which didn't really work at first. But, as she drifted into her own thoughts and reliving the events of the day, her body soon relaxed, her eyelids got heavy and she fell asleep…

They were at the inn, Demi's belly was big but she was laughing alongside Joe. She had a crown on her head and so did Joe, only they were dressed in neither Deniseliene nor Demetriana royal customs. It was a different one.

They were all laughing like nothing was wrong. Demi said she wants to get some rest and stood up holding her belly with a hand and supporting her weight with the other, Joe quickly gave the latter his own hand helping her to stand up and went off with her.

That left Miley, Selena, Jacob and Nick. Liam was at the bar getting an order. Miley was drinking wine and everything seemed perfect…

"Miley," His sound came hitting her ears like a roar. "Miley," he called once again.

Miley looked back at King Robbie Ray with fear. She looked eyes with Liam as her father furiously walked her way, Liam gave her a look she didn't understand, but then left the bar and went their way with a strict determined look,

"King Robbie Ray-" he spoke…

With one last shake, she gasped sitting straight in her bed with small droplets of sweet covering her forehead,

"-Oh, thank God! I was about to suggest calling a doctor." Liam sounded relieved as he told her father.

Now, she took in her surroundings, the King, the queen, Selena and Liam all looking at her with worried faces.

It was just a dream.

A dream that is most likely to become true. Well, her father's part not the 'happy' part.

"Are you okay, honey?" Her mother asked looking at her with buffy eyes and a red nose.

She nodded realizing she's panting, "Just a bad dream." She caught Liam giving her a questioning look and she slightly shrugged at him.

"Oh, well, I wish I would have told you it's all fine, but it is not." Her father said as angry as ever. She didn't make much effort in giving him a blank face; she was still getting over her dream.

"Your sister disappeared." Her mother said and started crying all over again.

Miley gave her the same look, but this time, she skipped to reality. She realized that this is going to be the longest day ever. All hell is breaking loose.

XxXx

"This can't be right!" Harry banged his fist on the big table they were currently sitting around in an immediate conference of the current issue. "What do you mean my wife just disappeared?"

"She is not your wife." Miley muttered rolling her eyes and was immediately met with three furious glares of Harry, her father and mother. "What? It's true!"

"You know something about it." Prince Harry pointed an accusing finger at her."

"Excuse me?" she stood up banging her hands on the table angrily.

"Keep calm you two." King Robbie screamed ending the little uprising moment. "We are here to discuss an urgent issue not to point accusing fingers."

"Excuse me sir," Liam spoke after cleaning his throat, "I think we should make an announcement to the people as soon as possible."

"Oh, brilliant. How come I didn't think of that, Liam? Only one issue here; what the hell am I telling them?"

Liam looked a little nervous knowing that a part of the King is blaming him for everything, however, he spoke again, "The Princess is sick."

"What?"

He looked unsure for a moment but only him and Miley realized it is an act, "While getting ready for the big day and all exited, a tragic thing took place as the Princess suddenly fell unconscious and the doctor was called. She can't get married today because there is a probability she has a rare disease, so, as soon as possible she is travelling to England to get checked and cured."

The whole place was silent for a while and hesitant stares were being aimed at Liam, so, Miley knew she had to step in,

"That sounds… convincing…"

"Do you really think people are going to believe that?" Prince Harry spat.

"Why wouldn't they?" Miley asked challengingly, "Why would we lie?"

"In case you didn't notice, you are lying."

"Enough!" King Robbie said firmly. "I find Liam's suggestion great."

"And what about me?" Harry insisted.

"The real question should be what about her." The King said and turned around leaving the room to go prepare for the announcement ordering Liam to follow him.

Now, every part of the plan was complete.

XxXx

In that brief second that Nick opened his door to allow his older brother in his room and closed it again, his father's voice roared through his ear like a thunderstorm of angry hungry tigers.

"Want to tell me something?" Kevin didn't have time for greetings.

Nick locked at him playing dumb and shrugged, "Like what?"

"Like what last night's journey was really about."

"Hunting I told you." He knitted his eyebrows, "And don't you have training camp? Why are you here?"

"Nick," Kevin took a deep breath, "I'm not going to tell dad, okay? You can trust me."

Nick side smiled, "You know I don't trust anyone, Kevin."

"But, I'm your brother."

"And he is my father." He pointed his head slightly to the door while spatting bitterly.

"And are you punishing me for his mistakes?"

"I'm not punishing anyone." He shrugged, "I just don't trust anyone."

"You trust Joe."

"Joe is… Joe."

"Nick, we used to be close."

"Used to be. Past tense, Kev."

"What changed?"

"You changed. You are another version of him, just in progress."

"Nick, I-"

"Save it. There is nothing to argue about here."

He nodded firmly, "Alright. Get ready then. We are leaving in fifteen."

"Leaving?"

"Yeah, you, me, dad and some soldiers."

"Where?"

"Demetriana. Didn't you know that Princess Demitria disappeared that exact same day your bother did?" He said with a hint of sarcasm and left the room.

