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 roomhe 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. Hehoped 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. Wewereacting 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.”
