Royal Dilemmas

Cromwell Palace, Henfordshire

The grand ballroom of Cromwell Palace was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the rich history of the Cromwell family, and the floor was a polished marble that reflected the light beautifully.

King Maximilian Cromwell and Queen Aria-Grace stood at opposite ends of the room, each engaged in conversation with their guests. Despite the distance, their eyes frequently met, exchanging warm glances and subtle smiles that spoke of their deep bond and mutual admiration.

The air was filled with the soft strains of a live orchestra, playing a selection of classical pieces that added to the sophisticated atmosphere. The musicians, dressed in formal attire, were positioned on a raised platform at one end of the room, their instruments gleaming under the lights.

At the opposite end of the ballroom, a raised platform held the royal thrones, a symbol of the Cromwell family’s enduring legacy. The thrones, intricately carved and adorned with plush cushions in the royal deep green, commanded attention and respect. This dual-purpose room served both as a place of celebration and as the throne room, where the king and queen would hold court.

Guests mingled, their conversations a gentle hum that blended with the music. The clinking of crystal glasses and the occasional burst of laughter punctuated the air. Waitstaff moved gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne.

King Maximilian, a tall, slender, and delicate man, stood near the center of the room. His blue-green eyes, light blonde hair with a distinguished gray cast, and recently shaved face gave him an air of refined elegance. Despite his soft-spoken nature, his presence demanded respect. He engaged in polite conversation with a group of dignitaries, his warm smile putting everyone at ease. The king’s advisor, ever vigilant, stood a few steps behind, ready to assist as needed.

Queen Aria-Grace, a stunning beauty with warm, medium brown hair elegantly styled in an updo, stood nearby. Her light, crystal green eyes, a family trait, sparkled as she conversed with guests. Despite her distinguished manner of speaking, her accent revealed her origins from the mainland, United Simdonia. She had met Max during her music studies in college, unaware of his royal status until later. Her impeccable, modern elegance made her a beloved figure among the people.

Princess Royale Victoria Rose, almost 17 years young and a vision in a delicate gown, her medium blonde hair, styled in a half-updo, framed her gentle features, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with the dreams of a young romantic.

Her porcelain skin glowed softly under the chandelier’s light, and her delicate frame moved with a graceful, almost ethereal quality. Lost in her own world of love stories and fairy tales, she seemed to float rather than walk.

She now approached her father with a champagne flute in hand. King Maximilian took the flute, inhaling the aroma of the champagne before nodding approvingly. “Ah, alcohol-free, as it should be,” he remarked with a knowing smile, handing it back to his daughter. “You are every bit the princess, my dear.”

“Papa! Whatever do you think of me? Of course it is,” she replied, her tone a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity.

“I think that you are a beautiful young princess with a sometimes rather peculiar mind. May I remind you of the many times you snuck out of the palace without the guards who are supposed to accompany you at all times? Or the time you snuck onto a plane to join Jack at his horse ranch in Chestnut Ridge? I wouldn’t think a glass of real champagne out of the realm of possibilities,” He chuckled softly, his eyes filled with affection. “But despite all that, you have a heart of gold and a spirit that shines brightly. I am so proud of you, my sweet, beautiful angel.”

Victoria Rose returned his smile, her pout replaced by a look of satisfaction. She took a delicate sip, maintaining the polite and pleasant expression fit for a young royal, then placed her now empty glass on the tray of passing by staff.

Crown Prince William, the eldest of the four royal siblings at almost 18, approached his father and sister with a quiet confidence. His light, warm buttery blonde hair shone in the festive lighting, his crystal green eyes mirrored his mother’s, reflecting a serene yet determined spirit. Tall and athletic, his presence commanded respect, yet his gentle demeanor revealed a kind heart. He shared a close bond with his sister Victoria, both of them soft-spoken and dutiful, embodying the grace and poise expected of their lineage. His thoughtful nature and unwavering sense of duty made him a beloved figure among the people, a future king who inspired both admiration and affection.

“Father, Victoria,” William greeted them, his tone respectful yet tinged with a hint of frustration. “This party is so… formal. I wish I could be anywhere else right now. Anywhere but here.”

King Maximilian chuckled softly, placing a reassuring hand on his son’s shoulder. “Oh, I have a good idea of exactly where you would prefer to be, William. However, you are here, and while these events can admittedly be tiresome, they are part of our duty as a future king.”

Victoria nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a similar sentiment. “I miss Liam,” she admitted quietly. “It’s not the same without him here. This is beyond dull! He would know how to liven it up. At least I could dance then, with him.”

William sighed, thinking of his own situation. “And I miss Grace. I wish she enjoyed all this even a little bit and I wish people could see her for who she truly is, not just as a nerdy commoner who works at a bookshop. I think rather than judge her for lack of interest in ballgowns, pointless small talk and designer clothing people should take a page from her book. If more cared about our environment as much as she does, this world would be a better place.”

King Maximilian’s expression softened as he looked at his children. “Oh, please, my boy, have mercy—not yet another lecture on saving the earth. And Victoria, you have managed balls like this one without young Lord Liam before; I have faith you can still do so. As much as he is missed, you know why he can’t be here. His education and preparation for his new role so suddenly thrust upon him are crucial for his future. It’s important for him to learn and grow into his responsibilities, especially given how recent and sudden his transition has been. Both of you are still so young, with so much life ahead of you. There are many experiences yet to come. You won’t even recall the perceived torture of having to bide your time at this ‘dull ball’, as you both call it, ironically, since you two are hosts as well, meaning if it is dull you have only yourselves to blame. It’s important not to tie yourselves too closely to others and make your happiness dependent on them. You will have plenty of time for that later on.”

William grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Mustn’t we then? How strange, as I distinctly remember you pushing me on every young lady of noble birth ever since I turned 15. Now I finally made my choice and you are still not pleased.”

“I adore Grace as well as Lord Liam, but it doesn’t change that you are still young. Enjoy your carefree youth, if you feel restricted now, you will be very surprised how restrictive adulthood can be.”

Victoria giggled, nudging her brother playfully. “Yes, William, you were quite the admired and much coveted eligible bachelor. I recall a certain Lady Amelia who couldn’t stop talking about your ‘charming smile’ and your ‘lovely green eyes’. In fact, she spoke of nothing but you. I adore you and am proud of you, William, you know that, but it was absolutely sickening to hear all those hymns about my brother.”

William rolled his eyes. “You think I enjoyed it? What is wrong with our society?”

Victoria laughed. “I had that exact sentiment that time you tried to hide in the stables to avoid Lady Sophia’s endless chatter! Jack found you and called Mum. She was rather upset you chose laying around haybales with your book in your good new tux over attending a royal gala.”

“She was only upset because Lady Sophia latched on to her, and she got tired of trying to be nice when she was nothing but annoyed by her!” William replied, grinning at his sister.

“I don’t blame her one bit! At first, she chatted with me and wouldn’t leave me alone because she couldn’t find you! I texted Vivienne to come save me. Lady Sophia really doesn’t like our little spicy sister, and that feeling is mutual. Evading your not-so-secret admirers has become a family effort,” she shot back.

“Well, being the coveted eligible bachelor, as you put it, gets tiresome. And we are family are we not? So as Jack would say, ‘take one for the team,’” William retorted, trying to imitate Jack Kershaw’s cowboy drawl, inciting brief laughter from the small group until they realized this wasn’t the place.

King Maximilian still chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah yes, I remember, poor Jack bitterly complained the following day about having once more been sucked into the trials and tribulations of the young royals. He said, and I will do my best to recite it as he put it to me in his unmistakable ways: ‘Wranglin’ them dang royal kids is tougher than herdin’ a bunch of wild mustangs on a stormy night!’ But remember, both of you, these experiences are part of what shapes you into the leaders you are destined to become.”

