The Jubilee

Newcrest
Grace Harper’s home

William’s heart was heavy as he approached Grace’s house in Newcrest, a suburban area where a dark limousine, looking distinctly out of place, was discreetly parked outside. His security detail, always covertly present when he traveled alone, was strategically positioned to ensure his safety. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, but he knew he needed to end things properly. Doing so at her home felt more considerate than at her place of work. He brought a bouquet of flowers, hoping to soften the blow.

Grace greeted him at the door, her eyes widening in surprise. “William, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“Grace, we need to talk,” he replied, his voice steady but laced with emotion.

She led him to the kitchen, where she began to put the flowers in a vase, her back to him. The sound of water filling the vase was the only noise in the otherwise silent room. As she watered and arranged the flowers, William struggled to find the right words, his heart aching with the weight of what he had to say.

Before he could speak, Grace’s voice broke the silence. “You’re here to tell me it’s over again, aren’t you?” she asked, turning to face him. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation, the light in them dimmed by the weight of their situation.

William swallowed hard and nodded, unable to meet her gaze. “Yes,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

“Good. I was wondering if and when I would see you again to tell you the same,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow. “William, I love you, and I will never, can’t ever forget you, but we both just got a harsh reminder of why this didn’t work out the first time. As much as I want it to be, this isn’t meant to be. Before you came back here tonight, I was trying to figure out a way to be with you at the palace without losing myself, but then the humiliation of being so exposed in front of your father—not just physically, but emotionally—made me realize I can’t live like that. I can’t live without privacy and being with you would take all my privacy away. If it’s not the public, it’s someone at the palace. There’s always someone. You know, knowing we both feel the same, makes letting go a bit easier. I think it’s time we both move forward and find happiness in our own ways, even if it’s apart. I’ll always cherish what we had, and I hope you find peace and joy in your path too. Maybe now, that we both know for sure this is never gonna work, I can too, find someone and really let them in. I wasn’t ready before, with your ghost always lingering in my heart.”

William’s eyes filled with tears, his heart breaking at her words. “Grace, you are truly remarkable. I will never forget you either. You have taught me so much, without even trying. I sincerely hope we can remain friends, if not now, then perhaps in the future,” he said, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

Grace shook her head gently, her eyes softening. “Friend? William, I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t think we know how to be friends. You came to my shop as a friend, to see how I was doing, remember? And it started all this again, turning both of us into cheaters, something I think I can say for certain is not something either one of us thought we’d ever be. I would like to offer to pay you back for the house and the shop once…”

William stood quickly, pressing a finger to her lips, silencing her. “No. That would be quite unnecessary. Don’t do that. You never asked; I did it because I wanted to, and I never desired anything in return. I’m glad I could at least help a wonderful person out. Don’t mar the gesture,” he said firmly, his eyes searching hers.

Gently pulling his finger away, she nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “Will, can we have one last kiss? A kiss goodbye?” she asked, her voice breaking.

William’s heart ached as he leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender, bittersweet kiss. It was a farewell, a final acknowledgment of what they had shared and what they had to let go. The kiss lingered, filled with unspoken emotions and the weight of their parting.

As they parted, tears streamed down Grace’s face. “Goodbye, William,” she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.

“Goodbye, Grace,” he whispered, his voice breaking. He gently wiped away a tear from her cheek before turning to leave.

With that, he turned and left, the weight of their final goodbye heavy on his shoulders. The pain of their separation was almost unbearable, but he knew it was the right thing to do. The limousine awaited him, a stark reminder of the life he had to return to, one without Grace. He stepped inside and rolled up the separation window, creating a private space. As the car pulled away, the tears he had held back finally broke free, each one a silent testament to the love and loss he had to endure.

San Myshuno
Senator Suites Penthouse

After breaking up with Grace, William felt emotionally drained. He decided to stay overnight at his Uncle Nick’s penthouse in San Myshuno, avoiding the drama and public scrutiny that always accompanied his stays at hotels. The luxurious penthouse, situated downtown and somewhat closer to the international airport than Newcrest, offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The twinkling lights created a mesmerizing spectacle, but William was too preoccupied with his thoughts to appreciate it.

His emotional state was so fragile that he didn’t trust himself to maintain his composure around others, making the penthouse a secluded refuge. His security team, which typically stayed at hotels, had a smaller detail taking shifts in the lobby to ensure his safety without intruding on his need for solitude. Standing on the balcony, William watched the shift change, the new detail arriving and talking to the ones who had been on duty. The sight reminded him of Grace’s words: “I can’t live without privacy and being with you would take all my privacy away.”

