"Miss Sinclair carried herself well today." The Queen sat comfortably within the safety of the private living quarters. The King and Queen often sat on the settee as they enjoyed each other’s company, sometimes even drifting to sleep there.

"She did. You know, there is something about her that reminds me a lot of you when you were her age." The King gently massaged his wife’s arm.

"Is that so? What might that be?"

"There is a quiet fierceness and a will not to give up. She learns quickly. Very observant."

The Queen sighed, leaning her head on the King’s broad shoulder, thinking about the day she'd spent with Freya. She was truly a gem, and there was no doubting how infatuated Magnus was with her.

She smiled to herself. The Queen could hardly blame her son. There was indeed something captivating about Miss Sinclair.

Clearing his throat, the King continued talking, "We'll have to release a joint statement, my love."

Worriedly lifting her head from his shoulder, she asked, "What now?"

"Our son. He's made it official with Miss Sinclair."

"Dating?"

"Yes, of course, dating." He laughed.

"I can't say I didn't see that coming. When did he tell you?"

"Yesterday, before we went to bed. He shared his feelings with me. He didn't want to ask her until he knew for certain that he'd have my blessing. Of course, I have nothing against the young lady. The timing isn't his fault. We don't dictate in matters of the heart. Do we?"

She lovingly smiled at her husband. "Indeed. Just glad the times of old and arranged marriages are all things of the past in our families. I cannot imagine having to marry someone I didn't love simply to strengthen alliances."

The King and Queen held each other in a gaze, knowing very well the matter of the Princess was more pressing than either would lead on. If Cossette really were with child, they'd have to make amends. The last thing the Queen wanted was a broken Royal Family; as much as she disliked Santiago, she'd have to figure out a way to coexist with him.

Magnus and Bernard went over each detail of the press release. By now Bernard was in the know and couldn’t help but be happy for the Prince.

"I pray she is the one, Your Royal Highness. You deserve all the love and happiness. And perhaps, it will allow you to bring your guard down, just a tad so others can see what most of us within these walls already do."

Magnus nodded and said, "Time will tell."

"Your Highness. What of the matter of the Princess? Any word about her pregnancy?"

"Not that I'm aware of. If she's not pregnant, maybe she's hard at work getting pregnant?"

"Prince Magnus!"

Magnus burst into laughter. "Bernard, she's married. Come on! That's what couples do. Right?"

Bernard sat back in his chair and offered a polite smile, clearly avoiding any further engagement on the topic which Magnus took as a ‘mind your own business’ cue.

"On a different note. I must travel back to Spain before the ball. I plan on bringing Freya with me."

"Very well, I'll make the arrangements. Are you planning on staying as guests with the Royal Family in Spain?"

"No. It's not that kind of trip. It's more of an unofficial trip. The fewer amount of people who know about it, the better. I'll be meeting with a dignitary, off the record, to hear his case regarding the upcoming vote. He’ll already be in Spain for official business, so it made sense to meet there as to not alert the press."

"Understood."

"That's not all. I'd like to take Freya for a couple of days around the Mediterranean on the yacht."

"Prince Magnus. Is there time for all of this and just before the ball?"

"There is. I've discussed it with His Majesty, and he approves."

"Then I'll coordinate. Which days?"

“I'll meet with the dignitary on Monday, so we'll arrive early Monday. I don't intend for us to stay overnight, we just need the rooms, so we have a place to hang out. We'll head for the yacht as soon as I finish the meeting. Also, coordinate with Estella any particulars for Freya."

"Of course, Your Highness.” Bernard looked over the document. “All right, I think this release is ready."

"Please read it back to me," the Prince requested.

Bernard adjusted his seat and said, "His Royal Highness Prince Magnus is pleased to announce that Miss Freya Marie Sinclair and he are officially dating. Although an official announcement from the Palace is not typically necessary, the Prince wants to maintain the same precedence of transparency that his father, His Majesty King Ferdinand, has always afforded the people of Martierra. The Prince and Miss Sinclair appreciate your respect for their privacy as together they venture into this new phase as a couple."

