Page 73 of His Royal Request

She nodded as the car slowed to a stop. An usher opened the back door and I stepped out first before offering my hand to help her out. The cameras flashed the second I stood, but it felt like they tripled when Charlie emerged. My vision was fading with the white circles invading my eyes.

Charlie cringed, then seemed to shake it off and smile.

The crowd shouted our names. I walked us to the center of the front stairs and turned to face them. I smiled and waited for them to quiet.

“I’m aware there are several questions surrounding Charlie and me,” I said. “We’d like to take this opportunity to clear things up.”

You would have thought I just announced I would be giving out free money for the rest of the year by the explosion of sound that assaulted us.

I gestured for them to be silent and the chaos subsided. I squeezed Charlie’s hand signaling her to start. She spoke with elegance about how we met and the group was oohing and aahing as she told them the same thing she ran through with me.

“Are you guys officially a couple?” A voice called out.

I decided to answer, glancing at Charlie with a smile. “We are.”

Charlie beamed and nodded. “I’m very lucky.”

“Thank you for allowing us to share our story,” I said. “Now we have a wedding to celebrate.”

Charlie waved and turned as I followed her into the manor. She visibly relaxed once we were inside.

“You did so great.” I pulled her into my arms.

“I thought I was going to throw up.” She whispered against my chest.

“You didn’t. You handled that so well. I’m so proud of you.” I leaned down and kissed her lips. “I don’t feel bad about ruining your lipstick now.”

She threw her head back and laughed while I watched her. I realized at that moment I was no longer falling. I loved this woman.

* * *

Hours later, I woke to banging on my door. Before I could respond it swung open and Ronan and Isla barreled in each with their arms full. They unceremoniously dumped the piles of newspapers, tabloid magazines, and printed web articles on my bed.

“What’s going on?” I sorted through the pile seeing picture after picture of Charlie and me. Most of them were from last night. She looked exquisite in that gown and part of me was delighted it would be forever documented.

“Prince and future princess?” Isla read out one of the titles. “Is this the one? Has Prince Aiden found love? What do the King and Queen think of the American?”

Ronan interrupted her. “This one’s the best.” He waited until we were both giving him our attention. “Trouble in the palace? Prince Cian Jealous of Prince Aiden.”

He turned the paper to show us the front page where a huge picture of me and Charlie walking up the stairs of the manor with Cian at the top glaring down at us. In the context of the headline it made sense, but really that was just how my brother looked these days. Grumpy and disapproving.

I got out of bed and moved the stack of ridiculous papers. “I’ll let the King’s office handle this.”

Isla pouted. “But you don’t get it. They love you guys. You two managed to win the hearts of the press last night. That’s a huge deal. You’ll need them on your side if you want Charlie to survive and actually enjoy being here, being with you.”

I sighed and looked over the headlines. They were all generally positive, besides the made up stories about jealous brothers or ex-girlfriends.

“Has Charlie seen any of these?”

Isla shook her head. “We wanted you to see first.”

“Good. Will you have someone wake her? I want to take her to Monroe.”

Isla and Ronan shared a look. “Are you sure, mate?” He asked.

I nodded. “I want to show her it’s not always like this. That there are places where it can be just us.”

Isla seemed hesitant. “But Aiden, it is always like this for us. We will always have eyes on us. Our every move will be analyzed and criticized.”