I chuckled. “Well actually, I’ve been trying to get Adelaide to date me since university.”
“Is that right?” Warren leaned in conspiratorially. “Do tell.”
“Yes. Leading up to graduation I needed some help to pass my final Spanish class and Adelaide was assigned to be my tutor. I desperately wanted to date her back then. Little did I know, fate had other plans. Adelaide is a philanthropist and held a fundraiser at the primary school where she teaches, and we reconnected there this past fall. When the contest came about, I knew she needed to be a part of it.” Adelaide tightened her grip on my hand, and I took that asan indication that she didn’t like me bringing up our college tryst, even if I left out the best—and dirtiest—details.
“Wow. We always love to see a second-chance love story play out right before our eyes,” Warren exclaimed, clasping his hands together. “Since you’ve known each other for so long and seem to have a history, does that influence the timeline of growing your family? Especially with the breaking news of Prince Xavier becoming a father, I know the country will be on baby watch as soon as you two marry.”
Adelaide stiffened, and when I glanced at her from the corner of my eyes, some of the color had drained from her face. I liked Warren James, but he was pushing it with this line of questioning. I opened my mouth, resolving to put an end to the conversation when I was cut off by Adelaide.
“Warren, I so admire and appreciate your work, and I know you’re simply doing your job, but there are certain things that are not up for public discussion today. My fertility is one of those topics, and the private matters of my future family is another. Now, let’s talk about the coronation.”
I closed my mouth, hiding my astonishment. I couldn’t have come back with an answer like that if I had had days to think about it. Yet Adelaide said it boldly and with confidence, defending herself and my family with a poise that few possessed.
As I watched her finish out the interview, I knew that—regardless of what we had promised last night—I was going to marry this woman one way or another. I would spend the next six months truly courting the one I had let slip away years ago.
New Year’s Day—my coronation day—dawned with bitterly cold temperatures and drifting snow that came above my knees in some spots.
Crews had worked through the night to clear the roads of ice and snow, but when you live in a mountain country where it snows for over half the year, snow removal can be a bit like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos at the same time. Thankfully, the flurries had subsided a few hours ago, and we didn’t anticipate any issues getting to the House of Lords for the ceremony.
I stood on the front steps of the palace and watched as the emerald-and-gold horse-drawn carriages were brought around, knowing this would likely be one of the few moments I’d have to myself for the rest of the day.
I took a deep breath, letting the crisp, cold air hit my lungs before slowly letting it out.
“Why are you just standing out here? You’re going to get frostbite. Is that how you want to start your first day as King?” Rosie groused from behind me.
I turned, letting out a soft laugh, and wrapped my arm around her. She wore a thick wool coat and rubbed her gloved hands together, her eyebrows drawn together in consternation. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I just needed a bit of fresh air. For the nerves, you know?”
Rosie nodded, nestling in under my arm. We stood like that for a few moments, watching the staff as they bustled around, making final preparations for tonight’s coronation dinner. They wore heavy coats, hats, and scarves in shades of navy and green, and I smiled as I heard a trio talking and laughing animatedly as they finished shoveling and salting the walkways.
This is whom you’re doing all of this for,I reminded myself, swallowing past the knot in my throat.For them, for every Wexstonian.
I knew that Rosie would stand out here with me for as long as I needed, but her nose was beginning to turn red, and I didn’t want her catching a cold.I squeezed her shoulder.
“Come on, kid. Let’s wait in the foyer for everyone.”
“Oh, thank God.” She rushed back through the front doors and posted up near the base of the grand staircase, where we both knew a nearby heating vent provided a particularly warm spot.
Heels clicked along the white limestone floor, and I turned to find Knox and Birdie making their way to us.
Knox wore a perfectly tailored three-piece black suit with an honorary medal pinned to the chest pocket of his jacket, just underneath a champagne pocket square. Birdie, meanwhile, was wrapped in a calf-length tan wool coat, with emerald gloves that matched the tea hat perched on her mahogany hair. They whispered to each other in hushed tones before Knox placed a quick kiss on Birdie’s cheek and they both greeted me.
Birdie shot me a cheeky grin. “Good morning, Your Highness—or, should I say, soon-to-be Your Majesty,” she said as she dipped into a curtsy.
“Don’t start that shit.” I rolled my eyes and then brought her in for a hug.
She giggled.“You know I had to.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I gave her a half-smile.
I pulled back and looked Knox over. It was strange seeing him not in his usual jeans and flannel, but he aways looked great in a suit. I was reminded again just how different our lives were from even just a few months ago and was overcome with gratitude toward him.
“I’m so thankful that I have you by my side during this,” I said, clasping him on the shoulder.
I knew that, had circumstances been different, Knox would have preferred to lay low during the coronation, rather than riding in the family procession. But as my best friend, honorary brother, and now stepping into his new role as my Chief Counselor, he knew I needed him by my side. After all, this day was always meant to belong to Xavier, not me. We were all experiencing something new and unexpected.
“There’s no one else I'd do this for.” He winked at me and then pulled Birdie back to his side, lacing his fingers with hers.
My heart warmed as it always did when thinking about how they had found each other in this world. It had been clear from early on that she and I were more friends than lovers and would never be together romantically. Birdie had been Knox’s from the start and he hers, even if it took a while for them both to realize it.
