It’s Victoria who speaks first.

“He didn’t know the whole time,” she says. “I didn’t tell him until after you and Elle had already run off to South America. What was he supposed to do—call you on the cell phone you left here at the palace?”

Leopold, for once, appears to be speechless.

“And I probably should remind everyone that Andrew and I aren’t engaged anymore,” she goes on. “He might still have to marry Justine, or even someone else, and I’m sure whoever it is will give him lots of kids. So there’s no reason to get upset yet.”

Hearing her say such things out loud makes my chest ache. But before I can say anything, Leopold speaks.

“I just didn’t know it was a possibility,” he says. “It’s…a shock, that’s all.” He looks almost shamefaced. “It’s not something Elle and I planned for.”

“But it’s something we’ll figure out,” Elle says. “If and when we need to.” She gives Victoria an encouraging smile and takes her hand, squeezing it.

“You shouldn’t have heard about it like this,” I tell my brother. “I would have explained the situation to you in private, if I’d had the chance. But I wasn’t willingly keeping this information from you. Frankly, it was the least pressing of our many current concerns.” I glance at Victoria, who’s still looking at her friend. “We will marry,” I hear myself say to her. “I don’t know how yet, but we will. With or without anyone’s help.”

“We’ll help,” Elle says. “However we can.”

Beside me, Leopold lets out a long breath. “I still can’t believe our child… Fuck, I never even thought this was possible. I don’t know the first thing about raising an heir. I’m the last person who should be trusted with that responsibility.”

Elle smiles. “You’ll make a wonderful father, Leo. That alone will teach our child so much. Besides, it’s not like we’ll be dealing with this alone. Your family will help.”

Some more than others, I think, wondering how my father will react to this news when he hears. Still, I can tell by the look in Elle’s eyes that she already understands this. That she, at least, believes fighting for love and happiness is still the best—the only—option.

“Yes, this situation is complicated, but it’s worth fighting for,” I say, looking at Victoria again. “I’ll do what I can in negotiations today. I refuse to give up.”

Victoria’s eyes finally rise to mine. She gives me the smallest of nods, but it’s enough—an acknowledgment of the hope that I refuse to let go.

I stand. “In fact, I’m going to go prepare right now.” I step over to Victoria’s side and bend down to kiss her on the cheek. “Perhaps you and Elle might spend the day catching up?”

Victoria’s hand moves on the table, and I see that she’s still wearing her ring. “How long will you be in negotiations today?”

“God knows,” I say, straightening. “We’re meeting at eleven. If yesterday was any indication, I’ll be arguing with that man until supper.” Please still be here when I’m done.

I bid farewell to my brothers and future sister-in-law before leaving the dining room and heading back to my room to change and think.

How do you outsmart someone like Maximilian? How do I serve the people of Montovia without sacrificing a life with Victoria?

Freshly clothed, I grab my notes and am heading toward my office when I nearly run into my brother Nicholas in the corridor.

“Brother,” I say, reaching out and clasping his hand. “Forgive me for not giving you a longer welcome—I have to prepare for my meeting with King Maximilian.”

Nicholas is the second youngest sibling in this family, but in many ways, he’s already more mature than Leopold or even William. In temperament, he’s a lot more like me—but he’s more like Leopold in looks, with paler hair and eyes. He’s also probably the most brilliant of us all—though I will probably never admit that out loud. While William was a star at the athletic parts of his military training, Nicholas is apparently excelling in the more tactical areas—no doubt he will make a fine member of Montovia’s Senate in a few years.

“I know you have a lot of business,” he says. “But Father has been asking for you.”

I pause. I haven’t been to see Father since he came out of surgery—a gross oversight, but I’ve had a lot on my mind.

I glance at my watch. I have almost two hours until King Maximilian and I are supposed to meet. I should be able to manage a quick visit to my Father.

“I don’t have long,” I tell my brother. “Is there a car waiting?”

“Of course,” Nicholas says with a nod.

“Thank you.” I haven’t been a very good heir the past few days, but at least I can be a good son.

