The following morning, Freya took her breakfast in her suite. After the previous night’s delicious French-inspired dinner and a bit too much wine, she’d called it an early night. The mood had changed before the main course; it was her doing. She’d managed to push all negative thoughts away, but the wine… yes, she was blaming it on the wine. The wine just did her in.

She and Magnus had quietly walked hand in hand back to the elevator. He intended to escort her to her room, but she refused. Of course, she felt terrible for doing so, but the wine! Darn it, she kept telling herself.

Dorinda set the tray on Freya’s bed, per her instructions. She had her laptop out and was determined to look over her departmental budget one last time and jot down talking points for the meeting that was happening the next day. She’d also sent a word with Dorinda to Magnus that she would be unavailable for the better part of the morning. She’d rendezvous with him at lunch.

Freya sat there, nibbling on fresh fruit, replying to emails, and carefully looking over her numbers.

She tried hard not to think about Magnus, but she couldn’t get him out of her mind. Not for a moment.

Reaching for her phone to power it on, she remembered her brother Tristan was supposed to be back in Europe shortly before the holidays.

A quick look through of her text messages reminded her she’d have to eventually delete them or deal with them, and she called him.

“Hey, stranger! Everything all right?”

Tristan had always been the glass half full type of person. He was the opportunist, never one to allow anything to slip by without trying. He was well traveled and had rubbed shoulders with a few important people, and yet his work was somewhat confidential, so he’d rarely discuss the details.

“Yes, of course. I just remembered you might be in Europe now. So, I figured I’d call you from the same hemisphere.” She attempted to joke, but even she had to admit it wasn’t so funny.

“You are right. And, congrats, I guess? Is that what you say? Anyway, I hear you and His Royal Highness Prince Magnus are officially an item?”

“Tristan, using his entire title now? Nice.” She paused. “Yes. We are officially dating.”

“That’s great for you. So, what’s wrong?”

“What makes you think something is the matter?”

“Freya, I’ve known you your entire life. Something is wrong. I can hear it in your voice, and the fact that you are calling me?”

He was right. Tristan knew her too well. The problem was she didn’t know what exactly was bothering her.

“Honestly? I don’t know what the heck is wrong with me. Everything was fine and last night while sitting down for an amazing dinner on an even more amazing yacht, I started doubting myself. Like, what am I doing here? Why me? What is the world thinking of me?” Her voice cracked, and the tears quickly built at the edges of her eyes.

“I just don’t know Tristan. He’s great, his family is great, even with the tad bit of issues. And yet here I am.”

Freya could hear Tristan take in a deep breath. “Freya, listen to me. All that matters are how the two of you are getting along. I can only imagine how difficult it must be in the spotlight, but from what I’m seeing and hearing, the consensus of you is extremely favorable. I suppose it might be natural to have the feelings you're having. It’s a lot of pressure. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

She simpered. “How is it that you always make me feel better?”

“Oh, you know? Because I’m charming.” He laughed. “Look, I’m here for at least another week and a half. Why don’t you either fly over to see me, or I can fly out there to see you? No need to alert the press, I’ll stay at a hotel.”

“Really, Tristan? You’d do that for me?” Freya exclaimed.

“Absolutely. You’re my little sister. I love you, and I told you, I have your back.”

She grimaced, knowing it was true. “How’s dad?”

“Much better from what I hear. Mom hasn’t really let me speak to him. She’s still crabby with me. I don’t mind. She was wrong, and she knows it. Now admitting to it?”

“Yeah, that’ll never happen,” Freya blurted. “Whoops, sorry. I really don’t mean to drag you into this.”

“Stop it.” He paused. “Look, I know it sucks. But that’s on them. Anyway, I got to go. Let me know when you want to connect. I can move things around if need be, but weekends are best.”

“Sounds good. And Tristan. Thank you. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Nice shower and fresh clothes were all that was needed to give Freya a new perspective.

She sauntered out of the suite and down the elevator. Upon exiting, she caught the sounds of a piano, only to find Magnus playing a grand piano in the sitting room.

She sat down to listen.

The piano had always been one of those things she never had time to learn with the demands of dance. But she told herself that she’d learn someday.

When Magnus finished, he rested his head on praying hands. It was a sight Freya wasn’t expecting to witness.

It wasn’t that he looked upset in the mad sense, but he did seem troubled.

Unsure of how to proceed, she sat there as the minutes passed by, waiting for Magnus to notice her.

He finally did, a bit startled to find her sitting there.

Magnus immediately rushed to her side. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me, but all is well now.” She reached out to caress his cheek.

“Are you sure?”

“I am. I also spoke to my brother Tristan, so that helped.” She put her hand back in her lap. “I suppose I was just a bit overwhelmed. Then I started feeling alone for no reason. Thankfully, Tristan is on this side of the Atlantic, and I’ll probably take a day or two in the next week and a half to see him.”

“Why don’t you invite him to the palace?”

“Magnus, I don’t know about that. It just seems too soon.”

“Freya, please. I’d love to finally meet someone from your family. We have the ball this coming weekend. I think it is the perfect excuse to have him over without causing too much press. What do you say?” He sat next to her.

Freya recalled Tristan said the weekend was better. He also was willing to travel to the island. And Magnus was right; it would make it less of a thing if he joined them for the ball.

“I’ll ask him. See what he says.”

“Good. So, how about we enjoy some fun in the water? Two pools and a hot tub on this floating vessel. You up for it?”

“What an excellent idea. I’ll go change, even though I just changed.” She laughed. “And Magnus?” He looked deep into her eyes. “Thank you.”

Leaning in, he kissed her. “Thank you, Miss Sinclair,” he whispered smoothly.

