Chapter 6
Harald
I groaned as I forced myself out of bed, my body protesting the lack of sleep from staying up late talking to Daniel.
But even through the haze of exhaustion, I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face as I thought about our conversation.
Despite my royal obligations and the mountain of meetings ahead of me today, those precious hours we spent messaging back and forth felt worth every moment of fatigue.
There was something refreshing about how easily he spoke to me, completely unaware of my title or responsibilities - just two people connecting in the quiet hours of the night.
I stumbled into the kitchen where Ella was already making breakfast, the aroma of fresh coffee and pastries filling the air.
She looked up at me with a knowing smirk, her blue eyes twinkling with that sisterly intuition that always made me feel like she could read my mind.
The spatula in her hand paused mid-flip as she took in my disheveled appearance and the dark circles under my eyes.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Late night?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my grin. "Maybe."
"Mmhmm. And would this have anything to do with a certain someone named Daniel?" She waggled her eyebrows at me suggestively.
I felt my cheeks heat up. "We were just talking, Ells. Getting to know each other better."
She placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of me.
"I'm just teasing, Harry. I'm happy for you, really.
It's good to see you coming out of your shell and making a connection with someone.
I don't think I've seen you make a connection with someone like this in a long time, at least not since you were in school.
Even then I'm not so sure, since they knew who you were and that influenced how they acted toward you. "
I took a bite of toast, considering her words. She was right - it did feel good to be opening up to Daniel, even if it was just through texts and silly selfies at the moment.
"Thanks, sis. I don't know where this thing with Daniel will go, but...I like talking to him. He makes me laugh and forget about all the pressure and expectations for a little while."
Ella reached over and squeezed my hand. "That's wonderful, Harry. You deserve to have someone like that in your life. Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."
I met her concerned gaze and nodded. "I promise. We're taking things slow, just getting to know each other. But I have a good feeling about him, Ells. A really good feeling."
She smiled at that, and we ate our breakfast in companionable silence, my thoughts drifting to Daniel and the undeniable connection growing between us.
A soft knock at the door drew my attention away from my reveries and I glanced up to see Erik entering the room, a thick portfolio tucked gracefully under his arm. He nodded respectfully to Ella before turning to me with a small smile.
I fidgeted nervously seeing the thick portfolio tucked under his arm. Erik quickly spreads out the portfolio's documents on the table before us.
"Your Highnesses, I apologize for the intrusion, but I have some information about an upcoming event that requires your attention."
My stomach churned at the mention of another social event. Memories of the disastrous fundraiser flooded my mind, and I could feel my palms growing clammy.
"Of course, Erik. What's the event?"" Ella interjected, noticing my growing unease.
Erik continued, oblivious to my rising anxiety. "It's the annual charitable gala, ma'am. It's scheduled for tomorrow, and the royal family's attendance is expected, as always."
Ella nodded, her expression serene. I feel myself beginning to lose control, and Ella reaches over quickly with a gentle expression and grasps my arm lovingly.
"Harry, it's okay. We'll get through this together, just like we always do."
I gulped, struggling to find the words and managing only a faint murmur. "I... I don't know if I can do this, Ells. Not after what happened last time."
"You can, and you will. We'll prepare, we'll practice, and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll be right there with you, every step of the way."
I manage a nod, and Erik quickly launches into the minutiae of the event - the guest list, the menu, the entertainment.
But his words faded into a distant buzz as my mind raced with worst-case scenarios.
What if I said the wrong thing again? What if I embarrassed myself in front of all those important people?
My chest tightened, and I could feel my breathing growing shallow. I clenched my fists under the table, trying to ground myself. But the more Erik talked, the more overwhelming it all seemed.
Ella glanced over at me, her brow furrowing with concern. She reached out and gave my hand a gentle squeeze, anchoring me back to the present.
"It sounds like a lovely event, Erik," she said smoothly. "I'm sure Harald and I will do our best to represent the family well."
I nodded mutely, grateful for her intervention. But even as Erik moved on to other topics, I couldn't shake the sense of dread that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Another high-profile event, another opportunity for me to embarrass myself and my family. How was I ever going to survive this?
Erik
I couldn't avoid noticing the fatigue etched onto Harald's face as I stepped into the room where he and Ella were quietly having their morning meal.
He moved sluggishly, his eyes half-open, and he poked at his food without much enthusiasm, barely taking a bite.
A pang of worry struck me - Harald had been through so much lately, and it pained me to witness him struggling like this, day after day.
I wished there was more I could do to ease his burdens.
As I discreetly observed him, trying not to stare too obviously, I couldn't help but ponder what had him so drained and exhausted.
Could it be the stress of the most recent gaffe eating away at him?
Or perhaps it was something else entirely, some other worry or problem that he hadn't confided in me about?
A thought abruptly crossed my mind then - could it be that Harald had been up late into the night, conversing with someone?
Chatting or texting with a friend, or perhaps something more?
The idea sent a twinge of... something unpleasant through me.
Jealousy, perhaps? No, that couldn't be accurate.
I cared for Harald deeply, and I wanted nothing more than for him to be happy and content, even if his affections and attentions lay elsewhere, with someone else.
Still, the notion of him connecting with someone, opening up to them, even if only through a screen, gave me a tiny glimmer of hope amidst my selfish feelings.
Harald had been so consumed lately by his duties, his anxiety, and the weight of his father's expectations constantly bearing down on him.
Maybe this new person, whoever they were, was providing him a much-needed outlet - someone he could truly be himself with, without fear of judgment or disappointment.
The very thought of Harald finding that kind of solace and comfort warmed my heart, even as I felt the cold tinge of jealousy cut through me.
I knew I needed to set aside my own unrequited feelings, and simply be glad that he had found a small slice of happiness, in whatever form it took.
Harald deserved that and so much more, even if I could never be the one to give it to him.
I cleared my throat softly, hating to interrupt the siblings' quiet morning together, but knowing I had important news to deliver. "Your Highnesses, I apologize for the intrusion, but I have some information about an upcoming event that requires your attention."
Ella looked up at me with a warm smile, always the picture of grace and poise. "Of course, Erik. What's the event?"
I glanced down at my tablet, double-checking the details. "It's the annual charitable gala, ma'am. It's scheduled for tomorrow, and the royal family's attendance is expected, as always."
As I spoke, I couldn't help but notice Harald's reaction out of the corner of my eye.
His already pale face seemed to drain of all remaining color, and his eyes widened with what I could only describe as sheer panic.
My heart clenched at the sight, knowing all too well the reasons behind his distress.
Ella, ever the observant and protective sister, immediately reached out and placed a comforting hand on Harald's arm. "Harry, it's okay. We'll get through this together, just like we always do."
Harald swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper as he responded. "I... I don't know if I can do this, Ells. Not after what happened last time."
I felt a surge of sympathy for him, recalling the disastrous events of the previous fundraiser all too vividly. The embarrassment, the humiliation, the way his father had berated him afterwards... it was no wonder he was hesitant to put himself in that position again.
Ella's grip on his arm tightened, her voice firm but gentle. "You can, and you will. We'll prepare, we'll practice, and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll be right there with you, every step of the way."
"It sounds like a lovely event, Erik," Ella said smoothly. "I'm sure Harald and I will do our best to represent the family well."
As I watched the siblings interact, I couldn't help but marvel at the strength of their bond.
Ella truly was Harald's rock, his unwavering support system, and I knew that with her by his side, he could face anything.
Even so, I silently vowed to do everything in my power to make this gala a success, to shield Harald from any further pain or embarrassment. He deserved nothing less.