“This conversation doesn’t concern you.” The king straightened. He cast a scathing look at Jaq, who didn’t whither under hisstare. Instead, he stood taller, daring the man to say a word. The king turned back to me. “Prince Erich, is it?”
I nodded. “Everything that happens in this kingdom concerns me.” I may not be the heir or the spare, but I could throw my weight around with the best of them. If I had to bear the title, I might as well use it.
The king glared at his son, then turned on his heel and walked away.
Jacques closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
“Are you all right?” I asked, quieter this time so that anyone who had been looking at us couldn’t hear. I stood next to him and did my best to look bored as I examined the dance floor.
He rolled his shoulders back, opened his eyes, and gave me something of a stare. “Yes, thank you, Your Highness. I do appreciate the rescue. I’m sorry that you had to see that.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I snuck a glance at him. “He’s the dick.”
Jaq’s eyes bugged.
“I’m not going to apologize for saying so either,” I added on.
He held back a snort and covered his mouth with his hand. “Thank you. He is indeed all of those things and more.”
“Pardon me for asking, but… will you truly not be welcome back in Asach? You know, you always have a place here. I’m sure your brother—”
“Yes. He and I have already talked. He has extended an invitation to stay. Informally, of course. Your parents or your brother would have to… Anyway, I have plans to go to America, get a job there. I was only ever staying in Asach because Thomas was there.” Jaq kept his back straight as he spoke. He was looking at me but wouldn’t quite meet my eyes.
I nodded, because I didn’t know what else to say.
“If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness—”
I held out an arm. “Why don’t I escort you? I was just about to retire for the evening as well.”
Fuck all the nonsense that was happening around us. My parents didn’t need me there to chit-chat any longer. I was not going to add anything of value to whatever the hell was going on. I would much rather spend time with the lovely Jaq.
Jaq grinned up at me. “Why do I have the sneaking suspicion you have nefarious intentions, Prince Erich?”
I put a hand over my heart. “Jacques, how dare you. I am but a meager prince wanting to do the polite thing and escort you safely to your room. And if you invite me in for a nightcap. Well, then that’s just good manners.” I grinned, setting my champagne glass on a nearby table.
“I am rather thirsty.”
Chapter 4
Jaq
I hadn’t had time to really explore the palace. In my opinion, it couldn’t be that much better or different than the palace at home. Not that I explored that one very often. Maybe when Thomas and I were kids, but as an adult, I kept to myself. I came and went through the employee entrance and generally tried to avoid being anywhere I might be cornered by my parents. Like I had been tonight.
Usually it was my brother that was my rescuer. This time I had my own knight in shining... silver bow tie.
I giggled at that. Like one of the crowned princes would dare to wear something as tacky as a silver bow tie. The one Erich currently wore was jet-black, and it matched perfectly with his tailored jacket. The only pop of color on him was the blue delphinium in the boutonniere he wore on his jacket and the royal insignia pin on his lapel.
“Something funny?” Erich asked.
“Not you, Your Highness. I was just thinking that you were quite the knight in shining armor tonight. Lucky for me that you were there.”
I could hold my own against my biological dad. But it was draining, and I hated it. Being near him set my teeth on edge, and whenever I was released from the torment, I could feel the tension in my shoulders for days. I was in Swena now, though, and my bio dad would leave the country. I would stay. He would have no say over me.
“Well, I live to serve.” Erich gave a dramatic bow, and I laughed again. Somethingabout him let me let go of the stress that had weighed me down since the festivities began. Or maybe it was just because the event was over now. Either way, I didn’t hate it.
I tugged him toward my bedroom portion of the suite.
We had said our goodbyes to the lovely couple. Tomorrow they would embark on their weeks-long honeymoon on a private island. So help me God, if Cort did anything to hurt my brother, there wasn’t a corner of this palace he could hide in.
