“Kurt, I need to get home early tonight. I promised my mom I would be her escort at a charity function tonight so I need to make sure I get home in time to get ready.”

Kurt pouted for a bit but then relented – Blaine had not left his side in the past few days but he understood family obligations. Spending the evening alone would give him time to catch up with his dad. “Okay but don’t have too much fun without me.”

“How could I?” answered Blaine as he kissed him good-bye and left. He thought about how well things were going with Kurt. He really wanted to introduce Kurt to his family but he knew his father would not approve and he didn’t want to get into an argument with his father. Knowing Kurt was going to be attending school in New York was making Blaine rethink the whole Cambridge law school idea and he had to really sit down and think about his options before he made his final decision. He quickly put a stop to his thoughts and started getting ready for the charity function. It was going to be held at Windsor Castle and being tardy was not an option.
xoxoxoxoxoxox

“Hi dad,” Kurt greeted his father while making himself comfortable on his bed.

“Hey kiddo, how is London?”

“Good, I’m really having a great time dad.”

“I spoke to the ambassador this morning and he said you are keeping up your side of the bargain which makes it easier for him to keep tabs on you. The media is having a cow over here because I haven’t produced you for a sit down interview since you left school.”

“Why do they want to interview me? I really just want to stay out of the limelight and go to school without any problems.”

“If I win the election you will be the first openly gay “first son” in history so the public is fascinated with you. I might make a deal with the media. If we grant them an interview now they must promise to leave you alone while you are in school. How does that sound?”

“Isn’t that what Prince Charles did with Prince William and Prince Harry? They were pretty much left alone while they attended school.”

Burt laughed, “Are you starting to suffer delusions of belonging to the Royal Family again, Kurt? I thought you were over the being 7th in line fantasy you were living in 5th grade.”

Kurt laughed and said, “Blaine thought I was an idiot when I told him my secret fantasies of being a Royal.”

“Umm, who’s Blaine?” Shit, thought Kurt that had just slipped out. He hadn’t told his dad about Blaine because knowing his dad he would probably have Blaine investigated.

“Kurt? You there?”

“Yeah, dad I’m here. Blaine is a friend I met when I first got here. He has been showing me the sites here in London.”

“The ‘sites’ huh? What is his full name? What does he do?”

“Daaad.”

“Kurt, I don’t mess around with your safety. Seriously what is his name and what does he do?”

“His name is Blaine Williams and he is a student. He just graduated from Eton and will be going to law school at Cambridge in the fall.”

“How old is he?”

“He is 18 just like me.”

“Is there anything else I should know about him?”

“Dad, seriously, I’m 18 and can take care of myself. I like Blaine and he is fun to be with and I don’t see anything wrong with meeting people and having a good time.”

“I worry Kurt. There are a lot of people that target tourists….”

“I highly doubt Blaine is going to drug me, rape me and then sell me into the slave market dad,” interrupted Kurt.

“It does sound silly when you put it that way Kurt but you know that your safety is my priority. Just be careful.”

“I know you worry dad and I promise to be careful.”

“Ok goodnight kiddo. Love you.”

“Night dad, love you too,” Kurt hung up the phone and got ready for bed little did he know that as soon as he hung up the phone his father was dialing the ambassador’s phone number.

“Ambassador Whitley?”

“Congressman Hummel. What can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry to be calling so late but I just spoke to Kurt and he mentioned he was spending quite a bit of time with a new friend and I was concerned.”

“I understand your concern Congressman. Do you happen to have this individual’s name?”

“Blaine Williams. He is 18 years old, just finished Eton and is about to start law school at Cambridge in the fall.”

“Would you like me to run a check on this young man?”

“I don’t think a full background check is in order Ambassador. Could you just check with Eton and Cambridge and see if they have anyone listed by that name enrolled. And please bill me personally. This is not official business.”

“As the Presidential Nominee for the Democratic Party, any danger posed to your family is official business, Sir,” answered the Ambassador.

“I’m pretty sure Kurt is not in any eminent danger Ambassador. Please just bill me personally for any expenses incurred with this investigation.”