Keep breathing, Freya, keep breathing, she reminded herself. She was in love.

Prince Magnus of Martierra is rumored to have met with a European dignitary. An anonymous source confirms the meeting was to discuss the upcoming European summit, and the Prince’s attempts to sway the dignitary were fruitless. In fact, the source conveys the dignitary’s disappointment in the King having sent his unproven son in his place, a rookie trying to help solve a serious issue. And with all the Royal Family’s personal problems, many of the important members of the European Union wonder just how ready this young, unproven Prince really is? The King is yet young by many standards; surely there is plenty of time to train his protégé.

“And here the King had said the news seemed to be positive,” Magnus expressed to Bernard, while finally giving in and looking online.

“The few outlets reporting on this seem to be positive, but there are two, this being one, that is taking a different approach. I don’t see any reason to react. This truly is nonconsequential if you ask me. Gossip at best. Hardly news.”

“Bernard, you are a good man, an even better secretary. However, you sometimes underestimate a politician or dignitary who is on the hunt toward more than just news. I feel this is going to be a thorn in my rear. Just do me a favor and get our people on it. Follow all the traces. Figure out who is behind this. And let me know.”

“I believe His Majesty has the same idea, as he has the palace’s web crawlers already investigating the likely sources. I’ll ensure I’m included in the communicados from the team.”

“Great! Also, please make accommodations for Freya’s brother, Tristan. He’ll be joining us for the ball. Reach out to him so he can be outfitted. And make sure he is on the Royal guest list. I’ve already notified His and Her Majesties. The Queen is having his stay coordinated. Anything that may come up regarding transportation and accommodations, please run through her office.”

“Will that be all, Your Royal Highness?”

“For now, yes. Thank you, Bernard.”

Magnus was glad Freya’s brother, Tristan, had agreed to join them for the ball. Considering how nervous Freya was, this was probably the best possible scenario to help her feel more at ease. Even Their Majesties agreed.

She was on a video conference that was taking a lot longer than he’d expected.

Maybe I should have lunch brought to her? he wondered. Yes, I think I will.

He made his way through the main deck, down the elevator, and to the kitchen. Once he put the request for the chef, he sought out for Dorinda so she could take the meal to Freya. He’d promised Freya he wouldn’t disturb her, so back to the main deck he went. Being on the same floor with her was too tempting; he’d already attempted that a bit earlier.

Magnus was sitting back, reading, something he rarely had the pleasure of doing when Freya finally surfaced.

“Hello there! I wanted to go in and save you, but…” he stopped. Something was wrong. Freya didn’t look too pleased. “Let’s go for a walk around the yacht so you can get some fresh air and clear your mind.”

She smiled, not saying a word, following in his lead.

He reached out and took her hand in his, trying to be warm and comforting.

After a few minutes had passed, he decided to discuss the book he was reading. “I grabbed a copy of that book you were recently reading, Origin. I’m actually enjoying it.” He smiled.

Freya looked at him. “Really? So, what do you think?”

“Like I said, I’m enjoying it. The conspiracy side of it is a little farfetched, but it is a work of fiction after all.”

“You think it's farfetched? Hmm,” she said.

“Of course, it is. It’s like if Elon Musk would’ve been murdered on a grand stage. That just doesn’t happen anymore. I don’t believe we as humans are as barbaric anymore.”

“Well, that’s your opinion. I disagree. I believe rich and powerful people would be capable of doing just that if they were certain not to be found out. Sure, we’ve evolved,” she made quotation marks, “but power and greed are true monsters, and people still are killing over these things, sometimes for the smallest amounts.”

He didn’t immediately reply. She had a slight point, but it was difficult to engage the actual argument without being hypocritical; even he recognized this. After all, wasn’t he a Crown Prince?

Treading on dangerous waters, he told himself.

“How was your meeting?” he said, abruptly changing the topic.

She stopped and looked at him. There was frustration written all over her face, but he wasn’t sure what it was targeted at exactly.

“I’m sorry. How about we just keep walking and enjoy the fresh air?” He suggested.

“Actually, I need to go make a phone call. Thank you for having lunch brought up to me. That was very thoughtful. I’ll see you later, okay?” She released his hand, not even bothering to wait for a reply.

Magnus didn’t bother to pursue her. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but he knew there was something else going on and decided to give her space.

The old Magnus didn’t have the patience to be in a relationship, which was why he barely ever dated. This new Magnus with Freya? Well, he was a completely different person.

Freya wasn’t bothered by the difference in opinions she had with Magnus. But it was what her anger latched onto like a bloodthirsty leech.

While she was on her video conference, she’d received word that her sister had delivered her baby. Freya didn’t even realize she was that far along. For heaven’s sake, she’d only found out she was pregnant not so long ago. The worst part was that no one in her family had bothered telling her.

When she was on the conference, she decided to clean up her text messages and voicemails. Thank goodness for visual voicemail, she thought.

Well, in those messages were several from old friends who were desperately trying to rekindle friendships now that they believed her to be something more important than her former self. They’d congratulated her for being an auntie for the first time.

Perhaps she should’ve been happy, but it was the opposite. Her family had cast her out.

She’d messaged Tristan who apparently knew, but for whatever reason hadn’t felt inclined to share with her.

Maddening! The lot of them are bloody maddening, she thought as she threw herself onto the bed.

She then did something completely unexpected from her. She reached for her phone and sent a text to Justine.

Order the best baby basket money can buy and send it to my sister’s address. You’ll find it in my Rolodex on my desk. Have the card signed, Welcome to the world, my little niece. I already love you so much. Auntie Freya.

It was true, as upset as she was, she was also extremely excited to be an aunt.