"Investigation stuff?"
"Personal stuff.But it affects you.I'll explain when I see you."
She studied me with suspicion."This isn't some princely gesture that's going to make things more complicated, is it?"
"Probably.But it's necessary anyway."
"I don’t know."
"Just trust me.Eleven o'clock, my study."
She left without agreeing, and I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, trying to convince myself I wasn't about to make the biggest mistake of my life.
Or maybe not a mistake.Maybe just the right thing done too late.
I showered, dressed, and headed to my study, where I pulled up the contact information for the palace legal team.It was barely nine AM, but this couldn't wait.
"Your Highness."Lord Renaud, chief legal counsel, answered on the second ring."How can I help you?"
"I need you to draw up annulment documents for my marriage to Princess Bettina."
Silence.Then: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I must have misheard."
"You didn't mishear.I want the paperwork prepared that would dissolve my marriage to Princess Bettina and release her from all obligations to Solmarina."
"Your Highness, I must strongly advise against this.The political ramifications..."
"Are my concern, not yours.I'm not asking for your advice.I'm asking for the documents."
More silence."Your Highness, an annulment of this marriage would require consent from both royal families, extensive legal proceedings, and would almost certainly result in the collapse of the Mediterranean alliance."
"I'm aware."
"And you still want me to proceed?"
"I want the documents prepared giving Princess Bettina the option to annul.She doesn't have to use them.But I want her to have the choice."
Lord Renaud made a sound that might have been a sigh or might have been suppressed protest."It will take several hours to prepare the paperwork properly."
"That's fine.Have them ready by this afternoon."
"Your Highness, what about the Queen?"
"I’ll let her know.This is my decision, Lord Renaud.Do you need anything else from me?"
"Just your signature authorizing me to proceed."
"Send over the authorization form.I'll sign it immediately."
I hung up and stared at my computer screen, at the email that would arrive any moment asking me to confirm that yes, I wanted to destroy my marriage and probably the alliance in the process.
My phone rang.Roberto.
"Your Highness, Lord Viktor Beaumont is here requesting an urgent meeting.He has a guest with him, Princess Anastasia of Belarus."
My stomach sank."Viktor brought Anastasia here?"
"Yes, sir.He says she's visiting as a diplomatic courtesy and would like to pay her respects to you and Princess Bettina."
