by Ember Casey
“Forgive the intrusion,” I say, trying to sound as calm and regal as possible. “Victoria and I have just become engaged, you see.”
It’s not nearly as elegant as my response by the river, but fortunately, the people here are still too stunned to react. I grab Victoria’s hand again and we run back out into the street.
By the time we round the corner, we’ve both erupted into laughter.
“The things you do to me…” I say through my grin.
“Me?” she says, still laughing. “You were the one who pulled me into that doorway. You started it.”
“Because I couldn’t help myself.”
“Then you should learn some restraint, Your Highness.”
“Never.”
She laughs again, and the sound fills me with such joy that I almost pull her against me again, right here in the middle of the street—until I realize that we’re once again standing in front of the hospital.
My smile drops as I suddenly remember why we’re here.
“We should return to my father,” I say softly. “My mother needs me right now.”
She nods soberly. “I… Maybe I should stay out here in the waiting room. I don’t want to intrude.”
“No,” I say. “You won’t be intruding. We’re engaged now, after all. Besides, there might still be some reporters lurking around. I want to make sure you’re safe.”
She nods, but she’s still frowning. I raise a hand to her cheek.
“If it makes you uncomfortable to be in the room with us, I understand,” I tell her. “We can find somewhere else for you to sit. I know that the memories of your parents must—”
“No, I’m all right,” she says. “I want to be there. For you.” One side of her mouth curls up. “It’s just that I don’t want to cause any problems—”
“You won’t. My mother and siblings love you.” We won’t speak of my father’s feelings, not now. I understand her hesitation—it feels almost heartless to bring Victoria to his bedside when my relationship with her might be the very thing that nearly killed him—but I refuse to push her away as if I’m ashamed of her. And I want and need her by my side.
“All right,” she says finally.
“I love you,” I murmur, leaning forward and pressing my lips lightly against hers.
We head back into the hospital together. We make it to the corridor outside Father’s room when I hear William’s voice behind me.
“Andrew! I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Why didn’t you answer your bloody phone?”
I turn, a knot of shame twisting in my belly as I remember our last encounter.
One look in William’s eyes, however, tells me that something has happened—something far greater than a scuffle between brothers.
“What is it?” I say. “Is Father—”
“He’s fine,” William says quickly. “As least as fine as can be expected. But I just got urgent word from the palace.”
My entire body stiffens. “What happened?”
“Nothing yet,” William says. “But apparently King Maximilian was rather displeased with your little speech. We’ve received word that he’ll be arriving at the palace as early as this afternoon.”
Victoria
I have to close my eyes for a moment to process what William is saying. King Maximilian is coming to the palace. I can’t imagine that Andrew’s speech made him very happy—and when he learns the news of our engagement, I wouldn’t doubt the anger of this king might be enough to cause a war.
I pull my hand away from Andrew’s, backing away from him and his brother until I’m pressed against the wall of the corridor. My head is spinning—the last thing I want is to be the cause of some war between nations.
Why can’t Andrew see that?
The stakes are too high—and I never meant for our relationship to get this far. It was one thing when it was a fling. It wasn’t much different when it was an illicit affair while he courted his potential brides. But this? This is something altogether different. Marrying a prince—the crown prince of Montovia, no less—is so far out of the realm of anything I ever could have imagined for myself, it’s still hard to believe it’s real. And agreeing to marry Andrew was obviously a huge, huge mistake—one that is probably going to cost him and his country dearly.
Love isn’t worth an international incident.
Is it?
William and Andrew are still talking, but I can’t hear them over the voice in my head telling me it’s not too late to back out. It might hurt Andrew—hell, it’s going to hurt me more—but it’s still the right thing to do.
Andrew takes me by the elbow, pulling me back to his side. “Victoria has agreed to marry me.”
William’s eyebrows shoot up and his gaze darts to mine. “Really?”
I try to twist out of Andrew’s grasp, but his hold on my elbow tightens.
“Yes.” I don’t have to look at him to hear the smile in his voice. Andrew continues. “I know it’s an inopportune time, but I wanted you to hear it from me. From us.”
William’s gaze never leaves mine. “I suppose congratulations are in order, then.”
I can’t even force a smile, not when I know I’m about to break Andrew’s heart.
Andrew drops his hand from my elbow to slide his arm around my waist. “Thank you, Brother. I’ll tell Mother and Nicholas before we leave for the palace to receive King Maximilian—”
“I…” I turn to look up at him. “I don’t think it’s a good idea if I’m there. I mean, it’s sort of my fault that you and Justine—”
He interrupts. “Nonsense. The world is going to have to accept that you are part of my life now, Victoria. And that begins today. We will receive King Maximilian together, just as we will receive other heads of state until the day we die.” His lips tick up into a tiny smile and his voice lowers. “And there is no better head of state to begin with than King Maximilian. When he sees the two of us together—”
“Oh, God.” A wave of nausea washes over me, and it’s all I can do not to vomit on the floor. I am not going to be receiving heads of state. Ever.
