Page 54 of His Royal Request

I shook my head and dialed my dad’s number. I held the phone to my ear and prayed he wouldn’t answer so I could leave a brief message and go back to hiding.

“Hi, honey.”

I was wrong. It was good to talk to him. His voice was like a warm hug. “Hi, Dad.”

“Is something wrong? It’s early here.” I looked at the clock and mentally slapped myself. It was four in the morning there. He probably thought I was kidnapped or in prison.

“Oh, Dad. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about it.”

“It’s okay, let me just get up so I don’t wake up Liza.”

Guilt washed over me. I almost asked him to wake her up, but I could talk to her later when it wasn’t before the crack of dawn.

“What’s going on, hon?”

“Something happened last night and I wanted to give you a heads up in case you hear about it.”

There was a pause of silence. “Do you need help, Charlie?”

Boy did I. “No, it’s not like that, Dad.”

“Do I need to transfer money to your account?”

I dropped my head. I was the worst child ever that I would make him worry like that. “No, I promise I’m fine and safe and not out of money.”

“Okay, then what’s going on?”

“Remember the man I met in Ireland.”

I heard him sigh. “You mean the reason you’re in Lochland right now and not London?”

“Yeah, but that’s only part of it.”

“So, there’s more to it than you leaving the country with a stranger and his nice old driver.”

“Yes.” I cringed.

“So, is this the part where you call me and tell me you need help?”

“No, I promise I don’t need anything. I just wanted to let you now that Aiden wasn’t exactly who I thought he was.”

“What does that mean?” His patience was running out and I knew I needed to get to the point before he booked a ticket on the next flight here.

“So, we landed in Lochland and the driver takes us not to a hotel or his family home like he told me. We arrive at the Summer Palace.”

“A palace?” He sounded confused.

“Yes, he told me since his cousin was marrying someone royal, we were invited to stay at the palace. I met Aiden’s sister and she took me shopping for appropriate dresses to wear at all the fancy events.”

“Charlie, please get to last night and why you’re calling.”

I swallowed. “So, I went to dinner that first night and recognized the King and Queen. I started--”

“Charlie. Do you mean to tell me you had dinner with the King and Queen of Lochland?” He was finally getting it.

“Yes, it was insane. I was so nervous the entire time. Especially because Aiden forgot to mention one critical piece before we walked into the room.”

“What’s that?”