Page 1 of Twins for the Secret Prince
PROLOGUE
PIETER
Pieter paused at the bottom of the marble steps, looking up at the building that stood majestically before him. With his identity hidden by the mask he’d chosen for the ball, he could indulge in the briefest moment of pretense. The palace looked golden in the midsummer light, the evening sun warming its marble façade, an abundance of lanterns lining the many steps that led to the entrance. It was breathtaking in the truest sense, and a direct contrast to the stark military barracks he usually called home.
Thatthiswas also his home, by virtue of being the second-born son of the queen of Laagestein and her American-born husband, had become more and more disconcerting to Pieter over the years, as he moved from the blissful ignorance of childhood to adolescence, when he’d become acutely aware of his privilege. Now, at the age of thirty-three, Pieter was sure that he’d found the place where he belonged. That place was not in the royal palace but in the military, where he had carved out an impressive career that had gone from strength to strength. The pride he took in each commendation, in each promotion, was unlike anything he’d ever felt as a prince.
Hewantedto work for a living. He wanted to do something purposeful with his life, to be seen as a man who hadearnedhis place in life, and not been handed everything on a silver platter.
Nonetheless, he loved his parents and was looking forward to spending time with them during his two-day leave. The Midsummer Ball was his favorite party of the year; he loved the mystery and hint of illicitness that came with a masquerade ball, not only because it gave him a chance to shroud his identity for the night. For this year’s theme, creatures of the forest, he had commissioned a resin mask in the shape of an Iberian lynx. Sleek and more than a little dangerous, Pieter hoped to embody some of the creature’s qualities throughout the evening.
Inside the ballroom, he instantly caught sight of his parents, who were dancing cheek-to-cheek on a raised stage that was their dance floor for the night. The queen and king consort didn’t have the opportunity to blend in with the crowd, as Pieter did. Instead, the security detail ensured that they were visible and protected from the rest of the revelers all evening.
Rather than making his way to the stage right away to greet his parents, Pieter accepted a glass of champagne from one of the masked waiters and mingled with the crowd.
“It looks like we were made for each other,” someone whispered into his ear.
Pieter spun around and saw a tall, willowy woman in a teal silk gown and a cat mask. “I’m not a domestic tabby cat. I’m a lynx. Out of your league,” he said, as haughtily as he could manage.
“I’m not a tabby cat. I’m a lynx, too! Rude!” The woman huffed before turning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.
Pieter smiled to himself. He’d been joking, but in truth, shedidlook more like someone’s pet cat.
“Breaking hearts already?” a petite owl in a crimson gown asked, tilting her head to look at Pieter. “Not much of a Prince Charming now, are you?”
“Tilda,” Pieter said, taking her hand and kissing the top of it gently. “I was hoping you’d be here tonight.”
“And I was hoping you’d ask me to dance.”
“Okay, then. Care to dance?” Pieter asked.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Pieter put his hand on Tilda’s tiny waist and steered her through the crowd onto the dance floor. “How did you know it was me?”
“Hmm, let’s see. Taller than anyone else in the room, with a head of hair that looks like someone has just finished making a pile of butter curls.”
“Butter curls? I don’t know if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
“Whichever way you take it, let’s just say you have very distinctive hair.”
“I guess next year I’ll have to wear a wig as well as a mask,” Pieter said, effortlessly leading Tilda in a waltz.
“How is military life?”
“Excellent, thanks. How is life with you?”
“I’m very well,” Tilda said, not dropping eye contact. “Although I wish I saw you more than once a year.”
Tilda had been Pieter’s one and only serious girlfriend. They’d been together for nearly two years in their late teens, but Pieter had broken it off when he realized he was never going to feel as seriously about Tilda as she felt about him. He suspected that she was waiting for him, still, even though he’d been honest with her about his feelings.
“The military is my life, Tilda,” he said and watched as she dropped her head while they continued to move around the dance floor.
“I know it. I guess I was hoping for a little midsummer magic,” she said sadly as the song ended. “Take care of yourself, Pieter.”
Pieter watched her walk away and decided there was no time like the present to say hello to his parents. As he approached the stage, his mother recognized her youngest son and held both arms out to him. “Pieter! My boy!” she said, pulling him close and lifting his mask to kiss him on the cheeks.
“You’re revealing my identity!” he mock-admonished, hugging her back.
