Page 144 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

It was turmoil inside me. A mix of good feelings and sad ones roaring as loud as the echo through the room as Kareem lowered the mic. Years of practise from holding back my emotions was the only reason the liquid in my eyes didn’t start gushing down my cheeks in waterfalls, but my hands shook by my sides. I couldn’t make out Kareem’s expression through the blurry veil.

Once he moved back, his attention went straight to Shah’s monarchs as they received the mics, but his arm pressed heavily against mine, shoulder to elbow. Strong and steady and unmoving.

A simple guarantee.

I had my brother back. No matter what happened in the future.

It took the rest of the speeches and pledges for me to regain my composure entirely. From full-on tears to trying not to grin like a fool who was floating around weightlessly. It was even more difficult to school my features when a mic was placed on a stand on Touma’s platform.

“Now, before we make some room for a dance or two,” King Rami said, his smile of pure fatherly excitement, “Her Majesty and I would like to make an announcement that we know many people have been expecting and speculating on for some time.” He paused. “Touma’s next crown prince.”

Electricity zipped around the hall until the clack and creak of the wooden doors being opened on the right side of the hall silenced everyone. The crowd of guests parted in two as six guards dressed in red breeches, tailcoats and black boots walked in. Three on either side of Pierre in the middle, holding a gold velvet cushion in front of him. He looked dapper in a black, three-piece suit, with his silvery brown hair neatly gelled back and his ruby red eyes steadfast.

Everyone ogled at the antique silver crown sitting atop the cushion, stained beautifully with age but still impeccably shiny. Each arch and peak looked sharp even from a distance as if the crown had been crafted yesterday, not five-hundred years ago.

About a metre from where Touma’s platform was, the two guards at the front stopped and the rest, including Pierre followed suit. I held my breath when Queen Leila turned to her left.

“Prince Kai.”

One lone person somewhere in the hall gasped, but the atmosphere was too intense to laugh. I was starting to feel nervous, and all I was doing was watching my boyfriend step forward to face his parents as the rest of his family took a step back. The only noise was coming from the royal photographers’ cameras going off and a staff member moving the mic stand.

“Take one knee,” King Rami instructed Kai.

Kai got down on one knee, lowered his head, and placed his right palm over his heart.

“Before this hall of witnesses and the six other ruling families,” Queen Leila said, “do you, first-born prince, Kai Touma, vow to take upon the role of crown prince with honour and pride?”

“Yes, I vow,” Kai replied, his voice deep and certain, booming through the mic placed next to him.

“And do you solemnly swear to show your loyalty to the people of Touma by serving and protecting all, from those in the furthest regions of the north and south, to the coasts of the east and west?” King Rami asked.

“Yes, I swear.”

“And finally, do you promise to rule by the treaty of our foremothers and forefathers when the privilege of the crown is placed in your lap?” said his mother.

“Yes, I promise.”

A single hushed heartbeat pulsed through the silence. “Raise your head.”

Kai lifted his head, looking straight ahead at his father’s torso. Pierre walked up the three steps of the platform and behind Kai to the Queen. She picked up the silver crown in both hands.

“Then,” King Rami announced loudly. “Queen Leila Rani Touma and I, King Rami Landon Ayaan Touma elect you, Kai Touma, to be the next rightful ruler and Head of Government.”

A proud, happy block landed in my throat as Queen Leila placed the crown on Kai’s head, adjusting it with a little twist. “You may rise, Crown Prince Kai.”

Kai just about got to his feet when the howl of cheers and hooting and clapping threatened to rip the ceiling off the Grand Hall. It only grew louder as he tipped his chin up, catching the yellow light on the silver, and smiled so fucking gorgeously.

I wanted to be the loudest of everyone. I wanted to jump up and down and cheer and yell out, “That’s my boyfriend!” Unfortunately, that undignified behaviour was not a possibility as Princess Esmeralda. I had to wait for a moment when I was Girlfriend Esmeralda—his Babble—to do that.

So, I grinned as far as my mouth could stretch and clapped so hard my palms stung. Pierre took the first bow before Kai—I meant my sexy, handsome Crown Prince Kai—followed by each royal family. I was bouncing on my feet when it was mine and Kareem’s turn.

Side by side, Kareem bowed his head and I sunk into a deep curtsy, then Kai returned the gesture of high respect with a low nod.

“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Kareem said. “You truly deserve this.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Kai replied, his bright gaze slipping to me.

“Congratulations,” I said coyly.

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