Oh! Didn’t I mention that?
Chris sat down in the seat next to Joey and across from Justin and Lynn. “I don’t want to sound negative about this but is it me, or is this tour off to a strange start?”
“I don’t know, Christopher,” Lynn said as she gazed out the window. “I find it a very pleasant start to a tour.”
“Just think, Chris,” Joey said as he leaned in. “I bet the Back Street Boys never toured like this.”
“If I remember right their last world tour was done in a big private jet, not a tour train,” Chris countered.
“Just think of it as an adventure, Chris,” Justin said as his head swayed with the motion of the train.
“Doesn’t anyone thank it strange that we start our European tour in a country that has no airports?”
“The capitol, Friedrickburg, has a large airport,” Justin said.
“Then why did we have to fly into Zurich?” Chris asked.
“Eric wanted us to see some of his country,” Lynn said. “The views from
the train are breath taking.”
“Besides, Chris, when was the last time you traveled in anything this classy?” Joey asked.
“I’ve seen better,” Chris huffed.
“Where?” Joey asked.
“Forget it, Joe,” Justin said. “It’s too bad Chris didn’t notice the markings on this car.”
“I saw the markings. It’s some kind of tourist train.”
Lynn shook her head. “The markings on the side of the cars were the royal crest. This is Prince Frederick’s personal train.”
“Wow!” Chris said. “How did Eric manage this?”
“Eric has connections with the royal family,” Justin said with a smirk.
Everyone was glued to the windows as the train made it way into the heart of Friedrickburg. Two building stood out even from the edge of the city. One was the giant gothic cathedral in the center of the city and the large palace sitting on top of a hill, looking down on the city.
Lance couldn’t take his eyes off the palace. “Just think what it was like growing up in something like that,” Joey said.
“Yeah,” Lance managed to say. “And we know someone who did. I wonder if Eric could get us a tour?”
The train slowed as it made it’s way to the center of the city. Along the walls and fences on each side of the track colorful signs and banners were being held by thousands of screaming female fans.
“Some things don’t change,” Justin observed. Chris and Joey stood on one side of the train while Justin, JC and Lance took the other side and started to return the waves from their fans. A couple blocks from the station the train started making a decent into the station and the fans disappeared.
The train had come to a stop and Justin was watching the activity out on the platform. A dozen porters were busy unloading their luggage. “What’s wrong, Baby?” Lynn asked Justin.
“I thought Eric would be here to meet us.”
The door to their compartment slid open and all heads turned to the figure standing there. “Eric sends his apologies. He wanted to meet your train but something came up.” Major Gaberal VonHelding, stood in the door in her full palace uniform.
“Gabby?” Joey asked as he stared up at the stone-faced figure.
The major's eyes met Joey’s and she gave him a wink before a smile spread across her face. “It’s Major Gaberal VonHelding now.”
“You’re a Major?” Joey asked.
“Yes I’m attached to the palace security force. But I’ve been reassigned as head of your security for your tour.”
“It’s good to see you again, Major,” Lynn said. “Are we ready?”
“Yes. If you will follow me your transportation is waiting.”
The Major let the group to two waiting vans.
“What no horse drawn carriage?” Justin laughed.
“Sorry Justin, not today.”
Justin’s surprised look made the Major laugh. The group split up between the two vans. As they pulled out of the underground garage a motorcycle escort fell into place in front and behind the vans. With lights flashing and sirens wailing the motorcade picked up speed.
“Damn,” Chris said. “We’ve never had a police escort before.”
Justin was bouncing around in his seat trying to look at the escorts. “This is so cool.”
The motorcade crossed the large public square in front of the cathedral and everyone strained trying to see the top of the great spires.
“I hope our hotel is not too far from the cathedral,” Lance said. “I’d like to do some sight seeing.”
Chris could see they were approaching a gated entrance with what looked like armed guards. The gates opened as the motorcade approached and the guards snapped to attention. “I don’t think we’re staying at a hotel,” Chris said to Lance. “Look.” The motorcade was now on an incline that lead up to the palace.
“Holy shit!” Lance muttered.
“No way!” Justin shouted as he realized where they were headed. “We’re staying at the palace?”
The Major laughed, “You and your mother will be staying with Eric in his apartment. The others will have rooms nearby.”
Everyone was shown to their rooms and was asked to meet back in Eric’s sitting room.
They were sitting around talking when Eric finally arrived. “How was your trip?” Eric asked as he walked into the room. He was greeted by hugs from everyone.
The guys were a little shocked when Justin pulled Eric into a big hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve missed you, Bro.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Justin,” Eric said as he hugged his brother tight. Breaking the hug Eric turned to Lynn.
She held out her arms and Eric walked into them. “I’m glad to see you, Baby.”
Eric wrapped his arms around his mother, giving her a kiss he said in a cracking voice, “I’m so glad to see you, Mom. I’ve missed you both so much.”
The guys were still standing with their mouths hanging open when Chris managed to ask, “Does anyone know what’s going on?”
Eric turned back to the others, his arm still around his mother. The four puzzled looks gave Eric some clue as to what was happening. “Justin, you didn’t tell them?”
“No, no, . . it just never came up,” Justin stammered. “I just couldn’t find the right time.”
“What didn’t you tell us?” Chris asked.
Eric looked to Lynn then to Justin. They saw a mischievous glint in his eye. Releasing his hold on his mother Eric placed his arm around Justin’s shoulder. “I thought Justin would have told you guys by now. . . . But since he didn’t, I guess there’s no time like the present.” Looking at the anxious faces of his friends Eric let out a big sigh. “Justin and I are lovers.”
