18. Unexpectedly Escaped into Another Island (2)

December startlingly woke up and panicked when she realized she is in another room. This is the second time she woke up in an unfamiliar room, however this room is not as grand and luxurious as the other one. She also does not feel any movement from below so she knows she's on land.

'I need to get out of here.' December decidedly thought and tried to get up but she could not. That's when she felt her head hurt. 'Dang it. Why do I have to be sick?'

She could only helplessly lay back down on the bed putting her arm over her head. She tried to hold back her tears and calm herself but she really can't. She's scared of what will happen next.

As different thought run through her mind, she did not notice that someone have already entered the room.

"Are you awake?"

December stiffened when she heard a man's voice. The voice was different this time but fear crept in her heart as she choose not to speak.

The man stopped by the bed and put down something. He just stared at December and she felt uneasy with his stare.

James was aware that the girl is scared so he explained what is happening. "I am not a bad guy. Don't worry. I found you last night at the shore and you were sick so I took you here."

He noticed that the girl have been holding her breath and her face is starting to get red so he chuckled. "You can breathe princess. I'm not gonna harm you. I won't profit from it."

December secretly glanced at the man and saw a smile on his face. Oddly enough, she found herself believing the man. Hence, she sighed and sat up on the bed. Her stomach grumbled when she saw the food on the table.

James chuckled when he saw the girl's embarrassed expression. "Come on. You eat first, then we can talk about what happened to you."

"Thank you," December said with her hoarse voice while James helped her up to eat.

James read on his tablet while December eat. He search for the news about this princess. He was curious on how the girl before him suddenly become a princess. When he saw December have finished eating, he started to ask. "What's your name, princess?"

December feels awkward with how the man calls her, but still chose to answer. "I'm December, sir. Uhm... you.. can you...not call me a princess? I mean... I..."

James raised his brows and chuckled again. "Okay then. If you do not want formality, then just call me James."

"Oh, uh, o-okay." December couldn't look straight to James as she feels embarrassed with her actions. 'This is so awkward. I don't really know how to converse with strangers.' She cried inwardly and unconsciously pout her lips in frustration.

"You've caused the city fall into panic by being abducted. What had happened?"

December felt guilty upon hearing what he had said and retell what had happened.

When James heard her account, he narrowed his eyes in contemplation. December don't know how to strike up a conversation and could only wait for the man to start a topic.

"Alright. I'll call the royal guards and inform them of your condition. You should go back and rest." James stood up and pat her head.

"Thank you." December said and James nodded before he left.

December could only sigh in relief and went to the bathroom to wash her face.

***

"I am really scared that something bad already happened to December," Jean cried as they all gathered in the living room.

One day have already passed since December have gone missing and there's still no news or any lead about where she could be. The living room have a heavy atmosphere and Jean cried not minding if her behavior is rude before the king and queen.

"Don't worry child. December will come back to us safe and sound," the queen tried to console her even though she herself is not sure of her daughter's condition.

"My father said that there is no suspicious boat were found," Brianna said after she have talked to the duke who is in charge of the search.

The king stood by the window and tried to think of a way to find her daughter. He cannot just simply announce this issue to the public as it will only bring chaos instead of the help they needed. Who knows if there will be other people who will harm December as well. He still need to think of a way to calm the elites when they have heard of this news.

Queen Castiella walked over to her husband and hold his arm in comfort. King August sighed and pat her hands. "I really hope that she'll be saved in time. I don't want the history to repeat itself now that we've found her."

"Don't worry. God have blessed our child. She will be back on our side." The queen said not sure of who she is convincing. She's afraid that this time...

"Your majesty! We have good news!"

The couple saw Ryan bow before them with a smile on his face. "Her highness was found."

The queen and king look at each other with joy on their faces. The others who are also in the living room stood up and surrounded Ryan to ask him questions.

"Where is she?"

"Was she harmed? Please don't tell me she's hurt."

The king, overjoyed with the news cough to calm the youths. "Alright, alright. Let's calm down and hear what Captain Ryan have for us."

"Forgive us, your majesty." Eugene said as he and Mark lead the girls and Maria back to their seats.

The king beckoned for Ryan to start his report.

"Your majesties, a man named James Lopez called the headquarters saying he's with the princess. He said that he found the lifeboat which the princess used to escape from her abductors in his island. The princess have fever when he found her so he suggests for us to bring some guards on the island to watch over the princess until her fever's gone down."

Maria was shocked when she heard her nephew was the one who have rescued December. Then, she remembered that he is in the country for a business deal.

The king nodded. "Good. Good." He look at his daughter's friends who are also glad about the news they have heard. "Then you and Ms. Maria should go and take care of my daughter."

Maria stood up and bowed to them, "Thank you, your majesty for your trust."

"Ms. Maria, we can be rest assured knowing that you will be with our daughter." The queen said and hugged Maria to show her heartfelt gratitude towards the woman. "Thank you so much."

Maria smiled at the queen and assured her that she and Ryan will bring December back to the palace.