The Duke and Duchess of Clarence

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Prodigal Son

6th of February 2024 Clarence House

The news had broken the day before after Charles had broken the news to most of his immediate family, the only exception had been Harry who had only been notified moments before the announcement had been made. 

It had been done in an attempt to limit the Sussexes trying to sell the information given to them, just as they had tried to do when the late Queen had passed away and trying to gain from such announcements. 

The announcement came the day after Charles attended church at St. Mary Magdalene Church near Sandringham with Camilla; the Sunday service marked the monarch's first outing since leaving the hospital following a three-day stay after his prostate procedure. 

Shortly after the announcement had been made, a statement was issued from California that Harry would be making the journey from California to London so that he might visit his father after his diagnosis. 

Harry was to make the journey alone, Meghan and the children remaining in California according to his team; already puff pieces appearing about how close Harry and Meghan were to Charles despite their strained relationship with the rest of the family. 

Charles didn't know what to expect nor was he in the mood to deal with his youngest son, he had received his first treatment the day before and he was retreating to Sandringham to recover in peace. 

He wasn't in the mood to deal with Harry, who continued to leak a false narrative to the press that he spoke to his father often when Charles had not spoken to his son since the coronation which Harry left early despite the reports they had spoken on Charles' birthday. 

Of course, Harry had demands about such a meeting and had refused to have Camilla in the room when he met with his father; his hatred only seeming to grow for his father's second wife even after he had trashed her in Spare. 

Charles had not wished to expose his beloved wife to such hatred and had sent a request for someone else to attend the meeting for he would never meet with Harry alone after everything that he had done. 

There would always be a witness to everything that had been said and done, so that Harry could not tell the world that Charles had been entirely unfair to him or make accusations. 

"The Duke of Sussex, Your Majesty," the valet announced ignoring the look of distain from the prince, who would not be announced as His Royal Highness as agreed when Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals. 

Harry walked into the room after the valet, his face a slight shade of red that seemed to be constant every time that Charles saw his son these days; a look of displeasure on his face at how he had been presented. 

The valet bowed to Charles before making his exit, knowing that the King would not be staying in Clarence House for long after already delaying his leave so that he might met with Harry. 

"Pa," Harry greeted with a stiff nod, he offered nothing else as he stared at his father almost expecting a warm welcome rather than the tired look that was on Charles' face. 

It was then that Harry released that they weren't alone like he had wanted, there seated beside their father was Adeline; her face revealing nothing as she stared at him. 

"Harry," Charles greeted, he didn't stand from his chair to greet his son like he had done when Adeline as arrived; he just wanted this over and done with so that he might leave and get some rest. 

William had refused to come to this meeting, stating that he had no brother and would not be in the same room as Harry; he had disowned him and he was not in the mood to deal with Harry or his drama with everything else going on.