Oliver did not fail to make his entrance grand as he stepped into the palace. But the gloominess and worry that encamped it discouraged him. It irked him rather, as when he stepped into the palace's courtyard, the faces of all the servants that passed by him were etched with distinct worried expressions. Deep down inside of him, a bile of anger rose up at the fact that Adonis had barely stayed in the palace since he bore the title of a prince, yet they were all worried about his disappearance. When, in all his life stayed living in the palace, he’d only been served, but never worried about. It had caused his hatred for all the servants that the only way he consoled his bruised ego was the thought that they were below him. Slaves. But then, seeing them all concerned about Adonis and having the audacity to greet him with their flaccid expressions, he became green with envy as he made his way towards the direction of the main hall.Adonis had not only stolen his throne from him, but his
An erratic screeching was the first to welcome her back to consciousness. Valerie's head pounded with a brain-splitting headache as her eyes slowly peered open, allowing rays of glistening light to seep in through the almost open eyelids that almost blinded her. Her eyes squinted, and her head was still so fuzzy that she could barely make out anything from the distorting image of the surroundings about her. Only the fact that a light bulb remained above her head, blaring its light on her.When her eyes began to adjust to her dim surrounding, and her head less fuzzy, she discovered that she had been tied to a metallic chair, on both hands and legs, and the most she could do was struggle and fail to unbind herself. As her memory of the time before she fainted came back to her, her disposition became more agitated. Witnessing Adonis being beaten up and then being caught at the end from her clumsiness—it all came back to her. It was obvious to her that she was in the room she had been pe
“…There is a much created disturbance in the heart of the citizens since the news of the newly revealed Prince's disappearance, ” Disgusted that even after he’d changed the station five times, the news that Adonis had disappeared was like the topic of discussion for the whole radio channels, Oliver turned off his car's radio. He undid the tie he had on his neck as it seemed to add to his frustration, driving through the road that led to his destination. When he got to the outer end of the secluded road, he parked and alighted from the vehicle. After a short, cautious surveying glance about the whole neighborhood just to make sure he was not followed, Oliver went on, concluding the fact the he wasn’t.As he made his way into the bushes with eagerness to see the uninvited guest in his lair, the guards that had him followed stepped out of their car, one of them observing his movement with a binocular. It was unknown to Oliver that he had indeed been followed, and he could not have sight
Fear descended upon Oliver like a foggy blanket, a kind of fear that made him tremble. One he had never experienced before. Because of his panicking state, his mind was unable to think past how it was possible that his lair was found and how he would escape being caught. The only person he was aware of her finding out about his lair was Valerie, who was still tied up to a chair behind him, and he was certain that he hadn’t been followed. So his suspicion was dwelt on the fact that if Valerie had not called Jesse to relay her discovery before she was caught, then he definitely had someone as a mole in the thugs he’d hired. But there was no time to confirm that, as the police sirens that indicated the presence of the police blared from above the sewer, and the thudding of boots reverberated round the room. Most of the thugs were already in the room, panicking as he did, an were scared of being caught, and when Oliver snapped out of his frantic reverie, he bolted towards the other sid
“He's still on the loose,” Jesse informed Valerie as they stood in wait in the hallway foe when the doctor would come out and tell them that Adonis was now stable for them to see him, because it had already taken hours. “But I promise, we will find him. He couldn’t have gone so far, so when we do catch him, he will pay for his sins,” Valerie nodded in acknowledgement, although she did not desire to talk much about Oliver, because the thought of him still sent shivers down her spine, and she sat onto the waiting bench. “Thank you,” she uttered as her gaze raised up at Jesse, sincerity laced in them. “Really, I mean it. You do a lot for Adonis and I’m sure he would be so grateful.” She had gotten to know, as she wasn’t aware before, that Jesse was his right hand man. And she had also recognized him the time he’d come over to her through the lobby to check up on both Adonis and her as the man who had saved them from an attack they got into several weeks ago. She could never forget his
The news of Oliver's capture, as well as the apprehension of the thugs he’d hired, spread so quickly around the country as a wildfire than any other news that the country had been hit with since the beginning of that week, and people from different parts of the country trooped into the palace to witness the judgement that would be placed on him. Nobles. Journalists. And practically every person that had been pricked by the news came to relieve their curiosity. They wanted to see the wicked Prince that had tried killing his stepbrother, the crown Prince, over jealousy and revenge.The people that looked up to him were disappointed at his actions. While some others who knew his egoistic pride and hated him for it saw his apprehension as a way of karma treating him back in his own coin. Some of these people even joined to witness his humiliation.Oliver was being treated as less of a prince and more of a criminal, that, when he was brought up into the meeting hall where he had been summo
