Reigning Love. (A Sequel To Boundless Love) (Christian Romance).

31 || PRINCE WORTHY.

Two hours of searching quickly went by. There was no sign of her. After Mario and Gina had been escorted off the property, the people under their employ had somehow vanished. After going through Mario's office, we had a comprehensive list of who worked for him but none was anywhere in sight. Their disappearance didn't bother me one bit. My mind was fixed on my missing mother. I paced the floor of her office frantically having no solution in sight. The door opened and in walked Joe. He carried two cups of coffee. Setting them on the desk, he moved into my path and stopped my frantic pacing. He wrapped his arms around me and held me firm. The comfort serving to undo my well contained tears.

"Shhh, it's okay." He said as I crumbled in his arms.

Something was wrong, I knew it! I could feel it in my gut. "Please God help us find her." I prayed for the umpteenth time that morning.

"We will find her, Princess." He guided me to the couch.

"This is too much pain!" I said pulling away from him. "First my father, then Gordon, now my mother? Come on!" I raised my voice. "COME ON!" The scream escaped my lips as if it had been held hostage and boy did it feel good to let it out. A few moments passed with me screaming at the top of my lungs, by the time I was done, Joe's brows were knitted together with concern. I settled and let him wrap me in his arms once more.

A soft scrapping came from one of the walls in mum's office. We ignored it at first but it soon got louder. He gently placed me on the couch and went to inspect the noise. When he got there, he tapped gently, noticing a hollow sound, he shot me a questioning glance. I shrugged slightly promoting him to continue inspecting it. After a few minutes, he found a small knob, disguised as a picture hanger, he pulled on it and a section of the wall moved revealing a secret entrance. I was on my feet before his questions could be voiced. Before either of us could proceed through the gapping entrance, a skeletal arm crawled through. My instinct to panic and run was averted when I instantly noticed my mother's wedding ring.

"Mum!" I pushed the crack wider then moved inside. A pungent stench hit my nostrils as I leaned over her frail form. "Mother, wake up!" I shouted, voice breaking.

Joe held my shoulders firmly and gently moved me aside. He crouched next to her and sneaking his masculine arms under her, lifted her. The action seemingly, effortless. Once in the lit office, he placed her on the couch we had occupied only minutes ago. We then crouched next to her, her pale and aged countenance worrying me sick.

"Oh mother, what did they do to you?" I whispered.

"We need to call an ambulance," said Joe as he lifted her eyelids. When I  didn't move an inch, he went to make the call..

Her sunken eyes opened, relief filled the usually bright blue irises. "You are safe." She whispered, her voice fading.

I nodded vigorously clutching her hand. "And so are you now mother. The ambulance is on the way."

********

A week had come and gone. Mum had made a tremendous recovery. The damage they had inflicted by starving her for five days, now only an ugly memory. I sat next to her in the stretch limo. Her hand firmly clutched in mine. Neither of us had made a public appearance since the whole debacle went on. The kingdom was shaken and they needed to see us intact. I looked over at Joe on the other side of the lengthy seat, he was engrossed in a conversation with Giovanni. His handsome features drew me in each time. A small smile tugged at my lips.
As far as prince charming was concerned, I had certainly hit the jackpot. My very own prince, and soon not mine alone but Garviland's as well, a secret I was yet to share with him. The title came with it's own share of responsibilities but after all he had proven to be, I would crown him King in an instance if only the laws allowed!

The limo came to a stealth stop. Mum squeezed my hand drawing my attention to her. I smiled reassuringly. The door was pulled open and one by one we filed out. A swarm of paparazzi was buzzing nearby, camera flashes threatening to blind us. Thanks to Nora, we had all brought a pair of sunglasses. I put mine on as the second limo, stopped behind ours and my uncle and his family filed out.

"Shall we?" Asked Alexander, my new head of security. His men instantly formed a perimeter around us.

"Mum gave a cut nod and we walked side by side into the building."

The council room in the castle could not have fit the vast audience that awaited us. In that respect, the meeting had been scheduled to take place at the Maine city hall. All sitting dukes, their families, all media houses and a select few members of the public, filled the space.

An hour passed as we answered questions from the media and citizens alike. "So when is the coronation?" One person asked.

"In a week. Despite all that happened, our staff was able to get most things ready." Said Giovanni our chosen spokesman.

"So are you going back to the states to continue with your law studies?" Another asked.

"No, I will be finishing my studies here. Our laws were written eons ago and one such law put us in this dangerous situation. Had the Princess been allowed to rule without being forced to marry first, then predators like Moretti would never have had a chance. I will stay in Garviland, with the aim of changing such outdated laws." He said earning himself a round of applause.

"So both the princess and the foreigner are wearing wedding bands, does that mean..."

I stood abruptly at the question. "Uhm, yes Joe and I are married. That makes him Garvilandian, not a foreigner. This is his home now. He fought our enemy just as any of you would. That shows his loyalty not only to me but to the kingdom as well. That, in my opinion deserves a title." Gasps filled the room as all understood my meaning. "With my late father's blessing, I was given the right to crown my husband as prince if I saw fit. Having explained all that I have to you does anyone doubt his worth of the title?" I asked.

Murmurs filled the room as the audience conversed among themselves. Finally one Duke stood, silence reigned as he prepared to take the stage. "I believe I speak for everyone here, and if not everyone, at least the majority when I say; we have all watched the stories that have been showing all week about how he was tortured by that Moretti boy. How he, aided by two others one a foreigner and the lady Mariana, helped save you from your captors. How he helped you sneak back through those old tunnels. Whether his royalty is for Garviland or you, our Princess, we find it royalty worth trusting. He has proven his worth and hence deserves the title of Prince of Garviland!" He said, dramatically raising his voice. Cheers and jubilations filled the room. I turned to where Joe stood, the look he sent my way sent my eager belly butterflies on their usual dance. He liked his surprise and by his forming smile, I knew he couldn't wait to show me just how much.

**************************

That's it!

Next Epilogue, look out for that. To be updated sometime next week.

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards all of you who have made it this far. Your faithfulness fuels my drive and shoves me one step closer to achieving my writing dreams.

God bless you all.

Always,

June.