I have an ask. We know in TRR Book 3 Ch10 Drake is the one being challenged by Neville but what if The King is the one to challenge Neville? After all he’s the one that would talk down to Riley during book 3 and nit once did Liam stand up for her during those times? So I wonder if Liam knew what Neville had said to his future Queen what would his reaction would be. I feel at least that Riley had the choice to punch him! Lol
A/N: Okay, seriously. WHY didn't all the other love interests tell Neville off?! He even annoyed Olivia with his pouting and whines. I get the tension between him and Drake and all; but Neville was talking bad behind Liam's back about his choice to elevate MC to becoming a duchess regardless of whether or not she was engaged to Liam. He was such a jerk to Hana and who in their right mind could be mean to her??? As protective and sacrificial as Maxwell was, (he did show getting ticked off whenever Neville opened his mouth), why wasn't there a dance fight between the two🤣 Now that my mini rant is over, let's see what would happen if Neville pushed Liam too far.
Neville had a way that made him appear as the perfect example of a gentlemanly noble. His cultured tone uttering compliments and his ability to appear humble before his betters had assured his place within Cordonia's high society. Being heir to an earldom and not too horrible to look upon also set him up in life to have a variety of ladies to choose from.
Or so he believed.
When Prince Leo abdicated, the nobles of Cordonia were actually laughed at by the rest of the world. The teasing began with mere good natured ribbing at parties of how unfaithful a Cordonian must be.
It was enough to sour any disposition, especially one that was already so.
Neville Vancoeur kept his noble mask firmly in place. Nothing was going to stop him from his destiny.
Nothing. No one.
But the newest crown prince was best friends with, it was disgusting simply thinking of the word, a commoner. A commoner! What noble much less a direct descendant of the king himself would ever align themselves with someone who was absolutely worthless
Yet, the embarrassment that was Prince Liam didn't end there. He then went on to favor a poor waitress from America of all places. A waitress. He redeemed himself in Neville's eyes when he chose Countess Madeleine Amaranth of Fydelia to be Cordonia's queen. Though he didn't quite understand why the normally shrewd countess would allow the waitress to travel with the nobility, perhaps it was to give Drake Walker a playmate (one has to entertain pets, he supposed) he accepted it as a way to appease the people they ruled over.
Then New York happened. King Liam threw aside a well respected, birthed to perfection noble for that mongrel American who did not possess the first clue of how to behave amongst Cordonia's elite court.
Neville would have found it humorous if he was not permanently tied to his country.
To top it all off, not only was he forced to endure such unworthy company, he was shamed in front of them by some minor noble who had failed to win Liam. He blamed that brief moment of weakness for finding Lady Hana attractive on being inadvertently influenced by what had to be Drake and Riley's baser inclinations.
There was only one action left to a man so much more above these lowly peasants.
He was going to have to put these people in their proper place.
*******************
Liam knew that some of his fellow nobles took their positions as some sort of right in lording over those they considered their inferiors. It had never sat easy with him. He himself had a mother who had been a, "simple commoner". Yet, being in the tenacious situation he was in as a new king, he had to ignore for the most part their rude behavior.
But there was only so much he could stand when it came to the one he loved.
He knew something was going on the night of Madeleine's ball. As he stood on the other side of the ballroom, listening to Duke Godfrey drone on and on, he noticed Drake bump into the future earl. He knew there were very few nobles his best friend respected so seeing the flash of anger was normal.
Riley's though was surprising.
That unusual bitter twist to her normal, friendly smile followed by what he could only assume were heated words between his love and Neville made him feel the need to rush over and place himself between them. That desire to protect Riley was so strong that his body had already turned to leave Godfrey mid sentence.
But then Neville walked away.
Maxwell's brief sadness followed by Hana's irritation had him focusing once more on Riley's anger turning to resigned acceptance. Her relaxed stance returned as his group of friends found a table to sit and enjoy their meal.
He knew then that he would need to keep an eye on Lord Neville for the rest of the Unity Tour.
*****************
It didn't surprise him at all the insults and tension between Drake and Neville during the charity polo match. Liam felt sorry for Rashad and Maxwell being stuck on their team and forced to work with the two men that seemed to truly despise one another.
