Chapter 19

nineteen

ALEXANDER

A lex was re-adjusting his tie, for at least the third time, when two swift knocks came on their door, followed by Tavin's voice. "It's time, Your Highnesses."

Another night, another event. Tonight, however, was not merely a glitzy Hollywood charity event. Ethan and Anda were also using their identities to work undercover.

Alex and Rebecca exited the hotel room, waiting in the hall for Ethan and Anda. Rebecca adjusted her dress in the hall while Alex spoke with one of the protection agents. When Ethan joined them a few moments later, there was no doubt that Ethan and Alex were brothers; they both had black hair, though Alex's had a little gray now, and they had the same broad shoulders and lean waist.

Ethan gave Rebecca a kiss on each cheek. "You look beautiful as always."

Rebecca gave him a dazzling smile and kissed him back. "Thank you. You're as much of a charmer as your brothers."

"I'm not trying to charm you. "

"That's why you're so good at it."

Alex joined them, kissing Ethan and Anda in greeting, and placed a possessive arm around his wife. "Anda, you look lovely."

Anda curtsied and gave him a movie star smile. "Thank you."

Anda had gone with a poofy-skirted, strapless dress, while Rebecca had gone with a long-sleeved slim dress that draped elegantly. The main thing they all wore were elements of dark purple, the colour of Valleria and their royal family: Ethan and Alex had stripes of purple in their ties, Rebecca's tea pink dress had a Vallerian purple belt, and Anda's bodice was dark purple and featured sparkling silver embroidery.

Alex shook his head. "You don't need to curtsy to us. You know we're not fussy about protocol in private."

"I know, but I wanted to make sure I could curtsy in this dress. I nearly always forget to check."

Alex chuckled. "I doubt you'd forget such a thing. You are the brilliant ‘spy' in the family, after all."

Ethan pretended to be offended. "What about me?"

"I was right the first time."

"Oh? And what do you think Marcello will say to that?"

"Probably that I'm right. As always." Alex turned and held out an arm for his wife.

Rebecca pushed her hair over her shoulder, adjusted herself one last time, then slipped her arm over his. "You're not always right."

Alex's grin turned wicked. "I was right about how much time we had before the event, wasn't I?"

Rebecca slapped him playfully on the arm. "Alex!"

Alex chuckled and nodded back to Ethan and Anda. "Darling, we weren't the only ones, I'm sure."

Anda laughed. "He's not wrong, Rebecca."

Ethan shook his head. "Can we just leave this conversation behind and get a move on? We're going to be late."

As they started walking down the hall to the elevators, Alex glanced back. "We're meant to enter late, littlest brother. Or have you spent so much time in Hollywood that you've forgotten royal protocol?"

Ethan narrowed his eyes. He hated when they teased him about being the youngest sibling, though he also knew they meant it as a sign of affection. "I haven't forgotten anything, eldest brother. If anyone's forgotten anything, it's probably you, since you're so very, very much older than?—"

"Oh, shut it. There's barely a decade between us."

Ethan nodded sagely. "Ten years at your age, though, makes a big difference."

They entered the elevator, Alex and Rebecca going towards the back since per protocol they would exit last, and Ethan and Anda positioning themselves at the front.

As the elevator descended from their secured private hotel floor to the ballroom level, the ladies did a final check of their dresses and makeup, while the men straightened their ties again. They all assumed the persona of a royal in public: their posture straightened ever so slightly, their shoulders pushed back, their smiles easy and nearly constant, and their movements would be steady and graceful. None of them fussed over protocol in private, but everything must be strictly adhered to in public. Alex was, after all, the future king, and Rebecca would one day be queen.

Alex addressed Ethan. "You're a dick. My memory's excellent."

Ethan smirked and continued facing forward. "I'm surprised you can even remember Rebecca's name. Or mine. Wait, do you remember my name?"

"Fuck you."

"Fuck you back."

Rebecca and Anda shared a commiserating ‘not this again' look.

Anda shook her head. "You know, other families just say they love each other."

Rebecca smiled. "When they're saying ‘fuck you' they really mean ‘I love you'. The royal brothers have their own language. You'll learn it too. You'll also learn about the language the royal sisters have."

Anda, the most recent person to join the royal family, gave her a dazzling smile. "Can't wait."

The elevator stopped but didn't open as they waited for the all clear from the agents.

Alex took Rebecca's hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss, then slid her arm through his again and put his royal mask back in place.

A few more hours and then they'd be finished with this royal tour and could finally spend some time alone.