Oops, I Married The Wrong Brother! (Oops!)

1. Maisy

Maisy took a slow, deep breath to calm her nerves. Then, mustering all the resolve she had, she stepped through the double doors into the banquet hall. As she did, all eyes turned to her and she caught a quick glimpse of her parents and younger sister sitting at the main table, along with the royal family. And her future husband.

Maisy dropped her gaze to the nearby tables and wove her way towards the front of the room, smiling and nodding at each person she passed. The tables were filled with both Americans and Aeniceans, all eager to celebrate the impending royal wedding. They smiled at Maisy and she smiled back. These were soon to be her people, even though that was hard to believe.

All of this was hard to believe, really, from the packed banquet hall to the prince she was marrying to the gorgeous green satin gown that the family’s stylists had picked out for the occasion.

Maisy continued across the room at a sedate pace, as though there was no hurry in the world, before reaching her place at the head of the room. Her seat was beside Prince Niko, her betrothed, at the center of the head table. With carefully straight posture, Maisy took her seat.

“You look lovely today.” Niko smiled at her, but it looked a little thin. It always did. Maisy could hardly blame him for being less than excited about their wedding tomorrow, since neither of them had chosen this. Not really. When their parents had suggested a wedding between the two families almost five years ago, they’d both been in their early twenties, and marriage had seemed like a far-off prospect. Plus, as Maisy’s parents had explained to her, it was important to cement relations between the Carpenters, a wealthy family of American industrialists with their fingers in all kinds of pies, and the Galanises, the royal family of Aenicea and an important partner in trade.

“Thank you.” Maisy smiled back and accepted the bowl of soup a passing waiter placed in front of her with another quick, “Thanks.” Then she returned her attention to Niko. “You look nice, too.”

It was true. Niko was very handsome — in fact, Maisy was pretty sure that if you looked “classically good-looking” or “dashing” up in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Niko, brooding, in his royal sash. He had dark brown hair that was always neat, dark brown eyes, tan skin, and was built like an athlete — a leftover from his days playing soccer as a teenager. He also had a brooding, solemn nature that many women found attractive, although it wasn’t exactly Maisy’s style.

“What scintillating conversation.” Xander, Niko’s twin brother, leaned across to join the exchange. He had Niko’s same “tall, dark, and handsome” aesthetic, but where Niko wore a stately expression of polite interest, Xander’s eyes always twinkled with a private joke or a daring scheme. Xander was the younger brother (by two minutes), so would not inherit Aenicea’s throne. He used the freedom that gave him to pursue women, fun, and lack of responsibility, from what Maisy had seen.

“Thank you for your commentary, Xander.” Niko raised his eyebrows warningly at his brother.

“That’s what I’m here for. Bringing a little light to the festivities.” Xander crossed his arms and sat back, looking pleased with himself. Maisy stifled the urge to snort and focused on the bowl of soup in front of her.

“This is just so cool, isn’t it?” Maisy’s younger sister, Lily, chimed in from her other side, pulling Maisy’s attention from the soup once again. At only twenty-one, Lily was still beyond charmed by the royal atmosphere of Aenicea. She was wearing a light-pink dress that complemented her blond hair and blue eyes and made her look like a princess in a fairy tale.

Maisy, with her light-brown hair, green eyes, and smattering of freckles that never seemed to disappear, felt more like an imposter in a princess costume.

“Very cool.” Maisy smiled at her sister.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow. And to a prince!” Lily feigned a swoon. “Are you excited? You must be so excited.”

“Very excited. Now eat your soup before it gets cold.”

In Aenicea, the banquet the night before a wedding ceremony was one of the biggest parts of the festivities. That meant that it was a very long meal, beginning with the soup, then proceeding through no less than nine courses of both traditional Aenicean foods and modern gourmet classics. Maisy enjoyed the food, but the raised table in front of such a huge crowd wasn’t her favorite place to be. Despite her childhood in the spotlight as part of such an influential family, she didn’t feel comfortable when too many eyes were on her. That bodes well for your future as a queen.

“Try the sorbet,” Niko prompted gently.

“I will, I will. I just don’t understand how sorbet came to feature so prominently in a dinner. Isn’t it meant to be a dessert?”

“Usually, but this is a refreshing mint sorbet to cleanse your palate for the next course.” Niko smiled at her, and Maisy smiled back. They were friendly, sure. Yet there was no spark of the love Maisy had always dreamed of. As a young girl, she’d read stories of princesses and adventure, of ordinary girls swept up in dashing romances. A part of her had always hoped that such romance lay ahead for her.

