James and Theo had the house to themselves as they showered and dressed. He felt as comfortable as he had at the castle wandering around naked in front of his lover. But this was even more special in Theo’s own bedroom. James discovered he had occupied this room since he had moved in with his grandmother at the age of thirteen. It was like a gift, getting an insight into his past.

Theo made him beans on toast with bacon before they set out. He kept glancing over at James with an adorable little smile. As if he couldn’t quite believe this was happening. James had to say he knew the feeling.

As it transpired, once Manjeet knew James was also driving to Dagenham, he had made arrangements to stay at a local chain hotel, or so Theo told James. It amused him that Theo was already comfortably texting with James’s team. It had made Theo laugh out loud when he’d heard that Peggy had slipped James through castle security and floored her tiny Mini Cooper to get James here.

“How very Italian Job of you,” he said, shaking his head at James. “I bet you anything, Peggy’s got some recipes from Sal’s mum. That woman can really cook.”

Peggy had driven back home last night after spending a couple of hours with Asali’s family. Once James and Theo had eaten breakfast and left the house, Dave and his security team met up with Manjeet so they could escort James and Theo back to Kensington. Quintin would have ensured James’s belongings had been packed up from Bodiam by now. They would probably arrive back at the palace before he and Theo did.

James got the impression Dave was extremely angry with him for sneaking off without him. James was suitably sheepish, but in all honesty, nothing bad had happened, and it was worth it to have Theo back by his side. He would apologise properly later.

Once he had faced his mother.

As they got closer to London, the more nervous James became. He desperately didn’t want to anger or upset anyone. He just wanted to be allowed to love the partner of his choosing. The reality was this was the same situation for LGBT people across the globe, though. His noble birth hadn’t saved him from it.

Theo kept hold of his hand for the entire ride. Manjeet kept talking to them through the intercom, checking they were all right and giving them progress reports on the traffic. He didn’t bother to keep the delight out of his voice whenever he spoke, clearly happy that James and Theo were back together as an actual couple. It cheered James that at least they had a few loyal supporters around them.

They had almost been driving for two hours when James’s phone rang as they were passing through Chiswick. They were perhaps fifteen minutes away from the palace, which was probably why Livy was calling.

“Hello, darling,” she said cheerily once he answered. “Are you nearly home?”

Kensington Palace was a collection of residences as well as state rooms and gardens that were open to the public. James and his siblings all had their own properties within the compound as well as a couple of cousins, aunts and uncles, and staff apartments. James had spent most of his life there, although it never really felt like ‘home’. Especially after a week at Bodiam.

“We’ll be with you shortly,” James confirmed. He and Livy had spoken while Theo had been in the shower to confirm their plans. Livy had been good enough to liaise between James and their mother. James still couldn’t gauge her reaction to all of this, but at least Livy sounded positive.

“Mummy would like you to meet us at Alex’s,” his sister told him. “In the drawing room.”

James tried not to groan. “Alex is involved, too?” he asked.

He and his older brother had always got along well enough, but they were like chalk and cheese. Alexander excelled at academia and physically took after his mother with his willowy frame and copper hair. But they were good friends, even if they did have little in common. James just wasn’t sure he wanted poor Theo to have to face James’s entire family on the first day.

Livy tutted. “I told Lexy everything and he is very worried about you, Jimmy,” she said, using their childhood nicknames. “We are both on your side. I can absolutely assure you.”

James breathed out a sigh of relief and glanced at Theo, who was watching him while he spoke on the phone. “That’s very good to hear,” he said, putting it mildly. “He wasn’t surprised?”

Livy paused for a second. “I think there was a mild amount of shock, yes,” she admitted. “But he was honestly delighted once he took it all in. I do believe he thinks you’re jolly brave.”

James scoffed. He didn’t feel brave at all. But this was what had to be done.

At least if Olivia and Alexander were supporting James and Theo, he wouldn’t feel so alone. But it still might not be enough.

“How has Mother been?” he asked.

Again, Livy paused. “I don’t believe she knows many of the details yet,” she said tactfully. “Only that you left the ball early and you were quite emotional about the whole thing.”

So she was in denial. Marvellous.

Well, James would know her true feelings on the subject soon enough.

“Thank you, darling,” he said. “We shall see you shortly.”

He ended the call and took Theo’s hand once again. “Is it bad?” Theo asked timidly.

James shook his head. “My brother and sister are our allies, so it seems. Perhaps we can stand together as the next generation of the monarchy and lead the charge for change.”

“Wow,” Theo said with a nervous laugh. “When you say it like that it…well, it kind of brings it home that this is literally going to go into the history books, isn’t it?”

He looked dumbfounded by the realisation. James kissed the back of his hand. “Are you ready?”

Theo shrugged and nodded. “As I’ll ever be,” he said faintly.

Manjeet drove them through the main security gates and up to Apartment 1a on the right of Clock Court. Despite its modest name, Alex’s house was actually a twenty-two-room mansion. James always found it too ostentatious for his liking. He much preferred the comfort of his own cottage on the other end of the palace. He wondered what Theo would think.