His heart bounded hard in his chest. Well, he has to go. He can't miss this. He must be there and know how the situation evaluates. He can't count on Kevin or his father to tell him details. He has to be there himself.

Also, she is going to be there, so, for some reason he has to be there too. It didn't sound reasonable but on the other hand it seemed so natural that he needed to see her.

Was he really falling?

Wasn't it all just an act he made sure to do so Joe believes he is in love with her?

When did it become true then?

Did it even?

For a matter of fact, he was totally going to lock lips with her last night, but he chickened out. And the strangest thing is that it didn't feel weird for him…

So, yeah, he might have fallen for her.

Can he talk to her? That's most probable a no.

That's when it lit in his brain; write her a letter. He is supposedly good at this, he helped Joe numerous times writing Demi letters instead of Joe's dorky letters he wanted to send her.

And so, before they left, he quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and started writing. Feeling satisfied, he rolled it and hid it in his pocket determined to find a way to deliver it to her there.

What he didn't realize then, was that what he wrote her is probably even dorkier than what Joe ever wrote.

Meanwhile at the Demetriana castle, the King had around the same group of close people he had earlier for other discussions,

"People are upset." He started with his standard frown, "But, they indeed bought it."

A hum of approval ran around them before he cut it,

"Now, to the main problem, where is my daughter?"

Pure silence.

"The guard at the end of the forest was found unconscious too. And when he woke up, he said he heard two movements in two directions, but one was faint and one was louder… he followed the louder and then heard a horse running and then got hit on the head. Can anyone tell me what that means?"

Well, Miley could easily have the answer to that question and it will be very accurate, but of course she looked confused.

"That there was more than one of them." Taylor pointed out. Taylor was not supposed to be in the meeting but when she showed pure concern and since she was really close to them while growing up, the Queen told her all about it much to the King's disapproval.

"Exactly." He nodded, "Which means it is a kidnap." He seemed to like to believe it is a kidnap more than she ran away from the very first start.

"No, that doesn't prove anything. They may have been people who helped her run away." Harry disagreed; well he was being bitter about the whole thing. His pride was kicking in.

"Your honor," A soldier entered.

"I said no interruptions."

"Yes, sir, but, King Paul is here." He said kind of afraid, "He wants to meet you immediately."

And no longer than that, King Paul barged into the room with his group behind him.

Robbie Ray quickly stood up and met him half way, "You still haven't learnt manners, Paul."

"And you are still being a coward as ever, Ray."

"Are you here in my own castle insulting me?" he fired hatefully as everyone at the table stood up and gathered behind him making a perfect dramatic scene.

"It's well played, Robbie. Well played. But, show time is over now. I want my son."

At that point four of the attendants cursed mentally knowing what is to come next.

"What are you saying, Paul?"

"Is it a matter of coincidence when your daughter disappear the same night my son does? I know it is a silly game of yours." Gasps came from behind Robbie Ray as Paul accused and revealed a piece of information.

Robbie Ray mentally put two plus two together but he was not about to say that out loud in front of his worst enemies.

However, his wife couldn't keep herself, "You kidnapped my daughter!" she screamed at him.

"Tricia!" Robbie scolded.

"Me? If anything, I'm sure you're responsible for this. You want my Kingdom to fail so you push your precious daughter to trick my perfect boy and make him leave just like that."

"Yes, because I would push the announced future queen to trick your stupid of a son!" Robbie spat.

"You have another daughter who can take the throne while I don't." Paul screamed angrily.

Nick's jaw literally dropped as he looked at his father's back. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, everybody noticed and Robbie Ray decided to turn the tables around that point,

"Looks like you forgot someone," he nodded towards Nick sarcastically.

Paul turned around and looked at Nick annoyed, "What? You know you are not as qualified as Joe was."

"Dad, we are not here for this!" Kevin said also in a state of disbelief

He rolled his eyes and turned back to face Robbie who was still smirking, "Listen, Robbie, I swear to God if you didn't give me my King back-"

"Well, maybe it's because of you he left after all." Nick interrupted his father with a firing glare.

"Excuse me?"

"If I'm not qualified then I believe I shouldn't have come along." He said and turned around leaving the place.

"Nicholas! Come back here!" And by then Paul was boiling with anger and his face got red. He turned to Robbie Ray again who was watching amused, "Just give me my son back, Ray, or I promise you your precious kingdom will be nothing but history."

"Bring it, Paul."

"You're inviting war."

"With open arms, because I know very well that it's you who is behind all of this."

He gave a firm nod, "It's war, Robbie Ray." Then he turned around and left with his group behind him.

Robbie Ray turned around to face his company, "I want everyone out but the Queen, Miley and Liam." He ordered, "Now."

And they did, once there was no one but the four of them, the King furiously pushed Miley to the wall holding her neck tightly, "What do you know about this? And don't give me the shit of not knowing anything again!" he screamed at her as she looked at him in pure fear chocking form the pressure of his hand.

