Page 16 of Twins for the Secret Prince (Even More Babies #8)

PIETER

“ H ave you seen any polar bears?” Fritz, Pieter’s five-year-old nephew, asked.

“Just from a distance. They’re very shy,” Pieter said.

“Uncle Pieter is joking. There aren’t any polar bears in the part of Alaska he’s in,” Jan said, rolling his eyes.

“How about lions?” Fritz persisted.

“Just Alaskan lions, and they’re no bigger than a house cat,” Pieter told his nephew, whose excited face stared back at him from the laptop screen. Fritz’s younger brother, Johann, appeared to be sitting on his lap.

“Again, Uncle Pieter is joking,” Jan said.

“Whales? Have you gone swimming with any whales?”

“Just my pet whale, Valentino.”

The sound of Fritz and Johann giggling flooded Pieter’s heart with love. He’d been so busy over the past few weeks that he’d been unable to organize a video call with his brother and young nephews. Seeing them was just what he needed.

“When are you coming home?” Johann asked.

“I’ll come and see you as soon as I can get some time off,” Pieter promised, even though he had no idea when that would be. He watched as his nephews, whose attention spans were now exhausted, ran away from the camera and out of the room.

“Don’t take it personally,” Jan said, shaking his head. “They lasted longer talking to you than they ever do to anybody else.”

“Oh, good. At least I’m still popular with some people in Laagestein.”

Jan shook his head ruefully. “Our parents are still insisting that you’re going to cave in and come back home soon. They aren’t admitting that they were wrong to force you out of the military. But hang in there — I’m sure they’ll come around soon.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“You look tired. Are you working too hard?”

“Well, for one thing, it’s five in the morning here. I am tired.” Right on cue, Pieter yawned. “Excuse me. I’m really glad that you and the boys found some time for a chat, though. I needed that.”

“Seriously, Pieter — is everything okay?” Jan looked more than a little worried.

“Oh yeah, everything’s fine. It’s been busy here. We had storms and flooding, people were evacuated from their homes. Very eventful.”

“Do you get to spend much time with Derek?”

“Not really. Our roles are quite different. I’d like to see him more, but our paths don’t cross very often.”

“I think you look a little lonely,” Jan said gently.

Pieter didn’t speak for a moment. Jan always had been able to read him like a book. But he didn’t dare tell his brother that he was lonely, but not for Derek. “I guess I’m still adjusting,” he said finally.

“Is this really about being away from home?” Jan persisted.

“I miss home, for sure,” Pieter said honestly. “As beautiful as it is here. And I meant what I said to the boys — I’ll come back for a visit as soon as I can.”

“But there’s something else you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”

Pieter swallowed and nodded his head. “I met someone. Well, she’s not just someone. She’s the most amazing woman in the world. But I blew it. It’s over.”

“She’s in the military too?”

Pieter nodded. “She is. Which just happens to be against the rules. It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, we got caught up in a landslide, she saved my bacon, we were stranded overnight and we fell for each other. Or rather, I fell for her. She’s made it pretty clear her feelings aren’t the same.”

“I’m sorry. That’s rough.”

“It is. But let’s face it, it’s not like it would have worked out. We come from very different worlds.”

“It takes a very special person to put up with all of this,” Jan said, sweeping his arm around, indicating the grand reception room he was currently sitting in. “Especially if it’s not a world you’ve been a part of before.”

Pieter nodded. “She definitely hasn’t. She looked scared when I told her who I really am.”

Jan’s eyes grew wide. “You told her you’re a prince?”

“I did. I had to. She found out I was using an alias. I’d already told her that I’m from Laagestein, and I wanted her to hear the whole truth from me.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, wow. It was a lot of information to throw at her in such a short space of time.”

“And you said it’s over?”

“She wants nothing to do with me. Plus, we’re both going for the same promotion, so I’m really not in her good books.”

Jan shook his head slowly. “Pieter, Pieter, Pieter. You really know how to woo the ladies, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I’m a real Prince Charming,” he said, smiling ruefully.

He finished the video call with his brother and sat at his desk for a few minutes, thinking back over the previous few days.

