Magnus had gone to the hotel’s gym to get in a workout. It had been a few months since he’d hit the weights or even ran, so it exhausted him. Once again, he hadn’t slept well. He figured the workout would help him get his mind off matters back home. Well, it didn’t, and he was angrier now than he’d been the night before.

“Gerard, will you check in on Bernard and find out when he’s arriving?”

“Your Highness, Bernard and the other men arrived a few hours ago. They are resting. If you don’t mind, how about a lunch meeting? Besides, you really need to get out of the hotel. I strongly believe you need some fresh air. With more men, we can now move more easily.”

Magnus was overcome with a sense of relief. It was imperative he proceed with caution, now more than ever, for Freya’s sake and that of his family. If the news about Cossette broke out, there would be a lot of coverage. Princesses going bonkers were worse than a Prince getting a woman pregnant. It was unfortunate that in some levels of society, the woman continued to be held to a different standard, but it wasn’t his doing. Besides, his sister should know better.

He quickly shook off the thoughts before his temper got the best of him, yet again.

“Gerard, I’ll need you to do something for me. My phone needs to be repaired. The entire screen is broken. When we get back to my suite, do you mind handling this yourself?”

“Straight away, Your Highness. And I’ll make sure and set something up for you and Bernard. Do you have any preferences?”

“Actually, I do. I’d love to have lunch at the restaurant atop the Space Needle. Do you think you can make that happen on such short notice?”

“If I can’t, I’m sure the concierge can.” He winked.

Magnus had forgotten about the concierge. He chuckled.

“Well. Whatever is necessary. I will take a shower and work from my laptop. I have a few pending matters I need to attend to before I meet with Bernard. Since I won’t have my phone, just come to my door, knock once, wait, knock twice, then use the spare key to enter.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll just grab your phone,” he said as they exited the elevator.

Magnus spent the past two hours reading through memos and back-and-forth emails, bringing himself up to speed on advisory issues. He created a list in an order he believed to be of priority and work through the more pressing matters.

It was important to him to have Bernard’s input before he got too involved, but he felt as ready as he could be from a distance.

He got ready for his scenic lunch. Besides, he didn’t think Gerard would be too pleased about finding him walking around in his boxer briefs – not that he would say anything.

Magnus put on a pair of gray, flat-fronted, covert twill pants, a crisp, fitted, long sleeve light-blue button-down, with black Brodie Oxfords and a thin black belt. He combed his dark wavy hair with his fingers, opting for a more business casual look. Albeit conceited, he knew he looked good. He cared. From a young age, they groomed him to be a king and to look the part.

As he stood back staring at his reflection, he heard the knock signal and through the door walked Gerard with his phone in hand.

“Your Royal Highness. It was tricky, but with the help of a savvy phone tech, your phone is back in service. Also, I’m sorry to report that SkyCity, the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle is closed for renovation. However, Salty’s on Alki, just across the bay, over there,” Gerard pointed toward the window, “offers one of the best views in Seattle. I reserved a table. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Oh, that’s too bad that SkyCity is closed. But I think the alternative is good. Thank you, Gerard. What time shall we head out?”

“I believe Bernard is ready. I passed him down in the lobby, hard at work as usual. And it would appear you too are ready, so I say we can leave whenever you’d like, sir.”

“Well. I’ll grab a couple of things and a jacket. It looks like it might rain. I’ll meet you down in the lobby then.”

Alone again, Magnus looked through his phone. Nothing of any importance. Half tempted to toss it on his bed, he held back for fear of decommissioning it once again.

As he moved through his suite, he paused and remembered he needed to discuss having Freya as a guest to the palace, but he’d yet to invite her.

Here goes nothing, he told himself as he reached for his phone again to call her.

“Hello. Magnus?”

She spoke in a sweet low tone. Aware of the time, he knew she had to be at work, which was kind of good for him; this way she couldn’t put up much of a fight about going with him to the island.

“Hello, Freya. How are you?” He attempted sound every part a Prince Charming.

“Good. Busy. Lots going on at work.” She hesitated. “Not to sound rude, but I’m about to head into a meeting. How can I help you?”

Aw! His ego was hurt.

“Freya. I need to ask you a question. Really, I want you to say yes.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” She laughed.

