Page 77

My heart began to pound in my chest. “What kind of rumors? I mean the drug stuff, that’s all bullshit.”
“I figured.” Erik’s smile was small and sad. “There’s been a few exposés about what kids went through in that era of acting. They were given drugs and alcohol when they were barely older than toddlers. They were spoon-fed uppers and downers. They were manipulated by directors and producers…and worse.”
And worse. I said nothing.
“This one article exposed Aleric’s parents for abandoning him to his production studio, then literally stealing all of his money. When that whole thing happened and he left acting, he was flat broke.”
I knew that. Well, most of it. I’d seen his shitty little apartment, and I knew what his parents had done to his savings. What really upset me was that others knew about it and did nothing. Media had turned into ways to sell subscriptions to their blogs and shit, but no one bothered to do anything to help a man who deserved it.
“I think I’m falling for him.”
Erik’s eyes widened, and his smile brightened. “Invite me to the wedding.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“And yet, I’m going to start making plans. I know so many amazing venues with accessible ballrooms. I’ll make some calls.”
“Or, you can take a breath because you know I have people for that sort of thing. But, ah. If I did get married—like a big, royal marriage—I wouldn’t say no if you’d be my best man.”
His cheeks reddened, and he glanced away.
“You can say no,” I told him in a rush. “I get that something so huge could be a terrible invasion of privacy, and you have kids, and?—”
“No, I—” He stopped and cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t your brother be your best man?”
“It doesn’t really work like that,” I told him. “He’s the crown prince, so he’s not technically allowed to stand behind me like that. Not even for a wedding ceremony.”
“Fucking ridiculous.”
“It is. And I do love Carlo, but you’ve been more of a brother to me over the last several years. Carlo’s been trying more,” I added, because I had to be fair to him. He was doing better. Butthat didn’t change the years of him ignoring who I was for the sake of his own comfort. “I appreciate him, and I always will. But I love you like family.”
Erik cleared his throat. “When’s the wedding?”
“Don’t.”
“I’m serious.”
My stomach sank. “We’re just figuring out if this will work for us. He’s been through so much, and inviting more cameras, more invasive journalists and articles and TV specials into his life…” I trailed off and shrugged. “I want to give him time to think about it. I?—”
My phone began to buzz, cutting me off, and I quickly pulled it out of my pocket. It was Christoph’s assistant.
“Hang on,” I told him, then answered. “Yes?”
“Your Highness? This is Eliza.”
“How can I help you?”
“We just wanted to let you know that your services with us as consultant are no longer needed.”
My face went numb, and my vision went foggy in the corners. I was being fired? “And why is that? I have an agreement with the studio that?—”
“We understand, but it was only until Mr. King fully understood the role, and Christoph has come to the conclusion that it’s no longer necessary.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your Highness? Please hold. Christoph would like to speak with you.”
I glanced at Erik, who seemed both concerned and curious. ‘Sorry,’ I mouthed.