Page 38 of His Royal Request

“Why me?” Charlie said. “Why do you even need a date? Find some Lochish girl to have on your arm all week.”

I took a deep breath. “You asked me if I got flak for being single. You have no idea how true that is. Sure, Cian is the firstborn and the crown prince, but there’s just as much pressure on me to marry and provide an heir. I’m the backup prince.” I shrugged.

She narrowed her eyes. “Won’t the media freak out? I thought the royals couldn’t casually date. It causes too many rumors.”

“That would be correct for our cousins ” I said. Isla and Ronan laughed.

Charlie looked confused. “What?”

“The British Royal family. We refer to them as our cousin even though our family, and country, split from them over two hundred years ago.”

“Though technically we’re closer to the Danish family through Mum,” Isla said it as if being related to not one but two royal families was normal. The equivalent of me saying my mom had British roots.

I shook my head. “I don’t know what you want from me, Aiden. I can’t be a prince’s date or girlfriend or whatever you had planned.”

I took a step forward and held her hands. “I know we haven’t known each other long and you have no reason to trust me, especially after keeping this from you.” I took a deep breath. It wasn’t often I had to be this honest, and I wished we didn’t have an audience but the time was now to lay it all out for her. “The moment I saw you I knew I had to meet you. Then that wasn’t enough. I had to get to know you. Our time in Galway made it worse. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving and risk never seeing you again. I know I was selfish and I deceived you, but I was desperate.”

Never in my life had I admitted that. It felt like a mixture of relief and like I’d taken a running leap off a cliff all rolled into one stomach-churning moment while I waited for her reply.

She tilted her head and looked into my eyes. “I felt the same way. It’s the only reason why I agreed to come, but…” She shook her head. “This is so much more than I was ready for.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but all I can do now is stand by your side and get through this together.”

I took a step toward her but she backed up.

“I came to spend more time with you.” I started nodding but she wasn’t done. “If I get uncomfortable you have to let me leave.”

I agreed. “Of course. If anything happens all you have to do is ask. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

I didn’t want my siblings to know about the agreement we’d made in Ireland and I hoped she understood my meaning.

She nodded. “Okay.”

Isla jumped up and down before rushing forward to hug Charlie. “I promise, we will have fun. No need to stress about anything.”

Ronan clapped Charlie on the back. “I’m glad you’re staying. We could use some excitement around here.”

With that, they both left, and I was alone with Charlie for the first time...ever. George had always been within sight in Ireland even when we were shopping or dining. Now though, it was just us.

“Charlie, can you forgive me?”

She didn’t speak for a moment, making my heart clamber in my chest. “Yeah. I can’t begin to understand your life, but I understand wanting to get to know someone without them knowing your true identity.”

I smiled. “Honestly, part of me expected that you knew who I was and were just playing it

cool.”

She swatted at my arm. “You’re so cocky. Not everyone knows who you are.”

I laughed. “Maybe not in America but I can assure you I am quite the eligible bachelor in Europe.”

She shook her giggled. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“But you can’t help but like me?”

It seemed like she was having an internal struggle, wanting to laugh with me while also staying mad. “Aiden.”

She breathed out my name and I took a cautionary step toward her. When she didn’t move I continued forward. “Charlie, I’m so sorry I hurt you. That was the last thing I wanted.” I reached forward and ran my thumb over her cheek. She didn’t pull away and my heart soared. “The moment I saw you in Limerick I knew I couldn’t let you go without getting to know you. I was willing to do anything, even invited you back home, to get a chance. I was so focused on that, I let myself forget this part of me. I wanted things to be as simple as you and me getting to know one another.”