Page 85 of His Royal Request

“What’s that?” He sounded worried.

“How will we be able to do that if you’re going to be busy stepping into your duties? From all Cian does, that seems like a lot to balance.”

He seemed to think about it for a moment. “Let me worry about that, okay?”

I had to trust him so I nodded. “Okay.”

24

Aiden

I’d checked my parents’ schedules and found a time the next day to talk to them. I’d been up most of the night thinking about how to make this work, and the idea finally hit me. It’d require a bit more sacrifice of them and Cian, but hopefully the end result would be worth it.

I considered wearing my full ceremonial uniform, but decided that would be overkill. I wanted them to know I was serious and committed to what I’d promised yesterday. At five minutes before nine, I headed to the portrait gallery where my parents took their meals. They should be done by now but not quite heading to their next meeting.

I let myself in, surprising their guards who did not look like they appreciated my unannounced arrival. I smiled at them before heading toward my parents.

“Hello, Aiden,” Dad greeted me, looking a little amused. He must have seen his guards nearly jump at my arrival.

“Good morning.” I smiled at him and kissed my mother’s cheek. She looked up with a bright smile.

“To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?” She asked. “Is this going to be a regular thing now that you don’t have to go into the office?”

I shook my head and sat across from her. “I wanted to talk to you two before your days got too busy.”

Mum leaned forward and placed her hand on mine. “We’re never too busy to speak with you.”

Dad made a scoffing sound then covered it up with a cough when Mum shot him a glare.

“I appreciate that, Mum. I know that I said I was ready to start my responsibilities, but I need some more time.”

They shared a look before Dad spoke. “What for?”

This was the part I’d been practicing all night. “As I’m sure Mum caught you up on her conversation last night with Charlie, you know that we met while she was traveling. I asked her to delay her plans to come here as my date. So, you can see where I’d be conflicted.”

I said it as a statement hoping they would agree and let me continue. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

“You are correct that your mother shared the details of the conversation. But I don’t see the conflict.”

“Well, I asked her to delay her trip, and now I’ve asked her to stay and allow us to continue to get to know each other.”

Mum looked pleased with that part.

“I have this guilt over keeping her from realizing her dream of seeing Europe.”

“So, you want her to go?” Mum’s smile was slipping away.

“I do, but I want to go with her.”

Dad actually looked surprised. “You want to travel through Europe with her?”

I nodded.

“Do you understand what a logistical nightmare that would be? We’d have to send guards, make arrangements for all of you, then worry about offending any countries that you skipped.”

I hadn’t thought of that. “Why would they care?”

Mum actually looked amused. “Aiden, this would be seen as your first big tour. Even though it’s a trip for her to see the sights, that’s not how it would be interpreted by the governments. You would be acting on behalf of Lochland. If you went to see the Parthenon and Arc de Triomphe and Amalienborg but didn’t stop to see the Colosseum or Alhambra we’d hear about it. Our diplomats would be questioned. Countries would think you’d excluded them on purpose.”