His Royal Highness, Prince Vincent - 3. Duty

That evening went very well. Dad and I had to change for dinner. He did not want to eat at the palace when he didn’t eat like this at home.

Later that week, I was visiting with my parents when my mother asked. “Is there something you should tell us, son?”

I had a feeling what it was, but… “Such as?”

My father frowned. “Don’t play coy. You know what your mother is saying. You’re better than this.”

Mother sighed. “Your grandmother was the one that told us you might be two-spirited.”

“Are you and Vincent involved?” Dad asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

Dad sighed and Mother nodded. “For how long?” Mom asked.

“A year or so,” I answered.

Dad looked at me seriously. “You are aware of the severe punishment if you are found out. He’s a prince for god’s sake!”

“We are.” I nodded. “He’s just a man to me. He loves me and I love him.”

“It’s not we I’m worried about. It's you!” Dad pushed. “Vincent is less likely to suffer the fate you will if found out.”

“We are very careful,” I assured. “But we can’t pretend we don’t love each other.”

“And this relationship.” Mom said. “Do you intend to continue it after school?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. Mom, Dad, Vincent has told me about his obligations and he will have to marry. I do understand that.” Then I told them what we found out about his father and his lover.

Dad nodded. “It’s a different world here, son. We were raised in a community where these things are more accepted. I had a hard time when I was told, but it is. I don’t want you hurt and I don’t want to see you imprisoned, or killed.”

“We’ve been careful,” I assured again.

Dad rose and poured two glasses of bourbon. He placed one in front of me. “I thought we’d do this back home, but…you’re a man now.”

I didn’t have the heart to say I’d drank before. But I took it and tossed it down. My father’s left eyebrow rose. “I’ve not been around as you’ve grown up. But, you are my son. I love you. Again, be careful, son. Please.”

I showed them the things I was working on. Including some ideas I had for the house back in Wyoming. Including my idea to keep the place cool in Summer. I showed him the plans to use ammonia and the cool river water to mechanically move the cooled air and how the system I installed before using the river to power the house and washing machine I made for Mom would create enough power for the cooling system to run. The system was sometimes known for toxic fumes, but if they placed it correctly, that wouldn’t be a problem. They treated Vincent like another son, which in a sense, he was. My parents stayed for two and a half months. During the last week, Dad called me to talk one on one.

“There is a secret I need to tell you. In case…” he shrugged. “Well, I won’t live forever.”

I didn’t like to hear it, but it was true. “Okay.”

Dad took a swallow of his bourbon. “Have you ever wondered how I could send you here? How I made sure you had the books you love? Give you the generous allowance you enjoy?”

I shrugged. “We have the most successful ranch in America.”

He nodded with a chuckle. “We do. But that’s not all of it. Your great-grandfather, your mother’s grandfather made is discovery. That’s why he built the ranch where he did. We have a gold mine.”

I was startled by this. Never had I heard about it. “Gold?”

Dad nodded. “Gold.” He took a deep breath. “The house sits on top of it.” He grinned. “Didn’t you wonder why I could get all those books? Why we always had the best bulls and equipment?”

I shook my head. “I figured you, Granddad, and whoever were just good at running a ranch.”

Dad chuckled. “We are.” Then he poured himself another drink. “Can’t drink too much. Your mother would murder me.” He put the stopper back on top. “Under the stone mantle, there is a stone that opens a passage. That passage leads down. There you will find the vein of gold. There’s plenty more. I will go down and bag some, bring it up and take it to various towns and cash it in. Men have often suspected we have one, but they’ll never find it. I’ll give you the names of men you can trust. If you need to, they are the ones you go to.”

I nodded. “You used that to buy the land Mom’s tribe was on. That’s why you gave it to them.”

Dad sneered at the memory. “The government wanted them to leave. It was their land! Their home! They were there first. So, I bought it and gave it to them. Now it really is their land.”

“You’re a good man, Dad.”

He smiled at me. “As are you, son. I’ve never been more proud than I am of you.” He hugged me. “As for Vincent. You must be careful.”

I nodded. “I know, I know. You’ll see him again. Next Summer.”

Dad’s eyebrow rose again. “We weren’t planning to come back next Summer.”

“Vincent wants to see Wyoming. We’re coming to you.”

“Oh.” Dad grinned. “Well, we’ll have to spruce it up. It’s not really ready for a future king.”

I chuckled. “It’s just fine, Dad.”

 

Mom and Dad were about to get on the ship to take them back to the United States. Mom crying again. She ran her hand over my face.

“You look so much like your father.” She smiled.

I nodded. “I take that as a compliment.”

She nodded. “It is, son. We’ll see you next Summer.” Then she went over and hugged Vincent tightly. “We’ll be ready.”

Vincent kissed her hand. “I look forward to it, Mrs. Richards.” Then shook my father’s hand, which Dad bypassed for his usual bear hug instead. That sort of surprised Vincent, but appreciated. They boarded the ship.

 

That year, we both turned eighteen. Another Christmas Ball and several more trips to Paris and Copenhagen. Then graduation.

