Chosen Bride of the Seven Dark Princes

Byron rubbed his chin.

"Are you sure it's Emporia that's behind this? I just can't see King Mortimer Cordera pulling off something like this. Could it be Mattheus Cordera causing trouble for Emporia again?"

Slate shook his head.

"Mattheus went through a lot of trouble to take Candace alive. He even used me as ransom to get his hands on her. He wouldn't want her dead."

"But there is someone else who would have a motive." He raised an eyebrow. "Helene Cordera."

Lucas rubbed his chin. "What about Earth? I was with that Dahlia woman for a week and I know one thing about her. She doesn't want Candace dead. She's not interested in going through the events."

"Why?" Jared asked.

Lucas rolled his eyes.

"She doesn't have what it takes. Not smart enough, not strong enough, not beautiful enough, not agile enough…she's just not enough of anything."

"She would rather Candace win everything and then hand it over to her so she doesn't have to do anything to get the prize. She told me this herself." Lucas grimaced in distaste.

"So if it wasn't Dahlia who tried to kill Candace, could it be the Earth government so they can hand the Avgo stone to Dahlia?" Leonardo suggested.

"It's a distinct possibility. They've been trying to retrieve that gem from the start and they truly don't care about Candace at all." Jared said.

"So it's a distinct possibility that Helene Cordera and the Earth delegates are together behind this." Slate pondered out loud.

Dante narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"But who would be audacious enough to send attackers into the Royal Palace?"

"And more importantly, who would have the power and authority to send all the Royal Guards away from the back area so the attackers could have access to Candace?" Byron scratched his head.

The Princes all looked at each other, not daring to voice the one thought that suddenly appeared in their minds.

Could it have been an inside job done by someone who had access and control of the Royal Guards? Someone they knew personally?

Amidst the shocked silence of the Princes was the noise and clamor behind Jason and Jared. Suddenly, the visuals flashed the hottest news of the moment.

Chosen by the trillions of people across the galaxy was the winner of The People's Choice award for the Cutest Couple of the Galaxy.

Plastered across huge visual banners were the faces of the Third Prince of Erenveil, Superstar of the entertainment world Lucas, alongside the People's Choice as his perfect mate, Candace Farrah.

"What the hell is going on behind you guys?" Slate snarled at the twins.

"What? Hang on let me look." Jared turned and saw at the huge visuals of Lucas and Candace.

"Hahaha!" He cackled and clapped Jason on the shoulder.

"Tiny Dancer and the Flower Boy just won the People's Choice Award for 'Cutest Couple of the Galaxy'."

Jason turned to look at what Jared was laughing about and nearly fell over.

"Holy macaroni! They're now called Lucandace! Hahaha!" Jason guffawed as tears sprang from the corners of his eyes. "They actually look hot together!"

"Cutest Couple of the Galaxy?" Byron repeated, unable to believe his ears. "Whose horrible idea is this?"

Lucas looked away, barely able to hide the pink tinge emerging on his cheeks.

He had never thought about Candace as someone he could be with.

Although he was Third Prince, even if she did not win first and go to Byron, the chance of him being able to approach her AFTER Dante rejected her was absolutely zero. Dante had fallen hard for this woman and would waste no time making her his woman.

Lucas was also under no illusions about his chances. He was just an actor with no great wealth or skills. Added to that was the fact that he was a bit shy around her and it was hopeless from the very start.

Dante scowled. "What the hell is a Cutest Couple of the Galaxy?"

Jason pursed his lips and had the temerity to look guilty.

"It was my idea. We wanted a big splash to launch our next fashion collection and we thought maybe we could use one of the Avgo Females and one of our brothers to help model our newest clothing line…"

His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Slate's furious blue eyes.

"And?" He sounded furious.

"So me and Jared came up with the idea for The People's Choice Award for Couple of the Galaxy."

"I honestly never expected—" Jason paused, turning away from Slate's frosty stare.

Lucas' lips were pressed into a thin line as he stared at the visuals above him. The announcers were already starting to create memes about them and calling them the Lucandace couple.

He was trying hard not to smile as he saw images of himself merged with images of Candace.

The merges were so flawless that the images portrayed them as if they were a solid couple who were deeply in love and were simply waiting for the right time to announce their relationship.

For a moment, Lucas dared to wish that it would somehow be true. But then he heard his brothers talking around him and that dream popped like the pipe dream that it was.

"Jason." Dante's face was a dark fury. "You know Lucas is famous across the galaxy. He's a mega star! Of course people are going to vote for him!"

"And you also know that compared to the rest of the Avgo Females, Candice's beauty is beyond compare." Byron grounded. "Of course they are going to vote for her!"

"Yes, yes. We realize that now." Jason stared miserably at Jared.

When looked at it in that light, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Galactic public would support the Lucandace ship.

It was unfortunate for Lucas that Byron, Dante, and Slate were at this moment, fuming at him. Leonardo didn't say anything. He hadn't said much the entire time, but Lucas could feel Leo's disapproval.

"What???" He turned back and glared at his brothers. "You guys are acting like this is my fault. I have nothing to do with this. I'm a victim too!"

"Don't you dare play the victim card." Jason snickered. "I saw you smiling at that image of you and Tiny Dancer. You're really enjoying it, aren't you?"

Lucas sighed.

"I'm the one who has to escort that damned Halloway woman around while the rest of you get to spend real quality time with Candace. And you're begrudging me a few faked photo ops?"

The brothers looked away. They couldn't argue with that.

"So who is the person that has the ability to command royal guards and would benefit the most if she died?" Leonardo grumbled, growing more frustrated.

Slate closed his eyes.

"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."*

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*Arthur Conan Doyle