ROME
I worked on my laptop and ignored my faces on TV as they watched the local and international news. Thankfully, it was just news briefs, and they focused on the plans for the coronation of the new King.
While Carly was back to do her duty, I made money. I kept in contact with my new assistant, updating my schedule and itinerary.
“Jesus. Are they also interested in knowing the size of his dick?” Kye reacted.
“The Princess won’t be so thrilled,” Sax replied.
“I guess that is his life now, always under the public eye.” Zee joined them.
“This will be over. It just happened the Princess made a comeback, The Late King passed away, and the new King took over the throne. This will go back to normal, bro.” Linden slapped my shoulder.
“Everything won’t be back to normal,” I finally said a word. “I love Carly.”
They whistled.
“What?” I stared at them one by one.
“You just said it loud, but we’ve known since you walked into that restaurant, remember?”
Of course. How can I forget?
“Even if before you knew she was a princess. The feeling is real, no doubt. And they can’t use anything against you. You are filthy rich, 121 in the Forbes 400. You’re not a manwhore either,” Kye said. “So, I guess that’s an advantage.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, man.”
“You supported a lot of charities, good causes, and not to mention. You are a decorated soldier. You have a clean slate record, my man. Maybe that’s the reason why the King shook your hand because an ideal man is just served on a silver platter.”
I shook my head at Zee. “That’s pretty much it. I don’t have an attractive resume against the Princess.”
“Are you kidding me? This is not a competition, my friend, and you already passed with flying colors from the Prince and the King, and the Princess chose you. You are the only candidate that meets their taste. I am sure they have plenty, from princes, lords, billionaires, high-ranking officials-”
I stopped Zee. “Okay, okay. I got it.” I looked at all my friends. “Aren’t you all bored watching the same news over and over again? Get out, and have fun. Winterbourn has a lot of things to offer. I’ll be fine, and I’m in one of the safest places in this country.”
“Are you sure?” Linden asked.
“I’m guessing you’re not asking about if I’m fine here.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll talk about it when you all are back.”
“Don’t forget about your dinner date with the King.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
Once they left, I went back to work.
***
My ride arrived at the Winterbourn Castle, where the Royal family stayed aside from the palace.
“Welcome to our humble home, Rome.” Prince Thayer shook my hand.
“Not every day I got an invitation to the castle. I suppose I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.”
“You mean, you can’t say no to the King.”
I chuckled. “Something like that.”
“Rome, you made it.” Duchess Kennedy’s eyes lit up upon seeing me. We kissed on the cheeks.
“I have to make a good impression.”
She laughed softly. “You already did.”
“And congratulations.” I looked at Prince Thayer. “To both of you.” Her baby bump was already prominent.
“Thank you, Rome. Join us. Princess Carlott is on the way. She had a meeting with the chief of the Navy nurses.”
“Yeah, I saw the news.” Some crew members had accidents in the submarine.
“Yeah. Fortunately, no one got hurt.”
“Accident happens all the time. Glad they are all safe.”
I didn’t have to look who walked in when the door opened. I instantly felt my heart beat faster, and the excitement tingled all over my body.
I rose to my feet. And there she was in a pretty light blue dress. Now she was blonde. And she looked hot.
“Hey. You made it.” She came close to me and kissed me on the cheek, which was weird, but yeah, the freaking royal protocol.
“Glad you’re here now.”
She then went to kiss her brother and his wife. “Am I late?”
“No. Father and Mother haven’t arrived.”
She took a seat beside me and placed her hand on top of mine. “How’s your day?”
“Working. I forced them to get out and do sightseeing. They haven’t come back when I left.”
She smiled. “I think they went a little too far with sightseeing. Weren’t they?”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“They probably meet pretty Caprean. Girls always fall for the American accent.”
I turned to the Duchess with a raised brow. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She nodded with a smile.
“I didn’t fall for your accent, darling,” said the prince.
“So do I,” Carly seconded.
“I know what made you fall for me.”
She tried to hold back her smile, her eyes twinkling as she gripped my hand. “What is it?”
“You told me yesterday.”
Before we could do something stupid, her parents arrived.
I did a light bow while Carly and Kennedy curtsied.
“Your Majesties.”
“Romare.” He just called me by my first name and shook my hand. I thought that was a good sign.
“Romare, dear. I’m glad you can make it.”
“Your Majesty, Thank you for inviting me.”
The dinner was served. I sat beside Carly while the couple was across from us. The King and Queen on the hosts. The starter was served. King Isodore started the conversation with Prince Thayer about Alessia.
“I wish she could stay for a while,” Carly started.
“She has a job, darling,” The Queen replied.
“Do you like white-tail deer?” The King asked.
I swallowed. I didn’t know if it was a test or something. “I haven’t tried it, sir.”
Then the main course was served. I looked down, and it was a perfect roasted lamb, or was it a deer?
“Do you hunt?”
“No, sir.”
