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Theodore smiled. “Then we’ll never mention him.” He stroked her back, proud that she’d faced him without fear. “I hope you know, I’ll never allow him close enough to hurt you again. Of course, he’ll spend the rest of his life rotting in that prison with all the testimony against him.”
“Good. That’s where he belongs.” She turned to where she was looking out over the city again. “I think I want to check in on the gallery tomorrow. I know my people are running it well, but I feel like I can finally go back without the fear strangling me.”
“Then we’ll go. But not until we’ve cut the ribbons for the new wing on the children’s hospital at noon.”
She smiled. “I don’t think I had any idea just how much of your life was filled with public appearances.”
Theodore laughed. “It’s my duty to support my father and brother. How do you feel about the appearance tomorrow? Do you feel comfortable?”
Nicole shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel comfortable with public appearances, but I feel like I can go and smile and shake hands with the best of them.”
He chuckled. “That’s all I ask.”
WHEN THEY LEFT THE hospital the following day, Theodore told their driver to meet them at the gallery. Their guard followed behind them, but if they didn’t think about him, they were like any newlywed couple in the city.
Market stalls boasted wares from far and wide. Cobblestone pathways gleamed underfoot, leading to plazas where artists displayed their work.
“Look there, do you see? The mural on the eastern wall—it tells our story, doesn’t it?”
She laughed. “It looks more like a fairy tale to me. I do know the difference between reality and a fairy tale,” she said grinning at him.
“You seem more at ease today.”
“I cannot begin to express how much better I feel after yesterday. I do believe I’m ready to fulfill my obligations to our country now.”
Theodore smiled, pulling her to him with a one-armed hug. “I’m proud of you for even thinking you can. Truly, it feels almost miraculous at the moment.”
“I can’t promise I’ll never be afraid again,” she said softly, “but I will always do my best.”
“That’s all anyone can ask,” he said.
At the gallery, everything seemed to be working perfectly. She walked through the exhibit, something she’d started working on but hadn’t been able to finish.
It wasn’t all exactly the way she would have put it herself, but it worked together to form a beautiful story of the artist’s life. She praised the employee who was out front, and she and Theodore left the gallery. “They are doing beautifully,” she said. “There’s no need for me to be there, meddling in it.”
They got into the back of the sedan waiting for them, and Theodore instructed the driver to take them back to the palace.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“A little. More than anything, I want to put paint brush to canvas. I have something in my head that just needs to come out.”
“Then we’ll order lunch in our studio, and we’ll paint.”
“Does it ever bother you that you have to share your studio with me?”
He chuckled. “I share my bed with you. I share my life with you. What does it matter to me to share a studio with you as well?”
She grinned, resting her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Theodore.” It was the first time she’d said the words to him, and though she knew he understood how she felt, it was good to finally say them.
He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too. So much. I knew the moment I saw your face emerge on canvas that I would love the woman behind the painting.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you found me and not my evil twin then.”
“Evil twin?” he asked, smiling.
“Well, she existed in my mind for quite a while...”
“Keep her there. I like the nonevil you.”