 

To go to the United States was no simple task. The Dannebrog was a fine ship. A royal ship. It set sail and we...and the necessary guards and Danish sailors we off to New York.

Upon arriving we were escorted to a nice Manhattan Hotel, to await the preparations for a private set of cars to be ready for our ride to Wyoming. At the suite, we had been only a few hours when there was a knock at the door. As I was the closest to it, I went to the door.

Opening it, I saw a few men. One at the forefront looking very nervous.

“I was told the passengers of the Dannebrog was here.” A man said quickly.

“We are.” I nodded. But my accent confused him.

“You are American.”

I nodded. “Guilty.” I stepped back. I pointed to Vincent. “But Crown Prince Vincent Henrik is not.”

The man hurried over, but two of the guards stepped up to stop him. Vincent just raised a hand to let it go. “You’re Highness. Let me welcome you to the United States, and New York. I am Ely Smith. I am Mayor of New York City.”

Vincent nodded and shook the man’s hand. “Thank you.”

“We were not told you were coming.” Mr. Smith said.

“Well, we sent word ahead to have three private cars prepared and why,” Vincent said. “But no, we did not notify your office.”

“But if we had known you were coming, we could have prepared a banquet in your honor.”

Vincent nodded. “Well, that would be fine, but I’m here to visit with my American friend’s family.” Vincent pointed to me. “This is David Richards. My friend from school. We are visiting his family.”

Mr. Smith turned to me. “And where is your family?”

“Wyoming. A ranch near Cody.” I answered. “The name’s David Richards.” Not that he’d asked or was even interested before. Once he heard the accent and deemed me American, I was pretty well dismissed. Typical.

“Forgive me.” Mr. Smith said. “Well, we have some wonderful restaurants in Manhattan. When are you leaving for Wyoming?”

“Tomorrow,” I said.

“Then tonight? My treat.”

I shrugged to Vincent. “It’s your choice.”

Vincent nodded. “That will be fine. Eight o’clock? There will be four including David and two guards.”

The evening was okay. It amazed me how little they understood about Denmark. Again, typical.

 

Three of the guards going with us to my home didn’t speak much more than Danish, but I spoke fluently now, so I told them. “Nu, når vi kommer til Vesten. Ingen er at ved Vincent er en prins. Fra øjeblikket er han bare en fyr fra Danmark.” I told them once we were home, no one was to know Vincent is a prince. He was just a guy from Denmark.

The men nodded. “Forstået.” They said, saying they understood.

Once we got to Kansas City, we went to a shop to buy clothes.

“Why?” Vincent asked.

“You won’t be comfortable in that.” I pointed to his attire. “Not on a ranch.”

We bought clothes for all of them. A week's worth for five guys? The shopkeeper was thrilled! He could close early. We pretty much emptied his supplies.

The railways were still being constructed West and not yet completed, so we had to have carriages take us the rest of the way.

“This is exciting,” Vincent said looking out the window at the passing scenery. “It is so beautiful here.”

I grinned pleased he liked it as well as he did. “Wait until you see home.”

As usual, my friends and relatives greeted the carriages as we approached. And as they were Indian, that made the guards a bit nervous. I called back.

“Det er fint. Deres familie. Det er min fætter og hans venner, kommer til at sige Hej.” I said, telling them my cousin and friends were just here to say hello. “De vil ikke hovedbunden nogen.” I told them they wouldn’t scalp anyone.

Vincent chuckled. “You have to blame those that wrote those scary tales about Indians. It’s popular back home.”

I frowned. “Yes. Well, they take artistic license too far. Most are not even close to being true.”

“I know that. Well, do you think I sit around saying to be or not to be?” Vincent asked.

“He was a Danish prince.” I laughed. “I can see that.”

 

The house never looked so splendid. Once we arrived Mom came rushing out of the house. I got down and whipped her around as she hugged me. The Dad came from around the other side of the house and hugged me, too. Then Vincent.

“Welcome home, boys,” Dad said proudly. “This…” he pointed to the area. “Is my kingdom, Vincent.”

Vincent nodded. “It is beautiful.”

I introduced Jacy, my cousin, and my grandmother. Jacy knew the truth of who Vincent was, but he didn’t tell his friends. It was my grandmother that greeted him in Shoshone. Her fingers touching his face lovingly.

“Grandmother understands English, but only speaks Shoshone,” I explained.

“She was saying more than hello,” Vincent said.

Looking back to where the other Danes were, I leaned toward Vincent. “She knows about us and is welcoming you as a son of the Shoshone.”

Vincent nodded. “Thank you.” He bowed to my grandmother. “I am humbled that you accept me.”

Then grandmother said something that surprised me. I talked to her in Shoshone. She shrugged and pointed at Vincent. She had not been told about Vincent other than we were in love.

Vincent looked puzzled. “What did she say?”

“She said you were a king. Chief really. I asked her if Mom or Dad told her and she said it was in your eyes.” I shrugged. “Nothing escapes this woman.” I hugged her.

 

Vincent liked being just a guy. We rode and I showed him how we roped and worked the ranch. The roping part was a trick one learned by doing over time. He almost got it. But he enjoyed himself! It was refreshing Vincent told me.

