ROME
I packed another bag with my new sets of clothes.
When I went down, Linden had just arrived with my friends. They wore the same suit.
“Wow. Isn’t that too much?”
“Too much? You should have seen your lobby.” Kye showed me the live footage outside the building.
He was right. There were at least thirty heads in the lobby, and I bet a few more outside waiting for me. It was shocking how people were so interested in royal romance. They still believed in fairy fucking tales.
“Whether you like it or not, you have to write our cheque,” Kye added.
I snorted. “I thought we were friends, asshole.”
“You’re kidding. But I can’t wait to see Triberean,” Sax said.
“I thought they call themselves Caprean,” Kye told Sax.
“Caprean is like pure blood. Tribereans are mix and modern.”
I watched Zee and Linden as they planned on the laptop.
“Have you talked to Carly- Princess Carlott?”
I looked at Sax. “Yeah. Just right after I talked to Linden. Why?”
“Did she tell you how the media got into that photo?”
“The leak came from the palace?”
They all had the same reaction, speechless and shocked.
“I think you just got approval from the new King,” Linden affirmed, grinning. “Congratulations.”
“What made you say that?”
“The leak came from them, not from paparazzi. That’s how they do before they allow the subjects to make a public appearance.”
“Subjects? What do you mean?”
“You can’t be seen together if the relationship has not been consented from the palace. Are you ready for that?”
“Wait,” Kye interrupted us. “You mean he has no choice but to show his ass up and be their princess’ boyfriend?”
“Technically, yes.”
I slipped my hands into my pockets as I listened to them. That was what the call was all about.
“Well, that’s a little bit harsh. So, it’s like a one-way ticket. What if it won’t work?” Kye turned to Linden.
“They break up and never see each other again, but if the leak came from the palace, it means they did a background check on our future Lord or Prince here. He passed the criteria. They were also done with his personality check to see if they are the perfect match.” Linden shrugged.
“What the fuck?” Sax reacted. “That’s a little creepy and thorough.”
“She’s the only daughter of the King. Princess Royal. They will only have another Princess Royal if the King and Queen are gone, and the present Princess Royal. Not for another seventy years.” Zee looked at me. “That’s how big a deal she is.”
“Well, by their rules, our boy can’t be Prince. He can be noble, like a marquess, earl, viscount, or baron if he is married to our princess,” Linden added.
“It’s a good thing for our guy over here, right?” Sax gestured at me. “And you are awfully fucking silent. Doesn’t it sink in yet?”
“Maybe that’s why Storm told me not to see her. She said it’s a trap.”
“Well, you have one huge decision to make. To be with Carly or stay here and you won’t be able to see her again. If you choose to be with her, you might have to sacrifice a lot of things.”
I sighed deeply. The moment I said she had my heart, I knew what I wanted. It’s Carly and not her title.
“Let’s go then.”
***
I managed to take a nap during the long flight. Linden found a hotel suite, even though most of the hotels were fully booked.
“Any restrictions?”
“No guns for you, no drugs. No walking butt naked.”
I nodded.
“I don’t know what to expect.”
“It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people. We’re going there to pay our respects and meet your girlfriend. Don’t expect this would be easy. She’s a busy person and still mourning. Expect her security is tight like Fort Knox.”
I nodded again and sighed deeply. “She will make it possible.”
Three hours later, we landed. I put my coat on. My nervousness started to get into my skin.
Zee fixed my scarf. “Are you ready, lover boy?”
“You all are overreacting.”
They all exchanged looks. “You are underestimating yourself. Even if you are not yet dating the princess, you are already an important person.”
Linden and Zee went down ahead. And then I followed them. I was still in the airstair when at least two SUVs and one black Rolls-Royce rushed to park on the runway.
“Are those our rides?”
“I don’t think so,” Zee confirmed, signaling me. “Stay back.”
The driver from the first SUV got out and met Linden. “Mr. Gabe Linden?”
“Yes. We are from the United States of America.”
“We know who you are, Mr. Linden.” The man looked directly at me. “Mr. Romare Langston, on behalf of His Majesty, the King, King Isodore III, we welcome you to the country and take you to the manor courtesy of the palace.”
“Extend my deepest condolences to the King, and thank you for the warm welcome. Am I allowed to politely decline the offer?”
“I’m afraid no, sir.”
Great. “Understood.”
I couldn’t even speak in the car. I was overwhelmed. All I did was watch the view outside. It was beautiful. It was like somewhere in Iceland.
Linden chose to stay in the passenger’s seat. I was alone at the back. Zee, Kye, and Sax were in the SUV in front.
Forty minutes passed, and we entered the massive driveway. And that must be the manor the driver was talking about.
Our accommodation looked hundred years old, like a traditional manor from the 19th Century.
They checked the parameters and briefed Linden while my guys and I were waiting in the lounge.
“Please, feel at home, Mr. Langston. The butler will be here twenty-four-seven for you. And I gave my number to Mr. Linden if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
After they left us, I finally breathed freely.
“Do you still underestimate yourself?”
“That was a little bit extreme,” I told Zee.
Before I could sit on the European sofa, the massive door swung open. My team was on full alert, eyeing who might walk in.
Then there you go, the announcement of the arrival of the King. I felt like I was brought back to the 18th Century.
“His Majesty, The King.”
I did a light nod. “Your Majesty. It’s an honor. Please accept my deepest condolences. From my family and my brothers here.”
He nodded slightly. His eyes focused on me. “Thank you. It’s kind of you. You’ve traveled all the way here to pay your respects to my late father, King Kamrun IV. But you’ve also come here to visit my daughter.” Right straight to the point. No running around the bushes. I liked it, even though my nerves started to get the best of me.
“Yes, sir. You Majesty. That was the plan.”
“Despite her effort of warning you not to see her. Why?” He knew. Of course, he knew everything.
“I care about your daughter deeply.”
“Is that all?”
“May I speak freely?” the moment I said those words, my friends stiffened as if they just turned to stones, afraid what might come out of my mouth would upset the King.
He nodded. “Speak, son.”
“Your Majesty, Storm-Princess Carlott. It hurt to be there while she was here in grief. Before my arrival, I didn’t know what to expect, if it was possible, considering I was going to see the princess. But I kept a hold of what my mother had told me. She said you don’t have to act bravely in front of the boards. You are not going to war because if it is, they will always find your weakness, and that’s when they strike. Just be yourself, and it’s okay to stutter and feel nervous. It’s human nature not to be perfect, but to be the man you can be proud of yourself when you look back fifty years from now. That’s when I realized I don’t need everyone’s approval or impress someone to see the person I care about.”
“Very well then. Your name is on the list of dignitaries at the funeral.”