Page 86 of The Royal in Room 3

I hadn’t thought it odd when Rasheed brought home a friend from his boarding school for the two-week break. He was a popular guy, and it wouldn’t be the first time, but I never expected him to be kissing said friend in a restricted area. I didn’t even know he was gay.

“You okay?” his friend whispered, and Rasheed nodded.

“I didn’t see anything,” I said and turned to go. My younger brother and I weren’t particularly close, so I had no idea what to say in this situation.

“Soren, wait!” Rasheed cried, and I turned around. He said something to his friend that was too low for me to hear, and his friend nodded and walked by me, leaving us alone.

“It was lovely seeing you again,” I said, smirking at the horrified look he gave me before disappearing down the corridor.

“I didn’t know you were gay,” I said to Rasheed.

“I’m not,” he protested, but his face was red.

I sighed. “You don’t have to hide who you are. Everyone knows I’m gay, and Father has always supported me. Hell, he had the royal physician put me on PrEP when he found out I was no longer a virgin.”

Rasheed pulled a face. “I don’t want to think about that.”

“Then don’t, but give Father some credit.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “That isn’t the problem. Shiro is King Henrik of Rosenmark’s son.”

I gaped at him. “Holy fuck. That’s Rosenmark’s heir?”

“No.” His jaw tightened. “The other one.”

It took me a moment to understand. “The king’s illegitimate son?”

“Don’t call him that,” he said, bristling.

But as much as he wanted to deny it, that was exactly what his boyfriend was. Everyone knew well the story of how the king of Rosenmark’s affair became publicized when the woman he’d kept on the side for years died, and he finally had to acknowledge the son she’d left behind.

Everyone knew the son was hated by the king’s wife and family. No wonder the kid hadn’t gone home for the holiday.

“He didn’t choose how he was born.”

“No, but he did choose to come here, and we have a strained relationship with Rosenmark. Have you forgotten what happened to me when I was involved with someone from that country?”

“But that’s different. That asshole chancellor set you up.”

“And you think if someone learns of your relationship, they won’t try to exploit it?”

“That’s why we’ve kept it a secret. Please don’t tell anyone.” He grabbed my arm tightly. “I swear I never wanted to be crown prince. That was on Mother. I’m glad you’re back so they can’t force me into the position and to marry Isolde.”

“Father would never force the marriage.”

“It’s not Father I’m worried about,” he grumbled, and I understood.

I gripped his arm and squeezed. “Just promise me you will be careful. Don’t do anything stupid. Our family can’t handle another scandal right now.”

Especially when I might have just triggered another by mentioning Halo House. I’d already given Phoenix a heads-up that he might get some unwelcome visitors, but he insisted he could handle it.

“I will be.” His shoulders slumped. “Shiro hates his father for the way the family treats him. I just want him to have a normal family for a while.”

“And you brought him to us?” I laughed. “Good luck with that. By the way, have you seen Father?”

“He went to the memorial chapel.”

That explained everything. Father still visited Mother, which warmed my heart. He could have so easily forgotten about her when he remarried, but he never did.