Chapter 25: Beggin'

Bradley

I am in turmoil.

Prince Elton accosted me inside the nightclub restroom where both of us were. Before that happened, we had perfectly enjoyed our time with friends, including a few that we had just made right then and there. I barely even acknowledged his existence because we stayed on separate floors of the nightclub.

After we walked out of the restroom, my fellow contestants were worried about what he wanted with me that he had to stalk me in the restroom instead of speaking to me in public. It didn't take long for someone - Colin - to notice the redness on my neck, a handprint from Elton having choked me earlier for talking to his sister.

He tried to threaten me, but it only backfired against him spectacularly.

My new friend Lance Richmond took pictures of the neck bruise, Elton and I. Then he tweeted it, denouncing the intimidation I suffered from the Crown Prince. It was enough for the episode to go viral on social media, soon being reported by every major news organization worldwide.

I was taken to the medical center, checked out by a doctor, then Colonel Armstrong took all the boys to his office where, one by one, he collected our statements about what happened tonight. It was a very exhaustive Sunday night, so by the time I returned to my room, I was hungry and tired. Thankfully, I still had some snacks that uncle Damian brought the other day. I have no idea how he will react when he hears about this...

Colin was worried about me, but he - along with all my fellow contestants - reassured me that I was safe and that if they mess with one of us, they mess with all of us. We will not tolerate intimidation tactics against any competitor.

Our grievances must be settled in the ring, like men, free of any outside interference.

I tossed and turned at night, having trouble sleeping. The image of Elton's hand gripping my throat still played in my mind, making me terrified of shutting my eyes. I was sleepy, so I eventually just collapsed on my bed.

The next morning, I woke up lazily for breakfast. I checked my phone, and I had thousands of mentions and tags on my social media accounts once again. There were various reports on the assault I suffered last night. Both my sisters and my mother were worried about me.

Later that day, when I was walking back from the cafeteria, where I just had breakfast with Colin, I received a text message from an unknown number to go to Colonel Armstrong's office for a debrief. I found it odd that he would text me directly instead of sending one of his soldiers to collect me, but I didn't see the harm in going to his office.

Maybe he was trying a different approach. Who knows?

Anyway, complying with the request was no trouble for me. It was not like somebody asked me to do something nefarious. I told Colin to keep on walking back to our dorm room because I had to stop by Armstrong's office to follow up on my report.

As I was walking towards the military quarters, someone pulled me inside one of the bathrooms on the way. I am sensing a theme here. After I was out of sight in the corridor, I realized it was none other than Prince Elton himself. He dragged me inside so we could speak privately.

"Have you come to finish the job now? Almost choking me to death wasn't enough for you?" I spat at him, annoyed about the ruse to get me here. Now I know who sent the text.

"I am sorry for putting my hands on you." He spoke humbly. Right...

"You didn't look very sorry last night. And you had plenty of opportunities to apologize to me." I challenged him, not very convinced by this act of contrition. My eyebrow was raised in suspicion of him.

"I know I was arrogant with you last night. It's just the idea of my sister dating you is..."

"Is this your idea of apology? By insulting me?" I cut him off, irritated. The arrogance of that guy. She is just a girl, you know? She is not the Queen of England.

Elton took a breath to calm himself down, and once again, he was looking apologetic. I know that he is faking for my sake, but at least he is trying to put on a convincing expression on his face.

"No. I am sorry for the way I acted last night. It was wrong of me to try to block you from dating my sister. She should be allowed to date whoever she wants, and it was wrong of me to interfere. I am truly sorry for that." He spoke calmly to express his 'mea culpa'.

"Thank you. I accept your apology. You'll be missed in the tournament." I replied to him, who we all know, he was minutes away from being officially excluded from the competition. If it hasn't happened already.

"About that, can you please issue a statement telling them I wasn't trying to intimidate you?" He pleaded, revealing what the true motive was behind this sudden act of contrition.

"Why would I do that? #PrinceBully has been trending on Twitter since yesterday!" I sassed him in a snarky tone.

"Because it's the truth! I wasn't there to try to stop you from competing, I was there as a concerned brother." He explained, exposing his vulnerability to me for the first time.

"Right. And what's in it for me?" I asked him, since no one does anything for nothing. Especially him.

"What do you want?" He was taken aback by my question, but he was ready to negotiate.

"One million dollars." I declared, and he gasped in shock.

"Wow! I didn't peg you for the gold digger type. I don't have access to that kind of money." He responded, making a puppy dog face that would break my heart if it wasn't for the present circumstances.

"It was nice meeting you, Your Highness." I said, moving to walk out of the bathroom.

"Fine. A million. I'll find a way to make it work. Would you do it then?" He pleaded humbly.

"No." I stated, and he was confused by my response.

"What? But I just said I could get you the money!" He was exasperated.

"I was joking! I could never accept your money!" I blasted off, revolted that he even bought that act. I guess he is used to that happening in his world.

"Please, Bradley! I cannot be excluded from this tournament! My family could be ruined if a commoner rises as King. Please, I beg you!" He begged me to help him, and for the first time since I had met him, I finally saw through his perfectly curated façade.

Elton was desperate for my help, completely vulnerable, and at my mercy. He knows I am the only person who could help him in any way since I am his victim. He knew this would happen if he put his hands on me, and it did just as he predicted.

I was taken aback by his vulnerability before me. He wasn't asking for my help for his sake but for his family's. He was fighting for them, not for himself. That is something I can relate to deeply. I was so moved by Elton's plea, much more than I thought I would be.

"I am truly sorry for what I did to you last night. I realize I was wrong, but I love my sister. Please, I don't ask this for myself but for her. The only way I can secure her future is by being the next monarch. I cannot be excluded from the tournament. I beg of you to give me one more chance." He pleaded, expressing true remorse. I was shaken by seeing who he is behind the royal mask and what he stands for.

I was at a loss for words for a minute while he looked at me with a deep, penetrating gaze.

What do I do now? I had never seen this side of him before. He looked so... honest and raw. His concern for his family was touching my heart on a deeper level than I expected. He kept begging me to do it for his family, to save them from ruin. He had to compete. Or so he kept saying...

A|N: BOOM!

What will Brad do?

I guess you should tune in tomorrow.

Love,

Léo.