Chapter 1
“Erich, they are meeting without you!” Meena’s sandals slapped against the stone floor of the castle hall as she chased her older brother.
Erich turned and waited for her to catch up. “Are you sure? Ian said he would invite me to the planning meeting.” Erich knew he excelled at bringing people together and making sure they all enjoyed themselves. Their older brother Ian would be an idiot to overlook his core strengths.
“Did he say ‘a’ planning meeting or ‘the’ planning meeting?” Meena skidded to a stop right before running into him.
Narrowing his eyes, Erich thought back to Ian’s promise. He would never tell a lie, but he was not above twisting a few words to get his own way. “The sneak,” Erich muttered. “He never intended for me to help at all, did he?”
“Steward Daniel and Miss Roth went upstairs ages ago.” Meena gave him a gentle shove in the back, encouraging him to return down the hallway.
“Curses.” Erich leaned his weight against her to remain in place, biting his lower lip. If his older brother did not want him present, maybe he shouldn’t push the matter. “Should I really go interrupt them?”
“Yes!” Meena dug her shoulder into his back, pushing against him with all her might. “You know Ian will royally mess this up—or it will royally messhimup. He needs you because you’re so good at this.”
“I am, aren’t I?” Erich could not stop the smug grin that was spreading across his face. He took a quick step away from his sister, laughing as she stumbled forward from the lack of contact.
“Rude!” She slapped his shoulder. “I’ll get you back for that later. Now, get up there, and make sure this stuffy dance is going to be worth attending. If it’s not fun, I’ll personally hold you accountable!”
“Fine. Fine. I’ll take this responsibility seriously.” Erich threw up his hands in mock defeat but the smile was still on his face.
Meena seemed unconvinced. “Like that’s ever happened.”
“You coming too?” Erich asked, ignoring her jab.
Meena’s only response was the slapping of her sandals as she dashed away. Erich fell into a quick jog and followed her to the upper wing of the castle.
Outside his brother’s study, Erich stopped to catch his breath. He had to approach this confidently or he would not be taken seriously. Looking down, he rearranged his purple vest. Confidence was all about clothing, and looking impeccable would give him the extra boost needed to open that door and interrupt his brother’s meeting.
Still nervous, he raised an eyebrow at Meena. Just because he offered his help didn’t mean it would be accepted.
She nodded. “He needs us.”
Erich took a deep breath and reached for the door. Meena grabbed his wrist before he could pull on its handle.
“Whatever you do,” she hissed, “don’t mentionher.”
Erich gave a single nod. “I may choose to be obnoxious, but I’m not that dumb,” he whispered back.
Erich slammed open the study door with all the confidence of a twenty-year-old prince. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He flashed his most dashing smile. He knew it was dashing because he had spent quite some time perfecting it.
Three pairs of surprised eyes looked up at him.
Crown Prince Ian, his oldest brother, quickly schooled his surprise to indifference. “I don’t remember inviting you,” he said. “At least to this particular meeting.”
“Do I mean so little to you?” Erich placed a hand over his heart as he sauntered inside and sprawled on the nearest empty chair.
Ian turned away, his lips pinched.
If they had been in private, Ian would have surely rolled his eyes. Never missing an opportunity to annoy his older brother, Erich decided to count that as a victory.
The other members of the room offered Erich a far more conciliatory welcome. Steward Daniel, who managed the daily operations of the castle, nodded curtly in his typical efficient fashion.
Miss Roth, the steward’s first-in-command, smiled warmly. Erich grinned back at her. She’d always had a soft spot for him. At least she was on his side.
“So, what did I miss?” Erich asked as Meena settled in next to him.
The steward glanced toward Ian. He must have sensed the crown prince’s discomfort.
