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And until he found that spark, that woman, he refused to wed for his country While most royal couples were married for politics, rather than sentimental reasons, his parents had been so in love that his father still mourned the loss of his mother even after all this time

He wanted that

Not aard conversations and stilted small talk

“I don’t knohat you’re talking about,” Leo said quickly, shooting Harry a warning glance The last thing he needed was his father discovering his night with Alicia What came next would not help his cause with his runaway lover “I danced, had a few drinks”

“Lies” His father frowned “Harry? Who is she?”

The other ether in annoyance, but caved like a house of playing cards “Alicia Forkes, Your Majesty”

“Traitor,” Leo hissed, ainst Harry It involved his royal sword shoved up his fucking—

“Alicia?” The king squinted “Isn’t that the name of the American from before?”

“Yes” Leo forced a calmness to his face, which he didn’t quite feel “We ran into each other at a nightclub I visited after the ball”

“I always enjoyed her frank speech and free spirit,” his father said, acting far too excited for Leo to let down his guard “So the Americans do so well She reer, before we married Was she happy to see you, after all the time spent apart?”

“Not exactly” Leopold glanced at his po at him as if he’d somehow insulted him, and then back to his dad “In fact, she didn’t even remember me at all”

Harry choked on his sip of coffee

His father frowned “Are you certain it wasn’t a game?”

“It wasn’t,” Leopold said flatly “Not only did she not reht after we…spoke”

“How very A his e of a napkin as he set down his coffee But that did nothing to hide the narrowness of his eyes “Well, then, back to the photos? We have anotherat—”