Page 15 of Defying the Crown
"Hey, isn't it super late where you are? What are you still doing up texting me?"
His response came a few moments later."Ah, you know how it is. Insomnia is a cruel mistress. Plus, I have to admit, I'm enjoying our conversation far too much to stop now."
I couldn't help but grin at that. It was flattering to think that Harald found me interesting enough to stay up late chatting with. And if I was being honest, I was really enjoying our back-and-forth too.
"Well, I'm happy to keep you company if you can't sleep,"I typed back."Though you really should try to get some rest. Beauty sleep and all that, you know."
"Are you saying I need beauty sleep? I'm wounded,"Harald replied, adding a crying face emoji for good measure.
I laughed out loud at that, quickly stifling it when I caught Piper glancing over at me curiously.
"Nah, you're pretty enough as is,"I wrote, feeling a little surge of boldness."I just don't want you to be a sleep-deprived zombie on my account."
"I appreciate your concern,"Harald messaged back."But I'd much rather talk to you than stare at my ceiling all night. Besides, this is the most fun I've had in ages."
I couldn't stop smiling as I read his words. It was crazy to think that I'd only started talking to Harald a short time ago. But already, I felt like we had this amazing connection, like he just got me in a way most people didn't.
"Okay, you twisted my arm,"I replied, still grinning."What do you want to talk about?"
"Why anything and everything of course. Can you tell me when your hateful relationship began with pudding?"
Around lunchtime, Cassandra stormed into my cubicle, her face twisted into a scowl. "Daniel, I need those reports on my desk by the end of the day," she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. "And try to make them actually readable this time, will you?"
I bit back a retort, forcing a smile onto my face. "Of course, Cassandra. I'll get right on that."
As soon as she was out of earshot, I grabbed my phone and snapped a selfie, my face contorted into an exaggerated grimace."Help, I'm being held hostage by a tyrant,"I wrote, sending the picture to Harald.
His response came a few seconds later - a selfie of him making a sympathetic face, his hand held up in a mock salute."Stay strong, soldier. You'll make it through this battle."
I grinned, feeling some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. Somehow, knowing that Harald was there, even just through a phone screen, made everything seem a little more bearable.
As the day wore on, we continued to exchange messages and selfies, each one more ridiculous than the last. Harald sent a picture of him pretending to be asleep in a meeting, while I responded with a shot of me buried under a mountain of paperwork.
By the time 5 o'clock rolled around, I was actually in a pretty good mood, despite the stress of the day. As I packed up my things to head home, my phone buzzed one last time.
"Until tomorrow, Daniel,"Harald had written, attaching a selfie of himself tucked in between luxurious sheets and a soft comforter smiling gently at the camera."Thanks for making today suck a little less."
I collapse onto my couch after a long, exhausting day at work, feeling completely drained from dealing with Cassandra's incessant demands and the utterly soul-crushing nature of my mind-numbing job. My body sinks into the cushions as I let out a deep sigh, the weight of the day slowly lifting from my shoulders. Just as I'm about to close my eyes and try to relax, allowing myself a brief moment of peace, my phone suddenly buzzes with an incoming message. Glancing at the screen, I see it's from Harald, and a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips despite my weariness.
"Daniel, I'm freaking out. I have this gala event tomorrow and I don't think I can do it. What if I make a mistake again and embarrass myself and my family?"Harald's text reads, the words practically vibrating with his anxiety even through the screen. My heart clenches in sympathy, remembering how he described the last event and the mistake he'd made. I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and tell him it'll be okay, that he's stronger than he realizes. I quickly type back a response, hoping my words can provide some measure of comfort and support, even from an ocean away.
"Hey silly, take a deep breath. You've got this, Harald. I know it's scary, but you're going to be great. "
Harald's response comes a few moments later."I just keep thinking about the last event. I completely blanked on my speech and said the wrong thing. Everyone was staring at me, judging me. I felt like such a failure. The press will probably have a field day with this too, they always do. I can already imagine the headlines..."
That sensation hits close to home for me. I've definitely been through times when I disappointed both others and myself. Though I'll admit, dealing with reporters isn't something I've ever faced.
"I get it, trust me. But that was one mistake. It doesn't define you. You're smart, sexy, capable, and you care about these causes. That's what people will see when you speak from the heart."
We continue messaging back and forth, with Harald listing off his various anxieties about the event. From worrying about tripping on stage to forgetting his lines, he seems to have thought of every possible worst-case scenario.
But with each fear he shares, I counter with a reassurance. I remind him of his strengths, his compassion, and his ability to connect with people. I tell him that even if he stumbles, what matters most is that he's trying his best to make a difference in the world.
As our conversation winds down, Harald seems to have calmed down a bit."Thank you, Daniel. I don't know what I'd do without you. Talking to you always seems to make me feel better."
I smile at my phone, feeling a warmth spread through my chest."Anytime, Harald. Now go get some rest. You've got a big day ahead of you, and I know you're going to crush it."
My phone chimes one more time, and my cheeks flush as I read Harald's latest message."So on another note, you think I'm sexy, huh???"
