The car stopped in front of the main entrance.Through the window, I could see palace staff waiting, Petra, Chef Marcello, even Captain Steiner looking relieved that I'd made it back safely.
"Or?"I asked.
"Or you stay and we figure out who's doing this.Together."He opened the car door."Not as husband and wife.Not as anything romantic or complicated.Just as two people who both want to stop whoever is trying to destroy this alliance."
I looked at the palace, at the marble columns and ancient stone, at the staff who'd been kind to me, at the life I'd been forced into against my will.
And I thought about Viktor's satisfied smile when I'd told him I was leaving.About Princess Anastasia posing for photographs.About someone carefully orchestrating my public failures so they could position themselves for the next move.
"I'm not letting some Russian puppet take my place," I said.
Archie's expression flickered, surprise, maybe, or relief."You're staying?"
"I'm staying to fight."I climbed out of the car."But I need you to be very clear about something."
"Anything."
"I didn't come back for you.I didn't come back because I've forgiven you or because I trust you or because I believe we can fix what's broken between us."I met his eyes."I came back because I'm not going to let whoever is doing this win.That's all."
"I understand."
"Do you?Because I need separate rooms.Separate lives.I'll do the public appearances because I'm contractually obligated to play princess forever.But privately, we're colleagues.Nothing more."
Something in his expression cracked, but he nodded."Whatever you need."
"What I need is for you to help me figure out who's sabotaging me.Can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Then let's get to work."
I walked into the palace with my head high, ignoring the staff's relieved faces and grateful murmurs.Let them think I'd come back because I belonged here.Let Viktor think whatever he wanted.
I knew the truth: I'd come back to fight.And I wasn't leaving until I'd won.
Even if winning meant spending the rest of my life trapped in a palace with a man I couldn't trust.
At least I'd be trapped on my own terms.
Petra intercepted me in the entrance hall."Your Highness, I've prepared your rooms.I wasn't sure if you'd want the same quarters."
"Different rooms."I didn't look at Archie."As far from the Prince's apartments as possible.”
"Of course, Your Highness.The Blue Wing has a lovely suite that might suit your needs."
"Perfect."
I followed Petra through corridors I was starting to recognize, past portraits of stern royal ancestors who'd probably never had to deal with sabotage plots and Russian conspiracies.Or maybe they had.Maybe this kind of political manipulation was just part of the job description I'd never received.
The Blue Wing suite was beautiful, sitting room, bedroom, private bath, and enough space that I wouldn't feel like the walls were closing in.The windows overlooked the gardens instead of the harbor, and I could see the herb garden where I'd overheard Viktor and Petra discussing nursery preparations.
That felt like years ago instead of hours.
"Will you need anything else tonight, Your Highness?"
"No.Thank you, Petra."
She hesitated at the door."Your Highness, if I may say, we're glad you came back.The staff, I mean.We were worried."
