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Chapter 41 - Dee
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I don’t like this one bit.
I know I let my feelings get to me when Uncle Charles and my mom were talking about this meeting, which can’t be moved, but I couldn’t help it. Things are not going my way. Plus, I have been avoiding Shane’s calls and messages, which are wearing on me.
I stand at the foot of the hospital bed and glance down at my father. The weight of the world presses hard against my shoulders.
I thought it is supposed to be easier for the hidden heir, but this doesn’t feel easier.
The steady beeping of the machines and monitors surrounding my father drill into my mind the reality of everything. No matter how I want it to all go away, I can’t deny the reality of the situation.
Buzz.
Still standing like a statue, I don’t even look at my phone. I know already who it is, and I don’t want to talk to him right now. His pres
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To Protect the Crown Chapter 42 - Charles
Dee’s voice cracks, and for the first time in her life, it sounds so vulnerable as she barely squeaks out, “H.Hello.” I instantly sit up straight in my chair. Something isn’t right. My heart races as I try to calmly ask, “Dee, what is wrong? Where are you?” “Uhm…” Her voice, once again, cracks as my heart twists and aches. Before she can answer, someone in the background shouts, “Get the Queen here now! I know that she just left, but we need her back. The King is already in the operating room.” I don’t wait for anything else, I blurt out, “Don’t worry. I’m coming and I’ll get the Queen there soon. Just hold on.” I don’t know what has happened, but I have enough information to know that whatever has happened isn’t good. I bolt up and out of my chair. Within seconds, I’m running through the halls of the building. I don’t even realize that Max is next to me un
To Protect the Crown Chapter 43 - Dee
I pace back and forth at the foot of the hospital bed. I haven’t left the room since the doctors wheeled my father away earlier. Fortunately, he is back now, but with a fresh set of stitches and more bandages under his shirt. In addition, the doctor thinks he has got the King stable again. I shoot a glare across the room at Brandon, who is sitting on the couch, and I shake my head. I still can’t believe he told Katherine about my hidden identity. She is my prime suspect for this attack. Plus, she hates me so much that she actually tried to frame me for deleting my brother’s schedule off the network. Brandon doesn’t back down, though. He shakes his head back at me while he lightly pats Katherine’s leg beside him. I have to admit that Katherine’s normal hatred has disappeared. Instead of sneers and glares, she keeps looking at me with confusion and even maybe a little awe. I’m not r
To Protect the Crown Chapter 44 - Dee
I tap the keys on my keyboard harder than usual while my upper lip keeps curls upwards into a snarl. Even though I don’t want to give up on Katherine as the possible mastermind for these attacks, both Uncle Charles and the Queen have demanded that I look at someone else. Katherine and Brandon have also provided enough proof, showing her innocence, but I still don’t want to give it up. I was so sure of her guilt. However, Katherine’s total transformation with how she treats me has helped to ease my anger. I have to admit that it is nice not to have to wonder what insult she will throw at me next. However, that doesn’t ease my mind regarding the attacks and who is behind it. It only has me guessing who else it could be. I take a deep breath and begin running through my options and who has access to all the parts of the castle. I’m hoping that the new cameras we put up recently will give us some add
To Protect the Crown Chapter 45 - Shane
I look down on at my phone as I end another phone call to my girlfriend, which once again goes unanswered again. Why won’t she pick up her phone or reply to my messages? I still don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. With my phone still in my hand, I let my hand drop to my side as I look out across the city landscape. The air lightly blowing past me, ruffling my hair as storm clouds dot the horizon. I have another story to write, but I can’t get my mind to think straight. For the first time since taking my job at The Glassbrook Times, I have asked for someone else to take the story and for a few days off. The building storm in the distance is almost a perfect metaphor for my life right now. I’m standing off in the distance watching the clouds build and expand, while I’m helpless to do anything or to protect anyone in the path. I take a deep breath as my mind continues to wonder what could be happening
