Free Arianna & Finn (Royals of Valleria #3) by Marianne Knightly Page A

‘King’, so that’s why Henry will forever be a ‘Prince.’”
     
    “Does that bother him?”
     
    “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Alex; I’ll be as honest as I can be when it comes to my brother. In my opinion, he’ll never be happy just being a ‘Prince’, despite the fact that he is the leader of this country.”
     
    “I see,” she said and Finn noticed her brows were furrowed, as if she were trying to figure something out. “What about you? Are you happy being just a ‘Prince?’”
     
    Finn struggled with how to respond, but decided the truth was best. “To me, that’s just a title. Henry wishes I didn’t have it, and I certainly don’t need it.”
     
    “Don’t you help Henry with state business?”
     
    “Our family’s not like yours, Princess. We’re not like most other royal families.”
     
    “Does that mean you don’t want to?”
     
    Finn sighed. He forgot how hard it was to stay diplomatic at times. “Look, Henry’s not interested in help. It’s his way or no way. I’m not like that.”
     
    “Do you think Henry’s philosophy is the same in all aspects of his life, or just politics?”
     
    Finn gave her a curious look. “I couldn’t say.”
     
    Arianna nodded, then noticed the passing scenery. “Where’s our first stop?”
     
    Pleased to be back on neutral ground, he said, “We’ve got a lot of the standard tourist fare in the capital: old churches, ruins, monuments, and the like. But, I thought you might like to visit some of the places the locals love, perhaps meet some of them.”
     
    She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Oh, that’s perfect actually. I’d love that.”
     
    “I’m glad,” he said as a ridiculous surge of pride swept through him. He felt happy for getting something right for once, and wasn’t that just ridiculous? The problem was that he had spent too many years listening to Henry tell him he was useless.
     
    A few minutes later, Finn pulled into an empty spot near an incredibly busy pedestrian area, his security finding a spot nearby as well.
     
    “I can’t believe you found a spot so close.” Arianna stepped out from the car, Finn holding the door for her.
     
    Finn reached up to scratch the back of his neck. “Well, the locals sort of unofficially keep it open for me.”
     
    “Really? That’s very nice of them. You and Henry must come out here a lot then.”
     
    “They do see the royal family out here from time-to-time, it’s true,” Finn said in a half truth. He wasn’t sure why he was defending Henry just then, but he was still his brother, after all.
     
    They slowly walked down the street, Finn greeting various shop owners and street vendors by name. He loved this part of the capital; it had seen a great resurgence over the last several years, led by Finn’s quiet efforts. Henry would never have approved.
     
    “You certainly seem well known,” Arianna said after hearing ‘Prince Finn’ shouted in greeting yet again.
     
    “I am their Prince,” he said as they turned a corner onto a solely pedestrian street.
     
    “It’s not just that. It’s like you’re a friend. That’s how they’re greeting you.”
     
    “They are my friends,” he said easily, because it was true. “I don’t think of them as citizens I rule over. That’s Henry’s job. I grew up with these people, and they grew up with me. Brazenbourg is a small country, and we’re all a part of the same community. At least, that’s how I see things.”
     
    “What is this street?” Arianna asked with wonder in her voice. The pedestrian-only street was filled to the brim at barely eleven in the morning. The thick, rich scents of cooking meats, vegetables, and more filled the air along with smoke from grills and outdoor stoves. While food trucks and stands lined one side of the street, the other was lined with outdoor stalls where merchants sold everything from homemade jewelry to clothing to housewares.
     
    “It’s