Divorcing His Royal Highness (English-R18)

Chapter 3

TAYLOR

"Where do you think you're headed?" he inquired, his fingers wrapping around my arm, drawing me closer.

I rolled my eyes and swiftly withdrew my arm from his grasp. "To collect my belongings, obviously," I retorted, lacing my words with a hint of sarcasm.

He narrowed his eyes, jaw tensing and lips pursing before he finally spoke. "You won't be needing any of that. Everything necessary will be provided within the castle," he declared.

"I have no interest in that. I want my own things. So if you could kindly wait for me outside, Your Highness, I would greatly appreciate it," I asserted firmly.

Raising an eyebrow, he continued to scrutinize me. "Where's your room?" he suddenly asked out of the blue.

I furrowed my brow in confusion. I attempted to answer his question, but I was at a loss for words. I couldn't comprehend why my room was relevant. Before I could formulate a response, he unexpectedly seized my arm once more and led me toward one of the doors within my modest apartment. There were only two doors in the room, the other leading to storage. To my astonishment, he chose the correct one.

Turning the knob, he pushed the door open. My heart raced as he guided me into my room. My breath grew heavy as I found myself confined in this small space with a handsome royal. I held my breath as he cast his gaze around my modest bedroom.

"I don't require your assistance. I can pack my belongings independently. If you would kindly wait outside, I'll be done in a minute," I insisted once I mustered the courage to speak.

As anticipated, he paid no heed to my words. Instead, he strolled over to my closet and swung it open.

"What are you doing?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief. I understood that he was now the king, but it hardly seemed appropriate for him to rummage through my closet without my consent.

He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders before responding, "I'm assisting you with packing," and proceeded to inspect my closet. Finally, he located my small suitcase and swiftly retrieved it, placing it atop the bed.

"I told you, I can handle it myself!" This time, I raised my voice to emphasize my point. It effectively halted his actions, causing him to pivot and face me. I instinctively took a step backwards as he advanced toward me. Raising my voice hadn't been my intention, but his persistent disregard for my words had pushed me to the brink.

"Did you just raise your voice at me?" he inquired, squinting as he gradually closed the distance between us.

"I-I did," I admitted, trying to hold my ground as I tried to face him with my head up high. "I-I didn't mean to, but you left me with no choice, Your Highness. I am fully aware that you're the king, but I want to remind you that this isn't your territory. You have no authority here. So please, can you please wait outside? I'd like to fix my stuff alone," I said.

His expression stayed serious as he kept his eyes fixed on me. Nervously, I swallowed hard as he said nothing, making the seconds stretch into what felt like the longest minute of my entire life.

Then, as if an eternity had passed, a sly grin slowly spread across his face. With confident, purposeful steps, he closed the gap between us, and suddenly, we were standing just inches apart. My heart raced, and I found it hard to catch my breath as his fingers brushed gently against my cheeks. As he leaned in closer, I couldn't help but gasp for air, feeling a rush of anticipation and uncertainty flooding me.

"You're not the same shy girl I once knew," he murmured, our lips just inches apart. Logic told me to push him away, to maintain my distance, but some invisible force seemed to draw me closer to him. It was as if we were bound by an irresistible magnet.

My anticipation grew as I expected him to claim my lips once more, just as he had moments ago. But to my surprise, it didn't happen. Instead, he spoke with a hint of authority, "You have ten minutes to gather your things. If you're not ready by then, I might have no choice but to carry you to my car."

He created a bit of space between us, his eyes locked on mine. "I'll be waiting just outside," he added before making his way toward the door.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as he exited my room. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment, surprising even myself. What was going on with me? Was I actually waiting for that kiss to happen? It hadn't even been an hour since his unexpected return, yet his mere presence had stirred my entire world. I had convinced myself that I'd moved on, that I'd finally managed to expel him from my thoughts, but evidently, I was mistaken.

I pondered the purpose behind his sudden intrusion into my life after our divorce. It remained unclear, yet I found myself letting him affect my sanity.

I tried really hard to get rid of this strange feeling that was making me confused. I needed to think clearly because I had to figure out a plan to get away from Vladimir, and it had to be a good one. I knew he was arranging a fancy private plane for us, but we still had to go to the airport. That's where I thought I could put my escape plan into action.

Instead of taking my usual small bag that I carry with me on trips, I decided to use a simple backpack. I thought it would be easier for me to move around quickly and not attract too much attention. Vladimir would probably have a lot of security people around us, but I had to try my best to get away. So, I packed only the things I really needed: my wallet, passport, and important papers. I didn't take much clothing, just a few things, in case I needed to change.

When I went back to the living room, I saw Vladimir. He was holding a picture of me when I was just nine years old. He looked so lost in that photo that he didn't even notice I had come in.

I tried to get his attention by clearing my throat. "I'm ready," I said, trying to sound confident.

He quickly looked at me and then at the backpack I was holding. He raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Is that all?" he asked.

I felt a bit nervous but tried to act calm. "I think it's better if I don't make you wait, Your Highness. Besides, I'm sure one of your aids can bring the rest, right?" I replied, hoping he wouldn't guess that I had a plan to escape once we got to the airport.

Vladimir looked at me for a moment, and then he seemed to agree. "Okay," he said, "but remember, we don't have a lot of time. I've arranged for a car to take us to the airport. Once we're there, things will move quickly. You need to stay close to me."