The evening meals we all ate together. The hands ate with us as well. The hands employed here were the best in the United States, as far as Dad’s opinion. They were treated as such. We had a bunkhouse, with individual rooms for each, all heated and insulated in the cold. No one was hired that didn’t know how to read. If they didn’t, they had to agree to be taught by Mom. She didn’t want anyone to put an X on anything they couldn’t read and taught them to sign their name. It wasn’t like there was nothing at the ranch to read and the hands were welcome to read anything I had.

Then Dad sat back one night.

“We’ve got a drive coming up. Are you up for one for old times’ sake?”

I grinned. I hadn’t done one in years. It’d be fun.

“A drive?” Vincent asked.

“A cattle drive,” I told Vincent. “It will take a few days. How many head?” I asked Dad.

"Head?" Vincent whispered.

I leaned toward Vincent. "I asked how many steers."

“About two thousand,” Dad answered. “I’ve seen Vincent ride. Can you fire a gun, son?”

Vincent nodded. “I have. I can’t rope well though. Not like David can.”

Dad waved that off. “Roping is just a small part of the drive. My boys and David can do the roping. You just watch for wolves and cougar.”

“And rustlers,” I said and Dad nodded.

“Rustlers?”

“Cattle thieves,” I explained. “They steal prized cattle on drives. We’ve lost twelve in the past ten years. That’s not bad. Of course, they weren’t prized bulls, so not a big loss. Or they could simply have gotten lost.”

“Sounds like fun.” Vincent nodded. “I’d love to!”

 

The cattle drive was good to be on. But I loved the time I spent with my father. He stuck with Vincent and me most of the time. Two of Vincent’s guards went with us. The fact they spoke almost no English didn’t bother the hands a bit. Somehow they were all just teasing and kidding each other just fine. There was no real language barrier here. They were hooting and carrying on like old friends.

One night as we sat under the stars. Dad had us both alone.

“I have to ask you, Vincent. What are your plans for the future? Not about what you’ll be doing in Denmark, but what you intend to do with my son?”

I started to object, but Vincent stopped me. “He’s your father, David. He has the right to ask.” Vincent shook his head. “I love David.”

Dad nodded. “I gathered that.”

“My choices are limited,” Vincent said sadly. “Believe me, there are times I want to say fuck it about the whole thing.” It sounded bitter.

Dad looked at Vincent. “I can’t understand what you’re going through. I just want David safe.”

Vincent looked directly at Dad. “Mr. Richards, I would die before I let anything happen to your son.”

“But he could die,” Dad said. “You know that. If the two of you are caught. You might be punished, maybe, but he could be killed. You know that. That’s why I am so worried.”

Vincent nodded. “I do. But whether or not I take the crown, I want him in my life. If that means that I will do as my father has done, keeping it a secret. I don’t want to let David go.”

“My father-in-law had a tough time with his future wife, and that was only because he wanted to marry the princess of the tribe. My son is in love with a king. What should I be worried about but that? Society does not condone what you two are doing. I am concerned about my son’s safety!”

Vincent nodded sighing. “I know. I’ve considered letting David go.”

I didn’t know that. “What!?” I said in alarm.

Vincent held his hand up. “I need to decide what’s best for everyone. The best is what’s good for David. That would be letting him go.”

“That would be logical,” Dad said.

I stood up angrily. “Stop!” I demanded causing them to both look up surprised. “Don’t discuss this when I am right here. Isn’t anyone going to ask how I feel about this whole….shitty situation?”

Dad nodded. “Okay, son. How do you feel about this whole shitty situation?”

“It’s horrible! I hate it!” I said. “But you and I knew.” I pointed at Vincent. “This was just the way things were. The outcome was determined. I said when we first got together that I came into this with my eyes wide open. Didn’t I?”

Vincent nodded. “But is that fair? Not to you.”

“Who gives a damn about whether it’s fair? It is!” I said angrily. “And don’t you dare say you’d pass on the crown. That would not be fair to the people in Denmark! You’re a kind man, a gentle man and a very smart man who will lead his people forward! If it comes to me or them, I’ll step aside myself. No one will let me go. I’ll go on my own.”

Vincent rose. “We’re saying the same thing, David.”

“Really? Then why don’t I feel like we are?” I asked. “Vince, I don’t want to lose you. I will not be a secret from your wife. If you marry, tell her. Make her understand.”

Vincent thought a moment. “How would she take that?”

“Like we do. It is.”

Vincent nodded. “That depends on who it is, for one.”

I nodded then grinned. “At least, can I have a place near the palace?”

Vincent thought a moment. “I think I have the power to do that. Sure.” He grinned. “You still have the ring. You can still go and come as you please.” He hugged me tightly. “I love you, David.”

“I love you.”

The thing was if I had known, I did enjoy Vincent’s company on the drive. And we rode back to the house. Vincent and his guards looked a little saddle sore. I supposed Western saddles weren’t meant for our Viking descended cousins’ asses. If must have been because they were used to those small boats, not riding in saddles. I tried not to laugh. At least not out loud or in front of them. That was when I hugged Mom and then I hugged Dad for the last time. Only I didn’t know that. I loved my parents immensely. So, waving I saw my father for the last time.

