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What exactly were the queen and Sebastian doing?
My eyes widened, and I turned to Oliver.
He just shrugged and tried to get a better look over the bushes.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake—quit biting me and just go pee,” the queen added, her voice carrying a light-hearted tone. “Not you, Sebastian.”
A shared laugh rippled through the air between them, and I couldn’t help but find their interaction heartwarming. The light-hearted tone and jovial laughter from the queen was a shock to my system.
Oliver suppressed a laugh, covering his mouth with his hand.
I also fought back laughter, peeking in their direction as they basked in the moonlight. Queen Annabelle was walking Freddie, confirming Dante’s insight that she loved the dog.
“I don’t remember the last time I heard her laugh like that,” Oliver whispered, his surprise evident. “It’s all thanks to you.”
As we listened to their conversation, it became clear that our secret rendezvous might have unintended consequences. Oliver pulled me closer, neither of us moving. My nose was itching and I prayed I would not sneeze. They were now directly on the other side of the tall hedges.
“I really didn’t expect this,” Sebastian said. “My only intention was to inspect the altar, and to hopefully say hello to you. But now, here I am, having spent most of the day and evening with the Queen of Verdana. I can’t tell you how wonderful it has been to see you.”
“Do you really see me as the queen after all we’ve been through?” she asked.
Sebastian’s reply was sincere. “It’s a surreal feeling that is very hard to describe, knowing you are the queen. When I saw you on television, I always wondered what my life would have been like if we had married.”
“I’ve thought the same thing, but you know I grew to love King Henrik with all my heart,” Queen Annabelle admitted.
“Of course—just as I loved my wife dearly,” Sebastian replied. “I do find something quite odd, though. Or maybe fascinating would be the right word.”
“What is that?” the queen asked.
“If the rumors about Grace and Prince Oliver are true, but he’s going to marry Princess Veronica, it’s almost as if history would repeat itself all over again,” Sebastian said.
“Yes—I suppose you’re right,” admitted Queen Annabelle.
Sebastian’s revelation lingered in the air, casting a shadow over us that was far greater than that of the moon. Was it wishful thinking that the queen would actually approve our future plan for Verdana? Was I merely caught up in a romantic reverie, or was there really a fairy tale waiting to unfold for me?
Sensing the uncertainty surrounding us, Oliver gently lifted my chin with his finger, locking eyes with me after Queen Annabelle and Sebastian had drifted away from us.
“Remember what I told you before,” Oliver reassured me. “I believe in you. I believe in us. This is going to work.”
I certainly hoped he was right.
Because I was falling for him.
The promise of our love story felt both enchanting and elusive, leaving me to wonder if my heart’s desires were on the road to fulfillment or destined to remain a wistful dream.
Chapter Nineteen
PRINCE OLIVER
An air of both anticipation and tension enveloped the conference room, each passing moment intensifying the weight of the impending emergency meeting with Mother. In my heart, I had faith in the plan devised by Grace and Veronica. It was a sentiment that transcended personal gain. Their strategy promised not only to benefit me but also to usher in positive change and security for the people of Verdana.
“Mother will join us any minute now,” I said, glancing at Veronica, Adriana, Theo, and Grace who were seated in front of me at the long conference table. Dante stood nearby, against the wall, ready to take any notes. There was an empty chair at the head of the table for Mother.
“This meeting is pivotal, as you all know,” I added. “Grace and Veronica pored over the details of their brilliant plan for over ten hours yesterday, laying the foundation for a coalition that is absolutely genius.”
“Nevertheless, dealing with Mother always introduces an element of unpredictability,” Adriana said.
“That is an understatement,” I said with a chuckle. “That is why we must do everything in our power to ensure Mother recognizes the merit in this proposal. The sole objective is to convince her to call off the wedding. We cannot afford to let her leave this room without doing so.”
