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The Princes get their first glimpse of Adelia
“Emery, Raiden, the King of Uchelgais and his entourage will be here soon. Ensure you are appropriately prepared for their arrival and your introduction to the Princess Royal.” King Branoc looked at his two sons. He knew Emery was not happy about this, to say the least, but he cared not. If the man wouldn’t get engaged on his own, then he’d take matters into his own hands. There was already trouble in the kingdom and he had to ensure that his heirs were secure should the worst happen. His son had dallied enough with the plebbian woman he'd been infatuated with, now Branoc had taken matters into his own hands.
“Father, we’ve been prepared for hours. I’m sure that when King Mavros shows up with darling and precious daughter, he will be impressed with his awaiting son-in-law.” Emery replied sarcastically. Why couldn’t Raiden be the one to marry the insipid daughter of the neighboring King? He neither desired to be married, nor wanted a Princess that he was sure would be as interesting as the others that had come forward before her. That his father had arranged the marriage without even consulting him still burned in his breast like a hot coal from the fire.
Raiden prudently remained silent. The volley of fire had not stopped between the King and Crowne Prince since the negotiated betrothal had been announced. Now that the Princess was arriving imminently, they weren’t slowing down either. He could hardly wait to see what fate had befallen his older brother. If she was anything like the previous options their father had presented to Emery, Raiden was quite sure that he would be glad that he was the younger of the two of them. Although, once Emery was wed, he was sure that their father’s eyes would turn to him.
“He had better. This marriage is going to help us in the ongoing war and form an allieship that we desperately need. Do not fuck this up, Emery. I’m tired of your failures!” The king turned on his heel and left the room, clearly done talking to his eldest, again. Not that this conversation had been long. Few had been lately.
Since the moment he was born, Emery had been a constant source of disappointment to him. Dark hair, eyes that matched, he had the brooding scowl of his mother, not the fairer and more refined features of royalty like his brother Raiden. His face was more round, his eyebrows lower, and he was shorter with more narrow shoulders. There was no one that would say that Emery was not handsome, but he did not resemble his father in the slightest, and to Branoc, there was no greater insult that could be given. For that, he almost loathed the Prince. Had the kingdom not been aware of his dalliance with Emery’s mother, the child would not have survived infancy.
“Hoping to give him a stroke before the short engagement period is over so that you can get out of the wedding?” Raiden couldn’t help but tease his brother. He couldn’t wait to see what kind of woman his father had decided upon. There had been a couple of options he could have chosen from. Secretly he hoped she was hideous, mewling, and so utterly worthless as a partner that it would drive Emery insane. Someone just like his mother - a living mannequin to dress up and put a tiara on, produce heirs, and parade around at events. Nothing would be a worse curse for his brother.
“You’re next in line for this fun, you know? If you think he’s being an asshole to me, do you think he’ll be any different to you?” In truth Emery couldn’t wait until it was Raiden’s turn at this shit. Then he would get to see how insufferable the Princesses were that came to court to be considered. Adding to his frustration was that his father picked one that he had never met. Six short weeks to get to know her then they’d be married. Lovely.
“I’m not the heir to the throne. Something tells me father won’t be nearly as hard on me as he has been on you. I also don’t purposefully get under his skin for fun. I’ve learned how to manipulate him to get what I want.” Raiden’s smug smile irritated his brother, he could tell from the twitch in his brother’s eye. They both knew he was right. It wasn’t because he was younger, they had two younger brothers and a sister. It was because he had learned long ago just how to talk to his father in order to hit the notes that his father wanted to hear.
“I’d offer to let you have the Princess if father wouldn’t literally have a stroke. Heir has to marry first and all of that. I’m sure whatever contract and treaty he has struck with her father wouldn’t work for second in line to the throne.” Emery’s eyes rolled and he groaned. He had been in a relationship with Siara for years, but she was not high enough nobility for the next King. When it grew time for marriage, she and her family had disappeared one day and ended up on the other side of the kingdom. His father had ways of making a statement.
“Oh no, I’m sure the one he’s chosen for you is your perfect match. I wouldn’t want to steal her from you, dear brother.” Sarcasm dripped so heavily from Raiden’s voice it was pooling on the ground around his feet as he smirked at his brother and chuckled. There was no way for Emery to get out of this one, no matter how much the elder brother wished he could. No amount of charisma or negotiations could change what was going to happen; and he was going to get to sit back and watch it all happen with glee.
The sound of bells tolling told the brothers that the guests from the neighboring kingdom had entered the palace grounds. Soon their entourage would be pulling up to the doors below them. The men walked over to the windows, standing slightly off to the sides and pulling back the shears to look down unobtrusively for when the vehicles carrying all the guests pulled into view. It only took a minute for the black vehicles to do so. When the pulled to a stop, the footmen moved from the palace doors to open those of the vehicles.
From the lead vehicle exited a man who was obviously the King. A stately and statuesque woman followed behind him, the obvious Queen. If the Princess possessed her mother’s beauty, Emery had to admit this might not be too untenable. Then the rear door of the second vehicle was opened. First to exit was a male with sharp eyes, a jawline and nose to match. Emery’s first thought was of a bird, but at the way the man held himself shortly afterward it was reinforced and specified: an eagle. He extended his hand toward the still open door, leading both Princes to lean forward in anticipation of who would exit next.
A delicate and elegant hand took that of the male’s. Alabaster skin contrasted with that of the more tan man, his fingers gently taking hold and assisting the female exiting the vehicle, and as she did both brothers swore under their breath and glanced at one another. Long, dark hair curled down her back, framing a sweetheart face that was beauty personified. Her moves were graceful and fluid, as if she were dancing. It was clear that the Princess had arrived, and as dark emerald her gown flowed around her like a gossamer mist, she resembled a fairy tale come to life. Both Princes were falling in love, but only one would admit it.
“You sure you don’t want to actually offer to let me take her off your hands, Emery?”
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