His Royal Regret: Royals of Lochland Book 2

by Mulliner, Brittney

  She just dumped quite a bit of information in my lap and it took me a moment to sort through it. “She said she didn’t want to run into her ex that works for the governor.”

  Vanessa narrowed her eyes. “What a cop-out. Sure, she probably didn’t want to see him, but she’s just scared to be alone with you.”

  “How do you know this?” I couldn’t picture Serena sitting down with her sister and admitting all of this out loud.

  “Because I know Serena. I know her behind the façade she lets the world see. Plus, David and I talked last night. We can tell she’s interested in you, she’s attracted to you, but she’s keeping up a wall.”

  I didn't want to give too much merit to her words, even if David agreed. I didn't want to allow the possibility she may be right. I was far too attracted to Serena for my own good and this new piece of information made me want to turn the car around and drive straight back to the house. But I couldn’t. Once again, I had responsibilities that dictated my life.

  I let out a sigh and laughed. “So, if you knew she might be interested in me, why were you so eager to come with?”

  She smirked. “She’s a stubborn person. A little jealousy is the fastest way to help speed along that realization for her.”

  This was exactly the kind of thing my brothers would do to me. “You should meet some of my family. I think you would get along smashingly.”

  Her eyes lit up and she nodded. “Name the time and place and I’ll be there.”

  And there was the Vanessa from last night. At least she realized I wasn’t interested in her in a romantic way and even had the awareness to see Serena’s. I might have judged her too quickly. She was much more mature than I’d given her credit for. She just might be the ally I need.

  “Ready, sir?” Justin asked. I glanced out the window to see the hotel in downtown Lewis told me we’d agreed to meet at.

  “Yes, thank you.” I appreciated that he knew not to pull up to the front doors while Vanessa and I were still talking, giving us time to finish our conversation without feeling rushed. I’d have to consider bringing him on, permanently.

  Our doors were opened and I smiled briefly at Vanessa before getting out. She seemed much more confident than she had a few minutes prior.

  I met her on the other side of the car and offered my arm. She slid her hand around my elbow and we fell into step next to each other. Lewis and a few other members of my staff trailed behind, talking quietly to each other as always. As much as I had to do and remember, they had a hundred times more.

  We were ushered through the lobby and to a private meeting area on the second floor. A young man stood in front of a set of glossy wooden doors with a leather notebook.

  “Prince Cian.” He bowed slightly before doing a double-take of the woman next to me. “Vanessa?”

  I glanced over to see Vanessa glaring at him. “Hello Samuel.”

  Dropping his gaze he flipped through papers. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  An older woman, with a stern expression, stepped next to him and pointed at the front paper. “Oh. I guess I didn’t make the connection.”

  Vanessa stood tall and grinned. “Serena was supposed to be with Cian, but couldn't make it, so I stepped in.”

  I watched as his face paled.

  “The governor is ready for you.” The woman spoke up for him, opening the doors.

  Governor Dias greeted me the moment we stepped inside. She was a beautiful Latina woman with brown curls that brushed her shoulders.

  “Prince Cian, such a pleasure to see you again.”

  I took her outstretched hand and shook it. “You as well Governor Dias. This is my friend, Vanessa Rothschild, I invited her to join us.”

  I watched the Governor’s reaction and was pleased that she seemed to have already been told of my guest.

  “Of course. Vanessa, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

  Vanessa smiled and shook the woman’s hand. “It’s a pleasure, Governor. My family has spoken so highly of you, especially David. I was so excited when Cian invited me along to meet with you.”

  I smirked at her wording but didn’t correct her.

  “Please call me Theresa. How is David? It’s been a few months since I’ve seen him.”

  Vanessa smiled with pride. “He’s doing really well. He was stressed when Dad turned control over to him, but he’s taken off running.”

  Theresa seemed genuinely pleased by the news. “And your parents? Are they enjoying retirement?”

  Vanessa chuckled. “Oh yes. They’re in Hilton Head for the next month, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they never came back. Dad said his golf game has never been better.”

  “And Serena? Is she in the states right now?” Theresa was impressive remembering the entire Rothschild family, though I knew from experience she had people remembering for her.

  “Yes, she returned from Nepal recently.”

  Theresa smiled and guided us to the informal sitting area near the center of the room. Watching how comfortable Vanessa was made me miss Serena. I had no business missing her though. We’d barely met. We didn’t really know each other, but if what I’d learned from Vanessa today was true, I was more determined to remedy that.

  Our conversation lasted over an hour and ended with me extending an offer for her and her family to visit Lochland, as was expected. We took a few photos together before leaving. Once we were back in the car, Vanessa sighed.

  “Was that too much to endure?” I asked.

  She glanced over at me and shook her head. “No, I just don’t know how you do that every day. It was pleasant, but you guys didn't even discuss business or politics. I’m sure when that comes up it’s worse. I just can’t imagine it.”

  I leaned back into my seat. “That was a better meeting. At least it was brief. But you’re right. This is the majority of what I do, especially when I’m traveling. It’s all formalities and photo ops.”

