Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Thirty

There were days where it was three countries in a day, a day that wasn't meant to breathe or expand, a day where exhaustion clouded the next few days, a day where sleep came easily. Then there were days were one country a day. Last night they had flown into Sofia, Bulgaria, where they slept at the consulate for the night and were then refreshed in the morning-- well, somewhat refreshed.

It wasn't an early day compared to others, and Meredith woke up to find her husband beside her, fast asleep. Watching him sleep, he looked so peaceful and young again. It was easy in the constant tide of people and press to forget that he wasn't even forty yet, even though he began to look it. Meredith thought it was the beard, but Harry was happy to keep the damn thing. She sighed and looked at the ceiling, wondering what her father was up to as he traveled the world and what her best friends were up to-- Kyra, Rachel and Chloe. Kyra was still in university, on her way to a masters. Rachel was preparing for a baby girl. Chloe was-- well, she was a wild card, Meredith guessed-- drawing creepy things in the dead of the night. Of course, thinking about Rachel and Chloe made Meredith think of Scotland, which came with Jack Campbell.

What is he doing? she wondered. Her mind went to the craziest thoughts, whatever Jack wanted. He plotted against her, as if this was an old royal Court. However, the more she thought about it, the more she felt watched from inside the room, like someone hid behind in the closet. Her eyes traveled to the closet, which had one of the doors partially open. She stared into the abyss inside and sighed. Glancing at Harry, Meredith found him fast asleep. Carefully crawling out of bed, she tiptoed over to the closet and threw open the doors. She found nothing inside, not even the clothes or shoes she was meant today. The couple wasn't long enough visitors to gain clothes actually hung up.

"Mere?" Harry asked groggily. Turning around, she found him watching her wearily out of slits for eyes, like he didn't want to be awake just yet. "What are you doing?"

"Um...." Meredith glanced in the closet again before shutting the doors. "My mind was playing tricks on me." She climbed back into bed with him.

"How many more minutes do we have until we have to get up?" He held her tightly, head on her shoulder.

She glanced at the clock. "Jessica will be in about two minutes."

Harry yawned. "I can get two more minutes in." He went back to sleep.

Meredith turned her head and watched the closet, waiting for the doors to suddenly open. No matter how many times she told herself that Jack wasn't going to pop out or how many times Harry told her it wasn't going to happen, it didn't make her feel any better.

Though the monarchy had been dissolved in 1946 after the Iron Curtain fell upon the country. However, His Majesty Tsar Simeon II was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005. The family still held titles but mostly went by Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The family was large with the tsar having five children and then having ten grandchildren. While there was no way to meet all of them, it was a quick run down in the morning with up to date pictures for the duke and duchess. 

His Royal Highness Prince Boris of Turnovo was going to be beside his grandfather, and as the next Tsar of Bulgaria. Prince Boris was only a few months younger that Meredith, and she found it nice to find someone around her age. While Harry was the love of her life, when it came to royalty, there was a huge difference in age, with most royals being Harry's age and older or five years younger than Meredith. During that time, there was quite a difference. Once again, Meredith only stood twenty-two years old. Most of the Bulgarian royal family lived in Spain but had been called back for this special occasion.

Harry was first out of car at the National Assembly, which housed the country's parliament. The prime minister waited on the steps of the building. Harry greeted him first with a handshake, and Meredith followed up behind with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek. Going inside the building, it was meant to be a quick visit to meet with the members of parliament.