“He’ll realize what a fool he is. And the ceremony, if you can even call it that, takes fifteen minutes. Then there’s a quick photo you’ll take for the press, and that’s it. Afterward, we disappear, and the rest of the world can kiss our asses. Including my brother. Okay?”
She hugs me tightly, and I take a deep breath.
“Okay. Let’s go. The faster I get out of here, the better.”
Lizzy takes my hand again, and together we walk to the official conference room where the notary, the king, the queen, and Nicolas are already waiting.
My heart pounds as we enter, and all eyes turn to me. The king seems unusually distant, which only heightens my nerves,but the queen greets me with a warm smile and pulls me into a hug.
“Don’t let it get to you, sweetheart. I’m happy you’re joining the family. Certain people in this room will eventually come to appreciate it too,” she whispers, holding me close.
The lump in my throat eases slightly at her words, and when she lets go, I give her a grateful smile.
Nicolas is already at the desk, his gaze piercing me, but I ignore him.
The notary explains the procedure and asks us both if we agree. My hand trembles as I sign. Nicolas signs next, followed by the king and the notary.
We’re officially congratulated as husband and wife, though here in Harlington, only the church wedding is considered the true royal marriage. This is just a formality.
The king and queen are the first to offer their congratulations. The king’s look is so intimidating it makes me flinch, ever so slightly.
God, I need to get out of here. Now.
The photographer arrives a moment later, and I stand there with a racing pulse and a queasy stomach as Nicolas walks up to me. His intense gaze locks onto mine, and this time, I don’t look away. I meet it, cold and silent.
But then he steps behind me, placing his hand on my waist, and I can’t stop the shiver that runs down my spine. He pulls me against his solid body, and my senses go haywire.
Damn it. I don’t want to feel this.
I force a tight smile for the photo and pray it’s over quickly.
As soon as the photographer nods, I turn away from Nicolas, scanning the room for Lizzy, but suddenly her brother is standing in front of me again.
“We need to talk…”
I raise my hand, cutting him off.
“No, we don’t. I’ve done my part for today, and as you made very clear yesterday, the rest is none of my business. So please excuse me. I have plans.”
I’m proud of how calm and dismissive my voice sounds. I walk past him without looking back, hurrying to the door where Lizzy is already waiting.
Screw this prince.
She just leaves me standing there, again. My wife simply takes off without even giving me a glance or listening to what I have to say.
Caught off guard, I watch her walk away, disappearing with my sister, who shoots me a deadly look.
Fuck, my head is pounding, and I have the hangover of the millennium after being completely wasted last night. I just want to crawl back into bed, but that’s clearly not going to happen.
“Nicolas, a word.” My father’s cold voice reaches my ear, and I turn my head to look at him, bored.
“What’s so urgent?” I ask, uninterested, when he suddenly slams a newspaper on my chest and holds his phone under my nose.
Fuck. That means trouble.
I was totally smashed yesterday and didn’t really register much, but a newspaper and a phone never mean anything good.
Okay, the phone first.
