Royally Rebellious: An arranged royal romance (Resplendent Royals Book 1)

Chapter 7

Iwas told nothing about the man I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with until the morning I met him. Celeste informed me he was Prince Rikard of Lundhavn—a small nation much like my own sandwiched in Northern Europe which spoke a dialect like my mother’s native Danish. I hoped his English was good because my Danish was poor with limited practice.

I assumed nothing honest would come of this but practiced my pitch for two days. I would come in guns blazing. This wasn’t about love. It was about winning. I would beat the old crone at her own game and win my freedom. Maybe I was the sacrificial lamb that allowed my sisters to live a normal life, but I would take my chances.

Celeste met with my presumed future husband first. I was announced by a footman when I joined. A blonde head popped up from a seated position catching me off guard, but his height pleased me.

As I tried to assess the situation, our eyes met. I realised I had met him before. He was the drunk arguing with the bartender in Brussels. I shook my head and stepped back. He stared at me, confused by my reaction. Why? Did he not even remember when I tried to help him? He was a total ass! But Queen Margaux approved of him? How? We made eye contact and he decided to go first.

“Your Majesty.” the man bowed.

He knew who I was already.

“This is Prince Rikard of Lundhavn,” my grandmother said.

“Yes, obviously,” I stammered. “Um… hello, Your Royal Highness.”

I was angry, deep down. He was not what I wanted, but if I ran out of the room in anger, Celeste would win. No matter what, Celeste could not win.

“We’ve met before,” I said. “But I did not know who he was.”

“Briefly,” the Prince’s voice sounded forced or pinched.

He was nervous I would tell on him, I gathered. He worried I would mention his inebriated and awful state during our last meeting.

“I wasn’t introduced properly. I didn’t know who he was,” I said. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Your Royal Highness.”

As I needed this to go well, I was unable to embarrass him. It wouldn’t help things. Again, anything that threatened the peace of this potential union was bad for me. Even if I wanted him to be embarrassed, it didn’t matter. I was now stuck with him. For better or worse, this was my future. I would have freedom!

Despite my kind remark, he pulled a face. I’d hit a nerve.

“I had no idea who you were, either,” Rikard said. “You are… new.”

I glared at him. New? That was the best he could come up with.

“Well, now I am, but aren’t we all new in this situation?” I tried to turn things to the purpose of this strange meeting.

“Rikard was telling me about his interest in sailing,” Celeste said as if I had ever even been sailing.

“Well, I’d like to go sailing,” I said.

Away from here right this instant!

“You have never been?”

I shook my head. “No, Your Royal Highness. I have never been sailing.”

He perked up. “It’s a shame, Your Majesty. You’re missing out.”

“I try not to let the girls do anything that might injure them,” Celeste said as if we were so beloved she could not part with us.

“Well, sailing is safe if they can swim. You can swim?”

“Yes, Prince Rikard, I can swim.”

Who did he take me for? I tried to hide my sarcasm, but my voice was flat as could be. Rikard took everything as a slight. He set his jaw, angrily. It made me want to grumble at him about being an idiot—in French since he really couldn’t understand it. Anger made him more attractive than before. Maybe that was the thing with assholes like the Prince? Women found them attractive only because they pulled angry faces and threw their weight around. It didn’t do it for me. One can only be so outwardly attractive to make up for all the ugly inside.

“Good, good,” the Prince grew even more sarcastic. “I wasn’t sure since you seem so...”

I used his word. “New?”

Celeste looked satisfied. Was she enjoying us sniping at one another? Maybe her whole pursuit was to dangle freedom but to make it as painful as possible. Was he a plant? I wanted to crawl out of my skin both in confusion and anger. No matter what I did, I was damned to ruin.

“What do you think of Neandia?” I changed the topic.

“It’s… nice,” he answered in a way that implied he did not think that. “It’s… calm.”

I nodded.

“And your… trees… they are… nice.”

