Page 24 of His Royal Request

I muttered, “It’s recent.”

Cian dropped his head and closed his eyes. “You brought your new fling to the palace?” In my early twenties that wouldn’t have been too farfetched, but now I would have hoped he knew me better. “No. She’s not some fling or random girl. I really like her.”

Ronan shot me a look like he didn’t believe me. “If you really like her and this isn’t some passing fling. How have you not told her the truth?”

I shot him a look that made it clear he would pay later for not backing me up.

“It didn’t come up.” I bit out each word.

“How?” Ronan was just challenging me now for fun.

I glared at him.

“How did you explain George and the plane and the palace?”

“I told her I was in business and I was visiting Ireland for some meetings.”

“You met her in Ireland?” Cian roared.

I closed my eyes. “Yes.”

Ronan laughed and I looked up to see Cian looking at me with a mixture of confusion and rage.

“You need to start explaining.”

I sighed and gave in. “Charlie and I did meet recently.”

“In Ireland?” Cian confirmed.

“Yes.”

“So yesterday?” Ronan laughed.

I clenched my jaw. “It’s been two days.” It felt like so much more than that. If only I could make them understand how much had changed in that short time. How we’d come to understand each other.

“You brought a stranger with you to the palace?” Ronan practically shouted. “Mum is going to murder you.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s why I’m not telling her.”

He shook his head and laughed. “I’m so glad it’s not me in trouble this time.”

“What have you done, Aiden?” Cian’s disappointed voice annoyed me.

“Look, I really like Charlie. When the time came for me to leave, I couldn’t go without her. I wanted more time to get to know her. I want to see what can happen.”

Ronan’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve never really liked anyone.”

I nodded. “I know. That’s why I had to bring her.”

“So, this is all fake?” Cian questioned. “You told all of us that you were bringing your girlfriend. Someone you were serious about.”

I shrugged. “I am serious about getting to know her more.”

“But why not just tell us she’s a friend?” Cian asked.

“Because I didn’t want anyone trying to set me up this week. I thought people would leave us alone if they thought we were serious.”

Ronan smirked. “It’s not a horrible plan, but people are going to be curious.”