William sighed dramatically. “Certainly, Papa, if part of our future duties shall be to hide like ninjas from endless, unnerving banter.”

“Now, now, my son,” King Maximilian chuckled, playfully shaking his index finger at William.

He then adopted a more serious tone, though his eyes still twinkled with amusement. “Alright, my dear children, we are the gracious hosts of this ball. It is our duty to mingle with our guests. So, go forth and—well, graciously mingle.”

Victoria and William exchanged a look, both rolling their eyes in unison. “Yes, Papa,” they said together, their voices tinged with reluctant obedience.

King Maximilian chuckled softly, watching them as they gracefully moved to speak with the guests. His heart swelled with pride, knowing that despite their playful banter, they were growing into the roles they were born to fulfill. Roles once held by generations of ancestors before them, dating back to the dark ages.

As he turned, he saw Queen Aria-Grace approaching, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “What was that all about?” she asked, nodding towards their children.

“Oh, just the usual complaints about formal parties, royal duties and missing their companions,” Maximilian replied with a grin.

Aria-Grace laughed softly. “I could almost hear the eye rolls from across the room. You handled it well, as always, darling.”

Maximilian offered his arm to his wife. “Care to sneak away for a bit, my love?”

Aria-Grace raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. “Sneak away? Oh, Your Majesty, I do declare! How scandalous.”

“Scandalous indeed, but isn’t that what we have children for, to host in our absence? Best not to let them see us steal away, however, to avoid more complaints,” her husband shot her a mischievous wink back.

Covertly, Maximilian led her out of the ballroom, moving gracefully and discreetly through the corridors then down the stairs until they reached the wine cellar. He pulled her inside, closing the door behind them.

“Max, darling, what are we doing here?” Aria-Grace asked, her voice filled with curiosity and excitement.

Maximilian wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I thought we could use a moment alone,” he whispered, his lips brushing against hers. “You look absolutely ravishing tonight, my love. Then again, I can’t recall you ever not being the most stunning sight to behold.”

They shared a passionate kiss, their laughter echoing softly in the dimly lit cellar. “You know, this reminds me of our college days, sneaking around for some alone time, and that was before I even knew who you really were and the strange ride ahead. But I am very much in favor of that dreadful old-man beard gone again. I love looking at your face uncovered, you are too handsome to hide it,” Aria-Grace murmured between kisses, growing more and more intense.

“I am beyond flattered, but what an unkind thing to say about my poor beard, may it rest in pieces wherever it may be. I felt it made me look rather distinguished,” Maximilian replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “At least until I noticed it was more silver than blonde. I prefer not to age myself prematurely with my whiskers.”

“I prefer your babyface look any day. More of you to kiss,” she cooed, while planting tiny kisses on her husband’s face.

“You are too kind, my queen. And might I add, you are the most stunning woman in this entire palace,” Maximilian said, his voice filled with admiration.

Their playful exchange was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Higgins, the royal butler, entered, his eyes widening in shock as he realized he had walked in on the royal couple making out.

“Uh, Your Majesties,” he stammered, his face turning crimson. “My sincerest apologies. I… I just needed to fetch more champagne. I shall return at a later point.”

Maximilian and Aria-Grace couldn’t stop giggling, their faces flushed with amusement. “Oh, nonsense, Higgins, please come in and do as you need to,” Maximilian said, trying to maintain his composure. “Carry on.”

Higgins mumbled an apology, quickly grabbing a bottle and retreating from the cellar, leaving the royals to their laughter.

Maximilian pulled Aria-Grace closer, his laughter subsiding into a warm smile. “Well, that was a bit of excitement for the evening.”

Aria-Grace nodded, her eyes still sparkling with amusement. “Indeed. We should probably get back to the ball before anyone else comes looking for us.”

Maximilian sighed playfully. “Ah, duty calls. But I must say, sneaking away with you is always the highlight of my evening.”

They shared one last kiss before making their way back to the ballroom, their hands intertwined. As they re-entered the grand room, they were greeted with warm smiles and nods of acknowledgment from the guests. The couple made their way through the crowd, stopping to chat with friends and dignitaries.

Queen Aria-Grace leaned in close to Maximilian and whispered, “We should sneak away more often. I feel rather …. uplifted.”

Maximilian chuckled softly. “Indeed, my love, though I feared that had Higgins not burst in we might have ended up behaving in a rather unroyal manner. So, for now, let’s enjoy the rest of the evening with our guests pretending to be the prim and proper royal couple.”

While his parents were sneaking some covert couple time, William tried his best not to show how bored he was. A voice behind him caused him to jump, but then smile upon recognizing her.

“Mina! I didn’t even recognize you, dressed like a proper lady and not stabbing me with a fencing foil for yet another challenge,” he said, smiling at the giggling familiar face of Wilhelmina Anna Marie von Ahrensberg, Princess Royale of Windenburg, her full title which—according to her—always made her sound like a pedigreed dog.

“I would much rather be poking you to let me defeat you yet again, Prince, but alas, my parents were rather insistent that I would look and act the part tonight, as one should when husband-shopping like a good little princess even though I turn 18 before too long, such a landmark for most, yet well, nothing much changes because we are who we are,” she countered, winking.

“I beg your pardon?” William raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry. Just in one of those moods, I suppose. Are you going to ask me to dance at some point or prefer to be rude?” she smiled.

“I didn’t know I was being rude simply by being unable to read your mind, Princess. Anyway, would you care to dance?” William was amused by her spice.

“How thoughtful! Yes, I will dance with you, mostly so people don’t have to assume we are gossiping and complaining, even though that is precisely what we are doing.” she winked at him while taking his hand, he lead her to the dance floor, with a bow by him and a small curtsy by her they fell into the upbeat waltz with ease.

“Just because your parents want you to ‘husband-shop’, does not mean you really have to. Just enjoy the ball and say you found nobody captivating,” William smiled.

“You sound just like your sister Victoria, always the idealist. But you know as well as I do that these events aren’t for us. They’re just another debutante ball, disguised as a celebration. Parents are here to sell their children off to the highest bidder, just like in the old days. We might have more of a say now, but do we really? How many times can you say no before you give in and marry someone you can at least tolerate? How about you? Any engagements on the horizon? I noticed you’re finally dating, which is more than I can say for myself,” she sighed.

“It would have been hard not to notice, unless stranded on a remote island. But no, there won’t be any engagement anytime soon, nor a wedding, not before Grace and I both graduated college, which we will start next year. I made it this far into this ball without anyone mentioning the fact that everyone knows I am dating and how it became such public knowledge, yet here you are now with your usual penchant to find the most awkward topic to be blunt about. Thank you, Mina,” he sighed.

“Oh, you are most welcome, William. At least I didn’t say out loud what else I was thinking, for a change,” she grinned.

“Oh please, don’t keep me in suspense…” William urged sarcastically.

Princess Wilhelmina leaned in after glancing over her shoulder briefly. “Let me put it this way: nice derriere, Your Highness,” she said, pulling away giggling, while the Crown Prince blushed but chuckled.

“Oh no. I wish I could make everyone forget about that unfortunate photo. Father was right, it will haunt me forever now,” he lamented. As the song began to fade out, he twirled Wilhelmina out gracefully, their laughter mingling with the final notes of the music.

“At least you didn’t get her pregnant. Or did you? Do tell!” Wilhelmina teased, giggling.

William’s eyes widened as he looked around to make sure nobody was listening. Just then, the music shifted to a slower, more romantic waltz, the violins taking on a softer, more intimate tone. The change in tempo brought the dancers closer together, and William took a deep breath, he looked around to make sure nobody could overhear them. “Princess!” he urged, leaning in.

