The Spare Prince's Rival

1. Gabriel

GAbrIEL

AS I STOOD at the edge of Montclair Palace’s grand ballroom with a glass of champagne in my hand and watched my brother dance with his new husband beneath a ceiling dripping with crystal chandeliers, I had to admit this whole affair did feel rather disgustingly romantic.

Of course, that was what weddings should be, but a royal wedding, never mind what some outlets were calling “the royal wedding of the century,” consisted of months of intense preparation that dimmed a little of the shine.

Even now, behind the scenes there was a strict schedule to adhere to, undercover security teams everywhere, and a full staff who would probably need a week of sleep after pulling this off.

All of that faded to nothing, though, because right now, my twin—King Nicholas Laurent Valemont of Valoria—was smiling like he’d forgotten anyone was watching.

Six months ago, that never would’ve happened. The weight of Nicholas’s new role after the sudden death of our father had fallen heavy on his shoulders, a role he’d always been resistant to, especially so soon.

But then he’d met Noah Bennett, and suddenly, my brother’s world was brighter. He snapped less at the staff, even learned their names, no longer viewed his role as a burden, and there was a lightness to him that had never been there before.

I took a sip of my champagne and watched as Noah whispered something in Nicholas’s ear that made his expression soften in a way that still surprised me.

He looked so happy—they both did. So in love that the entire court, the entire world, could gossip until they turned blue in the face and it wouldn’t change a thing.

Because my brother the king had fallen in love with his footman. And there wasn’t anything anyone could do about it.

I smiled to myself as another of our palace footmen stopped beside me, a tray of full champagne glasses balanced on one hand.

“Ah, excellent timing, Reynolds,” I said, trading in my empty glass for a new one. “Feel free to keep them coming.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” My brother’s senior footman was all unflappable politeness in public, but we were friendly enough whenever I headed downstairs to play poker with the staff.

Of course Nicholas disapproved, wanting to keep clear boundaries between royals and staff, but then he’d gone and married one, so he didn’t really have room to talk about lines in the sand anymore.

I side-eyed Reynolds, who kept his gaze straight ahead, and smirked. “Having a good time?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Liar.”

I knew he was dying to give a smartass remark but held back in such a formal setting.

“Oh come on, Reynolds, give me some good gossip. What’s everyone saying?” I lifted my glass and waited, and I could see the way his eyes moved over the crowd that he’d been silently moving through all night.

“Many agree the king looks happy,” he said.

“Good of them to admit it. What else?”

“The delegation from Bridlebaum isn’t fond of having to bow to a footman.”

“Mmm,” I said around a mouthful of the bubbly as my eyes sought out the group he mentioned.

They were seated at a back corner table, obviously whispering to each other as they watched the king and his prince have their first dance.

“Interesting, considering I have it on good authority the viscountess had a steamy affair with her horse trainer years back, which may or may not be why her daughter has a head full of red hair instead of blonde. But sure, keep running your mouth. Is our dungeon still in working order for traitors?”

“It can be.” Reynolds nodded, straining not to laugh.

“Good to know. Anything else?” I shifted my gaze back to the happy couple, where Nicholas had dipped Noah and was giving him a kiss that had the room clapping as the song came to an end.

When Reynolds hesitated, I arched a brow at him.

“Uh oh. That bad?”

“There is talk, sir, about who isn’t here this evening.”

Ah, there it was. The elephant in the room. Or, in this case, not in the room.

Prince Alejandro de la Vega of Solterra.

The man my brother was supposed to marry.

The one who was supposed to help unite Valoria and Solterra into a more powerful world power until Nicholas decided to buck tradition and follow his heart.

For such a bold, highly sought after, big personality like Alejandro, the rejection had to smart, and his absence here today was confirmation of that.

Not to mention he hadn’t sent one delegate to attend the wedding in his place.

Yikes.

Usually a strongly worded correspondence would be sent advising that the prince’s presence was expected. But in this case, Nicholas had been a little more understanding to the “unavailable” reply he’d received.

He was nicer than I was. If it were me, I would’ve demanded he show up. It wasn’t like he and Alejandro had some grand love match. Surely the prince could swallow his pride for one night, but apparently not.

From what I’d heard he preferred to swallow—

“Brother.” Nicholas’s voice interrupted my wandering mind, just in time to keep it out of the gutter. “What are you doing standing over here all alone?”

I glanced at Reynolds, only to see the head butler, Baxter, had called him over. No more fraternizing, I supposed.

“Oh, you know, a couple of lovebirds are hogging the dance floor.” I winked at Noah, who leaned into Nicholas’s side, the smile on his face full of joy and happiness.

“That’s never stopped you from working a room.” Nicholas scanned the crowd before turning back my way. “No one catching your eye tonight?”

“He gets engaged and married and suddenly he’s a matchmaker.”

“Hardly.” Nicholas reached for my glass of champagne and took a sip. “I’m just making sure there’s no one here that you can get into trouble with.”

“Says the king who created the biggest scandal this monarchy has seen in years.” I took my glass back. “Go and get your own drink. As you so politely pointed out, I need this to drown my singlehood sorrows.”

Noah chuckled. “I hardly doubt you’re over here wanting for suitors.”

I feigned a choking sound and reached for my throat, and Noah laughed a little harder.

“Sorry, not suitors. Paramours.”

I cleared my throat and smirked. “Much better.”

