I’ve never owned a car in my life, and when I told him that he looked confused, as if it was impossible. No one in New York had a car, there was a subway and more busses than I could keep track of, but Thomas has actually never used public transportation. I literally laughed when he first told me this.
We’re so different in many ways, but that doesn’t affect how I feel about him, and I don’t think it makes him feel any different about me. When I once asked him how he could date someone as simple and poor as me he seemed to get offended, and not because I was challenging his decisions, but because I was speaking of myself in that way.
It was worth getting the question out there thought, because the local newspaper definitely reported on who I was, what I’d done, and what I didn’t have – royal blood. Thomas said he didn’t care, and no one in the palace treated me any different, not that they had much of a choice since I was with Thomas so much everyone knew I was special to him.
In some ways he had told the truth about having this immense pressure to take over the family business, although he lacked interest, because everything to do with the royal family seemed to bore him, although it was exciting and fun for me.
I think my being there was the only enjoyment he got from the daily appearances we had to make. One day we would be following his father as he spoke to crowds and communities, and others, like tonight we would attend fancy dinners welcoming foreign leaders, or simply gatherings of the elite.
I’d acquired a large closet full of fancy new clothing, which was personally delivered by my own private shopper, who I was assigned my first day at the palace. It was all strange to me, but Thomas wanted me to know that none of it was a big deal so that I would stop feeling guilty about everything. I didn’t want him to feel like I was after his money, but he was insistent that I let him handle everything.
When he found out I had emptied my savings, prepared to rent a place here, or stay in a hotel while I reached out to talk to him, he was both in awe and upset. After several debates, I finally relented and allowed him to reimburse me for my plane tickets, because it made him feel like he’d lacked as a gentleman. I thought it was pretty cute; he was always the romantic, even though he constantly denied it.
Just like our time in New York, our few short weeks in his home country had passed quickly, and we had gotten to know each other a lot in a short amount of time. There was so much we needed to know about each other and now that I knew about his royal ties, he seemed to be an open book, sharing as much as he could about his life.
We’d gone on tours around the Capital city, Thomas determined to show me where he’d gone to school, and to introduce me to every one of his friends and family members, all of which seemed quite happy to meet me despite my insecurities. I didn’t want to offend his family, but I was over the moon in love with him, although I’d yet to express it openly to him.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and every night we spent together felt like a dream. I couldn’t get enough time with him, and when he would go away to events without me, I’d count the hours until his return.
Him being away was actually quite rare, mostly when his father needed to show him something royal or having to do with the military or the government, obviously I wasn’t privy to those types of conversations, but for everything else I was right by his side.
Thankfully, my family was very understanding, and to my surprise even proud of me for following my heart. How ironic that I end up near the places I traveled to when I was younger, so enthralled by their history and sad when I had to return. Now I loved here, at least for the time being.
Thomas and I hadn’t spoken much about our plans for the future or how long I would stay, but from the way he made plans for me, and set up my life completely here in the royal palace, I
figured he wanted me to stay a long time. Everyone tells me he’s more relaxed and happy around me, and that makes me proud.
We have a lot of fun together, so that’s not shocking at all. Although I have a difficult time understanding that he was such a playboy before meeting me. To me he’s such a romantic and gentleman, I can’t begin to fathom him dating the girls in the way he’s told me. I guess dating is too strong of a word for what he was doing, but you know what I mean.
In some ways, I was his first as much as he was mine. I took his emotional virginity, if that was a thing. In the states, he never even told women about his legacy. Jessica found out on her own, and he swears their relationship was casual until she discovered his wealth and wanted it for herself.
In retrospect I can see how vindictive and biter she was, seeing me having access to him in ways she never did, but it still hurt that she knew more about him than me. I was sure that wasn’t the case now, but when she ambushed us outside his penthouse apartment, I was completely caught off guard, reasonably so.
Lisa was a great friend for recommending I follow him here, and luckily it had all worked out in my favor since my arrival.
Walking into the closet, I slip out of my long black gown, laying it over the wooden bench that our clothes for the day go on, only to be collected the following morning by a member of the house keeping staff.
When I told Thomas I could do my own laundry he laughed long and loud before revealing he did not even know where the laundry was done in the palace. The thought was so ridiculous to me that I prodded until he figured out, taking me to the basement to see a full staff ironing and separating all of our clothes. It seriously blew my mind. I used the laundry mat in New York for my whole life.
I’ve just sat down at the vanity in Thomas’ adjoining closet, which he has designated as my space, when I hear the bedroom door open and close. His footsteps are loud across the hardwood floor as he goes from room to room looking for me.
I might call this a bedroom, but it's more like an apartment in itself. In addition to the bedroom, which is larger than my apartment back home, there is also a sitting area, a study, two closets, a massive bathroom, and even a living area fit with a wood burning fire place.
"Here you are," he announces at the doorway, looking on as I sit in my black lace lingerie and the diamonds he’d gifted me before our dinner date.
"I figured you’d fine me," I smile as he makes her way across the room, stopping behind me as his strong hands massage my shoulders. I could never grow tired of his touch, and as if he knows it he continues to shower me with affection every day.
"What were you doing?" he asks.
"I was just going to take a bath," I tell him, nodding towards the bedroom.
He can’t understand my obsession with his deep soaker bathtub, but after spending my entire life in the city, it’s a rare luxury that I never got to experience in any apartment I had as an adult.
"Can I join you?" he tugs at his bowtie.
"Of course," I perk up.
While our intimacy hasn’t declined at all across the world, we’ve never bathed together, as he tends to think my long baths are hilariously unnecessary. I watch as he slowly undresses, laying his clothes on top of mine on the wooden bench to be cleaned in the morning.