SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER: ROYALS by LORDE (Idk, I just chose it randomly.)
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H A R R Y
I was tricked.
I was tricked into believing that coming all the way to Amsterdam would- in some twisted way- somehow keep Caroline safe. Well it seems like I had it in for a lovely adventure...
*FLASHBACK TO WHAT HAPPENED*
After a four hour flight ride which seemed like forever, I lazily climbed out of my seat and boarded off the flight. It was hectic- there was a five year old boy (brat, I should say) who kept squealing for snacks from the flight attendant every two seconds. It took everything from me not to completely lash out at him with curse words. Every once in a while, I would glare right at him with my tired, bloodshot eyes but he didn't seem to notice my dirty looks. It would have been kind of cute to be honest- but the wrong time.
Looking straight ahead, I walked through the crowded airport- full of hasty walking businessmen in ties and suits, and blonde women in pencil skirts with hair pulled up in bobby tight buns holding suitcases. The loudspeaker projected various flight times- repeating them in both in English and Dutch.
I was puzzled and pissed off- trying to find my way through the crowds of people with my heavy dufflebag slung over one of my shoulders. King Ivan said his henchmen would be waiting for me, but no one familiar was in sight.
I felt a chunky tap on the shoulder, so my instincts immediately told me to turn around. Spinning around on my heal, I came face to face with an unfamiliar, foreign looking tall guy. He had long blond hair, tied back at the nape of his neck. "Hello, I am Luca. Harry Styles, right?" He had some type of an accent thickening his low voice.
I strangely nodding my head, scratching my cheek nervously. "Yeah, are you one of Ivan's men?" My voice was slightly hinting a bit of disgust. By the way the guy is laughing, I guessed that he was a couple years older than me- maybe in his late twenties.
"You could say so. King Antonio told me to come retrieve you from the airport, under King Ivan of Mightera's order." Luca's voice was slick, and a little hard to understand with his accent. But other important questions ran through my head.
"Who's King Antonio?" I inquired hesitantly. The name didn't ring a bell to me, I've never heard of him before.
Luca raised an eyebrow at me.
"King Antonio of Amsterdam." He stated clearly to me and my lips parted, creating an 'o' to show that I understood now. Even though I questioned it, I followed him as he lead me out of the airport and to the cab that waited for us. The ride to the castle was uneventful- Luca and I said nothing to each other mainly because I sat in the backseat with my arms folding over my chest like a stubborn nine year old.
When we finally reached the destination, my jaw literally dropped at the beautiful scenery in front of me. The cab driver stopped outside the tall gates of a grand castle, scattered with lovely glass windows reflecting everywhere. In the middle of the property, there was a large ceramic fountain with a water bearer in the middle, water spewing gracefully from the sculptured pot. I leaned forward in my seat, peering outside the window.
The two guards at the front saw us and swung open the tall gates for the driver. "Welcome to the Grand Hall of Amsterdam." Luca greeted me at the same time. I didn't know what to say- Is this where King Ivan and Desmond were hiding my sweet Caroline? I really hope they haven't done anything to her.
The cab stopped right at the front entrance of the castle, allowing me to gaze in amusement at the glass steps escalating up to the uniquely shaped glass doors with water running down the inside of the pane. It seemed as though this country was high in riches- showing off their wealth with every chance they got.
Luca climbed out of the front seat, and I did as well; still looking up at the beautiful building in front of me. Luca chuckled. "Ravishing, yeah?" I grunted stiffly in response. All I wanted to do was get Caroline and take her back home with me. We travelled up the steps and were greeted by the set of guards who swung the doors to the castle open for us.
The inside was even more stunning than the outside. A whole row of maids stood at the front hall, still as statues and as elegant as swans. This castle seemed so perfect and in order with everything. The whole place in general gave off a good feel- the plush carpets as red as the walls patterned with a bit of gold lining as well.
"Ah, son! You've finally arrived." A familiar voice greeted me, gushing with joy as I found myself enveloped into a hug. Luca leaves. Hearing the voice, I pushed the person embracing me away.
"Where the fuck is Caroline?" I raised my voice, seeing King Ivan standing awestruck at my bitter tone. Only then I noticed that there was another wide, fairly short man standing beside him. He had a bold spot in between his brown locks and a goatee. The expression on his face clearly gave off that he was shocked at my behaviour as well.
"Young man! Watch your tongue." King Ivan hissed furiously at me then turned to the other man, looking quite embarrassed. "I'm terribly sorry for his first impression, Antonio, I swear he's not really like this."