“What? It’s what my brother did. Huge scandal. You haven’t heard? Oh, right, nobody has, guess my family is just smarter about concealing their naughty moments than your family. 1:0 von Ahrensberg versus Cromwell in this round, looks like I don’t need my foil to show superiority, dear Willy,” she whispered back nonchalantly.

“May I remind you that I have beaten you in matches of fencing, archery, horseback riding and even chess my fair share of times, Princess. And don’t call me that name! I don’t like it. It sounds like a …. part of male anatomy,” he snapped.

“Aww, I am sorry, my dear Will. I assure you I wasn’t calling you that body part,” she smirked.

William leaned in as they began to dance, their steps perfectly in sync. “So, your brother Alexander has… with a girl… a baby, really? Who? Do I know her? It’s not Lady Lisbeth, is it? She suddenly vanished, hasn’t been seen publicly or at any functions, and we all know she was rather interested in your brother,” he whispered, his curiosity piqued.

Wilhelmina raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. “No, you Gossip Girl. Lady Lisbeth is in rehab, but you didn’t hear this from me. And the child’s mother is a commoner. Her name is Kristin Banks,” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this, but I trust you.”

Upon hearing the name, William choked, coughed hard. Trying to contain the attention this was attracting, Princess Wilhelmina led Prince William out of the ballroom into the adjacent royal tea garden. Dabbing his face with her handkerchief, she shot him a curious glance, and he shrugged.

“I know the Banks, I think their ancestors and mine on my mother’s side are somehow related, but only indirectly. They’re in-laws to my Great-Uncle Chase, so we’ve met them a few times years ago while visiting when Uncle and his family still lived in Brindleton Bay,” William explained.

“Oh, I see. By any other name, your gene pool has a way of making this world seem small,” she remarked.

“Tell me about it. But I can assure you I didn’t partake in spreading the gene pool. Not yet. Obviously, we both know it is going to have to happen at some point, as it is our duty to produce heirs, but personally, preferably after university,” he said.

“Our duty? Aww, look at you, Your Highness, getting all your royal ranks and duties mixed up. I am a Princess Royale. I don’t have to reproduce. That’s the Crown Prince’s job, and looks like my brother is on it, though his child is ‘only’ a girl, just like me. Little Julia. What a disappointment indeed, even though you couldn’t tell judging by my parents’ behavior when they do get to see her,” she smiled.

Princess Wilhelmina, or Mina as she preferred to be called, was a striking figure even at seventeen. Her Windenburgian heritage was evident in her tall, slender frame and the aristocratic features that seemed to be chiseled from marble. She had a cascade of dark blonde hair that fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her eyes were a piercing blue, often sparkling with mischief. Despite her royal upbringing, Mina had a somewhat rebellious streak that often showed in her playful banter and her tendency to challenge the norms of royal decorum. She was known for her quick wit, bluntness and sharp tongue, qualities that made her both admired and feared in equal measure among her peers.

William smiled. “I dare you to say that to my three sisters. Knowing you, you’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. You’ll be dearly missed.”

“I would accept the challenge, and your sisters would agree with me. In our esteemed world, girls have always been second choice. Sad, but true. Ignoring an inconvenient truth doesn’t change it,” Mina said with her usual candor.

“I think it depends on the family, Mina. My mother would never treat my sisters differently. I’d almost say they have more freedoms than me, and they get away with more. I’d claim my sisters have it easier than me,” William replied.

“So, aren’t you contradicting yourself then? If they have more liberties, you can’t claim you are all treated the same. I would agree with that, royal daughters are absolutely held to different standards than sons, regardless of their position in the succession line. I do not doubt for one moment that my parents love my brother and me equally, but they pressure Alexander far more on certain topics, and me on others. His pressure is for stubbornly refusing to marry the mother of his child. Our father is trying to force Alex to propose, as having a royal von Ahrensberg descendant raised by commoners is unthinkable. He even tried to get custody, which the child’s mother obviously refused. My brother created a mess and is being an idiot about it, yet he whines about fairness. I challenge him to imagine if it were me with a child out of wedlock, which always silences him and makes him run away from our conversation, well aware that me in his exact position would be unmentionable. Things can always get worse,” she told him.

“Listening to you, one could think you don’t like me. Or your brother. Or men in general,” William said.

“Well, I would wager my life would be better if I stayed as far away from any of your gender as possible. Sadly, I must admit I am rather fond of romance. Which is why I am here, husband-shopping, as instructed, even though my parents are probably hitting on more unfortunate bachelors in my name that I ever would. Regrettably, my parents are simply too old for ‘modern nonsense,’ as they call it, when I talk about being a woman with a career instead of a husband,” she said.

Before William could respond, they were interrupted by announcements, one of which had William called away to join his father.

Burg Falkenstein, Windenburg

Not long after the grand ball, King Maximilian Cromwell and Crown Prince William embarked on an official royal visit to Windenburg, following several stops at other royal houses. While their fathers debated political and royal matters, the two Crown Princes found themselves with free time until dinner. Wilhelmina’s brother, Crown Prince Alexander, had mysteriously vanished, leaving William bored and restless. Spotting Wilhelmina, he voiced his frustration, prompting her to suggest they ditch their guards and explore her hometown together.

As they strolled along one of Windenburg’s more secluded beaches, they stumbled upon a rowing boat. With a mischievous glint in their eyes, they decided to borrow it for a joyride. Laughter filled the air as they struggled to paddle in sync, their initial attempts sending them in endless circles. Eventually, they found their rhythm, the calming motion of the boat and the distance from prying eyes allowing them to speak freely about their lives as royal teens, trapped in ancient traditions in a rapidly changing world.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, and the weather turned without warning. The once calm sea became a churning mass of waves, making navigation nearly impossible. Despite their best efforts to return to shore, the small boat capsized, plunging them into the cold, dark water. Disoriented but determined, they swam towards the nearest land, emerging soaked and shivering.

Exploring their surroundings, they realized they had landed on a tiny, uninhabited islet off the coast of Windenburg. Their phones were waterlogged and useless, their clothes drenched, and the wind was chilling them to the bone. To make matters worse, the temperature had dropped significantly. To stave off hypothermia, William managed to start a fire with some dry reed grass and twigs they found under a small overhang. Stripping down to their bare essentials, they huddled close to the fire, sharing warmth and stories as the flames flickered in the encroaching darkness.

“How in the world did you know how to do that? It’s ingenious and amazing! You must teach me. And why would you have a lighter on you in the first place? You don’t smoke, do you?” Mina asked, rubbing her hands together before holding them closer to the flames.

William smiled. “No, of course I don’t smoke. It was a gift from a family friend. Jack, a bit of a kooky cowboy, gave all of us lighters and showed us how to make them usable again if they ever got wet. We all thought he was just being eccentric, but he’ll be thrilled to know I remembered and actually used it. He’ll be quite proud of me, I believe.”

“Not just him, I am very proud of you. Be sure to thank him from me. Did he teach you how to fix cell phones too, by any chance?” she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

William chuckled. “No, Jack isn’t one for modern technology. He knows all about horses, but if his phone needs a simple update or an app gets stuck, he comes to the palace and finds one of us to help him. Maybe someone from the mainland or that island over there will see the fire and come to check on us.”

“I should hope so, considering we’re technically under a fire ban due to drought conditions. It’s ironic, given we just got caught in a thunderstorm and it’s still raining,” she sighed.

As the temperatures dropped, their conversation continued. Both were shaking hard, so they decided to test the theory of preserving body heat by staying close. Clinging together next to the fire, they eventually fell asleep from exhaustion.

