Chapter 24
24
ADRIAN
It’s almost midnight, and I can’t sleep. Phillipe and I met with Weiss earlier today, and I keep replaying the conversation.
“It wasn’t Jane.”
Phillipe’s eyes zero in on Luka Weiss as if he’s one of his experiments. “Oh. She wouldn’t do it, so you went to someone else?”
“What? No, Phillipe?—”
Reginald clears his throat, and Weiss shifts in his seat.
“No, Your Highness,” he says, with a quick look at Reginald. “It wasn’t me. Did you read the d—um, story?”
Now, everyone’s focus is on me. “No. I can’t—” Does that make me a coward? Yes. Probably. Talking to Weiss is important. I want answers—need answers. But it’s hard to focus. I wonder not for the first or the hundredth time what Isaac is doing. It’s nine am on Friday in Mule Creek. This is Isaac’s last day of vacation. But I can easily see him going back to work a day early.
“You should read it. The story isn’t about Simon at all.”
That doesn’t make any sense. “Then what do they possibly have to write about?”
“Do they need something? Because this wouldn’t be the first time they made it up.” Phillipe once again glares at Weiss, but now the reporter looks like he’s holding back a smile.
“What is it about then?” I stop pacing and sit next to Phillipe, staring across at Weiss.
“According to the ‘article,’ Isaac—” He stops, and I can almost detect a blush on his cheeks.
“Isaac, what?” I prompt.
“The article states Isaac is a boring lover and that you must be desperate. And…” His eyes twinkle. “That Isaac has a small penis.”
I laugh. It’s not funny, but I can’t hold it in. “That’s ludicrous. And completely false—” I stop as I realize what I’m admitting to. “So they did make it all up? Somehow that’s worse.”
“They have a source,” Weiss says with a shrug. “An ex-lover or something.”
“Paul.” I stand again, unsure what to do, but I’m angry and restless. “That prat.” The others watch me expectantly. “Isaac’s ex works with him, and he’s forever harassing him. In fact, the day I was there, he was extremely disrespectful.” There aren’t adequate words to describe how horrible a person he is. “Can I destroy him? I hate Isaac having to put up with that every day.”
“Sit down, Adrian. No matter how much you want to, you can’t do anything to this man or the reporter.” Since when is Phillipe the voice of reason?
“Of course I can. I have the means.”
“Your Highness,” Reginald says, “Pardon me for interrupting, but Isaac would not welcome your help in this matter.” He gives me a pointed look. Right. The legal fees.
“I can’t do nothing. Maybe I should release a statement.”
“And say what?” Phillipe asks. “The ex had it all wrong? Isaac is a fantastic lover and has a big?—”
“No. But…” I rub the back of my neck. “This is the first inkling the press has gotten that I’m interested in men. How— Are they supportive?” Not that it matters.
“The ones who believe it are supportive.”
I sit up straighter and stare at Weiss. “What do you mean?”
“There are some who say Isaac is making it up. That you are only friends.”
“But Isaac isn’t saying anything.”
“That hardly matters, it seems,” Phillipe says with a grumble and a glance at Weiss.
“I should make a statement. Not confirm or deny the story. Just admit I’m gay.”
Luka Weiss’s eyes widen, and Phillipe groans. “I think you just did. This is, of course, off the record, Weiss.”
“Yes, of course. I’m just surprised. I mean, Jasella—I thought, maybe bi?—”
“Stop talking, Luka.”
The reporter clamps his mouth shut.
“What do you think?” I turn to Reginald. He’s been with me through every difficult time in my life.
“I think it’s a splendid plan.”
When I glance at Phillipe, he nods and turns to Weiss. “We’re ready to go on the record.”
I’ve not mentioned anything to my parents. I know it’s time. Before the statement is released. It’s been almost twenty-four hours since Weiss was here, yet we’ve heard nothing. Phillipe is evidently tired of my stalling because he drags me down to the drawing room to confront…er, update my parents.
“What is happening, Adrian?” Mother sips her tea calmly. Too calmly.