 

When we arrived back in London, I was surprised to see King Fredrick and Queen Maregete at the Windsor Castle. They were visiting Queen Victoria. They rose when we came in.

“I hope you got…whatever it was…out of your system now.” Queen Maregete said stiffly.

Vincent looked at his father, ignoring his mother. “I had the best time! We did everything, Father. I even went on a cattle drive!” He said excitedly making his father smile more. “It was amazing! We slept outdoors, we ate outdoors….it was incredible!”

His father grinned. “So, it was worth it.”

“It was! There is a beautiful world out there, father. David’s father and Mother are wonderful people.”

“Well, you have college,” Maregete said. “And then duties.”

Vincent frowned turning to his mother. “Is duty all I have?”

Maregete didn’t understand. “It is your life. You were born for it.”

Vincent nodded. “Can’t I just enjoy how I feel for now?”

Fredrick came to Vincent. The people of Brittan and the royal houses didn’t give in to public displays of affection, but King Fredrick nodded. “Of course you can, son.” He hugged his son. I think was I surprised, but his mother was even more surprised at this open display. “Tell me all about it.”

Vincent told his father everything that happened from the moment we arrived in New York to when we left. Even Queen Victoria commented in places, seemingly interested. Queen Maregete was not.

“Sleeping outside, eating, going to the bathroom outside. It sounds revolting!” Maregete said in disgust.

“Maregete!” Fredrick said firmly, having reached the end of his patience, even for his queen. “Did you just hear what he said? Did you not hear how he said it? There was a passion I haven’t heard in years. There were lights in his eyes.” King Fredrick turned to me. “Thank you, David.”

Up until then, I was always Mr. Richards. Now I was David? I bowed to him. “It was my pleasure, Your Majesty.”

King Fredrick nodded. “I will send a message of thanks to your father and mother, David. But I think most of this is your doing.”

“I’m just a friend, Your Majesty.”

The smile on King Fredrick’s face told me otherwise. The Queen Maregete was not happy, but she kept it to herself from then on. She did not like how things were becoming so…informal. First names? Hugging with others seeing it!? It wasn’t done! But King Fredrick had done it.

 

Cambridge. We were both accepted at Cambridge. And once again we stayed in residence at Windsor Castle. And once again guards were sent taking us, attending and back to the castle. At least this time the guards were still in uniform, but that went better as they looked more our age. I was taking industrial engineering courses. Vincent was taking courses in world government. So, we only saw each other a few times during the day. Again, we were always mindful of what others saw. Another Christmas Ball. Visiting with Beverly again. Walking back to our rooms at Windsor Castle, I was reading the letter my parents sent. I was happy and sad at the news.

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay with your parents?” Vincent asked concerned seeing me stop and frowning.

I waved him off. “They’re fine. There was a fire at the house.” I explained. Then shrugged. “Dad says it wasn’t a total loss, but nearly half the house was destroyed.” I looked at the date and figured the days. “This was over a month ago.”

“But they’re okay.” Vincent wanted assurance.

I nodded. “Oh, yeah, they’re fine.” I read on and chuckled. “Dad says all my books are fine.”

Vincent chuckled. “Good. There was a moment I was worried.” He made a show of sighing in mock relief as we entered our rooms.

I threw a sofa pillow at him which he caught. “They must have been restoring. Dad said he was including some of my ideas.”

Vincent nodded. “Wise man.”

I smiled at the note. “And Dad got not only an official proclamation from your father with a personal note and a personal note from Queen Victoria!”

Vincent got up and took the letter and tossed it aside. “Well, Father said he would. Now, cousin Victoria…that is a surprise. Though she could see how much it meant to me, even if Mother didn’t.” He pulled me back on the bed. “How about some one on one?”

“Doing what?” I grinned as he kissed me.

“You know,” Vincent growled.

 

Cambridge was a bit more demanding than Wentworth. And it should be. Finding time for Vincent and me to have a few private moments was hard. But we did. There were many nights we had to study, which we did. The years passed and soon our time there was growing short. We often went to Copenhagen. Then the fateful day came. There were more people at dinner than either Vincent or I had expected. We were presented to King Olav and Queen Martha of Norway. And their daughter, Angelica Behn. She was like most princesses, beautiful. Blonde.

My heart grew cold as I realized why they were here. Why Angelica was here. She was being presented because she was the one to marry Vincent. Of course, she was. She was a princess. She was a nice person, spoke many languages, as did most people in this part of the world. But she didn’t seem that interested in Vincent. That part was okay with me. That gave me a little hope. She was just seventeen. King Olav and Queen Martha were interested in who I was and why I was included in this private family moment. To my surprise, it was King Fredrick that jumped to my side.

“David is practically a member of the family.” King Fredrick said quickly. “He and Vincent have attended school together almost ten years. He saved Vincent’s life once. And he has the ring of Trust.”

That impressed them enough to drop some formalities with me. Fascinated that I came from America and was a cowboy and all that stuff. Blah, blah, blah. Again, I was tested by them occasionally on my knowledge. By Maregete first.

