Sage

Everywhere I go, I see pictures of Marie and me. Every newspaper and magazine speculates about our relationship and if I’ve already proposed. Everything is taking longer than I hoped. I need to buy more time to set up what I have planned for Everly. Against my better judgment, I go along with everything being said.

If anything, it’s going to help me pull off my idea. For this to work, I have to completely catch her off guard. Until then, I let my parents dictate what they think is going to happen.

Since my father already shared his opinion of Everly, I’m going to have to keep my goals a secret. If they find out what I have up my sleeve, everything could go up in smoke.

We’ve met with Marie and her family twice now, and tonight they expect me to go out with her on my own so I can “get to know her.”

I’m not going to lie, I hate the fact that I’m leading her on. I wanted to say something, but I haven’t gotten a chance to be alone with her. I’ve barely said two words to her at these meetings, so I can’t see why she would truly think I’m interested in her.

Both meetings were all about our parents and how they felt our marriage would work. It was like I was swimming in a fish bowl and watching my life unfold in front of me, knowing there was nothing I could do about it.

Now I need to make sure she knows what’s going on in my head.

After the limo parks, I reach to open the door only to realize it’s locked.

“Please, Prince Sage. There are paparazzi everywhere, and I don’t want any photos getting back to your father showing that I didn’t open your door,” Sam, the chauffeur, calls from the driver’s seat.

“Yes, of course,” I respond while sitting back in my seat.

Sam knows I hate the formalities, but I would never jeopardize his livelihood to please my own qualms. After he opens the door, I nod my thanks.

As soon as I exit the vehicle, cameramen swarm the area. Flashes take me by surprise, and I lift my arm to block the bright assaults. Brock, one of my security guards, steps up to stop them. Yet another thing I hate about traveling in the royal motorcade, they all come as well. I want to say I could have done that myself but bite my tongue.

I make my way up to her house, and before I even knock, the door opens to an eager Marie, smiling brightly. “Hello, Prince Sage.”

For the hundredth time, all I can think about is how glad I am that Everly was a candidate on the list my parents gave me. If I had to marry someone who referred to me as “Prince Sage” every time I saw them, I’d shoot myself. It's hard enough having to deal with it in everyday life. I would never want that in my home as well.

I want someone who wants to be with Sage, not Prince Sage. There’s a huge difference.

No matter how much I want to run away, I was raised to be a gentleman and being rude, especially to a female, is not in my character. So I force a smile, gallantly offering my hand to assist her to the waiting limo.

After a few steps down the walkway, she pauses, leans in a little closer and poses for the photographers to get their shot. No wonder my parents love her. She’d fit right in with their pretentious ways.

Once we’re alone in the car, I drop my head and take a deep breath. I need to let her down easy, but how do you tell someone you don't choose them?

We sit in silence for most of the car ride until I get up my nerve. “Marie?”

“Yes, Prince Sage?”

I cringe again but continue, “I’m sorry, but I need to be straightforward with you. I hate leading you on.”

“I’m sorry. Leading me on? How?”

“I’m supposed to be taking you out tonight to get to know you better, but I’ve already made up my mind about who I’m going to marry, and I’m sorry, but it’s someone else.”

She sits up straight but doesn't show any signs of sadness, or even being mad. Her reaction is nothing I imagined, actually. Instead, she runs her hands down her skirt and repositions her purse on her lap. “I’m sorry to hear this, especially since I’m your last choice. So, it’s an issue, but I’m sure it’s one that we can overcome.”

I tilt my head in question. “Excuse me?”

“Well, no one likes to hear that their future husband covets another woman, but I’m sure after a few years, you will forget about her. Hopefully, one day, I will take her place in your heart.”

“I’m sorry, you’re not understanding. We won’t be getting married.”

She pats my hand like I’m an errant child. “I heard you loud and clear, but I also know that rules are rules, and I’m your last option.”

I sit up straight, shocked to hear what’s coming out of her mouth. “Actually, you’re not.”

“Oh, but I am. We both know that between the first two girls you met and me, I am the better woman for the job.”

She’s right about one thing. The first two girls were absolute wrecks. She’s only slightly better but losing traction quickly with every word that comes out of her mouth.

“There’s one—"

“If you’re talking about the third one, that Everly commoner girl, you’ve clearly lost your mind. I overheard your father telling my father all about her, and that they were so happy to have found me. I know the power that King William has over you and everything in this country. It’s a power that you will soon share, and I will be the lucky woman standing beside you.”

The car comes to a stop, and I’m stunned into silence. This entire time I was under the impression that she was this little puppy, begging for me to take her home. Little did I know she had an arrangement of her own.

Sam opens the door, and Marie begins to exit the car but stops short. “I won’t let this little conversation ruin our night. But please, put on a happy face for the cameras. I don’t want the media to question whether I’m the next princess. The fairytale never said the prince wavered. I don't care how you feel about me behind closed doors, but don’t ever show it to the public, and we’ll be just fine.”

My mouth falls open, and I’m stunned to silence again. There is no fucking way I would ever marry this woman, even if Everly turns me down.

If I didn’t think it would ruin my plans with Everly, I would leave her here and have Sam drive me home, but with all the news crews around, it would be splashed over every paper tomorrow. I can’t risk it, so for now, I exit the limo, smiling sweetly and focusing solely on making this dinner go by as fast as possible.