Page 116 of Royally Benevolent

“Hey, calm down. I’m not interrogating you.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry.”

“I know you are under a lot of stress, and also… the thing with Odette is very fresh.”

“Odette doesn’t exist anymore. She’s made that clear.”

Mom’s face showed she didn’t believe that, but in my mind, it had to be true. I couldn’t force her to love me if she ignored my calls, texts, or apologies. And, even if she accepted these things, I feared this world with her would never work.

“I think that is what is best,” I said. “No more argument.”

67

CELEBRATION AND IMPERSONATION

WYATT

Half a year after Theo and I left Neandia, I returned for anything public or scheduled. I’d be in residence here a few days at a time—rarely did Theo come along when I passed through. Initially, I wanted to stay out of the spotlight and perpetually in the shadows like a more reliable, less agoraphobic Howard Hughes. However, two grand openings were scheduled back-to-back in April. These were important, visible things. And the company needed me.

I considered faking sick or doing anything to avoid a run-in with Odette. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see her. The inverse was true. I wasdyingto see her. Anytime I saw her face on a tabloid, I lit up like a fucking Christmas tree. I still thought about her laugh and how she hid under the covers from the morning sun. I still looked fondly at the sound of her singing in the shower and the way Theo would climb into her lap, and she’d give him this playful, tired sigh to elicit a giggle.

My worry was out of respect for her. The only response I heard from Odette in about six months was the Christmas present she sent to Theo. This was after we sent her a Christmas card with a drawing from Theo. I hadn’t expected her to return the favour, but after days of him whining, Mom broke down and let him draw something to throw in thecard.

Theo took the breakup hardest. It made me angry with myself for letting Odette in. And had I never laid into her about the press thatonetime, I’d probably still have her in my corner. That she sent Theo a gift made me realise how much she still cared. Someone who didn’t care wouldn’t have responded with such kindness.

So, I attended the first oftwocelebrations to dedicate the new bus and train station. They added a new terminal instead of keeping the ornate original 1890s version untouched. Neandia overhauled it all with new technology—our technology—producing a shining example of new meets old.

I hoped to see Odette, but she was absent. Instead, Rick and Alexandra flagged me down.

“Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness,” I said, slightly bowing as if I didn’t know them.

“How are you, Wyatt?” Rick asked as if we were old buddies meeting.

“I am fine,” I answered. “Just here for a little bit.”

“And is Theo here?” Alexandra asked

“He is back Stateside with his grandmother. We’ve had a lot going on.”

“I am sorry to hear about all you’ve been through,” Alexandra said. “Dreadful how that must have been.”

The case had gone worldwide. Sentencing finished just before Christmas. My tears gained national acclaim. The media hounded us on all fronts—jumping our back fence and harassing us on the street—for months. So, unfortunately, what happened with Odette felt minor. I felt ridiculous in retrospect.

“Thanks. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve managed.”

Barely. Theo hated his new school. He let me knowdaily. American kindergarten did not suit the boy. Nothing about it made sense. It turned out Mom was right. He was as Neandian as ever, and being unable to speak French at school led to meltdowns that I couldn’t believe. I didn’t understand it and had little compassion left for his outbursts.

“Is Odette here?” I asked.

Alexandra and Rick exchanged a knowing look like any married couple.

“She is in France today,” Alexandra said. “She is representing me at a meeting. I wanted to be here for the big day.”

“I told her she couldn’t leave me,” Rick joked. “So, Odette generously volunteered to go in Lex’s stead.”

“And she’s well?” I asked.

“She’s fine. Incredibly busy,” Rick said. “She could do without workingsomuch, but she’s fine.”

---