Scandalously Wed to the Prince: Royal Heat, #2

By Layla Valentine and Ana Sparks

He's used to having everything he could ever want,
And this time, he needs a bride.
But this white wedding won't be as pure as he hopes…

Don't get me wrong, being a prince has its benefits,
It also means your love life isn't yours to decide.
My traditionalist father gave me an ultimatum:
Marry by thirty, or face the consequences.
I want the throne, no matter the costs,
And I don't want some vapid European princess to try and tame me.
So when I proposed to Laura, it felt like having my cake and eating her, too.
She's gorgeous, witty, everything a guy could want.
And she knows I want an arrangement that'll let me be me.
But she's also a woman with secrets,
And her past could well be my undoing…
Our fairytale wedding has the makings of a royal scandal,
But despite everything, I find I can't let her go…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Valentine
• Release date: Sep 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215912072

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

ANTOINE

She was stunningly, heart-achingly, beautiful. Without doubt one of the most beautiful women in the Kingdom of Fleuri. Her hair was a gorgeous blond, as bright as the brilliant sunset over the Alps in the far distance.

And that wasn’t all. She was polished, clearly having gone through years of the most elite finishing schools Europe had to offer. She said the right things, made the right jokes, and laughed at the right moments.

Her smile was broad, her dress was elegant, and she hung on my every word.

And all I wanted was to be anywhere but with her.

Tell me, I said, taking a break from shifting the veal on my plate around with my fork. What do you like to do for fun?

Adeline Abernathy, daughter of Richard Abernathy, billionaire banker and duke of one estate or another, smiled wide, flashing her perfect teeth. It was as if she’d been waiting for me to ask the question.

Well, she said, folding her gloved hands on her lap. "I simply love dressage." Her accent had to have been the poshest I’d ever heard, obviously practiced and rehearsed to perfection.

With the horses?

Another winning smile, followed by a smooth nod. "Précisément, she said, her French as flawless as everything else about her. Tricks with horses, essentially."

Like making them dance? I asked. On their hind legs? That’d be quite the sight.

A brief expression of confusion flashed on her poised face. Well, not quite.

That was one of the first things I noticed about Adeline on our date—she didn’t have much of a sense of humor. She joked, sure, but I had the impression they were all jokes she’d picked up somewhere and stored in her back pocket, ready to dish out when the time was right. Whenever I’d say something silly or ironic, she appeared mildly confused.

I know, I said, bringing the conversation back to normalcy. I’ve had plenty of friends who’ve been into dressage.

Excellent, she said, relieved I was being serious again. Then you know all about it.

What else besides horses? I asked.

I love walks through the garden, she said, a dreamy expression on her face. And minding the many charities my family oversees.

Charities? I asked. Like working in soup kitchens?

I couldn’t resist. I’d known enough high-society women to understand that when they said they worked with charities, it meant that they attended as many charity balls as they could.

Another expression appeared on her face, this one tense. But it only lasted a second.

Not…not exactly. I have staff who work at that level. My role tends to be in the more…managerial side of things. Public-facing sorts of roles.

Now that was a euphemism I hadn’t heard before.

Oh, cool, I said. That’s an important part of being royalty, I’ve found—making sure you stay connected with the people you serve.

She was confused. What do you mean, ‘stay connected’?

I mean going into town, being among the people. Talking with regular folk, going to their restaurants, shopping at their shops. That kind of thing.

However confused she was before, now it was on another level.

I’m…not sure what you’re saying. Why would you go into their shops? Don’t you have staff for those sorts of things?

"Well, sure. But having your staff do the shopping for you isn’t quite the same thing. There’s something about going into the store on your own, handling the goods with your own two hands, paying for them all yourself. It…connects you to the people in a way we sometimes don’t get the chance to do."

Adeline opened her eyes wide, her blues sparkling in the early evening light.

You mean…you go there all on your own? How is that possible? My family would never allow such a thing. She glanced aside, considering further what I’d told her. I…I suppose you’re all more permissive here in Fleuri.

I laughed. No, not at all. My family would kill me if they knew I went out on my own.

Now she was intrigued. Then how is it possible?

I leaned forward, gesturing for her to do the same.

Can you keep a secret?

She smiled, happy to be brought on board with my little conspiracy.

I suppose so.

It’s a big one, so I need you to be ready. Are you?

Honestly, I’m not sure. Another smile. But yes. Let’s hear it.

I sneak out.

Those blue eyes of hers went as wide as saucers.

As in, you leave the castle without telling anyone?

"That’s exactly what I mean."

Adeline shook her head, sitting back and processing what I’d told her. As she did, I glanced over to the pair of guards on the balcony with us, confirming that they were far enough away not to hear what we were saying.

