The Kings Obsession

[2.1] NOW

“No! Of course I haven’t left it. It’s a passport Ana, and we’re going to the airport, I’m not stupid,” I huffed, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder as I tugged my heavy suitcase down the stairs, “good God Anna,” I grunted, as I heaved it down another step, “will you stop being such a worry wort?”

“I can’t help it Kera, “ she whined over the phone, “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this, finally leaving this godforsaken country,” she sighed.

I chuckled at this, finally managing to pull my suitcase to base, sighing as I pushed my bushy wild locks from my face, “many would call Ashen the land of dreams,” I mocked, pulling the suitcase to my front door, “it’s only the richest country in the world.”

“Tell that to my flat ass,”

“Annalise!” I gasped over the phone.

“Oh I’m so sorry Kera, I totally forgot you grew up with royalty, thou highness who never curses,” she mocked over the phone.

“That part of my life is behind me, you know that,” I huffed rolling my eyes as I pushed the front door open. My eyes adjusted to the sun, setting on a yellow cab parked out front, my mother in a deep conversation with the cab driver.

“I know, I know. You don’t like talking about it,”Ana sighed, “god knows you need to-“

“On the contrary,” I huffed, “I will never need to even look at another article on the royal family the moment my ass is on that plane,” I snapped back, “the cabs already here Ana, I’ll send you his details for safety measures of course, and then we will meet at the airport.”

“Kera c’mon, you know I didn’t mean-” she whined as I cut the call with a hard breath, shutting my eyes to regain composure. It lasted a moment before I dragged my suitcase toward the cab, handing my it to the cab driver.

I turned back to my mother.

She stood in our driveway, her wild kinky locks a direct imitation of mine, still dressed in her morning bathrobe, and flip flops. Her face looked bright but I could still see the sadness in her eyes, one that had never left since He died.

I let out a shallow breath as she opened her arms for me with a small smile. Shaking my head but keeping up a smile of my own, I waddled into it, taking in her full scent.

Seems like she was fresh out of the shower.

Her fingers latched onto my thick tangly locks as she stroked my hair, a chuckle rumbling through her body and echoing through mine, “you’re never going to tame this are you?” She huffed.

I rolled my eyes but still with a silly smile on, “you know my hair is basically as untamable as a wildfire,” I grinned.

She chuckled, “oh I do know actually,” she grinned, “I remember taking you to every salon I could think of and none of ‘em could tame it for long,” she shivered, “those were the dark days.”

I smiled at this, pulling away from her slightly, holding her at arms length, a glossy shade of tears in my eyes, my voice a hoarse whisper, “mom, y-you should come with me, start a new life somewhere far.. far away from here,” I stressed my tone low enough for only her to hear.

Her smile faltered a little but she rubbed my arms shaking her head, “I could never leave him.” She whispered lowly.

“H-he’s dead.” I managed to utter my tone skipping. There was nothing, and no one here left for her.

Mom nodded, “yes, but here is the only place I can still feel him..” she trailed off, her hands cupping my face, “and I know you my dearest Kerakanji,” she breathed, “you’re just running away- away from everything. It’s my fault I know, and I will forever beg for your forgiveness,” she gulped, her hands trailing down to mine, holding them both, squeezing tightly , “but running away won’t make it hurt less-“

I gulped at this, nodding- my throat dry. I didn’t want to talk about it but I would respect her decision. 3 months of begging didn’t change her mind and she wouldn’t be changing it anytime soon.

Leaning forward, I laid a kiss on her cheek, “I’ll call you when I land,” I replied.

Her eyes echoed her sadness but she nodded, as I opened the car door, “oh and Vezuela will be in by 9,” I added, glancing at her, my eyes stayed on her frame, trying to recapture her in my mind, “take care mom, and please, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

She grinned, “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I know Vezuela will make sure I never lift a finger is she has any say to it.”

I chuckled, yes, the little cleaning lady did her job well.

My eyes shifted down to the open seat of the taxi waiting for me, before my gaze suddenly snapped back to my mom engulfing her in a big hug, causing her move back slightly, chuckling, “I love you mom and I want you to know, I don’t blame you.” I wispered lowly.

She paused at this, sighing in as she hugged me tighter, “I love you too my little peanut, till the sun rises in the west”

“And sets in the east.” I finished, pulling away from her. We finally said our goodbyes and I tumbled into the taxi.

