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“You’re right, Father. I do have a lot of thinking to do. I’ll speak to Hailey and to Kala. And I’ll be having a heart-to-heart with my siblings. Be at the announcement tomorrow on the plaza, and I think you’ll be pleased with my decision.”
The king and queen are warily accepting of my acquiescence.
I turn to go.
Hailey.
It’s been hours since I’ve seen her face, and my entire body screams to be near her again. But I have a few details to hammer out first.
I text Sig, Flora, and some of our most trusted, discreet friends. I say nothing to Etienne. I don’t need any wine-soaked antics or snide remarks at my wedding. If he misses the biggest day of my life because of his toxic behavior, that’s on him. I’m done propping him up in the name of family. I do, however, corner Rolf, the house manager, when I return to the palace.
“Rolf, have I ever been a demanding sort?”
“Your Highness?”
“Have I been alright? Do I ever ask too much of you?”
“It is irrelevant. I only must see to your needs and that of everyone in the household.”
“But in your opinion…”
“The preteens were a bit touch and go if I’m honest. But no. In fact, I don’t recall you ever demanding much of me outside my usual duties.”
“Today, I’m asking you to go outside your normal duties and stop enabling Etienne.”
He looks shocked for a moment. “Apologies if I’ve been an enabler, as you say, Your Highness.”
I grip the man’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault. He’s a spoiled child. Today of all days, I’m going to ask for your help. Remove all alcohol from Etienne’s rooms. You will secure the lock on the wine vault. You will close down the bar for renovations if you need to. If I see so much as a stray bottle of cooking sherry in the kitchen, there will be hell to pay, Rolf. He’s not allowed to leave the palace unless escorted by one of his siblings or security.”
The man nods solemnly. “I will see to all of it.”
A self-satisfied smile comes over his face as he turns away.
And now, I desperately need to speak to Hailey.
* * *
When I return to my chambers, I find a note in the middle of my bed.
My heart stops.
It’s probably not what I think it is, I tell myself. She probably went somewhere with Flora and wanted to let me know they’d be gone for a while.
But I can’t deny the dreadful thought that she would have simply texted me for that.
Would she, though? We’ve been joined at the hip. Had we bothered to exchange phone numbers?
The realization hits me like a brick. We had not. I left Hailey for hours while I got my head straight and then while I made arrangements to circumvent the king. I’ve made a mess of everything.
I swallow hard as I pick up the slip of paper, unfold it, and read the words.
“Dear Torben,
I don’t want to cause trouble for you with your family, especially not your parents.
I am way out of my depth here. I’m not cut out for this monarchy stuff. But I craved an adventure, and you certainly gave me one. I’ll never forget you.
I do love you, so much. But I don’t want to come between you and your family. Families can be complicated; yours needs time to heal without me in the mix.
