Page 1 of Crown Me, Baby

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ALEXIS

“Alexis is an excellent prince,” Dimitri remarks, polishing a glass. “And Christian is, too. He’s an exceptional advisor to the king.”

My hand rests on the door. Despite my need to mingle with guests and desire to get another drink, I can’t quite pull myself away from the servants’ conversation about me and Christian.

“Christian is doing well as the future king,” Joseph replies. “Although Alexis is a perfect prince in every way. It’s a pity, really.”

No matter how much good I do for Solvaria, it always has a disclaimer. That Christian is the heir.

“It’s a shame Alexis was born too late,” Dimitri says. “He’d make an excellent monarch.”

“He wasn’t born too late,” Joseph quickly corrects. “Just to the wrong father, as it were. He’s the son of Prince Ronaldi, the King’s brother.”

“Yes, forgive me for the mistake. He's just so much like the King in bearing. An exemplar of duty and leadership. We’re fortunate to be in good hands with Christian, as well, but Prince Alexis seems built for it.”

I’ve heard the story so often, you’d think I’d be used to it by now. Yet it still stings every time I’m reminded that I was born under circumstances that were so close to perfect but not close enough.

I gently allow the door to the kitchen to close and back away. I wander aimlessly through the hall until I find a wooden bench to rest on. I sigh, rubbing circles into my eyes.

Behind me, I hear the laughter and discussions of the delegates’ meeting. As the cultural ambassador to Solvaria, I’ve made it my duty to ensure our guests are treated warmly. Caesar, as the chief ambassador, is supposed to help me with this, but did he even bother to show up? Of course not.

I don't know how the least diplomatic of the Vanecourt brothers became the nation’s chief ambassador. They're technically my cousins, but we all grew up in the palace, and they've always treated me like one of their own. Especially after my father died, the King essentially took me as his in all but name.

Murmurings from the servants reveal Caesar is likely meeting a woman, presumably another one in the ongoing cycle of female companions he keeps constantly on his arm.

Usually, I’m indifferent to his playboy tendencies, but I’m the one he’s screwing over right now. And it doesn’t help that the servants openly air their opinion of my talents as they compare me to Christian. Even if they think I come out on top, it's with a twinge of pity. I don't need it. Not from them or anyone else.

“Focus, Alex,” I whisper to myself. “Things could be worse.”

I’m fighting for a throne that in all probability will never be mine. I promised my mother, Duchess Janice of Vrinland, by issue, that I would do everything in my power for the sake of our family and the throne. But situations like these ones tonight can make me despondent.

Champagne would enliven my spirits right now. I’ll have a few glasses, at most.

Rolling my neck and cracking some joints, I open the double doors to the banquet hall that currently accommodates all of our distinguished guests. Delegates from all over the country have shown up, so it’s my duty to mingle and make sure our relations are in good standing.

“Prince Alexis!” It's Lawrence, a friend and fellow noble. He claps his hand on my shoulder, catching me off guard. “Good to see you, old friend. Where’s Caesar? I thought he was going to be here.”

“I did, too. Apparently, he had other business to attend to.”

“Ah.” The twinkle in his green eyes tells me he understands what I’m talking about. “How are you feeling, my friend? You look worn out.”

“Me?” I shake my head and smile, even though I know I’m not fooling him, and pluck a champagne flute from the tray of a passing servant. “Of course not. I’m a busy man, but I make sure to rest between engagements.”

“Good, good.” Lawrence ducks his head, then sends me a knowing look. “You’re the hardest working member of your family, you know. If you don’t know, then I do. They depend on you, Prince Alexis.”

I chuckle quietly. “That’s encouraging to hear.”

“It’s the truth. I wouldn’t be saying it if it weren’t.” He wraps an arm around me as we snake our way through the crowd of tipsy delegates. “How’s the family? I assume Caesar is doing very well right now.”

“You know Caesar. Always doing well when there are new… um, people to meet. They’re all fine, though. Nothing new to report.”

“Have you met Vladimir?” Lawrence stops, craning his neck slightly to scan the crowd. “He’s from across the sylvan divide. Very interesting man, I must admit. He comes from a country where they mingle with bears and drink hard liquor for breakfast!”

Interesting. Sounds like a man I’d rather keep as a friend than an enemy.

“Are you sure about that or are you exaggerating again?”

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