AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because…I don’t know!” Tears well up in my eyes, and I curse these hormones.
He leans in and places one heavy arm around my shoulders. “Remember when I told you I don’t half-ass anything? This is what I meant. I’m taking care of you all the way.”
I smile over at him tremulously and surrender to the feeling of comfort again.
It’s not just the money. He does everything so freely and intensely, without thinking about it.
Everyone thinks he’s a loner recluse.
But he’s none of those things. He’s the world’s best big brother. He’s already the best husband and father. In general, just a good human.
28
Sigurd
It’s my and Stasi’s wedding day, and Flora is giddy over my haircut, trimmed beard, and bespoke suit.
“You look cute!” Flora says as she adjusts my tie.
I grunt. “Only you and Stasi are allowed to say that to me.”
Etienne smooths his hair in the mirror and comments, “She’s not wrong, though.”
And that’s the first sincere compliment I’ve ever heard from the middle brother.
Torben walks over and pats me on the back. “I’m happy for you, brother,” he says. “You’ll make a great husband and father. And one day, king.”
My stomach does a nervous tumble at the reminder yet again that I’m about to walk out of this tent, face a gathering of people and photographers, and get through a wedding ceremony.
On top of that, Mother and Father are less than pleased at the small outdoor ceremony. According to the palace publicist’s calculations, our guest list is the smallest of any royal wedding ever. That small fact gives me a modicum of satisfaction.
“And,” Torben says, leaning in close, “thanks for inviting Hailey and me. I wouldn’t want to miss this.”
Etienne, overhearing this, jokes, “You didn’t say that when you missed my wedding to Kala.”
“That’s because we were not invited, and we were notified that we’d be barred from entering the chapel.”
Etienne finishes fussing with his perfect hair and beard and turns toward us. “I keep forgetting the Favored Prince is still persona non grata. What with me being simply declared unfit to rule.”
I shake my head. “It’s not right.”
“You did nothing to deserve what Father did. We’re all subject to his whims now in his old age,” Torben agrees, gently swatting away Flora’s hands as she comes at him with a makeup applicator.
Flora clucks. “You boys were up too late partying last night; I’m just trying to help with a little concealer over those bags…”
“Correction,” Etienne says, flopping into a chair and hooking his leg over the arm. “There was no booze to be had last night. Just a lot of talking and catching up.”
Flora smirks and tries to come at me next with the concealer, but I dodge her. “No booze. All three of my brothers married or getting married. A niece on the way. Things have really changed in this family.”
She gives up on me and turns to Torben. Of the three of us, the oldest brother is the softest on her. “Just a touch.”
She dabs some of the beige stuff under Torben’s eyes as Etienne and I look on.
“And what about you, baby sister?” Etienne asks.
The so-called Bad Prince really has changed. Before he got sober, he never asked about our personal lives.
“What about me?” Flora asks, but something in her voice tells me she’s stalling.
