Thank you everyone for being patient and encouraging me to continue this story. I hope you enjoy this next chapter. And as always please leave a review, thank you all!
"What do you want to do" Hans asked?
"Nothing for now" Rupert replied.
"Alex seems okay, scared but okay" Hans informed him.
"Yes" Rupert replied simply.
"Her Majesty is in route to America. The pilot checked in and all is well" Hans stated wanting to keep the King up to date.
"I'm losing her Hans. I fear that all of this is too much for her to handle and what if when she returns, she moves out" Rupert said expressing his fear and emotions to his HOS, not HOS, his friend.
"You cannot let her do that" Hans insisted.
"I have to get Antoinette out of this Palace but how without her exposing to everyone that I am Alex's father" Rupert said frustrated.
"You may not like my suggestion" Hans said "but, this may be the only way."
Across the Palace….
"We're happy to have you home" Pierre said as he led Alex to the couch.
Alex hugged him tighter but didn't speak.
Sitting on the couch, Pierre looked up at Antoinette and Helena before asking, "can I speak with him alone for a few minutes?"
The two women agreed, Antoinette reluctantly and stepped into the bedroom.
"Alex…." Pierre began but stopped speaking when Alex looked at him and handed him a paper from his pants pocket.
Pierre opened the paper. "See how easy this was, no one got hurt and everyone is where they should be. Do as we say, and all will be well."
"Who gave this to you" Pierre asked nervously?
"A man" Alex said honestly.
"Do you know him" Pierre asked hoping to get a clue?
"No" Alex admitted.
"Did anyone hurt you" Pierre asked concerned?
"No. The woman was nice but I…I didn't like being there" Alex said his eyes tearing up.
Pierre hugged him to comfort him.
Security Hub….
Frustrated with no leads Joseph slammed his office door and fought to not scream every profanity he could think of. A knock on his door made him breathe before stating, "come in."
Shades walked in and asked, "you alright boss?"
"I would be better if we had a lead. They are two steps ahead of us every time. What am I missing" Joe asked?
"We know someone in the inside is working with them we just don't know who it is. And don't you find it interesting that there was no threat of any kind with Her Majesty leaving" Shades stated.
"I think whoever is behind this is happy she's gone. Their focus isn't Rupert and Clarisse, they were pawns in this. The real target is Pierre. They want him in control, they want him to marry Antoinette, they have plans for him. We need to solve this now" Joe said frustrated.
Shades nodded his head in agreement.
"The driver says when he got to the place, Alex was outside with a sign around him with his name on it. I think whoever put Alex there was nearby watching. We need access to those security cameras all around that area" Joe insisted.
"I'll get right on it" Shades replied determined to help Joe solve this.
"Please have the Commander come in, I need a word with him" Joe requested.
Shades exited the office and got the Commander.
The Commander walked in, shutting the door.
"We have a problem" Joe said to the point.
"What now" The Commander asked?
"Pierre, he's been in contact with the Kidnapper" Joe said certain.
"Why would he keep that from us" The Commander asked confused?
"To bring Alex home and it worked" Joe replied.
"That was a mistake on his part. Once you do what they say nothing will stop them from asking for something else" The Commander insisted.
"Exactly. Now I'm worried. We must solve this. We can't wait until they ask him for something because that will only hurt the Monarchy and Genovia" Joe said with concern.
Mabrey Estate…
"What brings you by old friend" Arthur asked Henry as he walked in alone?
"We need to talk" Henry replied seriously.
"Follow me" Arthur said as he led Henry to the living room where he poured them both a drink.
They sat down.
"Alex was kidnapped and is now back at the Palace conveniently right after Pierre and Antoinette engagement was announced" Henry said as he looked at Arthur in the eyes, taking a gulp of his drink as he did so.
"An engagement, yes, I heard. I agree it is coincidental" Arthur replied as he took a gulp of his drink without blinking or giving away any emotion.
"I know you did this" Henry challenged him not wanting to waste any more time.
"You know nothing, but you suspect I did it because who else, right? Let me tell you something Henry, your brother has done nothing but make enemies since he became King" Arthur said angrily.
"Including you, isn't that right old friend" Henry asked angrily?
"Yes! Your brother should never have been King! He is an embarrassment" Arthur lashed out.
"My brother is your King; I would suggest you remember that when you speak of him" Henry snapped angrily.
Arthur looked enraged as he lost his temper stating, "do not tell me that you are now on his side!"
"There are no sides! When will you accept that! He won! It doesn't matter what you do, nothing will change that" Henry said losing his temper as well. He could not believe that Arthur was still hanging onto dreams that had long passed.
"That is where you are wrong. You gave up but I have not, and I will not" Arthur said adamantly.
"That is why you will never be happy Arthur. All of this hate you have. And for what? Look around, the people don't want change, they like this Monarchy, they fall over themselves for a look, a smile, a wave from Clarisse and the Prince's. They are everything the people want. Rupert is…. the one born into nobility and has the bloodline of royals, nothing else. He is nothing without her, without them" Henry said as he finished his drink and stood up to leave. He didn't want to talk or hear any more nonsense.
"That we agree on" Arthur replied suddenly calmly.
Henry looked at him and warned, "you hurt my nephews and we are going to have a problem."
Arthur sat back and smiled stating, "I have no intention of hurting them. I too am a fan of the Prince's, specifically the Crown Prince."
Henry felt his anger rise again, "that includes Alex he is off limits" before storming out.
Arthur smiled evilly as he thought, oh dear friend, this is only the beginning.