Page 18 of Twins for the Secret Prince (Even More Babies #8)

PIETER

“ H ow are you holding up?” Jan whispered into Pieter’s ear after they’d congratulated what seemed like the hundredth person that day.

“Fine. Thanks for being here with me,” Pieter replied.

The brothers were at the annual Valor in the Community awards, where they were presenting award recipients with certificates of honor.

It was the first royal duty in Pieter’s calendar since he’d come home to Laagestein, and Jan had kindly offered to attend the event with him.

Jan’s presence took the edge off for Pieter, and since his brother was so adept at making conversation with strangers, it meant that Pieter’s role consisted of merely shaking hands and offering his congratulations.

True to their word, his parents — or rather, his mother — had arranged for Pieter to return to the Laagestein military.

The deal was that Pieter would attend a small number of royal events each year and be a stand-in if Jan was unable to attend.

It was the arrangement that Pieter had hoped for, and he was grateful to his mother for making it happen.

But as the days and weeks passed, Pieter had to admit to himself that his life felt increasingly empty.

There was an Eva-sized hole in his life.

He couldn’t get her out of his head, no matter how hard he’d tried to forget her.

He told himself it was better this way, that they’d never really stood a chance of making a go of a proper relationship.

But his heart spoke more loudly than his head, and it was telling him that he needed to do something about the situation.

Just the day before, he’d arranged a video call with Derek, hoping to get news about Eva.

“Pieter! It’s good to see you. How are you settling in back at home?”

“Not bad, not bad at all,” he’d told Derek truthfully. Apart from some muttered comments about abandoning his unit for the States, Pieter had made a smooth transition back to his previous life.

“Glad to hear it. We miss you here.”

“Listen, Derek, I just wanted to say again that I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t ideal, me leaving after such a short stint there. You vouched for me, and I let you down.”

His friend shrugged. “These things happen. People here understand that you’re in a unique situation, shall we say.”

Pieter smiled. “I suppose I am. How’s my squad doing?”

“They’re all good. Eva picked up their training, so they’ve not fallen behind.”

Pieter’s heart swelled at the mention of Eva’s name. “Well, they couldn’t get a better person,” he said, his voice thick.

“You were pretty good with them, too,” Derek said kindly.

There had been no more mention of Eva after that, and Pieter hadn’t worked up the courage to ask Derek how she was because he suspected his friend would see right through him. He didn’t want to tell Derek about his feelings for Eva until he’d had the chance to speak to her face-to-face.

Face-to-face. Pieter knew what that meant. So soon after coming back to Laagestein, he would have to go back to Alaska. He had to talk to Eva and tell her how he felt.

After the royal reception line for the awards recipients, Pieter and Jan were due to attend the official celebratory dinner. They were in for the long haul, Pieter knew. These events never just flew by. He needed to talk to his brother about returning to Alaska.

“Listen, Jan, I really need to talk to you about something.”

“Sure, anything. Can it wait a few minutes?”

Pieter slapped his forehead. “I’m so sorry! I completely forgot!”

“That’s brotherly love for you,” Jan joked. “If I hadn’t agreed to come tonight, you would be the one making this speech.”

“Thank you for your sacrifice,” Pieter said, clapping his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I really mean that.”

“I know you do.”

At that very moment, the guests were asked to take their seats for dinner and an official guided Jan to the back of the stage.

“Break a leg!” Pieter called out as Jan was led away.

But Jan didn’t share Pieter’s fear of public speaking, and he took to the stage with the grace and elegance he was known for.

He started off by congratulating the award recipients before moving on to a speech about courage and bravery.

Pieter was only half-listening, distracted by thoughts of Eva and what he would say to her.

His brother’s voice cut through his reverie. “I want to take some time to talk about the single bravest person I know. He’s here tonight, and he happens to be related to me. It’s my brother, Pieter de Winter.”

All eyes turned to Pieter as the applause started. He looked around like a startled rabbit, wishing for all the world that the fire alarm would go off, halting Jan’s speech.