"Great! Make sure Their Majesties’ secretaries read and make any necessary adjustments. They'll be adding on to the release. Also, I'd like to leave it until the afternoon. I plan on taking Freya around the city for a bit, and it would be best if we are not bombarded with questions until the public has the opportunity to see her out among our people."

Bernard agreed and excused himself, leaving Magnus alone with this thought.

Timing is everything.

The days building up to the trip dragged. His Majesty had kept Magnus busy, and the little time he'd spent with Freya seemed to always be in the company of others. He found time to text her in between meetings, but she never replied until night. He only learned later she hadn't been carrying her phone.

Freya fitted right in. His mother, the Queen, had been so welcoming of Freya and determined to see how she fared with her various social engagements.

Sophia, Bernard's wife, had done an excellent job of helping Freya with proper etiquette, but even she admitted how quickly most of it came to Freya.

One evening, during a private dinner with just the King, Queen, Freya, and him, Freya had admitted how overwhelmed she was. But she was such a sport, laughing it all off. Mostly worried about not making a fool of herself, but she was doggone determined to not shame the family.

Everything had seemed to be falling into place until the night before they were supposed to leave for Spain. Cossette, Magnus' sister, had shown up to the Palace shortly before dinner.

There'd been something deeply disturbing about her appearance, Magnus thought, as he quickly escorted her up to the family's private living space, Freya in tow.

Magnus observed how his sister beamed when she saw the four Christmas trees their mother always put up in the living room. It was a tradition, a tree representing each member of their family. Each year they'd add a new ornament to the ones they'd received as gifts in previous years. The trees, unlike everything else in the Palace, were more eclectic.

Once Magnus secured the door behind him, he motioned for Cossette to have a seat. She looked lost, a stranger in her former home.

"So, to what do we owe this visit?" Magnus was unsure of how to address her. Cossette was on the brink of tears.

"I'm so sorry." The tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. "Please, brother, forgive me. I've been so foolish. Jealous. Unable to accept I truly had a great life, and everything that has happened was all due to my lack of maturity."

Magnus wanted desperately to reach out to his sister, but he found himself hesitating. It was Freya who immediately rushed to her side to console her.

"You know, you are more beautiful in person?" Cossette smiled as Freya hugged her.

"Thank you," Freya said with a blush.

"Cossette. I appreciate your apology and acknowledging what you did. It was damaging.”

"I know," Cossette wailed.

The cry was so loud, Magnus immediately jumped to his sister's side. As much grief as she'd caused, he didn't want to see her in pain. Something else was going on, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Why are you really here? It's not that I don't believe your apology. But I know you well enough. Something else is bothering you."

Cossette flung herself into her brother's arms on the verge of hyperventilating which Magnus had no clue how to handle. Thankfully, Freya helped her. She steadied Cossette and got her to focus on her breathing. After she was calm enough, Cossette spoke up.

"He lied to me." She sniffled into a tissue paper and continued, "He lied. We are not really married."

Magnus stood to his feet, pacing, wondering how exactly his sister had been fooled. He wanted to wring Santiago’s neck. He seethed with anger.

"Cossette. I need you to be honest with me here. Are you pregnant?"

It had to be asked.

She nodded, confirming what he suspected. His sister was indeed with child. And had been lied to about being married. What a scandal it would be!

"I'll be right back." Freya quickly disappeared.

"Are you sure you two didn't just get into an argument, and he said that just to make you upset?"

"I'm sure. I actually put Leticia on it, and she uncovered the truth."

Magnus had almost forgotten about his sister's secretary, Leticia. He wasn't too fond of her as she often would get too comfortable with the family. She'd been talked to a few times, but Cossette never cared.

