“I call on you all to be upstanding for His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Rupert of Simigile.”
Winter turned, glancing at his husband-to-be, who was walking slowly down the aisle, looking left and right, accepting all the bowing and curtsying that rippled through the crowd like a wave as he advanced.
He clearly hasn’t worn that robe for a while, Winter thought, biting the inside of his mouth to make sure his amusement remained hidden. Rupert was definitely dressed in a very stately robe, one that had probably kept a tailor busy for weeks to create. But the way it was tight around the neck and particularly around his biceps suggested it may have been a few meals since Rupert had been fitted for that particular garment.Maybe he’s put on a bit of weight.
This time, he clearly didn’t hide his grin as well as he had previously. “Marriage is a very serious affair, Your Highness,” the official who was conducting the ceremony murmured quietly.
“I’m aware, Harry.” Winter faced him with a wide smile. Harry was one of the king’s oldest advisers, and Winter had already had two interesting conversations with him about the state of affairs in Simigile. “It’s also meant to be a joyous celebration, though, and I’m sure you’ll agree Crown Prince Rupert is being serious enough for both of us.”
That was an extremely polite understatement, something Harry was probably aware of. The look on Rupert’s face spoke volumes. The man was clearly doing his bit to be regal. The coronet sitting in his long black hair added at least two inches to his height, not that Rupert needed it. He was a very large and imposing man. There might be some who could be intimidated by the idea of tying their lives to such a person, especially with the glower that Rupert was wearing. But Winter wasn’t concerned. He was more than capable of looking after himself.
His nod, when Rupert finally made it to the stage, was brief and respectful enough. After all, they were going to be married, it’s not like he was meant to bow effusively or any such nonsense. Effectively, Winter was already Rupert’s equal.
However, it was clear that Rupert did not believe Winter deserved the same courtesy. The slight sneer in the corner of his lip as he took in Winter’s outfit made Winter want to laugh out loud.You wanted a peacock, and thanks to your father, I look like one.
Personally, Winter thought his new robe was truly beautiful. Not something he would usually wear in his day-to-day life, but for special events, it felt good to look his best. Combined with the tight black pants he liked to wear, and with his hair falling down his back in waves, more than one person had complimented him on his appearance. He wore rings on every finger, three bangles on each wrist, and had even forced a couple of diamond studs inhis ear lobes.Every inch a pampered prince.It was clear Rupert hated it.
“Crown Prince Rupert, if you could take your spouse’s hand,” Harry said in his deep tones after the crowd had gotten themselves seated again. “We can begin.”
Harry started his speech – something that seemed to be required for anyone officiating a wedding. Winter didn’t have to listen, he’d helped Harry write it, making sure that it was long enough to show the serious intent, without boring the listeners. As Harry’s voice droned on, Winter wondered what Rupert was thinking. His intended wasn’t even looking at him. He was staring over Winter’s head. As there was nothing behind Winter at all except a rather large stone column, it was clear Rupert was trying to distance himself from the proceedings.Try doing that when the vow exchange occurs.
As if Harry could read his mind, he said, “Prince Winter, if you could follow me as we recite the vows that will cement this auspicious union?”
Winter nodded as Harry started, looking up at Rupert’s chin.
“I, Prince Winter…being free of all commitments…and coming to this marriage willingly…hereby swear in front of all who are gathered here…that I will provide my husband guidance and support as his equal in all things…stand by his side in times of strife… and provide comfort when needed. I will remain true to our marriage and be faithful only to him…in accordance with the contract signed by us both and filed with the World Council.”
Winter barely had to wait for Harry to finish speaking especially in the last part of his vows. Again, he’d written them, so he knew exactly what he was pledging before king and country. It was unlikely that Rupert did, but Winter confirmed why Rupert wanted to talk to him before the ceremony. There wasan imperceptible tightening in Rupert’s jaw when the word “faithful” had been used.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Crown Prince Rupert, if you’d like to repeat after me…”
Chapter Seven
I can’t do it. I just can’t do this. That was all Rupert could think as he listened to his intended spouse repeating vows intoned by Harry, every word digging like an ice pick into his skull.
