Page 26 of Royally Matched

His mustache twitches. “The thing is, Marco, you’ve not exactly got the best track record with seeing things through. Do you? I’m trusting you with quite a lot.

“Don’t start,” I warn because it’s the same conversation we’ve had so many times before. As the oldest child, Enzo has always been the responsible one, the reliable one. At high school, he was voted “most likely to succeed,” and succeed he has, running multiple businesses, from importing to exporting, IT solutions to retail. He’s not one to sit still, always moving on to the next metaphorical mountain to conquer.

As the youngest of the small pack, I was always allowed to get away with whatever I wanted. As they say, with the first child, parents follow every rule to the letter, but by thelast, they’re just happy if they get you to school with pants on. I’m proud to report I wore pants to school every day of my life. Well, other than when I wore a dress that one time, but that’s a story for another day.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve become fully aware that the way Mum and Dad parented us has had a significant impact on the lens through which we both see the world.

He hesitates. “I know you’re older now, and you’ve come back to Ledonia to make something of yourself. I respect that. You’re growing up.”

I’m sure he’s resisting the urge to add “finally” to his statement. But I choose to see his words for what they are.

“It’s about time at a quarter of a century, right?” I say with a smile.

His features relax. “At least you’re back here now. Dad would be proud of us working together.”

“He would be proud,” I reply, my throat thick as a stab of sorrow pierces my chest. We lost our father suddenly when I was only twenty years old. Heart attack. Mum fell apart. Enzo stepped up as the “man of the family.” Me? I was at university, studying business and hating it. My dad’s death gave me the impetus I needed to drop out. Why pursue something I didn’t want to do when life suddenly felt so tenuous? So short. So unpredictable.

So, without looking back, I slung on my backpack and left Ledonia. It was the easiest thing to do in a world in which I suddenly felt alone. Dad had been my best friend, my partner in crime. Enzo took after our mother, a very serious and driven human being who wanted the best for her children. To her, I think Dad and I were enigmas. Sure, she loves us both. I never doubted that. But she doesn’t get me the way Dad did. When he died I was rudderless, and I set sail without a compass. I spent years traveling the globe, sucking up everything life had to offer.

But through it all, I always knew I’d run away—and that someday I would need to come home.

Now that I’m back here in Villadorata full time, making the city my home for the first time in over five years, it’s hard not to think of him and wonder what he would have thought of the man I’ve become.

We ride the elevator in silence, and I take my seat at the desk Enzo gave me when I took up this job a couple of months ago.

My phone buzzes and I see I have a message from a number I don’t recognize. I click on it to read.

01122579731912:

Mr. Marco Revera, I’m Ronan Clementine, HRH Princess Sofia’s personal secretary. I wondered if we may meet at your earliest convenience. We have much to plan, and I would like to get started as soon as possible. Shall we say Thursday, 9 a.m., at the palace?

Princess Sofia’s personal secretary? Why can’t she just message Enzo herself, like a normal person? But then I suppose she’s not a normal person. She’s a princess with staff.

I shoot a quick message back.

Me:

Let’s talk tomorrow.

I’m not in the mood to make plans with one of Princess Sofia’s minions, not when I can’t even comprehend why my brother is choosing to go ahead with this totally ridiculous scheme. He’s putting his happiness on the line for a woman he appears to feel absolutely nothing for, and I’ve got to be his social coordinator for it all.

Chapter 8

Sofia

Rumor has it that our Pitiful Princess is pitiful no more! That’s right, good people of Ledonia, the Husband Hunting Ball has weaved its magic, producing an eligible suitor for Princess Sofia. Hazar!

Details at this stage are scant to say the least, but more than one onlooker at the ball reported that our princess was rather smitten with one particularhandsome gentleman.

I have it on good authority this gentleman gallantly swept in and saved her from a bumbled marriage proposal from a crazed drunkard, and I admit, part of me swooned.

It would appear Ledonia’s first-born daughter sees something rather spectacular in this knight in shining armor, and who could blame her? We all do so love a royal rescue by a dashing suitor.

If only we had a photograph of this chivalrous charmer.

I wager an engagement announcement is imminent!

Your ever devoted royal correspondent,