That’s…I don’t even know what to say to that. It’s…beyond dangerous. She swept her hand toward the edge of the balcony, the city of Fleuri stretching out into the distance, the buildings giving way to sloping green hills and mountains beyond. Do you have any idea what kind of people are out there?

I really wanted to hear her take on this.

I don’t know. What kind of people are out there?

"Dangerous people, she said, her eyebrows arched in concern. The sorts of men who would snatch you off the street, put you into a van, and ransom you back to your family."

Is that right?

Well, that’s what my family told me. And I believe them. She took a deep breath, composing herself. "Antoine, even if there weren’t the matter of danger, there’s the simple fact that we live in different worlds than common people. It’s our duty to watch over them, and it’s their duty to serve us. It’s really as simple as that."

And with those words Adeline revealed herself to be the precise sort of person I worried she was—just like all the others.

But don’t you want to actually know the people you rule? I asked. "Meaning, really know them?"

Now she appeared worried, as if I’d said something she really didn’t know how to handle.

I mean, I care about the people I rule—of course I do. But actually mingling with them? She shook her head. Our worlds aren’t meant to collide, Antoine. You know this.

She cleared her throat, turning her attention to the view from the castle balcony.

What a lovely sunset, she said. Care to admire it with me?

No doubt she wanted to change the subject. That was fine with me—I’d only wanted to find out what sort of person she was, not make her uncomfortable.

I’d love to.

Together, we rose from our dinner table and stepped over to the balcony. Adeline, in her long gown, looked like something out of a dream. She glanced over at me as we walked, smiling sweetly.

On paper, she was perfect for me. But I wanted more than just an on paper romance, a pairing set up by our families for convenience.

I wanted love.

She folded her arms on the balcony in front of her, gazing off into the distance.

The view was amazing. Down below were the intricate, expansive gardens of the castle, beyond that was the bustling downtown of Fleuri, towers rising almost high enough to be level with the royal castle, itself situated on one of the highest hills in the region.

The houses and shops of Fleuri clustered around the winding roads of the city, all of them having been there for hundreds of years. Further past were the hundreds of estates, all belonging to the highest levels of Fleuri society.

Hundreds of thousands of people were down below me, all living their lives, all with their own stories, their own loves, their own hopes, their own dreams.

And I wanted to know each and every one of them.

Adeline turned to me, smiling sweetly again.

You know, she said. I’d heard rumors about the crown prince of Fleuri.

Is that right? I asked, flashing her a cocky smirk. I don’t really consider it a rumor that I’m devilishly handsome or charming as they come.

She laughed, wagging her finger at me. I heard that, too—that you were a tad on the cheeky side.

Guilty, guilty.

But more that you were…not like the other royals. That you were brash, played by your own rules. I had to admit, it was somewhat intriguing. And when my parents suggested that the two of us meet, I was more than a touch eager.

And now that you’re here with me in the flesh?

It appears the rumors were true.

"Are you worried about all that?"

She shrugged slightly. Perhaps. I’d always imagined the man I’d marry to be the picture of royal class—refined, elegant, and handsome. And one who respected traditions.

Refined, sure. Handsome, of course. Elegant, at times.

She laughed again.

But traditions…that’s a little different.

You don’t respect them? she asked.

Some I do, some I don’t. But in my opinion, traditions shouldn’t be observed simply because they’re traditions.

This answer clearly left her ill at ease. It was one of the problems with royals—they tended to be mentally cloistered and had a hard time thinking outside of the box.

Well, she said, straightening her back. My mother told me that marriage and love have a way of taming men. Perhaps if you and I were to become an item, such odd impulses of yours would fade away in time.

"What about the idea of marriage and love being about, well, marriage and love? Not about changing people, but about loving them for who they are?"

She chewed her lowered lips slightly, indecisively.

That’s not how those things work for people like us.

"But they can. We just have to make it so."

Silence filled the air. Adeline glanced away, clearly unsure what to say.

It’s been lovely meeting you, Antoine, she said after a pause, but I do believe I’m feeling a touch under the weather. Perhaps we can meet again some other night while my family and I are at your home?

I’d like that.

She smiled, clearly relieved.

Perfect. In that case, can you walk me to my chambers?

Most definitely.

I took her arm and she smiled politely. Together, we left the balcony, the stars now twinkling above. We passed through the dining room into the expansive halls of the castle. Adeline and her family were staying on the other wing, and together we walked in silence to her room.

As I said, Antoine, it was lovely meeting you.

Likewise, I said. I quickly gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. Have a wonderful night. And if you need anything, let me know.

Of course.

I opened the door and let her inside. She glanced one last time over her shoulder, smiling again as the door shut.