Waving to her as the cab driver pulled out of the driveway, I kept my eyes on her until we drove out of sight, making our way to the highway.

I sighed checking my phone.

Finding a few messages from Ana, an update- she had just docked at the airport.

Illa’s message came beeping after, a photo of her in her kitchen making sure we would come to the best dinner of our lives.

Anna and Illa were my very best friends. 3 years ago, Illa moved to Canis, the country across the sea ruled by the old aged King and Queen kiethton. Canis was best known for being the worlds most artistic nation, rich for its promotion of creativity.

I got a job for culinary arts. My dream was to become a world famous chef, and I was going to be an apprentice at one of the most prestigious restaurants.

Anna was moving for her modeling gigs and Illa couldn’t be happier to have us stay at her apartment for the next 6 months.

I had a feeling we would have an absolute blast.

The 3 of us, together at last, in the capital of the most artistic country in the world.

I smiled down at the picture.

[can’t wait to taste it] I texted back, before slipping on some headsets, leaning back in my seat. It would be forty minute ride to the airport with all the traffic.

My eyes landed on a magazine, folded neatly into the front seat pocket before me. I pulled it out, my gaze settling on the headline.

[NEWLY THRONED KING ARCHER AND HIS BETROTHED, PRINCESS AVEL GARTHOK OF KASQUIRE’s NEWEST WEDDING UPDATES]

I rolled my eyes at this, scoffing out loud.

“I know how you feel, little lady,” the cab driver chuckled, eyes peering down at me from the front mirror, “the dang idiots can’t stop squabbling about the damn royal wedding,” he huffed, “it’s all they talk about in the news these days. Our young King and his betrothed,” he grunted.

“Tell me about it,” I muttered.

The wedding was still 3 months away but all of Ashen’s tabloids were filled with supposed wedding updates. My eyes trailed down to the picture, my heart holding a beat.

“I don’t mind weddings ma’am, the King may be young but he has proven that he has a good head on his shoulders. Good looks and Brains, just like his father,” the cab driver continued, “god rest King Williams soul, however that younger prince is god knows where, hiding under every young maidens skirt, throwing lavish parties the little rascal. With my tax dollars?” He heaved as he pulled onto the highway.

I chuckled at this, shaking my head as my eyes settled back on the Kings photo.

Archer was definitely the youngest King in Ashen’s History at 24. His dark hair was still the length I last remembered, still the heartthrob that broke all the girls hearts with those rare blue eyes, standing at an intimidating height.

Memories flashed in my mind I immediately stopped, my eyes trailing to Princess Avel. I had met her before in the flesh, and the pictures didn’t do her justice. She had soft brown eyes and dark hair. Her crown was rested neatly on her head, one that she wore with pride.

I flipped the page over, my hands suddenly shaking as I read through their wedding updates. It would take place at the Royal Cathedral in the Capital, where all Ashens royal weddings took place.

I was definitely going to hear about it when it happened, no matter how far away I was from Ashen. It was basically the biggest royal wedding of the century.

It was going to be televised in every country, in every restaurant, bar, hotel room-

My fingers tightened against the magazine almost crumpling it up when my phone vibrated-

I pulled it out, a text from Ana asking if I was almost there- I was about to reply when the car suddenly jutted forward, the sound of air whistling out of a tight space reaching my ears.

My mouth dropped, “is-is that a flat tire?” I asked worriedly.

The Cab driver, a round short aged man paused, looking out the window. He cursed beneath his breath, before opening the car door, examining the damage whilst I peaked out.

He looked at me apologetically, “it is ma’am, just requires a quick change, won’t take a minute” he explained with a jolly confident grin.

I watched him for a second, but nodded as he disappeared around the car, only for a bright array of curses streamed in a pretty bouquet to follow.

“Is there something wrong?!” I called out.

His jolly head peeped out, “uh- nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry ma’am, I’ll make sure you won’t miss your flight.”

He seemed to take something from the trunk moving forward to change the tire, “it’s like I ran over a metal porcupine,” he grunted beneath his breath, “how are there so many holes?”

At the sound of this, I got out of the car, assessing the damage. Flat? More like something ripped the tire open, how could it have deflated that quickly?

“Sir.. are you sure you’ll make it in time? My flight leaves in an hour,” I cautioned.

