"Escort Lord Viktor and his associates off palace grounds.They're no longer welcome here."
"You can't," Viktor started.
"I can and I am.You have no authority in Solmarina, and your position in Valdoria is about to become very precarious once I inform the Grand Duchess about your activities."I turned to Roberto."Make sure they leave.If they refuse, call the police."
The lawyers exchanged glances and started gathering their things.Viktor, however, wasn't done.
"This changes nothing, Your Highness.The marriage is still invalid.The alliance is still collapsing.And when the dust settles, Solmaria will have no choice but to pursue alternative arrangements."His smile was poisonous."I believe Princess Anastasia is still available."
"Out.Now."
Roberto physically moved Viktor toward the door.The former advisor went, but not before delivering one final shot: "The annulment papers will be filed with or without the Princess's signature.You're already divorced in the eyes of the law.Enjoy your freedom, Your Highness."
Then he was gone, and I was standing in the stable with Betty, watching everything I'd hoped for crumble into dust.
"Archie," Betty started.
"He's right."I couldn't look at her."The marriage is invalid.You're free to go."
"Is that what you want?"
"You should go back to Oregon, back to your life.This was a mistake from the beginning.I tried to force an alliance through a marriage that never should have happened."
"Stop."Her voice cut through my spiral."Stop deciding what I want."
"Betty, you're free.You don't have to stay trapped in this nightmare anymore.The annulment papers I gave you don't even matter now.The marriage is invalid anyway.Viktor destroyed it."
"Then we'll get married again."She said it like it was the simplest thing in the world."For real this time.No lies, no coercion, no six-month deceptions.Just us, choosing each other."
I stared at her."You want to marry me again?"
"I want to marry you for the first time, actually.The first wedding was built on lies.This one will be built on choice."She took my hands."Marry me, Archie."
"Betty, you don't have to do this.I’ll figure out a way to make the alliance work."
"I'm not proposing because of politics.I'm proposing because I want to marry you."She smiled despite the tears on her cheeks."Though fixing the alliance and defeating Viktor's plan will be a nice bonus."
"You're serious."
"Completely serious.Will you marry me?"
Behind us, Azzurra nickered softly, the sound of a mother settling in with her newborns.New beginnings.Plural.
"Yes," I said."God, yes."
She kissed me then, and I tasted salt from her tears.
When we broke apart, she was still holding my hands."This wedding is happening on my terms.At my coffee shop, the one that Captain Steiner and Lieutenant Commander Vasseur bought me on my behalf."
"Whatever you want."
"And I want to write my own vows."
"Of course."
"This time, our wedding will be small and honest and real.And I'm not wearing some massive princess dress.I'm wearing something I actually like."
"You could wear jeans and I wouldn't care."
