Page 80 of Royally Matched
“Tell me.”
I lift my head to see him looking at me and the sincerity in his eyes instantly quells my anxiety. “Only if you look back at the road.”
He smiles and returns his attention to driving. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“No. I do want to tell you. First of all, I want you to understand it’s not just about wearing the crown.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s not, although I’m certain you would look lovely in a crown.” He winks at me.
I shake my head at him, smiling. “For me it’s about making a real difference. I want to push for better education, more robust healthcare, and strong environmental policies. I envision a future where our country is a beacon of progress and equality in Europe. My youngest brother might be named next in line soon, but he doesn’t share my vision, or any vision. Sorry, Max, but it’s true. He’s only just graduating from university and is taking after Alex in his zest for life, aka flirting with every woman he meets under the age of 30.”
“If he’s half as good at flirting with women as the stories about Prince Alexander would suggest, he’ll be far too busy to inherit a crown.”
“Exactly!”
“You’d make a wonderful queen.”
I lift my eyes to his and see sincerity in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“It’s not meant to be a compliment. I call it the way I see it.”
“Well, I can thank you all the same.”
He chuckles. “You can.”
“As you know, we live in a constitutional monarchy in Ledonia, where the role of the ruler is more ceremonial than anything, but it carries some influence. I want to be that influence, guiding our country toward a brighter, more inclusive future. I need to prove that tradition can evolve, that I can be the leader this country deserves for the sake of our people, for the sake of our future.”
By the time I’m finished my heart is beating out of my chest, and I’m panting lightly with the force of my feelings.
Marco is watching me closely, his eyes assessing.
“I got a little caried away.”
“You’re passionate about it, that’s all. It’s a good thing. Our country needs leaders who are passionate about our future. Would your brother, Alexander, have made a good king do you think?”
“If you’d asked me that question before he met Maddie, my answer would have been a resounding ‘no.’ But she seems to have had a wonderful effect on him and he’s definitely changed for the better.”
“Is it hard having him leave Ledonia to marry Madeline?”
I think of my handsome, charming brother. He’s always so full of light and fun, always lifting my spirits and showing me the lighter side of life.
“I miss him,” I reply honestly. “Don’t get me wrong,I’m really happy for him that he’s found love, and Maddie is just wonderful.”
“You can still wish the guy was here.”
“True.” We share a brief smile.
Why is talking to Marco so much easier than talking to Enzo—or anyone, really? Enzo and Marco are brothers with the same parents, the same schooling, the same upbringing, the same everything. But whereas Enzo is stiff and formal and hard to crack, Marco is laid back and fun, with an air of openness to him that makes it so easy to talk to him, and I find myself opening up to him in a way I rarely choose to do.
I glance at him beside me. He’s concentrating on the road, both hands on the steering wheel, his chiseled jawline, straight nose, and high cheekbones, all perfectly framed by a mop of tousled hair.
Somehow he manages to look classically handsome and rugged at the same time, and I have to resist the urge to reach out and trail my fingers through his hair.
I blow out a breath. That wouldnotbe a good move.
“Tell me about landscape gardening,” I ask. Yes, that’s good. There’s nothing sexy about landscape gardening. It’s just trees and shrubs and grass with maybe a marble statue or two thrown in for good measure.
He turns briefly to me, his face lit up, his eyes bright. “Put simply, it’s my passion,” he says.