It’s pretty clear within a few moments that Andrew has lost me in the crowd. I stop running, instead taking my time to admire the many multi-colored costumes and the intricate displays all over the square.

I’m not even sure where I’m going, but I somehow find my way to the same path Andrew and I had been on only a few days ago—the one right next to the riverbank. There are far fewer people here, though the area is still decorated as much as the more crowded parts of the town square. Twinkling white lights are twined around each tree and the path is illuminated with small lanterns every few feet.

It truly feels like something from a fairy tale.

I gaze out over the river, listening to it lap at the nearby shore.

I could definitely learn to love this place. I’m already falling in love with it. I can only hope the people here will accept me as I am and not judge me too harshly for the things I’ve done. For the person I used to be.

Something twists in my chest—guilt. A feeling I know all too well. How did I not see it before? How did I not understand that I helped to create the mess I find myself in now? When I had first come here, I had thought the Montovian laws preventing celebrity reporting were antiquated and unfair—a perversion of the freedoms I had grown so accustomed to. Part of me still thinks they are somewhat outdated and unfair, but the part being judged by the public understands precisely why they have those laws in place here. It’s not to keep people from knowing things about the family that rules—it’s to protect them from harm. From unfair criticism and judgment.

There’s nothing I can do to make the people here not judge me—I’ve given them plenty of fodder already to have years of criticism for the things I’ve done and the choices I’ve made. And I hate to admit it, but part of the reason I want to win that fencing tournament so badly has more to do with winning the hearts of the people Andrew cares so deeply about and far less to do with winning back the royal scepter.

And if I should lose… I suppose there’s little harm in trying. If I lose, I’ll only be laughed at behind my back all the more. It isn’t as though everyone in Montovia has their hopes pinned on me to win back their national symbol. After all, I’m a woman, and Montovia has never even had a women’s fencing team.

I never saw myself as a leader in women’s rights, either, but maybe there are things I can do for this country. Hadn’t Andrew mentioned wanting me to start a local chapter for the Girl Scouts at one point? Maybe I can do something here—something that matters and makes a difference. Something more than writing tabloid stories about the royal family, not that there’s much chance of me being able to write those ever again.

My thoughts are interrupted when I feel Andrew’s arms slide around my waist from behind. He pulls me against him and tips his head to my ear. “I thought I’d lost you.”

I smile, turning to him to place a chaste kiss on his lips before I pull away. “It didn’t take you long to find me.”

He walks to my side, pulling my hand into his and gazing out over the river with me. “What are you thinking about, standing here all alone, Victoria?” He turns to me with a grin. “How I might show you how truly sorry I am for the abominable way I treated you at the state dinner?”

I chuckle and shake my head, turning back to look out over the water. “No, that’s not necessary. Though, I think I mentioned to you before how I used to fantasize about dancing with you.”

“Did you?” He turns, pulling my hands into his so I’m facing him again. “I don’t believe I recall hearing such a thing. Because I do want to hear about all your fantasies, Victoria.”

I smile. “Maybe it’s because I told you when we were still suffering from the trauma of our ordeal.”

“Our…?” He pauses, looking into my eyes for a moment before his smile falls. “Yes, our ordeal. It’s amazing how long ago it seems now. Though, in many ways—”

“It seems like only yesterday?”

He nods. “Yes. Though, with you in my arms, I seem to forget everything else. Particularly that incident.” He places my hands on his shoulders and slides his arms around my waist to begin dancing with me. “I do believe I owe you a dance, however.”

“I’m sure at the next state dinner—”

“No, not at the next state dinner.” He leans forward, kissing my lips gently before pulling away again. “No, our dance together is long overdue.” He pulls me more tightly against him, and I rest my head against his chest, swaying in time to the music only we can hear.

I close my eyes, listening to his heart as I press my ear to his chest. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt anything close to this before—there’s no need for anything else. Everything about this moment is enough. He is enough.

This has to be love. Everything is so warm and perfect and…enough.

