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lapzoli · 7 years

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The Royal Romance: The Finale Rewritten

Wow, look at that. I’m bitter and angry. Some spoilers for Rules of Engagement. I use my personalized names for the princes (Quince for TRR and Mateo for ROE). Several lines of dialogue taken from the final chapter.

Pairing: the Prince x MC

"Do I look like the type of person to disown my brother?” Bertrand hissed at you.

You cocked an eyebrow at him, recalling all the disheartened looks Maxwell had whenever his brother dismissed him.

“Kinda...” You replied in turn, your voice cool. You didn’t hesitate to defend your friend, knowing he was so much better than what his brother made him feel. But Bertrand surprised you. Huh. Guess he did have a heart.

Speaking of which...

“We’d better not risk it. Bertrand looks like he’s one surprise away from a heart attack tonight,” you said, only half joking.

It was a shame. You wanted a moment with Maxwell, really, but you just couldn’t afford it.

Luckily, you didn’t have time to dwell on it as a handsome blonde man approached the pair of you.

“Mateo’s the former Crown Prince of Cordonia and half-brother to our beloved Prince Quince,” explained Maxwell once the journey down memory lane was over.

“I’m surprised you didn’t lead with that.” You raised an eyebrow at Mateo, who merely smiled. “So...you’re doing what now, if you don’t mind me asking? You mentioned a cruise?”

“Yeah, how is that?” Maxwell asked, glancing at his old friend. “Fun, I hope.”

“Definitely beats all this...” Mateo gestured around the ballroom. “But yes, it’s fun. Although I suppose that more has to do with someone I’ve met.”

“Oh?” You recognized the look in his eyes. It was something you had seen in your own reflection the past few weeks. “A special someone?”

Mateo chuckled, touching the back of his neck. “Yes, a special someone. In fact...”

“Could it possibly be the same person from before?” Madeline asked, sliding into the conversation with a gracefulness that made you simmer. “Mateo. It has been a while.”

“Madeline,” greeted Mateo. “Yes, it has been. And yes also to your question. I see you are doing well.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I might be announced queen,” said Madeline. “I am quite certain I will be, in fact.”

Maxwell nudged you, whispering, “Hey! This could be your chance to see if Madeline got a note. I mean, she might not tell you but you could ask?”\

You shrugged and turned to the other woman, asking her, “Hey, Madeline, have you received any correspondence tonight?”

Madeline looked unimpressed with you, as if you weren’t standing between her and the crown. Even if Quince didn’t pick you, you sure as hell hoped he didn’t pick her.

“Correspondence?” She seemed as if she was about to laugh. “No. I’ve had quite enough on my hands with the ball tonight. I’m afraid I haven’t had time for letters tonight.”

Congratulations, you finally figured me out. A knife so dull doesn’t belong in the kitchen, so why don’t you take Olivia’s lead and leave?

That was what you heard, and weeks of surviving court stopped you from giving Madeline the New York treatment. That would probably cost you the king and queen’s favors.

Madeline dismissed herself, which was perfect as Quince made his way over to your little group. You couldn’t help the smile when you saw him, and it grew larger as you saw him banter with his brother.

“I know you will be an excellent king, little brother,” said Mateo, placing a hand on the prince’s shoulder. “Much better than I would have been. My plans never did include the throne.”

“What are your plans?” Quince asked curiously.

“Well, I’ve always wanted to marry for love,” the former Crown Prince said, his eyes flickering to Madeline nearby, “which is why I could never stay here.”

“Oh, yeah!” You grinned. “You mentioned a special someone earlier. Was it someone you met on the cruise?”

Mateo returned your smile. “Yes, My Lady. Not to take away from my brother’s coronation, but I’m actually engaged.”

The prince’s eyebrows shot up. “Engaged, really? Congratulations, brother. Do our parents know?”

“Yes, they’ve already met her,” assured Mateo. “They were...skeptical at first, more or less blamed her for me abdicating the throne, but they seem to like her well enough. I’m certain you all will too.”

“How can I not like the woman who’s making you smile like that?” Quince teased. “I’m happy for you. Marrying someone you love...” His eyes met yours. “Well, that’s the dream.”

You blushed, even more so when Mateo smiled mischievously at the two of you before turning to Maxwell, who didn’t catch on as quickly.

“I mean, we should go investigate the appetizers. As in, and leave these two with some alone time...” Mateo looked pointedly at his old friend.

“Oooo! Right.” Maxwell smiled sheepishly. “Well, I can always eat more!”

“Excellent. You’ll be the first from my parents to meet my fiancee as well. She hasn’t taken a break from the shrimp puffs all night,” said Mateo, his tone filled with utter adoration. “My Lady, it was my profound pleasure to meet you.”

With that, he grabbed Maxwell and not so subtly hurried away from you.

“I can’t tell if he’s in a rush to get us alone or to see his fiancee,” you remarked, amused as you and the prince watched Mateo kiss a pretty woman at the table. “He must love her a lot.”

“Well, speaking of that...” Quince cleared his throat. “The truth is...I’m done waiting. I want you.”

You felt your face get hot at his passionate words that lacked any hesitation.

“Quince...” You murmured, eyes wide.

“If you feel the same way, that is,” he assured you. “I’ll slip outside, and you can meet me there, if you can. The thrill of the risk to be with someone you love...” His eyes flickered to his brother. “I understand now. What do you say?”

