Chapter 233 - Caden's Love

Before anyone in the room could react, another group of people barged in.

"Very well said! That's my daughter!" It was my mom who said those words while clapping her hands slowly.

Dad, Lucas, Aunt Sophie and Uncle Percy came inside following my mother, the Ice Princess.

"Enough of this, love. Let them be." Uncle Jayden said while pulling his wife closer to him.

Then Caden stood up and walked towards his mom.

"Mom, you promised me that you will let me do this my way. I'm fine now. Let me also protect this family. Give me a chance." Caden said in a gentle voice.

"No. Give us a chance. We are tired of being protected. We can help now. We're not kids anymore." It was Lucas.

Uncle Jayden chuckled.

"Fine. You were more capable than we imagined anyway. Don't think that we didn't know what you two had been doing for years. You even involved Elisa and the Jackson twins."

I was confused. But I decided to ask Caden later on. We have a lot of things to talk about. I wanted to know what happened to him for the past twelve years.

Aunt Peggy took a deep breath and glanced at me, then he stared at Caden

"Caden, promise me whatever happens you will never leave my Alira. Protect her." She said.

After talking with the adults, they went to the school auditorium. The press conference will start in half an hour so our parents allowed us to talk first.

"Just talk! Caden, I'm warning you!" Aunt Peggy yelled.

"Don't mind your mother. Alira, do whatever you want with him." My mother said.

It was embarrassing. I was blushing and my heart was pounding when they left.

"Come here." Caden pulled me into his lap after they left.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and started kissing me on the lips. We were interrupted earlier by her mother but now they left us alone for half an hour, Caden seemed to be rushing.

"W-Wait. Aren't you going to tell me what happened to you? I want to know everything, Caden." I said in a serious tone.

He sighed and smiled a little.

"I promise I will tell you after this. But for now, care to tell why you were at a dating party yesterday?" He suddenly asked.

I was surprised. I felt a sudden guilt because of what I did. 

"I'm sorry. I was mad because I felt like you abandoned me. My friends were saying that I should move on and look for another guy. I'm sorry, Caden." I whispered while biting my lips.

"So, did you find a guy better than me?" He asked, teasing me.

I pouted. He was somehow a lot different when we were younger.

"I honestly enjoyed the company of my friends and the guys yesterday. For years, I was protected and guarded by Lucas. Although I hung out with the girls, it was my first time to have boys in the group. I'm sorry. I enjoyed chatting with Ace. Does it count as cheating?"

He sighed and stared directly into my eyes.

"I won't blame you if you found someone else after so many years, but I was happy to know from Lucas that you never entertain any guy in school. Alira, I want to thank you for waiting for me. I promise I will never let anyone separate us again, even my mother."

My heart fluttered hearing those words from him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled.

"Kiss me, Caden." I whispered.

"I won't be satisfied with just a kiss. I want to touch you, Alira. But I will never force you. Having you here with me is already enough. I love you."

"Thank you and I love you, too."

Then I leaned forward pressing my lips into his. I'm glad that he wouldn't force me to do something more than kissing. I wasn't sure if I was ready anyway and we're still teenagers.

For now, I am happy that we are finally together.

When we went out of the residence, I was surprised that a lot of men were lined up outside. And as we walked towards the auditorium, they followed.

"Half of them were the royal guards and half were the A.E security team. I'm sorry for having a lot of bodyguards but this is necessary." He said.

"No. I know being the crown prince is not easy." I sincerely answered.

I grew up with personal bodyguards, so I was kind of used to their presence. Dad would never allow me to leave without having a guard and I know he would double my guards to keep me safe.

Caden took my hand and gently kissed it. I was blushing when I saw that we were already inside the auditorium when he did that. 

Everyone was present including the media. My parents were also on stage seated behind the table and chairs prepared for Caden and me. The conference was broadcasted worldwide as well.

"We will now accept some questions from the audience." It was the host who gave the signal after some introduction.

A reporter from the crowd was the first one to be called to ask a question.

"For the crown prince, from what we know so far, you were secretly engaged at the age of six. Why was it hidden from everyone?"

Caden answered the question and told them what happened twelve years ago. Then some questions about the incidents in Flousia followed and Caden answered them all.

"Was the engagement only for convenience? Well, she's an heiress, and with her family's reputation, the royal family would gain more power." Someone asked from the crowd.

Caden chuckled. "I met Alira when we were just three years old. I wasn't the crown prince back then and didn't expect that I would become one either. From the very first time I saw her, I was mesmerized by her. She was like an angel. That was also the day I told her that I will marry her someday. You see, I've been in love with this girl since I was three.. And crown prince or not, she's the only girl I wanted to spend my whole life with."