My chest seems to expand, the stress lifting from me somewhat as I walk a few blocks away from the hospital. Finding a seat on a bench near some shops, I pull out my phone and type in a quick text. It doesn’t take long for a response or for William to find his way to where I’m sitting.

He grins as he approaches, plopping down on the bench next to me before he drapes his arm across the back of the bench. “Good call choosing a place out in the open like this. Of course, it won’t stop my brother from killing me when he finds me with you—especially since he’s publicly declared his affection now.”

“I…” I pause, looking over at him. “Did you know he was going to do that?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not sure even Andrew knew he was going to do that.” He rubs his jaw. “It probably wasn’t the right time. Or place, for that matter. And what he did to Justine…” He arches a brow. “Are you sure you want to be involved with someone like him?”

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second before returning my gaze to his. “No. That’s why I asked you to meet me out here. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have anyone to talk to. I…” My heart is thrashing in my chest again, so loudly I can barely hear my own voice. It doesn’t help that I can barely croak out more than a whisper. “I’m not sure about anything anymore.”

“You know, my mother and my sister are much better at handling these relationship situations than I am. Though I suppose they both are indisposed at the moment.” He sighs. “I never thought I would find myself giving out advice at any rate. Particularly regarding the state of Andrew’s relationships.” He chuckles. “It’s a bit strange, to say the least.”

I blink at him a few times. Texting him was a mistake, obviously. Maybe I misunderstood his offer of friendship earlier. Maybe his behavior toward me really was only a ruse to upset Andrew.

He sighs again, rubbing his jaw as he shakes his head to himself. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not being very helpful. What is it I can do for you, Victoria?”

“I don’t know.” My voice is choked with an emotion I don’t quite recognize. “Part of me wants to get out of here again.” I let out a long breath. “I promised him I wouldn’t. But I can’t breathe in that hospital. I can’t seem to breathe in this country. And I know I’m being selfish—your father is lying in a bed and you should be there—”

He rounds his shoulders in a small shrug. “Doing what? Fluffing his pillows?” He tilts his head. “Believe it or not, this conversation is probably the most helpful thing I could be doing right now.” He motions around him with his hand. “The future of this country might depend on it.”

“But that’s just it. I can’t give this country a future. And Andrew knows that.”

His brows draw together. “I’m not sure what you mean. What I am sure of is that my brother loves you. I’ve never seen him actually care about another person outside our family, so for him to profess his love…” He gives me a small smile. “I’m not sure you understand the gravity of the situation.”

“I do, though. I understand it completely. But you…don’t.” I wince. “I…I can’t be with him. I mean…I can be with him, but I can’t give him…” I close my eyes again for a moment. Andrew obviously hasn’t shared my secret with the rest of his family—and once they know, everything will change. All this we’re-so-happy-Andrew’s-in-love stuff will end. And they’ll realize why it will never work.

He pulls his arm from the bench behind me and covers my hand with his. “Whatever it is, Victoria…” He puffs out a breath. “I know this sounds cliché, but in this case it must be true…” He lowers his voice so that he’s almost muttering. “God, I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud.” He clears his throat. “Love will conquer whatever it is, Victoria.”

I open my eyes to meet his gaze. “No, not this time.”

He arches a brow. “Then you should tell me what it is.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. If I tell you, I’m sure there’s some weird law in Montovia that will require you to tell your parents.” I stare at him for a moment. “But maybe that’s the answer. Maybe if it comes from them, Andrew will see how ridiculous he’s being by insisting that we can work it out. Maybe I’ve been going about this all wrong.”

“Well, now you have to tell me.” He squeezes my hand. “And I swear, there are no laws in Montovia that require me to tell my parents anything. And under the circumstances…” His small smile falls away. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you’re thinking it is, Victoria. And I’m happy to help you see it as the joke I’m sure it is… Let’s just say, everyone in the family could use some levity at the moment.”

“There’s nothing funny about it, though. I…” I tear my gaze away from his. “I can’t have children. And Andrew knows.”

He’s quiet for a moment, but I can’t bring myself to turn back to him.

“Truly? You’re certain?”

I stare down at the sidewalk at my feet, giving a slow nod.

His voice is low, almost soothing. “That does complicate things.” He squeezes my hand again. “I didn’t mean to make a joke of it, Victoria. I thought perhaps you were going to tell me you were of King Maximilian’s lineage or something. That, I could have made light of.”

We sit in silence for a moment before I sit upright, turning to him. “Ever since I’ve known Andrew—hell, even before I knew him—he’s talked about nothing but doing what’s best for Montovia.”

