Chapter 381

Christian flew home from seeing his mom and Dylan, feeling brand new. He loved holidays with them at the ranch and would have stayed longer if he didn't have a meeting the following day. His mom would be back at the palace at the end of the month for Alex to start his last semester of secondary school. He was doing much better since everything had calmed down. His mom had more time for him now and she was spending a lot of time with him on his school work and his music and writing. Sometimes Christian was jealous of their bond, they were so much alike. But he understood. He and his mother were always close as well, with her making sure Christian always felt loved and valued, for who he was. He was lucky to have such a great mom, he thought. And Dylan, too. He smiled and finished his drink. He was one day past of his 21st birthday but the flight crew had been letting him have a glass of wine whenever he flew for the last couple of months to help calm his nerves. Flying wasn't exactly his favorite. Isla was spending the holiday in France before she began design school in London in a few weeks. She wanted to be a clothing designer and the entire family was happy that she found something she liked as far as work was involved.

Christmas time was always the best for them. It was when they all seemed to show each other the most care and got along, even he and Alexander.

The plane landed and the car was waiting for him. His closest security guard and driver was waiting for him. Derek Younger, a strong, ex-rugby player that no one wanted him to hire. But Christian trusted him immediately and fought to have him in the position.

"Your majesty." Derek said, opening his door.

"Hello Derek." Christian smiled as he got in. On the way to the palace, Christian want to stop for a drink. It was the day after Christmas and he was alone on this day for the first time since he was born and hadn't had a proper birthday drink as an official man.

"Stop at the Shakespeare, please Derek." Christian said.

"Your majesty." Derek began to protest.

"I'm not ready to go back yet. Maybe they have some Christmas music playing. It will be lovely." Christian said. He was 21 now and although the legal drinking age was 18 in Great Britain, his mother had made him wait until 21 to officially drink, especially in public. It was a promise he had made to her and he had kept it. Mostly.

"We have no security with us. Just myself and… Gilley." He said. They both chuckled. Gilley was the driver of the car that followed them with luggage and other responsibilities. He wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, always fumbling clumsily. He was no bodyguard. Just a hired driver. He was in his late twenties and wore high water pants and spent his free time playing and designing video games.

"He probably loves Christmas music as well, even if he is a bit of a plonker." Christian said.

"This is out of character for you and probably not the best idea." Derek said.

"Give me your cap. And your reading glasses." Christian said.

"Are you completely mad, your majesty? No offense." Gilley said as they opened the car doors and walked over to him in front of the pub.

"Perhaps. It's Christmas. I thought I'd buy my best mates a drink." Christian said.

"Best mates, your majesty?" Gilley asked, straightening his tie.

"Of course. Now, how do I look?" Christian asked, adjusting his camel leather fedora and glasses.

"Honestly, I don't think I would recognize you right away, your majesty." Derek said. He was still wearing jeans and boots with a button up under a wool flannel from being on the ranch. He hadn't shaved in over a week, so his beard was shadowy enough to hide his features a little. He looked like a proper hipster, not a king.

"Shall we, then?" Christian asked.

"Let's tie one on!" Gilley said. They both looked at him. "For the holiday." He said. They smiled and slapped his back and walked in.