“And you enjoyed this?”
I chuckle. “Not that part exactly, but it’s very interesting to be in a place where people can essentially do what they like.”
“Sounds like anarchy.”
I laugh again. “Not at all, Father. They have laws and many abide by them, but there is so much crime. They have many prisons and jails and the police walk the streets and drive around constantly.”
“I still don’t understand.”
His stewards open the doors to his bedroom as we enter the room. “Those are not the good parts. The good parts are that Americans have the attitude that you can literally do whatever you want in life. If you are poor, and come from nothing, that is no reason why you can’t be the President, or start your own company, or cure cancer. They believe that hard work will get you whatever you need. You don’t have to be born into greatness. You can make greatness.”
“Interesting.”
“Yes, and because of this, the people you meet, generally speaking are so full of energy and drive and…” I pause. “They are just different than us. One thing I didn’t like was how many people live in poverty. People sleep on sidewalks and beg for money and food. Even with children.”
“They don’t have services for this?”
“I don’t know. I did some reading on it, and it sounds like it’s not a simple solution. I could not sleep at night if my people were hungry and without shelter, but we are a much smaller country.”
“Yes, this is true.”
“Honestly, what I enjoyed most, was the anonymity, something I’ve never had before and never will here.”
“Ah, yes. I can understand that.”
“Oh, this is amusing. They have this thing called an ‘all you can eat buffet’. Just like it sounds, you pay one price and then you can eat as much as you want. There are rows and rows of different kinds of food. I went once out of curiosity and watched in utter horror while people piled food on their plates, all mixed together, and did this repeatedly. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
My father actually laughs. “That would be a sight.”
“It was indeed.”
“And the women there? What are they like?”
I push him in front of the window. “As different as you can imagine from woman here. Some are shy and reserved, but in the city where I lived, most are very assertive, independent, and can take care of themselves. Many live alone in their own apartments.”
“Alone?”
“Completely. No parents, no husband. Couples live together before marriage. It’s acceptable.”
He shakes his head. “So, they are sexually promiscuous?”
“Not all, but definitely some. Women pursued me, threw themselves at me. I learned quickly that I did not have to spend any night alone if I did not wish it.”
He nods. “The women are more beautiful than ours?”
“Some.” I think about the one across the estate from me right now. “But not most. I became very choosy after just a short time there. I wanted someone with more substance.”
“Good. How it should be.”
I nod, wondering if this is a good time to feel him out a little since we are on the topic. “I was careful not to become emotionally attached to anyone, knowing a foreign wife for a king would likely be frowned upon.”
My father says nothing as he stares out the window at my mother’s dogs in the garden. I linger, not sure if I should continue the conversation.
“But did you?” he finally asks.
“Did I what?”
“Become emotionally attached to someone?”
My heart starts to pound in my chest. I have no idea how to answer. I open my mouth to speak just as Julien, one of my father’s stewards, knocks and enters.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, His Royal Highness Prince Arlan arrives.”
We both swing around wide-eyed. “Arlan is here?” I ask.
“Yes, sir. His car is in the driveway as we speak.”
“Where is the Queen?” my father questions.
“I’ve sent word to her lady in waiting, sir.”
“Help me, son,” he says, standing from his chair.
“Father, you should not push yourself.”
“I will slam the door in his face, and I will do so standing as a king.”
Dammit. “His mother desires his presence, Father. Can you allow her to see his face as you allowed her to see mine?”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
He glares past me. “You are not your brother. You are kind and loving to your family, even your father, when he did not show you the same kindness. Do you think I didn’t know of your constant check-ins with the Queen, Ophelia, Tristan? I knew you loved your country and your mother, but with your brother, I know it not. Besides, you are to take my place, and I would have spoken to you regardless. I owe Arlan no such accommodation.”
“Father, I beg of you, for the sake of my mother, your queen, please allow her son entry, if only for a while, then he may stay at Havendon House.” I shake my head, realizing what I just offered. “Or he can stay in the city home.”
My father looks around for a moment before finally exhaling slowly. “He may enter, but I will not see him.” He grabs my arm, surprising me. “You understand, Lathan? I will not see him.”
“I understand. Please rest, Father. I will handle it.”
He nods. “Thank you.”
I hurry from the room and down the stairs where I see my brother standing in the foyer, looking completely lost. When he sees me, his eyes open wide.
“Brother,” he says. “Is he… Father… is he dead?”
“You care now? Your mother has called you for weeks, has she not?”
“I was completely out of range. I swear it. You may look at my phone to confirm. I only just got her messages this morning and got on the first flight back.”
Noticing how his eyes are rimmed red, I consider his story. “Out of range where?”
“A desert in Egypt. I joined an archeological dig.” He hands his phone to me. “Look for yourself.” Taking the phone, I look at the notifications and sure enough they are all dated today. “I went into Cairo and I got her messages.”