“I know you speak several languages. Vet du kanskje ikke kunne snakke norsk.” She was certain I didn’t speak Norwegian.

I grinned at Vincent who smiled back a little slyly. He knew I understood his mother. “Tror jeg, igjen, jeg kan overraske deg.” I smiled at her. Telling her I was going to surprise her again.

Vincent chuckled. So did his father. Vincent shook his head. “When are you going to give it up, Mother. I told you he’s smart the first time you met. How many languages are you speaking now?” Vincent asked.

I shrugged. “I’ve lost count. English, German, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Danish. Those I have a pretty fluent understanding. Norwegian is one I’m still learning.”

Queen Martha nodded. “Vel, gjør du bra. Knapt en aksent på alle.” She said I almost had it with no accent.

I smiled to her. “Takk, du er majestet.” I thanked her.

“Tell me, are languages the most of your studies?” King Olav asked.

“The only language I’ve studied was Latin,” I explained. “I was pretty young when I first started reading. Mother says about two. And my father bought books every time he went somewhere. Others he just ordered. I think I have over a thousand. I was reading Latin, German and French before I was ten.” I was blushing now. I don’t blush. I didn’t like to brag and it sounded like I was. “My father was very indulgent and I love learning. Only I didn’t have anyone to speak the languages with. Here there is no shortage. I just pick them up.”

King Olav looked at his daughter. “I wish Angelica made such a friend.”

His daughter smiled, but I got the feeling it was a more roll your eyes at the old man smile. Rolling your eyes at the king would have been very un-princess-like.

“You forgot one language.” Vincent smiled as he spoke a little harder. He was getting angry.

I knew of only one I hadn’t mentioned on purpose and he knew why. I shrugged. “Some may not understand…” I began.

“His grandmother is Shoshone. He speaks that fluently as well.” Vincent said proudly.

“You’re part Indian?” King Olav asked in amazement. At least he’d heard of the Shoshone.

“Vinnie!” I shook my head. I said it without thinking and more in shock and to him. You never know how people are going to react to the news.

Maregete threw her napkin down. “How dare you!?” She said to me. You weren’t familiar with the royal families when others are around, remember?

Vincent was a little tense now. “Was he being too informal with me, Mother? He dares because he can, Mother. He is the one person who can and that will not change. I trust him with my life.” He wasn’t shouting but he was saying it very firmly. “He has seen me at my lowest and worse, but he never ran. He knows me. No one can say that, not even at this table. He doesn’t care that I’m the future king of Denmark. He likes me in spite of that fact! I know for a fact he wishes I weren’t, but I am. You want me to do my duty. Fine. I’m doing it. You want me to marry Angelica? Fine. I’ll do it. She doesn’t appear the least bit interested in me and believe me, I sincerely hope she’s not. Maybe she has a young man back in Norway that has her heart. I want her to keep him. You can’t understand that I need David. But I do! He’s the one person I can count on to tell me the truth. If I behave like an ass, he will call me an ass. Mother, I wish you could aspire to be half the woman David’s mother is. She is part of a good, noble people. So is he. I know, because I’ve met them. Nobility isn’t earned by who you are born to or what class. His Indian blood, those people you view as savages are noble and a proud people and deservedly so. I’ll do my duty.” He stood put his napkin down a little roughly. “Please excuse me.” He said and walked away. Maregete was very angry and quietly fuming. But King Fredrick looked at me pleading with his eyes.

“Perhaps you can speak with him.” King Fredrick said.

I get up and put my napkin down. “Of course, Your Majesty.” And I went quickly to look for Vincent. I had to ask a few guards who said he hadn’t gone back to his palace but indicated the direction. I stopped at the entrance to the throne room. Looking in, I saw Vincent sitting on his father’s throne looking sad and a little mad.

“Vincent?” I asked coming in. “Are you okay?”

“No,” Vincent answered. “Look at this.” He waved about the room. The huge solid gold lions and the massive thrones he and his wife would sit on in the future. The checkered marble floor, the paintings, and tapestry were all ornate. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

I walked up slowly. “It is. But I don’t feel the weight of it like you do.”

“No one would.” He looked at me. “But you understand best if anyone does.”

“I appreciate what you said, but…”

Vincent’s eyebrows came together. “I feel trapped. Like my life is not my own.” He sat forward. “Don’t ever think I don’t love you, David. If anything I need you more now than I ever did. You are the one person I trust. You’ll tell me the truth. Am I being unrealistic?”

I sat beside him, in what was the Queen’s throne, it was close enough to touch Vincent. “I don’t think so.” I sighed. “Now that it’s happening, we can’t just ignore it. You will have to marry someone. You will have to produce an heir. The difference now is it’s beginning to happen.” Then I smiled. “You didn’t see Angelica’s face when you were speaking to your mother. Especially when you wished Angelica had a young man back home.”

Vincent smiled. “Why?”

I shrugged. “She seemed pleased. It may be she does have a young man at home.”