“Now, as you know, Pieter and I were both born into the royal house of Laagestein. Our mother, the queen, instilled in us from a young age the importance of public service. Being a member of the royal family, she always told us, brings with it great responsibility. She told us that we must work hard every day to make sure that the people of Laagestein are protected, safe and — most of all — happy.”

He paused for effect, and the room burst into polite applause. Jan looked directly at Pieter, smiling. Pieter responded by drawing the flat of his hand across his neck, but Jan ignored him and carried on speaking.

“We know how important it is to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens of Laagestein, because we’ve heard about it every day since we were infants. My brother has taken his responsibility to a whole new level as a sergeant in the Laagestein military.”

Again, Jan paused for effect, and again the crowd responded by applauding.

“This is no flash-in-the-pan career for Pieter,” Jan said. “Serving in the military is not something he decided to do until something better comes along. He is fully committed to serving his country, at great personal risk, each and every day.”

This time when Jan paused, the applause was louder and lasted longer, as all eyes again turned towards Pieter.

“As you might imagine, it is not easy combining royal responsibilities with a military career. But Pieter has done it. He takes new recruits under his wing, providing excellent basic training. He is a born leader and the strongest man I know.”

The applause this time was accompanied by the distinct sound of whistles and cheers, which Pieter guessed were coming from the young people who were award recipients.

He kept a stiff smile on his face, trying his best to look dignified and humble in the spotlight.

He knew Jan meant well, but he vowed that once they were alone together, he’d give his brother a piece of his mind for humiliating him so thoroughly.

“Fighting for a military career when you are a prince in the royal house of Laagestein takes absolute courage and conviction. I am so proud of my brother and all he has achieved, and I didn’t want to leave here tonight without letting you all know why he is the person I most admire and respect in this world.

To Pieter de Winter,” Jan said, raising a champagne flute in the air.

“To Pieter de Winter,” the crowd said, raising their glasses in a toast.

During the prolonged applause that followed, Pieter stood up at the table and waved at the crowd, bowing slightly at the waist in a mark of gratitude at being feted in such a way.

Surprise feted, was how he thought of it, made a spectacle by his brother who meant no harm, but who had made Pieter feel distinctly embarrassed.

Hours later, in the car on the way back to the palace, Jan pre-empted Pieter’s tirade by apologizing for embarrassing him but explaining that what he’d said needed to be heard.

“It’ll make the news and make it back to our parents,” he said. “They need to hear that you’re a hero for what you’re doing.”

“I am not a hero,” Pieter said, his jaw clenched.

“You really are, Pieter. And I meant every word of what I said. What you’ve done — making a stand and refusing to compromise your principles — makes me so proud of you.”

Pieter slumped a little in his seat. “I was mortified. I didn’t deserve all of the attention. It was the recipients’ night. They should have got all of the attention.”

“They did,” Jan said. “Their stories were all told, if you remember. And anyway, the organizers asked me to talk about the person I admire most in the world, and why.”

“They did?”

“Yes, they did. Even if you were still in Alaska, I would have said exactly what I said tonight. It was just an added bonus that you were here.”

“It didn’t feel like a bonus to me,” Pieter grumbled, then added, “But thank you. It means a lot that you would say those things about me.”

“It’s all true. I couldn’t be any prouder of you.” The brothers were quiet for a minute as the car wended its way through the streets that led to the palace. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about earlier?”

Pieter cleared his throat. “You know the woman I told you about, the one I worked with in Alaska?”

“The one you said is the most amazing woman in the world.”

“Exactly. Eva.” Just thinking about her brought a smile to his face.

“Eva. Have you been in touch with her since you got home?”

“Not a word. When I left Alaska, she wasn’t speaking to me, and I didn’t say goodbye.” He could feel the heat on his face from admitting that blunder.

“Oh, little brother. You really don’t understand women, do you?”

“Thanks. But I’m looking for some advice, not teasing.”

“Right. Sorry. What is it?”

“I think I made a huge mistake. I mean, you’re right. I shouldn’t have left without saying anything to her. But it’s more than that. I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“You’re in love with her.”

“I think I am.”

“And this is the first time in your life you’ve been in love.”

“Yes, it is.” Pieter sighed.

“So it’s wonderful and scary all at the same time.” A knowing smile appeared on Jan’s face.