“As you wish, Congressman. I will start on this tomorrow morning and get back to you as soon as I find something out.”

“Thank you and goodnight Ambassador,” Burt felt slightly uneasy as he hung up the phone. He hoped nothing came out of this investigation. He didn’t want to see Kurt hurt but he needed to check on this Blaine individual. He knew Kurt was going to be upset when he found out he had his friend investigated and Burt knew Kurt would somehow find out. Kurt could be one scary person as a matter of fact Kurt was the only person Burt could say for certain that could scare the crap out of him.
xoxoxoxoxox

Blaine was getting a drink for his mother and his godmother when he heard his name being called. He turned to see that he was being summoned by the Queen. He quickly set the drinks down and greeted her appropriately.

“Come sit with me dear boy,” she commanded. She signaled one of the butlers to take the drinks Blaine had set down to his mother.

“I’ve heard you met someone. Tell me about him.” Blaine almost fell over in surprise. How did she know these things? “Don’t be shocked Blaine. Those that are in line to the throne are always under some type of surveillance. The further down the line the looser the surveillance but nevertheless, tell me about this colonist that seems to put a smile on your face.”

Blaine took a few minutes to get over his shock at the thought of being under surveillance. He managed to tell the Queen all about Kurt in just a few minutes.

“Why did you not have him accompany you tonight?”

“Your Majesty, he doesn’t know that I am a member of the Royal Family,” replied Blaine in a quiet voice.

“Oh my, are we such a shameful bunch that you are embarrassed to claim us?” she laughed heartily.

“No ma’am. As you know my father doesn’t quite approve of what he calls my “phase” and with Kurt I can be myself not a Royal. Sometimes it is hard to know if someone likes you for yourself or because of your connections.”

“Yes, I understand completely. However, don’t you think honesty is always the best policy, Blaine? Have you decided where you will be attending school in the fall?”

“I’ve been thinking about New York but I’m not sure how I would break the news to my father.”

“You leave your father up to me Blaine. I actually have a meeting with him and your mother next week. You decide what you want to do and let me know. Now I need to go make sure your cousin over there doesn’t start dancing on these tables.”

Blaine was ecstatic. He knew that as long as the Queen approved of his choices he would have no problems with this father. He hurried back to his mother’s side. “I noticed the Queen was talking to you dear,” she said.

“Yes, she mentioned she had a meeting with you and father next week.”

“It seems she is meeting with everyone. She wants to discuss everyone’s plans for the fall. We need to hurry up and finalize your plans before we meet with her. Join your father and me for breakfast tomorrow morning so we can discuss all of these things before we see the Queen. We can’t be unprepared when we see her.”

“Sure….” said Blaine. He was not really looking forward to this discussion at all. He knew his dad was going to be upset.

xoxoxoxoxoxox

He walked down the stairs towards the dining room the next morning not really looking forward to this conversation. He had stayed up all night thinking about his options and he had decided that he wanted to pursue music not a law degree. He just hoped his parents would be okay with his decision.

Thirty minutes later Blaine was looking at his father turn an ungodly shade of red. “New York? What the hell is in New York, Blaine? You are a member of the Royal Family – you are going to Cambridge and that is the end of this nonsense. Do you understand young man?”

“I’ve decided that I do not want to pursue a law degree. I want to study music. I’ve been accepted at NYU and I’ve decided that this is what I am going to do father. My mind is made up.” Blaine tried to keep his voice from wavering as he stood up to his father.

“You will do as I say young man!” roared his father. “If you want to remain a member of this family you will do what is expected of you! I will not be funding your education unless it is at Cambridge. Is that understood Blaine?”

“You remind me on a daily basis that I am a member of the Royal Family father. I have my own money. I can fund my own education, my own livelihood and never have to take a single cent from you or mother!” exclaimed Blaine. He was furious and he needed to get away. He stalked out of the house and drove to Wes’ house.

“I can’t believe him,” he yelled at Wes. “He treats me like a damn kid. Why can’t I go to school and study whatever I want?”

Wes decided it was best to just sit back and let Blaine rant and rave about his parents. After a good 20 minutes he lost steam and just threw himself on the couch and sat there with his eyes closed.

