My Royal Best Friend

The Royal Kingdom of Solandia

Jerry POV

“Me? A prince? Are you kidding me, Dad?” I shook my head, laughing silently. This is not a good time to joke. I just missed my graduation and I have not contact Nathalia yet. We have just landed at I don’t know where. Well, most probably in the Royal Kingdom of Solandia. The emblem is all around the airport.

I have known Dad to be a joker. I was waiting for him to snicker and say his line ‘gotcha!’. But nothing.

“You’re not joking?” I asked seriously.

A few minutes more and I would have gone insane when people had started to bow down deeply when we walk their way.

We had hours to discuss this during the flight, but Dad chose to open up this topic while we are out where everybody can hear and see us. Hmm…perhaps he chose this so I would not act drastically.

“Is that why we can ride in private jets and you have those body guards around you? Is that why people have been bowing down to us?”

And I thought Dad has bodyguards because he’s a powerful businessman. This just shows how little I know about my own father.

“Yes.”

Fuck! My whole life has been a lie?

“Dad, why? What happened? Why did you keep this information from me? And can you start from the very beginning? I’m tired of all this mystery.”

He did not talk until we were inside the car. He put up the barrier so we could talk privately. Dad took a deep breath and started talking.

“I was afraid that the time has come to tell you everything. I was hoping that this will not happen. I deeply apologize, my son.” He looked up at the roof before continuing. “I’m the son of the King of Solandia, your grandfather. You know that I’m the only child, so next to the throne. I was prepared to take over, but things changed when I met your mother. I knew she was the one I was going to marry. But the problem was, she’s a commoner. A royal can never marry a commoner. But I did because I love her. I abdicated from my responsibilities and that was the reason why your grandfather hated me and your mother.”

“We tried to live a normal life. Me and your Mom. Your grandfather may have hated me, but he did not let me go without the privileges I was born into. I still have my bodyguards. I still have connections with powerful men around the world. That was why I was able to build my own businesses. You might think that we have abandoned you with your Mama Mila, but being a prince, the King has sent men to guard you.”

Then they must know already about Nathalia.

“You already know why your Mom and I got divorced. There was another woman involved. She is a royal and was supposed to be the one I was to marry. Arrangements were already being done for our engagement, but then I had announced that I will not marry anyone but your Mom. I cannot remember what happened, but she said I had initiated one night with her. And that resulted to your brother.”

“Son, you are the next to the throne. As soon as your grandfather had heard that you are done with high school, he had me bring you here to fulfill your duties. You will be studying at the most prestigious university here in Solandia, which is at par with the top universities in other countries. At the same time, you will be trained for your princely duties. You will also learn combat skills, how to fly a plane and helicopter, and more.”

“Dad, no. I’m not for this thing. I’m just an ordinary teenager and now you are telling me that I have to run a country?” I was freaking out.

“You cannot give up your country, Jerry. Don’t be like me. You still have your chance.”

“And you think I would like to grab that chance? This is not my country. Since you are now divorced, why don’t you become the king?”

I’m already close to cursing my Dad. He was the one who caused all this bullshit that was happening to me right now.

“I cannot get back my rights when I have turned away from it.”

“Why are you pushing this to me? I’m sure there is someone else who is capable of being the next King.”

“Because that was the trade-off. I was let go by my father, but made sure, made me promise, that you will not also abdicate from your duties when the time comes. I’m sorry, Jerry. Your Mom will be very angry with me once she knows this.”

And the truth finally came out. He kept this from Mom and me. I felt my world crumbling down.

“Forget about your friends in high school. If you already have a girlfriend, forget about her. You will only get them hurt. Don’t ever contact anyone from there. Not even Mama Mila. If you want to tell her something, I will relay the message.”

No. He can’t do this to me.

“You can’t do that, Dad.”

“Try me, son.”

Why does it have to be me?

“And I’m already telling you to keep your eyes open only to royal women. No to commoners, Jerry.”

I felt like I’m in a nightmare. It’s true. The nightmare of Nathalia months ago. I will be taken from her and this was it. And the problem is I will not be able to contact her. For her own safety.

Busy with the discussion with Dad and in shock with his revelation that I was not able to take a look around the country. In a second, we were in front of a huge palace. I’m not into fairy tales, but I believe this is what happens to princesses.

A group of men and women were stationed at the steps leading towards the huge front door. They must be the palace staff.

“Welcome to the Royal Kingdom of Solandia, Prince Jerald.”