They were awoken by flashes of light, initially thinking it was lightning, until they realized it was people taking cell phone photos of them.

“I told you it was her! That’s our princess! And that one is the Crown Prince from Henfordshire, Walter or William, I think. Seriously!” a voice exclaimed, just as they sprang apart.

Later that same day

William didn’t get a chance to compose himself after being called to the study of the King later that day, after being granted a hot shower, a warm broth and dry clothing, as he was immediately ushered into the room. He could tell by the bright red face of the older king and the grim expression on his own father’s face that this would not be a pleasant talk.

As he slowly approached, the door was opened again, and Wilhelmina entered.

“Mina! How are you feeling? I inquired about you, but they wouldn’t let me see you,” William turned to her, a worried look in his eyes.

Before she could respond, the king called them to the desk. With a stern expression, he tossed the morning editions of several local and international newspapers in front of them. King Maximilian then added his cell phone, displaying a page from the Henfordshire local news. All showed William and Wilhelmina in their underwear, intertwined next to the fire in an effort to stay warm. The headlines were less than flattering, twisting the innocent truth into something scandalous. The consensus across the board was clear, and the press had already dubbed William ‘Prince Peekaboo’.

Wilhelmina gasped, her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide. William’s head snapped up, looking at his father, then Wilhelmina’s, then his own again.

“This isn’t what it looks like, Father, I swear it!” he exclaimed. Turning to King von Ahrensberg, he added, “I assure you, Your Majesty, this is completely out of context! Your daughter was an absolute proper lady. We were stranded and needed to ward off hypothermia!”

King Ludwig von Ahrensberg’s face was a stern mask of disapproval, his complexion flushed with anger. At seventy-two, he exuded an air of unyielding authority, matched only by his wife, Queen Margarethe, who, at seventy, was equally formidable. Their advanced age and severe demeanor often led people to mistake them for their children’s grandparents. After years of struggling with fertility, they became parents to Crown Prince Alexander, 24, and Princess Royale Wilhelmina, now nearly 18, thanks to modern medical advances and, as some whispered, surrogacy—though this was never officially confirmed.

“I want to hear none of it, as it does not matter! Es ist skandalös! The only thing that matters here is the reputation of my daughter, not to mention that of Houses von Ahrensberg and Cromwell, which you both managed to damage significantly with this disgrace. Observe the motto of the von Ahrensbergs, as it seems to have slipped your minds,” the old king pointed at the elaborately copper-stitched and carved von Ahrensberg family crest on the wall, reading ‘Nobilitas et Virtus’—Nobility and Virtue. He sighed deeply. “And not just that, it is already public and that cannot be changed!” he roared, to which King Max nodded.

“Papa, es tut mir leid, I am so sorry, I assure you it was absolutely innocent, William was an absolute gentleman, without his surprising survival skills and knowing how to start a fire we…” Princess Wilhelmina tried, but was cut off.

“GENUG! I have had enough of both of my children defying me. Wilhelmina, you should have been more careful. What business did you have in a rowing boat to begin with?! A photograph of you in your underwear, even if innocent, is a scandal we cannot afford, same goes for the Cromwells. And your brother, with his illegitimate daughter and refusal to marry the mother, has already brought enough shame upon this family. Both of you should be more than aware how important it is to keep the von Ahrensberg legacy clean. Unfortunately, my influence over your brother’s actions is rather limited. All I can do is try to talk sense into him, as he is of age. But you, my dear, are a minor, and I will do what I must. You have left me no choice here. Wer nicht hören will, muss eben fühlen!”

“What are you saying?” Wilhelmina wondered, fearfully.

The king turned to William, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

“I expect you to do the right thing, Prince. So, please, go ahead.”

William looked bewildered, his eyes seeking his father’s guidance. King Maximilian gave a helpless shrug, while King Ludwig continued.

“If you need me to elaborate, I expect a proposal of marriage from you by the end of today.”

“What?!” William and Wilhelmina exclaimed in unison. Wilhelmina quickly spoke up again.

“Papa, William has a girlfriend! He can’t propose to me. We’re friends. We are just friends! We never did anything other than friendly things, things you would do with your friends! This photo does not show what truly happened, which was innocent and does not warrant a forced marriage!” she pleaded.

“Well, you both should have considered that before embarking on your little adventure. And not only that, I will strongly encourage your brother to propose to Kristin as well. There is a future heiress already learning to walk, and Princess Julia should reside here at Falkenstein, her rightful home. I’d like to spend time with my grandchild while I still can, and the same is true for your poor mother! If our children won’t do the right thing on their own accord, we will have to persuade them,” the king resolved, his tone and demeanor brooking no argument.

“Father! Don’t you have anything to say to this?!” William implored but received only a telltale look and a shrug from King Maximilian.

“William, I warned you about being reckless with public photos. Last time was humiliating for all of us, but I chose kindness over what I should have done as king. This time, I cannot save you. I agree with King Ludwig; a proposal is now unavoidable. House Cromwell has always been proper and honorable but having the Crown Prince repeatedly in the headlines in a state of undress with different young ladies is unacceptable, especially with a Princess Royale from an allied kingdom. You are both still young, not even 18 yet, so my one stipulation is –and King Ludwig and his dear wife graciously agree– that you both must graduate from university before marrying. A long engagement is less scandalous than any other option. It is your only choice now. Your mother agrees with me. You made your bed, now you have to lie in it,” King Maximilian said sternly, his voice filled with disappointment.

William was stunned. “What about Grace!? How am I supposed to explain this to her?” he asked, his voice trembling with anxiety.

“I’d wager you won’t have to. She will have seen these photos by now and probably not be thrilled, to put it mildly. You might well be single again already anyway, just not know it yet,” King Maximilian told his son with a pitiful glare.

“I have to call her! Oh, my phone, it’s… broken. Father, might I borrow yours? Please, it is urgent!” William pleaded desperately.

“Son, no. I cannot have my number in the wrong hands. We do not know how Grace will take this development. She is a darling young lady, I truly like her, but many stories have been told about a woman scorned. She may feel angry and therefore vengeful. Like you, she is young and may not think her actions and consequences through when agitated,” King Maximilian replied firmly.

“I’d give you mine, but as you know, it drowned as well,” Wilhelmina said softly, which instantly infuriated her father again.

“You, my dear, have done plenty already! Your mother had one of her episodes; she is resting now, and we had to call a physician in. I have to wonder if you attempted to murder me with your actions, well aware I have a weak heart and have had two strokes already! You may be excused to go upstairs and change into something fit for engagement photos! We need to have those published posthaste,” King Ludwig commanded, his voice shaking with anger.

“Papa! Das ist doch Unsinn! I am not getting engaged! I don’t want to, William doesn’t want to, and William loves another girl! This is not fair, it is silly, nonsense and I won’t do it! There are always mean photos and articles about some VIPs. Today it was us and the Cromwells, tomorrow it will be someone else again and this will be forgotten! You are overreacting!” Wilhelmina protested, her voice rising in frustration.

“How dare you! I have had it with your defiance! Have you, for only one moment, ever stopped and thought about your parents?! After the mess created by your brother, you created an even greater one and think you get to stand and judge ME!?” King Ludwig roared, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.

“No, Papa, but an engagement should be a choice, not forced! It’s 2024, not 1524!” Wilhelmina argued back, her eyes blazing with determination.

King Ludwig’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “Enough of this nonsense! You will either have William propose to you by dinner tonight, or you will be sent to a convent school for five years, where they will teach you how to behave chaste and obedient. You are still a minor for a few more months, and I will do what is necessary to protect this family’s reputation.”