“So you done?” asked Wes. He was used to Blaine’s venting. It was best to let him get it out of his system rather than keep it bottled up inside.

“Yeah, I think so. I gotta go. Can you drop me off at the nearest Tube station?”

“You going to go see Kurt?”

“I’m supposed to pick him up at 1:00pm. We are supposed to take the Buckingham Palace tour this afternoon. We saw the changing of the guard yesterday but it was so crowded we decided to go back today.”

“You know you might get recognized at Buckingham don’t you?”

“I’m going to try and blend in with the tourists. I brought a hat and glasses and am dressed like a tourist so hopefully I won’t be given a second look.”

“OOOkay….let’s go if you want that ride.”

The line to get into the Buckingham Palace tour wasn’t that long this late in the day so they were able to get in quickly. Normally the palace tours started at the end of July and went through October but because of the Olympics they were opening the palace up at the beginning of June. Kurt was excited. He didn’t think he would be able to visit the palace this time around since he was supposed to fly out on the 1st of August so when Blaine told him that the palace was opening early this year he immediately went online and purchased 2 tickets.

“Kurt, you know you didn’t have to buy my ticket.”

“Blaine, you have paid for almost every single meal we have eaten and you always seem to have tickets to every tourist attraction we are visiting so you might as well put your wallet back into your pocket. I will not be taking any of your money. Think of this as my special treat.”

“Ok but dinner is on me,” he grabbed Kurt’s hand and led him through the doorway into the palace. Their first stop was the special exhibition on diamonds which showcased diamonds worn by the Royal Family for the past 200 years. Kurt was speechless. He couldn’t get over the fact that he was actually standing in freaking Buckingham Palace looking at the Queen’s jewelry!

“Oh my God Blaine – I think that is the necklace the Queen wore to Prince William’s wedding. It’s gorgeous!”

Blaine smiled at Kurt’s enthusiasm. “Her Majesty has impeccable taste Kurt.”

“Don’t get your British knickers in a knot Blaine. I know she has impeccable taste.”

They followed the tour guide and when they entered the State Rooms and wandered around admiring the furnishings Blaine ran into one of the butler’s that routinely served him and his cousins. Before he could acknowledge him, Blaine shook his head at him and signaled him over to the side of the doorway. He waited until Kurt was sufficiently engrossed in the china patterns before he addressed the butler, “I am here as a tourist so please just ignore me.”

“Certainly, Lord Clare,” said the butler as he bowed his head. He had served Blaine and his cousins for years so he wasn’t surprised at anything the boys did anymore. He simply went about his business.

Blaine hurried to Kurt’s side and was glad to see that Kurt hadn’t noticed the exchange with the butler. They continued on with the tour and Kurt was amazed at how much information Blaine could regurgitate on the history of the palace. Blaine was starting to get nervous. He knew dinner was served early at Buckingham Palace and he knew that he had to get out before he ran into any of his relatives. He had already noticed that a couple of the staff members had recognized him and he would yank Kurt in another direction before they could address him. He breathed a sigh of relief once they were out of the confines of the palace. He followed Kurt as they walked down towards the Thames River. Blaine had noticed that Kurt loved walking along the banks of the river. He enjoyed the crowds, the shops and the festive atmosphere.

They made their way to Shakespeare Globe Theater and Blaine bought tickets to the last Exhibition. After the 2 hour tour they bought gelatos and sat down on a bench and relaxed for a few minutes. Kurt grabbed his camera and asked a passerby to take their picture. It was getting dark but neither one of the boys wanted to move. They were so engrossed in each that they didn’t notice the man taking their picture.

“Want to take a ride on the Eye?” asked Blaine. “I know we rode it during the day already but it might be nice to see the London sites at night.”

Kurt nodded as they walked towards the London Eye. He looked at his watch and noticed that it was almost 9:00pm. Blaine stood in line to purchase the tickets while Kurt made his nightly call to the Ambassador. “I noticed you make a call every night. Who do you call?”

“Just checking in with my dad,” Kurt didn’t want Blaine to ask any other questions. It would be pretty hard to explain why he had to call the British Ambassador every night.