I’ve been writing about celebrities for a long time, and it isn’t as though most of them intimidate me. For the most part, they’re just people. A few of them believe they are larger than life, but even those sorts of celebrities still don’t cause me to be nervous. Not anymore, anyway. There was a time when I was first starting to cover celebrity news that I didn’t understand that we’re all human—all just trying to do the best we can with the lot we’ve been given in life.
But none of them were kings. None of them ran entire countries. I’m not sure why the thought of it bothers me so much, but it does. Even considering I might have some influence over the running of an entire country is enough to make me nauseated again.
Andrew’s grip around me tightens. “Are you quite all right, Victoria?”
I manage to give him a grim nod, even though I am definitely not all right.
William glances between the two of us, and it looks like he’s barely containing his laughter. “Well, I suppose I’ll leave you two to it, then. I wouldn’t want you to be late for your meeting with King Max.” He turns his gaze to mine, giving me wink. “And you, Victoria… I can’t wait to hear what Max has to say about you.”
I swear, if I wasn’t barely holding myself upright, I would punch William myself.
Andrew laughs. “I could not care less what King Maximilian has to say about my fiancée. He and the rest of the world will have no choice but to love her.” He turns to me with a smile. “Just as I do.”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard him quite this happy. How can I possibly be even thinking of pulling the rug from under him? What sort of horrible person thinks that?
I let out a sigh as I remember what sort of person thinks that. One who is thinking of the best interests of something bigger than her.
“Please tell our mother where I’ve gone should she ask. I know she’s quite upset right now…”
“She is,” William says. “Though she seems to be in somewhat better spirits since your little speech.”
Andrew nods. “Tell her I will return as soon as it is practical. I’ll not have King Maximilian here in the hospital. If Father were to wake up…”
William gives him a solemn nod. “Yes, it wouldn’t do to have his mortal enemy at his bedside when he awakens.” He lets out a short sigh. “Would it be too much for me to ask if you have a plan for how you’re going to deal with him?”
Andrew lifts a brow. “Indeed, it would be out of line.” He chuckles. “Though that’s stopped neither you nor Leopold from asking inappropriate questions of me in the past.”
William only lifts a brow, almost as though he’s challenging his brother to tell him everything.
Andrew rubs a hand across his jaw before he grins. “I’m merely going to tell him the truth.”
“And what truth is that?” William gives him a blank stare.
“That while his daughter is both beautiful and charming, I have found the missing piece of my soul in Victoria.”
William’s brows draw together. “I meant about the scepter. You know that’s why he’s here, right? He was going to forgive the debt when you announced your betrothal to Justine. But now that it’s off…” His eyes meet mine for a moment again before turning back to his brother’s. “It isn’t like you can just say you aren’t going to give it to him. You’re pretty much obligated—”
Andrew chuckles again. “That is where you’re wrong, Brother. I’ve been doing some research recently. And while some of our laws are quite antiquated, others may just be enough to get me out of the situation I find myself in at present.” He smiles. “It would do you good to read our country’s founding documents yourself.”
William rolls his eyes. “I haven’t read any part of those documents since Mother made me read the preamble to our citizens at the Independence Celebration when I was twelve.”
“Much as she forced me.” Andrew turns to me. “It is one of our many fine traditions. One I hope you will see one day.
My mouth falls open, but no sound comes out.
“Don’t worry, Victoria.” He chuckles. “You have no need to worry about deportation any longer.” He turns his gaze back to William’s. “The part of the law I’ve recently found comes well after the preamble, William. I’ll have to look up the precise paragraph, but there is a clause in the second section that states no member of the Royal Family may give away any property that has not been specifically bequeathed to them. And while I fully anticipate I’ll receive the scepter someday, for the time being, it still belongs to Father.”
William’s eyes look like they’re going to pop out of his head, and he blinks slowly a few times. “You think he’s actually going to let you get away with that?”
Andrew’s shoulders lift in a small shrug. “I don’t care what he thinks. The scepter wasn’t mine to wager, and Prince Reginald never should have accepted it as such.”
“You’re a fool if you think either of them is going to let you get away with that, Andrew.” William shakes his head. “But the scepter is really beside the point now, don’t you think? I’m pretty sure he’s here because of his daughter, who is pretty pissed off at you, by the way—”
“I know, I spoke with her…” Andrew’s gaze turns to mine. “I…I spoke with her before I left the hospital, Victoria.”
I stare at him for a second. “And?”
His brow furrows. “And you aren’t jealous?”
“Why would I be jealous, Andrew? Didn’t you just ask me to marry you? And didn’t I say yes?”
“Yes.” He gives me a weak grin. “Yes, you did.”
“A decision that might have been…rash. For lack of a better word.”
William’s eyebrows shoot up into the air again and he backs away from us slowly. “I…I think I hear Mother calling for me. I’ll see the two of you later.” He rocks back onto his heels for a moment before he turns and bolts down the hall.
