The Most Unsuitable Prince

"You know," he said, as he got the glimmer of an idea, "it would teach my father a lesson if I married someone totally unsuitable and took them home." Crown Prince Rupert of Simigile had been ordered to get married. Immediately. To the point where he wasn't allowed to return home to Simigile until he had secured a marriage contract. Stuck at Monce, definitely not mooning over King Consort Jaq, Rupert's eye was caught by a man in a particularly gaudy robe. He was short of stature, bedecked in jewels and reminded Rupert of a peacock. Better yet, he was a lowly prince from a family with numerous siblings. The perfect undesirable prince. Ordering a contract be drawn up immediately, Rupert headed for home. He had events to attend, and he had no intention of taking his new husband with him. "All right then, my lovely people. What have we got? Can we work this marriage business to our advantage, or do I need to pull in a favor at the World Council and get this debacle stopped for reasons of national security or something similar?" Prince Winter of Martingale had been "working" when he was spotted by Crown Prince Rupert at the Monce coronation. Living a life few knew about, and intensely committed to keep his secrets, Rupert's offer for his hand in marriage was a wrinkle in his plans. Determined to make the best of a frankly annoying situation, Winter and his staff headed for Simigile immediately. Once there Winter found out why the king had been so insistent that his only son find a spouse. The mystery was why Rupert hadn't simply married someone he already knew. It wasn't like the man didn't have any friends... or did he? People are gossiping that I'm an unfit husband, and I think damn Tristan is trying to blackmail me by wanting to set up house with me. What are you going to do about it? Rupert's wish to hang onto his past life was never going to happen. When he and Winter are forced, through unusual circumstances, to actually get to know each other, Rupert was surprised by how complex his new husband was. But a happy ever after is never guaranteed, especially with sword-wielding friends and grumpy gryphons determined to keep them apart. The Most Unsuitable Prince can be read as a standalone. It features a crown prince who's default setting is grumpy, and a prince with a far sunnier personality despite his name. The story features friendly kings, treacherous friends, and well-kept secrets that have to come out eventually. Rupert and Winter's story has an HEA - eventually. It is a story intended for adults only.