The sitting areas weren’t anywhere as fancy or innate as the palace, but it was comfortable. I felt like I could curl up on the enormous sofa sitting in front of a fireplace.
“Come this way.” He led me through rooms I was dying to explore and into the kitchen. It had large windows along one wall giving view to more of the beautiful trees that surrounded the manor. But the best part was that I’d been expecting a relic. The original kitchen with a fire burning stove or just a fireplace.
Nope.
It was completely modern, complete with a fridge, stove, and double ovens. It looked like a chef had designed it with pots and pans hanging overhead and cabinets that matched the dark floors. I sighed and looked at Aiden.
“This place is perfect. Why don’t you live here?”
He shrugged. “It feels too lonely. I planned on moving here when I got married.”
I blinked and tried to calm my racing heart.
“So why did you bring me?”
He looked around the room before meeting my eyes. “I wanted to know what you thought of it.”
“I love it.”
He smiled. “That’s good. I didn’t want to have to sell it.”
I froze for a second before he laughed. He stepped toward me and captured my hands in his. “I wanted to show you my world. The one place where I can disappear and just be myself. No one else around to worry about how I’m acting. I wanted you to be here.”
“I’m not ruining your secret place?”
His eyes darkened. “Seeing you here makes me realize how much I’ve been missing. Being around you has shown me how empty my life has been. I threw myself into my company even before I graduated because I needed a distraction. I didn’t want to have spare time to realize how little I had that truly mattered. I mean, I had my family of course, but nothing that was just mine. Nothing that made me, well, me. I had a title and expectations and that was it. Meeting you woke me up from the sleep I’ve been living through.”
My throat felt like it was closing in.
“You weren’t a part of my plans, Charlie. I wasn’t expecting to ever meet someone like you. Now, I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He started to pull away, but I squeezed his hands to stop him. “I didn’t expect any of this either, Aiden. I was thinking of going home the moment you sat next to me. I changed my plans too. I broke my rules even speaking to you.”
He chuckled and a bit of the tension broke.
“I don’t think either of us knows how to navigate this. I’m just as scared and out of my element as you are.”
He nodded and kissed me gently before pulling back. “As long as you want to figure this out together, I’m happy.”
I nodded. “I can’t just go on with my trip or go home after this. I won’t give up on us. As crazy as this is, I want to be with you. For real.”
“Oh, darling. We’ve been real since the night you met my parents.”
My heart swelled in my chest. I wasn’t the only one thinking that? He thought this was real too? I let out a breath I felt like I’d been holding for a week.
“What does this mean?” I asked.
He didn’t answer immediately. “I need to have a conversation with my parents.”
“Okay.”
“And your parents.”
I furrowed my brows. “Why?”
“Well, if I plan on keeping their daughter in Lochland I should probably at least meet them.”
“Yeah, if you plan on doing that you should.” I couldn’t stop the smile forming on my lips.
“Is that okay?”
“Me staying?”
He nodded and I pretended to think about it. “Well, I did have a whole trip planned. And Lochland wasn’t even on the itinerary.”
I bit back my smirk while he looked worried. “We will finish your trip. I swear to you.”
“Okay.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Okay? Just like that?”
I nodded. “I just want to be with you.”
Before I could blink, his lips were on mine.
Promises were made with this kiss. We would give this a fighting chance. We’d make sacrifices for each other. We’d defy the odds. We’d fight for each other.
His lips trailed along my jaw and to the spot below my ear that made me sigh.
“Thank you.” His whisper held hope that I clung to.
22
Aiden
I hated that the day after promising to fight for her I left to go back to the office. She didn’t seem to mind when I kissed her goodbye this morning, but my heart was aching being away from her.
“And that’s why this quarter we project an increase of thirty-five percent.” The director of marketing finished his presentation in front of the board of directors and everyone gave a courtesy clap.
For the first time since I’d opened the company, I was bored. My thoughts were elsewhere and my heart wasn’t in it.
Isla’s words had been running through my mind on repeat. Running this company had been a luxury. As a prince, my duties lay with the crown. I should be focusing on the government and laws and foreign policies. It was what I’d studied for. It was what I’d been raised to do.
So why was I sitting in a conference room surrounded by highly capable men and women that could run and grow this company without me?
No one else could fulfill my role as prince, but anyone of them could step in as CEO without blinking an eye.
I didn’t mind that Isla was right, but I hated that she had to point it out to me. I should have realized it for myself. My focus should have always been with the crown.
The meeting was over and I called out to my second in command. “Margaret?”
She turned and waited. “Yes, Aiden?”
“Do you have a minute to meet in my office?”
She nodded and lead the way across the floor to the corner office I’d claimed when we moved into this building.
I sat on the sofa and gestured for her to sit on the one across from me.
