Page 78 of His Royal Request

For the first time since I’d opened the company, I was bored. My thoughts were elsewhere and my heart wasn’t in it.

Isla’s words had been running through my mind on repeat. Running this company had been a luxury. As a prince, my duties lay with the crown. I should be focusing on the government and laws and foreign policies. It was what I’d studied for. It was what I’d been raised to do.

So why was I sitting in a conference room surrounded by highly capable men and women that could run and grow this company without me?

No one else could fulfill my role as prince, but anyone of them could step in as CEO without blinking an eye.

I didn’t mind that Isla was right, but I hated that she had to point it out to me. I should have realized it for myself. My focus should have always been with the crown.

The meeting was over and I called out to my second in command. “Margaret?”

She turned and waited. “Yes, Aiden?”

“Do you have a minute to meet in my office?”

She nodded and lead the way across the floor to the corner office I’d claimed when we moved into this building.

I sat on the sofa and gestured for her to sit on the one across from me.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

I didn’t know where to start. “How do you feel about the company?”

She looked confused. “In what respect?”

“Are you passionate about what we’re doing?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“Do you believe in the direction we’re going?”

“Yes, Aiden. What is this about?” She didn’t seem irritated, just genuinely confused.

“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this recently. I think it’s time I step down, Margaret.”

Her expression of shock lasted only a few seconds before she schooled her expression. “Why is that? You’ve done a tremendous job.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but I’m a prince.”

She smiled. “I haven’t forgotten.”

I sighed. “Well, I have. I’ve pushed aside my duties and responsibilities to focus on building this company. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished and I truly believe we’ve benefitted Lochland and changed the trajectory of our country.”

She nodded. “I agree. You developed our number one export.”

“But now it’s time I focus on my job as prince.”

There was a moment of silence before she spoke. “You can still hold a place on board.”

“I intend to. I want to keep up with what’s happening, but I no longer can hold a daily position.”

“Of course, sir. I understand. Should I start looking for an acceptable replacement?”

I shook my head.

Her eyebrows pulled together. “Sir, we need a CEO.”

I smiled. “We already have one.”