Chapter 22 - The Prince (1/2)

Everyone but the crown prince and his wife began bowing and murmuring ”Your Highness.” I was frozen in shock but still managed to snap down into a barely passable curtsy.

”Brother,” Prince Sigmund said with displeasure. ”I have seen you dance with Lady Catherine exactly once. What is the meaning of this?”

This couldn't be happening. Al, the guy I thought of as the most normal person in this world, was Prince Alpheus? The main character of this novel?!

This wasn't right! He was supposed to already be in love with Marcy! Why on earth was he sticking his neck out for me?

Prince Alpheus stepped forward and grabbed my hand to kiss it.

”Dearest Katie, it is so nice to see you again. I hope you have been well since our last meeting? The raspberry tarts were delightful but nowhere near as delightful as your company.”

Not only had he laid a claim on me by using what these people would see as a very intimate nickname in public, he acted like we were dating, exaggerating the time he treated me in that bakery when I ran away.

What. Was. He. Doing.

”I have been as well as I can be,” I replied carefully. ”And you, Your Highness?”

This guy could win an Oscar. He actually had the nerve to look hurt.

”Is my fiancée feeling shy today? There is no need to be so formal just because we are in public.”

Dude! I never would have called you Al if I knew you were a freaking prince! Don't mess with me like this!

The duke's hands were clenched into fists. ”Prince Alpheus, I have visited Lady Catherine every day for the past two weeks and have not seen you once. And yet you claim to be her fiancé?”

”Our correspondence has largely been through exchanging letters since the debutante ball,” Prince Alpheus said with an airy wave of his hand. ”A prince does not have as much free time as a duke.”

Duke Orla's knuckles grew even whiter.

It might just be my imagination going wild, but I could totally visualize the other young nobles we were sitting with pulling out popcorn to enjoy a good show. The duke was actually lost for words.

The archduke stepped in on his behalf. ”Prince Alpheus, I thought His Majesty planned to unite you with the barony of Kailene?”

”Why would His Majesty do that when the earldom of du Pont is much higher ranked?” Al asked as if the notion was ridiculous. ”I don't know which rumors you have been listening to, uncle, but be sure to check your sources next time.”