The Crown Prince's Love
Chapter 56

As the car came to a stop, I clenched my fists, looking out of the window to see the king and the Queen standing beside my parents.

My mother's red, tear filled eyes revealed her distress, while my father wore a stoic expression.

I shifted my gaze to the king, whose face held a menacing look that made my heart race in fear.

I gasped, and Randy quickly raised his head from my shoulder, looking at me with concern.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, but I shook my head. "Don't worry," he kissed my hand. "No matter what happens, I will ensure that we are accepted. I would do anything for you, Desmond, and I will..."

The door swung open before he could finish his confessions. "I believe it's time to get out of the car!" Noah announced as he stepped out.

"I guess it's time," Randy said, turning to leave the car, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him into my arms.

"I can't... I can't do this," I burst into tears, unable to contain the emotions welling up inside me. "I don't know what I would do if they tried to..."

Randy sniffled and rubbed my back. "Don't worry, my love. I am going to make sure that everything is resolved. I am your Pumpkin, remember?" He pulled away from the hug, cupped my face, and leaned in to kiss me on the lips. "I love you so much more than life itself, and I will make sure to reset everything."

I sniffled and hugged him again. "I love you too, my Pumpkin."

We remained like that for a moment until Sonnia knocked on the car door. "Let's go,"

Randy grabbed my hand, and we both headed out of the car together. "Just stay by my side and let me deal with this."

I shook my head at him. "I am in this together with you, Randy," I told him.

He smiled at me, and then we both headed towards our parents, hand in hand.

"What are you both going to do about what is happening right now?" The king's voice boomed as we reached him.

I fell to my knees with my head lowered to the ground. "Your Highness, this is my fault. I should have made sure that I didn't let anyone replace out about us, and I am sorry that they did, but the truth is..."

I began to stutter as I felt the king's presence near me.

He radiated with so much power that I wished the ground would open up and swallow me alongside Randy.

"Father," Randy knelt in front of me. "Please, whatever you heard was done by someone. We were being careful about our relationship, and there was no way we would have let anyone replace out about us. I am sorry that..." "Shut up!" The king shouted at him.

"I warned you two about this, and you gave me your word only for this to happen. I already told you that even if we accept you, the world will never see you like that! I have got a lot of messages from the council of elders who are waiting to dethrone you as the crown prince if the allegations are true, and you know what that means, son. It means disgrace and shame!"

"Father," Randy shouted. "I don't care about any of that anymore, because I love Desmond, and I am not the only son that you have. Noah can become the king if the world doesn't accept us, and then he can..."

"Shut up!" The king growled at him, using his commanding tone. "I will not condone you talking back to me. I have already said that once the secret is out, you will get separated."

"You can't do this, Father!" Randy jumped to his feet and rushed toward his mother.

He fell to his knees and grabbed her leg.

"Please, Mother. Do something about this. I can't bear to be separated from Desmond. I love him, and he is..."

He cried, and the Queen shook her head, crouching to his level and hugging him. "I am sorry, son. We are just trying to protect you and Desmond."

He suddenly pushed his mother away and stood up. "Are you that ashamed of me?" he asked. "You're not happy that I am homosexual?" He yelled at her. "I can't define the way that I am, and no matter what you say, I don't care because I love Desmond, and I don't care if they dethrone me from the position of the crown prince or talk about us for the rest of life, but I can't part ways with him because he is the love of my life, and..."

A slap landed on his face from his mother.

Randy gasped as his face turned to the other side.

I tried to get up and rushed to his side, but my mother grabbed my hand and pulled me backward.

"This is a royal family issue now. It is none of your business!" she warned in a stern tone.

"But..." I tried to argue.

"You have disgraced this family enough. Back off now!" she muttered with gritted teeth. "You and Randy are never meant to be together."

I burst into tears and yanked my hand free from hers. "I love him, and you know how I can't do without him. I..."

I closed my eyes as the tears streamed down my face without stopping.

Was this the end?

The end of our beautiful relationship?

How could something so beautiful end so quickly?

I thought as I looked at Randy, standing at the same spot, unable to move.

"Listen up, you two!" The king shouted. "I told you already to keep your relationship hidden, but since it has come to this, it is the end of your relationship. You both are going to be separated, and that is final!"

I lowered my head and scratched my inner palm until I felt the warmth of my blood on my fingers.

"I am not going to accept this!" Randy shouted. "I will fight for Desmond until the end, and I will..."

"Continue to tarnish the royal family? This is not about you alone, Randy, but the reputation of the royal family is at stake!"

"Do you care about your reputation more than the love life of your son?"

The king nodded in response. "Yes, I do."