Page 112 of Royally Matched

Have I stepped out of my life into some weird parallel universe? Because this is more than a touch unexpected. Scratch that. This is certifiablyinsane.

“Hang on a hot minute, people,” I say, and they all look at me as thoughI’mthe one that’s in some fantastical other universe in which all of this makes sense. “Are you saying that you planted the decree for us to find?”

“That’s exactly what we’re saying,” Father replies.

A million thoughts battle it out in my head, but in the end, I land on the most important question of all.

“Why?”

“I think I know,” Marco says.

I slide my gaze to his. “You do?” I lean back in my chair and throw my hands in the air once more. “What am I saying? Of course you do, Marco. You seem to have this whole thing figured out.”

“I’m good at puzzles, remember?” he says softly. “I think your parents wanted to tell you the law of ascension has been changed, and that you are now the rightful heir to the throne. The way they did it was unorthodox, but fun at least?”

A shiver runs down my spine and I catch my breath. “Really?” I ask, my voice a whisper.

Marco’s whole face lights up as he smiles. “Why not ask your parents?”

I turn to face them. “Is it true?” My voice trembles. This is what I’ve always wanted, to be my father’s heir, for the laws of the land to change so that the first-born child should inherit the throne, regardless of their gender. A fair and equitable law in a modern 21st century country.

Father takes my hands in his. “You’ve always wanted to be Queen, Sofia, and I have allowed my shortsightedness to get in the way of that dream. Of all our children, you are easily the best suited to the role. You always have been, my dear. I’ve always known it, and I have done a disservice to you by not listening, and for that I am truly sorry.”

My heart is beating out of my chest, my throat hot with unshed tears. “But how?”

“When Alex abdicated the throne so he could marry Maddie, your mother suggested you as my next heir,” he replies.

I turn to my mother. “You did that for me?”

“Of course I did, darling. You should always have been the heir,” she replies, her voice soft and full of love. “You were made for the role, my darling girl.”

“It took me some time to come to terms with Alexander’s decision to abdicate in favor of marrying the future queen of Malveaux, but, over time, your mother helped me see sense. My dear Sofia, I have been too exacting in my expectations of your older brother. Too hard on him. Him choosing to follow his heart was somewhat of a wakeup call for me, as your mother put it. So, several months ago, I approached the Prime Minister on changing the law of succession.”

“Wh-what did she say?” I ask, my heart pounding in my ears.

“I think her exact words were ‘welcome to the 21st century, your Royal Highness,’” he replies with a smile.

A bubble of happiness rises in my chest until it bursts out of me in a sharp laugh. Hastily, I place my hand over my mouth as my eyes well with tears.

“So Princess Sofia is your heir to the throne,” Marco says, his eyes on me.

“Who else of my children could do the job justice?” Father says, his arms outstretched, and I step into them, enveloped in his love, barely allowing myself to believe what he and my mother are telling me.

I am my Father’s heir.

I will be the next queen of Ledonia.

And I have Marco, the man I love, at my side.

It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I fought hard to change the sexist laws of this country to allow the first-born child to inherit the throne, no matter whether they were born a boy or a girl.

As my parents and Marco congratulate me, I feelcertain my heart could burst. One day, when my parents retire on my Father’s 65th birthday, I will be queen, and I know I will do my very best for this country I love.

“Why did you give the riddle to Marco and not Enzo?” I ask tentatively. I hold my breath.

“It was at your garden party when I first noticed it. A spark between you two. After the disaster Lemon and Pepper created, it was Marco who went to you to comfort you. It was then that I knew what I had been wondering.”

“Which was?” I ask.