Prince Ezra
"If someone tells me one more time that I look like Adonis, I will loose my mind," I groaned as I took another glass of wine from one of the waiters.
Thea instantly took it out of my hand and placed it back on the tray then urged the waiter to walk away. "For someone who is British you are very improper."
"How many times must I tell you that I am not British?" I scowled. "I simply grew up there. I am Turkish and Kommosarian. You know that very well."
She let out a giggle that made me smile, "Six years ago you were very adamant that you didn't recognize Kommos."
"I was twenty-four," I pouted.
"You were so cute back then," she pinched my cheek. "All hopeful and lost. With your cute friendliness. Now you're stern, hard," she pinched my muscular bicep to emphasis that, "very cute and some would say plain rude."
"I am a symbol of the countries defense. I can't be all rainbow and sunshine," I rolled my eyes. "We need a-"
"Stern, powerful and dedicated leader," she deepened her voice and changed her accent to match mine. "Yes I know. Since you went off to the military you came back a hard ass."
"And since you have that ring on your finger you think you can tell me off," I gave her a fake smile. "I think it's good I'm marrying you. Princess Anthea of the Nomikos family of Kommos. Maybe I'll finally make a honest woman out of you and a pure lady."
"Being a lady means my feet are being killed by these heels," she hissed as leaned against me to relieve some pressure off her feet. "I don't even know why I'm marrying you."
"Because you apparently love me," I pressed a kiss to her temple and smiled.
"I said it once and I was drunk. You can't hold it over my head forever," she cutely mumbled and looked up to me. "I nearly said no when you proposed."
"I know. You just wanted to humiliate me," we both laughed.
"You went grand hey. In front of people and everything," she giggled and looked at her hand. Her gold intricate engagement ring shining brightly with a large cushion cut diamond resting on top. "I don't even like gold."
"I know," I beamed, "I did it in spite of you."
"You're so romantic," she rolled her eyes.
Just as we continued bickering the grand doors opened again.
"Announcing King Cloud of the Nomikos family of Kommos with Chief Secretary Adriano D'Acampo."
"Finally, the King has arrived," I whispered into Thea's ear which made her lowly laugh as she looked down to hide her smile.
As usual all of us bowed the moment Cloud entered the room. His long red hair neatly brushed back into a low bun as he wore his navy blue King's uniform, royal sash with his medals proudly on his jacket.
He had changed so much in the past years. Even though he still had soft features he now had a look of authority about him. The harder eyes of someone who ruled a nation alone and had the weight of one of the greatest economies on his shoulders.
Sometimes you could see the stress coming off him. It never made me feel good to know he wasn't coping too well alone. Apollo and I tried our best but sometimes one could tell that it wasn't enough.
However it never weighed Cloud down. He always kept a great attitude and put his best foot forward whilst I seemed to take ten steps behind.
Adriano himself had changed. Leaving behind his old career as a financial manager to be Clouds right hand man. His very own advisor. All of us needed someone we trusted next to us after what happened. None of us could risk letting an outsider in ever again.
Instantly the Prime Minister of Sweden was there to sweet talk Cloud and I gave them a chance to. Cloud's eyes constantly scanned the room and when they laid sight on me his smile grew from reserved to real joy. The moment his conversation was over, he walked directly to me and forgetting all formalities I hugged him.
"You've become a stranger," Cloud laughed. His French accent still thick. "I haven't seen you in two months! Blue, Rain and Luna aren't at all pleased with you."
"At least he's coming home this weekend. Therefore he'll make up for it," Thea just had to interject.
"You're coming home!" Cloud beamed his eyes already partially filling with tears. "Apollo and Iris are going to be overjoyed." There was no way I could pull away from it now.
I gave Adriano a hug and greeted him as Cloud congratulated Thea on the engagement.
"We we're all surprised with the news. Well not me since you asked for help with the design of the ring," Adriano chuckled. "It's absolutely beautiful on your hand."
"Thank you," Thea blushed pretending like she loved the ring when I had gotten an earful about how evil I was. "We're both excited."
Cloud's eyes found mine and I could see the small sadness in them even though he was smiling. "A royal wedding will be wonderful. Hopefully it will lift the countries spirits."
"Cloud," I frowned as tears slowly filled his eyes.
He shook his head and laughed as he wiped them away. "I'm being silly. Let me not dampen the mood. You're going to be a beautiful bride Thea."
She blushed, "thank you Cloud. I appreciate it so much."
"I'll place a good budget for you," he winked.
Before we could continue we were interrupted by another minister from one of our trading countries.
"You look so much like Adonis," the man smiled as we shook hand.
"It appears to shock many considering that we share the same father and are brothers," my voice held ice. My irritation taking the tipping point.
"He's had a long flight. He gets grumpy," Cloud defused the situation with a joke which made everyone chuckle.
"You need to behave," Thea hissed at me.
"As long as they don't try to make me act like Adonis. I can't replace him. They need to understand that."