It wasn’t that Winter didn’t have a pleasant voice – it was surprisingly rich and full coming from the much smaller man. But every word Winter said had carried – people could hear them - and by the time Winter promised to be faithful to him and true to their marriage, Rupert wished with everything he was for the ceiling to fall down or for someone to yell fire. Anything to stop the farce he was playing an active part in.
It didn’t help that Rupert’s robe was choking him around his neck, and he didn’t dare move much at all in case his shoulders exploded out of the material. They likely would have done so if it hadn’t been for the fact that the garment had been so meticulously sewn.
Rupert was a man on the edge, feeling his life crumbling into ruin as he repeated the words Harry prompted him to say. Conscious of his father watching his every move, Rupert knew he had no choice. He mentally patted himself on the back as he repeated that he would be faithful to his husband with only the slightest hesitation.
It's not like he could stop the carnival he’d put in motion. Rupert had absolutely no choice. He knew it. Winter probably knew it, and his father definitely did. Rupert made a vow then and there that if he ever found out who it was that wrote those damn vows, he was going to have them fired.
What that person had done, whether intentionally or not, was ensure that Rupert had no choice but to discuss intimate matters with his husband whom he’d had no intention of talking to beyond what was necessary.But if I want my life to go back tonormal after this farce, that conversation has to be had,before he took off for his next set of social engagements. Rupert was not used to doing without his pleasures, and he wasn’t about to start purely and simply because somebody stuck a peacock in his path and demanded they get married.
All right, so it had been Rupert doing all the demanding. In fairness, Winter had nothing to do with that decision at all. Rupert had picked the man out of a crowd in a fit of pique, and now he was stuck with him. But Winter had been looking right at him when he said his vows. It was as if Rupert could feel that man’s eyes on his chin. There was nothing demure about his approach, no fear or even respect. Just a man repeating his vows in a voice loud enough for the kitchen staff to hear. Bedazzled and bejeweled – he even had studs in his ears – Rupert wanted to take his new husband’s confidence and seriously muss him up.
When Harry finally said, “I hereby declare the Crown Prince and Crown Prince Consort as husbands forever more. You may now gently embrace your husband,” Rupert could see the scene in his mind’s eye – smashing Winter to his chest and either wringing his neck, or kissing him until Winter didn’t know what way was up anymore.And then I’d still wring his neck.
But of course he couldn’t, not in front of his father. Instead, Rupert simply leaned over, catching a whiff of Winter’s spicy scent as he air-kissed on either side of the man’s face.That’s as close as I’m ever getting to you, Rupert decided as he straightened again, still holding Winter’s hand as they turned to face the crowd.
Rupert’s mind wouldn’t stop racing. He was fuming. He had pledged to be faithful in front of over a hundred people. And now his only way of reclaiming his original life was to have a genuine conversation with the man who was happily standing besidehim, waving and smiling at people Rupert didn’t even realize Winter knew. His husband was unusually friendly. In fact…what has Winter been doing while I’ve been off hunting?
That was a question for another day. As was expected of him, Rupert took his husband over to his father and bowed low, Winter mimicking his movement gracefully beside him. “Father, may I present to you my husband, Crown Prince Consort Winter.”
His father was smiling. Rupert couldn’t ignore the signs of illness around his eyes and his mouth, the pale pallor of his skin, but his father seemed genuinely pleased. “I am so proud of you both,” he said slowly. “You have truly made this old man very happy, and I hope that the two of you will be very happy together in the years to come.”
To Rupert’s surprise, Winter leaned over, air-kissing on either side of the king’s head. “I truly appreciate the robe, Your Majesty,” he said, and Rupert would swear he could hear affection in his husband’s tone. “This beautiful garment has a decided festive feel, which will be useful with the reception still to come.”
