Chapter 398

Christian laid out his father's grey suit and favorite yellow tie. He smiled. His father was an incredible man. A good man. And he wanted to follow and be just the same. Reliable. Good. Honest. It wasn't easy. The respect he had for his father only grew as the days passed, as life evolved for him into adulthood. He would make him proud. He had to. He put it on and looked in the mirror. He was a good man, too. And he was going to do what his father would have wanted. Follow his heart.

He went to the study and sat down at the desk. The same desk Erik had sat at for years. The same desk his father had. His uncle had. And the men in his family before him. Good men. Terrible men. He took a deep breath and looked at his watch. Erik was late.

His phone beeped.

"I have rearranged my schedule in May. I'm free the entire week. Let me know what the plan is. Can't wait." Nora sent. He smiled.

"Me neither." He wrote back.

"Your majesty, Mr. Pilsen, esquire has arrived for your meeting."

"Send him in." Christian said.

The door opened and Raye lead him into the study. Christian stood to greet him. Erik looked much older than he imagined. He was still a handsome man, still having a stoic and professional manner about him.

"Your majesty. To what do I owe this honor?" Erik said.

"Please, sit. Would you like something to drink?" Christian asked.

"It's after 2. How about a scotch?" Erik asked.

"Alright." Christian said as he walked over and poured them both a drink. It wasn't a bad idea.

"Just to be clear, I hired on Sophie based on her merit. I had no idea of her involvement with the crown prior to agreeing to the internship." Erik said.

"Pardon me?" Christian asked.

"Sophie Lemaire?" Erik asked. "That's why I am here, isn't it?"

"Sophie? No. Not at all. I actually forgot all about hearing of her internship there." Christian said honestly.

"My apologies, your majesty. When Sophie mentioned you were close, I assumed that's why you called the meeting. I'm sorry." Erik said.

"No need to apologize. Miss Lemaire and I are not close. She is an acquaintance. That is all." Christian clarified.

"Fair enough." Erik said. "So, what can I do for you?"

Christian sat down in the chair next to Erik. He looked across at the large desk facing them.

"Before you arrived, I was sitting at that desk, running my hands along the carved mahogany. Looking across this room. And I thought about the history of it. All the men who sat there. Right there. The power it has held. The good things that were accomplished there. Also, the bad." He said, looking over at Erik. Erik nodded. Christian continued.

"History. That's what that desk is. What it represents. One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present. All of it. The good and the bad." Christian said. "I think I am at a place in my life where I am ready to acknowledge that."

Erik looked over at him. Christian nodded. "I'm ready to forgive." He said. He could see Erik's eyes begin to well and emotion taking over.

"Christian, I have so much regret. When you were born, I thought you were my son. I held you and looked at you and told myself I would be better for you. It was a promise I could not keep. I am so sorry. For everything." Erik said, putting his hands on his eyes.

"There isn't a human alive that hasn't hurt someone. The question we need to ask is, 'Can we forgive ourselves?" Christian said. Erik looked at him.

"I was so bitter, for so long about Sebastian being your true father that I neglected to understand that it ultimately was the best thing for you. I know how much damage I did. I loved your mother. I love her still. And I know I have no right to be in your life. But I want you to know that I am here, always. And maybe there's a chance I can make good on that promise, after all." Erik said.

"Perhaps you can." Christian said. "That's actually why I asked you here. I need your help."