Page 180 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

His Highness’s Diamond Decree

Millie Adams

“I’m here to speak to you about your reward.”

“Oh.” Her heart rate picked up.

“I’ve been thinking. And I believe that I have thought of just the perfect way to thank you for what you’ve done for me. And to give you a role that I know you will excel at.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. You quite literally saved my life. And that is not something I will ever forget. But beyond that, listening to you speak about your life was…inspiring.”

He lifted his chin, his expression arrogant. “I would do this properly, but the crutches prevent it. However, I have not come empty-handed.” He reached into his suit jacket, and took out a diamond ring. She could scarcely believe what she was seeing.

It was the most spectacular piece of jewelry she had ever seen in her entire life. Beyond anything she could have even imagined. Beyond…everything.

“Stevie Parker, you saved my life. And so I have decided that when it comes to the matter of who is the most suitable woman to become my princess, it is you. You are going to marry me.”

For Flo, who lets me go where my imagination takes me. Love forever.

CHAPTER ONE

PrinceAdonisAndreadishad always known that his wedding would be a magnificent spectacle. A man of his wealth and stature could have nothing other than a glorious and singular occasion to mark his nuptials. Even if those nuptials existed only to secure the bloodline, and therefore access to the throne of his country.

It was just he hadn’t expected to feel anything about it.

His father was dying. There was no denying the reality.

His father had told him that he had done enough damage to the crown and the family reputation that he owed him a marriage minted in perfection.

Adonis couldn’t disagree.

What Adonis knew was that he had done a fair job of exercising his demons in the form of debauchery, all around the globe.

And while he had not intended to besmirch the crown, it was likely he had.

Well. Besmirched in the eyes of citizens his father’s age. The younger generation was…decidedly fond of his exploits. He was a meme.

Knowing his time as king was on the horizon, he’d agreed to his father’s demand. That he marry a suitable woman. His father had provided him with a folio of acceptable women.

He had spent years being a terrible playboy but even he had never chosen women off of a menu.

He couldn’t say he felt like he owed his father, so much as he owed his country. His years of debauchery had never been intended to cause strife for the citizens of Olympus. No, his target had been much more personal.

The end result, however, was his infamy.

Adored by the youths, decried by the elder generation.

He had to find a way to unite the two schools of thought, however. And marrying seemed the way to do that.

He’d chosen Drusilla Stalworth not because of any blinding attraction to her, or her profile in the folio provided by his father, but because she was American royalty. The granddaughter of a former president, the daughter of a billionaire business mogul.

He had decided to reform, to forge an appropriate alliance and to marry as quickly as possible. His decisions had been clear, concise and quick.

He couldn’t recall deciding to get married in a cathedral by the sea, however. But it seemed as if that’s what he was doing.

The building was glass; glorious light shone through the windows.

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