“Exactly.”

“And you’ve realized that you want to be with her, whatever it takes.” Jan was nodding now.

“I really do.”

“Well, my first piece of advice is that you need to tell Eva all of this. She needs to hear how you really feel.”

“Okay. I’d rather tell her face-to-face.”

“Then I guess that means a trip to Alaska. Tell her and see what she says.”

“She might reject me.” Pieter’s stomach flipped at the thought of how much that would devastate him.

“She might,” Jan said. “If she does, then you’ll have a broken heart, but at least you’ll have tried. On the other hand, she might not reject you at all. And if she doesn’t, what will happen next?”

“Well, we’ll have to make some decisions about where to live.”

“Alaska, or here in Laagestein.”

“Right — and I don’t think she’d want to leave Alaska.”

“But she might. She might fall in love with Laagestein.”

Pieter’s eyes lit up. “So I’ll need to get her here so she can see for herself.”

“Good idea.”

Pieter brought his hand to his chin, thinking about the possibilities. “But what if she doesn’t want to move here?”

“Are you prepared to live in Alaska?”

“It’s a beautiful place. More than beautiful, actually — it’s breathtaking.”

“But are you prepared to live there?”

Pieter took a moment and thought about how he felt when he was living in Alaska. “I really missed home when I was over there.”

Jan nodded, his expression somber. “Little brother, I don’t envy you the choices you’re going to have to make.

All I can say is that love is worth it. Finding a woman who understands how important your military career is — because she feels exactly the same — is so rare I’d guess you might never find that again. ”

“Right. That’s what I think.”

“So maybe you talk to Eva, tell her you love her, and everything else will fall into place.”

Pieter chuckled. “When did you become such a romantic?”

Jan grinned. “Listen, I’ve just got you back. I don’t exactly want to encourage you to go back to Alaska. But I do want you to be happy. And I don’t want you spending the rest of your life wishing you’d made a go of it with Eva.”

“No regrets.”

“That’s right. No regrets.”

The next morning, Pieter paced in his living quarters, rehearsing how he was going to tell his parents about Eva. He knew they would be unhappy about his decision to return to Alaska to tell Eva how he felt about her, but he couldn’t put it off just because his parents wouldn’t like it.

There was a chance — possibly even a strong chance — that Eva would tell him she didn’t love him back.

Or maybe she would tell him she loved him but couldn’t see a future for them.

It was very possible she didn’t want to marry into the royal family of Laagestein.

He’d raise his parents’ ire, and all for nothing.

But still, he had to try. No regrets .

Just as he’d steeled himself to ask to speak to his parents, there was a knock at his door.

“Your Highness, someone is here to see you.”

“Please tell them I’m not available right now.”

“They say it’s urgent, Your Highness. They’re from the United States military.”

Pieter’s heart thumped in his chest. “Where did you put this visitor?”

“They’re waiting in the Grand Hall, Your Highness.”

Without another word, Pieter raced out of his room.

He practically ran along the corridor and the grand staircase.

Who could be here to see him? He’d spoken to Derek only the day before, and he hadn’t said a word about anyone from the base coming to Laagestein.

He knew he’d left quickly, but he didn’t think a senior officer would fly all this way just to serve him a disciplinary notice.

It must be Eva. Was there a chance she felt the same way about him as he felt about her? Pieter hardly dared to believe it, but he hoped with every fiber of his being that it was the case.

He reached the Grand Hall, threw open the door, and his eyes were treated to the glorious sight of Eva standing just a few feet away from him, resplendent in her military uniform.

“Eva!” he said. He took two long strides and stood in front of her, breathing her in. “You look even more beautiful than I remembered.”

“Hello, Pieter,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

He took the final step towards her and pulled her close. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so much.”

Eva’s body stiffened under his touch, and she pulled away from him. She took a step back. “We need to talk,” she said, her voice strained.

Pieter felt the blood drain from his face. All of the hope he’d carried about his future being inextricably bound with Eva’s faded. His chest filled with dread as he braced himself for what he was sure was the inevitable. Eva had come to Laagestein to reject him, once and for all.