Andrew turns to me, pulling my hands into his. “What do you mean, rash?”
“I…I wasn’t thinking. I mean—I was thinking. For myself. Not about what’s best for you. Or for your people.”
“We did already discuss this, Victoria. The people of this country will come to love you, just as I do.”
“And what about the people of King Maximilian’s country?”
His eyebrows draw together again and he tilts his head. “What of them?”
“Will they come to love me? Will you breaking your betrothal to Justine solve the land disputes between your father and King Maximilian? Because I’m pretty sure it’s going to make it worse.”
He shakes his head. “It will do nothing of the sort.” He drops his arm from around my waist, moving it again to pull my hand into his. “Losing the scepter made things worse. Telling King Max it wasn’t mine to give or gamble away absolutely may make things worse. But you…” He shakes his head, the smile never leaving his lips. “You are the best thing that could happen to the country of Montovia. And you are the best thing that has happened to me. That must count for something, right?”
“I…suppose.”
He gives me a smile I can see is forced. “Good. Now, we need to return to the palace so you may change into something more formal before we receive our first guest as a couple.” He spins me to face him, sliding his arms around my waist before he dips his head to my ear. “And, Victoria, I imagine we might have a bit of time before he arrives to find our own way of celebrating our engagement.”
Andrew
Part of me is still so happy I can hardly think straight. Victoria is going to be my wife. That one fact has completely changed my world, opened my eyes to possibilities I never dared imagine.
The other part of me knows these next few months will be difficult. And not just difficult—but a true test of this relationship and our commitment to each other. This was never going to be easy—we’re from two different worlds, and it isn’t lost on me that life here will be something of an adjustment for her—but I’d hoped we’d have a little time to bask in our happiness before tackling our first major challenge.
And King Maximilian will definitely be a challenge.
Still, I have every intention of holding my ground and standing up for my betrothed. It was my actions that put us into this position, and I have every intention of taking responsibility.
Right now, though, I refuse to succumb to worry. We’ll face Maximilian when he gets here. In the meantime, I want to celebrate with Victoria. I won’t let a surly king ruin this beautiful day.
We take a car back to the palace. On another day, I might have recommended we walk, but I’m not sure exposing her to public scrutiny right now would be the best option.
When we return to the palace, I walk her to her room. I can see the worry on her face, and I want nothing more than to chase it all away.
“Don’t fret,” I tell her. “We can conquer anything together.”
“I have no idea what I’m even supposed to do,” she says. “I’ve never formally received anyone, let alone a king. Are there rules? Traditions I should know about? I don’t even know if I’m supposed to fucking bow.”
“We’ll discuss everything,” I tell her. “But don’t worry—no one expects you to know everything right away.”
“Not even King Maximilian?” She spins and looks at me. “You don’t think if I fuck up somehow he’s going to hold it against me? He’s already pissed. From what you guys have said about him, I suspect he’ll take every opportunity to use my inexperience against me.”
“I will handle King Max,” I assure her. “On another occasion, I’d even be happy to let you stay in your chamber while the meeting took place. But I refuse to act like I’m ashamed of you, Victoria, especially in front of him. You are going to be my wife, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Her frown deepens. “Won’t he just think you’re rubbing it in his face? You just humiliated his daughter o
n live television.”
“I stand by my decision,” I say. “And the only way through this is to continue to do so.”
We’re at her door, but rather than go into her room immediately, I raise my hands to her face, gently cupping her cheeks.
“I love you, Victoria,” I say softly. “I love you more than anyone and anything else in this world. Perhaps I shouldn’t admit such a thing, but I’d humiliate a thousand women on live television if it meant getting closer to you.”
“Definitely keep that sentiment out of the press,” she says.
“You are everything to me,” I continue. “I refuse to let anything come between us—and yes, that includes Maximilian. We belong together, you and I. And I always feel stronger when you are by my side.”
She looks up at me with wide eyes. “I’m going to fuck this up somehow. I know it.”
“You’re going to be wonderful. I know it.” I dip my face closer to hers.
“I don’t even have anything to wear,” she says.
“We’ll borrow something from my sister,” I murmur. “I’m sure we can find something that fits you.”
“And the etiquette—”
“As I said, I’ll go over everything with you. You’ll be brilliant, trust me.” My lips are even closer to hers now, but before I can kiss her, she pulls away.
“I’m not cut out to be a royal,” she says, and I see the panic in her eyes. “I’m not.”
“I believe your friend Elle said the same thing,” I tell her. “And yet now, at least from where I stand, she couldn’t be happier.” I straighten slightly. “Trust in your gifts, Victoria. You have many talents, and you’ve already won over my family.”
“Not your father.”
“My father will come to love you in time.” Please let him survive this ordeal. “And you cannot be blind to how my mother and siblings feel about you. You have a certain charm about you, Victoria. A genuineness that wins people over. My mother trusted you when we only knew you as a reporter, and her judgment is never wrong.” Though I wonder sometimes, considering she married my father.