  She turned toward me. “You’re good at it. I don’t think I have the conversation skills to do that all the time.”

  I smiled. “It comes with lots of practice.”

  “I thought being a royal would be more fun.” She said with a teasing tone.

  “It has its moments, but most of the time I’m in meetings, either with my government, citizens, and business owners or foreign leaders.” I watched her tiny cringe. “Not interested in being a princess anymore?”

  She chuckled. “Does a princess have to do this too?”

  I thought about Isla. “My sister has more specific interests that she focuses on, but yes, still a lot of meetings and photo ops.”

  “What about Aiden’s girlfriend?”

  I rested my head against the rest. “Well, right now they are on a tour of western Europe and have a dozen meetings they have to attend. My parents didn’t want anyone offended that the prince passed through their country without a chance to shake hands.”

  “When do you guys get days off?”

  I laughed, loud and heartily. “Unfortunately, we don’t get a vacation from who we are and the family we were born into. Technically, this is a day off for me.”

  She appeared stunned. “That doesn’t sound all that fun.”

  “I don’t mean to make it sound so awful. There are plenty of perks to outweigh the responsibilities.” I waited to see if she bought that. It was something I told myself but didn’t believe half the time.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I wouldn’t mind having Isla’s closet.”

  I laughed and she joined in. “That is something that she takes pride in.”

  Once she calmed down, she sobered. “Thanks for letting me come with you today. It was eye-opening.”

  “I enjoyed your company.”

  She smiled turned toward the window and I found myself desperately wanting to know what she would say to Serena.

  5

  Serena

  By the time Cian and Vanessa got back home the kitchen, living room, downstairs bathroom, an
d my room had been cleaned. I’d also finished the grant application for a school in Vietnam I’d helped build a few years ago.

  I couldn’t sit still.

  I didn’t want to spend more time with Cian. I didn't want him to become real to me. He needed to remain unobtainable. Being my brother’s best friend wasn’t enough. I needed to remember he was out of my league. He was the future leader of a country, and I volunteered at an animal shelter bathing dogs and scooping poo. His life was public for the whole world to observe and scrutinize. I was a behind the scenes kind of person. The idea of being watched and analyzed made my stomach tighten.

  I blew out a breath when I heard their voices downstairs. I wanted to pretend like I was too busy to go down and talk to them, but I knew Vanessa would hunt me down eventually. I still couldn’t believe she'd asked to go and he let her. Maybe I was reading him wrong. Maybe he was interested in her.

  The thought made my chest ache.

  I thought we had a connection, but that just made me seem like an insane fangirl obsessing over a single look or word. I would not be taken in.

  Nope.

  Footsteps sounded down the hallway and I realized I was out of time.

  “Hey.”

  I spun in my chair and forced a smile. “Hi. How was it?”

  Vanessa wasn’t beaming or jumping off the walls as I expected. She’d just spent uninterrupted time with a prince and she frowned like someone just told her that her favorite nail polish color was being discontinued.

  “It was good.” She let herself in and sat at the foot of my bed facing me.

  “Then why don’t you seem like it was good?”

  Her eyes met mine. “His life wasn’t what I was expecting.”

  Her serious tone caught me off guard. I leaned forward with my elbows resting on my knees. “What happened?”

  “Well, Samuel looked like he was about to die when I said you were supposed to attend with Cian, but couldn't.” She winked and I cringed.

  “Ew. Don’t talk about him. What else happened?”

  “We had a good meeting. The governor was so kind and the conversation was great, but it seemed so…superficial.”

  Vanessa wasn’t as vapid and spoiled as she appeared at first glance. Yes, she took great care in her appearance, but she had worked hard in high school to get into her dream college and maintained a high GPA, but she wasn’t exactly the most self-aware individual either. So, this conversation was taking a turn I never would have expected.

  “What do you mean?”

  She sighed. “It was all pleasantries, which was nice that politics and business stayed out of the conversation, but I realized this was Cian’s whole life. Meeting with people he didn’t really know and don’t know him. Spending time away from his friends and family to please other people. He said his brother Aiden and his girlfriend are touring western Europe but have to stop and meet with the local leaders for stupid photo ops so no one gets offended.”

  I nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  She looked so dejected. “I just couldn’t imagine living without meaningful connections. Everything just skims the surface. She asked about his family but I could tell she didn’t really care, it was just an expected question.”

  I didn't know what to say to make her feel better. None of this surprised me.

  “It made me sad, Serena.”

  “Why?” I asked, genuinely wanting to understand.

  “Cian takes the time to really get to know you. He didn't brush me off as David’s little sister. He actually stopped the car to talk to me.”

  I kept my face expressionless, not wanting her to know how jealous that made me feel. I had no right. I should be happy for her. For both of them.

  “He’s so caring and puts every single person before him, but from what he’s told me, no one does that for him and he doesn’t even realize it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s so used to having people take from him. His time, his means, his reputation, his experience that he doesn’t see it anymore. It’s his normal, and that broke my heart.”