God, you wanted to. Nothing would be better than to have one last moment with him, especially since you had no idea what was coming next. But...you couldn’t afford the cost of it.

“It’s too risky...I’d hate to cause a scandal on your big night,” you said softly. Rather than look disappointed, his face lit up.

“Always looking out for me.” He reached for your hands, and you met him halfway. “I wanted to tell you this now, before the entire court turns their attention back on us.”

“I don’t think it ever wasn’t on us,” you said, and he chuckled.

“Maybe, but my point is...even if I didn’t have to choose a bride tonight, I’d still be proposing,” said Quince softly, making your breath hitch. “I don’t need any more time to decide. I already know.”

“Quince...” You swallowed. “What are you saying?”

His smile grew, and even in your shock you couldn’t help but admire how wonderfully bright he looked. No matter what, you wanted him happy.

The prince whispered your name, kissing your hands softly.

“I’ve wanted to say this for a while now. I never expected to feel this way about anyone. I never expected to meet anyone like you. I thought New York itself was amazing, the lights shining brighter than anything I’ve ever seen...and then I met you.”

He ran his thumb over your fingers, seemingly caught up in his nerves, and you took a step closer to him, hoping to reassure him.

“These past few weeks have been torture...wanting to desperately spend time with you, but being held back by propriety and this damned process. Wanting so badly to hold you...to tell you that it was always you in my heart.”

He practically sighed your name, and you felt tears form in the corner of your eyes. Was this what it was like? To have your heart in the hands someone you would do anything for? What...what was this feeling called again?

“You’re the brightest spot in my world,” continued Quince. “New York be damned. I never said this to anyone before, but I know it’s more true than my own name. Which is all to say...”

It was on the tip of your tongue...

“I love you.”

Oh, there it was.

“Quince...” You said breathlessly. What did you say, what were you supposed to do? You were in court...but damn it, who cared? “I love you too.”

You squeezed his hands as you repeated your words, and if you thought his smile was bright before, you were certainly wrong because the sun itself was dim in comparison to the smile on his face now.

Quince laughed, the same way one did when they were suddenly relieved of their burdens, and kissed your hands once more. He uttered your name so full of affection and worship, your heart skipped a beat.

“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” he said. “My brother was always the adventerous one, the one who took all the risks and broke the rules, but I hope he doesn’t mind I take a page out of his book.”

The prince pulled you close, one hand slipping from your grasp to cup your cheek, and you smiled.

“You haven’t announced your queen yet,” you reminded him, even as multiple pairs of eyes turned to you two as a result of his gesture.

Quince leaned in closer. “I will, soon. But I should give some sort of unofficial announcement, don’t you think?”

You laughed and he took the chance to swoop in and capture your lips with his own. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, your teeth awkwardly clashing as the two of you were unable to hold back your grins.

People around you gasped, and you pulled away in time to see Madeline’s jaw clench. Good. There was one winner tonight, and it was you.

But that wasn’t important at the moment, raising an eyebrow as Olivia approached you two, seemingly ignoring the stunned audience.

“Well, isn’t this touching?” She said, regarding you coolly. Her eyes flickered over to Quince, her features softening after a moment. “You won’t forget me again, will you?”

Quince smiled warmly and, after looking at you searchingly for a moment, slipped his hands away and took those of his childhood friend’s.

“I could never forget you, Olivia Nevrakis,” he assured. “It was a pleasure reuniting with you these last few weeks.”

Olivia hummed, and looked at you next.

“This doesn’t make us friends,” she declared. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the letter.”

“It wasn’t me, Olivia,” you said, something you should have done at the beginning when she told you. “I got one too. But if it didn’t intimidate me, then surely it wouldn’t scare you away.”

Olivia smirked. “Of course not. Do you know who I am? My ancestors were the most ruthless rulers in the land once. It would be a shame to my name if I let something like that chase me away.” She turned, waving her hand dismissively. “Long live the queen, and all that. Don’t screw it up.”

“She means well,” said Quince once she was gone.

You chuckled. “Let me guess. All bark and no bite? I know. Now, don’t you have a coranation to attend?”

“Is that today?” The prince laughed, kissing your hands again. “I hope to put a ring on that lovely hand of yours once this night is over. Now, if you will excuse me.”

You watched him go on stage with his parents, blowing him a kiss when he looked your way. As his father gave him the royal ring, Quince turned to the crowd, addressing those in the court.

“It is my honor to announce now your new Queen of Cordonia...”

As he said your name, he held out his hand out to you and pulled you on stage. The people in the court clapped thunderously, your face flushing when you heard Maxwell and the others whooping and cheering.

You caught sight of Madeline clapping reluctantly in the corner, a displeased look on her face, but you didn’t care. This was your moment, something you had been waiting for for weeks, and no one was going to ruin it for you.

Quince placed a soft kiss to your cheek, whispering in your ear, “Are you ready for the next chapter of your life? It won’t be easy, being Queen.”

You smiled at him.

“With you, I can do anything. This is the happy ending I wanted, and I’m going to make sure I be the best Queen and wife I can.”

His face lit up and he turned to the court, who had begun a new chant.

“Love live the king!”

“Long live the queen!”

fin

#olivia nevrakis #prince liam #prince leo #the royal romance #playchoices #when im bitter and angry i write #myupload #my fanfiction

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