Page 45 of That Prince is Mine
“Because I know her. I was in love with her since we were ten.” Gabriel huffed a humorless laugh. “Do you know how hard I had to work to get her to go out with me? She wouldn’t have uprooted her entire life to start anew here. Besides, I couldn’t ask that of her. It would’ve been too selfish of me.”
“I’m sorry,” Michel said sincerely, even as he fought to not see the similarity between his cousin’s past choice and the one he would have to make in less than two months. But leaving one’s home for an uncertain future was different from leaving to become a queen. Who wouldn’t want to be a queen? The thought didn’t sit right with him, but he resolutely returned his attention to their conversation. They were talking about Sophie right now, not Emma.
“It all happened a long time ago.” His cousin waved aside his apology.
Michel couldn’t help but ask, “Do you still love her?”
“It broke my heart to lose her”—Gabriel swallowed—“but Sophie and I are living the lives we were meant to live.”
Michel nodded. That was the closest thing to an answer he would get from his cousin. He had to respect that. Even though he wished he could do more for him. Even though Gabriel and Sophie deserved so much better.
“How are you enjoying your sightseeing adventures?” His cousin changed the topic as he drained the espresso Anne had brought him earlier.
“Let’s just say I’m beginning to understand why you chose to put your roots down in Los Angeles.”
“Of all places.” Gabriel grinned, the shadows beginning to recede from his eyes. “It’s a gem with endless facets to discover and experience.”
“And you get to be you here.” The familiar envy tugged at Michel.
“I’d be me anywhere I am.” His cousin held his gaze. “The crown doesn’t erase who you are, Michel. I wish you could see that.”
“Perhaps my problem is that I don’t really know who I am, with or without the crown.” Michel straightened his teacup, staring down at his lukewarm drink. “Am I the sum of my father’s and my country’s expectations? Is that all I could ever be?”
“Most days, I don’t know whether to pity you or envy you. But make no mistake. You are in a position that gives you the power to make real change in Rouleme—in the world.”
“I thought you were tired of being the voice of reason.” Michel smiled, grateful to have his cousin by his side.
“I wasn’t being the voice of reason. I was just being your wiseass cousin.”
“Thank you for being a wiseass.” He raised his teacup in wry salute.
“Anytime.” Gabriel inclined his head like true royalty.
Michel’s pulse jumped when his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out in record time. His shoulders slumped when he saw who it was.
“Yes, Antoine,” he responded with an apologetic look at his cousin. “Is this something urgent? This isn’t a good time to talk.”
“I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t urgent, Your Highness.” His assistant used the formal address without irony, but Michel was conditioned to feel chastised by it from all the time he’d spent with Sophie lately.
“I apologize for doubting you,” Michel said, switching to French. “What is it?”
“The ministers are balking at the social services addendum you proposed.”
“That addendum was passed last winter.” He stood from his seat and nodded his goodbye to Gabriel. “It was meant to go into effect next month.”
“Go.” Knowing the drill, his cousin shooed him off with his hand. “I got the check.”
Michel walked away from the table, clapping Gabriel on the shoulder. Sophie appeared by his side as he headed toward their elevator. She arched an eyebrow in question, and he shook his head.
“They’re claiming that there is a discrepancy in the proposed budget.” Antoine sighed. “It’s an obvious delaying tactic. They’re taking advantage of your absence, Your Highness.”
“But Toulouse gave me his word.” Michel cursed under his breath as the elevator shot up to their floor.
“And the minister is trying to keep it,” his assistant said. “But the old-timers are ganging up on him.”
“I want to see this alleged discrepancy in the budget.” Sophie wordlessly followed him to his door and held it open for him. “And set up a call with Toulouse.”
“For when?”
