Page 10 of The Most Unsuitable Prince (Another Arranged Marriage #8)
“Have you ever thought about giving up the family business?” August asked as he helped Winter ease the richly jewel-crusted robe from his shoulders.
They were back in the relative safety of Winter’s suite.
An opulent yet comfortable set of rooms created specifically for Winter in his new position as the crown prince consort of Simigile.
“Only at least once a day.” Winter chuckled as he carefully hung the robe on a hanger provided, easing the silk cover it had been protected by completely over the cloth, before hanging it up in the wide closet he’d been given.
Grabbing a sleep robe, he quickly put that on, tying the belt firmly around his waist. He wasn’t expecting visitors, but a crown prince consort didn’t go flashing his bare chest at anyone.
“Why do you ask?” he asked as he took the seat opposite his brother.
The chairs were arranged on either side of an ornate fireplace, the fire providing light and warmth.
It was likely anticipated that Winter would share that spot with his new husband, but August was more comfortable to be with, at least in Winter’s opinion.
I should’ve known Rupert was only interested in maintaining his active sex life – with others, not his husband.
Even though Winter had already guessed that was the only reason Rupert would talk to him at all, it still rankled him.
Fortunately, the wonderful staff had also provided a small table holding a decanter of port, which Winter quickly made use of, pouring two glasses and leaning over to hand one to August.
“As far as I’m aware,” Winter added when August didn’t reply right away, “there hasn’t been a prince or princess from the Martingale royal family who hasn’t worked for the World Council in some semblance or another.
Ours is simply a slightly different form of employment than most people would consider for a gentleman, or a lady because we can’t forget our sisters, but what anyone else might do.
Is something bothering you about your trip to Southland? ”
“Apart from the fact that it’s going to take me well over a week to get there?
” August shook his head. “I’m not worried about the trip as such, nor concerned about what I’ll find in Southland.
My concern is more with leaving you here.
I can’t help but feel that father should have done more to prevent your marriage to that buffoon that you are now tied to for the rest of your life. ”
Winter took another sip of his port and quirked an eyebrow at his brother.
“I understand it was ultimately your decision,” August added quickly, “and you have every right to make it. But the whole situation has me feeling you’re being used, and not in a pleasurable way. Can you genuinely say, hand on heart, that you think you made the right decision?”
Taking a moment – it wasn’t always easy slipping from the persona others saw, to his true self – Winter said softly, “Frankly, between you and me, and I don’t want it to go any further, but no.
” He shook his head. “Sigmund did try to dissuade me, and so did you.
I accept that, and yes, I do think I made a mistake.
“But as it’s done, I have to look at the bright side.
It’s not all bad. Given the chance, I believe I could do a lot of good here.
I have already made some contacts thanks to the World Council effectively giving me three weeks to a month off as a wedding present.
I can cultivate those contacts a bit more.
I can see where our presence here, our family’s presence here, could be useful.
“I will also admit to having a genuine affection for the king. I understand his concerns, especially for his country. He has implemented a lot of ideas here that are truly good for his people. I’d like to think, given the opportunity, I could expand on those ideas and implement a few of my own.”
“You can’t stay married because of the people of Simigile.”
“Well, I could if I thought I’d be given the opportunity to do some good.
Unfortunately, I doubt that I’m even going to have a position here once the king dies.
” Now that Winter had actually spoken to his husband, he was more worried about that than ever.
“Rupert married me because he had no choice. The king told him he had to, so he did. I can’t see that marriage lasting once the king has passed. ”
“That’s not strictly true – him being forced to marry you specifically, I mean.
That’s what concerns me most,” August said.
“Rupert could have married anybody else. Someone from Simigile, for example. By all accounts, he has numerous friends with many single members of society families - people he already knows, and has been or is relatively close to. Have you considered why he didn’t marry one of them instead? ”
“I have been thinking about that,” Winter admitted.
“It seems very out of character for Rupert to pick someone totally random, who he doesn’t know anything about, when he has so many others he could’ve chosen from.
My only conclusion is that for some reason, despite having so many friends, Rupert doesn’t want to put himself in a position where any of his friends might learn more about him than they already do, perhaps?
That could be a reason why he would choose a stranger instead. ”
“He could’ve married Tristan, Lord of Middlethorp, easily enough.
” August took a sip from his drink. “From what Pippin has found out that man has been the closest to Rupert for the longest time. It appears they share a similar love of hunting, camping, and partying, and neither one of them seems interested in running or ruling anything except their own appetites.”
“They’re perfect for each other, in other words.
” Winter stared into the flames, cradling his glass in both hands.
“We’re missing something. It definitely appears that as members of his inner circle have gotten married and started raising families of their own, they’ve tended to drift away from Rupert.
And while there are new up-and-coming lords and ladies all there willing to entertain my husband, I’m not sure they actually have a bond with him that people his own age might have had. ”
“That happens to all of us.” For some reason August sighed.
“If you think about the friends we had when we were younger, we all shared common interests – well, for most royals that’s how things work – but then when it’s time to start taking responsibility, create families and the like, those that do those things stick together, while those determined to stay in the past form their own group. ”
“Clinging to their past. Oh, I do remember those days.” Winter nodded.
“I wondered if something like that applied to Rupert. Pippin has been running himself ragged, trying to find out why my dear husband hasn’t married before this.
No one seems to think that’s even a question that needs answering.
The only thing I can think, because there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer, is that something has happened at some point in Rupert’s life that has caused him to keep everyone near him as friends or acquaintances, but no more than that. ”
“Watching him come down the aisle today, he definitely seems to lap up the adoration that he gets from his position. That’s hardly true friendship, though, is it?”
“It seems to be enough for Rupert.”
“That doesn’t augur well for your relationship, Win,” August said.
“You’re essentially stuck with the man. The issue that’s keeping me awake at night is that if Rupert does discard you the moment his father is dead, what will you do then?
You’ll have a title, but no position or authority to do anything. ”
“I could set up a separate court, I suppose,” Winter said with a chuckle.
“One would assume Rupert would have to assign me housing somewhere if he doesn’t want me in the castle.
To be honest, I would expect him to dissolve our marriage the moment his father dies, but we don’t have a piss-off clause. He can’t get rid of me.”
“You may wish that he could,” August said bluntly.
“When I saw the look of disgust he gave you when he stood on the stage in front of you, I wanted to smack that sneer off his face. I don’t know if it’s you he can’t stand, or what you signify in terms of the lack of choices in his life, but either way, that doesn’t bode well for a happy married life for you. ”
Nodding because he’d seen the sneer as well, Winter said, “It was such a shame he didn’t appreciate the robe, even when he realized it was his father who gifted it to me. The king is such a gentle and kind man. It makes you wonder what it is that happened to Rupert to make him the way he is.”
Winter stared into the flames of the fire. “Is it possible that Rupert doesn’t even want to be king?”
“I don’t believe that,” August said, shaking his head.
“He’s not the type of man who would submit to the rule of someone else.
We can assume there is a second heir somewhere, especially seeing as it’s unlikely for you and him to have children.
But it might be an idea to ask Sigmund to check with the World Council to find out who steps in, if Rupert steps down. ”
“That could be a good idea,” Winter agreed. “From what I saw today that man is on the edge, ready to bust out…”
“I think that was because his robe was too tight,” August interrupted with a chuckle. “I’m not sure when the last time was that your dear husband put that on, but it had clearly been made for a smaller man.”