He smiles. “That does sound like my brother.”

I nod. “And being with me…it’s not what’s best for your country. I… He…he needs to fix things with Justine. She is the right person to be by his side. She can give him what he wants. Not me. I mean…it wasn’t even a day ago that he was suggesting I stay in the country as his mistress.” My voice chokes again. “I can’t do this.”

William frowns, rubbing again at his jaw. “I really am not the best person to be giving advice on this matter, Victoria. You should really speak with my mother. And I would insist that you do so if there weren’t other matters at hand—”

I cringe, interrupting him. “God, I know. I’m so sorry. I’m being so selfish—you should go back to the hospital.” I stand, smoothing down my skirt. “I’m…I’m so sorry.”

He waves his hand as though there’s nothing wrong with me tearing a son away from his dying father’s bedside before he stands up, too. He pulls my hands into his. “If anything changes with my father’s condition, I’m but a text and a few blocks away. And there’s nothing I can do at the hospital now besides wring my hands in the hallway. They’ve barely let me in to see him at all.” He tilts his head. “And your concerns are not insignificant, Victoria. My brother chose a terrible time to decide he no longer wants to play his role of the perfect son, but perhaps it was all for the best. Perhaps there was good reason.”

I pull a hand away from his and rub at my forehead. “I think you should go to Justine and talk to her. She needs a friend right now—what happened this morning hurt her pretty badly.”

“I can’t even imagine.” He purses his lips and squeezes my hand. “At least my father didn’t insist on betrothing his children. I know he came pretty close with Andrew and that horrid Lady Clarissa, but he’s never done anything close to what King Maximilian has done to Princess Justine.” He nods. “I’ll try and find her. Not that I can do anything for her, but perhaps she just needs someone to talk to. Hopefully I’ll be able to avoid Lady Clarissa—I’m sure we’re both aware of what might happen should she find me in a conversation with another woman.” He rolls his eyes.

I give him a weak smile. “Is there any way…?” I close my eyes for a moment before looking back up at him. “Never mind.”

He shakes his head. “Anything for you, Victoria. Anything—just name it.”

I frown, glancing around me as though someone might recognize me. My voice lowers, even though I know it’s ridiculous to think anyone would. “Is there any way you could not mention any of this to Andrew?”

He cocks his head and grins. “Any of what?”

I smile. “Thanks.”

He squeezes my hand. “It’s my pleasure. Not that I’ve helped you with any of the decisions you need to make. But if I can give you one piece of advice, Victoria, it would be to not run away. To at least explain to Andrew that you are trying to do what’s best for Montovia. That’s the sort of reasoning my brother tends to understand.”

I nod. “I know. But I’m in the way. And I have tried to explain that reasoning to him—and look how it turned out. He told the world he’s in love with me. He just left out the part about how I can never be the woman he needs me to be. Not in the long term.” I shake my head. “I wish I could explain it better, but I want to do what’s right for everyone. For Andrew, for Montovia, and for myself. And I just don’t see how staying here is the best thing for anyone.”

He nods, gazing into my eyes for a long moment. “But you love him.”

I frown. “I do.”

“And he loves you. He’s said as much to the entire world this morning.” He smiles. “It would seem the only answer is for you to try to figure out how you can be with him. Not to try to find reasons why you can’t.”

My stomach twists with some combination of hope and dread. I could stay—I could stand at Andrew’s side and face the world. I just don’t know if I can go through everything again. If I stay, the media will tear me apart, and it’s only a matter of time before my secrets will be revealed to everyone. And I’m not sure I have a reason strong enough to justify staying with Andrew. If I can’t give Montovia a future, what value am I to this country? Why should I even bother staying when I somehow know Andrew is going to come to his senses at any moment and cast me aside?

“He loves you.” It’s almost as though William can read my thoughts through my eyes. “That’s all that really matters. You can worry about the rest of it later. And think of what fun it will be watching Leopold squirm when he learns he might actually have to rule someday. And if he doesn’t, his child will.” He grins. “Think of all the drama that can be stirred up when that comes to pass. Sophia is going to love it.”

He drops my hand and holds out his arms.

I smile, accepting the quick embrace.

“I’m going to love finally having someone in the house to spar with. Have I mentioned how horrible my brothers are at fencing?” He quickly pecks the top of my head before he releases me.

I’m not quite out of his arms when I hear Andrew’s voice. I suck in a sharp breath at the sound.

“William?” Andrew’s voice is low, almost growling.

William spins around and I edge myself to his side, barely avoiding Andrew’s fist as it connects with his brother’s jaw.