Chapter XVII More Royal Secrets

Chapter 17 More Royal Secrets

Caleb

Caleb couldn't help his pacing. Anxiety. He paced the floors near the front door. Nothing could help him contain his confusing feelings partly the ones he felt, currently and formerly. To top off it all, he'd been discovered before he could get the words out. His identity blown! Add the fact that Augustus declined his heritage to the crown? Throw in the fact the very guy he may or may not have feelings for, was also royalty, hiding in plain sight! Jason may or may not have been aware. Caleb didn't have the answers just yet.

All of that happened under... what day was it again?

Caleb knew the mansion was abuzz with numerous things happening before getting there. There would be people upstairs in his room packing his things. As if Caleb couldn't have done it himself! Things had changed again. Not long ago, Caleb was informed the King and his brother weren't coming here after all. For that, he was grateful.

Caleb wasn't going to give them the satisfaction, to see him coming apart at the seams. Caleb still had problems with the fucking paparazzi! A fact he wasn't particularly fond of admitting. What was worse, he left Jason.

Caleb tried asking if Jason would arrive, but no one at the mansion would likely have any more answers than he did. Or so they would claim.

Caleb mostly glared through the windows as they approaching the mansion. Caleb did everything but tear the doors off the hinges. He barely paid any mind to the steps but his feet helped him glide over like they didn't matter. A man in a dark suit had bent to open the limousine door, but Caleb wasn't having it. He would apologize later if he found the time.

Caleb had to remind himself to bow slightly at the look the Queen gave him before taking her first step.

"He's fine," she said before placing both of her feet on the ground, "you are fine."

That hardly eased his worries but what came next was almost a surprise. The woman before him changed from being a Queen to being a mom in the blink of an eye. He found himself in the arms of a mother as she said, "I am so sorry you had to go through that again. This is all my fault."

Caleb appreciated the gesture, hugged back but, "What are you talking about?"

"I should have never let myself get talked into letting you come here. It was me that was against this the whole time, Stefan" she was referring to the King, "was all for it but was trying to show his support by telling you no."

Caleb hardly believed what he was hearing. Shock must taken form on his face as his entire body iced over.

The woman before him started to put some distance between them, a hard shell known as the Queen took shape again. "I really am sorry. For all of this."

Caleb, remembering who he was, started to make himself stand up a little straighter. "You have nothing to be sorry for. These have been some of the best days of my life." He was glad his words and tone sounded twenty times more confident than he really felt on the inside.

He tried not to let it show, but he felt a flicker in his eyes. The Queen noticed. At first all she could manage was stand there with her mouth agape. Caleb couldn't tell if it the Queen or simply, his mother, standing before him. The entire family had a way of transforming themselves back and forth when out in public.

"My dear, are you in love?"

Caleb wanted to scream YES, and I DON'T KNOW, but that would lead to explaining. Then more explaining. Caleb didn't have all the answers yet. He almost forgot what he came out here for.

When he remembered, it was about Jason. Always Jason.

This couldn't be normal. Not for Caleb. It wasn't just the one reason that Jason was a guy, but Caleb never felt these things before. Not this strongly at least. If they were anything. Maybe if Caleb treated it like it was a phase. If he kept some distance from Jason, maybe it would go away. For now, he needed to keep quiet about it, because, he couldn't already be in love with someone he hardly knew. That couldn't be possible. Illogical!

"About Jason," he let himself transform into a prince again. There were too many people nearby and watching. "I left him there and I let the paparazzi get to me. It was foolish of me. Irresponsible."

Maybe if Caleb was hard on himself, the Queen wouldn't try to follow up. He didn't want his face to give away much more.

Instead, "Indeed it was, but Jason, your friend as I've been told is handling everything with ease for someone who was completely unaware of his heritage."

So Jason didn't know anything. That neither relieved nor worried Caleb. He felt too indecisive. Lately he found himself feeling indecisive about everything.

"He will be meeting us along with the parliament. I trust he is currently getting himself packed just as I am sure you are nearly packed yourself?" She shot him a sideways glance.

"Of course." Caleb had to remind himself not to look too guarded.

"Is..." The Queen hardly paused but was sensing there was a lot more going on beneath the surface, "everything alright?"

She couldn't have been more right.

"Of course." Was Caleb's stiff response.

Another limousine pulled up behind the limousine the Queen arrived in. They both looked identical so Jason wouldn't have been surprised if there were five other limousine's driving around in the city. The first limo pulled away so the other could take its place. Jason couldn't help but hope it would be Jason arriving next.

Caleb would have greeted him but would've refrained from hugging. Though he wanted to. It almost felt like a hot iron was being pressed into his chest. Or out of it. He would hardly have to coax Jason to come with him up to the attic, where they could be alone. Caleb would confess and apologize. Jason would accept. The strange feelings would go away. Life would go back to normal but in all honesty, Caleb knew that was wishful thinking. Life would never be that simple.

Jason was possibly about to be engaged, to his sister.

