Page 99 of Royal Fling
“What if I’m not the person he wants?” I asked.
Being with me was never going to get easier. I was never going to be a normal guy no matter how much I wished it. I had a legacy. I had a future as a king, although I’d give it all up for him. I didn’t know if Alice would be happy with me since she’d have to step up and take my role as crown princess, but if he wanted me to, I’d do it for him.
The press would still hound us. People would still be writing about us. Giving up my role in the family would be another scandal, and I didn’t know if it’d do him any favors with the press, but then again, they weren’t doing us any favors now.
I was willing to do it, though, if he wanted me. If he loved me.
But I wasn’t so sure he did.
“Then isn’t it better to know so you can both move on?” Fisayo said.
She had a point.
If I knew the answer, I may be able to get closure. Although I was afraid I’d sink further into despair and depression instead.
“Think about it, sweetie. I’ve got to go now. We’ll talk soon, okay?” she said.
I nodded and hung up and then Ginny came into my room to get me. We went down for dinner, and all my siblings were there.
On either end of the long table were my father and mother. There was a seat next to my dad for me. Across from me was Alice. Next to her was Evander, and next to him was Ari. Ginny sat next to me, and next to her was Max.
“Nice of you to join us,” Evan said with a sarcastic grin.
In response, I just rolled my eyes. It seemed as if in Fisayo’s absence—and Luke’s—I’d adopted their signature move.
“How is Fisayo?” Alice asked.
“She’s well. She’s very happy with Paul,” I said.
“That’s good. She deserves to be happy after all she’s done for our family and all she’s been through,” Baba said.
“Indeed.” I nodded in agreement.
We were served shortly after. For starters, we had an aubergine stuffed with quinoa, walnuts, and raisins, and dressed with honey mustard.
It was a local delicacy, and it tasted of home.
I wish I could have Luke here to try it. To see his face when he took a bite. To hear his thoughts.
I sighed without meaning to.
“What’s wrong, August?” Mama asked.
“Do you need to ask?” Ari said.
“Oh, August, are you still hung up on the young man? You’d think after the way he treated you, you’d loathe him,” Mama said.
“Well, I don’t.”
“But he embarrassed you in front of everyone,” Mama said.
“And I did the same with my proposal,” I said.
I knew that now. I knew why he’d left. Or at least, I thought I did. I’d had a lot of time to think over the past month, and while I couldn’t exactly imagine being in his shoes, I thought I did a good job when I tried to imagine things from his point of view.
We’d had a whirlwind of an affair, and I’d just gone and proposed just so the press would shut up. That was no reason to get married. I knew that. I knew that then, too. But I’d been concerned for him, for us, and I hadn’t thought things through.
If only I could turn back time.
