Page 6 of Royally Benevolent

I backed out, knowing he’d cry and throw a fit if I drew it out. My mother taught me it was better to leave with little fanfare. So far, so good. I exited the waiting car, closing the side door. I waited, hoping not to hear him collapse into tears. Thankfully, nothing. My guilt didn’t completely subside, but lessened.

“Mr. Worthington,” Hugo, my driver, held the door.

“Thanks. How are you tonight, Hugo.” I sat in the back.

Hugo settled in his seat. “Brilliant, sir. How are you?”

“Uh… you know how it is leaving Theo.”

“I do, sir,” Hugo said. “Hard when they’re little. But you’re going out. It is a good evening for an event.”

“I suppose.”

I took a deep breath, panicking slightly as we headed into the city centre. Still unsteady, I called my mother.

“Why are you calling me, Wyatt?” Mother asked.

“Mom… I’m going. Before you worry, I am going.”

“Good. Are you behaving yourself?”

“Yes, mother. I’m freaking out.”

“Deep breaths. I know this is new again, but you must get out. Also, I shouldn’t need to remind you, but this is a cause you care about a lot.”

I did. The Vision 360 board was near and dear to me—perhaps too important—which made it so difficult.

“I know. Theo didn’t want?—”

“Theo is four. He doesn’t know what he wants. When you ask, he can barely choose between apples and oranges. He has to learn how to separate from you, Wyatt. If you go out and meet people, it might be good for you.”

People. “People” meant women. Mom knew better than to say that much.

“I am trying to step out in a tux and not feel awkward without Isla. Can we focus on that without me needing to do more?”

“I am only saying if youdidmeet someone, it wouldn’t be bad. It shouldn’t be.”

“Fine,” I sighed.

I wanted it to stop. More than three years passed since Isla died. It felt like yesterday. As if on two simultaneous timelines, my life rolled on—forever a single father raising an ever-growing child on one and as a husband living with his college sweetheart in perfect bliss. Moving on wasn’t in the cards—at least not for a long time.

Moreover, the type of women you met at charity events weren’t what I wanted. They were exhausting society types who were already divorced from Neandian millionaires or wouldsoonbe. My new, well-tailored suit didn’t give insight into the things Ididmost value. I wasn’t much of a social butterfly.

“It’s a muscle,” Mom said. “You have to move it to make it work. It gets easier. I promise. Just give it a shot.”

5

INDEPENDENT WOMAN

ODETTE

Ileft the house for a benefit in an evening gown, dripping in a parure Alexandra and my brother-in-law, Rick, gave me for my birthday last year. Alexandra suffered from severe morning sickness during her fourth pregnancy. She and Rick were due to attend a Vision 360 benefit—ironically, aimed to stop pedestrian deaths. Given my recent run-in with a car, I probably was a little too close to the action.

Princesses were expected to attend such occasions. However, I’d been sidelined with school and life. Alexandra only let me out alone because she was desperate for coverage. Ingrid was at a horse show. Thus, I was all she had left at her disposal. Rick said he’d go if I couldn’t, but Alexandra truthfully wanted him to stay. It was a bluff. He wasn’t about to leave her, either.

An organiser greeted me at the hotel’s service entrance with a broad smile. Despite my nerves, her grin reminded me to have fun.

She bowed efficiently. “Your Royal Highness, we are so excited to have you.”

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