A Tale of Two Princes by Eric Geron

Author:Eric Geron [Geron, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-10T19:28:23+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

EDWARD

“Hook, line, and sinker,” I say, reading the tabloid headline about last night’s delicious debacle: BILLY’S BOY TOY CRASHES BALL.

I lean toward Neel, who’s seated across the cracked leather sofa from me in the student centre. “Thank you for arranging Dustin’s trip here on the back end.”

Neel gives a casual shrug, browsing through five-star hotels in Tokyo on his tablet. “It was all your idea,” he says smugly.

“That’s all you’ve got to say?” I ask. “How unlike you.”

Neel looks up. “We knew Gord and the press would have a field day.”

“And did they ever.” I smile. “That chump doesn’t suspect a thing!” I grit my teeth. “But it still isn’t moving the needle. I have to think of what to do that will be just enough to oust him while still keeping the monarchy intact and in good standing...”

Neel grins broadly, setting his tablet on his knee. “What’s with you lately? Your obsessive nature is scaring me.”

“Hello,” I say grumpily, pointing to myself. “Still stripped of his title over here.”

Neel rubs his forefinger and thumb together.

“What in the world are you doing?”

“Playing the world’s tiniest violin, of course,” he quips.

“Oh, shut it,” I snap. “Just the thought of the violin makes me want to smash things. That’s his instrument.” I shudder.

Neel cocks his head. “This is starting to go a wee bit overboard, wouldn’t you say? Maybe the whole bringing his boyfriend here was crossing the line?”

“What are you talking about?” I flash, overcome with the sudden urge to ruffle and rumple Neel’s thick, superbly moussed hair.

“I think we should cool it on the sabotage front, is all,” Neel says. “He told me he’s really struggling. It was tragic, in the bad sense of the word.”

I laugh. “You don’t actually feel sorry for him, do you?” Then I remember seeing Neel talking to Billy after Dustin stormed out of the ballroom. At the time, I thought he was playing his part, still nothing but a ruse. But now, I’m not so sure.

“Forget I said anything.”

“Neel.” I scoot to the edge of the sofa and gaze intently at him. “You can’t be serious right now. You’re supposed to be helping me take him down. He’s this close—” I move my pointer finger toward my thumb “—to being canceled!”

Neel blinks, his shapely eyebrows arched. “Edward, he’s going through a lot.”

“Oh. I see.” I sink back. “You’ve changed loyalties.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Neel laughs. “What’s this ‘sides’ game you’re playing at, anyway?”

I snort. “I knew it.” My blood begins to boil. “You like him.”

“I like a lot of people.”

“Neel, this is different. He’s my twinemy.” I face-palm. “Wow, Fi is really starting to rub off on me,” I mutter. I try to get back on track. “Don’t you think it’s weird that your crush looks exactly like your best friend? Listen, if you no longer want to help me get my title back, that’s fine by me.” I don’t mean it, but I refuse to let Neel think abandoning me was his choice.

“Excellent.” Neel packs up his tablet and textbooks.

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