Vincent nodded with a grin. “Good.” Then he got up and began pacing like he’d done many times when he was working things out in his head. “I don’t understand why I should marry her. We are basically the same as countries. I feel like one of your father’s prized bulls, be led out to breed!”

“That’s just what you are. And we’re not the same with Norway.” A deep voice said. Fredrick walked in, so I stood up instantly. Sitting on a throne that wasn’t your own could get you killed. Fredrick waved to me with a smile. “We won’t mention it to his mother.”

I bowed a little. “That would be appreciated.”

Fredrick smiled. “The mineral wealth of Angelica’s home country is needed here. For our ships to even be built, we need their minerals. They need our food supplies. When I married your mother, she was a woman of noble birth from the British Empire. Through her, any problems we faced would be met not only by our Navy but the Navy of the British Empire. We have a vast output of agriculture. An alliance with Norway ensures our ships will continue and more can be made. Also, our industries.”

Vincent nodded. “We can do that with a simple trade.”

Fredrick nodded. “We could. When you were sick. The Queen of England came to visit, as I understand. She came to see that you were alright. That was a more personal visit. She came to assure herself that her relative was well cared for. She did not send a representative. That’s why the alliances.”

Vincent nodded. “But I don’t love Angelica. She doesn’t love me.”

Fredrick nodded also. “She is of royal birth. And she is of marriageable age. For hundreds of years, the choicest people have bred and produced her. You represent the best Denmark has to offer. Through you and her, you will no doubt have strong children who can receive the crown. Both of you are in the line where no expense was spared to give you the best food, the best education and are the best each of our countries have to offer. It is what we can do to continue that line. Unless you can find someone of noble birth to replace her. And you can’t choose David.”

Vincent frowned. “I don’t know why. People don’t like it? Too bad.”

Fredrick shook his head. “Our culture is primarily Lutheran. As a religious belief, that kind of relationship is forbidden. You know that.”

“So, you didn’t love the man you took to Paris?”

Fredrick smiled. “Christian was and is, a love that has been with me from when I was your age, before your mother. He still is that love. We both knew a relationship between us would be…hazardous. For both of us. He is…my David. A man that will tell me the truth, even if I don’t want to hear it. At first, I thought it was because Christian and I could never have children together, but I’d cheapen the man if I didn’t say. I truly love that man.” Then he looked seriously at Vincent. “Your mother has a David of her own.”

Vincent and I were shocked by this news. Vincent frowned. “She cheated on you?”

Fredrick nodded. “As I have cheated on her. Her David was a Russian Ambassador. You have a half-sister with him.”

Vincent was flabbergasted hearing this. But he was listening more. “How old?”

“You were about three when she was born,” Fredrick answered. “So she’d be twenty now.”

“And no one suspected?”

“Ladies’ fashions hide a lot of things.” Fredrick laughed. “She went away the last few months and had the child. I’ve not seen the child, but I hear she’s very beautiful.”

“Okay.” Vincent nodded. “So mother’s human. I know why I’m in line for the throne. But most times, I don’t know I want it.”

“It’s okay, son.” Fredrick nodded. “There were times, even now, that I want to throw it all away. Can you think of someone who has been prepared since birth, educated and can do the job?”

Vincent had no answer.

“Keep your heart, son,” Fredrick said. Then he looked at me. “And you keep yours. Vincent needs you. Now more than any time before. Your clarity of thought and you will keep him sane. Don’t think otherwise.”

 

The courtship between Vincent and Angelica made the newspapers around Europe. Even in America, though not as well publicized or as well received. Vincent and Angelica agreed that both of them would not see, in the biblical sense, the people they loved before and would not see them again until after a child was conceived.

Vincent paced again in the bedroom he and I had shared before. “I know what to do with a woman. I just…” he shivered like the thought was repugnant to him. “Don’t want to.”

I chuckled. “Well, she isn’t ugly. You’ll have beautiful children.”

Vincent smirked at me. “That is not very comforting.”

“You may find you like it,” I said softly. He could! He’d never had sex with a woman, he may find that’s what he really wants.

Vincent frowned. “Do you think I’d ever give you up?”

I shrugged. “I hope not, but….”

Vincent walked over and hugged and kissed me. “I love you, David. I’m not doing this because I want to. I have to.”

I nodded. “I know. It’s just me being paranoid. I’m sorry.”

Vincent looked me in the eyes. “Don’t be sorry. You’re not being paranoid. The idea that I am being intimate with someone else is….something to worry about. I understand. I’m the one that’s sorry.”

 

It was a week before the wedding. I was in a home that Vincent had presented to me near the palace. It was a house grander than I thought I’d get, only a block from the palace. Big, like most things in Denmark. A messenger came. A telegram. My heart sunk. It would have to be grave to send something like this instead of a letter. Opening it, I have never been so upset in my life. My father was dead. I sat down hard. All my strength was gone. If someone put a knife to my heart, it could not have felt worse. At least with a knife, there would be an end. But not with this. Time seemed to stop. I stopped. My mind shut off. Everything stopped. I don’t know how long when Vincent came in.

“What happened? I’ve called for you for two days. You haven’t been around. Your staff says you haven’t eaten or come out of this office for two days!” Vincent asked knowing something was really wrong.