Handing the phone back to him, I take in his disheveled appearance. His full beard and dirty clothes back up his story.
“Your father is not dead, but he may as well be. He believes you have tortured our poor mother with your absence, and he refuses to see you.”
Arlan nods. “Does he see you?”
“He does now, but it started only because he is on his death bed.”
Arlan frowns. “Is it that bad? Is he dying?”
“Slowly, but yes. If you are able to see him, your heart will ache.”
He nods. “And you, brother, how do you feel seeing me?”
A million childhood memories flash through my mind, tugging at my heart. “I am pleased you are here. Our mother grieves your absence, and I feared you may never have the chance to beg our father’s mercy.”
“I will not beg. What have I done except wish to live my own existence. Why can I not be in the sun, instead of in my brother’s shadow? Why am I condemned for this?”
“These are not answers I can provide.”
“You are pleased for our mother, you wish me to beg mercy to our father, but you brother, you feel nothing for me?”
“It is not I that ended our communication. I will beg no one to be part of my life, not even a brother I loved so dearly. I have no more control over our birth order than you, yet you hated me for it. I did not deserve your anger.”
“I never hated you. Never.” He looks down at the floor briefly, before looking back up. “I know you cannot understand, because you have never been cast aside by an entire country. You have never felt the sting of being everyone’s second choice. Every girl that took me, did so after trying for you first. Every media outlet that attempted an interview did so only after you were unavailable. You are t
he next in line, the future king, Havendon’s pride. I am…” he pauses, “an afterthought. You don’t go through life wanting to be seen, heard, wanting to matter. That is my life. I don’t hate you, Lathan. It was just very cold and dark standing behind you.”
I consider his words with sadness for a moment, but redirect it to the real issue. “That may be true, but you broke our mother’s heart when you left.”
“And you did not?”
“I called.”
“Is that the same?”
“No.”
“No, it is not. In this one area, my sin is the same as yours. How can you judge me when you have done the same?”
“A fair point, brother,” I reply
“Regardless of what you think of me, I am overjoyed to lay my eyes on your face. I am sorry it is because our father ails, but for me, I am grateful to see you.”
I finally smile. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I am whole again.”
“Arlan!” Our mother uncharacteristically shouts from the top of the stairs, then proceeds to hurry down them. I worry about her tripping in the heels she wears, but she manages fine. When she reaches the bottom, she throws her arms around her son’s neck, squeezing tightly.
“Mother, I am so dirty.”
“I do not care.” She cups his face. “Oh, son. Why have you not answered me?”
“I am so sorry, Mother. I only just got the messages this morning. I would have come sooner if I had known.”
She searches his eyes, reaching for my hand. As I give it to her, she smiles. “Both my sons home? What do I owe God for such a miracle?”
“I am happy to be home,” Arlan says.
“Will you stay? Please, you must.”
“I will stay, Mother.”
“Your room is available.”
“I hoped out of six hundred rooms, at least one would be.”
She laughs softly. “Yes, but your room is as you’ve left it. You can stay there and have your breakfast with me.” She glances at me. “Perhaps your brother can join us on occasion.”
“Why can’t you join us daily?”
“I have to meet with our father to discuss the transition. His energy is highest in the morning.”
“I see.” His eyes glance up the stairwell. “How long does he have?”
“The doctors are reluctant to give a timeframe,” Mother explains. “They say he has made it longer than expected, but his heart is very weak still.”
Arlan nods. “My brother tells me he will not see me.”
“No,” she says. “But he said that about Lathan too, and that is changed now.”
“Out of necessity, perhaps.”
“I will do my best, brother. Perhaps if he knows you didn’t receive the messages, he will come around. I don’t want him to die with regret in his heart.”
“Perhaps he does not regret losing me.”
“Of course he does,” Mother says, patting his arm. “You know how he can be so stubborn. That has not changed.”
Arlan offers a smile. “But what of you, Mother? Your husband slips away. How are you managing?”
“It is hard to know the man you have loved since you were a girl of thirteen will leave soon. I cannot imagine my life without him.” Her eyes tear up, but she smiles in spite of it. “I try to focus on the wonderful life we have built with two beautiful sons. I see him in both of you, and I will treasure his memory in your eyes.” She glances up the stairs. “He still lives though, so we will still hope his days with us continue.”
“Of course, Mother,” I say.
“I would like to shower and clean myself up in the event I am seen.”
“Will you lunch with me?” Mother asks.
“Yes, Mother. I would like that.”
“And you, son?”
“Why don’t the two of you spend time alone? I can catch up with you later.”
Mother nods, smiling.
“What will you do?” Arlan asks.
“I have another meeting to discuss the July 4th celebrations. Father wants me to approve their plans. Unless you’d rather take my place.”
Arlan laughs. “No, no, I happily allow you to keep that honor.”
I laugh. “I will see you later.”