"Look -" Cossette was interrupted by the arrival of the King and Queen, with Freya a few steps behind.

Magnus wasn't sure how he felt about Freya alerting them, but it wasn't the time to address it.

"Cossette. Why are you here? I thought I'd made myself clear. You are to announce your visits as all of our guests do." The Queen was stern in her words.

"Mom. I don't think there's been much time for Cossette to consider that. You need to hear what has happened. Dad. Please, both of you, have a seat."

The King and Queen each took a seat in armchairs, across from the settee Magnus and Cossette were sitting on, while Freya sat off uncomfortably to the side, alone, as if to make herself invisible.

"Cossette, tell them what you've told me," Magnus requested, looking at his sister reassuringly.

"I'm so sorry for everything." She croaked, "I know I've created a mess. And I intend on fixing this. All I ask is for your forgiveness, please. Mom. Dad." Her trembling lips quivered as she fought to hold her tears.

"Santiago lied to me. The night we left the Palace, we stayed at one of his parent's homes. I'd gone to sleep but got up to get something to drink. When I went downstairs, I stumbled upon him talking to someone. I still have no clue who the person was, but he admitted our marriage was a fraud.

"I didn't want to say anything until I was absolutely sure of what I’d heard. So, I immediately went back upstairs and called Leticia. It took her almost two full days, but she discovered it was true. The person who'd married us couldn't do so legally. I was in shock. Especially because, well, I'm pregnant."

Cossette once again sobbed, as her parents sat in complete shock.

Magnus did his best to try to coax her, but she wasn't stopping. He was getting no help from his parents. Finally, he looked at Freya who'd probably felt the cold shoulder from him since he hadn’t done so well in concealing his reaction to her bringing his parents.

Freya didn't react; she sat perfectly still, not afraid to look him in the eyes. It was clear she wasn't going to assist him. He didn't blame her. He probably should have been thankful for what she’d done. Instead, he'd reacted rather poorly. Even though no one else probably caught on to it. He still hadn’t acted appropriately.

He had to give her credit, she wasn’t one to roll over and do as he pleased. That was an excellent quality, and he certainly didn't want her to lose it.

"Cossette, so it is true then, you are with child? And unwed?" The King asked for clarification, at least, that was what Magnus was hoping. He could see in his sister that she needed their support, not their condemnation.

"Yes, Father. Both are true."

"Does the de la Cruz family know?" The Queen asked.

"Of course, Mother. The entire world knows." Cossette continued crying.

"I suppose they do," the Queen responded.

The King looked over at Freya and motioned her closer. "Freya, please. You are just as much as part of this family right now as the rest of us. Don't sit over there by yourself."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I don't want to impose more than I already am. This is a private family matter. I think it best if I retire to my room already." Freya stood and went to Cossette. "I'm really sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. I'm even sorrier this is all happening. I can't imagine. Just keep something in mind, please." She reached out to hold Cossette's hand. "What he did is disgraceful and a reflection on him, not you. Being an unwed, pregnant woman is not uncommon today. Sure, it may not be an ideal situation. But Your Royal Highness, you are a strong, educated woman with a lot to offer a child."

Freya looked to the King and Queen and back to Cossette. "You have a wonderful family who just needs a little time to process this all. And I have a feeling they will welcome that little blessing you are carrying within you into this world with so much love and support. Your child will want for nothing, and you will recover from the emotional turmoil you are currently experiencing as a stronger person. A better version of yourself." She smiled and stood. "Good night, Your Majesties," she curtsied, "and good night, Your Royal Highnesses."

She turned to leave, and Magnus made a motion to stop her, but Freya shook her head, looking back at Cossette, indicating where he needed to be. Magnus felt like he'd been gut punched. Alas, he had to let her go; his family needed him at that moment.

He sighed. He'd have to fix it with Freya. But now he had to work with his parents to figure out what they were going to do to help Cossette.

"I like her," Cossette said. "I really like her."