Page 86 of His Royal Request

I wanted to slam my head against the table. Of course, nothing could be simple. I couldn’t just go on a trip with my girlfriend because I could end up offending half of the continent.

“It sounds like it might be a long trip,” Dad said.

I raised my eyes to see him watching me.

“A tour of western Europe would include at least fifteen countries. A minimum of two days at each, at least a month. You wouldn’t have to meet with representatives or the royal families in each country, but at least make an appearance.”

“Oh you know they will want to meet with them anywhere they go,” Mum interjected.

I groaned. This was spiraling out of control. “You’re right. We won’t go.”

Mum looked at me like I was being a defiant child. “Don’t give up so quickly. I’m sure we can come up with something that pleases everyone.”

It didn’t feel like it. I wanted Charlie to get to see the world. I didn’t want her to have to sit at state dinners and be bored out of her mind shaking hands with people neither of us would remember.

“Nine scheduled appearances.” He had slipped into King mode.

“Nine?”

“A full month of traveling. You get to go see and do what you want, but we plan nine appearances. We’ll notify the diplomats that you and Charlie are traveling, but it is not an official tour. We allow the countries that would like to meet with you to scheduled time, but only nine.”

“Only one day each?” I couldn’t believe I was negotiating like this, but this was life as a prince.

“Yes.”

I nodded, thinking it through. Thirty days with only nine events? That wouldn’t be horrible.

“Okay,” I said.

He nodded and Mum looked pleased. “I’ll have my office make the arrangements.” He announced.

“Thank you.”

I stood and left the room before he could change his mind. Our conversation hadn’t gone quite as I’d expected, but it was better than nothing. Charlie and I could still go and only a third of the time would be boring. I chuckled to myself knowing Cian would punch me for thinking like that.

I hurried up the stairs hoping to catch Charlie while she was free.

I knocked on her door and pushed it open when I heard her call for me to come in.

She spun on her stool at the vanity, smiling at me. “Good morning.”

“It is a very good morning.”

She stood as I approached and I greeted her properly with a kiss.

She giggled when I pulled back. “What’s going on? You seem excited.”

“That’s because I am.”

I sat on the end of her bed and patted the spot next to me. She narrowed her eyes, shooting me a skeptical smile before joining me.

“I just finished negotiations with my parents.”

She looked confused. “Negotiations? Like over your responsibilities?”

“Not exactly. I actually talked to them about delaying things a bit.”

“Why? What’s going on?”