Yet what she felt for Niko was friendship, politeness, and respect. Nothing more. Maisy knew that the stories of romance she’d dreamed of were nothing but fiction, and that real life was about business deals and love stories that unfold over time, not about swooning and magical kisses — but she had hoped for a few more butterflies.

Oh, well. There was nothing to be done now. It was the night before the royal wedding, and Maisy wasn’t about to undo years of carefully laid-out plans. She would go through with the wedding and, with any luck, love would come later. Niko was a perfect gentleman and very handsome besides. Surely, their feelings for each other would grow as they got to know each other more and more.

Right?

“Is everything okay?” Lily asked. “You look a little green.” She wrinkled her nose. “Is it the sorbet?”

“Probably.” Maisy tossed her sister a quick grin. “I’m not used to sorbet in the middle of dinner. And I’m feeling a little under the weather.”

“Oh, no!” Lily’s eyes went wide. “Do you need some tea? We have to make sure you’re well for tomorrow.”

“I’ll be fine.” Maisy wasn’t about to admit her worries to her sister — or to anyone. Talking about it would only intensify her doubts, which she couldn’t let happen. Plus, Maisy didn’t want her sister to worry about her. Lily was a romantic, too, and she didn’t need to know that Maisy didn’t love Niko.

“Okay.” Lily returned to her sorbet, just in time for it to be removed. “Oh, well.”

Dinner wore on. Maisy caught sight of her parents deep in conversation with Aenicea’s king and queen and felt her heart warm — at least the parents were all good friends. Between the fourth and fifth courses, she and Niko had a brief conversation about the recent soccer game they’d watched together as one of the photo opportunities that made up a good portion of their engagement. But mostly, Maisy chatted with her sister.

Eventually, the last course was served, a dessert consisting of some kind of creamy pudding studded with fruit and cinnamon that Niko told her was popular in Aenicea. It was the star of the meal, and Maisy would have happily eaten a second serving, but it was time for the next portion of the evening: dancing.

The families and the room of dinner guests moved to the adjacent ballroom, where a string quartet was already playing. As planned, Niko offered Maisy his hand, and she accepted. Together, they walked into the center of the dance floor to open the dancing.

Maisy had taken several years of ballroom dance classes in preparation for Aenicea’s obsession with royal balls and was ready for this moment — and all the balls to follow. Dancing was one of Aenicea’s old-fashioned traditions that Maisy enjoyed, although she wasn’t exactly a star dancer. She curtseyed to Niko as he bowed, then he took her hand and waist and they began to dance. The steps, from the waltz to the turns to the promenade, were so familiar that Maisy barely had to think about them.

Niko didn’t seem to be focused on the dancing, either. He had a faraway look in his eyes as they swayed and stepped together. Maisy, eager for a moment of connection with her soon-to-be husband, searched for a topic of conversation.

“That pudding was delicious, wasn’t it?” she said as Niko raised his left hand to hers and they circled each other in a series of quick steps.

“It’s not really my favorite.” Niko paused. “But I know it’s very popular. I’ll make sure to get you some more.”

“Thanks.” It was kind of Niko; really, it was. But Maisy would have preferred a joke or a debate — or any moment of real connection — over the gesture. Maybe she was just being too picky.

Niko spun her under his arm, and they resumed the starting position. Over Niko’s shoulder, Maisy caught sight of Xander standing with Lily. As she watched, Xander strutted a few steps across the floor with the shuffle of a penguin, and Lily burst into laughter. Maisy was pretty sure he was making fun of them, but she found herself smiling anyway.

“Are you looking forward to the trip tomorrow?” Maisy asked. “The trip” was their honeymoon, but it felt easier to refer to it vaguely.

“Yes, of course. Kanalea is beautiful this time of year.” They stepped apart, then together, then apart again. “I’ve reserved us a tennis court. I remember you said you like tennis.”

“Oh, right. Thank you.” In one of their early conversations, Maisy had perhaps overstated her interest in sports — any sports — to try to connect with Niko. When he’d asked about her favorite, she’d said she enjoyed tennis, which was technically true. She had played a few games and had found them amusing, although she’d spent most of her time chasing the ball across the court. It was sweet that Niko had remembered, but Maisy was now worried about her tennis skills as well as everything else.

The dance came to an end. Niko bowed once again, and Maisy curtseyed. Then they exited the dance floor as the other guests paired up and prepared for the next dance.

