Page 106 of Broken Crown
It’s not a question.More of a statement.
“And you love him.”
Again, it’s not a question, so I simply nod.
“Then the rest are just details you need to work out.”
My jaw drops, wondering who this woman sitting beside me is and what she did with my grandmother.“I thought you said there’s no place for love in a monarchy.”
She smiles sheepishly.“That’s what I thought.Or, more accurately, what I wastrainedto think.Probably to convince me to go along with a marriage I wanted nothing to do with.But just because someone says something doesn’t make it true.Your brother and Nora made me see that.”She leans toward me, lowering her voice.“As have you and Captain Lawson.”
“But—”
“But nothing.If this entire experience has taught me anything, it’s that holding onto these antiquated rules can cause more damage than good.Your uncle lost his life because of it.My son…”
She trails off, her chin quivering once more.Closing her eyes, she draws in a deep breath to compose herself.When she returns her gaze to mine, it’s full of determination.
“Fuck the rules.”
I gasp, hearing my grandmother swear leaving me momentarily speechless.
“Your Majesty…” I feign indignation, covering my chest with my hand.“That kind of language isn’t very becoming of a lady of your station.”
“You want to know what I think of my station?”she responds, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
“What’s that?”
“That it’s utter bullshite.”
I burst out laughing once more, my heart fuller than it has been in a while.Fuller than I thought possible after last night.
“Pardon the interruption.”
We both dart our eyes behind us, Oliver standing there with a confused expression on his face.I doubt it’s because I was laughing in a place that’s normally somber.But because my grandmother was also laughing.Something she never does.
“The press conference will be starting soon.”
“Of course.”My grandmother starts to stand.I jump to my feet, helping her up and offering her my arm.
If Oliver finds our behavior odd, he doesn’t mention it.If anything, I notice a hint of a smile on his face as he escorts us through the palace.
Just before we enter my father’s office, my grandmother stops me.
“I’d like to do more of this.”
“What?”I lean toward her, dropping my voice.“Swear?”
“No.”She rolls her eyes.“Well, maybe.”She winks.“But this.”She gestures between us.“Spend time with you.Get to know you.Do you…” She hesitates, a hint of vulnerability in her expression.It’s a strange look, considering I once thought nothing scared her.“Do you think we can do that?”
I give her a wide smile.“I’d love to.”
As we step into my father’s office and both Anderson and my father rush to hug me, my grandmother joining us, it feels like I have what I’ve wanted since I learned my uncle died all those years ago.
I finally have a real family again.
ChapterForty
Creed