Page 24 of How Not to Marry a Prince

He swore the two of them shared a sly look before Soledad replied, "No, Your Highness, though it might interest you to know that His Majesty returned about an hour or so ago. There's a missive for you on your desk. I would have woken you, but His Majesty gave strict instructions we weren't to do so, and…" He spread his hands, then went back to writing.

"It's fine." He'd have preferred to be woken up, but it hardly mattered in the end. No doubt Sohan had been busy since his return, anyway.

Climbing out of bed, Amador pulled his clothes back on and went to the desk, where another envelope made of that beautiful green paper waited, with his name once more written in gold.

Inside was paper of a lighter green, the writing in dark blue ink. Amador had expected to be given some date and time in the near future, perhaps a couple of days out at best. Instead, the missive said only, Please come see whenever you have the time and feel so inclined. I'll be awake some hours yet. If not tonight, then please do come see me for breakfast.

Amador swore softly. Everything in him screamed to go see Sohan right now, but there was no telling how long their conversation would take, and he did not want to disrupt his plans for the night, especially since Marcellette and Vladlena were already expecting him.

So he tucked the note in his jacket, along with the bracelet and letter of thanks, fixed his hair, and ate the food that was sitting on the table by the fire before dashing out, bound for the garden.

He was not remotely surprised his co-conspirators were already there, and looking suspiciously flushed as he pushed through the shrubs. "Good evening," Amador said with a laugh. "Having fun?"

"Quite," Marcellette said primly as she fixed the sleeve of her gown and smoothed down her hair.

Looking entirely pleased with herself, Vladlena said, "I'll signal when it's safe for the two of you to come out of hiding. I don't suppose you're going to tell me what you're planning?"

"Unlucky to share your plans before you absolutely must," Amador said, just to see them pout and scowl.

"You two are a terrible combination, I would like to put that on record," Vladlena said, then kissed Marcellette quick and sweet before going to take her usual position in the garden.

Amador looked around for a suitable stick, which thankfully did not take long, then doused his lantern and settled behind the shrubs with Marcellette

Not a moment too soon, either, as Léonce came into view carrying a large bouquet of roses.

"Ready for another night of frustrating you and your beloved by confessing your love but not your identity?" Vladlena asked cheerfully.

"Oh, shut up," Léonce said lightly. "Just because everything has worked out for you doesn't mean it's ever going to work for the rest of us. I was actually thinking maybe I should give up." He sighed.

"I think you should give up the secrecy, not the adoration, but you don't listen to anyone but your own stupid, stubborn self." Vladlena held up a hand before Léonce could voice the retort that comment deserved. "Take it from an expert on the matter. If not for Prince Amador's machinations, I'd probably still be acting just as stubbornly as you. Don't be me."

Léonce shrugged irritably. "You came into a sudden title and fortune. I'm still just a gardener."

"I think it might surprise you how easily you could wind up royalty, Lee, but come on, we'll keep doing things your way. Up, up."

Gently setting the roses aside, Léonce climbed onto Vladlena's shoulders with practiced ease, then heaved himself onto the balcony. Vladlena tossed the roses, and then he was gone again, sneaking away into Nazaire's bedroom.

After a few moments, Vladlena turned and waved her arm. Amador and Marcellette hastened out of the shrubs and joined her. "So what's the plan, Your Highness?"

"Get me up there like you do him, and then toss this after me," Amador said, handing over the stick, which was short and thick, not easily broken, especially while trying to keep quiet.

Vladlena stared at it blankly a moment and then she and Marcellette gaped at him. "You evil bastard," Marcellette said with absolute delight. "I love it!"

"Come on, we have to hurry," Amador said.

He wasn't anywhere near as smooth about the climb as Léonce, and it took him two tries, but he did finally scramble up, panting and gasping. Thankfully it was much easier to catch the stick, and then there was really only one important step left.

Striding up to the doors, he slid the stick through the handles. Perfect. He took a step back and then simply waited.

The wait wasn't long. Not more than a minute or so, and someone on the inside gave the doors a push. Stopped. Gave them a firmer push. Amador just caught someone swearing. Stepping close the door again, he pressed his ear to the glass and listened.

Restless movement. Softly muttered words of panic. Still too quiet. Léonce might not be able to get out the balcony doors, or sneak past the guards at the main door, but he could find a place to hide and wait for his chance to break out of the room. That wouldn't do.

Drawing a deep breath, silently begging Léonce's forgiveness for so much mischief, Amador pounded loudly on the door. There was much louder swearing happening as he pressed his ear to the door a second time, followed by a panicked prince jerking awake—and then gasping Léonce's name.

Withdrawing, Amador returned to the balcony railing and threw his arms up in a sign of victory. Down below, the other two cheered.

Now for the getting down part, which hadn't looked nearly so intimidating when he'd watched Léonce do it.

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