I nodded to show I understood. I knew I had to cooperate, at least for now. Vladimir was focused on getting us to the airport, and I knew that if something went wrong, I would lose my chance.

As we left my small apartment, I couldn't help but look around one last time. It held so many memories, good and bad. Now, I had to leave the place I once called my home.

The drive to the airport was tense. Vladimir was very focused on the road ahead. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Did he really want me to stay with him, or was there something more to his sudden decision to bring me back? I had so many questions, and they kept going around in my head.

When we got to the airport, I realized how serious our situation was. There were security people everywhere, and I felt a bit scared. Vladimir looked like he knew exactly what to do in situations like this. It was clear he was ready for anything.

We moved through the airport quickly, with Vladimir leading the way. I was very alert, looking at every face and listening to every sound. I was nervous and scared at the same time, knowing that I was planning to escape.

As we walked through the airport towards the immigration area, I couldn't help but glance around nervously. There was already someone there waiting for us, ready to help with whatever we needed. But before we could even pass through the gate, I knew I had to come up with a reason to buy some time.

Feeling a bit anxious, I stammered, "I-I need to go to the restroom." I looked at Vladimir, hoping he would understand my urgency.

He, however, didn't seem too keen on the idea. "You can do that on the plane," he replied, his tone stern and unyielding.

I knew I couldn't give up so easily. I needed a few more minutes, just enough time to think. "I'm really sorry, but this can't wait," I insisted, trying to sound as desperate as possible. "I need to use the restroom now. Or if you want, I can do it right here." I pretended as if I were about to pull down my pants, trying to create a scene in front of the hundreds of people milling about.

Vladimir's patience seemed to run thin. "Stop," he said sharply, his voice cold and commanding. He then nodded to the security personnel who were standing nearby, alert and watchful. "Go with her," he ordered them.

Relieved that my plan had worked, I quickly made my way towards the restroom, with the security detail following closely behind. I knew I couldn't waste this opportunity; I needed to think fast and come up with a plan.

Inside the restroom, I took a moment to catch my breath. I felt a mix of fear and determination. This was my chance to escape from Vladimir's watchful eye, even if just for a little while. But I also knew that time was not on my side, and I needed to act quickly.

I looked around, assessing my surroundings. The restroom was surprisingly empty, which was a stroke of luck. I hurried into one of the stalls and locked the door behind me, my heart pounding in my chest.

Now, I had to decide on my next move. I couldn't stay in here forever; Vladimir would become suspicious. I needed a plan, and I needed it fast.

One option was to try and blend in with the crowd at the airport. If I could lose myself among the other travellers, I might have a chance to disappear. But that would be risky; Vladimir's security detail was undoubtedly on high alert.

Another option was to find a way to contact someone for help. If I could reach out to my friends, they might be able to assist me in getting away from this situation. But that would also be a challenge; I didn't have my phone with me, and I couldn't risk going back to get it. Besides, I don't think it's a good idea to involve them in this chaos.

As I weigh my options, a risky plan started to take shape in my mind. It might not work, and it was a big gamble, but it seemed like my best chance.

I reached into my backpack and took out some spare clothes. I changed into them swiftly. I had to create a disguise so that when I left the restroom, nobody would recognize me right away.

I put on a different shirt and pants. Then, I used a cap I had brought to cover my long hair, hoping it would help me remain unnoticed.

My plan was all set. I felt a rush of nerves as I took a deep breath and turned the stall door handle. I knew I had to be careful not to reveal my face, so I kept my head down.

I stepped out and began to walk quickly, but not too fast to attract attention. I prayed silently that no one would spot me. It felt like my heart was pounding so loudly that they could surely hear it.

Every step I took felt like a giant leap into the unknown. I was holding my breath, as if not breathing would make me invisible. I couldn't afford for anyone to see me or recognize me.

As I moved further away from the restroom, my tense muscles started to ache. It was as if the whole world had gone quiet, and all that existed were me and the urgent need to escape.

I tried to blend in with the bustling crowd. People were rushing in all directions, focused on their own journeys. I couldn't stand out; I needed to be just another face in the crowd.

My heart raced, and my mind raced with it. Every second felt like an eternity. I knew that if I could just make it to a more crowded area, I might have a chance.

Finally, I reached a bustling corridor filled with travellers. It was the perfect cover. I could hide in plain sight here.

But then, as I dared to breathe a little easier, I heard a voice behind me. "Excuse me, miss." My heart sank. I didn't want to turn around, but I knew I had to.

I turned slowly, keeping my face down, and looked at the woman who had called out to me. "Yes?" I replied, trying to sound as normal as possible.

"You left your bag in the restroom," she said, holding up my backpack.

My heart skipped a beat. I purposely left it there since Vladimir's security surely knows it's mine. I only bring all my valueables. Panic surged through me, but I couldn't let it show. "Oh, thank you," I said, taking the bag from her. "I must have been in a hurry." I was thankful that the men waiting for me outside the restroom didn't notice this woman holding my bag.

"Be more careful next time," she advised before moving on.

Relief washed over me as she walked away. I couldn't believe my luck. If she the security's attention, my escape plan might have crumbled.

With my backpack back in my possession, I continued to walk briskly to where the exit was. I had to get away from this place as soon as possible.

My heart was still racing, but I felt a glimmer of hope. I might just pull this off.

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