“I beg to differ,” my all-too-proper brother interjected. “The last thing we need is you running off with a new…new—”

He looked to his husband for the word he couldn’t seem to say out loud, and Noah grinned.

“Paramour? Lover…?”

Nicholas’s eyes fell to Noah’s mouth and I groaned. “We’re talking about me, remember? Focus. Otherwise you’re about to cause another international incident.”

“All I’m saying,” Nicholas said, “is that it might not be a terrible idea for you to look into something a little more serious. There are a lot of eligible bachelors here tonight.”

“Hmm, there are, aren’t there?” And because he was being annoyingly opinionated about what I should or shouldn’t do with my love life, I decided to throw a jab myself. “There’s also one glaringly obvious bachelor missing.”

Nicholas’s shoulders immediately stiffened and Noah’s lips pursed.

Too bad. Nicholas started it.

“Yes, well, that was his decision.”

“Yeah, but you have to be honest.” I leaned in and whispered, “Would’ve been awkward.”

“About as awkward as a brother decking his best man for running his mouth at the wedding reception.”

“Oh, calm down, Nicholas.” I swiped my hand through the air. “I’m just playing with you. But maybe keep in mind who helped your little love affair here with Noah become a reality whenever you feel the need to comment on mine. Hmm?”

Nicholas rolled his eyes and let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fair enough.”

“Exactly. Plus, unless there’s another Mr. Bennett hiding in amongst this crowd, I’m not interested.”

Noah shook his head. “Flattery will only get you so far, Gabriel.”

“If it’s off Nicholas’s bad side, I’ll take it.”

Noah stroked a hand down his husband’s arm and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’m going to go find Violet for a dance. I didn’t get to see her earlier.”

Nicholas nodded and then he watched as Noah crossed the ballroom, stopping and smiling at those who wanted to greet the new Prince Consort of Valoria.

“That’s some man you have there.”

Nicholas moved to stand beside me, and took a glass of champagne that magically appeared from another staff member who’d silently made their way in our direction.

“Yes he is. I still can’t believe he’s mine.”

“And you his,” I pointed out, and couldn’t help but chuckle over the contented expression that crossed my brother’s lips. “Once upon a time, a statement like that would’ve sent you into a fit of rage.”

“Once upon a time, Noah had yet to enter my life.”

“True, but now that he has, you are free to live out your happily ever after.”

Nicholas side-eyed me. “No need to sound so horrified by the prospect.”

“I’m not. I just can’t imagine waking up to the same person for the rest of my life.”

“Because you haven’t found the right person.”

Up until tonight, I’d never actually believed that existed in real life—one person who was your person, your soul mate. But watching Nicholas fall so hard and fast for Noah had definitely made me think—

Nah. I still didn’t believe it. Not for me, anyway.

I wasn’t the kind to settle down. There were too many beautiful men in the world to limit myself to just one for the rest of my life, and luckily for me, I didn’t have to.

“That might be true, but we all can’t be as lucky as you, brother. Just ask Alejandro.”

Nicholas turned my way and I tipped my glass back, swallowing the last of my champagne. “Meaning?”

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but we need to smooth things out over there.”

“I’m aware. But I hardly think my wedding is the time to discuss it.”

“Why not? Everyone else is.”

Nicholas swept his eyes over the room, and while everyone appeared to be having a good time celebrating the lovebirds, the gossip hounds were already on the scent.

“Who?” Nicholas said, as though he were going to go and confront them here and now.

“Who isn’t the issue. The tension between the two kingdoms is. It needs to be addressed before it gets out of control.”

“I’m aware, but I wasn’t going to force Alejandro’s hand on being here today.”

“I agree. That would’ve been uncomfortable, to say the least.” I smiled and waved at the prime minister and his wife as they passed us by. “But they don’t care about feelings, you know that.”

Nicholas let out a sigh but nodded. “You’re right. I’ve just been so busy with the coronation and the wedding, the last thing I wanted to think about—”

“Was the man you publicly shamed and humiliated?”

“Not helpful, Gabriel.”

“Yet true. And you’re going to be even busier in the coming months.”

“I know. But this does need to be addressed.” Nicholas looked to me, and I could see the wheels turning, the idea forming there behind eyes the exact same shade as mine.

I shook my head. “No.”

“You just said this needs to be addressed.”

“Yes. By you.”

“As you so eloquently pointed out, I’m busy. You, on the other hand—”

“Have a life to go and live. In case it’s escaped your attention, I’m getting a little stagnant here at Montclair. It’s been far too long since I’ve had a vacation.”

“Then this is perfect. Solterra is beautiful in the summer.”

He was out of his mind.

“The sun, the sea, festivals.”

“And a prince with a sword who will want to cut the balls off anyone who looks like you.”

Nicholas snorted. “If anyone knows how to protect his balls, brother, it’s you. Please. Alejandro doesn’t want to talk to me. But if anyone can smooth things over, make peace between Solterra and Valoria again, it’s you.”

He wasn’t wrong. I was the charming one out of the two of us. But I was also aware I’d be walking onto hostile ground, wearing the enemy’s face.

It wouldn’t be easy. Alejandro had made it abundantly clear he wanted nothing to do with us any longer. But since when had I backed down from a challenge?

Never.

And Solterra was beautiful in the summer…

“Okay. I’ll do it,” I said, determined now to fix relations with the prideful prince. “He’ll be charmed by the end of the first week.”

Either that or I’d be impaled by his sword.

It wasn’t so much to ask to strengthen the ties of Valoria.

Right?