Page 69 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“Why?” Scorn laced King Alaric’s word.
“Because I want to stay here, Father,” Julianna said.
She smiled softly at Alejandro.
His heart turned over. And that hurt like hell because to do the right thing, he had to let her go.
“The people are wild about her, sire.” Alejandro had been in his brother’s shadow his entire life, but this time he belonged there. Only Enrique could give Julianna the kind of life she was raised for, the kind of life she wanted. She wanted to use her position as the crown prince’s wife to influence change and give her people a better future. She could accomplish all she desired and more as the future queen. “Julianna has touched their hearts with her compassion and friendliness. They’ve embraced her as their princess, and one day they’ll love her as their queen.”
“My daughter was raised to be a queen,” Alaric admitted.
“Everyone can tell she has received the finest training.” Alejandro fought the desire to claim her for himself. But too much was at stake. He could never give Julianna what she wanted and make her happy, even if she wished to be with him. He swallowed around the lump of emotion in his throat. He had to push aside his own desire and do what was best for her. “You say her actions have caused chaos, sire. But her countrywomen see someone they can relate to and rally around. A respected and beloved leader. As the future queen of La Isla de la Aurora, Julianna will be able to do that for women not only in Aliestle and here on the island, but all over the world.”
“Please consider my youngest son’s words.” Appreciation gleamed in Dario’s eyes. “Alejandro may not be a conventional prince, but he is wise for his age and speaks the truth.”
That was the first compliment his father had ever given him. And the words couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Julianna has enchanted the entire island,” Enrique added. “And all of us.”
Especially Alejandro. But his feelings didn’t matter. Julianna would get what she wanted and by default, so would he. He wanted freedom from the monarchy, not a princess bride who dreamed of happily ever afters.
His thoughts tasted like ashes in his mouth. But he had to be realistic. He didn’t want to be a prince. He avoided romantic entanglements like the plague. It would…never work.
King Alaric looked at each one of them, but his assessing gaze lingered on Alejandro. “So it seems.”
“I stand by the marriage contract,” Enrique announced. “I want to marry Julianna.”
Her face showed no change of emotion, but his brother’s words crushed into Alejandro like a left hook. He resisted the urge not to carry her off to his boat and sail away. But he was the second son, the spare. He wasn’t what Julianna needed.
“I don’t know.” King Alaric’s gaze bounced between Alejandro and Julianna. “There seems to be a strong…connection between these two.”
“Friendship, sire.” Enrique sidled closer to Julianna, as if to reclaim his prize. “They both enjoy sailing.”
Alaric looked doubtful.
Perceptive man, Alejandro had to admit. Other than passion, there wasn’t anything binding him to Julianna. There couldn’t be. “We are friends, sire.”
“There will be complications if Julianna has done more than sail with her friend Alejandro,” Alaric said. “If there is any reason to doubt the paternity of an heir, the embarrassment to our family name…”
Julianna flushed.
Anger surged. Alejandro couldn’t believe her father was questioning her virginity. He balled his hands into fists. “I assure you, sir—”
King Alaric cut him off. He stared at his daughter as if she were a peasant, not a princess. “Is there any reason you shouldn’t marry Enrique?”
The question mortified Julianna. Her heart pounded in her chest, so loudly she was certain everyone could hear it. But no one said anything. They stared, waiting for her to answer.
Her father with his dark, accusing eyes.
King Dario with compassion.
Enrique with panic.
And Alejandro with hope.
Is there any reason you shouldn’t marry Enrique?
Yes, a big reason. A six-foot-two-inch-tall reason with dark hair and dark eyes.
