“Does that mean there’s hope for me yet?” A wave of relief rolls through me. I can’t be doing that badly if I remind my dad of himself.
“There was never a loss of hope. If it seemed that way, it’s because your mother has the weight of the commonwealth on her shoulders. We’ve always been in your corner. And with this new charity you plan on starting, the rest of the nation will be as well.”
I feel like I’m fifteen again, wanting my dad’s approval. I’m almost thirty for Christ’s sake, but it feels like another piece is falling into place. Whereas before they were all scattered, now it finally feels like I’m settling into who I’m meant to be. To become.
My throat is tight with emotion when I squeeze out the words, “Thanks, Dad.”
He gives me a brief nod, trying to control his own emotions. “I didn’t just come here to get on you. Your mother has requested Zara to attend the Garden Show with us tomorrow.”
Of course she has. I haven’t picked up her call, so she sends Dad in her place, knowing I’d refuse her.
“But it’s a school day. She’ll have class all day.” Her nights and weekends are already dominated by events I’m dragging her to. I don’t want to disrupt her life any more than it has been.
“It’ll be a good opportunity for her to get to meet more of her citizens. See more of what will be required of her when everything is made official.”
“I’ll call her once we’re done,” I relent. I know this will eventually be her reality, but I want her life to be as normal as possible until then. Even if her version of normal has shifted.
Finishing up lunch, Dad stands to go. I stand with him, but before he can leave, I pull him in for a hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
He squeezes me in a little tighter. “I’m proud of you, James, and I know your grandfather would be too.” He pulls back, giving my shoulder a squeeze before leaving. Fuck if my emotions aren’t getting the best of me today.
When our grandfather was alive, Ellie was the one expected to eventually be on the throne. She was always the one that was given the attention. I hate to admit it, but it’s one of the reasons I slacked off. There was never any pressure on me. I was never going to be leading the country. But now that I am, hearing those words affects me more than I thought they would. My grandfather was arguably the best King our country has ever seen, so to have those words said to me? My heart swells in my chest. And the only person I want by my side when I do this is Zara.
I need to hear her voice. Even if it is to invite her to another event.
“Hi.” Her voice is muffled when she answers.
“Bad time?”
“Sorry, just trying to finish eating before lunch hour is over.”
Here I am, worried about pulling her away from school when I’m calling her in the middle of the day. “Sorry, love. But just have a quick ask.”
“Is it about the Garden Party tomorrow?”
“You’re in the wrong profession if you guessed that.” Shock colours my voice. How in the world would she know about that already?
“It’s the same time every year, so I only assumed I’d be going. Good press for the two of us.” She sighs. “Is that why you’re calling?”
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I can tell the Queen to bugger off.”
This gets a laugh out of her. “I’m not going to make you tell your mother to bugger off, even if I’d like to tell her that right now. I’ve already requested the day off. I’m just worried because the week after is our end of term concert and I want to get all the practise time in with the students that I can.”
She doesn’t have to say it, but I know what she’s thinking. That as soon as we get engaged, she’ll have to quit her job. That she’ll no longer get to teach music but will start training for her new role as princess. I hate that I’m taking her away from her life, but at the same time, I want her by my side.
“You’re wonderful, you know that?”
She laughs, soothing the sting to my soul. “So you’ve told me. Do I just need to come to your place tomorrow?”
“If you want to come early, we can do lunch.”
“Mmm, sounds like the start to a perfect day.”
More like the perfect life.
Zara
“Wow,do I love a man in uniform.” James opens the door in full military dress. I never thought I was one for a man in uniform, but apparently, I am. Or maybe it’s just James. He’s swoon-worthy in the black coat with white belt. “Did you earn all of these?” Medals decorate his chest.
