Little Of Loure II

7 - Just Rumours

The three made their way up the steps of the front door before Lincoln placed the bags on the ground and removed the keys from his pockets to open the door.

Abby had a small smile on her lips as she stared down at the flowers that Lincoln had bought her. There was also a bag filled with seeds and gardening tools so that they could plant it at the back of the house in the garden. She really loved the flower shop but she knew she couldn't go back there anytime soon so she made sure to get everything she needed before they had to leave.

Every store they entered garnered the same reaction as they did in the convenience store. People were shocked to see a human but kept to themselves about it.

Lincoln did notice however that since they left Isaac's store, Dylan had been awfully quite and seemed to be distracted. He merely bumped into a few people and Abby had to be the one to pull him back to earth several times. When asked what seeds they should plant, he barely responded her and just nodded for every suggestion before going back into a distracted mood.

When they entered the house, Lincoln placed the bags on the dining table and removed his shoes.

'Abby go wash your hands and legs.' Lincoln said and went into the kitchen. He wasn't always such a germaphobe but he was prejudice against places where cleanliness wasn't prioritized. He didn't want Abby to get sick from any bug that was in the village.

When Abby was out of ear sight, Lincoln turned to Dylan who sat unmoving on the couch.

'What's with you?' Lincoln asked with his hands crossed.

Dylan was silent for a few minutes before he realized that Lincoln was talking to him.

'You haven't spoken a word since we left that store. And you're all blurry and in the clouds.' Lincoln said and sat opposite the sofa Dylan was on.

'My parents are looking for me.' Dylan said, his eyes stayed on the floor. He didn't know how Lincoln would react to the fact.

The prince wasn't happy about it. But it wasn't something he could just brush over. Of course, the Folley's would be looking for their only son.

'Magazines were most likely exaggerating it.' he said, trying to downplay the situation.

'I need to talk to them. I need to let them know I'm safe.' Dylan ran his hands on his face in frustration.

'I can't let you do that.'

'Lincoln, I can't have my mother worry for much longer.'

'I can't risk them finding out where we are. It's too dangerous.'

'Do you honestly think I would put you and Abby in danger like that?'

'I don't know, you'd spy on us and report our business back to your scheming family.' Lincoln sneered.

'How many times do I have to explain this to you? I didn't know what was going on I would never do anything that would harm you and Abby.' Dylan grunted. He had tried to tell Lincoln the truth but it seemed that Lincoln just wasn't buying it.

'Even if you don't reveal our location I'm positive they will be tracking the call.'

Dylan sighed out frustratingly. Lincoln was right. His family is smart and he was sure they've got the best possible team looking for Dylan right this current moment.

'What can I do to win back your trust?' Dylan finally said after a long pause between the two.

'Just do as I say while we're here. I don't have the energy to fight you on the smallest things right now' Lincoln said and picked up the book on the side table before starting from where he left off previously.

'Daddy, can we go plant the seeds now?' Abby came running in with the seed packet and watering cans they bought from the store.

'I'm quite tired, sweetie. In a bit, okay.'

'I meant Deedee.' Abby said sheepishly which made Dylan let out a small chuckle and Lincoln roll his eyes.

'Come on, let's go.' he stood up and walked to her before lifting her into his arms.

'What flower did you get, baby?'

Lincoln tune their voices out and returns his attention back to his book. His brain wasn't registering any of the work however and for the thousandth time since they arrived here, he started thinking over their situation.

How are things back home? Will they ever get to leave this dreaded place? Will Abby be taken from him?

All these questions flooded his mind and he could only imagine the worst-case scenarios. He didn't care if they had to stay here forever. As long as Abby gets to stay with him. She is the most important thing to him right now. He would give up everything for her.

And Dylan. Lincoln didn't know what to do with him. He still had a lot of anger for him but he couldn't deny the fact that Dylan does seem genuinely apologetic about agreeing to help his mother with spying on Lincoln. And to be fair, Dylan agreed to it before they were ever a thing. So he knew he couldn't completely blame him. But Lincoln was just so frustrated with the situation that he needed to point the finger at somebody.

It was aggravating because he really did have feelings for Dylan. On the day of the Winter Ball, Lincoln was planning to make things official and ask Dylan to be his boyfriend. He imagined the night to go smoothly after he had dealt with Will and he would bring Dylan into the castle gardens and asked him there with Abby.

But alas, his luck always seemed to run thin.

Sighing deeply, Lincoln shut the book and threw his head back, closing his eyes. He sent a silent prayer that Emanuel is making progress back home.

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'Madam Folley has arrived, sire.' Paul announced as Emanuel flipped through the files on his desk.

'Bring her in' Emanuel said and quickly tidy up his desk.

After a few minutes, Eden walked in followed by Paul who then shut the door behind her.

'Good evening, Eden.'

'Emanuel, good evening.' she said with a small smile. She was dressed in all designer and she looked expensive. Her shoes clicked on the marble flooring creating a satisfying sound behind her. However as beautiful she looked, her face mirrored one of worry and hurt.

'Have a seat. I'm sure it was a long ride here. Bloodwine?' Emanuel stood up and joined her on the couch.

