"I know that children deserve medical care.I know that geography shouldn't determine health outcomes.And I know that if we have the resources to help more kids, we should use them."
"Resources that belong to the people of Solmarina, not to foreign princesses making promises they can't keep."
"Then help me keep them."
The challenge hung in the air between us.Queen Isabelle looked at Archie, who shrugged in a way that suggested he wasn't entirely opposed to his wife's audacity.
"Very well."Her voice was clipped."You'll work with the Crown Council to develop a realistic implementation timeline for the programs you announced.Elena will coordinate with the Ministry of Health to assess feasibility.And you'll have additional security for your prepared materials going forward."
"You believe someone switched my speech?"
"I believe in eliminating possibilities before assuming incompetence."She stood, clearly ending the meeting."Don't mistake this for approval, Princess Bettina.You made promises without authority, and now you'll have to work twice as hard to deliver on them.But I'd rather have a princess who cares too much than one who doesn't care at all."
It wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but it wasn't complete condemnation either.I'd take it.
Archie walked me back to my rooms afterward, and I waited for a lecture.Instead, he was quiet, lost in thought.
"You really think someone switched your speech on purpose?"he finally asked.
"I think it's quite a coincidence that my luggage was sabotaged and my first public appearance was sabotaged and both incidents are unprecedented in palace history."
"But who would want to undermine you?"
I looked at him sharply."Besides your mother, who made it clear she thinks I'm completely inappropriate for this family?"
"My mother wouldn't resort to sabotage.She'd simply make her disapproval known through proper channels."
"Then who?"
He was quiet for a moment."I don't know.But I intend to find out."
We'd reached my door, and I hesitated before going inside."Archie?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you.For believing me about the sabotage.For not assuming I was just incompetent."
"You're not incompetent, Betty.You're learning a new world with almost no preparation, and someone is actively trying to make you fail."He stepped closer, close enough that I could see the concern in his eyes."I'm not going to let them succeed."
The protectiveness in his voice made my heart do something complicated.This was the same man who'd lied to me for days, and yet here he was, defending me against unknown enemies and promising to keep me safe.
It was very confusing.
"Goodnight, Archie."
"Goodnight, Betty.And for what it's worth?I thought your speech was good.Chaotic, but good.You actually cared about what you were saying, and it showed."
He walked away before I could respond, leaving me standing in my doorway feeling surprisingly giddy and proud.
***
Archie
MY MOTHER WAS WAITINGin my study when I returned from walking Betty to her rooms.
"We need to talk."She didn't rise from my chair, which she'd commandeered as if this were her office rather than mine.
"Can it wait until morning?It's been a long day."