The stark reality of her words hit him hard. Even in this moment of solitude, there was always someone watching, ensuring his safety at the cost of his privacy. It was a life he had accepted but now felt more burdensome than ever.

As he stood on the balcony, someone else was watching him, though unbeknownst to him. His Aunt Adrianna observed him with concern from inside. She turned to her husband, Nick, who joined her in the living room.

“I’m worried about Will,” she said softly, her voice tinged with anxiety. “He looks so lost. He broke up with Grace and came back in really bad shape. He has lost his appetite, and I heard him crying behind the closed door of the guest room earlier, before you got home. I didn’t want to make it worse by knocking, so I just left him be, but it’s breaking my heart.”

Nick nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll talk to him.”

A little later, Nick stepped out onto the balcony with two beers, handing one to his nephew. They stood in silence for a moment, taking in the view. The distant hum of the city below filled the quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil in William’s mind.

“Want to talk about it?” Nick asked gently, his voice cutting through the silence like a lifeline.

William sighed, taking a sip of his beer. “Uncle Nick, I… I’m torn. I’ve made so many mistakes, and now I don’t know how to fix them. I heard my parents and even Victoria on it, and I know the right thing would be to be honest with Mina and confess, but I am so afraid of losing her. I couldn’t bear it. How could I ever cheat on her? What is wrong with me?”

Nick placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Love isn’t always easy, Will, especially at your age. You’re supposed to be an adult, making tough choices, but often lacking the wisdom that comes with years. I don’t know if telling Mina means she could ever forgive you—maybe she will, maybe she won’t—but you know what you did, and that has already sullied the bond between you. Not telling her doesn’t undo what has been done. Mina might not know, but you do. Honestly, I think you don’t even really have a choice, and you know it. It’s the hard times that strengthen love’s foundation. You’ve taken a step in the right direction by being honest and trying to set things right with Grace. Now, you need to trust yourself and the people who care about you. If your relationship with Mina can weather this, then you can face the world together. If not, at least you won’t have a lie poisoning it.”

William looked out over the city, the lights blurring as tears filled his eyes. The breakup with Grace was painful, but what truly overwhelmed him was the terrible guilt he felt about cheating on Wilhelmina. He realized how much she meant to him and couldn’t understand how he could ever do that to her. Now, he faced the very real possibility of losing her because of his actions. He felt the weight of Nick’s words, the encouragement and support grounding him amidst the chaos of his emotions. The road ahead was uncertain, but he knew he wasn’t alone.

“You’re right, Uncle Nick. Mama and Papa told me the same. What makes this even harder is that Wilhelmina is in Windenburg, supporting her sister-in-law through a difficult pregnancy. Ordinarily, she’d be on the same campus as me, but she needed to be there for her family. Now I have to make matters worse by breaking her heart,” William explained, his voice trembling.

Nick nodded thoughtfully. “Don’t wait. If she means that much to you, she deserves to hear the truth directly from you. I agree, the timing couldn’t be worse, but the longer you wait, the worse it will get for her.”

William took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. “You’re right. I’ll have the royal jet make a stop in Windenburg before flying home to Henfordshire. I need to tell her everything.”

With that resolve, William knew what he had to do. He set his beer down, looking out over the city one last time. The lights seemed to flicker with newfound clarity, a reflection of the resolve now burning within him. He turned to his uncle, gratitude shining in his eyes.

“Thank you, Uncle Nick. For everything,” William said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Nick smiled, giving his nephew’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Anytime, Will. Just remember, you’re not alone in this.”

William nodded, feeling a sense of peace for the first time in days. He knew the path ahead would be difficult, but with the support of his family and the strength of his love for Wilhelmina, he was ready to face it.

Windenburg
Falkenstein Castle
Main Residence of the Royal Family von Ahrensberg of Windenburg

At the crack of dawn the next morning, the royal jet departed, aiming to arrive in Windenburg early. After a seven-hour flight, William arrived feeling both anxious and determined. The rural Windenburgian landscape unfurled before him, the towering spires of Falkenstein Castle rising majestically in the distance. As the car pulled up to the palace, he spotted Mina in the distance, her figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the royal stables. The horses grazed peacefully in the large pasture, their presence a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart.

