“If only,” Papa grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Carrington won’t lift a finger to help. He’s onlyjustmanaged to get reelected by the skin of his teeth. He can’t risk angering anyone. No. The only thing we can do is issue a strongly worded statement denying the entire affair and hope that does the job.”
The muscles in my stomach clench and tighten. I can’t have him deny it because the rumors are true. It physically hurts me that I have to hide and downplay my relationship with the man I’ve developed feelings for, but I don’t see any other alternative.
My eyes travel to the newspapers on the ground. Staring back at me on the front page is a blurry photo of Art and me sharing a kiss just outside the London escape room a few weeks ago. Luckily, since the quality is so subpar, it could be argued that Art was whispering something in my ear. His back is turned toward the camera.
Even if it’s his job, Art has worked hard to protect me. It’s my turn to repay the favor. “Papa, actually, I’d rather we stay quiet for now.” He meets my gaze. “It’s always been the policy of this family to ignore whatever is being printed and let the gossip die on its own within a few news cycles. We made a special exception last time, and I don’t think we need to again.”
“I appreciate what you have to say, Alice, but I’m not entirely convinced this will disappear all that easily. You’re a young and beautiful princess. There are so many people out there who have watched you grow up, and now that you’re an adult, they’re sure to take an unhealthy interest in your love life.”
I wince, knowing that everything he’s saying is one hundred percent true. What I’ve always found incredibly strange and awkward is how strangers can feel like theyknowme based on photos, appearances I’ve made, or interviews I’ve given.
Over the years, I’ve received hundreds of thousands of letters—everything from invitations to a child’s birthday party to criticisms of how I wear my hair. They’re always written so intimately. I found out a long time ago, for my own mental health, it’s best if I don’t read or see them. The palace correspondence office takes care of the job for me, but every now and then, they’ll let me know if something interesting stands out.
“You’re probably right, Papa, but can we at leasttryit my way?”
“I’m open to it, but I’d like to hear your take, Edmund.” He nods to my brother.
“I agree with, Alice, sir. I think it’s worth maintaining our silence. If we issue a denial, it’ll set the precedence that the palace comments on the personal lives of the family. Besides, the quality of the photos is questionable.” Eddie bends over to pick one up. “It’s grainy and difficult to identify who’s in the photo. For all we know, this could be a coffee vendor Ali ordered a cappuccinofrom.”
“It’s not. There’s no mistaking it’s Arthur. From the angle the photo was taken from, I think one of the employees of Locked in London must have snapped the image and sold it to the press,” I say, picturing the man in the dirty uniform who’d checked us in. I remember the supervisor mentioning the disorganized clues might’ve kept us there longer. Now we know it was probably done on purpose. I only hope there isn’t any video of us inside the escape room.
“If that’s how the staff operates, I’m canceling my visit.” Eddie crosses his arms.
Papa frowns. “Locked in London? What on earth is that?”
“It’s a room you’re locked inside of and given a time limit to figure out how to escape from it,” Eddie replies.
Papa wrinkles his nose. “Why would anyone find that appealing?”
Leave it to my brother to simplify the explanation too much. “Eddie’s forgotten to mention that the way you figure out how to escape is by solving a series of clues and mini challenges. The ones I was given were actually quite tricky. It involved being given literary quotes and piecing together which books it came from.”
“I see,” he says.
“I don’t know how you managed it. When I was looking on their website, that enchanted library challenge looked way too difficult. Amanda and I were going to do the pop culture one,” Eddie tells me.
“Alice has always enjoyed problem-solving. I can see where it might be an activity she’d enjoy.”
“It was interesting, but once was more than enough for me,” I tell them.
Papa nods. “I’m guessing these photos were taken at this escape room?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have any of the staff members sign an NDA? Perhaps we can take some legal action against them.”
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “That would’ve been Art’s domain.”
“Would you like me to follow up with him?” Eddie offers.
“I’d appreciate that,” Papa says. “Only you’ll have to follow up with the security office. The young man in question has been reassigned.”
I jump to my feet. “Reassigned?” I sputter.
“Alice . . .” Eddie warns. “We talked about this.”
I ignore him. “On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that he might have broken the terms of his employment.” Papa’s forehead is creased. “All credible claims and accusations are investigated by the security office. It’s standard operating procedure.”
