Why the Straight One? | Book 1 | bxb

Entry 3 - Elliot

Elliot laughed, and Thomas blushed profusely. He started muttering something about now not being the time or something, until Elliot took pity on him, and stood up abruptly.

"Why don't I show you to your temporary rooms then?" He looked to his father for approval, and received a small nod.

"We will discuss your contract tomorrow, until then, we shall shake hands on it, which should be binding enough by itself." He held out his bejeweled hand, and I hesitated.

"This is only as long as gay marriage is made legal in your whole country." I met the king's  eyes. 

"You have my word on it." I nodded, and shook his hand, selling away my life for what I hoped was a good cause.

When I was out in the safety of the hall, I let out a deep breath, and leaned against the wall.

"Yeah, it was a little intense in there." Elliot smiled, his blue eyes sparkling.

"A little." I chuckled, and straightened up, following Elliot down the hall. He was shorter than any of the royal family that I had seen, and he walked with almost a bounce in his step. Seriously, it would have been way easier to marry this guy. At least he didn't act like he had a permanent stick up his ass.

"You don't know how much I've wanted to meet you!" He slowed his pace until he was walking right beside me.

"You've wanted to meet me?" I was surprised that he would. He was a prince after all.

"Of course! Your voice for our rights has been one of the most inspiring things I have ever heard. You've helped our cause so much.

I'm Elliot, by the way. Elliot Charles Louis Christian Phillip Rex to be exact, but you can call me Elliot." He laughed, and held out his hand which I took in my own.

"And I am Alexander Williams, but you can call me Alex. Apparently, you have enough middle names for the both of us."

"Yes, our parents go very overboard in the middle name department. Wait till you hear Thomas' full name."

"It's longer than yours?" He noticed my startled expression and laughed again.

"Oh yes! At least two names longer." We had just reached what I assumed were my room, and Elliot opened the door, letting us both in.

"So, now you can marry whoever you want right? What are you going to do with your newfound rights?" If I couldn't pick my own husband, I at least wanted to hear about Elliot's plans.

"Oh, nothing. My dad's got this person in mind." He fell backwards on the bed, his cheerful face darkened slightly, and I found myself feeling concerned for the man who was in my exact position.

"It's a guy, right?" You have to be sure with this father of his.

"Yes." His voice was small, frightened almost. I sat on the bed a few feet away from him.

"Is he a prince or something?"  All the countries around us had accepted gay marriage years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were other gay princes.

"He's a king actually. We have a very shaky relationship with them, and Dad needs him as his ally. He was a married once to a women in order to have an heir, and he wants to marry a man now that she has been death for several years.

Apparently he's had his eye on me for a while." He shuddered, and so did I. "He's 45." He ran his hand over his face. "He's 45 And I just turned 18 last month."

Before I could react, he sat up, a smile once again covering his face.

"But that's not your problem. In case you were worried, I know Thomas will treat you right. In fact, he'll probably just avoid you, which is better than what it could be." I nodded, grateful for the assurance, but still uneasy in my mind about what Elliot told me.

"But your father surely wouldn't make you marry a man that much older than you, would he?" Elliot sighed.

"Well, he just told Thomas he was going to marry you, and he's not even gay. Sorry, but he's one of the straightest guys I've ever met. My oldest brother, Walter, had his marriage arranged when he was 10. The only one who hasn't had anyone thrust upon him is Raymond. I don't know how he does it, but he has worked his way out of two marriages already."

"I guess I didn't realize that all of your marriages were arranged. You're the youngest right?" I mean, I kind of knew the royal family, but not really.

"Yes, and I am reminded of that everyday." He laughed.

"Walter's the oldest. He's twenty-eight and already has a son named after him, who is three. Raymond is next, and he's twenty-six, but he doesn't act a day over eighteen, and he's my best friend.

Thomas is twenty-three, and I'm sorry to say that we aren't too good of friends. But, with you here, I will make an effort to be civil to him to help you settle in. Then of course there is me, and I kinda think I was an after thought, since I was born so much later."

"Really?" He nodded in all seriousness, then burst into a fit of laughter.

"I'm just messing with you! I'm basically my mom's favorite child, but don't tell Raymond I said that."

"Alright, I won't." Elliot flopped back down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

"So, you ready to marry into this royal family?" I looked down at my hands, not sure if even I knew the answer to that.

"I don't really see any other choice. If I don't do this, no one will be able to marry who they want." Elliot frowned.

"Yeah, that was a pretty rotten maneuver on my dads part. But like, are you scared or anything?" I somehow didn't think he was only talking about me.

"A little I guess, but not really. I'm not scared of Thomas if that's what you mean." He nodded.

"Good, good." He seemed to be debating something in his mind, because he paused for a minute before he spoke again.

"Listen, I know I barely know you, but can I tell you something? I feel like you would understand."

"Of course." He glanced at the door before speaking.

"I know my dad is going to have me marry this man, and soon. He needs him to be his ally. To tell you the truth, I'm terrified." And he looked terrified too. My heart went out to this man who I barely knew.

"Can't you-"

"Tell my dad that?" He cut me off, and I nodded. "Because I have and he doesn't care. I-" There was a knock on the door, and he sat up. "You know what, forget I said anything about that."

Before I could reply, the door opened, and in walked my future husband.

"Elliot, Dad wants to talk to you." Elliot jumped off the bed.

"Of course he does. He can't do a thing without me." Thomas gave him a withering glare, which he ignored. "See ya around, Alex." He walked out the door, giving me an encouraging grin before walking out of sight.

"So, your name is Alex?" I just then realized that I was left alone with my future husband who I had never met.