Two days? Had it been that long? I couldn’t reply, I just handed him the telegram. He read it and sat beside me suddenly. My father’s death was having a similar effect on him.

“I am so sorry,” Vincent said as tears formed in his eyes. Then he hugged me. I appreciated it, but I couldn’t cry.

I didn’t like this. I couldn’t take comfort to a soon to be a married man. A man I vowed not to touch or be involved with. “Don’t you have work to do? Your wedding is a few days.” I said to get rid of him.

Vincent held his head. “I can’t marry now. Your father has died!”

I looked at him. “So? My father died. Not yours. My father was nobody. You are the Crown Prince of Denmark about to marry the person he’s supposed to.”

Vincent looked at me helplessly. “How can I? And he was not a nobody! He was your father!!” He got up. “In a lot of ways, he was more my father than my own father is! He was somebody to me. Don’t say he wasn’t! And I know he was somebody to you. I’m calling it quits with the wedding.”

I stood up grabbing his arm. “You can’t!!” I shouted. I tried to calm down. “Not even a postponement! You will marry Angelica. You will produce the heir and then, maybe, just maybe we can get back to what we had before. Until then, all is as it was planned. It has to be.”

Tears were coming down his face. “And what are you going to do?”

I thought for the first time in two days. “Well, I need to bath for one. I will be at the wedding. But I need to go home.”

Vincent looked horrified. “Will you come back?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know right now.”

Vincent nodded. “When do you think you’ll leave?”

“As soon as the wedding is done, and I can book passage.”

“I’ve put in the request that you be made Ambassador for Denmark and Norway. I sent it to your government.” Vincent said with a shrug. “You have the languages and skill.”

“But not the age,” I said. “They will probably ignore it.”

Vincent hugged me again. “But they can’t ignore King Fredrick or King Olav Behn. They also requested you.”

That should have surprised me, but I was numb. “I suppose they will do it.”

“They also got a word of recommendation from Queen Victoria.”

That did surprise me. “She recommended me.” I nodded. “I see they have no choice, they will do it.”

“You have spent almost half your life over here,” Vincent said. “A wiser choice I don’t know about. Don’t you think your father wanted you to be more than just a rancher? Not that there is anything wrong with being a rancher. But you have a choice now.”

I nodded. “Probably.”

We made a promise to each other. There was to be nothing between Vincent and me until he produces an heir. Vincent thought it was only right if Angelica was to deny herself, he was to deny himself.

“And I want you to stand with me when I marry. Be my best man. Otherwise, I can’t do it.” Vincent asked.

I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

 

The wedding was spectacular. Lavish. Why not? He was going to be a king and she was to be the queen. She was beautiful. I will admit the kiss at the end was a little chaste, but it happened.

It was at the reception I was approached by Queen Maregete. It was the first time she spoke to me with a genuine smile on her face. I was a little scared for a moment seeing the smile. “I wanted to thank you.”

This was unexpected. “For what, Your Majesty?”

She shook her head. “I think we can dismiss that, David. It’s just Maregete from now on.” She gazed at me with a sad smile. “You have been a very, very good friend to my son. And don’t think I don’t know about the two of you. Vincent thinks I don’t know him, but I see how he looks at you, and you look at him. A mother knows. You’ve given good counsel. And he’s listened. I was worried that the relationship between you two would cause him to not want to take the responsibility he has. I realize this has taken a great deal of sacrifice on both or your parts. For that, I am so grateful. Vincent told me you’ve just lost your father. I am truly sorry. I wish I had met him.” She sounded sincere. “Your parents sound like very good people. Perhaps, in the future, if your mother comes here, I will make her acquaintance. She raised a good son. To watch the man you love, marry someone else because of duty takes a great deal of strength. Strength you have. Please come back. Vincent needs you. Please don’t turn your back on him.” She took in a deep breath. “They say the monarchy is dying around the world. Perhaps that is true. But for now…” she shrugged and left.

I didn’t know what I would do. But I had to go back to Wyoming. I watched with a heavy heart as Vincent and Angelica got in the carriage that would take them to their ship and they would be off on their honeymoon. I didn’t know where and I didn’t care. The crowd cheered and waved, but I saw Vincent look over at me longingly, but waved. But I couldn’t assure him about what I’d do. I didn’t know what I could do. I hurt so much.

I booked passage two weeks later. Ships were getting faster now and the trip seemed to fly almost.

 

Back to Wyoming

I turned to Maggie. Her Aunt Charlotte still looked amazed at what she saw, the books, the house. “No matter what you do. Don’t stop reading and don’t let anyone tell you who to love or how your life should be. You decide. No one can dictate your own fate. Be powerful. Knowledge is that power. Read. Stay informed.”

That’s when we heard horses at the front door and the sounds of people gathering.

Mother went to the door. Looking out, she smiled. “I believe these men are here for you, David.” She stood back as some well-dressed men in dark suits and wearing polished boots entered almost out of breath.

“David Richards?” One man asked all of us.

“That would be me.” I stepped forward.

