Page 36 of Royally F*cked

Jude gathers what he needs, and I slip my purse over my shoulder then we’re on our way down to the parking garage with Oscar in tow behind us.

The trip to the palace seems to go much faster than the ride from the palace to Jude’s flat did.

Oscar directs the driver to drop us off in the same spot that we left from yesterday and we very quietly enter the castle tunnels headed to where we are set to meet my parents.

I’m surprised when Oscar leads us down a different tunnel and into what looks like a wine cellar. I’m even more surprised to find my mother and father waiting for us.

The minute my mother sees me, she pulls me in for a hug and begins crying. My father rises to face Jude head on.

“We were so worried about you. And now we see all this fuss in the papers,” she sobs.

“I know. And I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”

Sometime over the last twenty or so hours, we also worked out what we would tell my parents about things. Oscar’s advice was to stick as close to the truth as possible while omitting the truth about this entire ruse.

“This relationship. How long have you been hiding it from us?” my mother questions.

“Mrs. Wilson, I’m afraid the secrecy is my fault,” Jude jumps to my defense.

“Does our daughter embarrass you?” my father challenges. “Is that why you asked her to lie to us? To keep this all a big secret? Do you fail to realize the trouble you’ve caused our family because of your own selfishness?”

He is unrelenting in his interrogation of Jude, but Jude does not retreat.

“Quite the opposite, actually. I asked Charlie to maintain the utmost discretion because of my sister. And because I knew my grandfather would react harshly. At the beginning of our relationship, we did not want to risk Charlie’s job - or yours for that matter. I stand here and bad mouth the king, but I can say that he is a bit old fashioned and very much wants things a certain way. I knew that if he found out about Charlie, he would insist that she resign because it was a conflict of interest. We both agreed that we would not risk that, in the event that things between the two of us did not work out.”

“Mum, Dad, I assure you that many times we wanted to tell you. And there were times when I almost did. But, I could not risk putting your jobs in jeopardy. I also very selfishly was not ready to give up my position with Willow. As you both know, I love her like she is my very own family. We’ve grown quite close and the thought of not seeing her everyday was heartbreaking,” I add.

“If this is the case, and you’ve been dating for months now, then what’s changed?” Leave it to my father to get right on with it.

Jude takes my hand in his. “Sir, I happen to love your daughter very much. We’ve talked about it in great detail and it is my intent to marry her…”

My mother gasps and my father looks like he’s about to take a swing at the prince until Jude holds up his other hand.

“Please. Allow me to finish. We’ve come here today so that I may ask for your blessing.”

And that’s it, my father swings, hitting Jude right in the stomach.

He immediately doubles over and wheezes.

“Daddy!” I shout and step between them.

“It’s…alright…” Jude gasps for air. “I…deserve…whatever…he…sees…fit.”

“No. Absolutely not. I will not allow him to lay another hand on you,” I tell Jude while looking my father in the eyes. Good Lord, I never thought I’d be in this situation. “I will not have the two men I love fighting with each other. I understand that you’re upset, Father, but I will not tolerate that kind of disrespect.”

“There’s also the fact that we could have you arrested, Mr. Wilson,” Oscar decides to speak up in that moment, while he helps Jude stand upright.

“You will also do no such thing,” Jude replies. “Mr. Wilson has every right to be upset with me.”

“She’s only twenty-years-old! She is barely an adult and she’s known no life outside of these castle walls. You cannot expect me to believe that either one of you suddenly believes that she’s ready for marriage,” my father rants.

“My age has nothing to do with anything. I am an adult. And quite capable of making my own decisions!”

“Sir, I came here respectfully but as I mentioned, my intent is clear. Charlie and I will be getting married. An announcement will be made to the public shortly. The real question is, will you support her and be by her side the day we walk down the aisle?”

“Yes,” my mother answers for both of them. “You have our blessing.”

My father slams his hand down onto one of the wooden barrels. “Diane!”

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