Page 55 of The Cinderella Prince

It hurt me more than I could say to remind him of it. “Are you sure about that, Tristan? That you would want them speaking of…?”

“I’m sure,” Tristan said. “They’re welcome to digthrough it. I made my peace with everything that happened.”

“What of us?” Alexander demanded, and it only awakened the deeply buried spite in me. “What of the scandal?”

“What scandalizes you more?” Tristan asked without a sliver of patience, his hand tight around mine. “That a Montclair prince left for an American or that he is gay?”

Alexander lifted his chin defiantly.

“Tristan, are you sure about that?” I asked. The last sparks of hope fanned to life somewhere deep inside of me. “Are you sure you could face seeing your entire life bared open? Every scrap and bruise and loss? For strangers to read and gasp?” It choked me up to even imagine it. His loss was so incomprehensibly large that I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.

“Is that all that’s in the way?” Tristan asked hopefully. “Because I went home. I visited her. I’m ready to move on.” His voice had gone low, just for my ears.

“Cedric, you are doing more harm than good,” Alexander reminded me. “Don’t feed him hopes. You know that you must marry Élodie.”

“Perhaps I should have a say in that,” announced a regal and controlled voice from the distant part of the room.

I spun around to see Élodie leading a small procession. Sophia was behind her, arms folded on her torso like she was holding herself together against the worry that threatened to pull her apart. The final member of Élodie’s party was my slender and tall younger brother, Sophia’s twin, Maximilian. His mop of aged golden hair was ruffled and stylishly messy, his pointy chin lifted, and his gaze direct. The animosity he had exhibited toward me had barelysoftened in the days since I had returned, but now, he looked at Alexander with something far colder and more menacing.

“Is that her?” Tristan whispered, holding my hand and standing next to me.

I quickly told him all their names.

“How are you all so beautiful?” Tristan murmured sourly. “It’s crazy.”

I wanted to laugh, but Alexander was crossing the room with purpose in his stride just as Élodie, Sophie, and Max were moving toward the middle.

“You will forgive the intrusion, Your Highness,” Élodie said in perfect diction and in clear English because Sophie must have told her that Tristan was here. “But if my future and marriage are at stake, then I believe I should be present when they are discussed.”

“Élodie,” Alexander said carefully. “I am merely trying to prevent any changes to the plans our families have agreed on.”

Max looked at Élodie, and all the cool composure shattered. He loved her.

The Marchioness spoke on. “Then you should be aware that there have been some changes in the arrangements, Your Highness. Perhaps you should attempt to protect the new agreement. My father has listened to my wishes, and yours has listened to the wishes of his children.”

Alexander glared at me as if I had done something.

Sophia spoke up. “It was me, Alex. I’m sorry. I spoke to Father.”

Alexander laughed bitterly. “I seem to be the only person who has any interest in preserving the reputation of our family here. Very well. We can continue this some othertime. Until then, Cedric, you have a scheduled appearance with Élodie at the Modernist Verdumont exhibition, and you are not ready.”

“I’m not leaving Tristan,” I said. The battle lines had shifted tremendously. Tristan’s hand in mine gave me strength. “I swear to God, Alexander, you can’t make me.” I looked at Tristan doubtfully. “Are you sure about this?” I whispered.

He gave a single, deep nod.

Fear rocked me, but it wasn’t the fear of Alexander. I realized, a moment before they were out, what were the words that welled in me and fought to be free. “I love you,” I said.

Tristan’s eyelashes batted, and a grin split his face. “I love you.” He tightened his hand around mine.

I wanted to kiss him right then, but Alexander slapped his hands together and ruined the moment. “This is irrelevant.”

“Don’t be an ass,” Max said loudly, bristling and standing shoulder to shoulder with Élodie. “It’s no longer your job, Alex. Retreat.”

“Father allowed it,” Sophie said. “Just now. I spoke to him, and he agreed.”

“I will marry Élodie,” Max announced bravely.

Élodie’s perfect composure wavered momentarily. She loved him, too. “And we have my family’s blessing.”

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