Page 30 of Six Types of Apology

“But I wanted to wear a waistcoat like yours.” Vincent slumped down in the nearest chair in disgust. “Yours shows off your lovely shape. Mine makes me look like a drain cleaner pipe.”

“A very fancy drain cleaner pipe.” Orion was still chuckling. “I would wear something else, but you specifically said you wanted to see me in one of your gifts and I don’t have anything in my rather sparse wardrobe that would compare to your…whatever that is.”

“Exactly. Even you don’t know what it is.” Vincent plucked at where the material was now bunched up over his hips. “There’s no flare or slit in the back. I’m going to have to unbutton this just to sit down in it, otherwise I’m going to look like I’m hiding something underneath it if someone peeks under the table.” He undid three of the buttons and smoothed out the material. “Gold and black threads. The man has no imagination. We even showed them a copy of what I was looking for.”

“We could get in touch with Martha from Tyrion and ask her to make some custom waistcoats for your highness for future events,” John suggested.

“Although, if you’re going to keep throwing them on the floor, I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Morgan grumbled as he and John went to pick up the items Vincent had dropped. He andJohn disappeared into the bedroom, probably to iron and then put the offending items away.

“You look like a very distinguished prince.” Orion put his book aside. “I’m guessing that was the look Mr. Grainger was going for.”

“I told mother I was getting something made that was different. She’s going to laugh at me.” Vincent hopped up from his chair and went over to where Orion was sitting, helping him to stand. They had spent the day quietly, and Vincent made sure Orion had plenty of rest. “Are you nervous? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I’m rested. I’ve been spoiled all day.” Orion’s hand was warm on his face. “This is as good as I’m going to get right now. Your mother assured me we weren’t having a reception line, which was very kind of her. It means I won’t have to stand for too long, but I want you to have a good time. These are your people.”

“They are yours, too, now.” Vincent felt the same heart flutter he always did standing so close to his husband. “Remember what mother said. You will outrank everyone there tonight except me and my mother. You’re even higher ranked than my sisters.”

“Don’t let them hear you say that.” Orion nodded. “I know and I appreciate the efforts your mother is making to help me feel like part of the family. It’s all still new to me, but I cherish theirs and your concern. I will be fine.”

“You have banishing powers now. You can demand that anyone leave the court who makes you uncomfortable.” Tucking his arm around Orion’s waist Vincent led them to the door.

“Have you thought about doing that to Mr. Grainger?” There was that chuckle again which made Vincent feel all warm inside.

“Many times,” he admitted grimly. “Unfortunately, if I go to him and complain about this thing that I’m wearing, he’ll simplysay it’s one of his apprentices’ fault, and they’d get fired. I’m not doing that. Mother also reminded me that if I fired him personally, there’d be no one else to take his place. It wouldn’t be so bad. His tailoring skills are incredible, but it’s like he can’t get his hands on any materials that aren’t black and gold.”

“Well, there’s a new community project for you. You could set up a spinning and dying company for locals to use to make custom materials for clothes, upholstery or other cloth items.” Orion suggested. “I mean, your country might have one already, but if you did, then it’s possible there’s a tailor in the making lurking in a smaller town around here, who might appreciate an opportunity.”

“There won’t be one in town, I know that much. I’m sure Humphrey intimidates anyone who comes into town and tries to set up their own tailoring business. There’s been a few over the years who have started up and then closed up again almost as quickly.”

“Ooh, underhand company tactics. Sounds like something else we could investigate.” Orion leaned on him as they approached the ballroom. “Okay. Little bit nervous now.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me.” Vincent dropped a kiss on Orion’s cheek. “You look amazing in that waistcoat, and I am so very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Vincent. Let’s do this, then.”

Vincent nodded at the doorman who threw open the doors. “Be upstanding for Crown Prince Vincent and Crown Prince Consort Orion,” he called out in a loud voice.

Don’t let me mess this up.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The first part of the celebratory dinner went much like Orion expected – to a point. He didn’t expect the queen to hug him as Vincent led him to his seat, but it was welcome and he hugged her back, making her smile. There were some new food items he tried, which Vincent told him were local to Faast, including a particularly spicy herb that was used to sprinkle on the top of the main course, which Orion enjoyed.

When Rosalyn, who seemed the most outspoken of Vincent’s sisters, learned he’d never had it before, she kept putting small pieces of food on his plate, saying “you should try this,” or, “have you had this before?” That was a fun and tasty experience. In a lot of ways, it was how Orion would imagine an ordinary family dinner would go, if he could forget roughly two hundred people were watching them eat.

He wasn’t that surprised either when the Queen Julia rose, at the end of the meal, to make a small speech. Orion knew his father used to do that on many an occasion. Large balls and celebrations were an ideal time for the ruling family to make announcements to their society family members. He leaned back, cradling a half of glass of wine, conscious of Vincent’s arm across the back of his chair, looking in her direction, which was the respectful thing to do.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the queen smiled as she surveyed the room. “As a parent, I’m sure my words will resonate with many of you when I say how difficult it can be as our children get older, and we have to set them free to find their way in life. As a crown prince, my Vincent spread his wings further than most, and there are times I wonder when he’s going to come home, but I know in my heart he always will.”

There were some polite chuckles. Queen Julia waited for them to settle down before continuing. “I have always been inordinately proud of my son. He’s spread the word about our little country far and wide, forging many useful friendships with neighboring countries and those even farther afield. But I will admit, as both a mother and a queen that when I heard word that my son was getting married, I had a few anxious moments, wondering what type of person my son would consider a suitable spouse.

“But I shouldn’t have worried.” The queen was looking directly at Orion. “My son brought home a fine, upstanding, intelligent prince. A lineage and a match any parent would and should be proud of. But what warmed my heart more was seeing how much our crown prince had grown and matured, due to the caring these two men share in their relationship. When I asked Vincent in jest, during a private conversation, what he might do if our crown prince consort didn’t enjoy living in Faast, he immediately started listing other countries where he thought his husband would prefer to live with him.”

Orion’s eyes widened, when Queen Julia continued, “I had to inform my son I was simply teasing him and reminded him he was the crown prince of our lovely country, however I think that dedication and devotion to another person is something rarely seen among royal relationships. I hope you will all join me in ensuring our crown prince consort comes to love our country as much as we do.”

There was a smatter of polite applause, but as the queen was still standing, it didn’t last for long.

“There was one other question my son had for me, during our chat, and that concerned the protocol surrounding who gets to claim the first dance with a crown prince. Under normal circumstances it would be the consort, and I was very firm about that. As the crown prince consort ranks higher than anyone elsein this room with two exceptions, it is his right to dance with his husband before any other. Anyone who would seek to usurp my new son-in-law’s position in this court wouldn’t find themselves welcome at this court any longer.”

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