Royally Rearranged (Sweet Royal RomCom, #1)

by Emma St. Clair

Happily-ever-afters, the real kind, almost never happen easily or without a few dragons getting in the way.”

“Never mind. The point is, without a journey, without some struggle, a few challenges, and some metaphorical dragons—which Mummy will explain to you later—the happily-ever-after wouldn’t be so sweet.”

I’m a duke; he’s a prince. I have land and money; he has more. I’ve loved her from afar; he’s been her best friend since childhood.

As for our reputations … I’m known as the Royal Rogue. He’s the Golden Boy.

They already have a couple name: Britum. Terrible, but aren’t all couple names? Polls show approval ratings through the roof. People are voting to ship them, whatever that means, on Twitter. I’d like to ship her somewhere. Without a return address.

“You are gorgeous. Brilliant. A truly good woman. And if given the opportunity, I could make you completely forget Callum in a matter of minutes. But I want more than mere minutes. I want hours and days.”

“A lifetime,” he whispers. “Maybe a lifetime would be enough.”

“I don’t want a chase. No games,” I tell Rafe’s shoulder, blinking back my tears. “I want to be adored. Cherished. I want someone I can trust. I want a chance at love, even if it has to grow from friendship or from duty first. I’ve always wanted Callum. But it’s time to admit that he doesn’t want me back.” “If you were mine”—Rafe’s arms tighten around me—“I would treasure you. I would adore you. I would cherish you the way you deserve.”

He’ll settle. And when he does, he’ll finally see what’s right in front of him. I just need to help nudge him in the right direction. Not because the dummy deserves it, but because it’s what’s best for Seraf. Isn’t that love? Wanting what’s best for the other person, even if it breaks your heart?

“This week I agreed to be Rafe’s date to the Centennial Ball.” The room quiets, but the announcement doesn’t seem to have the power she hoped it would. I give her a small shrug. Her mother openly glares at me while her father just heaves a sigh, like she’s wasting his time, and opens his mouth to get on with his announcement. “And I’ve also agreed to marry him.” Well, that escalated quickly. That’s when the shouting truly begins.

“I want you, Seraf. And whatever comes along with you, I’m willing to bear.”

“I’m choosing him, and I’m choosing to believe him. To at least give him a chance to account for this. He deserves that. And I deserve better than this.”