After a few minutes of pure peace, he pulls away just enough to look down into my eyes. He pulls my mask away from my face—I had forgotten it was even there—before pulling his own up and setting it on top of his head. His hand slides down to my ass as he dips his head to kiss me again—

“There you are.” Sophia’s voice rings over my shoulder. She sounds out of breath and hurries up behind us. “My God…I’ve been…looking everywhere…” She’s doubled over, her outstretched hand on her brother’s arm. “I…I…”

Andrew turns to face her. “Sophia, what is it?”

“I…” She stands and pulls her mask away from her face. Even in the dim light, I can see the puffiness around her eyes. “I’ve been searching for you. You…you didn’t answer…you didn’t answer your mobile.”

He stares at her for a second. “I didn’t bring my mobile tonight. I…I didn’t think I would need it…” He pauses. “What’s going on, Sophia? Is it Father? What’s happened?”

She shakes her head. “It’s not Father. It’s…it’s Nicholas. You need to come quickly.” She motions toward the main square. “He…he’s…” She heaves another breath. “You need to hurry. Before he kills someone.”

Andrew releases me from his grasp and takes Sophia’s hand in his as they hurry back to the crowd. Whatever has happened, he seems to have forgotten me completely—he doesn’t even turn to see if I’m there with him. I follow the two of them for a time, but quickly lose them in the crowded square.

I stop in the middle of everything, glancing around me, trying to locate them among the throng of people. A thought floats through my head—I try to push it away, but it’s the same one I’ve had the entire time I’ve known Andrew. I’ll never be enough for him. I’m sure whatever is going on with his family is important—I have no doubt that Sophia really does need him. And I know I’m being selfish even worrying about it, wondering why he’s willing to turn away from me—forget I exist—at the drop of a hat.

I shouldn’t have run from him tonight, even though it was only for fun. I shouldn’t have even attempted to play a game with him like this one. And if I am going to be with Andrew—if I am going to learn to live in his royal world—I suppose I have to learn that I’ll always be second to his family. To his country. To the people of Montovia. I’m not really sure where I even fit on the list when I think about it, but it probably isn’t second.

“Victoria?” Elle walks up to me, taking my elbow and almost pulling me over to a quiet corner nearby. “Why do you have your mask off?”

I glance upward, not that I can see anything. The gorgeous mask Sophia had made me is so lightweight, it’s hard to remember it’s there. And Andrew had set it on top of my head before he left me again.

She smiles at me. “It’s not like you have to wear it or anything. But a couple of people have already recognized me, even with the damned thing on. I am never going to understand what the fascination is.”

“I don’t think I will, either.”

She nods and rubs her belly—it almost looks like she’s doing it subconsciously. “I’d really like to leave Montovia. Or at least live outside the palace. Leo and I don’t really have anything here—”

My face burns as hot as the twisting in my chest, but I interrupt anyway. “Except that your baby is going to need to learn how to be a proper prince or princess.”

“Oh, I know.” She nods, almost to herself. “And Leo and I talked about it. We both think it’s time for some new laws. The people here in Montovia aren’t backward, Victoria. They would support a more modern system of ruling, especially…under the circumstances.”

“The circumstances…of me not being able to have a child?”

She nods again. “Exactly. I think if we let the people have a voice in the matter, they’d say the old ways of doing things aren’t that important. That some traditions are meant to be broken.”

“That’s an…interesting perspective.” I force a smile. “I think I’m going to head back to the palace. I…I’m getting a migraine, I think.” What she’s saying is the complete opposite of what I’ve heard Andrew saying since the day I met him. Tradition is the most important thing to him and his family. And to even suggest otherwise…

Her brow furrows with concern. “Do you want me to find you one of those carriages? I’m not even sure how they call for them, but—”

“No, I’d rather walk. I think the cold air will do me some good.” I pull my cape a little tighter around my shoulders. “I’ll probably see you in the morning. And if you see Andrew, tell him I’ll see him tomorrow, too.”

She gives me a confused nod as I walk away, back toward the riverbank to cross the bridge back up to the palace.

I don’t even know what happened, I think as I trudge back up long road to the palace. The night started off like a fairytale and now…

Now I don’t know what it is.