And as soon as the door clicked closed, relief washed over me.

I broke my perfect posture, trotting back down the hall, my dress shoes clicking on the marble floors and echoing through the vast halls.

As soon as I was in my bedroom, I took out my phone and fired a text message to my driver, Jordan.

Whatever you’re doing, come to my room.

Bad date?

I’ll tell you all about it.

I kicked off my expensive shoes and slipped out of my just-as-expensive slacks, then my jacket and shirt and tie. A sigh of relief exploded from me as I tossed all the clothes onto the bed. Then I went over to my closet and grinned as I opened it, taking in the sight of my preferred clothes.

I grabbed a white V-neck T-shirt and a green hoodie, along with a pair of jeans and some white sneakers. A knock sounded from my door as I finished tying my shoes.

Come in!

The door opened and in stepped Jordan.

Oh, God, he said, taking in the sight of me in my street clothes. "Please don’t tell me what I know you’re going to tell me."

I turned and grinned. Time for a night out.

Lord in heaven.

Jordan was tall and well-built, with a round but handsome face with features that always reminded me of a bear. His dark hair was shaved to the nub, his cheeks clean-shaven. He was dressed in his usual navy suit, hand-tailored to perfection, his shoes polished to a mirrored shine.

Officially, he was my driver. But he was much more than that, my bodyguard and confidant and friend. We were the same age, both on the cusp of thirty. And one would do well not to be fooled by his refined appearance—he was positively deadly when it came to any sort of combat, having served in the ultra-elite Fleuri Royal Guard.

"Come on, I said. I need a little fun after a date like that."

Really? he said, taking a seat on the side of my bed, noting the clothes tossed onto it. "It can’t have been that bad."

It was fine. But just that—fine.

And what’s wrong with fine? Plenty of men would kill for a girl who was fine—especially in the way the Americans use the word. Did you know ‘fine’ over there means ‘especially attractive’? I tell you, I don’t understand the Yanks one bit.

No one understands Americans, I said, running my hand through my hair in front of the mirror. And that’s why God put them on the other side of the ocean, so we wouldn’t have to deal with their madness.

Good movies, though, Jordan said, considering the idea. But anyway, you seriously want to go into town?

Of course! I need to blow off some steam. It doesn’t have to be a big excursion. I’m thinking we swing by the Dauphin for a quick beer and burger and get back before anyone even knows we’re gone.

A burger? Didn’t you just eat?

You eat those barely anything meals the kitchen makes and tell me they even come close to satisfying you in the way a good burger does.

Burgers, he said, nodding. Another thing the Yanks got right.

So come on—it’s on me.

Jordan sighed. As long as we’re back before anyone notices. One beer and one burger and that’s it. All right?

I grinned. All right. We’re on.

Together we left the bedroom, heading down the side stairs and arriving at the cobblestone area where guests parked.

Moments later we were in the sports car I preferred, driving away from the castle.

I’m still not used to you sitting in the passenger’s seat, Jordan said, his eyes on the road as we drove down the winding, stone road that led from the castle into town.

And I’ve never been comfortable being shuttled around sitting in the back like a pampered princess.

As opposed to a ‘pampered prince’?

I laughed. Hey, I don’t like being pampered. If you’d stop being so stubborn, I’d be more than happy to drive this thing on my own.

Nuh-uh, he said, shaking his head. "Not a chance. You remember the last time—the last and only time, mind you—I let you drive?"

I do. We had a lovely little jaunt through the town, and everyone had a grand time.

Right, aside from when you got distracted by picking the music and had to swerve out of the way of an oncoming semi, smashing the front of the car into a damn mailbox.

It was just a little scrape-up.

A scrape-up I had to take the heat for. Either that, or telling the king I let his son drive around town like a loon.

You had fun, don’t lie.

He forced a smile down. That’s beside the point.

We reached the border of the castle grounds, pulling into the downtown market area of the city.

And just like always, I was entranced.

It was a Saturday night, which meant downtown Fleuri was bustling. The sidewalks were packed, the cafés and bars full. I loved my city, and I loved my kingdom.

Which meant only experiencing it as a royal was even harder.

Look at those people, Jordan. I pointed to a crowd of twenty-somethings seated at an outdoor café, sipping beers and laughing. That’s what I want to be.

You know those are likely broke college students, right? I remember being that age, scraping together my last two Florins for a pint.

Exactly, I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. That’s what I want—freedom. The freedom to do what I want, the freedom to stay out all night with friends, the freedom to be broke.

Jordan laughed. Spoken like someone who’s never had to worry about that sort of thing.

There we are, I said, pointing ahead. The Dauphin.

In and out, he said. "Remember? One