“Perfect.” A victorious grin tugs at my lips. I can’t believe I actually got them to agree. “Now, just one more thing…”
“More?” Octavia’s lip curls. “This is absurd.”
“Do you need my help or not?” My tone is sweeter than pie. “Because I have no problem marching up to the podium and advocating for abolition at the next possible press opportunity.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me as if I’m a wad of gum stuck to the bottom of her favorite pair of Prada heels. “And what is it you want?”
“Owen.”
One red brow arches in question. “Mr. Harding?”
“Yes.” I try not to sound too eager as my heart thunders within my chest. “You will set aside your vendetta against him. Lift his ban on this palace and all other royal properties. And stop attempting to implicate him with baseless charges in unsubstantiated plots against the crown.”
A muscle twitches in her eye. “Fine.”
“Unfortunately, I’m going to need more than your word, Octavia. I’d like an official pardon, signed by Your Royal Majesty the Queen, absolving him of all wrongdoing. Just in case you decide to go back on this agreement. Think of it as… insurance. Aget-out-of-the-castle-dungeons-freecard.”
Her face is full of barely-leashed rage.
“Well?” I prompt after a minute of silence.
“You’ll get your precious commoner boyfriend and your signed letter.” She practically spits out the words. Her eyes are sharp as blades as they scan my face. “Contingent upon the understanding that you cannot continue your romantic relationship with him.”
There’s a sudden pit in my stomach. “That won’t be a problem, seeing as I don’thavea romantic relationship with him. He’s a friend. Nothing more.”
Her eyes glitter. “Are you sure he’d say the same about you?”
“That’s none of your business, Octavia.”
Her smile is vile. “Actually, Emilia, who you date is very much my business.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, did we not mention? Your new royal duties include courtship.”
“Courtship?” I scoff. “What is this, a Jane Austen novel?”
“This, as you continually fail to recognize, is a monarchy. One of the oldest in recorded history. How on earth we ended up here, withyouas the heir to it all…”
I roll my eyes. “Do you have a point?”
“You will agree to be courted by the eligible bachelors of Germania’s aristocracy.” Her chin jerks haughtily. “Suitors specifically selected for their family connections, influence, and titles.”
AKA: their money.
“How romantic,” I drawl.
“Oh, but itis, Your Highness! There’s nothing the people adore more than a good love story to root for.” Lady Morrell smiles through ultra-thin lips. It’s a rather disturbing sight, to be entirely honest — I’m so accustomed to seeing her scowl at me.
“The press will love this,” Simms jumps in excitedly. “As will the treasury. There’s nothing more lucrative than a royal wedding…”
Wedding?!
“Uhh… I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourselves.”
“No such thing as being too prepared.” Simms’ double chin wobbles as he nods his head fervently. “An engagement would certainly generate a lot of positive buzz. Not to mention the tourism boost to our economy. That would garner considerable favor with Parliament. When we considered the potential earnings for Prince Henry and Ava Sterling’s wedding last year, we projected nearly $3 billion in revenue generated directly from the nuptials.”
“That type of publicity simply cannot be bought!” Lady Morrell looks surprisingly animated for such a dour woman. “It will be an affair for the ages.”