“Hunting deer in our country is a capital crime.”
“Oh.” My eyes widened slightly.
Prince Thayer smiled. “Please, father. Don’t scare our guest. And it’s not a deer, Rome. That’s a roasted lamb.”
“I should learn more about your culture and laws, Your Majesty. Forgive my ignorance.”
“You’re being honest. That’s all that matters,” the Queen said. I thought that was sweet. She was the Queen of this country, but she had a good, thoughtful, and calm aura of a mother.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
After dinner, we went to the living room, and the tension seemed to lessen, or was it only Carly, and I tensed all the time?
“Are you both okay?” Prince Thayer asked.
“Yeah,” we answered in unison.
“That doesn’t sound okay.” He broke into a smile.
“I guess that was what it’s like to have dinner with the head of the country.”
“You’re doing great. My father hates when someone brags something about it. He hates arrogance. And you were not that person.”
“May I excuse Mr. Langston, Your Highness?” The King’s private assistant came in. “The King has requested your presence in the study, sir.”
“Of course.”
“Rome, don’t go.” Carly looked worried as she held my arm.
“Why? Your father wants to talk to me?”
She looked at her brother.
“He’ll be fine. And you can’t say no to the King, Rome.” He chuckled.
“I’ll be right back.” I stood up and buttoned my suit. “Your Highness.”
The smell of rich wood hit my nostrils as soon as the door opened wide. The study was massive, full of hardbound books in the wood and golden shelves. His desk was made of thick slabs of African blackwood, fit for the King.
“Your Majesty.”
“Come.” He gestured his hand. “Come and have a seat.”
I walked to him and sat on the seat across his desk, but the chair was three feet away.
“This desk has been here for generations. My grandfather, my father, and now I am using this. But being the King is just a title, Romare. Besides being the head of the state, my job comes with absolute responsibility. I make and pass laws and maintain political neutrality around the country. I may have control, but it’s a public service, not a prestige.”
“I understood, Your Majesty.”
“I know you do. You run a billion-dollar empire yourself. And you have your own company. Did my son talk to you about investing business in the country?”
“My family owned a realty business. Sevyn Hunter Global funds start-up businesses and buy and sell properties, among others, Your Majesty. And yes, Prince Thayer offered me an opportunity it’s hard to refuse.”
“So you can live up to people’s expectations and provide my daughter’s lavish lifestyle?”
I eyed him for a while. “Princess Carlott-”
“I know what you call her. Princess is a formality to call in public.”
“Forgive me. What I was trying to say is that Storm can stand on her two feet without a man or somebody else’s help. She worked hard and provided for her needs back in the States. It may be different around here that she’s back on her duty, but to answer your question, yes.”
“My family doesn’t engage in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Once we approve their relationship, the man will ask the parents for the daughter’s hand. We don’t submit to a long-term engagement, as well. If you are not planning on marrying my daughter, I want you to end the relationship immediately. You are in my country and are subjected to follow our law, but I will make an exception if you are not planning on marrying Carlott. I will allow you to go home and forget this conversation ever happened.”
This must be what’s been bothering her.
He waited patiently for my answer, and we stared for a while.
“My plan is already in motion, Your Majesty. Forgive me if I’m gonna say something that might offend you. That’s not intentional. When she warned me, I knew it was all about it.”
“I discussed it with her.”
“My friends briefed me about some royal protocols. But I still chose to come here and see her and pay my respects. And yes, I want to marry your daughter even if it won’t come to this moment. But I didn’t mention this to Carly because I am still planning my move. I want everything ready when I propose. But now that you asked me. Yes. I would be honored to be her husband. She’d been through a lot, and I will stand by her side and support her advocacy till we grow old together. Your Majesty, would you do me the honor of giving me your blessing for your daughter’s hand in marriage?”
The King rose from his chair and offered his hand. “Welcome to the family, Romare.”
I grinned right in front of the King and gripped his hand tightly. “Thank you, sir.”
It didn’t end there. He round from his desk and went to me to hug me. “I won’t hesitate to cut your head if you ever hurt her, unintentional or not. You promise me to make her happy, honor her, respect her, cherish her, provide for her needs, and give me a lot of grandchildren.”
The Queen just walked with the most dazzling smile on her face. She’s the epitome of beauty and grace. Just like my Princess. “My love, stop threatening our future son-in-law.”
“Ma’am.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “I will honor your request, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Go ahead and see my daughter.”
“Thank you.”
I closed the door behind me and found Carly outside pacing. “Sweetheart?”
“Oh, God. Are you okay?” She cupped my face, eyes filled with worry.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I kissed her forehead.
“Did he say something to you?”
“Yeah. I said I will invest here.”
“That’s all?” Prince Thayer joined us.
“Pretty much. Yeah.”
Carly seemed not convinced and still looked worried.
“I’m fine. I promise.” I kissed the side of my head while her brother tried to hide his smile. He knew what the King and I talked about inside.
I nodded subtly.