Page 26 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

Leo knew he needed to secure Cinderella's hand as quickly as possible, before the duchess could change her mind. So, he rushed her into his father's office along with his parents and announced their engagement.

“That's fantastic news!” King Bessaren declared. “I will have the paperwork drawn up in the morning.”

“Now, Father,” Leo said, clutching Cinderella's hand. “I want to announce it tonight, before all these witnesses. I want this settled.”

Cinderella looked startled. There was something else, too. As if she were listening to someone whispering in her ear. She swallowed and lifted her chin.

Oh, yeah. He had to get this shit done. She looked ready to bolt.

“My goodness, you are eager!” Leo's mother, Queen Diavina said.

“I'm so happy for you, my boy!” The King clapped Leo on the back. “Juren!”

The King's most trusted servant appeared as if he'd formed out of nothing. He bowed to the King and Queen, and then to Leo and Cinderella. “How may I serve?”

Leo found him creepy.

“We need a marriage contract drawn up immediately.” The King waved toward his desk. “My son has chosen a bride!”

“How wonderful, Sire,” Juren said in a monotone. He went to his desk—a modest thing set to the left of the King's—and sat down. He was scribbling seconds later.

“This calls for a drink!” The King pulled a cord to summon a lesser servant. Juren did not fetch drinks.

After the drinks were ordered, the King ushered them to a sitting area before a tall fireplace, the mantle adorned with fresh roses. Leovar helped Cinderella onto a couch and then sat beside her, giving her a secret smile when he pushed her skirts over.

She smiled back, but it seemed shaky.

Fuck! She's already having second thoughts. Leo glanced at Juren and grimaced. The old fucker always took his time with documents. Every word had a damn flourish.

The drinks arrived long before Juren finished, and Leo found his left foot tapping the carpet. He pushed down on his knee to still the motion and took a deep breath. It's not as if she's going to flee. Come on, calm yourself.

Toasting and making small talk with his soon-to-be bride and his parents was the most grueling experience of Leo's life.

Especially because all he could think about was another beautiful blond—a man even more stunning than the woman beside him.

Xander. What was he doing at that moment?

Sleeping before a banked fire under a thin blanket?

Bending beneath the blows of his stepmother?

Leo's jaw clenched. He would make that woman pay for everything she'd done to his Xander.

He couldn't wait to see her face when he took Xander away from her to live with him in the castle.

She'd have to be silenced, of course. No one could know who Xander was in regard to the married prince.

It would give Leovar an excuse to imprison her.

Or worse. The charges against her would just be a bonus.

And his father would be compelled to go along with it.

He couldn't allow a scandal like that to get out.

“Leo?” King Bessaren said.

“Yes, Father?”

“I said, The contract is ready.” He waved at his desk. “Shall we?”

Leovar glanced at Cinderella, and for the briefest moment, he saw Xander sitting there instead.

It was such a startling vision and so ridiculous—what with Xander wearing that frothy dress—that he couldn't move or speak.

Just stared at Cinderella. Was this his mind's way of telling him he was doing the right thing?

Or maybe it was a warning. Leo didn't know, but it was too late to change his mind.

“Are you ready?” he asked Cinderella.

She nodded.

Prince Leovar escorted his intended to the King's desk.

They signed the marriage contract—Duchess Cinderella pausing before she wrote in her full name.

Leovar saw a strange shimmer flow over the page, but he blinked and it was gone.

The signature was clear—Duchess Cinderella of Higferen.

Her land was three kingdoms to the west. She had traveled far to meet him.

The King and Queen signed the document next, witnessing their intentions and sealing the contract. But that wasn't the end of it. Brandishing the document, the King led them back to the ballroom and up onto the royal dais.

“Attention!” the King shouted.

The music died down .

“I have great news. My son has chosen his bride. This contract has just been signed between your prince and the Duchess Cinderella!”

There was cheering, but mainly from the men in the room and the servants. The women grimaced and barely brought their hands together. But it was done. Signed and witnessed.

Leovar let out a sigh of relief. Now, he just had to convince Xander that this was the best thing for them.