“Don’t worry your sweet little mind, my dear, we will be off in a jiffy. Just let me get under here,” he huffed as he jerked up the car.

I watched his efforts with a sigh, checking the time.

Grunting in disbelief at my luck, I massaged my growing headache as I walked to the side of the road, watching a few cars pass by-

The old man cursed beneath his breath as something fell.

I shut my eyes, shaking my head. Yeah, I may have to hitch another ride.

I looked down at my phone, checking if they were any other cabs in the area, not paying much attention to a sleek big black car that pulled up right in-front of me, only looking up at when it’s polished sides shined against the sun rays, almost blinding me.

The doors opened and two smartly dressed men got out whilst I took a few steps back startled…

“Uh.. sir?!” I called back to the cab driver, my heart beating as I stepped back further.

“Almost done darling! Give me a sec.”

“Are you Miss KeraKanji Lubono?” One of the smartly suited men asked, completely mispronunciating my last name.

My eyes shifted to their breast pocket, catching site of the hidden logo of the royal palace- my heart skipping a beat.

This was the R.S.S (Royal Secret Service).

“No,” I replied firmly, trying to keep my panic under wraps.

They stared back at me for a hot second. Though I couldn’t see their eyes through their dark shades, I could still feel their burning gazes through it.

A buzz came from one of their earpieces, as the guy tapped it, “yes sir,” he stated, before turning slightly to his counter part, “her identity has been confirmed.”

My heart raced at this stepping back as the other man took a step forward calmly, placing his hands beneath his back, “Miss Lubuno, you can either step in quietly,” he began as his counter part opened the door to his black car, “or..” he took out a handkerchief from his pocket dusting it before retaking his polished stance as I shook my head slowly.

“Sir!” I called back to the taxi driver.

“Hang on my lil’ lady, almost got it,” he huffed as he pulled at something.

I gulped never losing eye contact with the two looming big guys.

“Screw it,” I grunted, taking off at high speed, down the road I bolted.

“We got a runner,” I heard one say.

Soon enough heavy footsteps followed behind me as I screamed my lungs out. In no time, large arms wrapped around my flailing arms, turning me round in in mid air as I screamed, a handkerchief placed on my nose, restricting my breathing as my vision became blurry, my eyes setting on the now finished cab driver who stood staring dumb founded at the unexpected commotion.

“M-Ma-am?” He stuttered out as I tried to keep his figure steady, my body feeling drowsy as my weak figure was lifted up in big arms, walking back to the black car.

“Y-you j-just can’t take-“ the cab driver was stuttering out-

“Sir, please step back. We are the R.S.S. and this is Official Royal Business, you will be compensated accordingly as stated by section 203 of the Constitution,” were the last words I heard before slipping out into the darkness.

——————————————————-

“Ugh” I groaned, waking up to a throbbing headache.

My vision was still blurry when I opened my eyes, staring into a wide painted ceiling of arch angels, my eyebrows arching.

My phone vibrated as I groaned at the sound, taking it out of my pocket. My eyebrows drawing further as I sat up, opening it to what seemed like a hundred missed calls and a thousand messages, from both Illa, mom and Ana.

Messages like:

Where on earth are you?

Your cab didn’t show up!

Pick up the phone goddamit!

Kera pick up the phone, Annalise is blowing my phone up saying you’re not at Airport and are about to miss your flight?!

I’m so serious right now where the heck are you?!

I’m very worried, your cab driver said you were abducted by the RSS?

Sweetheart please pick up the phone!

Where have they taken you?!

I read all this with a pounding heart as the memories returned, my eyes immediately taking in my familiar surrounding, shaking my head, a panic setting within me.

I couldn’t be back here, I promised I would NEVER be back here.

I stumbled out of bed, almost falling, scrambling to the large balcony pushing the doors open as I walked forward heart pounding.

Staring out at the night sky, my eyes landed on the familiar green estate that spanned as far as the eye could see.

“No! God no! ” I gasped, my heart thumping harshly. I was back, back at Grandiuer Palace. Home to-

My heart stopped at the sound of the door opening from behind me. Steady footsteps across the perfectly polished tiles echoing as I held my breath, the sound stopping a little ways in.

“Welcome back, Kera-“

Tears filled my eyes at the sound of that voice.

“Archer.” I breathed.