I held back laughter. Our trees were nice? That was all he could do to make conversation? God, he was simple, wasn’t he? Trees, sailing, liquor. This man would be an easy mark. Celeste could do her worst, but this man would be no match for me. I was far more intelligent than Rikard. He may be older and more experienced, but I could outsmart him. However, hatching this plan and deciding the rules of engagement required a one-on-one chat. I needed my grandmother to leave. I figured I might have better luck if he suggested it. I decided to turn up the charm.

“Perhaps, if I am ever in Lundhavn, you could show me your boat?” I said.

That failed. I’d insulted him.

“It’s a sailing yacht. Not just some boat.”

“Oh, well, your yacht then. I’m sure it is… beautiful?”

“Are you now a yacht aficionado?” He leaned back, his body posture spreading out over the couch with his arm looping over its back.

“No, but I am sure I could learn a thing or two from you,” I said, realising suddenly that I had leaned too hard into being charming.

He gave me a cheeky grin. “Yes, I am sure I could teach you a thing or two. As you are… new.”

His gaze was unwavering. My palms sweated. I suddenly wanted to flee. It wasn’t worth the risk of a one-on-one. He was reading this wrong. I had no interest in pursuing him in a genuine sense. This was about an agreement—a business transaction of sorts.

“I think it was nice to meet you,” I said. “I look forward to speaking to you again at dinner.”

“Alexandra, that is all you wish to ask the Prince. To speak to him about?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I wish to get to know you more.”

He still had this expansive posture as if he were looming there. He leered. I was sure that was the word to describe it.

“I think perhaps we can best chat at dinner.”

“Well, why wait?” Celeste asked.

I glared at them both. “I think this is about all we have to say right now. We do not know one another yet. And having people right here… is awkward if we are to speak on a personal level. I would prefer to have a conversation with the prince in private rather than with you here, no offence Grand-Mama.”

“No offence taken. But it is… improper.” She shook her head.

“I promise to be on my best behaviour as will His Royal Highness. Won’t you, Prince Rikard?”

“Yes, yes, of course. I wouldn’t dream of getting into trouble,” the Prince said.

He had the same smarmy look on his face.

Celeste looked at us both. “Alexandra, you may take Prince Rikard on a tour of the palace followed by your detail. Be on your best behaviour!”

I nodded, grateful for her to leave. We started our tour, going by each of the staterooms. He stared at me as if expecting me to fall into his arms and… well, I wasn’t sure what. I suspected he thought I would throw myself at him. I was no fool.

“And this is where the ballroom is!” I declared loudly.

We stopped in front of the ballroom. Rikard broke the silence.

“Yes, I see that. I am interested in a quieter room,” Rikard said.

“And that would be… inappropriate.”

His tone changed. I’d again annoyed him.

“I am sorry I wasn’t the one you expected, clearly, but I gather neither of us planned for this. Can we just.. wrap the tour up and say we did our best?”

“No, that is… what were you told about this?”

“That you were someone my parents wanted me to meet and try to get to know, but this was a mistake.”

“Indeed. It was a joke. I am confused. You’re supposed to be a prince!”

He joked. “My father said the same.”

“What?”

“It was a joke, Your Majesty. Call me Rick.”

“Oh.” I was unamused. I crossed my arms.

“It was a good joke.”

I didn’t argue with him. I didn’t care to.

“I thought you were American… your accent.”

“I was educated in American schools and by American tutors, as I am sure you were educated in British schools by British tutors. Most women love the accent.”

I was not most women. And I was educated by British tutors. He was correct. However, there was no time to give him my life’s most mundane details.

“Look, we haven’t much time. My grandmother has butted out for now, but no doubt will be scheming by dinner,” I said.

I was determined. I could tolerate his grip better than Celeste”s stranglehold. Rick annoyed me, but he was easily plied with drink. I was cleverer. I channelled my most zen Queenliness and began walking again towards the state dining room.

“Where are you going?” Rikard asked.

“I am taking you to the dining room, then the throne room.”

He caught up.

I kept my voice low. “And I’d like to propose an arrangement.”

He sputtered, “Oh… really… we probably should… like… talk?”

“Oh, you don’t think we’re… going to have sex?” I burst out laughing.

He looked deer-in-the-headlights. “Well, yes. Why not?”