"Robbie, what are you doing?" Tricia panicked and tried pulling him away with the help of Liam.

"Sir, she is suffocating!"

And when he finally was pulled away from his daughter, she fell to the ground gasping for air while he kept yelling at her, "Speak! You and your stupid sister have caused enough trouble with your silly acts. Tell what you know, Destiny!"

"I know nothing." She cried as her mother knelt down to hug her and help her up.

"Quit lying!" he banged the table hard that it cracked.

"Sir, please calm down. She really knows nothing." Liam said.

"And how do you know that?" he fired.

"I was there the whole time. There was nothing."

"They clearly ran away together. The message, the pregnancy, and then now they both disappear! And you are trying to tell me nothing happened?"

"If it is Prince Joe then it was behind all of our backs, sir, because when we were out, I know nothing happened but having walks in the forest."

"Then when?" He screamed banging the table again then turned to Miley once again grabbing her form her collars, "Tell me what you know. You must know. She wouldn't have done anything without you knowing!" he then pushed her body away as her back made another contact with the wall.

"Miley!" her mother cried for her again and helped her up, "Go now, sweetie, go to your room now and I will handle your father."

"Nobody goes nowhere."

"Robbie, she clearly doesn't know. And Liam said neither of them had a clue. Stop hurting her and start thinking of the next step." She told him walking her daughter to the door.

She stepped outside looking for Selena or another trustable maid but she found none, "It's fine, mom, I'll go by myself."

"Okay, honey, don't be mad at your father, you understand the current situation."

She faintly nodded sniffling as she left the place crying and shaking, she couldn't believe her father would do that to her, he never hurt her by any means let alone physically.

Two doors away from her room she stopped as she thought she heard a sound. She looked around but saw nothing, when she was about to keep walking she heard he name being called faintly,

"Psst, Miley." She looked to her right at the door leading to the small room which is supposed to be a locker for some maids stuff and saw the shadow of a person behind that door. She walked over there and her eyes widened.

"Nick?"

She quickly looked around before entering when she was sure nobody was around. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you." He said then narrowed his eyes, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Father," she said getting teary again, "he almost killed me there. She said and briefly told him what happened.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" he asked concerned as he put a hand on her cheek.

She nodded and shrugged, "What about you? Your father was a complete bastard there." She said then her eyes widened at what she said, "Sorry, I meant-"

He gave a chuckle, "It's fine. He was." He confirmed, "And yeah, I'm fine. I actually took advantage of the situation to leave and wait for you somewhere."

"Why? Something happened?"

"I was meant to deliver you this somehow," he handed her the letter, "and I wanted to know how you are doing after last night." He felt stupid hearing those words coming out of his mouth.

But she seemed to not hear that last sentence as she took the letter from him, "Demi sent this?"

"Um, no, this is actually from me." He felt grateful that the place was dark because he was sure his embarrassment is written all over his face. "As I said, I wanted to make sure you're okay after last night…"

"That's nice of you," she smiled, "it's new."

He laughed, "Well, someone else has to take Joe's place now that he is gone."

She smiled and then remembered something, "Do you know that they announced war after you left?"

"What?"

"We are now at a state of war." She told him and gave him time to take it in, "I'm scared, Nick." She admitted.

He was still fazed; however, he wrapped his arms around her, "This is going to be a disaster."

She gave a sad faint laugh, "You were supposed to tell me it is going to be fine."

"Eventually, when they are all out of power to fight anymore, Joe and Demi will come back and it will be fine but that's after they have almost destroyed each other." He said honestly.

She knew he was right, their fathers really hate each other that much, "Is there any way we can stop this?"

"I don't know, Princess." He shook his head, "I really don't. But…"

"But what?"

"I promise you I will think of a solution." He promised, "Real fast."

"We can't face them, Nick." She said, "Not alone."

At this point, they heard a movement outside. They stopped talking and listened carefully until there was nothing anymore.

"It's very dangerous, you should go."

"Right, I'm already late."

"I'll check the place out for you," she said and when she opened the door and light crept in, she noticed what he was wearing for the first time, "Nice disguise by the way." He was wearing one of the Demetriana's cooks' customs.

She looked outside and found the hallway empty, she motioned for him to quickly get out and he followed her out.

"Thanks for this, I'll write you back." She waved the letter in her hand as he smiled, put on a hat, gave her a wave and quickly left.

Miley took in a deep breath as she saw him leaving, she didn't know why it occurred to him to do so, but she was thankful he waited to talk to her, because he showed up at a time when she really needed to talk to someone, and it helped that this someone turned out to be him.

She turned to walk the few steps to her room when she stopped in her track and widened her eyes.

Right at her room door, Taylor was standing with crossed arms over her chest, "Do you want to tell me something about my fiancé and your sister?"

A/N: that was a nasty aftermath, huh? What do you think will happen? War? or are they stopping this? And Nick is following his feelings finally lol :D So, tell me what you think :)