The two stunned young royals were then excused from King Ludwig’s study. They stood in the hallway, shocked and silent, until Wilhelmina, feeling guilty about William’s girlfriend, took his hand and led him through the long hallways into the library, where there was an old rotary phone.

William stared at it, then at her, shrugging, she shrugged back at him.

“You do know how to use one of those, right? Just dial and wait.” she urged.

“I do know how to use a rotary phone, but I still don’t have her number,” William admitted, frustration evident in his voice.

Wilhelmina raised her finger, then dug through some drawers until she emerged with a book, which she handed to William. He looked at it. “A phone book? Those still exist?!”

“It’s old. But so is your girlfriend’s book shop, right? There is a chance it’s listed. It’s San Myshuno, Windenburg, and Newcrest combined. What’s the name of the store?” she asked, hopeful.

“Timeless Tomes & Treasures,” William replied. Then both leaned over and started searching through the pages. With luck, they found it. Still bent over, their eyes met.

“Think it’s the right number?” he wondered, uncertainty in his voice.

She shrugged, picking up the phone and starting to dial. William fed her the numbers. She listened, then handed the phone to him. “It’s ringing, good luck!” she said, then walked away to give him some privacy.

When the call was answered, William’s heart jumped as he heard Grace’s familiar, sweet voice.

“Grace! It’s me, William! Grace, listen, I have to talk to you to explain… Grace? Grace?!” William’s voice grew more desperate with each word.

Wilhelmina turned when he raised his voice calling for Grace, but he looked miserable. “She hung up,” he said, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

Wilhelmina came back over, took the receiver from him, then dialed again. “Yes, hello, my name is Mina, you don’t know me, but I have to speak to you about William. Yes, I am that girl and I want to tell you it’s a press stunt. William and I didn’t… yes… no, yes, that’s me… no, Grace, look… please listen, just hear me out for a moment. Okay. Thank you, I will make it quick. Yes, he is here with me, I’d put you on speaker but we both lost our phones and only have an old rotary one right now, no speaker on it.” Wilhelmina leaned in close to William, both put their heads together, the receiver in between, while Mina explained the situation, with occasional help from William. When Grace finally seemed to be calmer, William took over the phone and the conversation, while Mina left the room.

When he joined her eventually, he looked miserable. “It didn’t work? I felt she believed us,” Wilhelmina asked, concerned.

“She did,” William replied, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“Then what’s the problem? Everything is well again, no?” Wilhelmina asked, confused.

“We broke up,” William said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“What?! I thought… but why would she break up with you?” Wilhelmina asked, shocked.

William swallowed hard and turned to Mina, locking eyes with her. “She didn’t. I broke up with her after telling her I would propose to you today. It didn’t seem right not to set her free. Mina, I must honor our fathers’ wishes. We cannot save me and feed you to the wolves. I do not believe either of them will change their minds. I love my father, and I know I humiliated him, and all of us. It does not matter how or why; no matter how innocent it may have been, we created scandal, soiling our heritage. This is where we highborns truly differ from the commoners. It is not the titles, the palaces, and castles; it is that they would have options. For us, the only way to fix it is for me to make an honest woman out of you. Do not rip my head off for saying it that way, but it felt right. I truly want you to accept my proposal. If we do this now, everyone will calm down. In a few months, once we both are 18, we can say we are not right for each other and break the engagement. You can no longer be forced into the convent boarding school, and I will take the blame for the break-up,” he explained, his voice filled with determination.

Mina looked at him with an expression he had never seen before—vulnerable and deeply moved. She quickly turned her back and began to cry. William tried to comfort her, but she pulled away. “Do not be so sweet now! How am I supposed to say no when you are like this? I know you are right, but I do not want this. Not like this,” she said, her voice breaking.

“That is exactly my point. Do not say no. If we break up once we are 18, we can have a real engagement, with the right person and the way we both imagined it—out of love,” William replied gently.

She turned to him, her eyes and cheeks wet. William handed her his fabric handkerchief, embroidered with his initials and the Cromwell family crest. “I really do not want to go to that blasted convent. Can you even imagine me among nuns?” she asked, a hint of desperation in her voice.

“Only if I want to laugh very hard,” he smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

“Thank you, Will. I suppose your father was right, we made our beds, now we have to lie in them, together,” she said, attempting a smile.

“That kind of talk is going to make things even worse,” he attempted a smile back.

“I am sorry about Grace,” Mina said softly.

“Not as sorry as I am. I thought I was going to marry her after university, a bookworm like me. I even looked at websites to figure out the chances our children would be redheads or blonde, I don’t think there ever has been a redhead in the entire Cromwell history,” William admitted, his voice tinged with sadness.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I do like books…” Mina shrugged.

“I meant to read, not throw at me when I teased you too much or dared to win one of our many competitions!” William chuckled.

“I read! I even read in two languages, since German used to be the official language here and I am to keep up with it. I am fluent in both. Ha. Can you say the same?” Mina challenged, a playful glint in her eyes.

“I am fluent in Latin, so yes,” William replied, grinning.

“You can’t be fluent in a dead language, William! You can read it, as can I, just like any royal in the world, that is not special and does not count,” Mina retorted, rolling her eyes.

“Well, fine, Princess, you win. You are better educated than me. I will sob into my formal suit as I get dressed for the proposal. Any particular place you would prefer? Any specific details I should be aware of?” William asked, his tone lightening.

“Yes, never and nowhere, no offense. Nothing personal.” Mina sighed deep.

“None taken, as I could not agree more. Alas, our parents do not, and we both have our reasons for entertaining this for everyone’s benefit, unless I misread you. So, all we can do at this point is to make it as pleasurable as possible, I’d prefer there to be at least some fond memories, so, again, Princess, when and where?” William responded.

“Oh, William, how about on a stage at some play, since it is merely play-pretend. I am sure whatever you decide will be wonderful, Will, so gentleman’s choice. Any preference on what I should wear? Any preferred color, perhaps?” Mina asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Surprise me. You have excellent taste so I am sure whatever you decide will be beautiful. Are we doing it in front of anyone or privately?” William asked.

“Your parents, your brother and my father, so they will at least get a show. Your father isn’t allowing us much time to invite guests.”

“Well, under normal circumstances there would likely be no guests anyway, not for the proposal. Most couples choose to share such a moment in private and invite guests to the engagement party.”

“True. My father has already spoken to my mother, but I must speak to my sister. Victoria is such a romantic. I should call her. Actually, I must. If she were to find out after the fact, she would skin me alive,” William added, a small smile playing on his lips despite the situation.

“You do that. I am not even going to bother telling my brother beforehand. He will just laugh at me after all the grief I gave him for his behavior, and here I am making him look like a choir boy. At least he managed to keep his drama out of the press. I cannot believe this is happening. I cannot believe I am giving in to the pressure after fighting it for so long. And I am dragging you down with me. I really am sorry, William,” Wilhelmina said, her voice filled with regret.

“So am I, but perhaps it is what is best for Grace. Is that not what love is supposed to be? Selfless? Keeping her out of this nonsense is the most selfless thing I can do. We grew up with it and are used to it; she is not, and it goes against everything she stands for. My family is loving and genuine, but things change when others are involved. Poor Grace was so stressed during her visit. All the guards, rules, and restrictions. She wanted to roam the fields but could not. She is afraid of our tall horses. She called us birds in gilded cages; perhaps she was right. Life at the palace would kill her. She needs to roam and stand up for her causes. She is passionate about the environment, animals, and literacy. I got into trouble with my father after joining her protest against deforestation. It was a legitimate cause, but the press devoured it when I was recognized. Royals must refrain from political stances, yet there I was, all over social media. I really am a disappointment as a Crown Prince,” William confessed, his voice heavy with guilt.

