The Crown Prince's Love
Chapter 35

"Desmond," I tried to move closer, but him, and the people around us, started to dissolve like a fading dream.

"Desmond!" I screamed his name as they all disappeared. Suddenly, I jolted awake, my heart racing, my body drenched in sweat.

My eyes fluttered open, and I heard a beeping sound beside me. I wasn't in Desmond's arms, I was on a soft, fluffy bed.

I tried to move my hand but groaned in pain. I couldn't move my hands as they felt really heavy.

"Desmond," I heard my mother's soft voice from my left side. It felt as if I were still dreaming, so I closed my eyes briefly.

When I opened them, my mother was walking slowly toward my bed, her eyes filled with concern and love.

Following closely behind her was my father, wearing a worried expression. Their presence in my room was unexpected and then I remembered getting shot. The news must have traveled so fast to them, I believed.

I looked behind them to see if Desmond was there, but he wasn't.

He was nowhere to be seen in the room.

I stammered, "Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?" Before they could reply, I asked, "Where is Desmond?"

"Don't you dare ask about Desmond right now because he's not here." My father shouted, then he sighed deeply. "Randy," He scolded, "You left the school premises without telling anyone. We were worried sick when we heard that you were shot. You can't just wander off like that, especially with what's been happening, and knowing that you're the crown prince."

"But, Dad," I argued, "Desmond and I just took a short trip to the mountain where no one was supposed to recognize us. We didn't do anything wrong."

My father scoffed, "You should be grateful you survived the gun shot. It's dangerous out there, and there are enemies everywhere. You need to understand the risks, Randy, and not put yourself in harm's way like that."

"Randy, honey," My mother said, sitting on the edge of my bed, "How are you feeling? We're doing all of this for your sake. We love you, and we want to protect you. We were so shocked when we heard that you were shot. We just want you to be fine." She rubbed my hand, giving me a warm smile.

"And remember, Desmond could also be in danger because of his association with you. We need to be careful."

"Mum, where is Desmond?"

My father cleared his throat before answering. "Randy, Desmond failed in his job as your bodyguard. I've appointed someone else to protect you now. We can't afford any more lapses in your security."

"Impossible!" I shouted, trying to rise from the bed but failing.

I gritted my teeth in pain. "I can't allow you to do that to us!"

"Don't hurt yourself, honey," My mother cautioned. "Desmond is just not the right person for you."

"He couldn't protect you like a bodyguard should and that got you in danger."

I frowned at her. "What do you mean Desmond is not the right person? He's the only one I trust!"

"Don't shout at me, son." My father warned.

"I'm only doing what's best for you and trying to protect you, not only as the crown prince but also as my son."

My head shot up. "I don't need all this protection. Desmond is the only bodyguard I want." I informed them but they didn't say anything.

"That's it!" I raised my voice, not caring about my sore throat. I wanted my parents to see that it wasn't just about them. "I hate the fact that you make decisions without informing me. Everyone sees me as the perfect prince, but no one knows what I truly want."

"There's no changing this, son." My father's tone grew authoritative. "I'm the king, and I make the decisions. You have no right to change my mind."

"That's not fair!" My voice grew louder, tears welled up in my eyes. "I hate that you make decisions without considering what I want."

My father's reply was blunt. "You're getting a new bodyguard tomorrow and a change of room."

My eyes widened, and I couldn't imagine my father would do something like that.

A new room?

Without Desmond?

I couldn't live with that.

I felt my emotions welling up inside me, and without thinking, I shouted, "No! You can't do that! Desmond is my boyfriend!"

The room fell into an eerie silence as my outburst hung in the air.

None of us said anything.

I have revealed my secret to my parents, not caring if they would like it or not.

Just to have Desmond close to me, I would do anything.

My parents exchanged a look and then turned towards me.

"My poor baby," My mother muttered and rubbed my hand. "Now I see why you don't have any girlfriends."

I nodded in response, appreciating my mother's understanding, but my father's reaction was not what I had expected.

He let out a bitter laugh, escaping his lips.

"You're sure about this, Randy?" He asked, doubting what I had said.

'Yes, Dad, I'm sure. Desmond is who I want." I affirmed.

But my father's response was anything but supportive.

He shook his head, disappointment etched across his face.

"You're a fool, Randy. No one will accept you and Desmond. You have duties as the crown prince and responsibilities to our kingdom. I have nothing against your feelings, but you must understand that the kingdom of Bourne won't accept such a union. It's not about us, it's about the traditions and the expectations of our people."

I clenched my fists as I watched him speak. "This is why I hadn't come out to either of you. I knew that you would condemn me for what I am."

"I am not against you having a boyfriend, but nobody cares about that." My father responded.

"Father," My eyes welled up with tears, "This isn't about anyone but me. I am in love with Desmond, and he is in love with me. I don't care about anything else, and I am..."

My father heaved a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead. "As your father, I am trying to protect you from what people will say about you, and you have your duties as the future king. There has been no record of a same sex king before, and..." "Now you are disgusted?" I countered.

"Randy, please..."

"That is what you are trying to say, Father. You are not happy that your son is different. Now I am glad that you see I am not perfect. Maybe that will get you off my back. I don't have to be the candidate for the crown prince. It can be Noah, or you can even make Sonnia the crown princess. That's why you have three children!"

"That is enough, you two!" My mother shouted.

"But, Mum, I am not a baby anymore. I know what I want, and it is Desmond." I declared and sniffled as tears streamed down my face. "It's not my fault that I am different. This is who I am, and..."