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“They did?” Elizabeth asked with tears in her eyes.
“Yes, Ma’am. Now, I believe there are a few people who wish to toast alongside you, if you would be so kind as to join us in the formal dining room.”
“Toast?” Elizabeth asked, turning to Palmer.
“Go. Have a drink with the people who love you.”
“Where willyoube?”
“Right next to you, if that’s okay,” Palmer replied with a smile.
“Always.” Elizabeth smiled back at her. “Rebecca, can you give us a moment? We’ll join you shortly.”
“Of course,Your Majesty,” she replied, bowing her head.
Rebecca left the theater, closing the door behind her.
“How do you feel?” Palmer asked.
“Seventy-two percent? I thought it would go the other way.”
“They love you, beautiful,” Palmer said. “And they believe in you. And the monarchy.”
“Palmer, we need to talk now,” Elizabeth replied, placing her other hand on top of their still-joined ones. “I honestly thought they’d vote to remove me. I’ve been planning for both contingencies just in case, but because of what happened, I think I just assumed they’d want us out.”
“You were honest with them – it sounds like you and your family alwayshavebeen – and you gave them the chance to choose what they wanted. I must admit: I’m surprised, too.”
“Disappointed?” she asked, looking for Palmer’s reaction.
“What? No. Why would I be disappointed?”
“Because of us,” Elizabeth said softly.
“What do you mean?”
“If I’m no longer a Queen, I’d have a lot more opportunities to leave St. Rais; to be with whomever I want, and–”
“Oh,” Palmer said and cupped Elizabeth’s cheek. “Babe, youarea Queen. I knew that when I met youandwhen I fell in love with you. This whole vote thing happened, but I knew I wanted you long before the idea.”
“And you honestly weren’t hoping that this little idea of yours wouldn’t go the other way?”
“I was hoping you’d get what you want,” Palmer said, leaning in and kissing her quickly. “Andthisis what you want. I know it’s hard because it was thrust upon you, and you’ve lost so much, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose everything. I think you can be Queen and get your degree. Maybe you won’t work in physics as a researcher or professor, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still pursue it as a hobby or something more. You could rewrite the rules, Elizabeth; make the monarchy modern. Be yourself, baby.” Palmer kissed her lips again. “You were born for this.”
“What about us?” Elizabeth asked against Palmer’s lips.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re leaving in a couple of days,” Elizabeth noted, pulling Palmer in closer. “And we only just–”
“We’ll do long-distance for a while. We’ll figure it out.”
“How many times are we going to say that until we do?” Elizabeth asked.
“I don’t know what else I can say, Elizabeth. I can’t just move to St. Rais; not right now, anyway. I have a job back home, an apartment, and my family is there.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” She lowered her head.
“But I can someday,” Palmer added.