Caleb felt like throwing up. The situation was a mess. A disaster. Beyond his fixing. He usually enjoyed meeting the parliament. They were always respectful and he was always returned the favor. For the first time ever, he found himself dreading it.

Samantha was next to step out, while Caleb stood like a statue on the steps. He watched as she hardly wasted any time in reaching over to hug him next. Unlike their mother, Samantha knew how to be herself. If only the rest of the family, Caleb included, could be the same.

When she parted, Caleb spotted Mr. Bateman standing in the doorway with his hands behind his back. Caleb knew that look, it meant he wanted a word with Caleb. Mr. Bateman casually turned away and headed back into the house after greeting the princess. Samantha cheerily responded the same.

Caleb too went into the house and made a left turn past the bustling cleaning crew. Servants from the palace were already carrying large suitcases down the stairs towards the front door. Caleb made sure to steer clear by side stepping. Mr. Bateman paused by another doorway where they were least likely to be overheard. He waited for the man to speak.

"Are you in love with that boy?" Mr. Bateman sure wasted no time. It was the least unexpected question. Caleb would rather face a few further instructions from the King himself, or if he was traveling by private jet.

Caleb thought about playing stupid but Mr. Bateman shot him a dark look suggesting that lying was not an option.

"I don't know." He said.

What was he supposed to say? He wanted to say yes but fear had a way of freezing the word in his throat.

"With all due respect sir, I want you to look at me and not the carpet when you answer me." Caleb flinched and brought his eyes level with Mr. Bateman.

"Let's try this again. Are you in love with that boy?"

"I really, don't know." Caleb replied without blinking.

How much did could Mr. Bateman see?

He knew Mr. Bateman was studying him, and he let him. Caleb couldn't help the flush that dominated his face the entire time. He was suddenly deathly afraid of being rejected. What would the man think of him? Would he quit his job?

Nonsense! Why would he?

Caleb was a complete stranger to these feelings and questions. When Caleb said he wanted to come to America for a learning experience, he got more than what he bargained for.

Mr. Bateman tied his hands behind his back and gave an involuntary sigh. Caleb felt he could relate.

"Caleb, a word?" The entryway from behind was filled. Samantha was wearing a tiara and that's when reality truly hit Caleb in the gut. He had an obligation to uphold. Though Caleb had no plans to give up his place (now he was the second in running) for the crown, it had been drilled into his mind since he could walk, and it still stung.

Samantha was dressed in a purplish pink gown that draped down to the floor, very much unlike the matching outfit she wore like the Queen. Her hair was tied up so only the tiara would show. It was almost like having a disco ball or a chandelier in the room, there were many diamonds glittering from it, but it was her face that demanded the most attention. Caleb had to push aside his unresolved feelings and face whatever came next.

"Sure." Not a very formal reply but he knew Samantha wouldn't hold it against him. She wasn't a Queen yet.

Mr. Bateman had already bowed himself out, literally. Caleb had to slide the double oak doors closed behind him for privacy while Samantha had to close the other pair that led to the front door. Everyone would know to keep out, unless they were American. Caleb hoped there would be no further interruptions.

"Let's keep this conversation in English. I don't want too many people to overhear what I'm about to tell you."

Caleb felt like the floor itself was about to drop below his very feet but managed to hide it well.

"Now I'm not supposed to tell you this, we're supposed to wait until Saturday," She said while being the Princess she really was, had to hold the front of her sleeveless dress to walk towards Caleb. "You see Augustus never had any intention of taking over the throne."

"What?!"

That's when his sister finally gave him the stern look, looking too much like their mother. "Would you keep it down?"

"Sorry."

"Anyways, like I was saying, Augustus never wanted the throne."

"But, after everything he's done to please dear olé dad."

"That was a ruse." She explained. "It was to keep the public in the dark for the time being."

"Time being?" Caleb knew he was coming across as being difficult, but couldn't help himself.

"When the time was right." She blinked, clearly trying to be patient.

"He's recently fallen in love, at least finally realized it." She continued after letting Caleb absorb the news some. "I don't know who she is yet, but we both know Augustus, so she must be something."

That was her polite way of admitting that she didn't like being left out of the loop.

"So then, this is supposed to be the other announcement?" Caleb was hoping she'd nod because Caleb was done with surprises. There had been enough to last the rest of the year! Maybe more.

She nodded, much to Caleb's relief.

"So what happens now?" Though Caleb wasn't sure he was ready for an answer. He could feel his palms again, and they were sweaty.

"Well that's up to Jason now. Isn't it?"

Jason... what was going to happen to him? How do I protect you?

Samantha noticed, "Are you alright? You kinda look like sick."

Caleb knew she was only trying to humor him, lighten the mood.

This pressure, it's too much!

Shut up you weakling. Man up!

I don't know if I can.

Yes! You can and you will.

But I don't want to.

Then do it for Jason.

He heard his sister sigh and realized he had covered his eyes with one hand without knowing it.

"It's too much," she went on in a softer tone. "The pressure. Augustus doesn't think you could handle it, but I do."

Caleb only wished he had even half the confidence his sister had in him.