CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Braden
I hadn’t moved much since Freya kicked us out of her room. Once I decided during the ball that she was it for me, adrenaline surged through my veins. I was hopeful for my future despite how my family might react. I didn’t have to have a wife arranged for me any longer. I could choose love and Freya would set an example for royalty all over the globe.
She was compassionate and warm. She worked hard though that would change when we were together. If she wanted to design clothes, I’d find a way, but life changed being royalty. I knew that she’d be a wonderful mother that supported her kids and taught them well along the way. I didn’t need to worry about attraction at all. We were all in tune to one another and the chemistry was explosive.
I knew it was unconventional. The bigger part of me didn’t care, but I knew it would be an issue.
I turned in bed and stared at the wall. I didn’t think that she would throw me out. I was going to sleep with her that night and plan our lives.
Instead, I ended up alone in my room with Callin going to his in the same mood. After the ball, we usually had breakfast with our parents and discussed it. This year, we both claimed that we were feeling ill and stayed upstairs. I didn’t know how I was going to face my days without Freya being a part of them, so I avoided life entirely.
Mom came up to my room a few days into this overwhelming depression. She sat on my bed and looked closely at me, feeling my face. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t feel like you’re sick.”
“Just a bug. I’ll bounce back.” I assured her, taking the tea that she offered. Mom didn’t usually check up on us. When we were younger, we had nannies that did all that maternal stuff because our parents were busy. The time with them was rare, and we took advantage of every moment. I looked at her today, wondering what the difference was now that we were adults.
“Your brother seems to have that same one. I wonder if you picked it up on Saturday,” she mused as I shrugged. “There were a lot of people there. Once you feel better, we’ll plan some dinners with friends. I always forget how many people that we don’t see enough until big events like that.” She smiled, and I sensed the reason she wanted to plan these dinners.
“Let me guess. You want to invite some women for us to meet with,” I told her bitterly as Mom stared at me. “We told you that we wanted to wait on that. Or just let it happen.”
“Braden, you’re not getting any younger,” she reminded me as I raked my hand through my hair.
“I will end up married with a family, Mom. That’s what I want but I want to go by my own heart. I don’t need some stuck-up socialite or princess from another castle to make it right.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and I reached out to cover her hand with mine. “I want to have a family that I experience life with. I want a wife that’s more compassionate than she is part of high society. I guess I want more normal for my kids. I can still do everything that I’m going to do and have that.” She looked down for a moment. “Things change with time and Callin and I will be just fine. You need to stop trying so hard.”
“I’m your mother. I’m supposed to rush you for grandchildren They’ll be the heirs to all of this.” She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “I think this thing with your father scared me good. I didn’t want to lose him and have nothing. I didn’t want to not have an heir lines up to carry on his legacy.” She looked at me as I smiled weakly. “Are you in love? It sounds like you have someone in mind.”
A part of me wanted to tell her all about Freya and what we had. I wanted her to know that I felt things for this woman that I never imagined before. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, but I held back. It wasn’t time yet, and I’d rather sit down with them together.
“No, Mom. I just want to keep my options open.” I assured her as she nodded. She stood and asked if I needed anything else and I shook my head. Helen was keeping us well-fed and checking on us regularly.
“I’m good. Helen is spoiling us.” I smiled as she nodded, turning towards the door.
“I’ll check on you tomorrow. Your father misses you boys so get better soon.” She smiled and left, and I heard her greeting Callin.
Freya had a right to be upset. I didn’t tell my mom at what might have been a great time. We were older and closer to them now. She might see things our way in part. Instead, I denied her and made things easy for me. I closed my eyes and wondered if I could fall into Mom’s plan. I could marry a young woman in my world and raise kids. It would make sense on so many levels, but then I pictured Freya. There was a simplicity about her that I loved and the way that she loved her family was something that I admired. She’d be amazing with kids, whether they belonged to Callin or me. I didn’t care because it would bring me that much closer to him. Was I wrong thinking this?
By the end of the week I was working out again in the morning. I was running every other day to keep myself on a schedule and busy. We had the party the upcoming weekend, and I was finalizing plans for that. I didn’t see Freya around the house and didn’t try to. She needed her space and someone that would stand up for her. Not even Callin was willing to do that yet. We were both torn between doing what was right versus what our hearts wanted.
It was just so unconventional.
Helen brought dinner up before she went home for the night. Being our cook for so many years as well as a close family confidante, she had a cottage on the property with her husband. They had a bigger house when their kids were still growing up, but now they were adults with their own children. Lily and Jacob were ten years older than we were and the apple of Helen’s eye. “I have some soup for you, Braden. Are you feeling any better?”
“Getting there. Thank you.” I told her as she set one bowl on the table beside me.
“Your mother is fretting. You need to come back to them after what your father’s been through.” Helen advised as I looked at her. “I notice that Freya is moping around these days too, even with the good news. Is there a connection here?”
“What good news?” I demanded as my eyes darkened. I hadn’t heard anything.
“Several of the guests are interested in hiring her after seeing the queen’s dress. I think that she’s going to get a real name for herself here in town. They might work it out that Freya’s mom might come here to work to help her.” Helen stared at me knowingly. “The queen adores her. She doesn’t get close to too many of the staff.”
“I know.” I replied curtly as she shook her head.
“Castle or not, the heart wants what it wants. Maybe it’s time to change the rules around.” I looked at her, wondering if I should tell her my secret.
“As usual, my brother and I like to bend them until they break.” She looked curiously at me. “It isn’t just me with an interest in Freya. It’s the both of us.” Helen’s eyebrows shot up as she seemed to take this in. “Where does that fit in with royalty?”
“There’s been scandals for years behind the closed door of a castle. In the old days, it might be your sister.” I winced at the idea and she chuckled. “Maybe you should talk to Freya and clear the airs. She’s been so quiet.” Helen left to take Callin his dinner, and I leaned back against the pillows, lost in thought. Maybe I should go see Freya and talk to her.