A Prince's Harem

Sisters

The Denholm Family Ball was as exclusive of an event that a ball could be, only those with Denholm or Denholm adjacent blood could attend the first stage before the open Court ball.

The only person who was allowed without being either of Denholm blood or immediately adjacent by marriage was Graecie, as her aunt was Queen, and both princes had fought for her place long ago.

The only servants in the room were hand-picked by the King and Queen, and each guest had to be approved by Hudson, who had only barely agreed to allow Oz an invitation at the insistence of Scott.

Will had only heard tales from the legendary event from Acho and Graecie on his visits at Court when he was younger. He never once dreamed that he would ever be allowed inside the room, yet there he stood at the entrance.

He was sad that he wouldn’t meet all of his husband’s sisters today, but he wanted to make as good an impression on the three he knew would be there.

Marchioness Annabell of the Hollows had taken ill with a chill of some kind and Countess Lorraine of Silverwood was in mourning with her husband for a reason Will had not caught.

“Your Majesties!” He exclaimed happily as Hudson and Aurelia sailed by, interrupting his thoughts, dipping into a bow, “How are you both this fine evening?”

“Hello Will,” Aurelia greeted kindly as her husband walked off, “I am quite well, thank you. Have you been acquainted with Hudson’s daughters and their husbands yet?”

“Not yet, Scott is making his rounds with Oz before I get going,” Will smiled politely, “And may I say, Your Majesty looks exquisite in that dress.”

Aurelia bit back a chuckle, “Your Highness is, as always, a charmer,” she smiled, “Do you know who you are to be partnered with when we walk from here to the Court ball?”

“Yes, Scott ran me through that, as Katherine is more recently married than me and he has not officially named a primary, he will escort her,” Will explained, “And as Oz is his heir, he is being held by Scott, so I am walking with Princess Francine.”

"Between you and me, I do not envy you one bit," she chuckled softly, "Francine makes me want to rip my hair out on occasions."

Will had to bite back a snort as he replied, "Majesty, your frustration is heavily understood."

Before Aurelia could respond, he noticed her eldest stepdaughter nearby with her husband and waved them over with a smile to kick-start Will's introductions.

“Lady Stepmother,” Henrietta greeted, kissing Aurelias's hand gently.

“Majesties,” Aurelia greeted kindly, “Your brother-in-law, Prince Will.”

“My Lord and Lady Sovereign,” Will bowed his head and smiled as Aurelia moved away, “An honour to meet Your Majesties,” he kissed her hand gently and shook his.

“Your Royal Highness,” Henrietta smiled in return, “My brother never shut up about you when you two were writing letters to each other, it was always ‘Oh Hattie, he has such a way with words!’ or ‘Hattie! Hattie! Will wrote back to me!’ It was so cute.”

Will let out a hearty chuckle as his cheeks turned a light shade of pink, “I’m glad I left a lasting impression,” suddenly his face changed, “Oh! Before I forget, Scott mentioned dropping the titles after the first greeting, is that for all your sisters and their partners?”

“Yeah, that’s all of us, so I guess it’s a safe bet to call you Will?” Henrietta smiled, grabbing a glass of champagne from a servant who sailed past.