The rational part of my brain knew this was probably nonsense.The part of me that had just spent the night making love to Betty, the part that was already falling too hard and too fast, wanted to put my fist through a wall.
"Where did you get this?"
"Our media monitoring team flagged it.Given the potential for damage to both the Valdorian and Solmarian royal families, I thought it best to bring this directly to your attention."
"How considerate."
Something flickered in Viktor's expression, but it was gone before I could identify it."Your Highness, I understand this is difficult, but we need to manage the situation before it spirals.The optics of—"
"I don't care about the optics."
"With respect, you should.The Princess's suitability for her role has already been questioned in certain circles."
"This is exactly what someone would manufacture if they wanted to undermine the alliance."
Viktor's eyes sharpened."You think this is fabricated?"
"I think the timing is extremely convenient.Four sabotage attempts in ten days, and now suddenly an ex-boyfriend crawls out of the woodwork with compromising photos and sensational claims?"
"It's possible they're unrelated incidents."
"It's also possible they're part of a coordinated campaign."
Before Viktor could respond, the door opened and Betty entered.She'd changed into jeans and a sweater, her hair still damp from a shower.She looked young and beautiful and completely unprepared for what was about to hit her.
"Archie, Thomas said you needed to—" She stopped when she saw Viktor."Lord Viktor.I didn't know you were here."
"Princess Bettina."He bowed slightly."I apologize for the interruption to your morning."
"What's going on?"
I handed her the tablet without a word.Watched her face as she read, watched the color drain from her cheeks, watched her hands start to shake slightly as she scrolled through the article.
"Oh no," she breathed."Oh no, no, no."
"Care to explain this?"The words came out harsher than I intended, edged with jealousy I had no right to feel.
She looked up at me, and I saw genuine fear in her eyes."This is Chilly.We went on like three dates.We weren't even exclusive."
"According to Mr.Baker, you were in a committed relationship," Viktor said smoothly."He claims you abandoned him for a title."
"That's not true.We barely knew each other."She was scrolling frantically now, her breathing getting faster."These photos, this was after a group skiing trip.There were eight people there.It was completely innocent."
"Innocent?"The word came out before I could stop it, laced with all the hurt and anger and betrayal I was trying not to feel."You're practically naked, pressed up against another man."
"I'm wearing a bikini.At a ski resort.After skiing.That's what people do."
"That's what some people do," I said, and I heard the disdain in my own voice."Including my wife."
Her head snapped up."What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm wondering what other surprises are going to surface about your colorful romantic history."
"Colorful romantic history?"Her voice rose."You make it sound like I was running some kind of escort service."
"I'm just wondering how many other men are going to crawl out of the woodwork claiming they've been intimate with you."
"Intimate?I never even kissed him!"
