“Luc was considered the black sheep of Alvernia’s royal family, and he was so far down the line of succession that he would never rule. Scandals plagued him, so no one expected much from him other than to mess up again. I thought if I married Luc, I wouldn’t have so much pressure bearing down on me.”
Prince Luc’s reputation was common knowledge among the royalty in Europe. “I thought going on the show was an act of rebellion.”
Sophie grinned. “Becoming a social worker was my rebellion, but that worked out better than I expected. I love what I do.”
“And you love Bertrand.”
“I owe Luc for that,” Sophie said.
“He broke your heart.”
“Yes, but he also opened my heart.”
“I don’t understand. You cried for days. You were miserable. If Kat hadn’t—”
“Not her fault.” Sophie rushed to her friend’s defense, as usual. “When I went on the show, I’d bought into the media’s portrayal of Luc as a hot prince who liked to party. But the real prince—the man behind the tabloid fodder—showed me I could be royal but also have that feeling of normalcy I craved. I was devastated when I was sent home, but being on the show helped me see the possibilities for my future. Kat was the one who encouraged me to attend Luc and Emily’s wedding, so I could move on, and that’s where I met Bertrand.”
Of course Kat did.
“Now I’ve figured out a way to have the kind of life I’ve dreamed about,” Sophie continued.
Gill envied the contentment in Sophie’s voice. He longed to feel that way about his life. “With your job.”
“And Bertrand.”
Sophie seemed so grown up. Yes, she was an adult and had been for years, but she’d seemed younger with her sunshine-and-flowers attitude. No longer.
“Bertrand knows how you feel?” Gill asked.
“Yes, and he agrees. If not for our mothers, we wouldn’t be having such an extravagant Christmas wedding. But we shall do our duty. After that, we’ll ride off into the sunset and live as happily and normally as possible as the Lord and Lady of Darbyton.”
“You’ll still be a princess of Alistonia and second in line for the throne.”
“Shhh.” Amusement twinkled in Sophie’s eyes. “This is my fantasy.”
“It’s your life.”
“And a very good one. I’m not blind to that.” She leaned toward him. “So why don’t you tell me what’s going on with your life? Particularly your love life.”
That part was nonexistent, and he planned to keep it that way for now. “Nothing much to tell at the moment.”
“Are you going to start dating again so you can change that?” She sounded hopeful.
He didn’t want to disappoint her. “Let’s get through your wedding, then I can worry about my social life.”
She made a face. “As soon as my wedding is over, Mother will be on you to marry. She wants to give you the throne as soon as you wed so she can retire and enjoy her horses.”
He’d heard the mumblings and rumors about potential bride candidates. “No one is picking out my wife.”
Even though his mother would have to approve her.
Sophie straightened. “So you plan to marry?”
“Someday.” A king needed an heir, but if Sophie and Bertrand had children… “Unless you’d rather rule instead.”
Sophie held her hands up in front of her like a shield. “No, thank you. Just the thought makes me want to break out in hives.”
Gill laughed. “Then give me another Pop-Tart®.”
