“Oh, it’s just that you’re exactly as strong as they say you are. I didn’t expect it, that’s all.”
“What, are you saying you expected me to be weak just because I’m a woman?”
“No, not at all.” Aurelio beams innocently. “I just thought I’d be stronger than you are regardless.”
Alright, now my blood’s boiling.
Gripping Aurelio a little harder than is necessary, I pull him closer so that he looks me directly in the eyes. He freezes up when our faces are only inches apart, his lips parting in shock.
“Listen here, Prince Aurelio,” I growl. “You’re married into the royal family now. You don’t get a vacation just because you’re royalty. There are people to serve, children to feed, and military defenses to be tested. I don’t know why you think you can just sit around and do nothing all day, but it’s total bullcrap, and it won’t fly with me. You’re going to use all the talents you have to make the people happy. Got it?”
Aurelio’s eyes dart to my lips, then back up to my eyes. I hate the way the simple gesture makes my heart thump uncomfortably in my chest.
“Damn, and here I thought I’d scored the position of a lifetime,” he laments. “So long, days of restful peace and quiet.”
Disgust curdles in my gut. “Did you seriously try to use this as an opportunity to slack off the rest of your life?”
Aurelio laughs, his eyes flickering to my lips again. “Not exactly, but with your attitude, that was the best I was going to get, wasn’t it?”
What is he trying to pull?
His eyes remain on my lips, and it sends my heart into pandemonium. Did he seriously hope for love? He had to have known what he was getting into if he’s an aristocrat! He probably planned to fool me into thinking he was useless just so he could take a backseat as the prince, as most second-rate aristocratic pieces of garbage do.
But if that’s his plan…why is he looking at me like that?
I lock my gaze on his. The tension between us is palpable. The pressure in my chest is unbearable, like an invisible hand is trying to pull me into Aurelio. The depths of those brown eyes hold a thousand thoughts and a thousand more feelings, none of which I can pinpoint before it disappears, replaced by another whim. The only steady sparkle in that gaze is a pure love for life and all that may happen in it. The spontaneity of his thoughts and feelings is written all over his face.
So, the way he’s looking at me? It’s probably a passing whim.
My lip curls in disgust. And to think, he almost got my hopes up.
I release my hold on him, shoving him away as hard as I can. My breath coming in slight pants, I turn away before he can see my face, which has to be pink by now.
“My attitude is fine. I have the ambition I was raised to have with an iron will to match it. A queen’s duty is to her people, even if her people regard her as cruel for conducting her duties accordingly. Farmers must work so we can eat; merchants must sell inventory so we can clothe ourselves and heal our wounds; adventurers must work so merchants can survive; aristocrats and royals must work to protect their people and preserve the economic system.”
I shoot a glare at Aurelio. “Don’t you dare think for one second you may abandon your duties. Being next in line for the throne is a great honor. Act like it.”
As if he’s trying to get himself slapped, Aurelio rolls his eyes at me, laughs, and approaches me once more—going as far as to put his hand on my shoulder.
“Alessia, I didn’t want to be royalty. I just wanted to be me. You determined this role for me. If you want me to play a part, then conduct the show, director.”
The way he looks at me is charming and more powerful than a love potion. My whole body quivers from the faint touch of his hand on my shoulder. My heart beats wildly in my chest, and my eyes automatically dart to his lips, arched so perfectly in a devilish smile. It draws me in closer. There are only a few inches between us; I could wipe that smile off his face if I simply leaned forward and closed the distance…
But in the end, my better judgment has me tossing away his hand. I know he’s trying to manipulate me. Guys like him are a dime a dozen; I’m standing my ground, no matter how much he tempts me.
“You don’t want to play the part? Fine. I’ll make a deal with you,” I offer. “If you can beat me in the training session, you can do whatever you want. If I beat you, you do whatever I say, forever.”
Aurelio lets out a laugh, extending a hand to me. “Deal. I’ll see you this afternoon, three o’clock sharp, then.”
I shake his hand, hating the way it feels like sparks dance between our fingers. I need to get this man under control, and fast, or I might lose myself in this constant struggle for power, neglecting my duties as queen in the process.
I’m going to win this. I have to. For my kingdom…and for my sanity.
Chapter four
Aurelio
Iknow perfectly well I’m not going to win.
