Crown Me, Baby

Chapter 1 - Alexis


“Alexis is an excellent prince,” Dimitri remarks, polishing a glass. “And Christian is, too. He’s an exceptional advisor to the king.”


My hand rests on the door. Despite my need to mingle with guests and desire to get another drink, I can’t quite pull myself away from the servants’ conversation about me and Christian.


“Christian is doing well as the future king,” Joseph replies. “Although Alexis is a perfect prince in every way. It’s a pity, really.”


No matter how much good I do for Solvaria, it always has a disclaimer. That Christian is the heir.


“It’s a shame Alexis was born too late,” Dimitri says. “He’d make an excellent monarch.”


“He wasn’t born too late,” Joseph quickly corrects. “Just to the wrong father, as it were. He’s the son of Prince Ronaldi, the King’s brother.”


“Yes, forgive me for the mistake. He's just so much like the King in bearing. An exemplar of duty and leadership. We’re fortunate to be in good hands with Christian, as well, but Prince Alexis seems built for it.”


I’ve heard the story so often, you’d think I’d be used to it by now. Yet it still stings every time I’m reminded that I was born under circumstances that were so close to perfect but not close enough.


I gently allow the door to the kitchen to close and back away. I wander aimlessly through the hall until I find a wooden bench to rest on. I sigh, rubbing circles into my eyes.


Behind me, I hear the laughter and discussions of the delegates’ meeting. As the cultural ambassador to Solvaria, I’ve made it my duty to ensure our guests are treated warmly. Caesar, as the chief ambassador, is supposed to help me with this, but did he even bother to show up? Of course not.


I don't know how the least diplomatic of the Vanecourt brothers became the nation’s chief ambassador. They're technically my cousins, but we all grew up in the palace, and they've always treated me like one of their own. Especially after my father died, the King essentially took me as his in all but name.


Murmurings from the servants reveal Caesar is likely meeting a woman, presumably another one in the ongoing cycle of female companions he keeps constantly on his arm.


Usually, I’m indifferent to his playboy tendencies, but I’m the one he’s screwing over right now. And it doesn’t help that the servants openly air their opinion of my talents as they compare me to Christian. Even if they think I come out on top, it's with a twinge of pity. I don't need it. Not from them or anyone else.


“Focus, Alex,” I whisper to myself. “Things could be worse.”


I’m fighting for a throne that in all probability will never be mine. I promised my mother, Duchess Janice of Vrinland, by issue, that I would do everything in my power for the sake of our family and the throne. But situations like these ones tonight can make me despondent.


Champagne would enliven my spirits right now. I’ll have a few glasses, at most.


Rolling my neck and cracking some joints, I open the double doors to the banquet hall that currently accommodates all of our distinguished guests. Delegates from all over the country have shown up, so it’s my duty to mingle and make sure our relations are in good standing.


“Prince Alexis!” It's Lawrence, a friend and fellow noble. He claps his hand on my shoulder, catching me off guard. “Good to see you, old friend. Where’s Caesar? I thought he was going to be here.”


“I did, too. Apparently, he had other business to attend to.”


“Ah.” The twinkle in his green eyes tells me he understands what I’m talking about.


“How are you feeling, my friend? You look worn out.”


“Me?” I shake my head and smile, even though I know I’m not fooling him, and pluck a champagne flute from the tray of a passing servant. “Of course not. I’m a busy man, but I make sure to rest between engagements.”


“Good, good.” Lawrence ducks his head, then sends me a knowing look. “You’re the hardest working member of your family, you know. If you don’t know, then I do. They depend on you, Prince Alexis.”


I chuckle quietly. “That’s encouraging to hear.”


“It’s the truth. I wouldn’t be saying it if it weren’t.” He wraps an arm around me as we snake our way through the crowd of tipsy delegates. “How’s the family? I assume Caesar is doing very well right now.”


“You know Caesar. Always doing well when there are new… um, people to meet. They’re all fine, though. Nothing new to report.”


“Have you met Vladimir?” Lawrence stops, craning his neck slightly to scan the crowd.


“He’s from across the sylvan divide. Very interesting man, I must admit. He comes from a country where they mingle with bears and drink hard liquor for breakfast!”


Interesting. Sounds like a man I’d rather keep as a friend than an enemy.


“Are you sure about that or are you exaggerating again?” I ask him grinning.


“Normally I'd be exaggerating, but with him there's no need. it’s not too far off. Come on, let’s—”


“Prince Alexis!”


My head whips around towards the source of that sound. A small bespectacled man takes off his hat. It’s Frederick, one of King Francis’ messengers.


Once his gaze lands upon me, he shoulders his way past the delegates sending him odd looks. I move towards him, hoping to meet him halfway.


“What’s going on, Frederick?” I ask once he’s within earshot. He’s red in the face and keeps pushing his glasses up the sweaty ridge of his nose. “Can it wait? We’re in the middle of a diplomatic event.”


“Yes, I know, my Prince. If it weren’t urgent, I would not have dared. His Royal Highness, he’s…” Frederick pants, placing a hand on his chest as he tries to catch his breath.


“He’s fallen ill.”


“He’s ill?” Lawrence is at my side in an instant. “King Francis? What happened?”


“Your Grace. He fainted, and he suffered a stroke.”


Frederick says it loudly enough to attract the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Soon enough, the news spreads across the entire banquet hall until it’s in a panicked uproar. A chaotic mess of gasps and wails swirls around us in a haunting echo.


I’m keeping it together externally, but on the inside, an intense pang hits my heart.


The King? How can this be? I just saw His Royal Highness, my Uncle Francis. He was fine. Everything was fine.


“He wants his children at his side as soon as possible.” Frederick’s hands shake violently as he raises them to his face. “Prince Alexis, you've grown up with his sons, and especially after the death of your father, he considers you one of them. He told me that he wants to speak to you before the other princes, your cousins.”


“Me?” I furrow my eyebrows, mind racing to figure out why that could be the case. “Did he explain?”


“No, sir, he didn’t.” Frederick shakes his head. “I got here as quickly as I could to tell you. Is Caesar here? I must speak with him as well.”


“Caesar is taking his entertainment elsewhere, apparently. He should be near.” I turn to Lawrence, who’s not only close friends with Caesar but known for keeping sensitive secrets.


“Lawrence, can you help find him?”


“I’ll do my best.” Lawrence scratches the back of his neck. “But your brother’s like a slippery fish when he gets like this.”


“Let’s just find him.”


I’m drowning in a sea of bodies, accompanied by looks of pity for the King that make me queasy. Their fear makes it sink in that the King is really mortal. I know he needs me along with his true sons.


I was just a child when my father died. Had King Francis not taken me in, I don't know what I'd be. His other sons were by birth. I was one by choice.


And yet I'll never be his true son and heir.


But he needs me more than Christian, he says.


As I scramble to make my way from the banquet hall to the palace, that detail consumes me. If he is in a position where he thinks he may be speaking his last words, why would he seek me out before Christian, his heir apparent and eldest true son?


Not pausing for a moment, even for the dignitaries beseeching me for news that I don’t have, I rush out of the building toward the nearest vehicle to take me back to the palace.


A small flicker of curiosity lights in my chest amidst the anxiety.


Is there a chance he’s considering naming me heir to the throne after all? Despite my lineage?