18 Seeing Red

Jeannie turned on her phone slowly, almost expecting a barrage of 'dings' to indicate the number of incoming messages. And as she had expected, she had received more than five thousand messages! That was even more than the number that she had received in all the years that she had owned a call phone, altogether.

All the messages seemed to be of the same type asking her to comment or pressing her for interviews. Directly ignoring them, she scrolled through them to look for any that might be urgent from those close to her. She knew that James could handle everything but what if it was someone who could not contact James. Like where her mother was at..

A minute later, her thumb stopped at a message that was different from the others and she clicked it open. It was from the King of the Isle of Argent. "King Aulus Markus really had the guts", Jeannie frowned. He had actually messaged her with a direct order to come to Isle Of Argent right away. Did he really think she was one of his spineless subjects. He had been unable to force her when she was a civilian and now that she was engaged to the Prince of Othon, it was going to be even more impossible!

Ignoring the message and blocking the number that it had been sent from, Jeannie looked down at the 'engagement' ring on her third finger! The ring made her think back to the sneaky prince who had kissed her so that she would be distracted and then slipped this ring onto her finger! Jeannie absolutely hated the ring and not just because she had been forced to accept it. In fact it was no wonder the Prince had used despicable methods to make her wear it.

She actually loved to wear rings but this one was just too ornate. In fact if it had been her real engagement ring, she would have never accepted it. Why would anyone put such a big big diamond in the middle and then make it even more flashy by giving it an elevated design! She would never wear this in normal days. Even if it was one of the clearest diamonds, it was a show of wealth instead of love.

Just as this thought entered her mind she stifled it. This ring was actually not supposed to be a symbol of love so the design was perfect. It was all for show just like this wedding. For the next three years, she would be married to the Prince. Jeannie grinned a bit evilly at the thought of the shock that the Prince would receive after they were married though. Because of the three years they were to be together, she would not be by his side.

In his wonderful contract, he had failed to mention that she would have to stay by his side at all times after the wedding. She already had prior commitments and a mere contract marriage would not stop her. Shrugging, she continued to scroll down and once again she stopped at Delaney's messages.

He seemed to have become paranoid with worry. Sighing, she read through his messages and finally smiled a bit. Delaney was like a little worry wart. She felt her heart warm as she read his final message, " I am coming there and you had better be in your right senses!"

After her mother had slowly lose her senses, it was Delaney who had given her the power to keep walking. He had helped her arrange everything for her mother and been a never ending support, like a bother. Falling back on bed, she messaged him back, " I am in possession of all my senses. My phone was turned off at first because of battery and then the press. You know it. Anyways, stop worrying, I will explain everything when we meet." Pressing the send button, she placed the phone on the side and jumped back from the bed. She was too sleepy and needed to freshen up before she fell asleep. But before she could have taken two steps, she received a message," Then I hope you have prepared your explanation. I am about to land over the Prince's residence."

As she finished reading the message, she could hear the faint sound of the rotor of the helicopter. Delaney had really come. Jeannie had not realized it at first but she had been on the edge with the Prince continuously these past few days. Having Delaney come was like having a friendly army arrive while you are in the middle of a siege. Another message came in which propelled Jeannie to almost run barefoot out of the room," Are you coming to welcome me?" Of course she was going to welcome him!

In the office:

Prince Christopher stood staring at the big map of Othon. He had finally succumbed to the thirst of power and crossed the hard limits he had set when he had entered the politics in the past. Even though he regretted his actions, the consequences were not something that he was able to neglect. In fact he was looking forward more and more to getting Jeannie Boon. He would consider her a reward for all his hard work over the years. And once Othon's throne belonged to him, he would slowly begin the next phase of passing the power into the hands of the people and establishing a strong democracy.

Just then a knock sounded on the door, his assistant reported," Your highness, President Cooper has arrived and his helicopter is seeking permission to land."

It seemed Delaney had come to personally congratulate him. "Grant the permission. I will go myself to welcome him." And walked out of the office.

A small smile on his face, Christopher watched as the machine landed on the mark in the darkness and slowly walked out as the blades of the helicopter slowed down. As always, Delaney's landing was perfect. He stopped and watched as his guards quickly stepped forward, ready for the usual protocol. He always found it irritating and knew Delaney did too but this time, with the recent announcement, he knew he could not be lax. Of course Delaney was no danger to him but someone might use him. After all, it was just unlike Delaney to come here.

Before he could have pondered more, however, he felt a slight wind on his side and glimpsed the long hair flowing down her back. Jeannie? What was she doing here?

But what shocked him even more was what happened next. The woman... his fiance.. actually ran towards his friend, towards another man and then jumped into his arms! And Delaney who had just jumped out of the helicopter, caught her in his embrace before twirling.

Prince Christopher saw red...