Page 51 of His Scarlette Obsession
“Let it be noted for the record,” Arav interrupts smoothly, “that due to the royal commission entrusted to me by His Majesty, I am duty-bound to represent the interests of Mr. Fuller in all legal proceedings.”
Fuck.
There goes my advantage. Arav is one of the kingdom’s sharpest legal minds, and what should have been a piece of cake just became an uphill battle. My back is against the wall now, but the pressure only sharpens my focus.
Arav will soon know what my opponents have learned to their misfortunte.
I’ve always fought better when cornered, and I don’t intend to let today’s battle to be an exception.
Vaughn leans forward, his expression so damn pompous, it just fucking hurts to think of him as my brother.
“Let it be officially acknowledged that I desire to have Scarlette Hood as my wife.”
“I raise no objection to that.”
The words make Scarlette jerk in her seat while my idiot of a brother smiles triumphantly.
But Arav clears his throat. “Secretary, let the petition be officially amended to indicate Mr. Fuller’s interest in making Scarlette Qahiri his wife.”
Vaughn’s face flushes red as his rookie mistake sinks in. “You think this is some kind of game?”
The petulance of his tone makes me grind my teeth. How can this be my flesh of blood? How, dammit?
“I’m serious about Scarlette.”
What the—
“Did I ever say I wasn’t?”
Brother or not, annoying or not, I willnotlet him question my feelings for Scarlette—
“Do you love her then?”
But neither will I let him force me into making any admission until I’m good and ready.
“That’s immaterial to the discussion,” I snap.
“On the contrary,” Arav interjects, flipping through his leather folio. “Article Twelve of the Royal Marriage Statute clearly states that emotional attachment supersedes birthright in cases where the union has been consummated.”
Damn you, Arav.
Vaughn straightens in his chair. “Then I invoke Article Seven—the Right of First Blood.”
The Chief Steward has always been an excellent tutor, and Vaughn speaking like he’s always been an expert on Sharasan law is proof of it.
“As the elder son, I have primary claim to any woman of my choosing, regardless of her current marital status.”
Too bad for him, though.
“Article Seven has been superseded by the Marriage Protection Act of 1847,” I counter coldly.
Arav was my tutor, too, once upon a time.
“It’s specifically designed to prevent forced dissolution of consummated unions—”
“Unless, of course—”
What the hell, Arav?
