Chapter 20

"One of your many palace's menservants went to my house, saying that you seek my presence," Charlotte turned around and was met with her handsome betrothed. "And here I am."

Luna went to greet Benedict before Charlotte had the chance. The royal pet stood in her two paws and leaned on the Duke's thighs for support. Luna moved her head and barked with much excitement as he greeted her.

"Hello, Luna!" He crouched down to the dog's level and petted her head. The sight of her dog being so happy and their interaction melted Charlotte's heart. "You seem happy to see me even though I have only seen you once."

"Perhaps she knows how much I care for you," she smiled. "And she has grown fond of you as well."

"Perhaps," he nodded and stood up to properly greet her.

They were alone in one of the many unoccupied drawing rooms of the palace. And the soon-to-be Duke of Kent and Strathearn didn't hesitate to do what he did. Without a warning, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips against her. She giggled against his lips in surprise, and with confidence, she kissed him back.

"Colin may give cozy hugs," she got on her tiptoes and pecked his lips. "But you are certainly kissable, my love."

"Is that so?" He smirked and sighed. "If only I could kiss you more often..."

"You know very well we cannot," she sighed and took a step back from him. "Which is the reason of your presence."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"As much as I would like to explain it all to you, in a lovely and patiently way, I was told I could not," she said sincerely. "This is a meeting with my Private Secretary, soon to be yours as well, Sir Thomas Ward."

"You've never mentioned him," he said and she shrugged.

"I did not see a need. He doesn't accompany me everywhere I go like Martin does, but..." She sighed with a small smile. "Well, who am I to explain his obligations, I am sure he will explain everything."

Then, one of the doors of the room opened.

"Sir Thomas Ward, Your Royal Highness," the palace's footman informed them, Charlotte nodded and smiled when her Private Secretary walked in the room. "Would you like me to inform the servants to get you some refreshments, or perhaps tea?"

"That would be great. Tea, a few refreshments and macaroons for me, please," she sighed nervously and with a small smile. "I believe we will be here for quite a while."

"Of course, Your Royal Highness," he bowed his head and closed the door of the room.

"Your Royal Highnesses," Thomas greeted and bowed his head. "Lovely to see you, Princess."

"Tommy," as always, Thomas grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. "It's been a while. Did you enjoy your freedom?"

"I have never felt trapped with you, Princess," he chuckled. "But everything was great, thank you. It is good to be back."

"Tommy?" Benedict looked at her with a small frown.

"A friendly nickname from everyone, sir," Thomas explained and offered him his hand. "Sir Thomas Ward, at your service. As your future Private Secretary, it is responsibility for the official programme and correspondence of you and the Princess."

"A pleasure," Benedict said with a smile and a nod as they shook hands. "The Princess mentioned you are here to explain some things, primarily to me."

"Indeed," Thomas nodded.

"Please, all of you, take a seat," Charlotte offered with a smile.

The Private Secretary sat on a chair in front of the Princess and Benedict, who sat together on a sofa, each in a corner of it.

"By order of Cabinet and the agreement of Her Majesty The Queen, I am here to explain how the world of royalty works and to clarify any doubts or assumptions about your place in the Royal Family as the princess's husband," Thomas started. "It was not necessary for Her Royal Highness to be present, but she insisted, to make things more...comfortable for you."

"No man likes being told what to do," she looked at her future husband with a small smile. "I am here for moral support and to be your comfort."

"Thank you, my love," he smiled gratefully at her and looked back at the Private Secretary. "Please, do continue."

"I will start by explaining how the monarchy works when it comes to decision-making of any sort," he said. "Cabinet is a group of 22 people led and chosen by the Prime Minister who are the main decision-makers of the British monarchy. It does not hurt to emphasize the current Prime Minister's name, Sir Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool."

"Must I meet the Prime Minister or stand before Cabinet some day?" Benedict asked, deep down praying it wasn't necessary.

"Not necessarily, sir. Perhaps only the day of your wedding, you will see, or meet them all. The Princess has met the Prime Minister a few times, but only by greeting. He is here primarily to speak of matters of the kingdom with the sovereign, or in our case, His Royal Highness The Prince Regent," he explained. "There are some rules the Royal Family is required to follow as tradition and prove of power. Now, I will explain to you the order of precedence in the United Kingdom, which includes England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland."