Page 14 of Throne Off Course

“Oh no.”

Alexander frowned. “No?”

“No,” Emilia repeated, shaking her head as if he were an idiot. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I assure you, it won’t work.”

Alexander felt heat creeping up his neck.

“It?” he repeated, attempting to feign ignorance, though something deep inside him whispered:Abort mission. Immediate retreat advised.

“This whole Prince Charming act,” she clarified, waving a hand vaguely at him. “It’s a little too smooth, too unnatural. Yesterday you were implying I only applied for this position because of a magazine spread, and today you’re leaning on tables and smiling like we’re old friends? Please.”

She turned back to her notes. “I wasn’t selected for this projectbecause I’m easily charmed, Your Highness. I was selected because I don’t fall for performances, royal or otherwise.”

He was going to kill Sebastian.

“Miss Carter,” Alexander began, ready to salvage whatever dignity he had left.

“Please,” she interrupted, lifting a hand. “Don’t embarrass yourself further. You made your opinions about my age and experience quite clear. Let’s not pretend you suddenly respect me overnight.”

Alexander clenched his jaw. God, she was infuriating.

Emilia smiled sweetly. “So, if we’re finished with whatever this was,” she continued, flipping a page in her notes, “shall we return to the exhibit? Unless, of course, you’d like to discuss my Pinterest boards first?”

Alexander let out a frustrated breath. The direct reference to his overheard comments landed like a slap. “No, let’s just carry on with the exhibit, Miss Carter.”

Emilia tilted her head. “Wonderful. And please, no need for pleasantries next time. I prefer honest disdain to insincere charm.”

Alexander did not respond.

Because he was too busy mentally calculating exactly how much force it would take to strangle his best friend.

9

Sebastian’s Complete Lack of Self-Preservation

Sebastian had been having a rather pleasant evening, just texting friends to decide which parties he wanted to commit to and what particular brand of chaos would be appropriate for each.

Life wasgood.

Until his study doors slammed open so violently that one of his books fell off the shelf.

Sebastian startled, looking up just in time to see a thunderous, predatory-looking Prince Alexander storm inside. Sebastian blinked. Then slowly set down his phone.

“Well,” he said. “I assume this is abouther.”

Alexander stalked forward, jaw clenched so tightly it could cut glass.

Sebastian held up a hand. “Now, before you break my face, I’d just like to point out that—”

“You,” Alexander snapped, voice low and full of impending murder, “are adead man.”

Sebastian pressed his lips together, his shoulders beginning to tremble. Because, oh no, Alexander had truly done it. He had genuinelytriedto be charming and it had backfired spectacularly. Which meant this wasthe greatest moment of Sebastian’s entire life.

Sebastian tried. Hereallydid, but the image of PrinceAlexander… stiff, proper, composed Alexander attempting to flirt, only for Emilia to see right through it, was justtoo much. The first laugh escaped before he could stop it.

Alexander narrowed his eyes. Sebastian lost it. He fell back in his chair, laughing so hard he nearly tipped over.

“You really did it?” he wheezed, gripping the armrest for stability. “Oh, oh God, you said you wouldn’t but you went through with it, didn’t you?”