Alexander & Rebecca (Royals of Valleria #1)

Chapter 17

Alex wanted to hurl his phone against the waiting room wall. The agents had not found anything at the house, not one damn piece of evidence to help him find Rebecca.

"Your Highness," a nurse asked tentatively at the door after she curtsied and hoped that she had done it right. She had seen the prince pacing for over an hour now and she had never seen her cool, collected prince in such a barely controlled rage.

Alex took a deep breath. "Are they awake?"

"Yes, Sir. I can take you to them. The doctor's just finishing with them now."

Security agents were positioned in front and behind as he made his way down the brightly lit corridors. He'd had both of her parents moved here, to the higher security part of the hospital, as soon as they had arrived. He would be damned before he let something else happen to them.

The doctor was just leaving as he strode up. The nurse went inside the room to let Francine and Ettore know he was here.

"How are they?" Alex asked the doctor.

"They're doing well," she said. "They're both generally very healthy, which worked in their favor."

"So, Rebecca may be doing fine as well? No lingering side effects?"

"She's younger and even healthier, so I have faith that she regained consciousness before her parents did. We won't know for sure until we examine her, of course, after she's found."

Alex nodded and thanked the doctor before she walked away. He appreciated the doctor's hope for the situation. It had not taken long before the press and public had become aware of what had happened; nothing could be kept secret these days, it seemed.

Cat had been beside herself when she had called earlier. Alex had done what he could to calm his twin, but right now he had to save all his energy and comfort for Rebecca; she would need it most when he found her.

Of course, Alex would also need to conserve his energy to rip her kidnappers apart, limb by limb.

Alex knocked softly on the door and a male voice told him to enter. Alex cautiously opened the door to see Francine and Ettore in separate beds that had been pushed together. Their hands were clasped across the expanse of hospital white, and it tugged at his heart.

"You'll forgive us, Your Highness, if we don't get up to greet you," Francine said.

Alex waved the notion away with his hand. "I can safely say that, from this day forward, you need never bow or curtsy in my presence ever again, if you choose not to."

"Bold words, Sir," Ettore said with a level gaze. "May I ask the reason for your unofficial royal proclamation?"

"You may already know, but I'll tell you just the same." Alex walked closer and was surprised to find his palms sweating. He could face the wrath of the entire Royal Council without batting an eye, but this was truly terrifying. He had planned to speak to her father, but not like this, not in a hospital while Rebecca was missing.

Alex looked Ettore straight in the eye and was pleased when his voice came out crisp, clear, and steady. "I'm in love with your daughter, and I would like to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Ettore did not blink, nor did he waver as he stared at Alex. "Interesting time to bring this up. Have you asked her yet?"

"We've, well, talked around it a little. I know she needed time to become comfortable with our relationship and what that would entail for her."

"So, it would be about her making all the concessions for you," Ettore said in a level voice that hid his true mirth; he was about to have some fun with the Prince of Valleria. "She'd always be giving and you'd always be taking. Tell me: just how comfortable have you become with my one and only daughter?"