782 Save Winters
âThank God! Finally!â Reina, Niklausâ wife, breathed in relief as soon as she set her eyes on Akim. Although the young man was much taller than her, it didnât stop her from pulling him into a hug and Akim had to hunch down to settle to her height.
âYou are safe now,â Reina muttered while running her hand soothingly across his back, âItâs alright,â
But Akim was not comforted because he broke down into tears instead and she felt for him.
âItâs okay, donât cry, eveything would be fine. We all make mistakes,â She continued to pat him on the back while he cried, burying his face in the womanâs shoulder.
It was at that moment that Niklaus came into the living room and saw both of them. He opened his mouth to speak but Reina shook her head, hinting that this was not the time. So he sighed, running his hand through his hair so tightly his wife, Reina feared for his scalp.
Reina knew deep down that it took Niklaus every fiber of his being not to lash out at his nephew right now. It has been weeks, fucking weeks since he ran off with that girl, Winters, and all their efforts to find him proved abortive. He not only put them â Reina and Niklaus â into a deep state of unrest, but his parents as well, King Kai and his wife, Emily.
The both of them had to come down to the country to find their runaway son whom they heard took off with a dangerous hacker. Niklaus knew deep down that Winters had a hand in why they werenât able to track them down easily. As much as his pride wouldnât allow it, Niklaus had to admit that the girl was damn good at what she does.
Niklaus could identify teenage rebellion when he sees one â even though the young couples were legally adults. He had been hard-headed and tough while growing up, even till adulthood. Niklaus went to great lengths to be with his wife today, so he understood and respected true love when he saw one.
Unfortunately, Akim was the crown prince of Lincolnshire, and his absence during the past weeks has thrown the kingdom into confusion. Not to mention that both of them were young and feelings change all the time â they donât fully comprehend what love was. He would not let Akim destroy his future over some teen love.
.....
Niklaus didnât know what happened, but Akim returned on his own, and his men located him on the way, bringing him in safely. However, the deep sadness on his nephewâs face told him that it wasnât good news. It would be nice if that girl finally came to her senses and broke up with him.
So he waited âpatientlyâ for the boy to keep it together before he began his interrogation. If it wasnât for the fact that the boyâs mother, Queen Emily was his sister and trusted him, Niklaus bet she would have him locked up in jail already, believing he had a hand in whatever happened to her only son.
After all, what parents would believe that their son who came to spend time with his uncleâs family suddenly eloped with a hacker he claims to be in love with? It was suspicious. Thankfully, there was video evidence to support the claim.
âWhat the hell were you thinking?!â Niklaus fired, the instant the boy was able to calm down. His eyes were red with anger and the veins on his face protruded.
Akim in question didnât dare to look into his uncleâs eyes and lowered his head shamefully instead. Right now, Niklaus was a live wire and he would only get electrocuted if he dared step on it.
âDo you know how worried your parents were? They had to come down to the country just to look for you and you were what? Having a good time with the love of your life?!â
âUncle, it was the only way that I could -â
âDonât talk while Iâm speaking!â Niklaus thundered.
âNiklaus!â Reina stepped in, her gaze silently communicating with him to calm down while she placed her hand on Akimâs palm, squeezing it softly.
She said to her husband with a gentler tone, âScolding him all day would not erase what happened, Niklaus, we should be more grateful that heâs back home without any harm. Moreover, this misunderstanding was a result of miscommunication. We werenât listening to him and he probably made his point by running off with her. â
Niklaus applauded him sarcastically,
âGood job then. You solved your problem like a man by running away, bravo! What made you return home then? You should have kept running until we caught up to you. So why did you come back here looking like a mess?!â
âThey took her,â Akim confessed, tearing up once again.
âWho took her?â Reina asked out of concern, her hand resting on his shoulder. Even Niklaus who was angry couldnât help but get interested in the case.
âI donât know who,â Akim explained to them, âWe were outside for a while relaxing and just when we decided to return home, a car stopped right beside us. They took Winters and overpowered me so I couldnât go after them. But ever since then, I havenât heard a thing from Winters and I truly fear that something has happened to her. â
âWell, good riddance!â Niklaus said without thinking and all he got from his wife was a glare.
âUncleâ¦â Akim stood up from his seat and walked over to his uncle, falling to his feet, âYou have to help me find her. Please, you have to save her.â
But Niklaus looked down at him, saying without sympathy,
âIâm sorry but the only responsibility I owe towards your parents is sending you home safely. And youâre leaving for Lincolnshire first thing, tomorrow morning.â
âPlease uncle, I have to save herâ¦!â Akim begged him, holding onto his feet but Niklaus wasnât listening. If anything, he gestured to the guards around who came over and took a hold of him.
âNiklaus -â Reina tried to mediate but his cutting look silenced her. His decision was final.
âUncle!â Akim screamed after Niklaus as he was dragged away. He canât give up on Winters. He had to save her.