  Wow. This was not at all what I was expecting. I was so caught off guard I just sat there and stared at her.

  “Serena, he’s such a great person. I’m not saying that because he’s a prince, or our brother’s friend, or the most attractive man I’ve ever seen in real life. He’s really so good. He gives everything he has to those around him. He doesn't think of himself. He doesn’t get a break, and he doesn’t even realize how bitter he should be about that. I’m mad on his behalf, but he just accepts it’s all as his duty.”

  I took in a slow breath and sighed. “It’s who he is. He was raised as the crown prince. He’s never known life could be any other way.”

  She shook her head, still seeming sad. “He deserves more. He deserves to get back what he puts out in the world.”

  I nodded. There was nothing to disagree with. She’d seen a side of him that I didn’t know, but from the impression he made, I could tell it touched her.

  “You can change that.”

  She peered up at me with her eyebrows pulled together. “How?”

  “You can be the one that treats him differently. You can show him the kindness and acceptance he’s offered you.” I suggested.

  She nodded then met my eyes. “I think I can be a good friend to him.”

  “Friend?” That threw me.

  “Yeah.” She finally smiled. “I think I can be what he needs in a friend.”

  I waited for her to elaborate, and finally, after almost a minute of silence, she did.

  “He likes you, Serena. I don’t think he knows what to do about it though.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I can tell by the way he looks at you that he’s interested in you, but you blew him off today.” She chuckled. “I don’t know if he’s ever experienced rejection like that, so he probably doesn’t know what to do next.”

  I shook my head, even as her words made my heart beat faster. “He’s not interested in me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He is and I’m not going to let either one of you blow this. His life isn’t as dreamy as I thought, but I think you’re someone that could understand. You both put others before yourselves. You find ways to help others. His life might be boring to me, but I bet you two have a lot in common. I think you could fit with him.”

  She walked out before I could argue leaving me alone to think about what she’d said. Just because we both liked charity work and both had boring meetings didn’t mean we belonged together. I was a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. Anytime I needed makeup I had to borrow it from Vanessa. Cian was all suits and class and flawless...I shook my head. It wasn’t worth getting worked up over.

  I turned back around and faced my computer. Rather than searching for grants like I should have been doing, I found myself investigating Cian and his family.

  He always appeared so stern in pictures. Nothing like the man I’d been around for the past few days. Even when he was in a crowd shaking hands, he seemed removed. Like his mind was a million miles away.

  Maybe Vanessa was right. His life wasn’t really his own. He had the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Over three million citizens looking at him as their future king. That was more than any one person should have to bear.

  But what made him more relaxed here? Why did he smile freely? Why did he open up to Vanessa?

  The two-dimensional prince I’d constructed in my mind was falling apart with each interview I read. His brother, Aiden, ran LochEnergy up until a few weeks ago, and Isla and Ronan had small roles but it seemed like everything came back to Cian.

  No wonder he never smiled.

  Footsteps sounded down the hall and I closed out of the windows with Cian’s name and face before anyone could see.

  David leaned against the doorframe and smiled casually. “Hey Serena, we’re going to order some pizza. Do you want your usual?”

  I nodded. “Yea
h, thanks. I’ll be down in a few.”

  He eyed me suspiciously, but it was probably all in my head. “Okay.”

  He disappeared and I let out a sigh. I needed to pull myself together. I couldn’t go downstairs in my current state. Vanessa would see how wound up I was and know in an instant that her words had an effect on me.

  This was ridiculous. I barely knew Cian. Plus, he was leaving in two days. A week from now, this would all be a memory. Something to look back on and laugh. That one time I’d had a crush on a prince.

  Ha.

  Hilarious.

  I took a few calming breaths and headed down the stairs.

  Three sets of eyes found me the moment I stepped into the kitchen. They were sitting in a row at the island. It was getting late and I was a bit surprised they hadn’t already eaten. I’d been locked away all day and hadn’t realized how much time had passed.

  I pasted on a smile. “Hi guys.”

  David nodded before glancing down at his phone. Vanessa smiled at me then shifted her eyes to Cian then back to me as if she was trying to compel me to go to him. Cian seemed more relaxed than he had this morning, but something still pushed me away. He was more casual than I’d seen him, in a navy polo. He somehow looked even more handsome, approachable.

  No. I tore my eyes away from him. He was leaving. No need to get all worked up while there was a countdown hanging over his head.

  “Hey, how was the meeting?” I asked as I leaned against the counter, keeping space between us.

  He nodded once. “It was fine.”

  That gave me a lot to work with. Vanessa was sitting next to him holding her phone, but she widened her eyes at me like I should be doing something else.

  “Good. I’m glad.” I smiled and turned to take out a can of Diet Dr. Pepper from the fridge. I took a slow sip and savored the moment before returning to the awkward tension in the room that was likely only in my mind.

  “Vanessa told me about the shelter you work at and how there is a need for supplies. I would like to make a donation.” Cian’s offer broke the silence.