Page 23 of His Royal Request

My head dropped. She was right, well partially. It was really my dad’s that you saw first, but it would only take a turn of the head to see mine and Isla’s on the wall.

“How do you plan on covering up the paintings and pictures? It’s not like people won’t notice the empty spaces. You’ll give Martin a heart attack.”

I laughed at the idea. Martin was the Master of the Household of Balivaughn Palace, our family’s primary residence. He’s been a grouchy old man since we were little and entertained ourselves by playing tricks on him. Moving the portraits is the exact kind of thing we would have done to drive him mad.

“You’ve pulled the wool over her eyes,” Isla said. “She’ll catch on sooner or later. Are you prepared for the consequences?”

Her eyes cut through me and I knew she was right. I couldn’t get away with not telling her for much longer.

She shook her head. “I’ll bring her home through the back entrance and take her straight up to the guest rooms. That gives you until tomorrow morning.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

She shook her head. “Don’t thank me yet. She could go exploring tonight and see something. Or I could get recognized while we’re out today.”

“You always call ahead.” Her favorite shops knew to clear their customers and keep away the paparazzi. They also called her Isla at her request. Something incredibly unusual would have to happen for her to be outed.

She shrugged. “You never know.”

“Just take care of her.”

She blew out a breath. “You’ll tell me later why this woman matters so much to you.”

It wasn’t a question. I understood that perfectly. “Of course.”

She walked around the car and George opened the door for her. She shot me one last look before smiling warmly at Charlie and sliding in.

I waved as they drove away then turned and walked into my home. The Tarramore palace was the official residence of the royal family, but unless there was official state business we stayed in the smaller and more private one in Balivaughn.

The family’s portraits hung along the entrance hall and I mentally slapped myself for forgetting. Isla was right that I needed to tell Charlie soon, but it was hard giving up just being Aiden. I liked that she didn’t agree with everything I said. She challenged and treated me like anyone else. I didn’t want that to change, and it always did.

I didn’t have many friends that weren’t family or from other royal families for that reason. It was hard finding people to trust. People that weren’t just around for the perks or name dropping.

Charlie wasn’t that type. I had a feeling when she found out she’d be angry. Not just because I’d kept it from her, but because I wasn’t what she wanted. I wasn’t just a businessman visiting Ireland. I was a royal prince over the expansion of renewable and natural energy for Lochland. I was the CEO of LochEnergy, a billion-dollar international company. So technically, I hadn’t lied. I just left out a portion.

“Aiden.” I looked toward the stairs to see my brothers Cian and Ronan coming down. With one look of disappointment, I knew Isla had filled in my brothers.

“What were you thinking?” Cian asked with a worried tone. As the crown prince, he was perpetually concerned, looking at all angles at all times. How he wasn’t exhausted every second of every day was beyond me.

“Hi Cian, how are you? I’m doing well thank you so much for asking.”

He glared at me. “You’re a fool. Why haven’t you told the girl who you are?”

“Because I’m just Aiden to her.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “That doesn’t matter. You’re a prince. You’re the head of one of the largest companies in Lochland. You have responsibilities and expectations. You will never be just Aiden.”

“But I am with her.”

“But you’re not.” He sounded too much like our dad.

“It was nice to pretend.”

Ronan’s head swiveled back and forth his dark blond curls swinging, watching us volley against one another. “How long have you been together?” he asked me.

I clenched my jaw and debated lying to them.

“That long, eh?” Ronan was grinning like a madman.