Chapter 4: Erik
I was tired.
Walking down the hall, I rubbed a hand over my face, my bones weary and my brain dead from the discussions that had swirled around me all night. Now that my father was backing off his duties, giving me a chance to learn what was expected of me in his shoes, I had been forced to handle more than I cared to, including an uprising between one of the industrial mills on the north end and their laborers. Last night it had turned violent, and I had been caught in the midst of their representatives, begging them to end the feud.
It had taken quite a long time for us to come to a resolution and the sun was starting to peek on the horizon as I walked toward my suite, pausing briefly in front of Carrie’s. I owed her an apology for bailing on her like that, all my grand plans that were supposed to end up in my bed now just a distant thought.
I fucking hated it.
Blowing out a breath, I walked on, not wanting to wake her. What was she thinking? Was she regretting coming all this way just to have my work overshadow her visit? I didn’t want her to think that way.
Pushing open my suite door, I pulled off my suit coat and threw it in the chair, running my hands through my hair. And I had promised to take her out today, to show her my country, the one I was responsible for keeping safe.
A sound of disgust emanated from my throat as I picked up the phone.
“Yes, your majesty?” the prompt, female voice answered immediately.
“Karen, send a note to my guest that I will be unable to make our scheduled time today. Please send some flowers, something lively.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
I hung up the phone, clenching my jaw as I thought of my puny attempt to make up this date to Carrie. I was going to be worthless without a few hours of sleep, and the last thing I wanted to do was make her miserable because I was tired.
Walking into my bedroom, I stripped off my clothes and dropped into the bed. I would make my apologies later.
***
Five hours later I walked into my father’s private office, finding him poring over some documents that were stacked on his desk, his reading glasses perched on his nose. He detested wearing them and only did in the privacy of his office and not in public. “Nice glasses.”
He looked up and chuckled. “You look like you’ve been drug through the mud son.”
I felt it. The few hours I got of sleep had been filled with Carrie and all the things I wanted to do to her.
I had the biggest fucking hard on when I woke, only adding to my pissed off mood.
I dropped into one of the chairs with a sigh, stretching out my legs. “The uprising is settled for now, but I fear they will continue. This could get nasty if they do not reach an agreement soon.”
My father sighed, the weariness showing on his weathered face. “I feared as much. I would prepare to make another visit by the end of the week then.”
I swore, thinking of how it would eat into my time with Carrie. Of all times for her to come, this had turned out to be one of the worst. “Did you enjoy your dinner last evening?”
My father chuckled, giving me the eye. “Are you implying that I would not enjoy the company of a beautiful woman?”
I grinned. “I did not imply anything.”
He sat back in his chair. “I did enjoy my time with the lovely Jeanie. The question is, did you enjoy your time with Carrie?”
“It was short,” I growled, thinking of how quickly we were interrupted. “But thank you for sacrificing your dinner.”
My father waved his hand. “Jeanie was charming, and I enjoyed her company. It was no sacrifice. I truly like her and your precious Carrie. I can see how you were infatuated with her.”
“She’s special,” I answered, thinking of the woman that had completely consumed me. “Do you like her?”
My father shrugged. “It does not matter if I like her. If you do, that is all that matters. The question is, how much do you like her?”
I thought about our time apart and how I had found myself wishing she was closer so that she could keep me grounded. Around Carrie, I felt, well, like a different man, like I could actually do this whole royal thing that everyone was expecting me to do. We hadn’t spoken of any feelings, but if she told me tomorrow that she no longer could do this, I would be hurt. Greatly so. “A great deal father,” I finally said with some conviction. “I-I think she might be the one.”
My father’s eyes widened. “You’ve never talked like this about any woman in your life. Remember, as much as I like Carrie, she will have to be a queen one day. Do you think she is ready for that?”
I thought about Carrie’s generous nature, the way she had treated everyone around her with the utmost respect. Hell yeah, Carrie would be a great choice for a queen, but did she want that title? Did she want the stress I was just now learning to deal with, the no privacy or the ability to do anything without a group of guards surrounding her? She would lose everything she had with her current life and leave her beloved New York behind.
For me.
It was a tall order to ask of her.
“Just remember,” my father added. “It’s not just your decision, son. Make sure you lay it all out on the table for her and help her understand what she would be committing to.”
I nodded, already thinking of my next move. My father was right. It wasn’t just about me wanting to have her around. It was a change for the both of us, and I wasn’t so sure she would be keen on the idea.