Liam also felt a large bit of pride when Riley used Neville's refusal to pass to Drake to score.
He also was relieved that Neville had not turned his disdain toward her.
Perhaps he was beginning to respect his future queen.
**************
It shouldn't have affected Liam like it did. Maybe it was the fact he was under so much pressure from keeping his father's cancer hidden, the fear from hearing he had been rushed to the hospital, all the terrorist attacks and threats, and then having to focus on pampered nobles instead of actually running his kingdom that caused him to lose his last shred of patience.
This ball was one that he had looked forward to. It would be the first of his escorting his Riley before the court. He had waited so long for such a moment to show his world how proud he was to have won her heart.
And Neville had to ruin it during their first dance.
The heated exchange of words escalated when Riley jumped in to defend Drake. Liam could see the utter hatred and lack of respect Neville had for the two people he was closest to. The way the young lord talked down to his beloved sent a bitter resolve through Cordonia's king.
"I've had enough of your insolence!" Neville snapped.
Liam saw his hand reach for his pocket and begin to withdraw a white glove. Before he could think through what he was about to do, he slapped Neville with the back of his hand, cutting short the challenge the lord was about to issue to Drake.
The entire court gasped. Silence fell as all watched this rare occurrence of Liam losing his temper.
"I've had enough of your insolence." Liam bit out. "Lord Neville, I challenge you to a duel."
Neville paled. His eyes darted around the ballroom, searching for anyone who might possibly be on his side. Seeing no sympathy, his chin lifted.
"I accept." His voice cracked slightly.
****************
"Liam, why are you doing this?" Riley gripped his hand as they walked out to the courtyard.
"I'm tired of his attitude." Liam explained. "Especially around you."
"I can handle his snide remarks." She countered. "What I can't handle is the thought of you possibly getting hurt."
Liam paused and slipped his arm around her waist. "You don't think I can take him?"
She smiled, looping her arms around his neck. "I know you can." She snared him with a tender kiss. "Just make it fast. There's a certain king I want to slow dance with."
His lips curved once more before turning toward the growing crowd. "As my queen wishes, so it shall be."
With a wink to her, he removed his sword from its sheath with a dramatic flourish.
Her delighted laughter followed him as he faced his opponent.
Neville swallowed uncomfortably as Constantine laid out the rules for the duel.
He barely managed to block Liam's blows, footsteps retreating most of the time. His lip curled into a snarl when the new king sliced into his blazer.
"My lady was right," Liam taunted, "that is a dreadful dinner jacket."
Neville's cheeks burned when those watching nearby chuckled. Each time he tried to make an offensive strike, Liam not only blocked it but somehow turned it into a point in his favor.
At one point they locked swords. Neville hated he had to tilt his head up to meet Liam's eyes. He hadn't expected to see the coldness there.
"You will apologize to Riley and Drake." Liam commanded in a low tone. "You will also never speak to either of them with such disrespect again."
"Why should I?" Neville breathed. "They need to learn to respect their betters."
"Really?" Liam's tone held a sinister edge.
With an elegant spin that happened in the blink of an eye, he knocked his opponent’s sword out of his hand, caught it in mid air with his free one, and had both blades crossed with Neville's neck in the middle.
"Well done!" Constantine cheered from the sideline.
Riley let out a whoop as she hurried over to Liam's side.
"Wasn't there something you wished to say to her grace, Lord Neville?" Liam asked
Neville's ready sneer died when he felt a slight nick to his tender skin.
"Forgive me, your grace." He managed to say without choking. "I will remember my manners when next we meet."
Riley gave a regal nod of acceptance.
Liam lowered the swords. "You're dismissed."
Neville scurried through the amused crowd, keeping his eyes downcast.
Riley yanked Liam into a passionate kiss once all the compliments were given and the crowd dispersed.
"My lady?" He asked with a grin. "What brought that on?"
"Nothing except my impressive Prince Charming fighting for me." She responded. "Perhaps he would like to find somewhere more private where I can better express my admiration."
"As you wish." He handed his swords to a servant as the couple sneaked away for a moment alone.