Upon all that had happened during just a week in the country, the King still laid in a peaceful slumber on his hospital bed, receiving multiple treatments to sustain his life on a daily basis. According to the doctor’s diagnosis, he had suffered a chronic cardiac arrest, and he needed enough medical attention, else his life would be as good as gone. A lot of effort was put into recuperating the king by the doctors, as they were not a bit ready to lose their king yet, plus the pressure mounted upon them by the queen Sophie who sometimes visited the King to keep him company. Some of the royal elders appointed to occasionally pay the King visits at the hospital decided once again to pay the king a visit and check up on his health progress, before they would break the news of all that had been happening in his absence to him. But as they met him fast asleep on the bed, with a drip tube inserted in his skin and an ECG monitor reading his heart rate on a normal pulse, they decided it best
“…make sure he abstains from greasy foods, spicy foods, and any strenuous activity that would pose a threat to his health, ” uttered the man in a white lab coat—the doctor—to Valerie as she sat on the chair opposite him, paying rapt attention to every word he spoke.Days had passed since Adonis had been admitted into the hospital for treatment, and as he was much better and recuperated, he was free to be discharged. Hence, the doctor stated to Valerie all she needed to make Adonis abstain from for a perfect health balance.“Sure, doctor,” Valerie replied with a nod. And as the doctor continued stating the long, boring list of things Adonis needed to drop, things that would pose as a threat to his health’s stability, things Valerie was affirmed within herself that he would be able to let go of, she bobbed his head at the doctor's every sentence, hurling a positive, docile reply. “And, “ the doctor leaned onto the furnished wooden table before him, peering at Valerie through the thick
Meanwhile, in the palace, the elders sat in somber silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for their prince’s return. Jesse's watch seemed to tick louder with every passing second, a constant reminder of Adonis's absence. They all shared the same unspoken hope that Adonis would return safely, that his plan had succeeded.Suddenly, the room was jolted by the abrupt entrance of an excited messenger, who burst into the chamber with breathless urgency. "The prince is back!" the messenger exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.Without hesitation, the elders and Jesse rushed outside, their faces alight with anticipation. Their hearts swelled with relief and joy as they laid eyes on Adonis and Valerie, who walked toward the palace in a regal and triumphant manner. Adonis, his presence commanding, strode majestically with Valerie by his side, a living testament to the successful rescue.Jesse approached them, his relief was obvious as he greeted the prince with a deep bow. Adon
Adonis clenched his fists, his anger boiling over as he continued to listen to Oliver's sinister demands. "You heartless bastard!" he spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. "What do you want with my wife? She's innocent in all of this and you know it! This is not necessary at all!"Oliver's voice remained chillingly composed as he replied, "Adonis, your wife's fate is in your hands. All your protests and shouts won't change a thing. H\You know what you need to do but I will be a darling and just repeat them for you: step down from your position as the heir to the throne. Then, prepare an official statement, one that will be signed by the kingmakers and the tribunal. And this time, that is not all that you will do, let me add one more that I have not added before, Adonis, you will deliver this statement to me in person, and only you should come with it."Adonis attempted to reason with Oliver, his mind racing for alternatives, but before he could make any headway
The next day, as Adonis stood at the crime scene, frustration and weariness washed over him. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, burdening him with unanswered questions. He recalled the call he had received from Oliver during his joyous wedding party, the moment when everything had taken a dark turn.He turned to the acting commissioner, his eyes burning with determination and anger. "Why wasn't I informed about Oliver's escape?" Adonis demanded, his voice filled with frustration. "I trusted you to keep this city safe, to keep my loved ones safe!"The acting commissioner sighed heavily, his gaze filled with remorse. "Your highness, I didn't want to ruin the joyous atmosphere of your wedding day," he admitted. "The truth is, the police station was attacked, and Oliver managed to escape yet again. We kept it from you to preserve the happiness of the moment and also due to the fact that it was just so hard to tell especially since its not his first time."Adonis
