My heart stopped."What?"
"I'm leaving the palace.Tonight.Right now."She was already typing something, probably texting Captain Steiner.
"You can't."
"Watch me."
"At least think about this.I’m concerned about your safety."
"I don't care.”She looked up from her phone."All I care about right now is getting away from you before I completely lose my mind."
"Where will you go?"
"Why do you care?”
"Because I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?The consequences of your own lies?"She moved toward the door."I'll do my public duties.I'll smile for cameras and play the dutiful princess because I'm legally obligated to.But privately?You don't exist to me.Don't call me, don't text me, don't send flowers or letters or any of your princely gestures."
"Please stay. Let me make this right.”
"We're done, Archie."She paused at the door, her hand on the handle."I'll figure out how to live in this marriage you trapped me in.But don't expect me to pretend it's anything more than a prison sentence."
She left, and the door closing behind her sounded like a cell slamming shut.
I stood in my study, surrounded by sabotage reports I'd forgotten about entirely, and tried to process what had just happened.
I'd lost her.
The realization settled into my chest like ice.I'd lost her, and it was my own fault.Every excuse I'd made, every rationalization about waiting for the right time, none of it mattered.I'd lied to her about the single most important aspect of her life, and when confronted with that betrayal, I'd compounded it by suggesting she should be grateful.
My phone buzzed.A text from Roberto:Security alert.Princess Bettina is requesting immediate transport to a hotel in the city.Captain Steiner is asking if you want her to delay.
I stared at the message.I could stop this.Could tell Roberto to talk to Captain Steiner, to convince Betty to stay, to give me time to make this right.
But I'd already taken enough choices from her.
I typed back:Let her go.Provide full security detail.Whatever she wants.
The response came immediately:Understood.Sir, the media is already gathering outside.Someone tipped them off.
Of course they had.Because nothing about this nightmare could be simple.
I looked down at the sabotage reports still spread across my desk.The pattern I'd been so close to identifying.The person who'd been undermining Betty since she arrived.
And now she was leaving the palace, angry, hurt, vulnerable, walking right into whatever trap had been laid.
I grabbed my phone and called Roberto.
"Get me Captain Steiner.Now.And double the security on the Princess.I don't care if she objects.I want people on her at all times."
"Already done, sir.Captain Steiner anticipated the need."
"Good.And Roberto?Find out who tipped off the media.I want names."
I hung up and sank into my chair, staring at the contract Betty had left behind.
In perpetuity, the document read.For the natural lives of both parties.