Not that he’ll be very happy when he hears you’ve turned down Princess Justine. And proposed to Victoria, a woman who can never bear an heir. And brought King Maximilian right to our gates.

My mind whirls as I walk with Nicholas down to the courtyard and climb into the car. Perhaps it would be best if I don’t mention any of those things to my father just yet. I’ll wait until he’s recovered a little more before telling him exactly how much I’ve fucked up. Right now, I just need to show my support.

In a matter of moments, we’re at the hospital. I make my way straight to Father’s room. My mother is speaking to one of the nurses just outside, and she gives me a small smile when she sees me.

She looks so tired, I think as she pulls me into a hug.

“When was the last time you slept?” I ask her. “Or ate anything?”

“They brought me breakfast about an hour ago,” she says. “And I’ll sleep when we’re all back at the palace again.

I start to argue with her, but before I can, she takes my hand and squeezes it.

“Your father wants to speak with you,” she says. “He’s going to try and discuss business, but don’t let him stress himself. He still needs to rest.”

“I’m not going to tell him anything yet,” I tell her. “He doesn’t need to hear about everything right now.”

My mother’s eyes flicker. “Well, forgive me…but I’ve already told him a couple of things. I knew he would hear about them soon enough, and I thought it would be better coming from me. Besides, he refused to go to sleep last night before I updated him on Montovia’s affairs.” She gives a small shake of her head. “Stubborn fool.”

“What did you tell him?” I ask.

“I told him you weren’t going to marry Justine. And that King Maximilian and Prince Reginald were here.” Her expression tells me exactly what she thinks about our neighboring monarch. “He needed to know that Maximilian was here. It would have done him no good to lie about it.”

I nod. “Anything about Victoria?”

“I told him he needed to trust you to make your own decisions, that was all.” Her eyes gleam slightly, her fingers tightening on mine again. “Have you given her a ring yet?”

“Yes,” I say. “The black pearl that belonged to Great-Grandmother.”

“Ah, that’s a perfect choice for her,” she says, smiling. “I’m very proud of you, Andrew. You’ve listened to your heart and trusted yourself—that’s a very fine trait in a future king. You do your country proud.”

“Not yet, I haven’t,” I say. “But I will.” I glance at the door to my father’s room. “Is he awake now?”

“Yes,” my mother says. “I’ll leave you two to speak in private. I’m going to go see if Nicholas and I can find your sister.”

She gives me one more hug before taking Nicholas’s arm and heading down the corridor. I turn toward the door.

This is it. This is where I admit how much I’ve screwed up. I don’t care what my mother has said—I know my father well enough to know he’ll be disappointed by my actions.

I take a deep breath and push open the door.

My father is sitting up in the hospital bed. Even though I’ve been by his side on and off since he was taken ill, his appearance now still shocks me. He looks too thin. Too old. His cheeks are hollow, his skin sallow, and there are thick bags under his eyes. Even his hair looks grayer now.

His eyebrow rises as he looks at me. “Don’t just stand there gawking, Son. I don’t have time for that nonsense.”

With a frown, I pull the door closed behind me. “Glad to see you awake, Father.”

“Where has your mother gone?”

“She’s looking for Sophia,” I say.

He shakes his head, muttering to himself. “Someone needs to force her to get some sleep. I swear, she’s going to make herself ill with the fussing she’s been doing.” His eyes snap back up to me. “I don’t care that she’s your mother—I want you to force her to get some rest. She sure as hell won’t listen to me.”

In spite of myself, I find myself fighting a smile. It’s rare I hear my father openly express concern for anyone.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” he says in response to my silence. “Get over here. We have business to discuss.”

I obediently walk over to the chair next to his bed, but I remember my mother’s words. “I really don’t think we need to discuss business—”

“We do. Welcome to being king, Son. Monarchs don’t get vacations, even when they’re ill.”

“I assure you, Father, I’m taking care of everything in your stead—”

“Bullshit,” my father snaps. “Your mother’s told me everything. That bastard Maximilian is here throwing up a fuss because you decided you weren’t going to marry his blasted daughter.”