After the incident when Eva discovered his real name and identity, he’d tried on several occasions to catch her alone to try to explain, but she’d refused to even look at him.

He’d even risked writing her a note, which he sealed in an envelope and slid under her office door, but she hadn’t replied.

Eva was making it very clear that she didn’t want anything to do with him.

Pieter knew he was in the wrong for lying to her, but he wanted to explain his reasons for acting the way he had.

He hoped her anger would dissipate and they’d be able to discuss it all as calmly as possible, but in the intervening days, she showed no sign of forgiving him.

Just the day before, Derek had called Pieter into his office to discuss his progress since moving to the base.

Although not allowed to divulge information discussed between senior officers, Derek hinted that Eva and Pieter were essentially neck and neck for the promotion.

They were both seen as outstanding candidates, Derek said, and Pieter had certainly impressed his superiors since he’d arrived at the base.

“I have to ask,” Derek said, giving Pieter an earnest look. “You still want this promotion, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” Pieter replied. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m still not entirely convinced that you think your future is here. Which is not meant as a judgment, by the way. You have strong ties to Laagestein. And I know there’s plenty of expectation on your parents’ part about your future there.”

“Yes, that’s true. But I don’t see any future for me that isn’t in the military.”

“Okay, good to hear,” Derek said, smiling. “And Eva? How’s everything with her?”

“What do you mean?” Pieter asked, heart racing.

“After I spoke to you both and told you to sort it out during wilderness training, and you both got caught in the landslide, I had to tell the major what had happened. Otherwise, it would have looked suspicious that the two of you were off on your own together when you went missing.”

“Oh, right. That makes sense. And anyway, I never blamed you for telling the major, Derek. We were acting unprofessionally. She called me out on it too, and we’ve worked it out.”

“So everything’s fine?”

“Fine and dandy.” Pieter hated lying to his friend, but he had to.

“Have you spoken to your parents?”

“No.”

“Your brother?”

“No, just a few messages back and forth.”

“I tell you what — you should set up a video call with him. You’re a long way from home, and it might help to see his face.”

“That’s a great idea. My nephews will be all grown up if I don’t talk to them soon.” Pieter attempted a small chuckle.

“And you know I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

Pieter had thanked him and walked out of the office, feeling as though he’d dodged a bullet. He had been sure that Derek was about to ask him about his relationship — such as it was — with Eva, and was relieved that he didn’t seem to know anything had happened between them.

A wave of guilt coursed through him for lying yet again.

He told himself that keeping the truth from Derek about his relationship with Eva was necessary, to protect her from any fallout if their co-fraternization was discovered.

But he had no reason to keep his homesickness from Derek, especially when his old friend and roommate knew how much Pieter loved his home country.

Perhaps Derek had a sense of how Pieter was feeling since he’d asked how serious he was about going for the promotion.

Pieter had worked so hard over the past few weeks, ever since arriving at the base, to prove his mettle.

Demonstrating one’s strength and stamina was an expectation.

It was as essential as breathing, really, in the military.

But if Pieter was honest with himself, his heart just wasn’t really in it anymore.

It was true that the uncertainty about his future in Alaska made him second-guess his motivations.

But, more than that, he knew that Eva deserved the promotion more than he did.

She was a loyal, valuable and long-standing member of this base.

She pushed herself to the very limit each and every day.

She was fierce and determined, and she had overcome so much to get to where she was today.

Eva should be the next sergeant major, Pieter admitted to himself.

He wouldn’t let Derek down by officially bowing out of the running for promotion or give any hint that he was stepping aside, in case it ruined what he hoped would be Eva’s triumph.

But he decided from that moment on he would secretly and silently root for her.

She was the best person for the job, and she deserved it.

Later that night, Pieter was returning from duty when he saw he had a message from his father.

Call us when you get a minute .

He looked at the time. It would be early in the morning in Laagestein, but his parents were both early risers and would no doubt be up drinking their first coffee of the day. He called his father back immediately.

“Pieter,” his father’s voice boomed. “What time is it there?”

“Late at night. I’ve just this minute returned from duty.”

“Is everything going well?”

“Oh, give me the phone,” Pieter heard his mother say. “Pieter, darling. How are you, my love?”

