Page 82 of Royal Fling
Fisayo and Dad walked behind us, and soon the entire room had turned to the podium as the lights went down and a spotlight came on the stage.
A spotlight that August filled so beautifully. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his navy-blue suit and his Order of the Phoenix necklet. So regal. So cute. So gorgeous.
If there was one thing I’d hated about the last few days the most, that was how much I’d missed August.
Yes, we’d seen each other. Yes, I’d helped him make some decisions about the gala, but I hadn’t been with him.
And I wasn’t even referring to sex. I was referring to being alone in a room with him. Kissing him. Talking with him about anything other than royal duties and press conferences.
I missed the days before the scandal. I missed the August that snuck me in places where we could do whatever we wanted and find out more about each other.
It was like my relationship with him had been put to a halt with the focus turning on saving face.
So, of course, seeing him on the stage looking his usual gorgeous self, my heart ached and fluttered at the same time.
“Esteemed guests,” August said, leaning into the microphone, and the room fell quiet. “Thank you for coming here tonight to support Rainbow Homes and their cause, which is very close to my heart.
“I would like to start this evening by thanking Tracy Forester and Jack Coleman for the incredible work they’re doing to provide shelters for LGBTQ youth across the country. I have had extensive talks with the both of them, and I’m looking forward to taking some of their practice and ethics back home with me to Elysia.
“I would also like to thank all our sponsors tonight who have helped us raise money for Rainbow Homes. I promise every penny of your money will be put to good use by Tracy, Jack, and their team.
“Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I, too, have given a generous donation to the charity. I like to put my money where my mouth is, after all. It’s very sad to think about all the young people that have been cast out of their homes because of who they are. Because of something that cant’ be helped or controlled any more than someone can help or control the color of their skin. But it’s very heart-warming to know that people like Tracy and Jack are out there offering people the support, education, and action that are so desperately needed.”
He had so much grace, so much elegance. When he spoke, you wanted to listen. He was so good. So natural at this. It warmed my heart watching him because I knew he meant every word. He had, after all, written his speech himself.
“I can’t say I know what it’s like to be homeless or kicked out of your home for who you are, but I have also lived with a burden like a lot of the youth Rainbow Homes have helped.
“And no, the burden isn’t my sexuality. But as you may have guessed, it is related to it.
“I’ve lived with the burden of knowing who I am from a very young age but being unable to do anything about it. Because princes aren’t gay. Right?”
I glanced around the room and saw some people nodding. A flash blinded me, and I covered my eyes to protect my vision.
“Well, I’m finally able to say that I am.”
An applause erupted across the room, but August raised his hands to quieten everyone.
“I don’t need an applause for that. It’s just a simple truth. However, it is quite disheartening to see so many of the people in the media not only spin my relationship into something it’s not but write some vile articles that only serve to damage the work Rainbow Homes and other organizations are trying to do.
“So, I would like to ask our friends from the press that are here tonight.” He turned and addressed the photographers in the room. “I would like to ask you to make things right. Not for me or my partner. But for the children that are reading these things. For their parents who will believe all those lies and end up taking it out on their kids because they’re different.”
Ginny clapped her hands together so loud I felt deaf for a second. But she did cause the entire room to applaud again.
God. She was one hell of a girl. She was gonna be one hell of a woman.
August smiled and greeted the audience before he leaned into the microphone again and looked at me.
I gave him my brightest smile, and for a moment, there was only him and I in the room and nobody else.
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to dance with my boyfriend, so how about some music?” he said.
Once again, the photographers turned to me, snapping pictures of my shock, my nerves, every single twitch.
But I didn’t care. August was claiming me in front of the world, and that was all that mattered.
Twenty-Two
August
