Rhysand I didn’t speak during our long car ride to the airport or the flight itself. Things between us were so strained I almost wished last night hadn’t happened, but I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.
The aftermath wasn’t pretty, but the moment had been beautiful.
Bucket list number four.
It’d been so much more than a bucket list item, but that would be my secret to keep.
“You don’t have to, but…can you join me tomorrow?” I asked as Rhys set my suitcase down in my suite. We’d landed in New York a few hours ago, and we were staying at The Plaza until I left for Eldorra in two days. Nikolai would announce his abdication tomorrow, and I had my press conference after that. The thought made me slightly sick to my stomach. “For the speech.”
For the first time that day, Rhys’s face softened. “Of course, princess.”
It was funny how much I’d hated the nickname at first, but now it made my heart flutter.
Later that night, I tried to sleep, but my mind raced with a million thoughts and worries. Costa Rica, Rhys, whether he would stay on as my bodyguard, the public’s reaction to Nikolai’s abdication and engagement to Sabrina, my grandfather’s health, my debut as crown princess, my move back to Eldorra…
I squeezed my eyes shut. Breathe. Just breathe.
Eventually, I fell into a restless sleep, plagued by nightmares of getting crushed beneath a giant crown in front of the palace while everyone pointed and laughed.
The next morning, I woke up earlier than planned to get ready for my press conference and cover the dark circles beneath my eyes with makeup. I skipped breakfast, not trusting myself to hold the food down, but when Rhys showed up at seven o’clock sharp as promised, he insisted on ordering eggs and a smoothie from room service. No coffee. He said it would help with my anxiety, and surprisingly, it did.
Nikolai’s speech started at eight, and we watched in silence as my brother—clad in his military dress uniform, his face taut but determined—delivered the words that would change Eldorran history forever.
“…I hereby announce that I am abdicating my title of Crown Prince of Eldorra and removing myself from the royal line of succession. This decision did not come easy…”
The audience’s gasps were audible even through the screen, but Nikolai forged on.
Most important decision of my life…
My love for the country…
Succeeded by my sister, Princess Bridget…
I sat stock-still the entire time. I’d known the abdication was coming, but it was surreal to see and hear Nikolai announce it on-screen.
After he ended his speech, the camera switched to a visibly stunned news anchor, but Rhys turned off the TV before I heard what the anchor had to say.
“Do you need a moment?” He radiated such natural confidence and authority it almost soothed frazzled nerves.
Almost.
I had my own press conference coming up soon, and I wanted to throw up.
Yes. Preferably a million moments.
“No.” I cleared my throat and repeated in a stronger voice, “No. Let’s go.”
I checked my hair and clothes one last time before we exited my suite. Everything a royal family member said and wore in public had hidden symbolism, and I’d dressed for battle today in a sleek Chanel suit, heels, and a subtle ruby, gold, and diamond brooch that reflected Eldorra’s flag colors.
The message: in control and ready to take over.
The reality: a complete mess.
As Rhys and I took the elevator down to the lobby, a certain numbness set in, making the world around me fuzzy.
Tenth floor…ninth floor…eighth floor…
My stomach sank further with each floor we passed.
When we reached the lobby, the elevator doors swished open, and I saw a thick crowd of reporters clustered around the hotel entrance, held back only by security. Their shouting reached a crescendo when they saw me, and everyone in the lobby turned to stare at the source of the commotion.
Me.
I’d dealt with the press plenty of times in the past, but this was my first encounter with them as crown princess. It shouldn’t be any different, but it was.
Everything was different.
My breaths turned shallow. Pinpricks of darkness danced at the edge of vision, and my steps faltered.
“Breathe, princess,” Rhys said quietly. Somehow, he always knew. “You are the future queen. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
Inhale. Exhale.
He was right. I couldn’t start my first day in my new role scared and timid. Even if all I wanted was to run to my suite and never come out again, I had responsibilities to fulfill.
I can do this.
I was the future Queen of Eldorra. It was time to act like it.
I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and lifted my chin, ignoring the stares of the other hotel guests as I walked toward the exit and the beginning of my new life.