Gen chuckled. As her best friend, Sam knew all about the façade her mother put on to fool others. “Yes, but my mother pushed me to go. All of the princes, including Prince Gabriel, are going to be there and she thinks I’ll ‘catch their eye’ or some bullshit. Thankfully the invitation only allowed for one person from our home to attend or I’d be attending with her, which would be even worse.”
Sam grimaced. “I mean they are handsome, especially Gabriel, but he’s a total Casanova. He is not going to pick a lowly commoner such as ourselves.”
“Very true.” The eldest prince was known for playing, and she wasn’t interested in games, even if he was tall, dark-haired, and too handsome for his own good. “Who are you setting your sights on tonight?” Sam loved dating but had no desire to marry and wanted to pursue acting, though her parents were trying to arrange a marriage with someone.
“I think Cary.”
“You cannot be serious! He was such an asshole at school.”
“I know but he’s better than the other options, and he usually isn’t racist.”
“That’s a very low bar.”
Sam shrugged. “Story of my life. Besides, I’m just looking for a man to take me out for a nice meal, not marry him.” She shuddered.
Gen giggled. Sam said the same thing every time marriage came up, for her or Gen.
“Who are going for?”
Gen sighed. “Not sure, but I want to find someone. I need to get the fuck out of that house and marriage is the easiest way. I’ll see who takes my bait.” Gen gestured to her long dress.
“They’d be crazy not to. I bet you even catch a prince’s eye tonight.”
They both burst out laughing. The idea that a prince—any prince, much less Valleria’s crown prince and future king—would be interested in either of them was just too funny.
Gen adjusted in her seat. “Well, let’s agree to have fun at any rate. You know the food will be good tonight at least.”
“Here’s hoping. 99% of the reason I go to these things is for the free food.”
“What’s the other 1%?”
“Spending time with you, of course!”
Gen smiled. “I’m glad I rank so highly.”
Sam winked, then took the exit that would lead them towards the palace.
GABRIEL
“Help me, Gabriel.”
His father gestured to the sash that hung across his torso, which had become slightly askew. Gabriel nodded and began adjusting it, and the medal pinning it in place.
His father cleared his throat. “I know you’d prefer not to discuss it, but you need to find a bride, and this ball is as good a place as any.”
Gabriel sighed internally instead of responding to his father, Charles, who also happened to be the King of Valleria. Being a prince and next in line to the throne meant he kept a poker face nearly all the time, but especially in public.
He finished helping his father and stepped back. “We can discuss it later, Father. I’d rather your scolding of me not be overheard.”
His father huffed a laugh, knowing it was unlikely, as they resumed their walk towards the ballroom. Their own Royal Protection Service agents were nearby, and the palace hallway they were walking down was deserted. Though if any staff appeared, they had all signed confidentiality agreements. Though they could be bought, he supposed, he trusted in their palace staff. After all, none of them had leaked his activities over the years to the press, or even to his father. At least, not yet.
“I only mention it because many of the leaders at the security conference I recently attended mentioned their daughters of eligible age, and multiple times at that. We may be a smaller country than most—in size and political capital—but that doesn’t mean those men don’t want to be related to royalty.”
More people wanting to use his status for their own gain. Nothing new. He brushed a hand over his own sash, then tucked a lock of his inky black hair in place, hair he’d inherited from his father. In truth, he resembled his father too much at times, except for the mustache he sported which his father hated. “How many have approached you then?”
“At least three.”
“Should I just lead their daughters on for a while for political gain then? I’m assuming that’s what you want.”