“You are not, Will, you are a true gentleman. So, which color shall I wear? I assume you prefer me in a dress rather than the usual trousers, as is customary and expected of a princess when a prince proposes,” Wilhelmina asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Mina, I prefer you to be yourself, to be comfortable, no matter the reason for what we are about to do. We are made to feel uncomfortable so often; there is no need to add self-induced problems to it,” William replied gently.

Later that day, while awaiting the dinner call, the von Ahrensberg family, including Crown Prince Alexander von Ahrensberg, and King Maximilian Cromwell stood together. Crown Prince William entered, wearing a stately navy blue suit with a silver tie.

Princess Wilhelmina turned as he approached her, took her hand, then knelt, handing her a single red rose, which she took with shaking hands. She wore a graceful emerald green gown, accentuated with gold jewelry, the colors of the Cromwell family, that contrasted stunningly with her blue eyes and blonde hair.

“My dear Princess Wilhelmina Anna Marie, would you bestow the utmost honor on me and agree to marry me?” he said, as Mina stared at him with wide eyes.

“Mina?” William prompted gently.

“Oh, right, yes, yes it would be my great honor to marry you, William…” She leaned in and whispered, “I don’t remember your middle names!”

It made him smile as he rose, but then he suddenly panicked. “Wait, I should have a ring!” he exclaimed, looking around frantically.

King Maximilian, anticipating this moment, stepped forward and handed William a ring. “Here, use this,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. “I asked King Ludwig for Wilhelmina’s ring size and taste earlier and had my assistant procure this.”

William took the ring, relief washing over him. He turned back to Wilhelmina, who was trying to stifle a giggle. “Thank you, Father,” he said, before slipping the ring onto her finger.

Wilhelmina looked at the ring, her eyes widening in surprise and admiration. “It’s beautiful, William. Truly,” she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

William snickered. “You’re welcome, but I can’t take any credit. This was obviously a communal effort.”

Wilhelmina laughed softly and turned to King Maximilian. “Thank you, Your Majesty, and your assistant, for your excellent taste.”

As William leaned in to respond to her about his middle names, she thought he was trying to kiss her. Her lips slid along his cheek, leaving a wet line. He tried to fix it by kissing her, but she jerked back, then leaned forward, and they ended up banging their heads together. After the initial shock, they both blushed crimson. Mina let out a tiny, embarrassed giggle, causing both to burst into very unroyal roaring laughter, barely able to stop until politely, but firmly, called to order by King Ludwig while everyone lined up to congratulate them.

Once seated for dinner, across from each other of course, William leaned in.

“By the way, since I feel you should know this about your fiancé, it’s William Henry Declan Cromwell.”

“Got it. I shall embroider them into my handkerchief tonight so I will remember it for all eternity.”

“You do embroidery?!” William’s surprised face made her giggle as she shook her head.

“William, come on now, you know me better than that! I can carve it into the sand with my fencing foil, spell it out in chess moves maybe, but I am useless at needlework.”

William just smiled, shaking his head.

The Next Day

The next morning, William and Wilhelmina were ushered into a room where a team of media consultants awaited them. The consultants briefed them on how to handle the press, emphasizing the importance of presenting a united front.

“Remember, every gesture, every word will be scrutinized,” one of the consultants advised. “Stay close, support each other, and keep your answers concise and positive. Do not correct each other and do not argue.”

After hours of preparation, they boarded a royal jet bound for Henfordshire. The flight was a mix of quiet reflection and last-minute preparations. Upon landing, they were greeted by a small delegation and whisked away to Henford-on-Bagley, the capital of Henfordshire.

The town square was adorned with the royal colors of green and gold for the Cromwells, and red and gold for the von von Ahrensberg. William and Wilhelmina arrived in a royal carriage, waving to the gathered crowds. The townspeople cheered, eager to catch a glimpse of the newly engaged couple. William wore a tailored dark blue suit, while Wilhelmina donned a beautiful navy-blue dress, symbolizing the unity of their two families.

They stepped onto the balcony, hand in hand, and faced the sea of expectant faces. William took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Thank you all for your warm welcome,” he said, his voice steady. “Princess Wilhelmina and I are honored to be here today, and we look forward to serving you all in the years to come.”

Wilhelmina smiled and added, “We are grateful for your support and excited to embark on this journey together.”

The crowd erupted in applause, and the couple exchanged a relieved glance. They spent the next hour greeting the public, shaking hands, and engaging in brief conversations. Their warmth and sincerity won over many hearts. Both Wilhelmina and William, having been raised to represent their royal heritage, handled themselves with grace and poise.

As the event drew to a close, William and Wilhelmina found a moment to themselves. “We did it,” Wilhelmina whispered, squeezing his hand.

“Yes, we did,” William replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Together. The worst part is over.”

“For now,” she added with a smile.

That evening, after a long day of public appearances and media engagements, and then dinner with his family, William and Wilhelmina found themselves alone in the palace gardens.

They wandered through the familiar paths until they reached a secluded bench, one that held a special place in William’s heart. It was where his father had revealed his true identity to his then-commoner mother, Queen Aria-Grace. The gardens, still his mother’s happy place, were filled with memories and a sense of timeless romance.

They sat down, the quiet of the garden enveloping them. “This bench has a lot of history,” William said softly, glancing at Wilhelmina. “It’s where my father told my mother he was a crown prince. They met at university, and she had no idea until right here, just before meeting the king, queen, and my aunt and uncle.”

Wilhelmina smiled, touched by the significance. “Oh, that must have been quite the shock. Meeting the parents is always daunting, but your poor mother must have been so nervous.”

“Oh, she was,” William replied, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. “She tells the story brilliantly. I’ll ask her to share it with you soon. You’ll find it quite amusing.”

There was a moment of silence, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding. Slowly, William reached out and took her hand, his touch gentle and reassuring.

“Mina, I know this isn’t what either of us expected,” he began, his voice earnest. “But I want you to know that I’m okay with this. I know this isn’t the type of love story in all those mushy novels and romantic movies my sister loves so much, but I have a good feeling about it now. About us. We’ll face whatever comes our way, together.”

Her heart swelled with emotion, and she leaned in closer, her eyes searching his. “Thank you, William, for everything. I know you didn’t have to do this, and I know you paid a steep price to save this damsel in distress. I want you to know that I will never forget it. I truly am grateful,” she said softly.

In that moment, the distance between them seemed to disappear. William’s breath hitched as he closed the gap between them, his heart hammering in his chest. He leaned in, his eyes locked onto hers, and with a mixture of hesitation and longing, he brushed his lips against hers.

The kiss was unexpected, a spark that ignited a fire within them both. Mina’s response was immediate, her lips soft and inviting, meeting his with a fervor that took his breath away. It was a kiss filled with unspoken promises, a blend of passion and vulnerability, sealing their connection in a way words never could.

When they finally pulled away, both William and Mina were left breathless, their eyes wide with shock. They quickly looked away, each trying to process what had just happened. Mina nervously wiped her lips, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and excitement.

“Oh William, now you’ve done it,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You’re making me feel all sorts of crazy things. What is happening here?”

“Well, if it makes a difference, I am feeling and thinking a lot of crazy things as well now,” he replied, his voice soft but earnest.

William’s heart pounded as he turned to face her, his own emotions in turmoil. “I think I’ve always kind of liked you, in a different way than all the others somehow,” Mina continued, her eyes shining with emotion. “I just never thought it was THIS way, nor that you’d see me as more than a friend. And not even a very close one.”

William’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her, really looked at her, and realized that perhaps his feelings for her had been there all along, just unrecognized. “Mina, I think… I think I might have always felt something for you too. I just didn’t realize it until now. I feel some crazy way now as well. How is that possible? We’ve spent so much time together since we were children, you’d think we’d notice if there was something … more.”

