Page 32 of Royally F*cked

Chapter 11

Jude

As suspected would happen, pictures of myself and Charlie are plastered all over the papers and the internet this morning. By the time we left the hotel last night there was an entire gaggle of paparazzi waiting for us.

Charlie handled it like a pro.

The palace on the other hand, has been blowing up my phone since five a.m. And I’ve ignored all of their calls for now.

Today’s plan is to meet with Charlie’s parents first. Then Ruby will release our official announcement while we head into a meeting with the king. For now, my soon to be wife is still asleep in the guest room, but not for much longer.

I hate that as soon as breakfast is ready, Agnes is going to have to wake her for me so that we can get started on our day. After last night, Charlie deserves a little rest.

Spending time with all of the kids is overwhelming and emotionally exhausting for me sometimes simply because of the fact that I cannot fix everything for all of them. I can only imagine Charlie having her first glimpse at the situation on top of everything else I threw her way yesterday.

Sleeping in my bed alone after all of it almost felt like a crime. For the first time, I found myself craving a woman’s touch. Not just any woman, but the woman I’d asked to be my wife. I wanted to fall asleep with my arms wrapped around her. Holding her close. Protecting her from the nightmare we’ll face today.

That’s the only way to explain it. I’m fully aware of the nightmare my grandfather is going to make this into until he accepts that this is what’s happening. Even if he refuses to give me his blessing, I will not back down from this. King Julius, Sr. will cave long before I will.

When we got back to my flat last night, I was left with a lot of time to think about everything that had happened in such a short amount of time.

I thought about Charlie’s requirements for our relationship and realized that I must have somehow subconsciously known that she was the woman I needed to marry. I am most sure that Charlie is the person who has the ability to keep me humble and see to it that I am a better man every day. Others I’ve dated in the past were much more submissive. They’d let me walk all over them and never think to speak up about their feelings. It’s one of the reasons my past relationships never lasted.

I need someone who will challenge me.

Someone who even when they don’t like me - which I’m pretty sure Charlie hated my guts for most of yesterday, and perhaps still will today - still wants to spend time with me.

That was evident by her requests for meals together. And her demand for loyalty.

Simply put, Charlie is indeed one of a kind.

She is someone I can see myself falling in love with. I am attracted to her, heart and soul.

For years, I’ve thought that I didn’t deserve such frivolous things like love and marriage. A family of my own. Charlie makes me believe that perhaps I do deserve those things.

And as much as I hate that I had to put her in the spotlight last night, I think showing her a small part of who I really am may have helped melt some of that ice around her heart where I’m concerned. Knowing that she seemed to feel the same pull, the same calling, to be around those children and make them smile - especially Ottiline - is just one more sign that I have picked the right person to spend forever with.

That’s why, with help from Oscar of course, I found myself planning the proposal she truly deserves over my first cup of coffee this morning.

But before I can do that, I need to make sure that this is really what Charlie wants.

I need her to want to be here and not because of some stupid ass contract that I’ve forced her into.

“Jude, breakfast is finished,” Agnes says with a knock on my open office door. “And Charlie is awake. She’ll be joining you in the dining room momentarily.”

“Thank you Agnes, I appreciate you.”

“Of course, Your Highness. Shall I plan anything in particular for lunch or dinner for you both today?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. We will probably be eating at the castle or Oscar will bring us something if that doesn’t work out.”

“As you wish. If you need anything at all, I’ll be in the kitchen,” Agnes begins to walk away.

“Agnes,” I call after her.

“Yes, Sir?”

“You’re welcome to join us, and Oscar, for breakfast.”

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