Heril's eyes remained widened in disbelief even when Adonis confirmed what he had just said. He couldn't fathom that his little sister was engaged to the Prince of the city. It all felt surreal, like a dream."Valerie, is this true?" Heril asked, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.Valerie nodded, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "Yes, Heril. Adonis and I are engaged, you still think that I could never get such a man?"Adonis decided to show Heril the depth of their connection. With a gentle smile, he approached Valerie, his eyes locked onto Heril's. He embraced Valerie tenderly, pulling her close to him. It was a silent but powerful gesture that spoke volumes. Adonis was staking his claim, declaring his love for Valerie in front of her brother.As they stood there in that heartfelt embrace, Heril's initial shock began to give way to a sense of acceptance, and perhaps even happiness for his sister. Adonis even went further to gently ra
As they made their way back to the palace, Adonis decided to contact his lawyer to inform him about Oliver's capture and discuss rescheduling his case.He dialed the lawyer's number and, after a few rings, the lawyer answered."Hello," the lawyer said.Adonis replied, "Hello, it's Adonis. I wanted to let you know that Oliver has been apprehended, so we need to reschedule my case as soon as possible."The lawyer, however, had some news that Adonis wasn't entirely pleased with. "I understand your urgency, Adonis, but the city currently has a backlog of cases, and it might take some time before we can secure a new date for your hearing."Adonis, slightly frustrated, responded, "you’re saying that even as a prince, I still have to wait too?"The lawyer, maintaining his professionalism, explained, "It's a matter of protocol, Adonis. We'll do our best to expedite the process, but we must follow the established legal procedures."Adonis, though not entirely satisfied, reluctantly agreed, rea
As Adonis and the elders anxiously awaited news of the police mission's outcome, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. Adonis couldn't help but consider the myriad of possibilities that could derail their plans. What if Oliver had somehow learned of the police's approach and was lying in wait to ambush them like he had done twice? What if his henchmen had already scattered upon hearing of the police's arrival? Maybe he still had more minions giving him information? Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and Adonis' patience and hope was starting to waver. Some of the elders began to voice their doubts, questioning whether everything was truly unfolding as Adonis had envisioned. They had been waiting for nearly an hour, and the absence of any updates was gnawing at their patience too. Adonis remained silent, but the seeds of doubt had already been sown in his mind. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their carefully laid pl
While Adonis stood in the room with the unconscious guard, Jesse suddenly busted in, holding Adonis's phone. The screen displayed an incoming call from an unknown number, which, in their world, meant it was likely Oliver on the line. Adonis took a deep breath and answered, bracing himself for what was to come. "Adonis," Oliver's voice echoed through the phone, "it's time." Adonis couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Who tipped you off about our coming?" he demanded, hoping to unravel the mystery. Oliver's response was far from what he expected. "Oh! I had no idea you were coming, Adonis," he replied, genuine confusion in his tone. "I didn't even know you had been to our previous hiding spot. But it seems even nature is conspiring against your success." The revelation left Adonis perplexed, wondering how Oliver had managed to stay one step ahead without any external information. Oliver continued, hinting at his usual threat. "Get ready, Adonis," Oliver warned. "The second p
The tracker had arrived, and Adonis wasted no time briefing him on the task at hand. They needed to locate Oliver through a phone call, and the tracker assured them that he could accomplish the job. He emphasized the necessity of a ninety-second call to pinpoint Oliver's location accurately. With their plan in motion, they turned their attention to the captured guard, their determination unshaken. They needed him to make the crucial call to Oliver, even though he had deleted all traces of their previous conversations. Initially, the guard remained silent, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. But as the pressure mounted, he finally relented and dialed Oliver's number. The call went through, and Adonis took the phone, speaking calmly but urgently. "Oliver," Adonis began, "we've captured one of your minions yet again." There was a pause on the other end, and then Oliver's voice, cold and calculating, responded. "Who told you those were my minions, Adonis? They were nothing more than tool
Pleasantries were exchanged as they all settled around the table at the casino. Adonis observed the familiarity the elders shared with King Clark, who greeted him with a hint of amusement."Prince Adonis," King Clark said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "it's truly delightful to finally meet the lost but found prince in person."Adonis, though puzzled by the king's words, offered a polite nod. "Likewise, King Clark."However, as they indulged in the various games and distractions the casino had to offer, Adonis couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the king's demeanor. What had started as a friendly encounter took an unexpected turn when King Clark began to act rudely.He fired questions at Adonis with a mocking tone, each one designed to taunt. "Do you know how to play the 'rich men' games, Adonis? After all, you've just become a prince. Do you know how to act rich, or have you been poor your entire life?"The others at the table remained silent, aware that King Clark was simply