Page 83 of His Royal Request

Well, that really cleared nothing up. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. What about what Aiden said? He asked me to stay. He wanted me here and I wanted to be here. She said it was up to me and that was my decision.

“What if I wanted to stay?” I’d barely been able to get the words out. I’d said it so quietly I doubted she even heard.

She didn’t reply and I died a little bit when I realized I’d have to repeat myself. It had been uncomfortable to say it once, but twice? I didn’t know if I could.

“You’d like to stay?”

Wait. She heard? I wanted to jump up and cheer. Instead, I nodded.

“Why?” she asked.

That was probably the last thing I expected her to say. Number one through a billion were different versions of no.

“Why?” I echoed.

She nodded.

“Because of Aiden.”

She didn’t say anything else and I took that as my invitation to continue.

“Because I have real feelings for him.” I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with his mother. The Queen. No big deal. “He told me he wants me to stay.”

Her only response was to tilt her chin up. Okay, that was nothing to work with.

I was getting frustrated. Not with her questions. They were simple. I just couldn’t articulate my thoughts and feelings.

I blew out a breath and decided to just dump it all out. “I didn’t plan to meet anyone when I arrived in Ireland. It was supposed to be a celebratory trip. It was supposed to help me find myself. I graduated and realized I had no plans for my future. I’d only gotten as far as that. I came out here to find a purpose. When I saw Aiden for the first time, I had no idea who he was. It wasn’t until I met you and the King that I realized who I even knew who he really was.”

A single eyebrow rose, stopping me. I felt like an idiot for saying all of that. That wasn’t the story we’d planned.

“Keep going, dear.”

Oh boy. Hopefully Aiden would forgive me for ruining everything because my stupid mouth couldn’t control the word vomit.

“I spent time with him in Ireland and was dreading the moment we would have to say goodbye. Instead, he asked me to come here with him to be his date at the wedding. I was in over my head when we got here. I had no idea what I was stepping into. I went shopping with Isla not knowing she was a princess. I was too stunned to ask questions. Until that dinner.”

She smiled and nodded.

“But that didn’t change the feelings that were growing. I liked Aiden for who he was, not his title or who his family is.” I swallowed. “We had time to get to know each other more. I started to fall for him. I...I know we just met, but there’s something between us I’ve never felt before. I know, it’s crazy. I know you probably think I’m not here with honest intentions, but I promise. I’m here because I want to continue to get to know Aiden and see what these feelings mean.”

She looked into my eyes and I felt like she was staring directly into my soul.

“I know you’re here for the right reasons, Charlie. I can see it each time you look at each other.”

I smiled then paused. Then why all the questions? I watch as her smile grew and noticed the twinkle in her eyes. She played me. She played me hard.

I started laughing. She chuckled lightly until I composed myself. “That was a test, wasn’t it?”

She turned serious. “A test? No, that would be rude. I was just making conversation.”

I shook my head and embraced the sudden wave of relief. “That was cruel.”

“I wanted to make sure you knew how you felt.”

“Well, now I know and you know. All that’s missing is Aiden.”

She nodded, looking pleased with herself. “I’ve adored getting to know you, Charlie, so has Leo. We want both of you to be happy.”