Page 99 of The Prince Who Loved Me

He stifled a laugh, made even harder by the redness in his father’s face.

“Father.” Sebastien tried to make his voice calm. Reasonable. “It’s unlikely that I will ever sit on the throne.”

The King acknowledged this with a dip of his head. “We must be prepared for any eventuality.”

“I can help avert that crisis now. I don’t want it.”

“Sebastien!” his mother gasped.

“Don’t want what?”

“The throne. We can prepare and stave off any havoc that might come on the off-chance of having a non-privileged, hard-working, smart and beautiful woman as queen. Put Violeta in my spot.”

His Majesty’s eyes changed into hard knots. “I will do no such thing.”

“Sebastien, what are you doing?” Brandi asked.

“My declaration isn’t enough? Do I need to write a letter?” He turned to one of the courtiers. “You can be a witness.”

The woman didn’t move even a facial muscle.

“We’ve been too lenient with you.” His father’s cold, quiet voice echoed around him. The King’s bodyman removed a letter from his coat and handed it to the King, who in turn handed it to Sebastien.

“What’s this?”

“I’ve been watching you with this woman for years. You’ve always been infatuated with her.”

Brandi’s eyes narrowed as the King spoke, but she flattened her lips and managed to stay silent.

“Break this off now, or you will be left penniless.”

It was hard for Sebastien to hold in the laughter thatbubbled in this throat. Royal money had little meaning for him. He had his own land, his own possessions. Investment accounts. A trust fund. Even his small military pension. Granted, his spending habits would have to be curtailed, and Massimo and Loïc may need to be reassigned, but he could handle that if it meant having Brandi by his side.

“Father.” Sebastien wrapped his arms around the other man, embracing his unyielding body. “You’re a good man and I love you. I don’t want your throne. And I don’t want your money.”

“But what about her? I read her file.” He turned to Brandi. “You have nothing. No home. You’re living off the good will of your relatives. You’ve been with a lot of men.”

Her face turned red, and Sebastien had to decide if this was one of those times where she wanted to defend herself or if he should step in.

“And?” she asked.

It was the perfect response. The King’s mouth opened, then closed, and he narrowed his eyes. “You use them and then move on to the next one.” He turned to Sebastien. “Give up your title and she won’t stay loyal to you.”

“Your Majesty,” Brandi said. Her voice softened. “I love your son.”

A flood of sensations burst in Sebastien’s chest at hearing those words from her lips. He pressed his hand to the air. “Aspettare. Wait, wait. Stop right there. This is how you say you love me the first time? To my father and the royal court?”

“I came here to tell you. That should count.”

He grazed a finger down her jaw. “Then tell me.”

Brandi grabbed his hand in both of hers and turned it to place upon her heart. Her eyes were bright with determination. “I was hurt. And scared. Putting a wedge between you and your family? I can’t do that.”

“It will all work out,mon ange.”

“And then there’s me.” She shook her head when he tried to speak. “I don’t know how to be in a relationship where I’m not constantly taking. But I’m willing to try.”

“We should definitely try. I’m one hundred percent on board with trying.”