'My mind was busy, so it didn't feel that long. And no, I'm not in the mood for drinks.' Eden said, again with a half-hearted smile.

Emanuel didn't reply and simply went over to the bar and made himself a drink. He had called Eden over to discuss the matter at hand. To Eden, she was visiting regarding the disappearance of her son which they both knew was related to Lincoln. Emanuel was wondering If he could get her to spill on their plans with Lincoln but he had to make sure to keep everything under control and not ask any suspicious questions.

'How have your family been holding up? Dylan is the heir to the Folley Foundation I'm sure many of you must be extremely troubled.' Emanuel started the conversation.

'Yes. He is well-loved in our family. Everyone is doing their best to find him.' Eden replied, watching Emanuel make the drink.

'I apologize, Eden. I know the main suspect here is my cousin and I'm truly sorry for all the trouble he has caused you.' Emanuel said. Of course, he didn't really mean it since he was a part of the plan. But he had to gain Eden's trust.

'It's not your fault, Emanuel. We both know Lincoln is troubled. I'm just disappointed at myself that I allow my son to get close to him.'

'Right, that may be my fault too. I wouldn't have assigned Dylan to treat Lincoln if I knew this would happen. Although, given history, Dylan was the only doctor Lincoln didn't completely despise.' Emanuel smirked.

Eden gave another small smile at Emanuel's attempt at a joke and waited for him to finish making the drink before walking over and joining her on the couch at the opposite end.

'Right, so I've contacted my best team-'

'Please tell me you've found something.' she interrupted, unable to keep her eagerness. Her voice was shaky from the thought of her beloved son in danger.

'Unfortunately, they seem to have fallen off the face of the earth. I'm getting my men to look into some human villages. I don't think Lincoln is smart enough to pull off hiding in one of those but it's worth checking.' Emanuel ignored the fact that he was interrupted being slightly annoyed by it but considering the situation, he understood her avidity.

'Oh god, I hope Dylan is okay. Do you think he would hurt him?' Eden asked worriedly.

'Normally I wouldn't put it past Lincoln to use force during difficult situations. But I've seen them together and I think he has taken a liking to your son.' Emanuel said and took a sip of his drink.

'Lincoln would never hurt the people he loves.'

Eden scrunched her brows and scoffed.

'You don't truly believe they love each other. Dylan just got out of a 9-year relationship with another man, Lincoln is merely a rebound. And I'm sure with Lincoln's track record with his countless flings...'Eden said and rolled her eyes annoyingly at the thought of the two being in love.

'I am unsure of Dylan's intentions but Lincoln's are pretty clear. So you don't have to worry about him being of any danger to your son.' Emanuel took a sip of his blood.

'I just need to find them quickly.' Eden softened her voice and looked away.

'I'm doing everything I can to locate them.'

'Maybe we should just send out a nationwide alert. That the prince has captured Dylan. That would be a quicker way to get both of them back.' Eden quickly said, giving Emanuel a persistent look.

'I'm afraid I can't let that happen, Eden. That would create panic and people will turn on their prince. We have done a great job at ensuring Lincoln's deranged ways do not get out to the public, I'd hate to throw all that hard work away.' Emanuel said, remaining calm.

He knew what Eden was trying to do throwing out a suggestion as ridiculous as that. Sending out an alert will cause the people to view Lincoln in a way they've never before. They might feel betrayed and angry and it could lead to a demand for an arrest.

With enough people demanding an arrest the councilmen would have to take their request into action and the king will not have a say in it. It is the one thing that the people have power over more than the king.

Eden is aiming for that. Emanuel is the only one that can protect Lincoln. She needed to eliminate his power to do so.

'It's our only hope, Emanuel. It's been a week. Who knows how long they would be gone. If they are even coming back. We need people out there looking for them.'

'Elite Publishing' has released an issue with Dylan's disappearance on their front cover. I'm sure those papers are all over the country. That should buy us some help.' Emanuel said. He had requested for the publishing company for the magazines to do a front-page cover of the situation. 

'You and I both know that nobody believes that magazine. People are taking it as a rumor right now. Nobody is taking it seriously. We must go to the news where facts are being presented.' Eden was getting frustrated and her brows were starting to crease.

'May I remind you that we don't know for sure that Lincoln is behind it. I will not allow you to publish fake news on tv and cause panic amongst people.' 

'We can't just sit by and do nothing, Emanual.' Eden raised her voice slightly in frustration.

'I understand your gripes with Lincoln given his past but we must approach this with caution. Releasing such information will also attract unwanted attention that may bring danger. They are both not only elites but have very powerful titles to their names. There are a lot of people who would love to go after them. And they wouldn't have security to protect them if that does happen.' 

Eden let out a breath and slumped forward at Emanuel's words. He was right. There are people who would jump at the opportunity to go after the prince and the Folley heir if they found out the two were roaming around the country with no supervision or armed security.

'I ask you to please trust me on this. Until then, no word on this to any o the news. We must keep things as quiet as possible.' he said, earning him a disapproving look from the madam.

'Fine. I trust you. But I will only wait a month at most. If my Dylan isn't home by then, I am going to the news.' Eden said and stood up to leave.