“Yes, I do. It is very important to me.”

“I’m not saying yes, just yet. But I’m willing to hear you out if you can tell me quickly, or I can always call you back later.”

“No! I need the reply right now.”

“Geez! Well, what is it then?”

“Will you join me for the Christmas holiday?”

She said nothing immediately. Maybe she’d hung up? “Freya, are you still there?”

“I’m here. I’d love to join you. I think you’ll like it around here. We have a cute Bavarian Village called Leavenworth. They do a Tree Lighting Ceremony-”

He interrupted her. “Freya. No. Not here. I want you to join me at the palace on Martierra.”

He thought he heard her gasp but wasn’t sure.

“Magnus. I don’t think I can. We barely know each other. Besides, people might get the wrong impression. Plus I have work, and we are kind of busy around the holidays.”

“Yet you were willing to take me home to your family? And let people think what they want. I, Magnus Dahl, would like very much if you, Miss Freya Sinclair, could join me for the holiday, not only as my guest but a guest of Royal Family.”

“Magnus. Thank you. I don’t know. I really don’t. I’m sorry I can’t just give you an answer right now. I need to think about it. I have my studio, my job...”

“Can we at least talk about it?” He was crossing his fingers, just in case.

“Yes. That I can do.”

“Great! I’ll be by your place to pick you up for dinner. Be ready at eight.”

“Wait...”

He didn’t allow her to refuse the invitation; he quickly hung up with a huge smirk on his face.

When he emerged from his suite, he found two of his security detail waiting patiently by his door. Familiar faces he hadn’t seen in a few days.

“Gentlemen.” He said as he proceeded to the elevator. He didn’t typically engage the security detail, just Gerard.

When they reached the lobby, he found Gerard and Bernard talking. Outside, he could see the two dark SUV’s with equally dark windows waiting. Other than a quick greeting to Bernard, no one said anything. They knew not to. You never knew who was lingering about.

The drive to the restaurant took them over a bridge and down a road along the bay. The restaurant, which was perched over the water, offered a magnificent view of the city. He and Bernard were quickly seated next to a window with a full picture of the harbor.

Magnus could tell the restaurant had made a few accommodations, probably at Gerard’s request. There were no other tables in their immediate surrounding. He’d make sure they were compensated for losing business due to his visit.

Once the server placed menus in their hands, introduced herself, and went over the specials, both he and Bernard pushed their menus aside.

“Thank you for getting out here so quickly.”

“Prince Magnus. It is my duty.” He gently smiled. “Shall we order first, or shall we wait a few minutes? The server will probably come by soon.”

As if summoned, the server turned up with a bread basket.

“This bread basket is accompanied by black lava salt butter and seasoned olive oil. It’s good, and most of our patrons love it. So, what can I get you two to drink?”

Magnus skimmed through the menu. “A bottle of the Columbia Valley Syrah please.”

“I first want to discuss my sister, Cossette.” Magnus wasted no time. He dove right in.

“Oh, yes. Her Royal Highness.” Bernard nodded his head.

“Yes. Her. What on earth was she thinking?” he said under his breath.

“If I may be so blunt, Your Highness. The Princess is out of control. I don’t know what His Majesty shared with you, but she was laughing at being found out. As if it was all a game. His Majesty was quite perturbed. She does not care about the fallout her actions have created. There is no reasoning with her.”

“That’s just it. Reasoning? Reasoning for what? What she did is damning not only for me but for the family. My parents have better get the message across to her before she does something of much greater consequence.”

“Your Highness, I believe what she did was strategic. You see, the summit is coming up as is the vote. You’ve been on the fence as to your involvement, but I believe she sees you are ready to take your role more serious now.”

“Sorry to cut you off, Bernard. But are you saying this was calculated?”

“Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. Her secretary is beyond herself. She does not understand the comings and goings of the Princess. She’s working with someone, she cannot figure out who. But your sister is not acting alone.”

“But who? Who would support these actions? You know well that if it is a citizen of our country, they could face charges of treason.”

Magnus rubbed the back of his neck. The issue was more sinister than he’d originally thought. Who could Cossette be working with?

But Bernard was always a step ahead of him.

