“You’re very welcome, Winter, although I will not be able to attend your festivities. I was looking forward to seeing you both enjoy your first dance together, but I am sure there will be a dozen tongues who will tell me about it in the morning. Rupert is a masterful dancer.” The king included Rupert in his smile, and Rupert knew, no matter how he might feel about the situation, he’d be sharing a first dance with his new husband – even if it was just to appease the gossips.
“Despite my absence, know I am with you in spirit. I genuinely welcome you into the family, Winter. Rupert has made anexcellent choice in his spouse, and you’ve certainly made this old heart feel young again, even if it is just for five minutes.”
Rupert could not believe his ears. His father was proud – of him! Not only that, but it sounded as though his father, the king, had ordered the bright robe for Winter.What the hell has been going on when I’m not here?
But Rupert didn’t have a chance to ask, as Harry was there at his elbow, coughing beside him in that annoying way that people did when they could just speak up.
“If you’d like to follow me, Your Highnesses, we’ll go through to the reception and the esteemed guests can follow us.”
Go through to the reception?Rupert desperately wanted to escape – run out to the stables, tear off his robe as he demanded his horse saddled for him immediately, before riding off into blissful oblivion.
The button holding the top of his collar closed was digging into his throat, and no matter how much Rupert tried to surreptitiously twitch or wiggle, he could not get the tight material to ease around his skin.
What was worse was that Winter had a very firm hold on his hand as they made their way back down the aisle. Without making a big deal about it, Rupert had to stay tethered to his husband, who was smiling and waving at people who all called out their congratulations.
Is Winter truly enjoying all this?Rupert felt a sudden shaft of fear.Who the hell have I married? What if he’s a complete and utter simpleton?Determined to find out – and yes, it wasn’t lost on Rupert that he probably should’ve done that before the ceremony – he walked like a puppet, down the aisle, through the large doors, across the hallway, and into the grand dining hall, his new husband matching his every step.
Rupert had to admit his father had done a lovely job. The decorations and the seating were all designed to give the air of a spring celebration, with white flowers strung in garlands everywhere, their centers dusted with gold. The chairs were ones that Rupert preferred, sturdy wood with cushions of the rich red and blacks, which were the Simigile royal family’s national colors, and the staff had pulled out the finest china to form the place settings for the numerous guests who would be seated according to their societal family rank.
The royal table was just as beautifully decorated, with a rich table runner in embroidered gold. Rupert’s lips tightened at the initials that were featured in front of his and Winter’s place settings. His R was taller, but Winter’s W was wider, making it look more prominent.
“Hasn’t your father done such a beautiful job?” Winter said brightly, smiling his thanks at the footman who held out his chair, before taking his seat. “So much work and planning must’ve gone into this. A sign your father cares for you deeply.”
“My father has never stinted on social occasions.” Rupert sat down, still feeling unsettled. He felt a bit better when Tristan took his seat to his left, noticing a man who bore a faint resemblance to his husband taking the seat to Winter’s right.August.Rupert remembered Tristan mentioning Winter was going to be supported by his brother for the ceremony.
Waiting for everyone else to be seated, Rupert felt he probably should say something to his new husband. He just wasn’t sure what he could say. It’s not like he knew the man, and he was still stubborn enough to believe he didn’t want to get to know him. Winter was the sign of changes he didn’t want or need.
But there were social obligations Rupert was all too aware of. “Did you have a pleasant trip to Simigile? I understand we’re afew days ride from Martingale, is that correct?”See, at least I know where you’re from.
Winter’s smile was wide and warm. “More like a four-day ride on a fast horse. However, my staff and I didn’t travel from Martingale. We followed you from Monce, with a brief stop off to visit Prince Lewis of Ravenclaw. Just imagine, we were probably only two days behind you the whole way here.”
Two days? That means you’ve been here since…But Winter hadn’t finished.
“The castle staff, and your father, of course, were very welcoming when we arrived. Honestly, there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for us. I was so impressed, and so incredibly grateful. I was informed you had extensive social engagements you simply had to attend, which I understood completely. A man like yourself is going to be a very busy person.”
A man like myself?Rupert wasn’t sure what Winter was implying, and wasn’t sure he’d like it, if he did understand. “Many elements on my social calendar are annual events,” he said gruffly, feeling as though he’d mis-stepped in some way. “I don’t like to disappoint people who expect me to attend.”
“Oh, absolutely.” Winter’s smile widened, and Rupert was almost certain he was being laughed at. It was something to do with the way Winter’s eyes twinkled. “I’m sure that practice won’t change simply because we’re married. A crown prince has a certain duty to his people, after all. His consort as well, I imagine.”
“Yes, no. Er…about that.” Rupert wasn’t sure what he was meant to say. But it seemed Winter wasn’t going to stop talking long enough to listen anyway.
“As you already pointed out, many of the events you attend are already planned. I don’t imagine I’m invited to go with you. Thewedding was organized at such short notice after all. I’m sure most people weren’t aware of my existence, or that we were getting married until today.”
Winter let out a gentle laugh – something else Rupert wasn’t sure he knew what to do with. “If there are any events you explicitly wish me to attend, you can let my adviser Sigmund know, and he’ll be sure to add it to my schedule.”
“Er…yes. Yes. I can do that.”Doesn’t he want to be seen with me? Isn’t he planning on spending any time with me at all?Now Rupert was more confused than ever. If Winter didn’t expect to spend time with him, and it wasn’t sounding as if he was, then why did he insist on an infidelity clause in their marriage contract?
The wedding reception wasn’t the place to ask. The staff were already serving the first course. Rupert resigned himself to an uncomfortable meal. But his mind wouldn’t stop churning over the conundrum he’d married.
/~/~/~/~/
It was more than two hours later when the band started playing, and Rupert knew he was going to have to suffer through one dance with Winter, at the very least. It wasn’t that he objected to dancing, but people were going to see him dancing with the brightly dressed man. And worse, Rupert had the feeling his face was going red from the way his robe was cutting off the circulation to his head.
Leading Winter to the dance floor and taking him in his arms wasn’t a hardship. It wasn’t as though he would press Winter against his body or anything ridiculous like that. Rupert ensured that there was plenty of space between his body and that brightly jeweled robe Winter was wearing.I wouldn’t want to cut myselfon those gems,he thought crossly. Winter was an excellent dancer and followed his lead easily.
“You appear tense,” Winter said quietly as they moved across the floor. “Have you enjoyed the day?”
“It was a day.” Rupert couldn’t help being abrupt. He was honestly at the end of his rope. Nothing about Winter or the way he acted made sense. “I have to ask. Why did you marry me?”
