My mind has a tough time reconciling what I’ve just seen with the man I thought I knew. My affectionate and passionate boyfriend, my first love, the man I was beginning to imagine a future with, part of an anti-royal group? It doesn’t make sense.
Wait, maybe he infiltrated them?—
“Yes, he is a member,” Carlo says. “I can show you another tape, if you’d like.”
I shake my head. “Thank you, I’ve seen enough.”
We sit in silence for a moment.
“But why plot against the royal family, when we’re a modern constitutional monarchy?” I argue, grasping at straws. “We have free elections, a parliament, a government, and a prime minister who’s the real boss of the country. We’re a republic, except in name.”
“These wannabe rebels believe that the House of Valois-Montevor is still too influential, too powerful,” Carlo explains. “They oppose the institution of monarchy, even a constitutional one, on principle.”
“Do you think they’ll act on their beliefs?”
“MESS analysts assess the threat they pose as negligible,” Carlo replies, his voice reassuring. “All talk, no action. Just fiery rhetoric by privileged young people in search of meaning and in need of a cause.”
“Is that why you haven’t arrested them yet?”
“Arrest them?” Carlo smiles. “The chance of this bunch doing more than fantasizing about a revolution is next to nil.”
“Are you sure?”
“Your Highness, we’ve looked into each and every one of them thoroughly.”
I swallow. “And?”
“They have no following, no backing, be it financial or political, no connections with foreign services or actors,” he adds. “None of their parents are involved or even aware of their ideas.”
“Have you told Uncle Richard? The prime minister?”
“No, Your Highness. Like I said, they’re not a threat.”
I slant him a quizzical look. “But you’re telling me.”
“Because of your relationship with Henri de Bellay, Your Highness,” Carlo explains. “I thought you should know the whole truth about him.”
The room is spinning, and the walls feel like they’re closing in on me. I try to control the tears welling up in my eyes, but they break through and cascade down my cheeks.
“Your reaction confirms you knew nothing about this,” Carlo says, his voice gentle. “I was certain of it.”
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “Thank you for the heads-up, Carlo.”
He stands, too. “For your safety, and to protect your family, may I suggest that you stop seeing Henri de Bellay?”
I nod, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and betrayal.
“Whatever you choose to do, Your Highness,” Carlo adds, “please know that I’m keeping a close eye on that group, even if I expect them to get tired of their so-called rebellion before the year is out.”
He personally sees me out.
The first thing I do once I’ve exited the MESS building is text Henri and tell him I’m leaving him. “Our relationship has run its course,” is all I offer as an explanation. I hesitate for a moment, then add, “I wish you all the best.”
Part of me hopes he won’t disappear from my life without at least putting up a fight. I secretly wish he’ll call back, write me a letter, try to corner me at some event we’ll both be attending, stalk me… But he does none of the above.
A month later, I find out he’s left Mount Evor and moved into his grandmother’s property in France. Many Evorians vacation there or own homes. Culturally and linguistically, there’s no difference between the French, the Monegasques and us. But unlike Monaco and Mount Evor, France is a republic that did away with monarchy by chopping the heads off its royal couple.
And that makes Henri’s choice of residence feel like a final slap in the face.