I lift my chin and stand straight. “I’m making—I’ve made a statement to the press.” I can do this. I’m done hiding.
She blinks. “A statement? Without running it by the communications office? Or the press secretary? Or your parents?”
“It’s personal. My statement was an announcement that…I’m gay.”
“Was that necessary?” my father asks, working on a new puzzle. He glances up. “It’s none of their concern. Your mother and I have been briefed on the latest nonsense. We usually ignore that sort of reporting. Trashy. I hope Mr. Weiss was not involved.”
“He wasn’t,” Phillipe assures them.
“What were you hoping to achieve?” Mother asks, ignoring Phillipe as she helps my father sort out the corners and edges.
I’m not sure she expects an answer, but I think about it. What was my goal? “I’m tired of hiding. This is who I am.”
“I see. I thought perhaps you were fixing this mess with Mr. Brandt.”
“I am. This seems like a good first step. Are you…?” Do I really want to know? “Are you in favor of me fixing things with Isaac?”
She sets the puzzle pieces aside. “We want you to be happy, Adrian. And we haven’t seen you this happy since…” She turns to my father. “When, dear?”
“Well, ever. Not counting the time right before your Mr. Brandt ran off. Seems to be a theme.”
“Not the same, Father. Isaac was taking care of things. His son. And believe it or not, I’m done running.”
They exchange a look, and I unreasonably want to smash their heads together. My mother is the one who speaks. “We’ve heard that before, dear.”
My initial impulse is to squash the anger. Hold my head up high and pretend it doesn’t matter. But isn’t this the point? That would still be running away. Hiding. Inside myself. “Mrs. Glenn.”
Mother’s brow furrows and Phillipe stands, glancing at the clock and then at me. Is he planning on taking over the conversation? I wave him down. Not happening.
My heart pounds so loud I can barely hear myself think. I swallow the fear. The impulse to sit down and not make waves. “My governess, Mrs. Glenn, left when I was five?—”
“This is exactly our point, Adrian. You’re dramatic.” My father places the puzzle piece on the table and gives me his full attention. “Mrs. Glenn left to visit her daughter and returned two weeks later. Why are we discussing this?”
My jaw aches from clenching my teeth. “After my eighth birthday, she left again. She didn’t return.”
“She quit, Adrian. We told you that at the time.” Father slaps his hand on the table, scattering his puzzle pieces. Mother glances away.
It seems reasonable. However, their reactions don’t match the innocence in their words. “You also told me she put ideas in my head.”
“She did,” Mother says, her voice not as commanding as usual.
“That was no reason to fire her,” I shout, so angry I can barely breathe.
Mother gives me a pained stare, her lips trembling. Her continence shatters. “That isn’t—we wouldn’t—” She stops and raises her chin. “She left of her own accord.”
“No.” I shake my head repeatedly. “She wouldn’t leave me.”
The muscles in her face twitch, and she stares helplessly at my father. I’ve never seen this much emotion from my mother.
“Adrian,” my father says, his voice calm. “Mrs. Glenn left. We never told you because—you were eight and so attached to her.” He holds out his hands, looking somewhat helpless.
“Told me what?” Can it be worse than the thought of them firing her because she—because she loved me too much?
Mother looks at Father, and he nods. She clears her throat. “Mrs. Glenn left because she was…very sick. She didn’t want you to see her like that.”
What? The adrenaline drains from my body. “What…?” I can’t ask the question.
“Cancer,” Father says, his eyes watching me but not unkindly. “Her daughter called us about six months later to say she had passed.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“You were a child, Adrian?—”
Reginald enters the room and bows. Mother nods at him. “Your Majesties. Your Highnesses.” I’m still processing everything I’ve just learned when Reginald walks over to Phillipe. He checks his watch and nods.
“There is something you need to see, Adrian,” Phillipe says, stepping forward.
“If it pertains to what is happening, maybe we all need to see.”
“That is actually why we are all here.”
Father scoffs. “I’m here to finish my puzzle.”