The other man- Antonio, the King of Amsterdam I'm guessing- chuckled lightly and reached out to whack me too hard in the back. "It's okay, Ivan, even I use foul language sometimes." He had an accent as well. I shot King Ivan a sharp look, causing him to look down.
I cleared my throat. "So why am I here?" King Ivan rubbed his hands together, as if he was about to devour a meal or something.
"King Antonio and I have been friends for a while now, and we've been talking lately about-"
"Let me guess. You've been banging him?" I interjected, scoffing in the process. King Antonio's face paled as King Ivan's eyes widened, reacting to my smart ass comment.
"Harry, your mouth is too big now." King Ivan stated sternly and I rolled my eyes in unamusement. He continued nevertheless.
"King Antonio and I have been talking and I've asked him on your behalf for his daughter's hand in marriage." He said calmly and I choked on my own spit.
"Who the actual fuck do you think you are?" I shouted at him, and the still maids were forced to look up at the commotion I caused. King Antonio shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "You bastard, you know I'm in l-"
King Ivan cut me off. "Antonio, I am terribly sorry but would you mind showing me where the dungeons to your castle is?" My heart went cold that moment.
"Ivan, I don't think thi-" King Antonio was in the midst of saying but King Ivan cut him off as well.
"Remember that I helped you invest in this place." He held on firmly, and I watched as King Antonio pursed his lips firmly.
"Down the stairs, past the cellar, it's the first thing you see." He sighed and King Ivan quickly dragged me to the dungeons, throwing me inside the dark room with him.
"What the hell, Ivan?" I hissed sharply as he shoved me against the wall. Heavy breaths escaped my mouth as anger was the only thing shown on my face.
"You've got to behave, boy. We need this. The princess of Amsterdam is Antonio's only child with no heir to the throne. She's a very nice girl, I know she'll be good for you. This countries full in riches, the Mighties need half of this!" I furrowed my eyebrows at his selfish words.
"So you tricked me into coming to Amsterdam to marry this damn princess?" I questioned hysterically, laughing almost in disbelief of his actions. King Ivan hesitated.
"Not tricked, I know-"
"No! I know too damn well who is and who is not good for me! It's Caroline, don't forget that." I let out the words boldly, forcing myself up against his face in attempt to intimidate him.
"Listen to me, that girl is not-"
"That girl is the only girl for me! The girl of my dreams. This is just one of your-"
King Ivan spoke over me, saliva spewing in my face."I know what's best for-"
"DON'T YOU FORGET THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER MY GUARDIAN! YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN MY DAMN FATHER. FUCK YOURSELF." With that, I was squared in the jaw. I clenched my mouth, cussing a string of words loudly. Looking up at King Ivan, I found him breathing heavily- eyes wide in fury. He was speechless.
"Your pathetic ways hurt others more than you think. One day, you'll drown in your own guilt." I spat out, like a curse. Bringing hand to my mouth, I felt the swelling of my lower lip. My mouth filled with the irony taste of blood.
"That's it boy, you're not leaving this room until you've learned to respect the people who brought you up." He shook his head while saying.
"Respect, my arse." I shot back immediately, glaring at him with a look that could cut like knives. He then brought out the chains. Chaining me to the stone wall, I wriggled as the blood from the punch in the mouth dribbled down my chin.
King Ivan looked back at me and said one thing before leaving the room. "You've changed, Styles."
He left like how a demon exited the fire of hell. Though, in my mind, he never did.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
It has now been about three weeks inside that dreaded room. I guess King Ivan kind of felt bad about chaining me up so he came back that day after a few hours to unchain me. Yet, I never gave him an apology like he expected me to.
See- people like King Ivan and Desmond don't deserve apologies. No, I do not regret any of the harsh words that come from my mouth. No, I don't regret completely hating them to my guts. No, I don't regret falling in love with Caroline beyond their words! Because they deserve no love from me. Not even a single bit.
What sickens me the most is thinking about where Caroline is and how she's doing...What if Desmond did something to her? What if she's in bad shape? What if-
Enough with the what ifs.
I'll just have to pray that she's unharmed and in a safe place. Nonetheless, that terrible pit inside my stomach only gets worse when I think about someone not listening to my constant prayers.
I am leaned against the hard wall of the cold room while thinking this. I've thought upon many plans to escape this place, but no windows or light source are in sight.
That's when the door finally swings open.
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A/N: lmao you probably hate me now for that cliffy:D #sorrynotsorry Just so you fully understand, this happened in the four weeks I took away from Caroline's POV. I hope it's not too confusing. Sorry for the grammar or any typos you might find bc I didn't look this over. Please vote and comment although I am fonder of comments! Thanks babes xx. M.