Chapter 397

The next week was absolute hell. Working out the trade agreement was wearing them all thin and Christian's relationship with his family was still strained over the Alex situation. Dylan had reached out and offered to come to the palace for lunch the next day. He and his mother had taken up residence at Kensington through June. They were remodeling and making it more their own home so they could live there and Wyoming throughout the year.

"Christian. How are you?" Dylan asked as he sat down at the dining table overlooking the garden.

"I've been better. How are you and mum?" Christian asked.

"Eh, she's still upset about Alex. Not just what you said but what he did, after you left." Dylan said. He explained to Christian what happened.

"I see." Christian said. "You know, Alexander has a lot of anger about things that none of us really understand. Maybe it was his age when father passed away. Maybe it's something else. I don't know. But we all have to be on the same page with him. The days of coddling his behavior have to come to an end." Christian said. Dylan nodded.

"Yes, I know. I've always had a soft spot the kid. All of you kids, really. But he was just so much more desperate for love from me." Dylan said.

Christian pondered and thought maybe Dylan could help his situation.

"What was it like for mum, when she met Erik and it all came out that they were dating? Before all the legal stuff?" Christian asked.

"What do you mean?" Dylan asked.

"I mean, was it difficult for her to be involved with a prince from another country? Was it hard on her, mentally?" Christian asked.

"Yes and no. Your mother is strong willed. She loved him and she jumped all the way in. And there were many obstacles she had to face. She almost died. More than once. It was chaos then. Things are calmer now with the royals." Dylan said with a smile. "If she would have gotten involved at a time like this, things would have been much easier on her."

Christian nodded.

"If you really want to know what it was like, ask her. Or him." Dylan said, looking off.

"Erik, you mean?" Christian asked.

"Sure. Why not? It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk with him. To… forgive." Dylan said.

The thought of talking to Erik boiled Christian's blood. He put his mother through so much. But Dylan had a point. Who better to give Christian insight on becoming involved with an American private citizen than Erik?

The thought of it made him nauseous but it wasn't a bad idea.

After lunch, Christian checked his phone.

"Okay, so I thought it was going to be terrible missing you this time. I was wrong." Nora sent. Christian stopped walking. He heart began to pound. Was she ending things?

Then another text.

"It's more than terrible. Whatever the word is for more than terrible, that's what it is. I can still smell you on my robe…. I. Miss. You."

He felt his heart might explode. The smile she gave him was the best thing to ever happen to him. He was smitten. Completely.

He texted back.

"I miss you, dreadfully. I want to touch you. Taste you. It's agony not to. I am making a trip to the states in May for business. But I will make it my PRIORITY to see you while I am there. The week of the 7th. Plan on it. I will fill you in as I know more." He wrote. He was meeting with the president and a few others on May 8th at the White House. He had a legitimate reason to be in the states. And there was a dinner. A charity dinner gala there on the 10th. He was going to invite her. He was going to go all in.

He went to his office and called his assistant, Raye.

"Yes, your majesty? What can I do for you?" She said.

"I need a meeting with a Mr. Erik Pilsen, esquire. Sooner than later." He said. She didn't respond.

"Raye?"

"Sorry. Yes sir. Right away." She said. He knew why she was apprehensive. Everyone knew the story. But he needed to do it. And he would.