“What can I do for you, sir?”
I didn’t know where to start. “How do you feel about the company?”
She looked confused. “In what respect?”
“Are you passionate about what we’re doing?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
“Do you believe in the direction we’re going?”
“Yes, Aiden. What is this about?” She didn’t seem irritated, just genuinely confused.
“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this recently. I think it’s time I step down, Margaret.”
Her expression of shock lasted only a few seconds before she schooled her expression. “Why is that? You’ve done a tremendous job.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but I’m a prince.”
She smiled. “I haven’t forgotten.”
I sighed. “Well, I have. I’ve pushed aside my duties and responsibilities to focus on building this company. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished and I truly believe we’ve benefitted Lochland and changed the trajectory of our country.”
She nodded. “I agree. You developed our number one export.”
“But now it’s time I focus on my job as prince.”
There was a moment of silence before she spoke. “You can still hold a place on board.”
“I intend to. I want to keep up with what’s happening, but I no longer can hold a daily position.”
“Of course, sir. I understand. Should I start looking for an acceptable replacement?”
I shook my head.
Her eyebrows pulled together. “Sir, we need a CEO.”
I smiled. “We already have one.”
She looked as confused as when this conversation started. “Who?”
“You, Margaret. I’m passing the company on to you.”
She sat back and stared at me. “Aiden.”
I held up my hand. “I’ve thought this through and you are more than qualify but mos
t importantly, I trust you to care about this company as much as I do. I believe you are the exact leader it needs for the next phase.”
She rolled her shoulders back and sat up straight. “Thank you, sir. That means…” She cleared her throat. “That means so much coming from you.”
I stood and shook her hand. “I assume this means you accept.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done and for all you will do. I’ll get the paperwork ready and make the announcement tomorrow.”
She looked a bit dazed but agreed then excused herself. I fell back on the sofa and looked up at the white ceiling as if confirmation I’d done the right thing would be written up there.
I’d done it.
I’d made the first step in becoming the prince I was meant to be. I finished out the rest of the day with the company’s attorneys. By the time I walked out the door, everything was signed and finalized. I’d gone in the CEO and left just a member of the board.
A few weeks ago, the thought of this would have killed me. Now, it set me free.
George was waiting at the curb with the door open. “Good evening, Aiden.”
“Hi, George.”
I slid in and waited for him to take his seat before letting him in on the news.
“I did it today.”
He met my eyes in the rear-view mirror. “What’s that?”
“I quit.”
The car jerked, but he corrected himself and apologized. “I’m sorry. Did you say you quit?”
“Well, more like I stepped down and put the new CEO in place.”
He whistled. “Never thought I’d see the day, son.”
“It was time.”
“Oh, I know. Believe me, I know it was time, but I didn’t think you’d ever do it.”
“What do you mean?” I leaned forward so he could talk to me directly.
“Those windmills have been your life since you were a teenager. You told me you were going to change the world and you did. You fulfilled your dream, but then you stayed. You ran the company even though it no longer needed you.”
“You don’t think it needed me?”
“Not after the first year or two. You had an incredible idea, product, and selected the very best people to run the company. I’m not going to lie and say your influence wasn’t pivotal in its acceptance and adoption into the market, but after that…”
“I could have left?”
He nodded. “You did such an amazing job with that company that you set it up for success. You didn’t need to be there to hold the reigns.”
I felt back against the seat. “So, did everyone realize this before me?”
“It was your baby. You’re pride and joy. How could anyone ask you to leave it? It was something you needed to figure out for yourself.”
“Well, Isla did give me a shove.”
He laughed. “And look where it took you.”
I nodded. “I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted.”
“Good. You did your job, and now you can move on to the next stage of life.”
“Being a prince.”
“You’ve always been a prince, Aiden.”
“Not a very good one.”
George shook his head. “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You brought renewable energy to your country. That’s no small feat. That’s something to celebrate, but you’re right. It’s time to move on to your other responsibilities.”
“I guess so.”
“Are you going to take this long to figure out the next big thing?”
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
“Miss Charlie.”
I smiled and looked out the window at the passing city. “I don’t think I have nearly as much time to waste.”
“Smart man.”
“I sure hope so, George. I don’t want to mess this up.”
“You have to make sure she knows how you feel. She needs to know she’s wanted. Don’t leave a shadow of a doubt, son.”
I nodded. I felt like our conversation at the manor had been perfect. She knew I wanted her to stay. She knew how I felt. Mostly. I hadn’t quite come out and said I loved her, but she had to feel it, right?
George spoke again. “I can practically hear the wheels in your mind spinning. If you’re thinking this hard it means there’s still a chance she doesn’t know. You need to lay out everything for her. No leaving it up for interpretation or hoping your actions speak for you.”