He bypassed the official entrance, familiar with the guards and staff, and made his way to the stables, the air thick with tension and unspoken words.

Mina was gently stroking her mare, Freya, when she noticed his approach. Her long, dark blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate features and striking blue eyes. Her face softened into a smile, but the embrace that followed was longer and tighter than usual, a silent conveyance of her own turmoil.

“You look exhausted,” William said, concern lacing his voice as he studied her weary expression. His buttery blonde hair caught the light, and his eyes, the color of pale seaglass, were filled with worry.

Mina nodded, her weariness etched into her features. “It’s Helena. This pregnancy has been much harder on her than the last. I’ve been so worried,” she admitted, a sigh escaping her lips.

She then looked deeply into his eyes, sensing the weight of his emotions. “What’s going on, Will? I’ve noticed something’s been off for a while,” she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

The dam inside him broke, and the flood of emotions spilled out. Mina led him to a nearby bench, her touch gentle yet firm as she offered him comfort. William confessed everything, his heart aching as he felt her stiffen beside him. She pulled her hand away, her gaze fixed straight ahead, the silence between them heavy and oppressive.

Desperate, he fell to his knees before her, his voice trembling with raw emotion. “Please, forgive me, Mina,” he pleaded, his crystalline green eyes searching hers for any sign of forgiveness.

“Get up, Will. It’s not fit for a Crown Prince to be seen on his knees,” she said, her tone firm yet gentle as she helped him to his feet.

Standing before each other, William could see the turmoil in her eyes, tears threatening to spill over. “Will you forgive me, Mina?” he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper, his heart pounding in his chest.

Mina’s expression hardened slightly, though her eyes remained glassy. “I’m not sure, William. I need time. Please give me time. Alone. Away from you,” she replied, her voice a mix of determination and sorrow.

“Mina…” William’s voice was laced with desperation, his hand reaching out to her as she started to turn away. He tried to hold on to her, his grip tightening as if trying to keep her from slipping away.

She shook his hands off, her voice now hurt and angry, her eyes blazing with intensity. “William, if you want us to have any chance at all, you must give me time. If you can’t, then I will have no choice but to return your ring to you right now,” she said, her voice steady and resolute, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

His heart heavy with a crushing sense of guilt and fear, William nodded, watching helplessly as she walked away, her silhouette growing smaller until it disappeared from view. He returned to the car, the short flight back to Henfordshire feeling like an eternity. The weight of their parting words and unresolved feelings loomed over him, casting a long shadow of doubt and uncertainty over their future. As he flew through the early morning sky, he knew he had set in motion a difficult journey toward potential reconciliation or heartbreak.

Henfordshire
Cromwell Palace
Main Residence of the Royal House of Cromwell

William sat on one of the ornate benches in the palace gardens, his heart heavy with worry and regret. The palace was bustling with guests celebrating his mother’s birthday, but all he could think about was Mina’s absence. As Crown Prince, he was expected to be at the party with his fiancée, and her absence felt like a looming confirmation of his worst fears.

He hadn’t heard from her since he broke the news, honoring her wish for space. Her absence from this significant event felt like a silent yet poignant response, intensifying his fear that she had made her decision.

The laughter and chatter of the guests ringing over to him from the distance only amplified the emptiness he felt inside.

He buried his face in his hands, feeling the tears well up. He had never felt so isolated, suffocating under the weight of his guilt and sadness. Suddenly, he felt someone sit down next to him and gently place a handkerchief in his hand. He looked at the initials, WvA, and quickly looked up.

“Mina, you came!” he exclaimed, his voice breaking with relief.

Mina took the handkerchief from him and gently dried his eyes. “Yes, I did,” she said with a soft sigh. “I realized that the way we came to be together was not very conventional. You sacrificed your love with Grace to save me then. You never got any closure. As hard and hurtful as knowing you did what you did was, I love you too much, Will, to give up on us now. You were faced with a choice and chose us, at least in the end. I was faced with a choice and I, too, choose us. I love you, William. We didn’t fall in love first, but we did eventually, and that love is still every bit as strong as any other.”

William took her hand, squeezing it gently, then brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly. His eyes filled with tears of gratitude and love. “Oh God, thank you, Mina. I love you so much. I am truly sorry for everything I put you through. I was confused and overwhelmed by my emotions, and I didn’t handle it well. Seeing Grace brought up unresolved feelings, but it wasn’t fair to you. You deserve better than that,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “I promise to be honest and open with you from now on. Not to mention, loyal and true. Always.”

