"What do you an?" Kiya didn’t understand and stared at Sienna Johnson in confusion.
Sienna’s gaze was sharp as she looked at Kiya, devoid of the awe others typically showed in his presence.
"You should know why Paige wants a divorce from you. What’s your stance on this?"
Kiya furrowed his eyebrows, sinking into silent thought.
This was Sienna’s first ti observing the man before her at such close range. He appeared sowhat older than Adrian Desmond, with a neatly trimd, handso beard. He had a mature and steady deanor, giving off a fatherly or elder-brotherly vibe. Sienna believed Paige hadn’t initially been drawn to him because he was a prince, but rather because he could offer her a sense of security. Having lost her parents at a young age, Paige had spent more ti with servants and nannies than with her brother, Adrian. While he provided her with a comfortable life, he couldn’t always be by her side.
"I will not agree to a divorce! As for my mother... My mother is a very strong-willed woman, and often, I have to defer to her wishes. She took Dylan away because she felt Paige couldn’t adequately care for him. My mother genuinely believed she was acting in Dylan’s best interest."
Sienna chuckled at Kiya’s words. "Really? But I believe Dylan would be happier and healthier with his mother."
Sienna took out her phone and showed Kiya a video. In it, Curly, Dylan, Connie, and George were practicing martial arts together, looking quite proficient and full of youthful energy.
"Is this Dylan?"
Dylan was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, his skin tanned and his hair matted with sweat. His eyes were full of energy and spirit. If it weren’t for the boy’s striking resemblance to Kiya’s wife, he wouldn’t have even recognized him.
"Yes, that’s Dylan. He’s very healthy. He eats a lot every day, can run five kiloters, and practices martial arts for two hours. He’s grown taller and much stronger. Do you still think Paige can’t take good care of Dylan?"
Dylan was practicing his moves proficiently; even after being knocked down, he would quickly get up and continue sparring... The video ended, and his son’s laughter echoed in Kiya’s ears. He had never heard his son laugh so freely.
Dylan was so happy, which ant Paige must be even happier. This realization left a bitter taste in Kiya’s mouth; they were happy without him, but he was not happy without them.
"Where are they?"
"If you want to tell you, I can..."
Kiya looked at Sienna excitedly. "Please, tell !"
"Not only can I tell you where they are, but I can also try to persuade Paige not to divorce you. However..."
Kiya’s heart leaped into his throat. "But what?"
"You have to agree to two conditions. First, you cannot allow your mother to take Dylan away again. Put yourself in Paige’s shoes: you’ve only been without Dylan for a month and you miss him this much; imagine how she, as his mother, must feel. Not only must your mother be prevented from taking Dylan away, but she also cannot interfere in Paige and Dylan’s lives. Second, you cannot marry another woman! As for that Pelindi Princess, you’d better send her away soon."
"This..."
Sienna hadn’t expected an imdiate answer. "Go back and think it over carefully. Give an answer when you’ve decided. Your Highness, you may leave the car now."
"Thank you. Farewell." Kiya politely thanked Sienna. He was very good-natured, showing no anger despite Sienna’s earlier bluntness, which made Sienna regard him with a asure of respect.
Kiya glanced at Adrian Desmond’s cold expression, nodded, and exited the car.
The mont Kiya stepped out, Sienna ordered the driver to go. Lance, seeing that Kiya had just exited and was still close by when their car sped off, complained indignantly, "His Highness hasn’t even found his footing yet! How could they drive off like that? It’s too dangerous."
Kiya glanced at the black car speeding away, sighed, and said, "Let’s go." In the Desmond family, he was always an unwelco figure anyway. Now, even his Princess Consort didn’t want him anymore.
Kiya got into his own car and, escorted by his bodyguards, headed for the Imperial Palace.
Upon returning to the country today, before even going back to the Imperial Palace, he had gone straight to the Desmond family residence. Finding no one there, he learned Adrian Desmond was at Dan Taylor’s place and had imdiately headed over.
Adrian Desmond wouldn’t know that he had actually been waiting outside for over an hour.
In the car, Lance looked at Kiya’s troubled expression and asked with concern, "Your Highness, did they still refuse to tell you the whereabouts of the Princess Consort and the young Prince?"
"They said they would tell , but I have to agree to two conditions."
"What conditions?"
Kiya closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat, appearing to have fallen asleep. Lance instructed the driver to slow down and drive more steadily. He also closed the car window, creating a quiet and comfortable environnt so Kiya, whose nerves had been constantly on edge, could rest properly.
The car entered the Imperial Palace, and Kiya returned to his private quarters. He paused at the door to his bedroom for a mont before stepping inside. The room was opulent but felt devoid of warmth or life.
He walked in, removed his coat, and sat down at his wife’s dressing table. It held various skincare products she had used, along with a peach wood comb intricately carved with plum blossoms and so Chinese characters he couldn’t recognize. A long strand of her hair lay on it. He gently picked it up and held it in his palm, a wave of longing washing over him.
Lance knocked and entered, interrupting Kiya’s reverie. "Your Highness, the Queen Mother wishes to see you."
Kiya frowned. "This late? The Queen Mother wants to see ?"
"Yes." Lance lowered his head.
Kiya rose, placed the comb back on the table, and left the cold, empty bedroom, walking towards his mother’s chambers.
The Shariff Royal Palace was imnse, boasting over 1,700 rooms. Even though his father had married many won, there still weren’t enough people to fill all those rooms.
It was a fifteen-minute walk from his quarters to his mother’s. He chose not to take an Electric Bike, walking the entire way. He had a good idea why his mother had summoned him and, subconsciously, was reluctant to see her so soon.
Fifteen minutes. The journey still felt too short.
"Your Highness..." As Kiya entered, the maids curtsied to him. Unlike his father, Kiya had always been a gentle and approachable prince; his amiable nature put people at ease, making them feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
Today, however, Kiya’s expression was cold.
"Mother, it’s so late. Why did you wish to see ?" Kiya asked.
The Queen Mother glanced at her son, noting he had clearly lost so weight, and her resentnt towards Paige deepened.
"Mother, are you suffering from insomnia again? Perhaps I could massage your head to help soothe your nerves."
The Queen Mother was the picture of regal elegance, adorned with dazzling jewelry. Yet, her face was as cold as ice, and her imperious air made her seem utterly unapproachable.
"Where is Dylan?"
"Dylan is doing well; he’s with his mother. You don’t need to worry about him, Mother." Kiya sat down beside his mother, trying his best to speak with her calmly and patiently.
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