Page 26 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

“When?”

“Sooner is best. No more than three days at the most.” She glances out the window at New York, a glower on her face. “Things will move very quickly from here on out.”

Just like the army. There had been times I’d been deployed when we only had a few minutes’ notice on where we were going next. That’s how I need to view this: as a mission. “I’ll meet with my team and assign an acting CEO, tie up loose ends.”

“Don’t do anything rash.”

I arch a brow. “Contrary to the situation that put us in this position, I’m usually levelheaded.”

The tiniest quirk of her lips feels like a major victory after the emotional wringer we’ve put ourselves through over the past hour.

“I know. I just meant don’t sell the company, your apartment, anything like that. Let’s meet with my team in Siravelle and come up with a plan. We’ll do our best to make sure you can retain as much of your old life as possible.”

It hits me. She’s trying to give me what she never had: a chance to hold on to the identity I had before. That sensation from the balcony in Venice when she asked if I’d found what I was looking for during my time in the Rangers hits again, but harder. Sophaya sees far more than I’m comfortable with. Yet the fact that she even cares unsettles me, stirs a want I wish I didn’t feel.

“Thank you.”

Her quiet chuckle is dark, humorless. “Don’t thank me yet. Not until after you’ve had a taste of the battlefield you’re about to enter.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Her brows draw together. “What?”

“The job. Being the heir apparent. It seems like you hate it.”

Her shoulders droop. “I’m sorry.”

“Princess—”

“Don’t apologize, I know.” She breathes in. “I like parts of the job. But the scrutiny, the media, pretending things are one way when really they’re another…” Her voice drops so low I strain to hear it. “Those are the moments I struggle with.”

“Did you always feel this way?”

“No. Not when my grandparents were alive.” Her head drops, her eyes fixing on the mug in her hand. “Without the right support, the throne can be a lonely place.”

Alone can be tough for some. For me, it’s a refuge, a safe place where I can depend on myself without the temptation of letting someone else in.

Except right now, I wish I had the words. Wish I could say something that would ease the grief from her eyes, the pain etched on her face, even if her emotions serve as stark reminders of why I need to keep my walls in place.

I’ve been where she’s at before. Wondering why I was left to fend for myself, why my own parents couldn’t love me, why my grandmother died just when life was starting to get better. Why my foster parents signed up to take in kids like me only to make us feel like the dirt on the bottom of their shoes.

Never again.

Sophaya shakes her head slightly, as if yanking herself back to the present. “Text me if you need anything. I’ll send you my aide’s contact information, too. If you let her know your preferred airline, she’ll—”

“I’ll take my jet.”

She blinks. “Right. Of course.”

The last time we flew on it together had been on our way to Venice.

“You should rest.”

She nods. Definitely not feeling well if she’s this compliant. I make a mental note to ask my doctor to look up medications for nausea related to pregnancy. I’ve never been around a pregnant woman for an extended period of time, but Sophaya shouldn’t have to suffer like this.

“I’ll be there within three days.”

I turn to leave.