“And then… stay for a few days in our fair nation?”
We planned to spend some time in peace and quiet before I left for a show in Amsterdam. If we could just get there, I’d be over the moon. What I really wanted was to spend all day and night in her bed.
Instead, I merely nodded.
“Well, I truly wish you all well. And I will see you at the semi-finals tomorrow.”
She left with that telltale regal sway of her hips and my heart sank. I wasn’t sure what I was hoping for. Ofcourseshe was all professionalism, but I wanted for just a moment to watch the mask slip. I needed to know she fought as hard as I was to stay two feet on the ground.
I despaired until a woman in a suit appeared and whispered in Swedish, “Her Royal Highness would like a word with you shortly.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion. “What?”
“I will take you there. Come with me,” the woman offered.
I was as curious as concerned. Was I about to be deported and this was just a ploy? Did her uncle know and was he about to arrest me? I looked at the woman, then my band. Her expression suggested I had no choice.
I whispered to Clarice, “I gotta go somewhere.”
To my surprise, she didn’t ask questions.
I followed the woman down two creepy hallways and a set of frightening stairs to a utility room.
“She will be along shortly,” the woman assured.
I waited, perturbed by my lack of mobile signal, fearing I was about to end up in the fjord until a door thudded open. I heard a pair of shoes on the metal stairs before Betty’s legs slowly appeared, sidestepping down the steps so she didn’t fall. I stepped up to help her down the final stairs.
“These wedges weren’t made for this,” she grimaced. “I’m sorry this is all we get.”
“So, this isn’t an elaborate plot by the Swedes to take me out?”
“No, elskling,” she giggled. “It’s just our only chance to talk.”
“Oh… okay,” I suddenly felt like I needed to say everything, but nothing seemed enough.
She took my hands. “You deserved more up there. I don’t care about anyone else, you know? Just you.”
I cupped her face, as if needing to believe it was her. “I know. I missed you, Betty.”
“I missed you more. I guarantee it.”
Betty leaned in to kiss me, gripping my waist and pulling me closer. I bit her lip possessively, drinking her up. I missed her more with every parting kiss.
“I don’t want to deny us,” Betty pulled back. “I also don’t want to cost you this, Mary. I love you, but I’m ready to tell my family. I just… I cannot hide you. I want to love and celebrate us. It feels wrong, otherwise.”
Tears hit because it was all I ever wanted to hear. My greatest fears faded. She loved me enough to risk everything. Her professional behavior wasn’t an indication she pulled back. It was a front. The people above didn’t matter, but her family did. If she was willing to speak to them about us, she was committed.
“We cannot come out before the show. I know,” Betty said. “But my parents won’t tell anyone. I just… I want everyone to know who you are. Is that okay?”
“To tell your parents that you’re seeing me?” I snickered.
Betty breathed deeply. “Mary, this isn’t like you telling your darling father about me. This is a big thing—about my identity but also about the monarchy. You must remember that I’m part of an institution. I’m not just me. No one has ever come out before. They will love me and accept you, I am sure, but there is a certain dance that needs to happen.”
“A dance?”
“A protocol—for everyone. Usually there’s a background check, an NDA, and then they send a car for you. By that point, you’ll feel obligated, but I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. Let me handle this bit. I do it to protect you.”
I understood. She wanted to smooth things outfor me. It wasn’t a trepidation about telling her family, it was a concern that if she brought me in too soon, the whole thing would be much messier. That wasn’t because I was a woman. It was because royal dating life was a minefield. Thankfully, I didn’t mind that. I lived in a world ruled by NDAs and protocols now.