I flushed hot. “I wouldn’t… I don’t even like you?—”

“You don’t even know me, Your Majesty. How can you judge?”

He confused me with the way he said it. It wasn’t as flat or angry as he had been before. Was he flirting? If so, I wouldn’t know. There was no time to waste. I trudged on.

“Look, I’m not making an indecent proposal, but a decent one. If we marry, we can end the regency. I get the feeling you’re in a rough place. Your parents want you to settle down, right? I’m not a terrible choice. I’m not much of a choice, I’ll grant you, as I don’t much know myself and?—”

He cut me off. “What are you talking about? And don’t sell yourself short. You’re at the top of a short list of women my parents wish I would marry. And I’d say you’re in the lead by a mile.”

Was that a compliment? I blushed. I hated that his words could make me blush. Or was it the way his eyes focused on me? Or was it the stupid cleft in his chin?

“Don’t act surprised,” Rick said. “Now what is this about a regency and going straight to marriage? That seems an… escalation, Your Majesty.”

“I am trapped in an abusive regency. My Grand-Mama controls everything from what I eat to who I see to what activities I do. I am a prisoner here. I know it sounds quite mad but… it’s true. My choices are to wait until I’m twenty-five or wed someone of my grandmother’s choosing. For some ungodly reason, it’s you.”

“She”s a tyrant. She promised me this if I wed you. Moreover, it”s not just me. It”s my sisters as well. The three of them are all at the mercy of whatever happens to me. I can free us if I just do the thing. I know, like I said, you probably think I”m mental?—”

“You do not know me!” He feigned offence.

“I do not but let’s just say our last meeting gives me little confidence I’m about to fall for you hook, line, and sinker in the next twenty minutes.”

He laughed. “You underestimate my charm, Your Majesty. Vastly. And despite this, you want to get married? You don’t know me, don’t find me attractive, but let’s run down the aisle? I’m so confused.”

“I don’t care. You may be a supreme wanker, but you are still better than bloody Celeste. The point is, I don’t think you are cruel. Queen Margaux approves of you. I trust her. She’s the one person who has tried to get me out of this and help me. Please consider it. I know it sounds mad, but you are better than the alternative.”

“Wow! That’s a vote of confidence! What is wrong with your grandmother?”

I took a deep breath and led on towards the throne room. He wasn’t saying no. He wasn’t being rude. We walked down the hall and stepped in. The guards stayed outside.

”She”s a tyrant. She promised me this if I wed you. It’s not just me, either. My sisters are at the mercy of whatever happens to me. I can free us if I do the thing. I know, like I said, you probably think I”m mental?—”

I sat on the larger of two thrones and shook my head.

He snickered, sitting on the other. Letting out a long sigh, Rikard played with the curls in his hair. He was nervous. I should have been annoyed by him laughing, but damn if I wasn’t struggling to loathe him. He was downright handsome in this light. And the gallof him to sit down in the consort’s throne! I doubted it was symbolism as much as it was his own self-obsessed belief he should be able to sit next to me without a question asked. I met his glance. He didn’t turn. I didn’t expect to feel anything for this match, but his jaw alone had me going.

“I’m not sure I follow completely. Let me lay my stuff on the table here, Your Majesty. My father thinks it would be good for us to see one another—you might have a good effect on me. I dunno. Problem is… I’m not marriage material. And, no offence, you seem like a nice girl, but… you’re not my type.”

“That’s fine. Let’s stay married long enough to get everyone free and put the old bag in the sod. Then, I will set you free.”

“But you’re Catholic!”

“As if I care if I give the Pope a heart attack! My life has been someone else’s since I was born. You don’t get it. At all. I am a prisoner here. I would do almost anything to get out of this mess—including marrying someone who insults bartenders and speaks poor French.”

“Excuse me! My French is?—”

“Dreadful.”

“You cannot help but be judgemental, can you?”

“And you cannot help but be quick to judge.”

He glared at me and popped back up.

“What is it that has your father upset?”

He took a long breath, pacing now. “I dated someone unsuitable, and it bit me in the ass. I should have known better.”