“Sir, I haven’t mentioned this to anyone. I was waiting to have this conversation with you, face to face.” Bernard leaned in and said, “I don’t believe for one second Santiago de la Cruz reaching out to you was done in good faith. I have evidence that proves your sister and he have been in contact.”

Magnus felt his blood pressure rise. He wondered if his father had found the same information which was why he cautioned him about Santi.

But why? What was in it for Santiago?

Again, perceptive Bernard was right on cue.

“If you are wondering why, Your Highness, Santiago would help the Princess? I believe I’ve figured that out.”

“How so? I mean, why? What’s in it for him?”

“Duke.”

Magnus pushed out of his seat so quickly his chair toppled over.

“Please, Your Highness. We need not make a scene here.”

He was right. It was more imperative now Magnus be on his best behavior.

“Are you sure of this, Bernard? It’s not that I don’t trust you, but that is a grave allegation. More than me getting a woman pregnant.”

“I understand. Yes, I’m sure. Like I said, I’ve gathered the evidence. It is ready for you to share it with His Majesty as soon as you’ve reviewed it for yourself.”

The server came back, probably because of Magnus’ little outburst.

“Is everything okay over here?”

“Yes, we apologize. Just a little excited about some things.” Bernard smiled.

“Oh! I’m glad. Your bottle is breathing, but I’ll bring it right over. And if you are ready then, I can take your orders.”

“Thank you, we’ll order when you return with the wine,” Bernard said, keenly aware of Magnus’s need for space.

“I believe it is best if we continue the discussion of the Princess back at the hotel. If that is all right with you, Your Highness?”

“Yes, that’ll be all right.” He paused, knowing this was the moment to discuss Freya. “Bernard, I’ve invited a guest to join me at the palace for the Christmas holiday. I’ve already informed the King, and he’s expecting a full report when you return.”

Bernard looked away as if to appreciate the view before them. Magnus could see the questions forming on his face. They’d worked closely for a few years now, and they’d both learned to read what was on the other's mind.

“Would this guest be Miss Sinclair?”

Magnus smiled. “Yes. The very one.”

“What do you need from me? This is all new territory for me, Prince Magnus. Since I’ve been your Secretary, I’ve never known you to invite a guest, male or female, to the palace.”

“Right. Which is why we need to figure this out together? I want no one learning of her visit until I’m ready to share the news. So I’ll need you to figure out what is a standard protocol for situations such as this. I especially do not want my sister finding out.”

“I’ll dig through the electronic archives of past guests and review the specifics. I know the palace manual has a standard procedure, but I suspect this isn’t a standard procedure. At least, that is not how it will look to the outside world. Unless there is something you have yet to mention?”

There was that quizzical look Bernard was known for. It was his signature. Once you got the look, it compelled you to open up. Rats! Magnus thought to himself.

“Bernard, frankly? I like Freya. She’s everything I ever looked for in a woman. She’s everything I never knew I wanted or needed. When I’m in her presence, something ignites within me. I know it all sounds absurd, especially considering I just met her.”

Bernard looked genuinely concerned now. “Look, I don’t know if this will develop into anything more than just a friendship. But if it does, I’m willing to consider all possibilities,” Magnus said.

“Your Highness, I understand. As always, you have my absolute discretion.”

“Here’s your bottle of wine. Would you like me to pour?” the server asked, catching them both off guard. They hadn’t even noticed her approach.

“Thank you. Yes, please, proceed,” Bernard replied.

“Have you decided what you’d like to order?”

“Not quite. But please, come back in a few more minutes, and we shall be ready.”

They waited for the server to be out of earshot before continuing their talk.

“I think we can move on from that conversation. That was a close call, and we do not have the same laws protecting Your Highness, here, as we do on Martierra.”

“True. And thank you, Bernard.”

“No need to thank me. I’m doing my job.” He smiled.

After reviewing the menu for a few minutes, the server approached their table again. “Have you decided, or will you need a little more time?”

“I believe we are ready.” Magnus smiled. “I’ll have the Grilled Halibut.”

“Excellent choice. We have the freshest halibut in the area.”

“And I’ll have the Cedar Plank Roasted King Salmon.”

“Another great choice. I’ll go put in your orders unless there is anything else I can get you?”

“That is it for now. Thank you,” Bernard replied.