I think of my kingdom.
My broken, imperfect, messy, beautiful, divided, united kingdom.
There is work to be done.
There are strides to be made.
There is change to inspire.
I know it will be hard — that every step of the way will be more difficult than the last. But I will not be walking alone. I have many hands to help me shape this sordid empire into something magnificent.
A pompous man in pinstripes.
A redheaded recovering addict.
A prim and proper style guru.
A level-headed commander.
A badass personal bodyguard.
A brave-as-hell new cousin.
And, perhaps most importantly of all…
A man who makes my worst days brighter. Who inspires me to do better. Tobebetter. Who pushes my boundaries and pulls greatness from within me, his strong hands holding me steady as I pick out a new path forward.
For myself.
For the monarchy.
For this every citizen of this nation.
I am not an orphan any longer.
I have a family, now — one of my own making.
It is for them that I live.
For them that I rule.
Non sibi sed patriae.
Not for self, but country.
Epilogue
* * *
FIVE YEARS LATER
* * *
“Princess Nina!Please, don’t put that in your mouth… Your parents will have me executed.”
An exasperated grunt drifts up from the general direction of the garden below our open window. The new royal nanny is having a hell of a time, from the sound of it.
“Your daughter is causing problems again,” I murmur.