Page 2 of Six Types of Apology

Chapter Two

“You did it then.”

“I did indeed.” Crown Prince Vincent of Faast grinned at Morgan, his personal valet, as the man handed him his morning coffee. “It was a wonderful end to a successful and fun evening. Admittedly, it helped that King Oscar is a terrible card player, but the killer hand I got clinched the deal. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I got what I wanted.”

“I still fail to see why you’d want to marry Prince Orion in the first place.” Morgan turned away, picking up and folding the clothes Vincent had dropped on the floor when he’d got into the room in the early hours of the morning. “It’s not like you’ve ever spent any time with him, despite our many visits here.”

“Ah, but that’s the best reason right there.” Vincent beamed. Nothing was going to ruin his mood. “Tell me. Why doesn’t Orion fawn all over me or want to get to know me?”

“You mean like every other person you come across who is blinded by your charm, looks, and breeding?”

Vincent could see Morgan’s lips twitching. The man had been with him a long time and knew him so well. “Exactly. Everyone knows I am the prince of charm and a delight to be around. Yet Orion barely acknowledges my existence. Why is that?”

“I’m sure I can’t presume to know what Prince Orion might be thinking.” Morgan moved on from tidying the clothes, to straightening Vincent’s medals and jewelry on the dresser. “He has a reputation as being a very serious man who doesn’t appear to enjoy the odd occasions when he attends social functions.”

“Don’t you ever get the urge to just ruffle his serious feathers?” Hugging his cup close to his chest, it made Vincent’s grin widen just thinking about it.

“It would hardly be seemly for me to be thinking about Prince Orion in any way at all.” Morgan turned from the dresser. “But why marriage, sir? Couldn’t you have talked to him and perhaps asked him why he appears so serious all the time? You didn’t have to marry him to find that out. In fact, there’s no guarantee you will find out, even once you are married.”

“Spouses talk to each other, even if they don’t do much else, and we both know how attractive others find me. I can’t help it. I can’t see him remaining aloof for long.” Vincent was being perfectly blunt – it was the way he’d been born. Great genetics and an active lifestyle meant he attracted a wide variety of people who always liked being around him.

“Courting him might have helped ease him into the idea of being with you, as opposed to basically winning him in a card game.”

“Oh, courting him. Good idea.” Vincent snapped his fingers. “I need to send him gifts, which means we get to go shopping. I’ve not done this type of shopping before. What items would make him want to be with me, do you think?”

“You buy gifts for your flavor of the week all the time,” Morgan reminded him.

“True, but I didn’t marry any of them.” Vincent sighed happily. “Just think, in two days my reign of being a playboy prince will be over, and I’ll be able to settle down with just one special person.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that? You’ve enjoyed a very active and varied social life, with many close companions for years.Is that type of behavior allowed within the confines of your marriage contract?”

“No. That’s the beauty of it all. There will be nothing like that going on anymore.” Vincent smirked. “Face it. I’m not getting any younger and, to be honest, it’s tiring having to be on my best behavior all the time. I’m hoping once I’m married that will stop the numerous requests I get for private engagements.”

“Because heaven forbid someone knows the only reason you can see the floor in your room is because you have me to pick up after you.” Morgan shook his head. “So is this the last great courting session?”

“Yes.” Vincent nodded happily. “And that’s an excellent way to put it. So we needs gifts and lots of them. I need to be sure my new fiancé will be suitably impressed.”

“Sir, marriage is a very serious step, and one that you won’t be able to get out of if it doesn’t work. Did you have a backup plan in case Prince Orion doesn’t enjoy being in your company?”

“I’ve never needed one before. Why start now?” Getting up, Vincent put his mug on the coffee table and stretched. “Let’s go for a wander among the locals and see what sorts of items might impress a serious prince that needs to loosen up and enjoy life a bit more.”

“Just don’t go buying him a pack of cards, sir,” Morgan said, going to the closet to collect Vincent’s coat for him. “Somehow, I don’t think Prince Orion would appreciate your humor.”

“He had to get married one day.” Vincent held out his arms and shrugged on his coat. “It might just as well be with me. Everyone knows I’m a catch.” And the awesome thing was, that if Oriondidn’t already know that it wouldn’t take him long to find out how wonderful Vincent could be.

Chapter Three

“There’s no piss-off clause, and he’s included a solid fidelity clause that applies to both of us. How could Father do this to me?” As soon as Orion had read over the surprisingly brief marriage contract, he knew he needed help and his older brother, Onyx, was the first person that came to mind. “I expected this thing to be pages long. You know, a million clauses that would give me a loophole so I can get out of this, but there’s nothing here.” He slapped the single piece of paper on Onyx’s desk. “It’s almost an insult on how basic this is.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, this looks exactly as it appears – a marriage contract hashed out between two drunks who seriously don’t know any better.” Onyx sighed. “The only problem is that’s it’s already signed, and a copy lodged with the World Council.”

“But my signature’s not on it.” Orion tapped the paper. “Prince Vincent’s is, and so is Father’s, but surely if I went to the council and explained that I wasn’t even consulted…” He trailed off as his brother shook his head.

“Technically, and this is simply within the parameters of World Council policies regarding these matters, what Father did was perfectly acceptable. You are his youngest son, and you live under his roof, implying to the council that you’re still under his rule, which again is also true. He had every right to sign the contract on your behalf as he is our king.”

Orion and Onyx shared a long look. The ‘in name only’ was understood between them even if the words were never spoken out loud. If it wasn’t for Onyx, Tyrion would have fallen to rack and ruin years ago.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Orion groaned as he slumped in the nearest chair. “I mean, all right, I had to marrysomeday, maybe. But I thought I’d end up with a society wife who was happy enough to live in the castle and leave me to keep running my businesses. Mother said I have to be prepared to travel with Prince Vincent within two days. Two days!”

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