Page 48 of Twins for the Secret Prince
“I tell you what — you should set up a video call with him. You’re a long way from home, and it might help to see his face.”
“That’s a great idea. My nephews will be all grown up if I don’t talk to them soon.” Pieter attempted a small chuckle.
“And you know I’m here if you ever want to talk.”
Pieter had thanked him and walked out of the office, feeling as though he’d dodged a bullet. He had been sure that Derek was about to ask him about his relationship — such as it was — with Eva, and was relieved that he didn’t seem to know anything had happened between them.
A wave of guilt coursed through him for lying yet again. He told himself that keeping the truth from Derek about his relationship with Eva was necessary, to protect her from any fallout if their co-fraternization was discovered. But he had no reason to keep his homesickness from Derek, especially when his old friend and roommate knew how much Pieter loved his home country.
Perhaps Derek had a sense of how Pieter was feeling since he’d asked how serious he was about going for the promotion. Pieter had worked so hard over the past few weeks, ever since arriving at the base, to prove his mettle. Demonstrating one’s strength and stamina was an expectation. It was as essential as breathing, really, in the military.
But if Pieter was honest with himself, his heart just wasn’t really in it anymore. It was true that the uncertainty about his future in Alaska made him second-guess his motivations. But, more than that, he knew that Eva deserved the promotion more than he did. She was a loyal, valuable and long-standing member of this base. She pushed herself to the very limit each and every day. She was fierce and determined, and she had overcome so much to get to where she was today.
Eva should be the next sergeant major, Pieter admitted to himself. He wouldn’t let Derek down by officially bowing out of the running for promotion or give any hint that he was stepping aside, in case it ruined what he hoped would be Eva’s triumph. But he decided from that moment on he would secretly and silently root for her. She was the best person for the job, and she deserved it.
Later that night, Pieter was returning from duty when he saw he had a message from his father.
Call us when you get a minute.
He looked at the time. It would be early in the morning in Laagestein, but his parents were both early risers and would nodoubt be up drinking their first coffee of the day. He called his father back immediately.
“Pieter,” his father’s voice boomed. “What time is it there?”
“Late at night. I’ve just this minute returned from duty.”
“Is everything going well?”
“Oh, give me the phone,” Pieter heard his mother say. “Pieter, darling. How are you, my love?”
“I’m doing well, Mother. How are you?”
“I’m terrible, darling. I miss you! Your father and I are calling to say we want you to come home. Get on the next flight if you can.”
Pieter frowned. “I can’t come straight home, Mother. I have obligations here.” He wasn’t sure if this was just a ploy to get him home, or if they were really giving in.
“We know you do. But this has all been a big misunderstanding, and we want you home.”
“Can you put me on speaker, so I can talk to both of you at the same time?”
“Yes, fine, just give me a second. Okay, Pieter, you’re on speaker.”
“First of all, I just wanted to say it’s not fair to call it a misunderstanding,” he said. “That suggests one or both sides made an error in comprehending the other’s meaning. You both told me I needed to leave the military because you wanted me back at the palace, and I said I didn’t want to give up my military career.”
“Yes, darling, I know what was said. I feel terrible that we made you run off to the States. Please come home.”
“I’m not coming home to carry out royal duties full-time,” Pieter said.
“We’ll talk about it when you get back, son,” his father said sternly.
“That’s just the point,” Pieter said. “We need to sort it out right now. If I come home — and it is anif —it will be on my terms. I am not giving up my military career.” Already he could feel his blood pressure rising.
“Pieter, you are aprince. Most people in the world would give anything to be in your position. You’ve made your point. You’ve proven to us that you can go out and have your own life. Now’s the time to come back and do what you were born to do.”
“That’s just the thing, Father. I’m telling you that I need to make my own choices in life. And I choose the military. If that means staying permanently in the States, then that is the choice I’ll make.” Even as Pieter said the words, his heart thumped wildly at the thought that he might never get to return home.
“Darling, we know how much your career means to you. Your father worries about you, which is why he’s taken such a hard line about this.”
“It’s not worry, Madeleine,” his father cut in. “Pieter is a member of this family, and that means he has the same obligations as the rest of us, as well as the privileges.”
