#Chapter 178: Not as Expected

I stood, trying not to let anyone see how much my knees were shaking. “I’m coming,” I told the man. “Is my bodyguard allowed to come with me?” He nodded. “Your significant other, Charles Rafe, has also been approved to join you.” Charles nodded, and he, David, Theo, and I all made our way to the door. When we reached it, the man shook his head. “Just the one bodyguard. Should you need to go in separate directions, the palace will provide additional security.” Charles gave David a serious look. “You protect my mother. Understood?” David nodded. “Like she was my own mother,” he agreed. Charles turned away from David and nodded to the man waiting. “Let’s get this over with.” Our escorted trip to the palace seemed to draw on forever, and yet somehow, when we arrived, we’d gotten there way too soon for my taste. The whole way, all I could imagine was being imprisoned, or worse, tortured, beaten, and forced to recant my story to ruin my credibility and my career on public television.