Page 51 of Her Royal Rebellion

Aiden shook his head. “You’re our sister, Isla. We love you. Your happiness and well-being is our primary concern. Forget about what our parents say. We have your back, always.”

I didn’t want this to turn into bashing our parents. Ninety percent of the time they were amazing and did everything they could to ensure our happiness. This was the biggest disagreement we’d ever had.

“Thank you. I appreciate that. It’s just … after everything that happened, I needed to feel like I had some control over my life. This was the only place I wanted to be.”

“You had a night to yourself. You couldn’t really expect us to stay away longer than that.” Aiden said with a pained look in his eyes. We’d always been close and he was used to me turning to him. It was time to let him know there was another important man in my life. I tried to put on a brave face, but I wasn’t sure how he or Cian were going to take this.

“I’m sure Dad had a pure intent when he started this. I have to believe he thought he was doing what was best for me, and that Mum agreed, but they were wrong. I didn’t need anyone coming into my life. I already have a man I love.”

Charlie winked at me while everyone else stared at me like I’d grown another head. I turned to Logan and grabbed his hand. “We’re in love. We have been for a while, but it’s taken a bit of time to get out of our own way.”

The room was so silent. I felt like they could all hear my heart racing, it was pounding so loud in my ears.

“Finally.” Aiden broke the silence and it was like he popped a balloon.

“I believe you owe me a hundred Euro,” Serena told Cian with a sassy smile.

Cian groaned and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He pulled out the bill and slapped it into her waiting palm.

Charlie was clapping and smiling wide. “I’m so happy for both of you.”

Logan tightened his grip on my hand. “You guys … knew?”

Cian scoffed. “It’s not like either of you were that discrete. All of the staring and sighing, and it’s not a secret that you’re the only one she spends more than a few minutes with. We knew you were more than just her favorite.”

I turned to Logan with an open mouth. This whole time I thought we were dancing on the outskirts, staying out of the way, and avoiding drawing any attention.

“And you’re okay with it? With us?” he asked my siblings.

Cian brightened. “Of course. You’re one of the best men I know. You’ve proven yourself time and time again. We know you care about our sister and will always take care of her. You’ve put her and her needs before your own for years, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we’re happy for you.”

Aiden nodded. “I was expecting you to be the one to kidnap her and take her away when the suitors began arriving.”

Charlie groaned and dropped her face in her hands.

Aiden looked confused. “What? Too soon?”

Serena threw her napkin at him. “Yes, Aiden. Much too soon.”

He shrugged and returned his focus on me. “We’re happy for you guys, that’s the point.”

“So you’ll support us when we talk to Mum and Dad?” I asked hopefully.

Cian cringed, but Serena slapped his arm. He sighed. “Yes, we will.”

“It would be helpful if we understood why they were so set on having the suitors come in the first place,” Charlie pointed out. Aiden nodded.

Cian seemed to grow more uncomfortable, and I stared him down. “What do you know?”

He flinched and I knew he was hiding something.

“Cian, spill,” Aiden barked at him.

“I’m not positive, okay? We were gone when Dad made the announcement, but I’ve heard him express some concerns recently that might have to do with this whole mess.”

I waved my hands. “And? What are they?”

“He’s worried about you and how you’ll be taken care of. Things are a bit… muddy when it comes to your inheritance. Apparently, Duke McNally had something set aside for you, but it’s gone.”