She smiled, a mixture of relief and happiness. “Who knows? After the days we had I am not going to question it. We are stuck with each other anyway, at least for the foreseeable future, better this way than if we couldn’t stand each other. Can you imagine? I think that’s how it might have gone in the olden days, back when our families first came into existence.”

“I can’t and don’t want to. We’ve all heard about those poor young girls pawned off to some old men to bear their heirs. Ugh!” William pulled a face, making Wilhelmina laugh.

Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she grew somber. “I am really sorry about Grace. I don’t know how serious you both were, but since your parents know her, I would assume fairly serious. I will try to be a good fiancée to you. I’ll even start reading again, for you. Any recommendations? Please not the old classics, we had to read and analyze them for schooling and I hated it.”

“Now, now, princess, we are not supposed to use such harsh language. You may despise or abhor, but not hate,” William smiled, winking, reciting the words of their media training instructors.

“Oh, well, apologies, Your Highness, I didn’t realize I was holding another press conference here.” Mina rolled her eyes, but her smile returned, a bit more genuine this time.

“Well, don’t let it happen again. I would dislike or despise, even abhor, having to keep you in check the old-fashioned husband way,” William said, grinning, playfully slapping his hands together as if to threaten a beating.

“Oh, I would love to see you try. The future of your kingdom may never see an heir from you then, though,” Wilhelmina shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

They both laughed, the playful banter easing the tension of the day. As the laughter died down, Wilhelmina’s expression turned thoughtful.

“You know, it’s funny,” she said, a smile playing on her lips. “Our names are practically the same. William and Wilhelmina, mine is the female and German version of yours. It’s like we were destined to be together or something.”

William chuckled, the realization dawning on him. “You’re right. I never really thought about it that way. It’s almost poetic. It’s kismet. Amusingly ironically, my mother’s favorite horse bears that name, ‘Kismet’.”

“Almost poetic?” Wilhelmina teased, nudging him gently. “It’s totally poetic. William and Wilhelmina, the dynamic royal duo, at least as far as the royal conduct codex allows.”

William grinned, enjoying her enthusiasm. “I suppose it does have a nice ring to it. Maybe it was fate after all. I could call you Willa. Will and Willa.”

“Sure, as long as I can call you Willy. Willy and Willa, just dreamy in a Tim Burton sort of way. Almost sounds like Willy Wonka,” she said, her tone turning more serious. “Maybe my father’s proverbial gun to our heads could still turn into something beautiful.”

William looked at her, admiration and affection in his eyes. “I like the sound of that. Turning adversity into something beautiful. Maybe that should become the new Cromwell family motto, it is certainly appropriate. However, I believe my knowledge of Latin fails me.”

“‘Adversitatem in Aliquid Pulchrum Convertentes,’” Mina said and laughed. “I think my family needs a new motto now too. How about ‘Coniugia Optima Sunt Cum Coacta.’”

William, struggling to translate, said, “Uh… ‘Coniugia Optima Sunt Cum Coacta’… Marriages are… optimal when… cooked?”

Mina burst into laughter and corrected him, “No, silly! It means ‘Marriages Are Best When Forced.’”

William smiled, watching her laugh, and said, “I love how you always manage to make me laugh. And how smart you are. I think… I think this might be better than any other way it could have gone.”

Mina softened and agreed, “You know, I think you’re right. Maybe we didn’t mess up as badly as we thought with that scandalous photo of a situation that couldn’t have been more innocent. Maybe we ended up doing ourselves, and our families, a favor. And if not, we don’t have to remain engaged. It’s only an engagement, not a life sentence, but I think we just solved another problem I had. My parents agreed to let me go on a nice vacation as a graduation present for my Abitur. All my friends are planning on things that don’t interest me. Go with me, William. We could get the best idea on how we truly feel about each other and whether we can stand to be around one another for extended periods.”

“You have friends?” William teased. She giggled and nudged him by leaning her entire body against his briefly, but he kept her close by wrapping his arm around her.

“I like the idea, Mina, we should plan something. I have been thinking about what I want for a graduation present myself, when I complete my A-Levels in a few months. Something fun and exciting, but also relaxing, as the University of Britchester has quite a reputation for not being easy.”

“I am sure we could plan something fun and relaxing, together. So, you were accepted into Britchester?” Mina looked surprised.

William nodded, shrugging, which also pulled Mina closer to him. “Is that so surprising? I am an excellent student.”

“It’s not surprising, but I received acceptance letters from UBrite as well as Foxbury and haven’t been able to make up my mind. How about you make up my mind then, William?”

“Britchester is Cromwell tradition. I have to attend there.”

“That wasn’t my question, Your Highness. Do you want me closer or at arm’s length, that is the real question.”

“It is not. Welcome to the University of Britchester. Go Dragons.” He smiled and they kissed again briefly.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history and the promise of their future settling around them. The garden, with its memories and timeless romance, seemed to embrace them, offering a sense of peace and hope.

A few days later

A day after Mina returned to Windenburg, William found himself alone in his suite at night, the silence almost deafening. He missed Mina’s presence, her laughter, and the way she made everything seem brighter. Things were just so easy with her, she was fun to be around but knew exactly how to act in any royal setting, when to speak and when to just politely let others speak. But he also missed Grace, riddled with guilt about how they ended.
With a heavy heart, he decided to call her on Skype, hoping to find some solace.

He stared at the screen, his finger hovering over the call button. Finally, he clicked it, listening to the ringing tone with a mix of hope and dread. The call went unanswered, and the screen returned to the contact list. William sighed deeply, feeling a pang of guilt and regret. He began pacing his suite, running a hand through his hair, his mind racing with thoughts of what he could say to make things right.

Suddenly, a ding from his laptop broke the silence. William rushed over to see a new Skype chat message from Grace: I’m not ready to face you. What do you want?

His heart sank. He quickly typed back, his fingers trembling slightly. Grace, I’m so sorry. I know I hurt you, and I can’t apologize enough. Please, can we talk?

There was a pause before her reply came through. Talk about what, William? About how you dumped me out of the blue to get engaged to another royal just like I always knew would happen? Or about how we shared our first time together and now it means nothing?

William nearly flipped over his laptop, trying to type so quickly, his heart pounding.

Grace, it wasn’t like that, and it meant everything to me, still does. The engagement… it was complicated. Our fathers forced us into it after that photo was made public. I never meant to hurt you.

Grace’s response was swift and sharp. Complicated? You think that makes it better? We were together, William. We shared everything. I have volumes of chats about our future together and screenshots you sent about our theoretical future kids’ hair colors and such! I never wanted kids, because of the overpopulation of the world, having children now is irresponsible, but I was changing my mind, for you, because you needed that heir. I was gonna become someone else, for you! How could you just throw it all away? Over some bad publicity?

William felt a lump in his throat. I didn’t throw it away, Grace. I still care about you. I always will. But I had no choice. Please believe me.

There was a long pause before Grace replied. You say you had no choice, but you still made one. You chose her over me, deliberately, you told me so yourself when you called me from her castle. How am I supposed to feel about that?

William’s eyes stung with unshed tears. I know, and I’m so sorry. I wish things were different. I wish I could take back the pain I’ve caused you.

Grace’s next message was softer, but still filled with hurt. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you, William. You were my first… everything. My first kiss, my first prom, my first date, my first time…You were so special to me before I ever knew who you were. And now, I don’t even know who you are anymore. I feel used. Like you used me to learn how to date and now you moved on to the real girlfriend. Oh, sorry, you skipped ahead straight to an engagement. Eew, Will! Or William. I am not even sure I still like you, TBH. I bet you all had a really good laugh at my expense. The dumb nerd from San Myshuno. You are the worst! If I didn’t know better I would think your love for books was all a lie too.