To Protect the Crown Chapter 46 - Dee
I scan the airstrip, trying to see if there is anything wrong. I don’t like this and the fact that we had to move the meeting and departure time up doesn’t sit well with me. With a stern look, I head back inside the hanger where a large array of bodyguards and staff are. I double check the list of approved people and those standing inside the hanger. They all seem to be accounted for, and no additional individuals. However, no matter how many times I check and double check everything, I have this uneasy feeling that I’m missing something. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something. I’m just hoping that I can find out what it is before it is too late. Through my earpiece, Charles barks, “Get everything loaded onto the plane. We are going to run out of time before the Prince gets here, so hurry.” I glance around the hanger as our staff loads several black boxes and briefcases, which
To Protect the Crown Chapter 47 - Shane
With a smile on my face, I watch Deloris turn and follow behind the royal family.My worries have melted away as soon as I see her smile.With my focus still on my girlfriend, my mother leans towards me and nudges my arm. “Are you going to talk to her as soon as the plane leaves? All this nonsense between you two has to stop.”I nod. “Yes. I’m going to talk to her and promise to never let anything like this happen again.”My mother stands back upright and chimes, “Good.”Not too far from us, the Queen glances over her shoulder with a faint smile on her lips. “I’m also glad to hear that. Otherwise, I was going to have to knock some sense into that girl.”However, I don’t acknowledge the Queen. Instead, I walk towards the hanger as Deloris runs across the pavement towards the plane. With her arm waving wildly in the air
To Protect the Crown Chapter 48 - Shane
I pace back and forth in the private hospital’s hallway as medical staff runs back and forth.I want to stop someone and find out what is going on with Deloris, but I don’t.As I turn back in the other direction, my mother’s cracked voice breaks through my thoughts and the endless questions swirling around in my mind. “Shane, sit down. You are going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep going.”I don’t think I can sit even if I want to. My anxiety builds just thinking about having to stay still for a minute.I take a deep breath and stop. As I turn towards my mother and the Queen, I shake my head. My voice sounds as rough as I feel. “I don’t think I can. I think it is better for me to keep pacing.”As my mother goes to open her mouth, Charles comes running down the hall. “How is she? Did she make it out of surgery yet?&rdq
To Protect the Crown Chapter 49 - Charles
I march into Dee’s office with Page, Max and Trevor following close behind. As I storm around the desk, Trevor quietly shuts the door. When I hear the door click shut, I let all of my emotions go. “WHAT THE HELL WAS ALL THAT? HOW DID A BOMB GET PLACED WITH ALL THE OTHER BOXES AND BAGS FOR THE TRIP?”I push Dee’s chair out of the way and lean forward with my hands resting on top of her desk.I stare at each person one by one, however, none of them reply, until my eyes stop on Trevor. He gulps and pushes his glasses up his nose before he glances sideways at the other two.He reluctantly turns his attention back to me and gulps again, while I’m shooting daggers at him with my eyes. He tentatively says, “I haven’t had a chance to review all the video. The team is still working on that. So, we haven’t come to the point where the extra case makes its way into th
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To Protect the Crown Epilogue - Dee
I bite my lower lip as my fingers fidget with my pants. My eyes are glued up front at the judge as he turns to the jury box and the jurors. “Have you reached a verdict?” The court room falls into complete silence. A lady stands up and announces, “Yes, we have, your honor.” My breath catches. This is it. I silently pray that this is the end of this chapter of our lives. The judge nods. “On the first count of attempted murder regarding the attack on the King, what is your verdict?” I hold my breath as I lean slightly forward. “Guilty.” YES!! I turn to my side and huge my husband, Shane, as tears stream down my face. I have so many things I want to say, but I can only manage to mutter a few words. “Yes. Finally.” His strong arms wrap around me and hold me tight. His voice cracks as he replies, “Yes. We finally have justice.”
