The Crown Prince's Love
Chapter 74

Desmond sighed beside me and I placed a hand on his shoulder and rubbed it gently. "Are you alright?" I asked him.

He shook his head in response. "I just feel... everything feels like a dream and I never expected that I would ever leave home, and I also can't believe that this is happening and I...." he cleared his throat and placed his head on my shoulder. "You have lived here until you were three and so you are already used to this place, but that is not the case with me. This is the first time that I will be away from home."

I kissed his hand. "Don't worry, my love. You are here with me and I can assure you that we will be fine and, aside from that, you will enjoy it here because Uncle Marcus is a chef," I told him.

He chuckled. "Yes, I can't wait to start cooking," he remarked, and I didn't know if he was being sarcastic about it or because he wanted to say it. I just laughed and nodded my head in response. "The king here knows that you two are here, so a penthouse is prepared for you with fifty guards around it," Uncle Marcus, who had been silent ever since the plane took off, suddenly spoke up. "You two would have to stay alone with some of the housekeepers from home."

"We won't be staying with you?" I asked him, a hint of sadness in my tone. I had expected that we would go to his house, but I never expected that we would have a home, a penthouse at that for ourselves. "You both will be fine and, aside from that, my home is already full, and you might want your privacy if you hmm..."

"We get it, Uncle Marcus," I stopped him before he could finish. I was not ready to hear him discuss our privacy. It was the last thing that I wanted to hear from him. "I want to meet your children and your wife and also my cousin," my voice strained as I mentioned my cousin.

Prince Tyler was banished or taken away from the royal home to protect him due to the sins of his father and mother. My uncle and aunt broke a lot of laws a long time ago. He paid for their sins and to protect him, that was all my father could do for him.

"Tyler will be so excited to see you. I believe that you haven't seen him in five years, right?"

I nodded. "It's been a while. I hope that he recognizes me."

Uncle Marcus chuckled. "Of course he will. After all, he was your favorite cousin," he said.

"Tyler," I whispered his name and closed my eyes. It's been a long time and I couldn't wait to see him again.

The rest of the drive was in silence until we reached our destination. The limousine parked in front of a tall skyscraper and as soon as it stopped, I saw a few guards dressed in black suits rushing towards the limousine and opening it." I stretched as I came out of the car and waited for Desmond to come out. He had not said anything yet, and I knew that he had a lot to say which I was going to ask him when we were alone. Once he was outside, I placed my hand in his and held it close tightly, as if he was going to disappear in front of me.

He tapped my hand and smiled at me as we walked behind Uncle Marcus. There was a long line of guards assembled at the front of the skyscraper, and they all bowed as we walked in. "This is called the Royale Hotel, belonging to the royal king, and he has offered you a stay on the top floor, the penthouse."

"Really?" "yes."

"Welcome," a young lady wearing a blue shirt and skirt bowed her head as soon as she saw Uncle Marcus when we entered the lobby, and it made me remember Hilda.

The thought of Hilda made me remember everyone else, including Ana, Ashley, and Henrich. I wondered how they were doing and thought about Desmond and me.

"The royal penthouse please" Uncle Marcus said, and the woman nodded in response as she left her desk, making her way towards the elevator while we followed behind her.

"My name is Isabella," she introduced herself even though I had already seen her name tag. "I will be in charge of the king's guests for the period that they will be staying here," she said and smiled at us.

"The royal penthouse is already prepared for your return, and I am sure you will enjoy your stay here," she stated.

"Thank you, Isabella," Uncel Marcus replied to her.

"Just doing my job," she chuckled.

I exchanged looks with Desmond and noticed how he was silent, which was unusual, but I can't blame him for that because he was still getting used to being in a different place. If I was in his shoes, I would do the same, but since it was not my first time there, I was used to it.

"Are you alright?" I asked him, and he nodded his head, but I knew that deep down, he was not.

The elevator was longer than I expected as it kept going and going until we reached the 100th floor. The elevator dinged as the bell opened, and we walked into a bright room.

The subtle glow of city lights danced through the floor to ceiling windows, casting a soft radiance over the pristine white interiors.

My eyes were fixated on the captivating painting adorning the wall a moonlit seaside scene that whispered tales of calm beneath the night sky. It was beautifully painted with wonderful strokes and I commend the painter for a job well done. "The city view is so beautiful from up here," I said as I pulled Randy toward the window, and we stared at the city below, which sparkled like a sea of stars.

"Your rooms are up, and I know that since you are tired from today's journey, you would love to relax," Isabella announced as she walked towards the grandstands leading up.

Desmond and I followed behind him until we reached the bedroom. It exuded sophistication, and it was nothing I hadn't seen before. It felt like I was home again, making me wonder if the design was made for us.

"I shall leave you to your room and send you your evening meal if you will...."

"Desmond, do you still want to eat tonight?" I asked him, and he shook his head in response. "There won't be any need for the food," I told her, because I didn't feel like eating any food.

It was a new place, a new life, and we were still adjusting to it.