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“Um, yes… Prince… Leonidas. Um, Your Royal Highness, sir.”
Oh my gosh. Did I forget how to make words? What was wrong with me? I’d once answered interview questions in front of an audience of two thousand people while my gown had a slow-moving rip that was threatening to undress me. And even then I didn’t get rattled. But put a crown on a guy and I was completely undone? My only hope was that Fitz had missed my flustered state.
No such luck.
His mouth threatened to break into a smug grin at any second and his left eyebrow twitched twice like a challenge to see who would break first. I’m sure he saw this whole escapade as retribution over all the years I hadn’t believed him about his real title in life.
“I’m glad to hear that.” He turned to Blair beside me without releasing my hand. “Blair, rise up.” He waited for her to follow the command. Smiling, he tilted his head toward me. “Keep an eye on her, would you? I trust you’ll play nice?”
As if it was an inside joke, she fought back a smile. “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Fitz released his grip on my hand and went on to meet Eirene and then beyond.
Tension clenched the air between me and the chauffeur’s daughter. She’d sensed it. Something was different in the way he talked to me. But, in my opinion, he’d acted differently than I’d ever known him to act. Still, I felt her need to demand answers. Blair waited just long enough that her terse whisper wouldn’t be heard. “What, pray tell, was that?”
I didn’t have an answer. I was possibly more confused than she was. “I honestly don’t know.”
A fluke. That’s all it was. The way my stomach flipped, the rush in my veins, it was all a reaction to my first real prince sighting and the starstruck nature that went with it.
It had to be. The last thing I needed was to see Fitz as anyone other than my friend.
Fitz
Ithought this whole thing would be a drag. I’d been to my share of balls, masquerades, royal assemblies, you name it, but I’d never been the only male in the room. Never before had women been so eager for my company. A bloke could get used to it. In all honesty, I didn’t mind being the hot commodity.
In the beginning, I’d moved between the groups of women, allowing sufficient time to learn their names and their province of origin. But after the first hour, my security team escorted me to the library. Each woman had only five minutes to impress me and explain why she should stay, as per the producers.
I hated to admit that after the first five, their faces blurred together. I did like two nobles who differed from the norm. However, the constant fawning from some became increasingly irritating to me. Flattery had its merits, but there was a point where it teetered on the edge of insincerity. Coupled with the uninvited touches on my arm and thigh, I couldn’t help but feel objectified, like a piece of meat on display.
The most recent young woman exited as the guard came for her. I let out a deep sigh of relief and sank into the small couch. Not that it was comfortable. Seeing Michaela had reminded me of my time in America.
She had a comfortable couch. I slept on the L-shaped monstrosity multiple times, with my legs on one side and Michaela on the other. Those weren’t the stories I’d told my parents, but they were the ones I cherished. Especially as the stiff cushions of the royal settee didn’t cradle me.
Heels on the marble struck like a countdown for destruction. When Esmerey walked in with the confident stride of a lioness on the prowl, I understood completely.
“Why are we even bothering with this charade?” She skipped the greeting and walked into the room as if we were old chums. “We both know that I am the one who should be next to you on the throne.”
While I didn’t address her behavior directly, I wasted no time in adjusting her perspective. “Perhaps for you, but I remain unconvinced.” I rose briefly, creating a space for her next to me. Having witnessed her skills before, I knew the debate had miles left to run.
“It’s smart. You need control of parliament, and with you on my father’s good side, you’d have it.” Her palm slipped over my knee as she leaned toward me, almost predatory. “You just need to keep his little girl happy.”
I didn’t appreciate being threatened, even in veiled terms. Grasping her hand, I removed it from my leg. “And if I sent his little girl packing?”
Esmerey withdrew her hand from mine and straightened as though I’d offended her. “You know that would only upset my father as well as yours.”
My nostrils flared as I tried to keep my frustration in check. “Then give me a reason to let you stay.”
She faced me again, dark eyes sparking with mischief. “Because I know you, Leo. You always want what you can’t have.”
I tried not to laugh at her arrogance. “I could have you, and we both know it.”
“But,” her gaze dipped as if to explore my frame for a moment, “you can’t have the loyalty of the Corswald faction. Not without me.” Footsteps approached in the hallway. Likely, the guard sent to escort her. Esme wasn’t the type to take orders, refusing to wait for a command. “Think about it. We’d make a good pair.”
I watched her leave, frustrated by our interaction. My desire to remove her from the competition took hold, but I hated she was right. She had influence in circles I couldn’t penetrate. Should I prioritize her potential contributions over my personal attraction? When did my people’s wellbeing surpass my own?
That was the sort of thing a king was supposed to know.
But I’d also never claimed to be worthy of such a title.
