16 The Arrival

Lucy's POV

The train arrived at our final destination. Kenneth came in from the bathroom. He had a huge smile on his face as he looked at me. I was happy to see him excited unlike the gloomy person he was from the beginning of the journey. "Hey ya! You are awake?" he asked. "Yes love, I am. Come here!" I said opening up my arms for him which he gladly fell into. I squealed as he crushed me and lifted me up. He knows I love that. "Welcome to my hometown my love." He said.

"Thank you babe, it looks welcoming. I guess it's time to alight?" I asked. "Yes love we have to." He responded. Just as he was saying, I saw some guys wearing some sort of uniform entering our cabin. I assumed they were the train staff but I wasn't ready for what happened next. They all bowed at us and said in unison, "Our Prince, My lady! Welcome back home." I looked at Kenneth puzzled. He gave me a small smile then looked back at the guys frowning. "I thought I made it clear to my father that I didn't want all this dramatic welcome?" he asked the one at the forefront who looked more like their leader.

"Forgive me my prince. His majesty wouldn't allow it. He commanded us to come and we couldn't disobey." The guy said. Kenneth heaved a big sigh. He looked at me after nodding to them to go ahead and take our luggage. I didn't know what to say, I couldn't believe what I just heard. He held my hands and asked, "are you okay?" his voice lased with concern. I nodded and I could see worry in his eyes. "Is this what you wanted me to see for myself?" I had to ask him. It was something I totally didn't expect and it was a bit overwhelming to take in.

I sighed and composed myself. A smile crept up my lips, he looked at me hopeful. "Yes, this and something else too." He said. My eyes widened as big as saucers. There's more? He kept his royal status from me for two years. There's still more surprises? No wonder he could intimidate another royal like Pat! Now I get it. "There is more? What else? Are you also married with kids and you want me to be your second wife or concubine?" I teased. He chuckled lightly and said "nah, you would be first wife if you agree to it, then you would be responsible for choosing the second, third and fourth wives. I want four." He teased back his eyes pulled into tiny slits.

I punched him softly on his chest and said "dream on! Never!" We both laughed. That put me at ease for a bit. "Well now I'm even more nervous because I'm not just meeting your family I'm meeting your royal family. How am I supposed to live up to their standard now?" honestly speaking, it was an overwhelming moment. My anxiety level became high. How am I supposed to impress the royal family? I'm just a commoner. What if they want their child to marry a royal like him? How am I supposed to compete with that? I guess he felt my anxiety because he pulled me to himself, lifted my chin with his finger and told me not to worry about anything, that as long as I don't give up on us, he won't do the same. I relaxed a bit even though I still felt like if his family rejects me, I wouldn't want to cause family feud where he will be forced to choose between me and his family.

Though I had just discovered that he is a royal, I still didn't know if he was the heir to the throne or just one of the princes. Maybe I was worried for no reason, he wouldn't be put under pressure if he isn't the heir to the throne.

We were directed into a limousine which was exquisite both outside and inside. The interior was pure white leather and it smelled so sweet. We were served with chilling drinks and nice snacks. I hardly touch my snacks because I was an entangled ball of nerves. There was an entourage of other highly expensive cars. I guess Thomas and Malcolm were in one of those. It seemed like they were also highly respected by these people in the uniform.

I thought that the royal home would not be far away from the station but we traveled a bit further. It felt like a long stretch of miles until we reached almost the outskirts of the town. It was beautiful. The vegetation was green and lively. Smaller animals darted in and out of sight. It was so refreshing and I suddenly felt so at home. The road was paved and so clean. Kenneth pressed some buttons and the window rolled down and I felt the fresh air, full of pure oxygen feel my lungs. I drew near to the window and inhale even more, making him chuckle. I giggled and looked at him as he took my hand into his and placed feathered kisses on it.

My love for this guy is not normal. It is as if he used magic potion on me. It is irresistible kind of love. I don't think any of my things would work properly if me and him don't end up together. I looked the other way after staring into each other's eyes for so long. Blood had run up my cheeks and I sure was as red as a cherry tomato. We finally arrived as the driveway turned into beautifully sculpted shrubs and different kinds of flowers planted in a beautiful landscape. Any kind of very colorful flower you could think of was amongst this cluster of flowers.

There was some sort of a roundabout just in front of a massive castle. It was so huge and so magnificent I wondered if I would be able to explore it all even if I was given a lifetime to live here. "Welcome home my princess." Kenneth softly whispered in my ear, biting it in the process. I giggled as I shrugged from him. One of the men in the uniform, servants as I presumed, came to open the door as the limousine came to a halt. He offered his gloved hand for me to help me get out, I gave him my hand feeling all sorts of emotions and got out. Another tried doing the same to Kenneth but he refused and got out by himself.

As soon as he got out, a deep voice rang out behind us. "Ken my son!" We both turned around as he engulfed him in a hug. They hugged for almost eternity. It seemed they were very close and had missed each other a lot. He released him and asked him, "is this your friend?" Kenneth took my hand into his and said "Lucy, meet my dad King Kenneth Paige the eleventh. Dad, this here is my girlfriend, Lucy Foster!" I looked at the King and looked down as I bowed. "Nice to meet you your majesty." There was a long silence thereafter. I felt the air leave my lungs as fear of rejection choked me.