Page 80 of His Royal Request

“It was your baby. You’re pride and joy. How could anyone ask you to leave it? It was something you needed to figure out for yourself.”

“Well, Isla did give me a shove.”

He laughed. “And look where it took you.”

I nodded. “I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted.”

“Good. You did your job, and now you can move on to the next stage of life.”

“Being a prince.”

“You’ve always been a prince, Aiden.”

“Not a very good one.”

George shook his head. “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You brought renewable energy to your country. That’s no small feat. That’s something to celebrate, but you’re right. It’s time to move on to your other responsibilities.”

“I guess so.”

“Are you going to take this long to figure out the next big thing?”

I was confused. “What do you mean?”

“Miss Charlie.”

I smiled and looked out the window at the passing city. “I don’t think I have nearly as much time to waste.”

“Smart man.”

“I sure hope so, George. I don’t want to mess this up.”

“You have to make sure she knows how you feel. She needs to know she’s wanted. Don’t leave a shadow of a doubt, son.”

I nodded. I felt like our conversation at the manor had been perfect. She knew I wanted her to stay. She knew how I felt. Mostly. I hadn’t quite come out and said I loved her, but she had to feel it, right?

George spoke again. “I can practically hear the wheels in your mind spinning. If you’re thinking this hard it means there’s still a chance she doesn’t know. You need to lay out everything for her. No leaving it up for interpretation or hoping your actions speak for you.”

I let out a laugh. “You know me well.”

“I’ve known you your whole life. I think I have a fairly solid idea of how your mind works.”

“I haven’t told her exactly how I feel yet. I don’t want to scare her.”

“Would you rather scare her for being honest, or lose her because of a miscommunication?”

“I don’t want either.”

He chuckled. “You might be a prince, but you can’t have it all.”

I blew out a breath. “So, I just tell her. Even though it’s way too soon to be feeling this way, and it will probably make me seem crazy or possessive?”

“Yes.”

“Really?” I chuckled at his direct response.

“Son, I was married for over forty years. I think I know a thing or two about women and romance.”

I smiled thinking of his wife, Nora. She was the sweetest woman I’d ever known. She was like a bonus grandmother to us growing up. She played with us and taught us how to bake. She had the best, warmest smile. They’d had a long, happy marriage before she passed away when I was a teenager. He had a point.