The man stepped forward. “We tried to meet you when you arrived in New York. You travel quickly. Got off the ship and on to a train. We hoped you would stay a night. We couldn’t keep up.” Then he smiled. “By the request of President Grover Cleveland, you are hereby asked to become the United States Ambassador to Denmark and Norway.” He presented me with the letter with Grover Cleveland’s signature.

I nodded. “I am here to pay respects to my father. He died while I was overseas. I need to get some things settled here, first.”

The man nodded. “I will so inform the President. Do I tell him that you will accept the position?”

I grinned tightly. “I will send an answer.”

Both Charlotte and Maggie were almost speechless. “He’s going to be Ambassador? He’s so young!” Charlotte questioned in disbelief.

The man shrugged. “He speaks their languages and was requested by the King of Denmark, Norway personally and friends with three countries’ rulers including frequent visits to Denmark and England and recommended by Queen Victoria. Yes, Ma’am. They want him to be Ambassador very badly.” And he walked toward the door.

“We have dinner for you gentlemen.” Mom said to the man that was leaving.

He stopped with a smile. “That would be wonderful, Ma’am.”

“We have room.” Mom said. “If you need to stay. It will be late soon.”

“You’re very kind.” The man gave her a slight bow. “Thank you.”

I looked at Maggie again and pressed again. “Never stop reading. Never!”

Maggie shook her head and grasped her book tighter. “I won’t. I promise.”

 

It was nice being home. It was great to see family and friends. Mom ended up hiring Maggie. No big surprise about that. It turned out Charlotte was not her real Aunt, no surprise there either, she was barely a friend of Maggie’s mother, and when Maggie’s mother died she had promised to look out for Maggie until she was ready to be out in the world. Mr. Proctor was a way for this Aunt Charlotte to wash her hands of Maggie and that responsibility. Maggie, it turned out to be a very hard worker. And as long as I allowed her access to the books, she was happy. Later she would fall for one of our hands and marry the man. And have three boys! The poor thing. But that was later.

Having not worked on the ranch for some years now, it was a little rougher than I remembered, or maybe I had just gone soft. Yes, that was probably it. Either way, it was good work. In the evening I sat by Dad’s grave and talked to the man. I grieved, but I never cried. I missed him. Until one day when I was thinking about what to do with a stubborn bull and my first thought was to ask Dad. That was when I realized he was truly gone. That’s when I cried. His absence would always be felt there. Then I began to miss England. I missed Denmark. I missed Vincent. I was there almost six months when one evening I sat by Dad’s grave, talking to his memory and enjoying the bourbon he loved. I gave him a drink too, pouring it on the ground above him. He always liked a stiff belt of bourbon!

“I bet he’s very proud of you.” I heard the voice I missed. I almost dropped the bottle. Dad would have killed me if he weren’t already dead.

Spinning around I gaped in shock. “Vince!”

“Hello, David,” Vincent said softly. “I really missed you.” He was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. Handsome and he looked…older now. His dark hair blowing in the cool breeze.

“My god, Vince! Are you really here!?” I asked standing next to him, but uncertain if I should touch him.

“I’m really here,” Vincent answered with a nod. Then he smiled. “I take it from your question, you want me to be here.”

I wrapped arms around him. “That’s a stupid statement. Of course, I want you here. Does that mean…?”

He nodded. “She’s pregnant.” He looked at me unsure. “How do you feel about that?”

“Was it….good?” I asked. “And spare me the details, but tell me…did you like it?”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t unpleasant.” He admitted. “But it was sort of like doing it with my own hand. I might have enjoyed my hand more. It got the job done. Truthfully, it sort of made me sick.” Then he looked at me almost shyly. “More important. It wasn’t you.”

That was when I kissed him hard. When he realized I wasn’t angry or hurt, but loved him still, the kiss he gave back with as much passion and force as I’d given him. I couldn’t stop touching him, nor could he stop touching me.

“I missed you so much,” Vincent said, and his voice was broken as he was crying. “I love you, David. Please come back. Come home. Please.”

“Yes!” I said before I realized it. “Of course I will. You know that. I love you, Vince. Please believe me. I love you.” Then I realized I was crying. The longing I felt for him, for the world I left behind in England and Denmark. “Of course I’ll come back.” Then I looked at him. “For you.”

That broke flood gates with him as he hugged me so hard. “This has been hard for you, I know. Losing your father, watching me marry someone else. Just don’t leave me again. I don’t think I can survive if you did.”

“Where is Angelica? Shouldn’t she be with you?”

He waved that off. “She’s in Norway. With her mother and father. She’s being well cared for. We should be back long before the baby’s born.”

“And I know it’ll look just like you.” I grinned wiping the tears from his face. “Well, I’ll send a message to President Cleveland I’ll take the position. And I know the heir and a spare you have in royal circles. Any plans for the second?”

Vincent shrugged. “Well, Mom and Dad waited ten years. So, I say we have at least a decade.” He chuckled. “Plenty of trips to Paris. A lot of overnights at the United States Embassy for me.”

I nodded. “I want that.” I kissed him. “I love you, Vincent.”

He smiled knowing it was true. “I love you, David.”