I was sympathetic. He’d been in love.

“I know, I know. We were friends for ages. I fell in love with her. She fell in love with me. Someone tipped my father off. And… he was unhappy about it.”

I softened further. Forbidden love sounded an awful torture.

“It’s a whole thing. She wasn’t going to work out and I should have avoided her. I know, but I love her still. I don’t want to end up stuck with someone—even someone like you—because I’m hoping to find love. But the love I find is either unrequited or out-of-bounds. I know this is only common anymore among royals and that you all seem to almost expect it.”

“Well, we’re a bit backwards, I’ll grant you, Rikard.”

“Rick, please. Or, if you’re everyone else, just call me Rick the Prick.”

I burst out laughing uncontrollably.

“Yuck it up, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sorry.” I tried to rein it in. “But… you’re… oh, that’s awful, Rick!”

“I told you. I have my issues. No need to inflict them on a young thing like you. You’re practically an infant.”

“I very much am not but I haven’t been allowed to go anywhere or do anything! Don’t call me an infant.”

He sighed. “Yes. Okay, that’s fine. You’re not an infant. You’re also not my future wife.”

“Maybe not, but… what? You can’t ride out a fake, arranged marriage for a year? And, if you’re quiet about it, I don’t care if you… you know.”

He understood my meaning. I couldn’t bear to say I was fine with him sleeping with someone else. The idea of sharing him was unattractive, but I could endure.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Should you not get the same?”

I pulled a face.

“Oh, okay. I don’t get to bring that up?”

“I’m a monarch! It’s impolite.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Fucking hell. Alright, Your Majesty. You’re not hideous and you’re too young to deny yourself pleasure. I wouldn’t tell you no if you’d give me the same levity.”

“Alexandra, please. Just… Alexandra.”

I didn’t want to respond to his prior comment. The word pleasure flustered me. I tried not to think about it.

“I will stick around for a bit. I must. Pappa is… well, he’ll skin me alive if I go back there without making it look like I’m trying.”

“Cool, cool. Brilliant.” I was nervous.

Why did I expect him to jump at the chance to enter a sham marriage? We stared at one another awkwardly. If it was true that my parents were in an arranged marriage gone well, I must believe it started better than this. It wasn’t that Rick was hideous. He was objectively handsome. I loathed the way he could make me blush. He was fit. It was his attitude. He was cocky. He knew he was hot and acted above the law. Furthermore, he didn’t seem the type to physically hurt me or control me.

“She really keeps you locked up?”

I nodded.

“Why?”

“Because as soon as I can free myself of her control, I will do whatever I please, and she can’t imagine that. She spent her life torturing my father and mother. She never broke my mother the way she did my poor father, but things were not good. And when Grand-Papa died, it broke something inside her. It made her even worse. She went on a power-hungry campaign to ease her grief and she hasn’t given up. Without me under her control, she thinks she will lose everything when I take over. And if she can break me before then—break my spirit—I will always let her exercise undue influence.”

“Don’t you… worry… she will?—”

“She has spies everywhere. But there is little she could do to me at this point that would surprise me.”

There would be retribution when any of my reasoning made it back to my grandmother, but I was to be paraded around like a horse for sale as an engaged young woman, she couldn’t smack me around. She was slowly losing control. I didn’t understand why she gave me this much power to begin with. I guessed she hoped to tie me to someone and pop out babies who would dominate my life. I needed to make it her idea so we could be free.

“Okay, so, a princess in a tower—a relatively brave one at that—needs saving.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Rikard,” I said, flatly. “I engineered this plan. I will save us. You will assist.”

He rolled his eyes. “Let’s not debate semantics. Look, I’m considering it if only to throw a big middle finger at both sets of families, but I think the reaction to a divorce will be worse for you than it will be for me.”

“I can handle anything as long as I can eat an unlimited number of pastries, Rick.”

He chuckled. “Okay, okay. Let me think about it. I’m not saying no. I will give you a chance if you do the same for me. Let’s put our first meeting behind us. Can you grant me that? Give me a clean slate?”

I nodded. “You have yourself a deal.”