“Sounds good.” He steps forward, offering his extended hand.
“Brothers do not shake.” I pull him into a brotherly embrace. After I step back, Arlan chuckles.
“I was trying to spare Your Highness from a dusty suit.”
I look down and laugh. “A small inconvenience I gladly accept for the chance to hug my brother again.” I pat his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”
As I watch Arlan and my mother walk up the stairs laughing and talking, I smile. With my family intact, my life is getting better and better. Now, if only I could spend time with my princess. The sooner our relationship is public the better. I just have to find my bravery one more time to tell my father.
“Good morning,” Ophelia sings as I enter the sitting room. She has her baby cradled in her arms, nursing her, and I’m surprised she is completely uncovered as she does so. “How are you this morning?”
“I’m well. Do you need a few minutes alone?”
She tilts her head. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Um, because you’re nursing.”
“Have you not seen a baby eat before? Certainly you’ve seen a breast as you obviously have your own.”
I laugh softly. “Yeah, I mean, I guess I just expected since you’re a princess, you’d be all covered up.”
Ophelia smiles. “It is perfectly natural. I am only embarrassed when men are present because Grace is a loud eater.”
I laugh. “I see. Do women breastfeed in public here?”
She creases her forward. “Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t they?”
I shrug. “It’s a thing where I’m from. People get all offended if they see a mom feeding her baby, but it’s such hypocrisy because we have half-naked women in almost all of our advertising. Sex is a huge industry in the U.S. Everyone loves boobs unless they have a baby attached.”
“Interesting. No one even bats an eye here.”
“How is nudity in general perceived?”
“Like the rest of Europe. No one cares. Our beaches are topless. We see nudity in our advertising. It’s not scandalized here at all. A body is just a body. Some are pretty, some are big, some are small.” She grins. “But all just bodies.” Grace looks up and smacks her mother’s breast several times, then giggles.
“She’s beautiful,” I say. “She looks just like you.”
“I think so, but please, don’t tell her father that. He is convinced she is his spitting image, and I let him believe that.”
“Good to know.”
“Do you want to hold her?”
“Yeah, I’d love to. Does she take to strangers?”
“She loves everyone.”
Like her mother, I think, as I take the baby into my lap, and Ophelia tucks her exposed breasts away.
“What are we learning today?” I ask, bouncing and cooing with Grace.
“Dining etiquette. I’ve arranged it with Olivia to serve us a meal later so you can understand how to eat in public.”
“I’m sorry? How to eat?”
“Yes. There are rules that must be followed.”
“Like which fork and stuff?”
She smiles. “There’s an entire ritual that takes place for a formal gathering. It may be the same in the U.S., but it may not be, and it is my job to make sure you know these things.”
“Right. Okay.”
“And then we’ll practice some words in Havendonian.”
“Fantastic.”
Ophelia reaches for the baby. “I can bring her to the nanny.”
“Must you? I don’t mind if she stays.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. She’s delightful.”
“I think so.”
“So she stays.”
I look up to
see Ophelia gazing at her child in my arms. “How many children do you want?”
“I haven’t thought of it,” I answer. “I think that’s a decision I’ll have to make with Lathan when the time comes.”
“Of course, but you do like them?”
“Oh yes, definitely.” I glance at her, deciding to answer her question from yesterday. “You asked me before if Lathan and I have a lot of sex.”
“I did. Did you tell him?”
“Yes.”
“Oh dear. Was he mad I pried?”
“Not at all. He said I could tell you whatever I liked.”
“Oh.” She smiles. “That’s kind.”
“He said I could trust you as I trust him.”
“That is true. I am your friend.”
“Do you still want to know?”
Her eyes light up. “Oh, I do, Delaney.”
I grin. “We have lots of sex, Ophelia. Lots and lots of it.”
She giggles. “Ooh, I knew it. What can you tell me? I’m so interested in you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Lathan is not your first?”
“No.”
“How many? Can you tell me?”
I laugh softly. “Just a few.”
“How old were you the first time?”
“Seventeen.”
“Was he nice to you?”
“Yeah. We were a couple for almost a year at the time, and we stayed together for a while after. Then after high school, we went our separate ways.”
“So you are experienced?”
“I am.”
“You match Lathan’s drive?” She shakes her head, giggling. “I mean, I don’t want too many specifics about his, after all, he is my cousin.”
I laugh. “I do. I share something else in common with him too.”
“Do tell.”
“I have a piercing.”
Her eyes open wide. “Where?”
I point down between my legs. “There.”
“No? You have a piercing on your lady bits?”
I laugh and Grace laughs in response, which is even funnier.
“I do. It’s a clit piercing.”
“Oh, that is so daring and well, sexy. Will you show me some time?”
“Sure, if you want to see it.”
“I do.” She grins. “One last question.”
“Sure.”
“Do you let him… well, I mean… have you before… oh I cannot ask it.”
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