CHAPTER 22
Betty
I'd been staring atthe annulment papers for three hours when I realized I was being an idiot.
Not about the marriage, jury was still out on that one.But about trying to make this decision alone in a palace guest room while eating stolen croissants from the kitchen and refreshing my phone every thirty seconds like the internet would suddenly provide answers about my deeply complicated feelings.
I needed to talk to someone who actually knew what the hell was going on.Someone who had answers about why I'd been lied to, manipulated, and generally treated like a chess piece in a game I didn't understand.
I needed to talk to my grandmother.
I pulled out my phone and texted Archie before I could overthink it:Need to go to Valdoria.Today if possible.Can you arrange transport?
His response came within seconds:Of course.When do you want to leave?
As soon as possible.And Archie?I need this to be quiet.No paparazzi, no media circus.
Understood.I'll have Roberto arrange a private jet.No flight plan filed, no press notification.You'll leave from a private airfield.
Thank you.
A pause, then:Are you okay?
I looked down at the annulment papers, at the choice he'd given me, at the impossible decision I was trying to make.
I will be.
Take all the time you need.The jet will be ready in two hours.
I should have been surprised by how quickly he could arrange international travel with complete secrecy.But I was starting to learn that being a prince meant having access to resources that made normal life logistics look quaint.Need a private jet on two hours notice?No problem.Need to cross international borders without anyone knowing?Easy.Need to figure out if you should stay married to said prince?That one you had to solve yourself.
I packed quickly, overnight bag with basics, the annulment papers carefully folded in an envelope, and my phone charger because some things transcended royal drama.Carmela appeared as I was zipping the bag, looking unsurprised to find me fleeing the country again.
"Going somewhere, Your Highness?"
"Valdoria."
She pulled a scarf from my closet."You'll want this.The mountain air is cold this time of year.Prince Archibald called and asked me to make sure you had warm clothes."
Of course he did.The man was infuriating even when he was being thoughtful.
"Carmela, can I ask you something?"
