Torn Between Twin Brothers

After everything was settled with James' schooling, everyone went back to the hotel where Ashley, Ann, and Ava were enjoying their afternoon. 

Ashley decided at the last minute to join Tanaga when she learned that Ann was with Jeff. She was going to accompany Tanaga to meet with James at M.I.T. but decided against it and elected to stay at the hotel and wait for them.

Luckily, Ann and Ava just so happened to arrive at the same time, and they coincidentally bumped into each other in the lobby. So, Ashley was joyous that she didn't have to stay alone. She joined Ann and Ava while Tanaga left to meet with James.

Ashley was happy to learn that Ava would be attending college at M.I.T.., although it was a different college than where James would be attending, it would be in the same state. So there was still a chance for them to get close to one another. At least that's what she was hoping for anyway.

===

When the men arrived back at the hotel, the two mothers and Ava were lounging by the pool at the penthouse while drinking some cocktails and enjoying themselves. They decided to join them while they were waiting for the dinner to be ready.

Tanaga and Ashley would be sharing the penthouse with Jeff, Ann, and Ava. When James learned of this, he asked if he too could stay with them since they had enough rooms to spare. Prince Edward was not too keen on staying with the parents, but being closer to Ava, he changed his mind and requested to stay with them. Jeff and Ann agreed, while Ava was unhappy about the setup.

She wanted to stay as far away as she could from James, but she couldn't let anyone know about that. So, she couldn't protest when she heard her father and mother happily agree to all of them staying together at the penthouse. She would just have to do her best to be cordial with James until they leave the next day. That's what she was hoping for anyway, that they would be going the next day.

===

While they were having their dinner, King Alexander arrived. Everyone was startled to see him walk in, while his attention was solely on his younger brother.

"You have the guts to leave the country without my permission. Do you have a death threat?" The cold lash of King Alexander's voice penetrated directly into Prince Edward.

It was visible on Prince Edward's face that he was afraid of his older brother. He hastened to get up and greeted his older brother.

"Good evening, your Majesty. I apologize for causing you trouble and making you travel all the way here." His voice was low and barely audible while looking down at his feet instead of King Alexander's stone-cold face.

"Leave him alone and let him eat dinner before you start scolding him, your Majesty!" Interjected Tanaga, who was the oldest among the men. 

"Yes, why not come and have dinner first? I'm sure you're tired as we are from the long flight." Interjected Jeff, who was leisurely shoving food in his mouth.

"Good evening, Your Majesty!" Greeted everyone else simultaneously while they stopped eating and waited for King Alexander to join them.

After hearing everyone's greetings, King Alexander had no choice but to calm down and greet everyone back. He then looked around for an empty chair. He found that the chair on the other side of the head of the table was open, so he proceeded to sit there.

===

The butler ordered the maid to quickly set a place for King Alexander as he poured water in a glass and set it down on the table in front of him. As soon as the butler put down the glass of water, King Alexander swiftly took it and drank it in one gulp. He was thirsty from all the walking and talking that he had done.

The maid came back with a set of plates and utensils and set it up in front of King Alexander. Once she was done, she quickly retreated with her head down. 

Everyone continued eating, while Prince Edward waited to see if anyone would serve King Alexander some food. When no one came, he got up and was about to do it himself. However, Tanaga saw what he was going to do and spoke. 

"This is America and not the Kingdom of Stonasia. Let him get his own food. Sit back down and continue eating." He ordered Prince Edward, who was stunned by the way Tanaga addressed his older brother.

"Give me a break, alright! I woke up in the middle of the night and flew here for this... this..." He couldn't finish what he was about to say as the women and Ava looked straight at him, waiting for what he was about to say.

He just shut his mouth and started serving himself...

After dinner, Ann, Ashley, and Ava went down to the lobby to go for a stroll. It was only an excuse to give the men and the boys to talk in private.

===

The next day, King Alexander and Tanaga accompanied James and Prince Edward to M.I.T. Everything was agreed upon the night before that Prince Edward would attend M.I.T. So, they accompanied them to smooth their admission process.

The Dean of M.I.T. was ecstatic to learn that a Royal member would be attending his university. However, he still needed to make sure that he followed the guidelines of the prestigious school and that Prince Edward had the capability and grades to be a part of the university.

King Alexander called his assistant to make all the necessary arrangements for Prince Edward's transcript to be sent over via email. Everything was done accordingly, and the university would be receiving the original sealed copies from the Imperial Academy by courier within the week.

Before the afternoon came, all was settled. Prince Edward was officially enrolled as a freshman at M.I.T. along with James and Ava…