Manjeet hopped from the car and insisted on opening the doors for both of them. “I’ll take your bags around to Nottingham Cottage, boss,” he said, referring to James’s residence. Then he surprised James by turning to Theo and offering his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said as they shook. “You look after him in there.”

James smiled. Manjeet always did like to push the boundaries of propriety.

Theo beamed, though, and pumped Manjeet’s hand with both of his. “I will, I promise,” he said.

James hugged him close as they watched Manjeet drive off. With a sigh, James squeezed Theo’s side. “Shall we head into battle?”

Theo nodded. “We can do this.”

In spite of his nerves and apprehensions, James wouldn’t let go of Theo’s hand. They clutched each other’s fingers tightly as they walked up the steps and entered Alex and Laura’s home. As terrifying as it was to hold another man’s hand out in the open, it also gave James strength to know Theo wasn’t going anywhere.

He was sporting his red Converse with the suit he’d planned to originally wear to the ball. As much as they both agreed it would be appropriate to look smart, James didn’t want Theo pretending to be something he wasn’t. They were here to be their authentic selves and Theo looked utterly gorgeous in his get-up.

As they approached the main staircase, James looked up to see someone jogging down the steps. He broke into a big smile when he realised who it was.

“Alex,” he said as his brother reached them. He let go of Theo so they could embrace. “It’s good to see you.”

“Oh, Jimmy,” he sighed, then laughed. “Life is never dull when you’re around, is it?” He smiled warmly, then turned towards Theo. “You must be Theo,” he said, extending his hand. Theo only looked mildly apprehensive as he shook hands with the future King of England. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh,” said Theo a little breathlessly as they let go of each other. James automatically reached for Theo’s hand once again. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

Alex scoffed and shook his head. “Please, call me Alex,” he said. “Livy said Jimmy is bonkers for you. We might as well skip the formalities already.”

James might have protested his brother’s clear attempt to embarrass him, but it was the truth. He was crazy for Theo.

“So,” James said, glancing up the stairs. “Livy’s here already? She’s filled you in?”

Alex nodded. “I thought I might have a quick word before we head up. Is that all right?”

“Do you guys need a minute?” Theo asked immediately. “I can give you some space.”

James raised his eyebrows. He would rather not send Theo away, but he was aware that there were such things as state security. But Alex shook his head.

“No,” he said. “Although I would appreciate your discretion, I feel this is something you will both be keen to hear.”

James frowned. What could Alex possibly have to say?

“Mother is waiting for us, so I’ll cut right to the chase,” his brother said. He was smiling, so whatever it was couldn’t be too bad. Indeed, he rocked on his heels and clasped his hands together. “Laura is expecting again.”

“Expecting…” Expecting what? James was going to ask. But realisation dawned on him and he felt his eyes widen. “She’s pregnant?”

“Aww, congratulations,” Theo said with heartfelt sincerity.

But James was so happy he felt he might actually pass out. “You didn’t…” he began, unsure if he was being rude. “You didn’t create a human being to help me out, did you?”

Alex burst out laughing, which at least meant he wasn’t offended. “No,” he said. “As much as we love you, we created a human being because we quite enjoy the three we already have. Besides, Laura is quite desperate for a girl, so we saw no reason not to try again. She’s three months on, so we’ll be able to announce soon.” He rested his hand on James’s arm. “I thought you’d like to know that before seeing Mother, though.”

James didn’t think he would be able to speak, the lump in his throat was so large. He could feel the tears pricking at the back of his eyes. Theo looked at him with confusion as James turned to face him.

“That makes me seventh in line to the throne,” James whispered. He grasped both of Theo’s hands and held them to his chest. “It means my grandmother doesn’t have to publicly endorse us. Without that pressure, it makes everything so much less problematic for us, the family, the country. The whole bloody world.”

“James can continue to be the rebellious little scamp he’s always been,” Alex added fondly. “And the Commonwealth can tell themselves the Queen disapproves if it makes them feel better.”

“We can just be a couple,” James explained further, “rather than a political statement. We’ll still be in the public eye, of course. But it just makes life so much easier.”

Theo looked between them both. “Hang on,” he said. “What? Would it have been a massive problem if there wasn’t a baby?”

“If the Queen had to officially support and endorse a same-sex couple?” Alex said. “I think you would suffer the wrath of a lot of people who have so far refused to join the twenty-first century. But by giving her the option to stay quiet on the matter, it means the people can gradually become accustomed to the idea.”

Theo looked back at James. “But you were going to come out anyway?” he asked in disbelief. “Even though it might cause all that hassle?”

James shrugged. “I love you,” he said. In the end, it had been as simple as that.

Theo flung his arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “You’re mental,” he said thickly with a wet chuckle. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy not to be destabilising the Commonwealth. But it means so much that you were willing to risk all of that, just for me.”

James shook his head. “You’re worth it,” he said.

He knew it was going to be hard, but this took a lot of pressure away from them. James smiled at his brother over Theo’s shoulder. They were still going to be trailblazers. But Theo had suffered enough rejection in his life, enough hardship. James was done hiding away and keeping secrets. For once, it was an immense relief to walk the slightly easier path.

As they regained their composure and headed to the drawing room, James felt like he was walking into battle again.

Except this time, he was going to win.