Page 40 of Trained Royal

Kieren glanced at him at that, and Patrick smiled and shook his head. “I’m not as sneaky as I thought I was.”

Kieren’s mouth curled for a moment, and Patrick was glad of the reprieve.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Come on. Tuck in. After that, Patrick, you’ll need a shower. As much as I love you, son, you stink.”

Patrick gaped at her. “I can’t believe you just said that!” he spluttered.

She patted his cheek. “I’m your mother. That’s why I can get away with saying stuff like that. Have a good evening, boys. I’ll check in on you when I get home, Patrick.”

“Enjoy your evening, Your Highness,” Kieren said.

“I will now. I know I have you looking after my boy.” She patted Kieren on the arm as she passed. “Now, get some food in you.”

“Yes, Mother.”

When the door closed behind her, Patrick rose, trying not to move his arm too much. He wasn’t very successful, but he made it to the table. Cutting up his food was a problem he hadn’t thought of, but Kieren took matters into his own hands and cut it into pieces before handing the cutlery back and focusing on his plate.

They ate in silence until Patrick couldn’t take it any longer. “It’s not your fault, Kieren.”

“You wouldn’t have fallen if I hadn’t been training you.”

“I didn’t give you a choice.”

“I could’ve said no.”

Patrick didn’t argue. He could see he wasn’t getting through to him. He wasn’t sure how else to show it. Then he had an idea. He grabbed his phone, unlocked it and opened a message to George.

PATRICK: Gather as many of us together as you can and meet at my rooms as soon as possible. We’re in need of an intervention.

Within seconds, George had replied.

GEORGE: Understood. Anything in particular we need to bring?

PATRICK: Just yourselves.

GEORGE: Okay. Will be there in an hour, tops.

Patrick didn’t reply. He just put his phone away and continued eating.

“Everything okay?” Kieren asked.

Patrick peered at him. “Perfectly fine. I was thinking of watching a film. What do you like to watch?”

“I don’t really pay attention to films much. It’s usually just background noise.”

“Let’s go for a comedy, then. I think we could do with cheering up.”

It took Patrick longer than expected to finish his dinner, but then he had the task of showering, which was something he realised he couldn’t do without pain coursing through him.

“Do you need anything?” Kieren called through the closed bathroom door.

“A new wrist?” he called back.

“Funny,” Kieren said. “I can’t do that, I’m afraid.”

“Well, in that case, clothes that I can easily put on and take off with one arm?”

Kieren was quiet for a moment. “Would you like some help?”