Her Runaway Prince

He laid down on his bed and replayed the events through his head over and over and over and over again. He tried to wrap his mind around it but just couldn’t comprehend the task given to him. He couldn’t just change himself nor could he pretend to be somebody he wasn’t for the rest of his life, but he couldn’t just become a normal, lowly citizen either. He hated the ultimatum and he hated his mother for giving it to him.

Very well mother. If you are so ashamed to have me, then so be it. With that thought he had made up his min. He decided he would take the unspoken third option; escape.

Petro didn’t even second guess his decision. He didn’t even bother packing. He hastily ran down the stairs as quick as he could, so that he couldn’t give himself time to contemplate or regret his impulsive decision. No goodbye messages or explanations. By the time his mother woke up the next day, he would be long gone and his former life would be in the past.

The Royal Guard were so used to his coming and going whenever it pleased him that they thankfully didn’t even ask any questions. Petro simply nodded as he passed them and climbed in his car. Speeding off, he stopped by the gate and took one last look at the house he thought was his home.

“I’m sorry mother, but I guess I’ll never be what you want me to be.” Petro sighed softly, a tear rolling down his cheek. He shook the remorse out of his head and said his last goodbye to his former life. Then, he sped off.

The only stop he made on his way was to withdraw all his personal savings. Thankfully he still had so much money left that he’d be set for quite a few years. His mother thought he knew no responsibility, but he had been steadily stockpiling his own wealth for years. He had been building his own emergency fund, and the reason for it had finally shown its face. He withdrew every last penny from his account and drove off again.

He took a drive through the capital that had been his home for so long. He drove through every street and stared down every alley, remembering every good memory he’d had in that place. He made sure to see every one of his favorite places for the last time and said goodbye to each one individually. His heart felt heavy. He didn’t want things to come to that. He never wanted to leave, but he felt as if no other option was left. So he gave a smile to the streets that he called himself king of and drove off. His final destination was steadily approaching.

He took the right exit and followed the gravel road that lead up to his own, personal landing zone. He saw his private jet and helicopter off in the distance. A part of him felt sick to his stomach, knowing how close he was to finally leaving. Another part of him kept assuring him that it wasn’t too late to back down. That he could just go home, get some sleep and do what his mother wished. He buried both voices and focused solely on what was ahead of him.

This is it. No backing down now.

He stopped by the little house close to the plane, climbed out and approached the door.

“Manro! Manro! Wake the fu*k up, Goddammit!” Petro pounded frantically at the door.

Manro was the only person that Petro felt he could truly trust. Not only was he the best pilot in all of the land, but he was also Petro’s lifelong best friend. They were closer than family and Petro knew that Manro would never betray him.

Petro’s heart was racing when Manro finally opened up the door. Petro stared at the man in front of him. Manro resembled the Johansen heir so closely that, if it weren’t for everybody already knowing who Petro was, they could have easily passed as brothers. Both were tall and impressively built. Both had shocking blue eyes. The only key differences were their hair and skin. Manro had extremely tanned skin, much darker than Petro. Manro’s hair was also charcoal black and completely straight, vividly contrasted against Petro’s curly, bleach blond locks. However, albeit not by blood, they were still brothers in their own minds.

“Jesus man, what the hell is going on?” Manro asked Petro, still half asleep.

“No questions asked, okay? I need to get away. I need to escape this place.” Petro asked Manro with tears in his voice.

“Christ Petty, don’t tell me you actually went and killed a hooker,” Manro laughed as he patted Petro on the shoulder. Petro smiled at Manro and then laughed softly. No matter how serious the situation, Manro always had a joke ready. Petro didn’t realize before just how much he was going to miss that.

“No, unfortunately it isn’t anything nearly as entertaining as that. Listen Manny, you know I won’t keep any secrets from you, but you gotta trust me on this one. The less you know, the better it will be for you.” Petro grabbed his friend by the shoulders and told him sternly. Manro nodded in understanding.

“Very well, let me just get dressed and we’ll be on our way,” Manro said. Petro didn’t even notice that Manro had been buck naked the whole time.

“Jesus man, put on some bloody pants before you knock someone out with that thing,” Petro laughed.

“Oh please, don’t act like you’re not jealous. You may be the Prince, but this is the King, baby,” Manro laughed even louder as he headed inside to get dressed.

When Manro finished dressing, he came out and lead Petro to the chopper. Petro had chosen this location as his take off and landing zone for a particular reason; it was too far away from any towns for anyone to take notice. And now it was paying off. Nobody would know what happened except for him and Manro.

The take off and first few minutes of flight were filled with casual conversation and jokes between the two friends, It felt just like any of their previous late night adventures, but the realization started to set in that this would very well be their last.

“You’ve truly been like a brother to me, Manny. I’m gonna miss you,” Petro said to his friend, tears swelling in his eyes.

“Aye Petty, same to you my friend. But let’s not get all sappy now, no need for our last trip to be such a sad one,” Manro just smiled.

“True, sadness has never really been our thing,” Petro agreed.

“So, Your Highness, where exactly am I flying to?”

“Well, definitely the states. The royal family has no power there and no way to monitor it. It feels like the best option.”

“I hate to break it to you buddy, but the states is a massive place. That’s why we call it the states. Because there’s so many of them. Because it’s a big place.” Manro laughed at his own sarcasm. Petro just rolled his eyes.

“Yes, yes, wise guy. I just need somewhere where people won’t know me. I’m not picky.”

“Not picky? That’s a first. But yes, I actually know of a place. The perfect place. Now get some rest, you’re gonna need it,” Manro told Petro as he set his destination.

Petro wanted to argue but his eyes did feel heavy. He decided to just give in and let sleep take him.

It felt as if he’d just closed his eyes when he felt Manro shake him awake.

“Come on pretty boy, time to jump off. I gotta get back before somebody suspects something.”

They’d reached their destination. Manro had the private plane in a field surrounded by trees. Petro shook his head and tried to wake himself up. The moment had actually come. He felt a massive knot in his stomach but swallowed his fear and climbed out.