To Protect the Crown Chapter 74 - Dee
As I bite the inside of my mouth, I take a deep breath. I need to stay focused. My eyes jump from one video to the next, hoping to spot my boyfriend and my uncle. However, I can’t find them anywhere. I bite down harder as my heart races. Please make sure Shane and my uncle are alright. Even though my mind is in a whirlwind and my heart is racing, I force myself to stay on task and finish what we have started. I keep my eyes on the various videos while I bark orders into the microphone. Each passing moment seems to stretch on forever. Periodically, I glance back at the video for my father’s hospital room, making sure my parents are still alright. My heart wrenches as my eyes stop on the various videos of people running and screaming. Even though I have the sound turned off on them, their screams still echo in my head. Several injured people are being helped away
To Protect the Crown Chapter 73 - Dee
I look at the solid door for a moment as my heart squeezes.Thoughts rush through my head, imagining all the various things that could have happened to Shane.Please tell me he is alright. I can’t lose him now. I just found him.I take a deep breath.I’m surrounded by complete silence, which amplifies the banging from the earlier bullets which is still ringing in my ears.I have been around gun fire before, but this time seems to be different. However, the only difference is I’m now the queen instead of the head of security.A loud bang against the door reminds me that even if the room is a safe room, if Irene’s gang really wants to get me, they can find a way through the thick steel door no matter how many locks are on it or how much security is around.I take a deep breath.My mind goes back to our plan. I must follow the plan.&nbs
To Protect the Crown Chapter 72 - Dee
I glance around the corner and look into the castle’s press room. The reporters are scanning through their notes, while the camera crews and photographers setup their equipment behind all the chairs.My stomach churns. This is it.My mother’s harsh words in protest over this come flooding back to me. Somewhere out there are some of Irene’s group of goons.My eyes dart to the various corners of the room where additional security staff are at, while I unconsciously run my hand over my stomach. My fingers linger along the edge of the bullet-proof vest. However, I don’t find comfort in it.Before today, I wouldn’t think anything about whether there are bullets aiming for me. I would find relief in them being aimed at me instead of my family. However, I’m the queen now. If something happens to me, my uncle will have to step forward an
To Protect the Crown Chapter 71 - Dee
An eerie silence consumes the room.No one moves as all eyes are locked on the open door.Each passing second seems to stretch on for more like minutes or even hours as we wait to hear anything that will ease our worries.My mother is still frozen in the middle of the room while Shane squeezes my shoulder and whispers, “Everything will be alright.”I wish I had his confidence. I’ve seen the doctor’s report and have talked extensively with them. I know the cold, hard truth. Neither of my brothers has good odds. It seems they took the bulk of the impact trying to protect Katherine and her unborn child.However, I don’t protest. I keep my eyes fixed on the door and nod.My stomach suddenly sinks as some monitor in the distance belts out a solid buzz.The screams from the staff fade away as my mind screams, “NO! THIS CAN’T BE
To Protect the Crown Chapter 70 - Dee
Even though I’ve been in this room several times. This time, it is suffocating me.The sight of my father trembling as he looks at Brandon and Katherine from his wheelchair while his eyes fill with tears. It only takes a few seconds before those tears then stream down his face. The tremor along his lips and the pain in his eyes are too much for me, but I can’t leave.My voice cracks as I gently lay my hand on his arm. “They are getting better. Remember, the doctor said Katherine could wake up any minute. That is a good sign.”He puts his hand on top of mine and nods. His shaky voice also cracks as he whispers, “Yes, it is a good sign.” Standing behind his wheelchair, my mother pats his shoulders. “Honey, it will only be time now. Then we can have our family back together again. I have faith they will return to us.”I wish I
To Protect the Crown Chapter 69 - Irene/Dee
Irene POVMy stomach sinks as I stare into Charles’ crazy eyes. His anger radiates off him and slams into me like a ton of bricks, along with the table.However, that doesn’t affect me. No. He is trying to bring my parents into this. He can’t do that. They have nothing to do with this.I did this all on my own. My rightful place is next to my husband as the country’s queen. I did this all on my own.Robert is so much better than Brandon and my husband desires to be the king more than his brother does. But because Brandon is older, he gets to be the king first. That is so unfair.Shouldn’t the better leader be the one to lead the country? Of course, I would be the queen then. Everyone would continue to look up to me instead of Katherine. She is nothing compared to me.The throne is meant for us, not th
To Protect the Crown Chapter 68 - Charles
I march into Dee’s office and take a seat behind her desk, which is now my office and my desk. I didn’t think in a million years I would be back here. I thought once I retired, I would only be brought on the rare occasion something like what has when my brother has occurred. However, now, I’ll be back here every day. A small part of me is disappointed I’m coming back, but another part of me is happy, not because of the events which have brought me back, but because I can stop moping around the house. I hate to admit it but retired and I don’t work well with each other. Before I even turn on the computer, I yell out, “Page! I need an update! You better have something for me!” I’m not even done with my command when Page, Max and Trevor rush into the office. Max stops and stands in between the two chairs, while Page and Trevor sit in the chairs. Max clears his throat. “The agents a
To Protect the Crown Chapter 67 - Shane
With my laptop on top of a little portable table, I sit beside the King’s bed and glance over at him. “Your majesty, what exactly do you want to say at the press conference? Are there certain things you want to cover?”He nods as Deloris pats my arm and says, “For me, I want to clarify that this will not go unpunished. The traitors will be captured, or hopefully are already captured, and will rot in jail.”Her father shakes his head. “You can’t go out and say something like that. You must use a little more finesse. With something like that, you will not only scare the villains but also everyone else in the country. No. We need to think of it a little more rationally.”Standing beside him and holding his hand, his wife smiles at my girlfriend. “Darling, you need to learn the fine art of subtleness. You can appear nice and friendly, but also fierce at