He kissed her hand again, his lips lingering on her skin. “How did you know I was here?” he asked, his voice shaking.

Mina smiled softly, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding. She placed her hand against his cheek, her touch warm and reassuring. “Because I know you, William. This is the bench where we had a lot of heart-to-heart talks. It’s where you come to find solace,” she said gently.

William held her hand tightly, his tears falling freely. Mina gently dried his tears once more, her touch tender and comforting. “Mina, I promise you, from now on, I will do everything in my power to be the best fiancé, and one day husband, I can be. No more confusion, no more mistakes. I am all in, with you,” he vowed, his voice filled with determination.

Mina leaned in, kissing him tenderly. “Everyone makes mistakes, Will, even us, no matter how many rules we were raised with. Maybe one day I will falter, and you will remember this. Maybe I won’t. All I know is that I am all in, with you,” she whispered against his lips. Her hand gently cupped his cheek, her thumb caressing his skin. “Now, let’s join the celebration of your mother’s birthday. She will be thrilled to see us together,” she added, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

William looked at her with adoration. He stood up, offering his hand to help her rise as well. Once she was on her feet, he took her hand and kissed it tenderly, his eyes never leaving hers. “You look absolutely radiant, Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing slightly with a teasing smile.

Mina giggled softly, playfully implying a curtsy. “And you look quite dashing yourself, Your Royal Highness,” she replied with a soft laugh.

He offered her his arm, and she gracefully linked hers with his. As they were about to head towards the Grand Ballroom, William paused and gently pulled her back. He pulled her close, their bodies fully touching, and kissed her deeply. It was a kiss filled with promise and a renewed commitment to their future. The royal guards lingering nearby turned or averted their gazes, some coughing discreetly, which amused Mina and William.

“Let’s get to the feast before we make a spectacle of ourselves,” William whispered with a chuckle.

When they finally strolled through the door of the Grand Ballroom, the grand chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The room was adorned with opulent decorations, befitting the celebration of Queen Aria Grace’s birthday. The guests turned to see the Crown Prince and his fiancée walking in together, their smiles radiant and their love evident.

Up front were Queen Aria Grace and her husband, King Maximilian. Queen Aria Grace was resplendent in a regal green gown, her regal bearing commanding the attention of everyone present. King Maximilian stood proudly beside her, dressed in a formal military uniform adorned with medals and sashes. William wore a similar military dress uniform, signifying his position as Crown Prince, while Mina’s blue gown, representing her family’s royal colors, complemented her graceful figure as she walked beside him.

Queen Aria Grace, noticing their entrance, squeezed her husband’s arm, a covert gesture to draw his attention. King Maximilian followed her gaze, his eyes lighting up as he saw his son and Mina together. He nodded approvingly, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

With a discreet nod towards his parents, William led Mina to the dance floor. They began to dance with practiced ease, their movements graceful and fluid, as if they were meant to be. The interruption his brief affair had caused seemed to fade away, replaced by the strength and unity of their renewed bond.

Watching them, Queen Aria Grace whispered to her husband, “This is the best present I could have asked for. Now I finally know for certain that they both wish to be together.”

King Maximilian smiled and kissed her hand gently, winking. “Sometimes we have to lose the person we hold most dear, lose ourselves, before we can see clearly. I would know,” he said, his voice filled with the wisdom of personal experience.

Queen Aria Grace nodded thoughtfully. “If anything good came from this, the question that had always been burning in the back of William’s mind, if he and Grace could have made it, were they given a chance, is now answered for both of them. And maybe Wilhelmina has been wondering it too, but now she knows he would choose her and she him.”

As they danced, William and Mina felt the weight of the past lift off their shoulders. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, a testament to their renewed commitment. They were surrounded by family and friends, the music enveloping them in a cocoon of love and joy. The royal guards lingered nearby, their discreet presence ensuring the couple’s privacy even amidst the celebration.

In that moment, William knew he would treasure Mina and their love more than ever before. He kissed her hand once more, his gaze never leaving hers. Mina’s eyes sparkled with shared understanding and unspoken promises.

Their love had been tested and had emerged stronger, a bond forged in grace and strength. Nothing could break their connection. As they danced, the future seemed bright and full of possibilities, with the support of their family and the love they had found in each other.