“If you’ll excuse me for just one moment.” Niko smiled at Maisy.

“Yes, of course.” She gestured for him to go, then found herself standing alone beside a table of little cakes. Maisy sighed. She should probably mingle, but she craved a moment alone with her thoughts. After a quick glance around, she slipped out through a small set of doors onto a balcony. The last time she’d visited the palace, a few months ago, she’d spent a lot of time out here, looking out over Aenicea’s capital city or watching the stars. It was incredibly peaceful.

As Maisy stood, her hands resting on the railing, her gaze directed up at the night sky, she heard the doors behind her open and close. When she turned, Niko was approaching her. He looked as dashing as ever in the standard royal ceremonial outfit.

“You were hoping for a moment alone too, huh?” Maisy asked, turning to lean her elbows against the railing.

“Always.” Niko came to lean beside her. His smile was a little wider than normal, which made his eyes crinkle. It was endearing. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“Gorgeous.” Maisy looked up at the stars again. “I love spotting constellations out here. Do you know any?”

“Sure. There’s the deer with the flower crown,” Niko pointed up at a cluster of stars, “And there’s the bowl of corn.”

Maisy frowned. “I think you might have some different constellations here in Aenicea.”

“We do. There’s the boat full of sheep, and there’s the future princess on the balcony, and there’s the Swiss cheese.”

Maisy hesitated, then burst into laughter. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?” Her heart warmed at the simple moment and the teasing. It gave her hope for a marriage with this prince that could be more than just a business arrangement. Where had Niko been hiding his playful side all this time?

Niko bowed with a flourish. When he straightened up, he flashed a teasing grin and Maisy did a double take. The dark brown hair, the deep brown eyes, the athletic build — that was Niko all the way. But the wide smile, the twinkle in those eyes, the teasing — that was classic Xander. This wasn’t Niko at all. It was his twin.

Maisy felt a blush creep into her cheeks. She knew that everyone struggled to tell the brothers apart — Queen Karina had once admitted that she wished she could still tie a red string to Xander’s wrist, as she’d done when they were babies, because otherwise she could hardly tell them apart until they opened their mouths. But Maisy still felt she should be able to recognize her future husband.

Xander seemed to notice her expression, because he gave a sheepish grin. “You thought I was Niko, right?”

Maisy put her face in her hands. “Yes. Does that make me a terrible person?”

Xander chuckled. “Not at all. Don’t worry about it. But I did come out here to check on you, even if I’m not the brother you expected. You look a little worried.”

“Just butterflies.” Maisy waved her hand dismissively. “You know, like all brides have. Will my dress fit tomorrow? Will I trip in front of a thousand Aeniceans? That kind of thing.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great tomorrow. And you don’t have to worry about tripping — you’re doing that American tradition where your father walks you down the aisle, right? He seems steady. You can lean on him.” Xander mimed tripping and catching himself on the railing.

“That’s true.” Maisy smiled. “Thanks, Xander. How are you feeling about the wedding?”

“I do have a lot of important best-man duties.” Xander shrugged. “But I think I can pull it off. Plus, I had the chef save me some of the khalika.”

“Khalika?”

“Right — I see you around here so much, I sometimes forget you aren’t Aenicean. Khalika is that pudding we had for dessert.”

“Oh, my gosh.” Maisy pressed a hand to her heart. “I love that stuff!”

“Right?”

They grinned at each other. Just then, the door opened and the real Niko emerged onto the balcony. Maisy dropped her hand from her heart. For some reason, she felt guilty, like Niko had caught her doing something she shouldn’t be. But there was no reason to feel that way. She and Xander had just been talking.

“Hi Maisy, Xander. Maisy, the crowd is begging for another dance. Would you do me the honor?”

“Of course.” Maisy extended her hand, and Niko took it. As he led her toward the ballroom, she cast a glance back at Xander. “Bye!”

“See you later.” He waved, then turned back to lean against the railing. Maisy was a little jealous that he got to stay out in the fresh air and enjoy the stars, but that was the benefit of being a younger brother. He didn’t have the same duties as she and Niko did. It was the same with Lily, who was now dancing with the handsome son of a Greek businessman and smiling like she was on top of the world.

Niko and Maisy assumed their positions and began another dance, falling easily into the rhythm of their steps. As they danced, Maisy wondered if this was how their life would be — a companionable friendship, a life as choreographed as the steps of their dances. It wouldn’t be so bad, really. She could get used to the idea.

It was all going to work out.