“I’m doing well, Mother. How are you?”

“I’m terrible, darling. I miss you! Your father and I are calling to say we want you to come home. Get on the next flight if you can.”

Pieter frowned. “I can’t come straight home, Mother. I have obligations here.” He wasn’t sure if this was just a ploy to get him home, or if they were really giving in.

“We know you do. But this has all been a big misunderstanding, and we want you home.”

“Can you put me on speaker, so I can talk to both of you at the same time?”

“Yes, fine, just give me a second. Okay, Pieter, you’re on speaker.”

“First of all, I just wanted to say it’s not fair to call it a misunderstanding,” he said.

“That suggests one or both sides made an error in comprehending the other’s meaning.

You both told me I needed to leave the military because you wanted me back at the palace, and I said I didn’t want to give up my military career. ”

“Yes, darling, I know what was said. I feel terrible that we made you run off to the States. Please come home.”

“I’m not coming home to carry out royal duties full-time,” Pieter said.

“We’ll talk about it when you get back, son,” his father said sternly.

“That’s just the point,” Pieter said. “We need to sort it out right now. If I come home — and it is an if — it will be on my terms. I am not giving up my military career.” Already he could feel his blood pressure rising.

“Pieter, you are a prince . Most people in the world would give anything to be in your position. You’ve made your point. You’ve proven to us that you can go out and have your own life. Now’s the time to come back and do what you were born to do.”

“That’s just the thing, Father. I’m telling you that I need to make my own choices in life.

And I choose the military. If that means staying permanently in the States, then that is the choice I’ll make.

” Even as Pieter said the words, his heart thumped wildly at the thought that he might never get to return home.

“Darling, we know how much your career means to you. Your father worries about you, which is why he’s taken such a hard line about this.”

“It’s not worry, Madeleine,” his father cut in. “Pieter is a member of this family, and that means he has the same obligations as the rest of us, as well as the privileges.”

“He is my son, too, Alex. I’m not going to allow you to banish him from his home.” His mother’s voice carried a stubborn tone he hadn’t heard before.

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Pieter said finally, “I can hear that you don’t agree about this. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry to be causing problems. But I have to do what I know is right for me.”

His father groaned. “We’ve raised a selfish young prince, Madeleine. If we give into him again, where will it end?”

Pieter bit his tongue. His father was the selfish one, he thought — not willing to compromise his stance so that Pieter could serve in the military and part-time as a royal.

His mother’s voice was emotional when she said, “Pieter, I love you. You are my youngest son, and you belong here. If you come back, I promise we’ll find a way to work this out so that you can do both. Just please come back home.”

“Madeleine, I’m telling you, if you give into him now, you’ll just make it worse.”

“Alex, you know I don’t like doing this, but I’m pulling rank.

As queen of Laagestein, I insist, Pieter, that you come back.

I also insist, Alex, that you accept my authority to arrange the situation so that Pieter can continue his military career whilst undertaking some royal duties throughout the year. ”

“Madeleine!” Pieter’s father admonished.

“Pieter, did you hear me?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“And will you sort things out there and come back home as soon as you can?”

“Yes, I will.”

“We love you, Pieter. Both of us,” his mother said, making kissing noises into the phone before disconnecting.

Pieter stood in the same place for the next few minutes, playing the conversation over and over in his mind. He couldn’t quite believe it was happening; he was getting to go home and go back to his military career in Laagestein.

He’d need to tell Derek, at first light, to get the plans in motion for his transfer out of the base. Pieter felt a sharp pang of guilt, thinking about how accommodating his friend had been, and how supportive.

He’d need to tell Eva that he was leaving, too.

Pieter imagined telling her that he was going home and asking her to reconsider giving a fully-fledged relationship a try.

In his heart, he knew he didn’t want this to be the end of things for them.

But Eva’s hostility towards him hadn’t abated even slightly, and she’d made it clear she didn’t want anything to do with him.

Convinced that Eva would prefer it if he just left the base quietly, without dredging up any more painful feelings, Pieter decided to make plans to return to Laagestein as quickly as he could, drawing as little attention to himself as possible in the process.