It is rather curious that their trip coincided with the repeal of the pre-TNIT law. For our readers unfamiliar with intergalactic laws: the recently repealed law regulated the relationship between the citizens of the Union of Planets and planets that have not reached the technological level required for Contact. To be more precise, the pre-TNIT law used to forbid interpersonal relationships such as marriage with citizens of pre-TNIT planets.
Our readers may ask us: What does this have to do with Prince Harht? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps it’s nothing but a coincidence. Coincidences can be curious indeed…
* * *
Calluvian Society Gossip
Intergalactic Union Date: 18768.212
Breaking! Crown Prince Ksar’ngh’chaali to wed his own brother’s former betrothed!
Councilor Xuvok’s soiree last night was unexpectedly eventful as Lady Leylen’shni’gul revealed that she is now engaged to the Crown Prince of the Second Grand Clan.
The implications of this are certainly interesting. We have utmost respect for our esteemed Lord Chancellor, but one wonders how Prince Harht’ngh’chaali feels about his own brother getting engaged to his former bondmate…
As Prince Ksar’ngh’chaali is still reportedly on Earth, he was unavailable for comment.
* * *
“Please, Your Highness.”
Ksar’s lips thinned. He was starting to reconsider his opinion about Leylen. She was turning out to be a lot more annoying than he had expected.
“I don’t have time,” he repeated, his eyes on the quarterly budget report of the Ministry.
“But Your Highness,” she said, stepping closer to his chair.
It made him twitch.
He didn’t like people coming into his personal space uninvited.
“We haven’t been seen together since the announcement of our betrothal,” she said smoothly. “Lady Zeyneb’s ball is the perfect opportunity for our first public appearance.”
Ksar lifted his eyes and leveled her with a cold look. “When I say I’m busy, it means I’m busy. Leave, my lady.”
She paled.
Ksar knew he was being a right asshole, but he didn’t particularly feel like not being one. The girl should be glad that she was still allowed entry into the palace after what she had done.
Ksar had been less than amused upon returning from Earth and finding out that Leylen had told everyone about their engagement while he had been off-planet. He’d had no intention to make their supposed engagement public so soon, and having his hand forced had been beyond aggravating. It didn’t help that he hadn’t been in a good mood to begin with—he wasn’t happy to leave his brother on Earth—so suddenly being thrust into the middle of a scandal hadn’t exactly improved his mood.
He disliked not being in control of the public narrative. He might have made a deal with the girl, but he had never explicitly promised her that he would marry her anytime soon. Now the entire planet was talking about how he effectively stole his own brother’s bride. So much for avoiding a scandal.
The Queen was entirely unamused that he had failed to contain the scandal, and Ksar couldn’t blame her for that. He was angry with himself, too. He should have noticed how eager Leylen was to elevate her social status. He should have taken time to warn her not to share the news without his permission—instead of wasting the precious little time he’d had on his former betrothed.
“Please, Your Highness,” Leylen said, looking at him beseechingly. “I know you’re displeased with me, but it will be more scandalous if we continue to avoid social functions. We look guilty.”
Ksar’s first instinct was to throw her out. But the rational part of him knew she was right. The longer he avoided social events, the nastier the gossip would become.
“Fine,” he said. “But I will not tolerate more lies.”
She inclined her head demurely. “Of course, Your Highness. I told you it wasn’t my intention to anger you. I didn’t know you would be displeased by what I told people about Prince Seyn.”
Ksar pursed his lips. “Go home. I will collect you at nine o’clock.”
With a deep bow to him, she left, her hips swaying more than was proper. She still exuded arousal, but at least she seemed to have given up trying to seduce him like a harlot.
Ksar pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. He knew he was being unreasonable. He wasn’t being entirely fair to her. Seyn had behaved far more outrageously in the past, and it had never irritated him that much—or rather, it had irritated him for a different reason.
He should have been more tolerant toward her. The woman had an admirable self-control. It had been less than ten days, but she was adapting well to her lack of bond. She had far better control of her heightened senses than Seyn had after his bond’s dissolution. To be fair to Seyn, he was a stronger telepath than Leylen, so he’d had a harder time than her, but still. Her composure was admirable. Seyn had been a mess of emotions and needs, so damn eager for sex he had looked positively drunk with desire—