I let out a laugh. “You know me well.”
“I’ve known you your whole life. I think I have a fairly solid idea of how your mind works.”
“I haven’t told her exactly how I feel yet. I don’t want to scare her.”
“Would you rather scare her for being honest, or lose her because of a miscommunication?”
“I don’t want either.”
He chuckled. “You might be a prince, but you can’t have it all.”
I blew out a breath. “So, I just tell her. Even though it’s way too soon to be feeling this way, and it will probably make me seem crazy or possessive?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” I chuckled at his direct response.
“Son, I was married for over forty years. I think I know a thing or two about women and romance.”
I smiled thinking of his wife, Nora. She was the sweetest woman I’d ever known. She was like a bonus grandmother to us growing up. She played with us and taught us how to bake. She had the best, warmest smile. They’d had a long, happy marriage before she passed away when I was a teenager. He had a point.
“You can’t be scared about talking to Charlie when you just resigned from your company. Talking to her should be a breeze in comparison.”
I leaned back against the headrest. “You’d think that, but I’m actually more terrified of losing her than my company.”
His eyebrows shot up. “This is serious.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Son, men are lucky to find love once in their lives. Don’t miss your chance because you’re afraid. A second chance may never come.”
“When did you become so wise?”
He chuckled as we pulled into the palace grounds. “I’ve always been wise. It’s you who’s been too dumb to listen.”
I laughed and got out of the car once we parked. I had news to share and I couldn’t wait to tell my family and Charlie.
Ms. Fiona, one of the head maids was walking by when I stopped her. “Can you please have everyone meet me in the green room?”
She nodded and took off at a brisk walk. I went to the sitting room and began pacing while I waited.
Cian and Dad were the first to arrive, probably because they were in the office just down the hall.
“Aiden, what’s going on?” Dad asked looking concerned.
“I have news to share, but I’d like to wait until we’re all here.”
He nodded once and sat while Cian rolled his eyes behind him. “What’s such a big deal you had to interrupt our meeting?”
“What’s so important that you’re annoyed having to hear from your brother?”
Cian shook his head but didn’t complain again.
Soon, my mother, Ronan, Isla, and Charlie had gathered and were waiting with various levels of anticipation.
“Okay, son, we’re all here now tell us what this is about,” Dad asked with a patient tone. I knew it annoyed Cian to no end which just made this all the more enjoyable.
“I made a decision today, and since it impacts all of you in different ways, I wanted to share it with you all at once.”
A few of them shared looks before I continued. “I resigned as CEO today. I offered the position to Margaret and she accepted. We signed the paperwork and the announcement will be made tomorrow.”
Isla and Ronan shared a knowing look while Charlie watched me with a proud smile. Mom was stunned but finally stood and hugged me. “I’m so proud of all you’ve
accomplished, honey.”
She stepped back and smiled as my dad moved around her and hugged me as well. “I can’t imagine this was an easy decision for you. But I’m also very proud of you.”
Cian met my gaze and nodded once. It wasn’t much but I knew it meant he respected my decision.
“So, what’s next, brother?” Isla asked with a trace of sarcasm.
I eyed her before turning to my parents. “It’s time I embrace my duties as Prince. I’ll do whatever is asked of me.”
Mum was beaming, but my father was silent for a moment. He finally sighed. “That’s great to hear, son.”
Isla clapped silently. She’d been right and would enjoy rubbing it my face for years to come. I guess I deserved that.
“Well, now that you’re done can I get back to my work?” Cian interrupted the good vibes in the room and left before anyone could respond.
“What crawled up his--”
“Isla.” Mom scolded before she could finish her thought.
Dad chimed in. “There are pressures you don’t know about. Try to be understanding. Your brother needs your help and support more than he’ll ever admit.”
I was shocked by his words. I never in a million years would have thought that’s why Cian was such a jerk all the time. But when I thought about it, I realized he hadn’t always been like this. Tensions between some of our allies had gotten worse over the past year or two. Maybe if I hadn’t been so focused on my company, I would have realized it for myself.
I shared a look with Ronan and Isla. They seemed to feel as guilty as I did. None of us had thought about it. We’d just stayed out of his way, but what if what he really needed was for us to step up and help him.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “From now on, I’ll do what I can to help him and fulfill my responsibilities.”
I frowned as the realization set in that maybe the reason Cian was so stressed was because he was taking everything on himself. Without me. Because I’d been too busy in my own world. He should have been able to delegate and share these stresses with me. Isla had her own duties and Ronan was still in school. I should have helped Cian.
I’d spent so long thinking of myself as the spare prince, expendable and not really necessary, that I never stopped to think if Cian needed me.
His Royal Request: Royals of Lochland Book I Page 17
