"Always."
"Do you think I'm crazy for considering staying in this marriage?"
She was quiet for a moment, folding a sweater I hadn't packed but needed."I think you'd be crazy to make a decision this important without talking to the people who love you.Your grandmother, your parents, yourself."She looked at me directly."And perhaps the prince, when you're ready."
"He gave me annulment papers."
"Yes.I heard."She smiled slightly."Rather dramatic gesture, even for him.He must care for you very much."
"Or he just feels guilty."
"Your Highness, I've known Prince Archibald since he was born.That boy doesn't do grand romantic gestures out of guilt.He does them when he's terrified of losing something that matters."
The words settled in my chest uncomfortably."I should go."
"Safe travels, Your Highness.And Betty?"She used my first name, which she never did."Whatever you decide, make sure it's what you actually want.Not what you think you should want, or what would make everyone else happy.What you want."
The private airfield was exactly as discrete as Archie had promised, tucked away in a corner of the island I hadn't known existed, with exactly zero paparazzi and one very nice pilot who didn't ask questions about why a princess was fleeing the country with minimal luggage and maximum secrecy.
Captain Steiner accompanied me, because Archie had put his foot down about me traveling internationally without security.I didn't have the energy to argue, and honestly, having her calm presence nearby was reassuring.
"His Highness wanted me to tell you that you can take as much time as you need in Valdoria," she said as we boarded."He's cleared your schedule for the next three days."
"He didn't have to do that."
"He said, and I quote, 'Betty gets to make her own decisions about her own time, and if anyone has a problem with that, they can discuss it with my fist.'"She smiled slightly."I've never heard him threaten physical violence over scheduling before.You're a good influence."
"Pretty sure threatening people isn't a good influence."
"Better than his usual approach of passive-aggressive compliance while secretly resenting everyone."She settled into her seat across from me."If you don't mind me saying, Your Highness, he's different since you arrived.More honest.More himself."
"Peter," I said without thinking.
"What?”
“Nothing.”
The flight to Valdoria took three hours.I spent most of it staring at clouds and trying to organize my thoughts into something resembling a coherent conversation plan.So far I had:
1. Why did you lie to me about the marriage being permanent?
2. Did you know I'd hate being lied to?
3. Yes, obviously you knew, everyone hates being lied to.
4. So why did you do it anyway?
Not exactly a masterclass in diplomatic negotiation, but it was a start.
The Valdorian palace was smaller than Solmarina's but somehow more intimidating.Maybe because this was supposed to be my family home, the place I should have grown up, the life that had been stolen from me.The stone walls felt like they were judging me for wearing jeans and not knowing which fork to use.
A staff member I didn't recognize met us at the entrance."Your Highness, the Grand Duchess is expecting you in her private apartments.She's asked that you come alone, if you're comfortable with that."
I glanced at Captain Steiner, who nodded."I'll be right outside if you need me."
The walk to the Grand Duchess's private apartments took us through corridors I vaguely remembered from my brief visit weeks ago.But this time we went deeper into the palace, to a wing that felt more like a home than a museum.Family photos on the walls, my mother as a child, my mother as a young woman, my mother's wedding.
I stopped at one photo.My mother, maybe seven years old, sitting on a horse with the biggest smile I'd ever seen.She looked happy.Completely, unselfconsciously happy in a way I'd never seen in any photo of her as an adult.