The large television above the mantle looks out of place with the rest of the furniture. Phillipe grabs the remote and turns to me. “Luka Weiss is doing a live stream at four p.m. That’s ten in the morning in Mule Creek.”
The past seems less important than the now. This wasn’t part of our deal.
“What is he up to?” I ask, checking the clock. It’s only a few minutes away. “You’ve been in contact with Weiss?”
“Yes—”
“Really, Phillipe. You can’t trust that man.”
He nods to Mother. “I am aware. However, in this instance, it was necessary.”
His words sink in. “He’s in Mule Creek? Now? But he was just here yesterday.” And the most important question of all. “Why is Weiss in Mule Creek, Phillipe?”
Instead of answering, he turns on the television. Weiss comes on camera and introduces his guest. Then, I notice Isaac on the screen for the first time. He’s sitting with Weiss on a couch—Isaac’s couch—as if they’re best friends having tea. It’s terrifying…and amazing. Isaac looks beautiful. His hair is in place for once. And he’s smiling.
“I’m here today with Isaac Brandt. Thank you for joining me, Isaac.”
“My pleasure. I mean—” He swallows and clasps his hands in his lap. “Thank you, Mr. Weiss.”
“Luka is fine.”
“Since when?” Phillipe mutters.
I hold back the growl but barely. Get on with it .
“There are reports that say you are involved with Prince Adrian, the prince of Lutiana. Just recently, he called off his wedding to Lady Jasella Bastian. Rumors say you are the reason. Are you here to dispel those rumors?”
Isaac shakes his head. “I’m…no. Not really. I don’t have anything to say about that. I want to address the information shared by my ex-boyfriend. He…he’s horrible. And none of it is true. I also want to apologize to Prince Adrian and the royal family for any pain they may have suffered from his lies.”
“So you’re saying you and Prince Adrian are friends?”
“Yes.” He smiles, and I clutch my hand to my heart. I miss him so much, and it’s only been a few days. “I would very much like for our…friendship to continue. In fact, my son Simon reminded me of a promise A—Prince Adrian made to him. About attending his birthday outing.”
“If you would like to say anything to Prince Adrian, now’s your chance.”
Isaac nods and looks into the camera. A blush starts on his neck and travels to his cheeks. “Your Highness, Simon and I miss you. We’d still like you to be there at the—place—if you can make it. If you aren’t able to come…or if it’s all too much, we completely understand.”
His attempts at being diplomatic are endearing. I can’t stop grinning. Isaac wants to see me.
“Isaac,” Weiss says, “I’m not sure the news has reached America yet, but the palace released a statement this morning. Prince Adrian announced he’s gay.”
The shock on his face can’t be staged. He blinks slowly. “He said that? But why?” He shakes his head. “O.M.G. That’s not what I—never mind.”
“Don’t quote me,” Weiss says with a chuckle, “because I don’t want to be sued, but I think he did it for you.”
“Really, Weiss?” Phillipe says, but I wave him off. I don’t want to miss Isaac’s reply.
“For me?” His eyes dart from Weiss to the camera and back.
Weiss nods. “Do you want to revise your statement?”
“Do I?” He covers his face with his hands and then shakes his hands out. “If you can be brave, Adrian, so can I.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry for not believing in you. In us. I—I care about you. I want more than friendship. I’m not a fan of all this media crap, but I—you’re what’s important.”
Weiss ends the livestream, and Phillipe turns off the television.
There is nothing so crass as clapping and cheering, but everyone is smiling. Some more than others. And none as big as I am. Isaac loves me. He didn’t say the words, but they were there nonetheless.
I nod at Phillipe. And he gives me a smile in return.
“When are you leaving?” Mother asks, and I laugh.
“Straight away. Simon’s birthday is tomorrow. We’re going to the zoo.”
“Very well, Adrian,” Mother says, and then she smiles. And I’m so surprised I almost miss her next words. “There is something you might need to take care of first. Phillipe would probably be grateful.”