My mother’s expression flickers, but she recovers quickly. “It was a choice made out of desperation because she could see what I apparently could not.” Her gaze slides past me to Addison. “You’ve been very clever, Miss Cross.”
“Your Majesty, it has nothing to do with cleverness.” Addison’s voice is steady.
“No? You two happened to fall in love, knowing he needs to find a wife? It’s convenient, isn’t it?”
“That’s enough,” I say, taking a step forward. “You will not disrespect her.”
“It’s nowhere near enough.” My mother steps closer with her heels clicking against the floor. “The alliance with Belcova, the council’s plans, your father’s wishes—do you understand what you’re jeopardizing?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then you understand why this ends right now.” She straightens her shoulders, and I watch her transform from my mother into the queen. “Tatiana will not be sent home. The harassment complaint will be dismissed. The plan continues.”
The words land like a blow to the chest.
“You’re dismissing the complaint.”
“It’s already done.”
“She assaulted me, and you’re protecting her.”
“I’m protecting this family.” My mother’s voice is ice. “Tatiana made a mistake. She apologized. The alliance with Belcova is too important to throw away because you couldn’t handle an overeager woman.”
I stare at her, barely recognizing the person in front of me. “Couldn’t handle—she violated my boundaries. She touched me without my consent. And you’re telling me to marry her?”
“I’m telling you to do your duty.”
“My duty is to marry my harasser?” I laugh, but it’s full of sarcasm. “Do you hear yourself?”
“I hear a crown prince who made promises he now wants to break because he’s infatuated with a painter.” She steps closer. “You will do what’s required of you, what you promised with your word. Starting tomorrow, your schedule will be managed by my office. You will attend every event with Tatiana. You will be charming and attentive to every new woman who’s introduced to you. You will choose a princess before the clock strikes midnight, the night of the ball.”
“And if I refuse?”
“That’s the last thing you want to do.” Her voice doesn’t waver. “Don’t test me, Louis.”
She turns to Addison, and I feel her hand find mine behind my back.
“Miss Cross, I can’t remove you without causing a scandal—first female royal portrait artist, dismissed after one day. So, you’ll stay. You’ll do your job. And you will never be alone with my son again.” She pauses at the door with her hand on the frame. “My husband’s tea is scheduled for Tuesday. I suggest you enjoy it. It may be the last pleasant conversation you have in this palace. This ends now. You have five minutes to say your goodbyes. Don’t make me come back here.”
She leaves, and the door clicks shut behind her.
Neither of us moves. I can hear Addison breathing beside me, shallow and fast, and my own pulse hammers in my throat. Ten minutes ago, we were celebrating. Ten minutes ago, everything felt possible. Now we’re standing in the wreckage of it, trying to figure out how to breathe.
“Louis …” Addison’s voice is barely a whisper. “What Tatiana did to you—and now they’re?—”
“I know.”
“This isn’t right.”
I pull her against me, holding her tight enough that I can feel her heart racing against my chest. The rage is burning through me, but underneath, it’s something worse. My own mother told me that what Tatiana did doesn’t matter. ThatIdon’t matter. That my body, my boundaries, and my consent are secondary to an alliance.
“We fight,” I say into her hair. “I’ll find a way to contact you, even if it’s through Delphine. I’d text you, but it’s being monitored.”
“Okay.” She nods against my chest, her voice muffled. “And when I meet your father?—”
“I’ll be there with you. Be yourself. My mother won’t tell him about us. I promise she’ll try to bury this.” I press my lips to her hair. “I already miss you.”
She pulls back and looks at me with her jaw set and her eyes wet. “I’m so sorry. You deserve so much better than this.”