William’s hands shook as he typed. Grace, no, nothing like that! I’m still the same person, Grace. I love books. I love your enthusiasm. Your individuality. I’m just trying to navigate this mess. Please, give me a chance to make things right. Please let us at least be friends.

There was another long pause before Grace finally replied.

Friends? FRIENDS!? You got some nerve! First you dump me without warning, we never even had a single fight, yet I wake up one morning to photos of you practically naked with some girl, and before I can even freak out I read you got engaged. What the hell? Who does that?! And now you are here trying to friendzone me. I don’t even know how to react to any of this, I really want to tell you to go to hell and never contact me again, but you broke up with me and moved on, I didn’t break up with you and haven’t even had time to wrap my head around it, but I miss you and hate myself for it. I miss our long discussions about books. So, as much as I want to tell you to get lost, I can’t, I still might, but I am not ready for it yet. I need time, William. I can’t just pretend everything is okay. Maybe one day we can talk properly, but not now.

William nodded, even though she couldn’t see him, then typed.

I understand. Take all the time you need. I’m here whenever you’re ready. But Grace, really, it was nothing like what you are thinking.

Some time passed, and he could see her typing, but no message came. Several times, he watched the “typing” indicator flicker on and off, until finally, a message appeared. One that took his breath away.

Do you love her?

William stared at the screen, his mind racing. He tried to type out his feelings without hurting Grace even more than he already had, but the also refused to lie to her or feed her platitudes. It took many attempts, and he still had nothing, when her next message came.

It’s not that hard, Will. Do you or don’t you? her message urged, William frowned, then quickly typed

It’s not that simple. I am trying to answer you properly.

Watching the indicator flicker instantly, he already knew what she would say.

No, you struggling to answer already is an answer. If this very simple question requires a long explanation, then the answer isn’t ‘no’. But if you love her, it means you can’t love me anymore, it just doesn’t work that way. We can love multiple parents equally at the same time, and pets and siblings and friends, but only one person romantically at a time. It’s either her or me. And since you can’t say it is not her, it means it isn’t me. Well, I wanted an answer and now I have it. I need to get to bed, school night. Unlike you, I am on the public school’s schedule, not they on mine. Bye, Your Majesty.

Still Highness, Grace. :) And good night. Can I call you maybe tomorrow? He tried to make light of it, correcting her like he always used to, but she was not ready to joke. She went offline immediately.

William sat back, staring at the empty chat window, shoulders slumped. The weight of his choices pressed down on him. Why did life have to be so complicated? William’s fingers hovered over the keyboard again, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He needed to talk to someone who understood the tangled web he was caught in. Without thinking twice, he opened a new chat window and typed Mina’s name.

Mina, are you there? he typed with shaky hands, his heart pounding in his chest.

A few moments later, the familiar typing indicator appeared, and he let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

Your Highness, what a surprise at this late hour. What’s up? he read on his screen. Mina’s response was calm, but he could sense a hint of curiosity.

I just had a really tough conversation with Grace. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve messed everything up. His fingers trembled as he typed, the weight of his frustration and guilt pressing down on him.

I’m sorry, Will. Do you want to talk about it? Anything I can do to help? Mina’s empathy shone through her words, offering a small comfort.

I don’t know how to make things right with her. I feel like I need to do something for her, but I can’t think of anything. If I were to send her flowers or chocolates she would lecture me about sustainability. There is no way I could fly to San Myshuno now, my parents would lock me in the dungeons before they’d allow it. Clearly she doesn’t want to speak to me and I didn’t even get to ask for her mobile number again. She asked if I love you, and I couldn’t even answer her properly. I feel so lost. His frustration spilled over, each word a testament to his helplessness.

I get it. This is a complicated situation for all of us. What did you end up telling her? Mina’s understanding tone was a balm to his troubled mind.

I tried to explain the unexplainable, but she didn’t want to hear it. She logged off before I could say much. He felt defeated, staring at the screen, hoping for some guidance from Mina.

Maybe it’s best to give her some space for now. She needs time to process everything. Mina’s words appeared on the screen, practical and soothing.

Yes, perhaps you’re right. I just hate that I’ve hurt her so much. And now, with us… I don’t know what to think. I don’t know what to do. We both know this is not what we wanted, but then again, isn’t it? I am so utterly confused. William’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

Same here. When I got home I had to answer to so many friends about this, upset with me as nobody knew you and I were romantically involved, something you would usually talk to your friends about. I didn’t know what to say, made up something about you and I falling head over heels during a boating trip when your father visited mine. It was the best I could think of without having to lie too much. We’ll figure it out together, William. One step at a time. Just remember, you’re not alone in this. Mina’s message was a lifeline, her understanding and support shining through.

Thank you, Mina. I don’t know what I’d do without you. If I had to be in a situation like this, I couldn’t ask for a better co-conspirator than you. he typed and smiled, imagining the sound of her giggle when reading this. He realized how much he missed Mina. Strange. He never had before.

Anytime, William. I guess advice is some hidden talent I have. Can you imagine, my big brother sat with me for almost 2 hours earlier wanting advice about his own situation. From me. That has never happened before! he read, surprised at her revelation.

Oh! What did you tell him? William wondered; curiosity piqued.

Exactly what you would think. That he needs to do soul searching and either win Kristin back or amicably work out something regarding shared custody with her. He told me he already did and realized he actually loves her, just was scared to lose his freedom, but realized after what happened to you and me, we never really had that much freedom to begin with. He is off to look at rings as we speak and wants to apologise and propose to Kristin as soon as possible, asked me to not say anything as he doesn’t want to get our parents’ hopes up, so I shared this in the strictest confidence, say nothing until there has been a public announcement, okay? Get some rest, okay? We’ll talk more tomorrow. Mina’s message was filled with hope and a touch of secrecy.

Will do and don’t worry, I can keep a secret. Good night, Mina. William typed, feeling a bit lighter.

Good night, William, he read and couldn’t help mouthing her name in all variants and the word ‘my fiancée’. He felt a strange warmth at the thought, a new feeling he was just beginning to understand.

William closed his laptop, feeling a small sense of relief. Mina’s words had a way of calming him, even in the midst of chaos. He knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Mina by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope. As he lay down to sleep, he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for all of them. Would they keep the engagement past turning 18? Her parents wouldn’t be able to force her into a convent boarding school then anymore. Or would they stay engaged throughout university and get married after graduation, like he had imagined it with Grace?

Would Mina be the mother of his future heirs? Why had he never noticed how much he enjoyed her laughter, her honesty, her sense of humor? And how much he adored her rebellious side, even though she could be the perfect royal princess as well? How come she felt like the one person in the entire world that he could trust blindly? How come he could close his eyes and describe the exact shade of blue in her eyes and knew that her blond hair was a mixture of many different shades of blond?

And why had he felt compelled to kiss her in the palace gardens when nobody had been around to see? Why did being engaged to her feel so much easier and more pleasant, even though they were forced into it, than anything had ever felt with Grace? Grace had come to see him once and made up what clearly were excuses to not return. She had been awkward, stubbornly arguing almost every single rule and custom, whereas Mina didn’t need to be told; she already knew and just gracefully went along. Had Grace only been a crush? Was he falling for Mina? How would he know for sure?

Well, he’d see her again soon enough, at their official engagement party, which was undoubtedly being feverishly planned already and since he outranked his fiancé, it would take place at Cromwell Palace. As engaged couple they were allowed more time alone than under normal circumstances. Plus, his 18th birthday party would be before too long and only a few months later would be hers, so they would undoubtedly see a lot more of each other.