The Prince smiled widely.
Morgan was frowning.
Ryan’s face went completely and utterly slack.
And it was silent.
So, being the bigger person that I am, I decided to break the silence even as my own heart was breaking. Because that’s what awesome people do. They step the fuck up and make sure things go right. So I said, “Yaaay.”
It came out sounding like I didn’t mean that at all.
I took a different approach.
I slow clapped.
No one joined me. They obviously didn’t know how slow clapping worked.
I cleared my throat.
Tried again. “Hurrrraaaaaaay.” It was a little more believable.
I slow clapped some more.
And glared quite viciously.
Eventually, people got the idea and joined in. The applause wasn’t as resounding as it should have been, but what the fuck did I know. I was too busy writing sad ballads to unrequited love in my h
ead and planning a life where my hand would be my boyfriend.
That is until the King made his second proclamation.
Of doom.
His smile was downright gleeful. “And luckily enough, our very own Sam of Wilds returned just in time for tonight’s festivities. Given the romantic mood of late, I’ve secretly been putting out my feelers and have invited some of the City of Lockes’ most eligible bachelors so that he himself may be as lucky in love as my son and future son-in-law. Immediately following the feast, the ballroom will open and we shall dance the night away, all in the name of romance. You better hurry, boys! I’m sure tonight his dance card is going to fill up rather quickly. I mean, have you seen those pants he’s wearing? If only I swung that way, I’d snatch him up myself!” He chuckled loudly, obviously pleased with himself.
That asshole.
The audience gasped again.
And some of them leered at me. With their bodies.
Gary said, “The fuck?”
My parents looked shocked.
Tiggy looked confused.
The Prince was positively beaming.
Morgan watched me warily.
And Ryan?
Well.
He stood. Took a step toward me. Stopped. Hung his head.
Someone in the audience said, “Yaaaay.”