𝒜𝐹𝒯𝐸𝑅 𝒴𝒪𝒰

Chapter 9

It was getting evening and the weather outside was freezing. Sophia had finally completed her work that was on hold here for staying in Ghana for weeks. She was already fatigued from traveling and then fulfilling duties as the senior working royal.

Carrying a cup of coffee, she settled outside on the lawn and dragged Alexander with her.

The royal palace looked so strange in the evening—mysterious, as if it had buried thoughts of secrets in its heart. Especially while staring at classical paintings—the walls filled with artwork of kings in red, the story of their war filling galleries after galleries.

The hair on her back stood.

"What are you thinking?"

"It's strange that everyone except me is here, comes from the real historical figures?"

"You forgot the workers." Alexander said before taking a sip from his glass.

"You know I didn't mean it."

"Why are you thinking about something that's not relevant anymore? The world has changed now."

Then she shook her head lightly, taking a sip of coffee and chuckling at her own stupidity. Whatever she thought was now useless in the real world, where everyone has moved on. She didn't need to feel insecure about it.

What the hell was taking over her these days? Of course, the children were gone. Elizabeth was the only one home and she'd always snuck somewhere in the hall, watching the TV. Everything felt so empty now and these stupid thoughts drifted in her mind always.

"Your Highness!" Suddenly a man marched toward them. Sophie blinked in surprise and then turned to Alexander's security incharge—Bradley. He bent first, then getting up whispered something into her husband's ears.

Alexander suddenly went stiff.

"I'd be right back." He said.

"What happened?" Sophie asked getting tensed.

"Nothing." He said, getting up from the table and walking near the fountain where Sophie couldn't hear them. While Brad trailed after him.

"Your Highness, Princess Samantha—" He paused. Alexander sharply looked at him,
"Matt informed, she'd been kidnapped."

Silence.

The harsh wind hit them like a reality. Brad started sweating even in the chill weather as he glanced at Alexander—they were the eyes of no man. He looked like a demon.

And then he surged inside, giving no heed to his wife. He ran to the landline and dialed the number violently. Sophie jumped from her place and widened her eyes as she saw them rushing.

"What's the matter?" She came after them.

"Your Highness, it's—"

Alexander was cursing on the phone. Sophie turned her head in shock—it was such a language. He always looked down on people who used those low-life words.

"Who—" she turned again, "—is he talking to?"

"Her Highness's security team."
_

"Pa-pa!"

Alexander's chest tightened as he heard his son's cracking voice.

"No one knows. The police said the hotel owner is covering it. What do I do?" Edward cried from the other end.

"I told you she wasn't picking up the phone, didn't I?" Sophie screamed for his ear, with hot tears brimming her eyes.

Matt had informed him an hour ago, and as much as he wanted to keep it hidden from her, it was futile. It was getting broadcast on national TV, and Elizabeth started calling everyone.