Page 24 of Royal Player
“Thank you for being the sensible one tonight,” I say somberly. “I’m in a similar position as your uncle was, except I don’t seek love. I seek only what’s rightfully mine. If I don’t marry the man chosen for me, I’ll lose my birthright. Much like your uncle.” Bitterness tinges my voice. “And I will exile myself before watching my cousin take over as king.”
His brows scrunch together. “Your cousin would be king if you don’t marry that man? Why?”
“Because my cousin is a man. An eighteen-year-old inexperienced, ill-prepared, immature man, but apparently that’s better than a woman any day.”
He stiffens. “Doesn’t your kingdom realize the world has moved forward? Women are leaders in lots of places.”
“Our traditions are what make our kingdom strong,” I say automatically.
He stares at me for a long moment. “Is that why you escaped to the US under a false identity last year? To put off your marriage to him?”
“Yes. Obviously I can’t stay away forever. It’s time. My father wants to step down as king. His Parkinson’s disease is getting worse.”
His gaze is intent on mine, his voice fierce. “It’s wrong, and I hate that you’re in that position.”
Something in me cracks open, the air whooshing from my lungs. My eyes are hot. Here is a man who believes I have a right to leadership, who asks my opinion on business matters and takes them seriously. He’s so much more than a party guy. He’s wonderful.
“Thank you,” I manage and turn my head away. I try to hold them back, but a tear escapes anyway.
“Are you crying?”
“N-no.”
“Okay.”
And then his arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me close. I close my eyes and press my cheek against his warm hard chest. For the first time in my life I feel supported. And the sad thing is, I can’t remember the last time I was held. It makes me feel so mushy inside.
“I’m not the princess I’m supposed to be,” I tell his chest. “I never have been.”
His arm tightens around me. “You’re fine just the way you are. Donotlet them take that away from you.”
I lift my head. “Take what?”
“Your light. You glow with a zest for life. Hold onto that no matter what. It’s rare.”
I snuggle in closer because it sounds like maybe he thinks I’m special. My whole life I’ve felt like a cog in a machine far more powerful than me. I never want to lose this feeling. I close my eyes and soak it in for as long as he’ll let me, which turns out to be a very long time. I’m nearly asleep when I hear a deep voice say, “There you are!”
Oscar snaps to attention, straightening and taking his arm off me. “Hey, Lucas, just taking in the view.”
I instantly feel the loss. I may never have it again.
~ ~ ~
Oscar
My brothers and Alice interrupted my time on the roof with Polly, and I’m more irritated than is reasonable. It’s just that I was able to give Polly comfort and it felt good. No one ever turns to me for comfort. I’m the guy you party with or joke around with, not the one you turn to in a time of distress.
“It’s not looking good for Charles’s investment,” Lucas says. “He’s strapped right now investing in another casino due to open here.”
“Fuck,” I say. “No wonder we barely got time with him tonight.”
“We’re still going to meet with him tomorrow,” Adrian says. “He may have leads for other investors, and I want to hear any advice he has for the casino business.”
“Sure,” I say flatly, though I don’t see the point. We want someone we know, not just anyone with bucks.
Polly pipes up. “I could invest.”
Alice wags her finger at her. “Polly, don’t drink and invest.”