I take a deep breath. I deserve a lecture, I know. And I don’t want my father to get any more worked up than he already is. “I know it probably was a rash, unwise decision—”

“It was a bloody stupid decision,” he says. “No probably about it.”

“I’m doing everything in my power to come to an agreement with him, Father.”

His eyebrows snap together. “Why in God’s name are you doing that?”

I blink. “I… Why wouldn’t I try to come to an agreement?”

He looks at me like I’m a complete fool. “That Maximilian is a snake. I’m glad you aren’t marrying his daughter.”

I stare at my father. Did he fall and hit his head when he had that heart attack? “I don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand?” he says, still looking at me like I’m completely dense. “I don’t want you linking yourself to that bloody bastard. The fact he thinks he can demand such things—”

“Wait a moment,” I say. “Just last week you were insisting I marry her.”

“And you rightfully refused. Good for you for growing some balls. I wasn’t sure you had it in you.”

My God, I’m not even sure who I’m talking to right now. Perhaps I should speak with his physicians—he’s probably on some pretty powerful medications at the moment.

I start to stand, but he reaches out and grabs me by the wrist. In spite of his weak appearance, his grip is like iron.

“Is that American reporter still around?” he says. “The one who turned you into a blasted moon-faced fool?”

My jaw tightens. I’m not sure I want to discuss Victoria with my father, not until he’s fully well again. But lying to him won’t help either of us.

“Yes,” I say. “She is.”

He gives a firm nod, as if he’s decided something. “I thought she might be.”

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

I withdraw my wrist from his grip. “I love her, Father. If you—”

“Well, that’s bloody obvious,” he says. “Didn’t exactly take a detective to figure that out.”

I straighten my shoulders. There’s no point in shying away from the rest of the truth. “I intend to marry her.”

“Good.”

I nearly fall off the chair. Good? My father thinks that’s good?

Yes, he must definitely be on some powerful drugs right now.

“I’ve had some time to think since yesterday,” he says. “Frankly, I’m not sure how many of my thoughts were actual thoughts and how many were hallucinations, but I know one thing to be true.” His sharp eyes focus on me, pinning me in place. “The first thing I saw when I woke up was your mother. I had no idea what had happened to me—all I know is I woke up and saw her face and knew right away, deep down, that it’s only because of God’s good grace that I’m still here on this earth. Something in her eyes…” His voice becomes almost strangled as he trails off. He takes a moment to compose himself before clearing his throat a continuing. “That woman means everything to me. She’s made me a better man—and a better king. Somewhere along the way, I allowed myself to forget that…but in that moment, seeing myself reflected back in her, I remembered. I know what that kind of love can do for a person. I know what that kind of love can do for a king.”

His hand moves again, reaching for mine, and I find myself taking it, holding it tight.

“Does this woman make you better?” he asks me. “Stronger?”

“Every single day.”

He gives another nod. “Then perhaps she would make the perfect future queen for this country.”

I squeeze his hand. “I know she will. There’s only one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Maximilian.” I practically growl his name. “He’s threatened war—”

“War?!” My father starts to sit up in bed, but I reach out an arm to calm him.

“I’ve talked him down from that,” I say, “but he still thinks he can pressure me into giving up the Amhurst Valley. And into marrying Justine.”

My father’s brow wrinkles. “That blasted snake of a man…” He shakes his head, but already I can see the wheels turning in his mind. “He thinks he can back you into a corner. Call the physician. I’m getting dressed and getting back to the palace—”

“No, you aren’t,” I see. “You need to recover.”

“I’m not going to let Maximilian take advantage of my son or my country.”

“Neither am I,” I say.

Something about my tone calms him a little. He studies me, then relaxes back onto the bed.

“You think you can handle him?” he asks me.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I intend to try.” I tilt my head. “Though if you have any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share, I’d be grateful for them.”

However much I dislike discussing business with my father right now, I’m also relieved to see the spark has returned to his eyes—this is his element. And for the first time in a long time, he’s looking at me as if he respects me. As if he believes in me.

And as he beckons me closer, ready to pass on his knowledge, I suddenly feel as if anything is possible.