Chapter 1
Thirty Years Ago…
In the country of Avce, a noble must marry before his thirtieth birthday or lose his status. Leo, technically Leopoldo Aussa, as the crown prince and only son of the royal family, demanded that his parents change the archaic rules for him, but as the calendar counted down to doomsday, only three weeks away, they did nothing.
Leo had threatened to vacate his responsibilities, refuse the throne and leave Avce. But where could he go without wealth and privilege?
He’d traveled to the United States at eighteen, where his wallet had been stolen. Those few hours without money or identification in Los Angeles, California had scarred him.
Deep down, he knew he would accept the throne and marry, but his first law as king would be to change this ancient rule of the land. No son of his should face down a clock. Or marry a stranger just to keep his birthright.
Leo couldn’t imagine having a son, but when the time came, he hoped to have a relationship with the next heir, like some of his friends had with their fathers. They would build trust and understanding and not be ignored.
Summoned to the throne room, where he’d been kept waiting for over an hour, Leo was sure his parents were about to apply more guilt, saying that he’d ruined their chances for a shipping alliance with a northern country nowhere near Avce by not marrying the princess of said country. He had no choice but to sit straight in the high-backed wooden chairs meant to intimidate royal visitors.
The dong of the swinging clock near the door went off, signaling another half hour had passed and once again his parents paid little regard for his time or his schedule.
His pulled at his tight collar. He probably shouldn’t have slept with Francesca at the bride-finding ball his parents had thrown two nights ago, but he hadn’t wanted to be Prince Charming to some Cinderella waltzing through the palace door.
So, he’d disappeared with the pretty model who’d wanted nothing more than a one-night stand.
The infernal tick-tock of the huge gilded clock needed to be removed from this antechamber. One day, if he ever did have any power, he’d dismantle that sound so no one else had to suffer.
He’d spent too much of his life staring at that gilded clock waiting for his parents to give him a royal decree for his life rather than discuss anything, ever.
Perhaps if his parents had had more sons, then he wouldn’t carry this weight on his shoulder. His younger sister had done her duty, married and left the kingdom that Leo was supposed to inherit. If he abdicated, an odious cousin took over. He stood from the chair and paced.
If not the princess, maybe his parents planned to ream him over Francesca, and then send him on his way like he was still a boy they’d scold.
Franz, the court Marshal, opened and closed the door to the throne room, carrying a long staff. Leo crossed his hands and ignored the heat in his cheeks as the play of his life continued. Franz tapped the marble floor with his symbolic staff. Without a word, the gesture meant ‘stand and be ready to meet the king and queen.’
Even as the only son, he didn’t get a pass around traditions. Luckily his father was healthy and should rule Avce for decades more without any issues.
Now if he’d rescind the law that nobles must marry by thirty, everything would be fine. Had Leo been called to meet them because they’d finally relented?
He followed behind the servant, who stepped back when they reached the final door and Leo entered the room normally filled with royal hangers-on. Today it was just his parents, both dressed in royal blue and gold as they held court and sat on their thrones.
Their positions meant they were in charge, they set the rules and he obeyed.
Leo walked to the lowest step of the dais. His father declared, “Leopoldo Aussa, the laws cannot be changed because you want to keep flirting with models, son.”
Francesca was to be the subject then. He met his father’s gaze and squared his shoulders. “Francesca is more than just a model.”
“Model and aspiring actress?” His mother, Queen Anastasia, stood from her throne and stared down the steps as if he was a peasant. “She’s not fit to be a queen. You know that, son, which is why you haven’t considered marrying her, yet your action put all the eligible women who might be good for you on notice that you weren’t available.”
Her tone was clipped. So they knew he’d known Francesca for more than one night—they didn’t have to say. His mother’s raised eyebrow conveyed her disapproval without words. Yes, Francesca was reckless and wild. She didn’t care about anything which was the exact opposite of what everyone thought he should be.
Queen Anastasia continued in her litany, “And once again you cause your own problems and once again I find the solution. Hopefully one day you’ll learn to take some responsibility in life and not just flit around and never think things through.”
No one had ever asked Leo to solve anything before.
It might be nice, but it wasn’t important now. Leo wanted one thing in his life… a choice. So, he took a single step up the dais like he was ascending into godliness. It was time to show them how reckless he was and force them to change the stupid law. He met the cold stare of his father. “Time is almost up for me. If you truly want me to be king, then you’ll accept Francesca.”
“She’s unacceptable and you’ll be stripped of any power if you do.” His father hadn’t budged from his throne as he decreed, “Your secretary Anna is a better choice for queen.”
Anna Camila? Leo kept her close because she did whatever he needed, without fuss; she wasn’t bad to look at with her tight bun and ever-present notepad. She anticipated his every whim, and ran his events perfectly.
But she wasn’t a noble.