Gasps came from the four friends and Lynn busted out in laughter. Justin elbowed Eric hard in the side, “Tell them the truth before Chris has a heart attack,” Justin said as he began to laugh.
“I’m sorry, guys. I’ve been in a strange mood all day,” Eric laughed. “Please, Chris, start breathing again. Justin and I aren’t lovers. We’re just brothers.”
Chris let out a sigh of relief then asked, “What?”
“Eric is my brother,” Justin said.
“He can’t be your brother,” Chris said. “You’re not even related.”
Eric and Justin turned to Lynn. “Chris, they are related. They are both my sons.”
“Same mother, different father,” Justin clarified.
“Oh!” Chris now understood.
A servant stepped into the room and waited until he had Eric’s attention. Giving a slight nod the servant turned and left the room.
“Guys, we will be having dinner tonight with my grandparents. Dinner is at seven. Let’s meet here at quarter till. Suit coat and tie is required,” Eric informed everyone. “I think we will be able to answer all your questions at dinner.”
Turning to Lynn and Justin, “Mom, little brother, will you come with me? I have some thing to show you.”
Leaving Eric’s apartment he led them down a long hall. “What are you going to show us?” Justin asked.
“It’s not a what. It’s more like who,” Eric said.
“Okay, who?”
“I want you to meet my grandparents.”
Justin stopped. “I don’t think I want to meet them.”
Eric placed a hand on Justin’s shoulder. “Justin I think I know what you’re feeling right now. But I need you to do this for me. Once you meet my grandparents I think you will be able to understand why my life is as it is.”
“I’ll do it for you. But I know I won’t like your grandfather.”
“I’m not asking you to like him. Just meet him.”
“Okay,” Justin reluctantly agreed.
At the end of the long hall was a set of big double doors with servants standing in front of them. As they approached the doors were opened for them. They entered a large setting room where they found Eric’s grandparents sitting on a couch.
They rose as Eric went over and gave first his grandmother a hug and a kiss then greeted his grandfather the same way.
Going back to his mother Eric took her hand in his. “Grandfather, Grandmother, my I present to you my mother, Lynn Harless. And my brother Justin Timberlake. . . Mother, Justin, may I present his Royal Highness Prince Richard Frederick and her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth Frederick of Livonia.”
All eyes turned to Justin. Justin wasn’t sure he heard Eric right. Eric just introduced his grandparents as the Prince and Princess of Livonia. Then the realization sank in. “Does that make you. . .”
Eric nodded. “It makes me the Crown Prince of Livonia. At least I will be when I turn twenty four in two days.”
Justin’s face lit up with a big smile. “Cool! Will you have a birthday party?”
Prince Richard let out a big laugh. “We are planning a little something.”
Eric rolled his eyes. “A little something in this house consists of a gathering of family friends, say six or seven hundred in the cathedral for a little ceremony. Oh yeah I must also mention the ball that evening.”
“A ball? You mean like dancing?”
That evening the rest of *Nsync got to meet Eric’s grandparents. Needless to say they were more then a little intimidated by having dinner with royalty. Eric eased the tension by relating some of the antics they pulled on each other while on tour. The Prince and Princess found the stories hilarious and were soon relating stories about Eric as a young child. Even though Eric blushed through most of the stories he also enjoyed watching his mother as she heard about the part of Eric’s life she was forced to miss.
It was a little after ten o’clock when Eric’s grandparents excused themselves and retired for the night. The night was still young so everyone returned to Eric’s sitting room.
“Eric, what other little bombs would you like to drop on us?” Lance asked.
“I don’t know if you would call it a bomb, but maybe I should fill you in on your schedule while you are here. Tomorrow morning you will each be measured for a new suit of clothes.”
“Why?” JC asked.
“Because day after tomorrow is my birthday. And in order for you to attend the festivities you must be dressed properly.”
“What kind of festivities?” Joey asked.
“There will be a state breakfast. Just family, around eighty guests.”
“Just family!” Chris exclaimed. “That’s a big family.”
“Most of them are like second or third cousins once or twice removed. I personally know very few of them. They come out of the woodwork for weddings, coronations, and funerals,” Eric laughed.
“We have the same problem in my family,” Chris said with an air of snobbery. “Just mention a coronation and everyone wants to be invited.”
“I’m glad you understand Chris. Then the small affair at the cathedral at one should be boring.”
“What affair?” Lance asked.
“My ascension to Heir Apparent to the throne of Livonia.”
“Like a coronation?” Josh asked.
“Similar. Just a notch below a coronation. I’ve asked my grandparents to drop the plans for a state dinner. So they agreed to a small family dinner to celebrate my birthday. You all are invited,” Eric noted.
“After breakfast I afraid to ask how many will be at this dinner?” Chris asked.
Eric smiled, “The same people that was at dinner tonight. My grandparents, my mother, my brother, and the rest of my *Nsync family.”
“That sounds like a nice way to celebrate your birthday,” Lance said.
“But that’s not all. That evening you will be attending the Royal Ball to celebrate my birthday.”
“Oh boy! We’re going to attend the Royal Ball,” Chris said sarcastically.
“What kind of dancing will there be?” Lance asked. “I’m not to good at the waltz.”
Eric laughed, “Don’t worry. There are actually three balls. The one here at the palace is the formal state ball. I only need to spend the first hour at that one. The other two will feature our kind of music.”
TBC