But if I have learned anything these past few months, it’s that life as a royal rarely resembles a storybook fantasy. True kings and queens do not have the luxury of penning their own endings. For they do not prioritize their own happiness over that of their people.
I have a choice.
Yet, there is no choice at all.
It is the grandest of ironies — finally finding the loophole I spent weeks looking for, praying for, when I was backed into this world against my will… and no longer having any use for it. Locating an escape hatch just when you have grown to love your prison.
Human nature is a fickle thing. You do not value that which you possess until it is about to be yanked from your grasp. You take for granted the supposed certainties of your existence. The things you consider untouchable.
Until I learned I might lose this crown atop my head, I did not fear its absence. I did not understand that I have been changed irrevocably by its glittering weight. That, without it, I will no longer recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror.
For I cannot go back to the girl I was before, nor do I wish to. What I once saw as a burden, I now recognize is an invaluable gift.
A destiny.
Mydestiny.
I am Her Royal Majesty Emilia Victoria Lancaster, daughter of King Linus, granddaughter of King Leonard, great-granddaughter of King Lewis.
I am the Queen of Germania.
I am a Lancaster lion.
And I pity any enemy foolish enough not to fear my mighty roar.
* * *
“You know,you’re a real pain in the ass.”
I jolt at the sound of Chloe’s voice, looking away from the television screen where an endless loop of poll numbers and political commentary stream by in a soundless flood. She’s leaning in the doorjamb, twirling a silver key and eyeing me with exasperation.
“How did you get in here?”
“Housekeepers finally tracked down the spare key. Only took three full hours.”
I roll my eyes. “Did the locked door and radio silence not clue you in to my desire for solitude?”
“Screw that. You shouldn’t be alone right now. Certainly not locked away in here, staring at the TV so intently. You’re going to fry your retinas if you keep it up.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll risk it.”
“I’m serious.” She steps into the room, grabs the remote from the coffee table, and clicks off the television.
“Hey! I was watching that.”
“Enough already. The referendum will pass. Or it won’t. You’ll either marry Alden. Or you won’t. The dreaded Ludwig will either take your crown. Or he won’t.” She shrugs. “There’s nothing you can do about any of that for the time being.”
“So I’m just expected to sit here and wait? To ignore the fact that every single television channel is broadcasting the facets of my life to the public at this exact moment? That your mother has staged a political coup to take my crown by force? That my friend is, as we speak, picking out diamond rings to perpetuate this charade of an engagement?”
“I doubt he’s picking out a ring.” She pauses. “Surely you’ll wear something from the royal vault. There’s that stunning sapphire Queen Helena wore… a gift from your great, great grandfather, King Lewis, I believe… That thing is so big, it makes the Hope Diamond look like a hunk of worthless rock.”
“Chloe. Please focus.”
“Sorry.”
“I don’t care about the damn ring, okay? I’m more concerned with the fact that Alden seems intent on proposing to me at the next possible opportunity. He was at the door earlier, whispering aboutour next steps. He’s called me three times. Texted on repeat. What am I supposed to do?”
“You could avoid him forever.”