Page 132 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘No. I’ll endeavour to speak to him this evening and get a clearer idea of his plans. But, Your Majesty, might I trouble you to do the same?’

Her stomach immediately tightened. ‘Oh,’ she murmured, with a small shake of her head. ‘I think that might complicate things, given the speculation that’s already in the papers.’

‘I can arrange a private audience,’ the prime minister pleaded. ‘If you were to remain here, I could ask him to slip back—’

‘And if we were seen?’ she said with a shake of her head, aware that here, with the world’s media in attendance, it was far too risky.

‘I’ll stay for the meeting. You needn’t be alone with him.’

Disappointment and rejection burst through her. ‘Ask him to come to the palace this evening,’ she said, her heart racing quickly at the idea. ‘He can be driven to the east gate. Anja will let him in. If he brings his plans, I’ll take a look.’

‘Perfect,’ the prime minister said with a nod. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty.’

She dipped her head once, in a silent dismissal. Then, once the prime minister had left, she turned her phone over in her hand, to read the screen.

What do you want, Astrid?

It was an excellent question. One to which she had no clear answer…

* * *

‘Your Majesty, I hope it goes without saying that if you ever wish to discuss anything, I’m here.’

Astrid glanced across at Anja, in the backseat of the limousine. She knew her expression must show surprise, but she covered it quickly enough, plastering a smile on her face instead. ‘Thank you.’

‘I know you were thinking quite seriously about marriage, only last week,’ Anja murmured.

Astrid nodded. ‘We both know it’s necessary.’

Anja was quiet.

‘You don’t agree?’

‘I can see your reasoning,’ she said, after a beat. ‘And you think Otto Diamandi is the wisest choice?’

Astrid was tempted to deny that outright. After sleeping with Javier, the thought of marrying Otto gave her a serious case of the icks. But on paper, he was probably the best candidate. ‘I don’t know,’ she said apologetically.

‘Am I mistaken in thinking something is happening between you and Javier Diamandi?’

Astrid threw her assistant a droll look. ‘You brought a skirt to his home last night, Anja. I think you know very well that something is going on.’

Anja’s cheeks flushed pink but she reached across and put a hand over Astrid’s. ‘Then why rush into marriage? Why not just enjoy your life for a little while?’

Her heart kicked up a gear at the thought of that. What it would be like to give into temptation and simply exist for a while as a normal person. To date, be dated, to dance, to kiss, to fall in lust without fear of a scandal forming?

But that was all impossible. A wish that could never be granted. She was not a normal person. She’d had proof of that every single day of her life.

‘He’s not here for long. In truth, I expected him to be gone already.’

Anja nodded. ‘But he’s not.’

‘No.’

‘In fact, he’s coming to the palace this evening.’

Astrid’s pulse lurched erratically. It was only with the greatest effort she managed not to show on her face how that affected her. ‘At the request of the prime minister,’ she reminded Anja.

‘Yes, to look at plans.’ But Anja’s lips were twitching and Astrid couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped.