Page 126 of Duty and Desire

Franz managed to get the car through the gates without mowing anyone down, and by the time we entered the courtyard, Daniela Risch was already at the door. Her eyes widened when she saw Gio.

I gave her a polite smile as I got out of the car. “Those flights you organized. Cancel them.” I wasn’t sure if I was going to forgive her for being so quick to get Gio out of Eisenland—and out of my life.

She flushed. “Your Majesty, we’ve been flooded with calls, emails…”

I couldn’t rein in my smile. “Not quite the disaster you anticipated?”

Daniela stared at me, and then she chuckled. “We were braced for uproar and riots. What we got was an explosion of support.” Her eyes twinkled as she gazed at Gio. “The fairytale romance of the King and the commoner is proving very popular.”

I blinked. Daniela was human after all.

“Call a meeting, immediately,” I instructed as we followed her inside. “The Prime Minister and the rest of my Cabinet.”

“Right away, Your Majesty.” She hurried away.

I took a moment to breathe.

Gio chuckled. “I know, right? This was… unexpected.”

“It’s only just dawning on me that we have a whole new reality to navigate—an openly in-love couple.”

No more hiding.

Gio sighed. “Don’t let this euphoria go to your head. There’s bound to be some opposition, you know. Not everyone is going to be happy about this news.”

I took his hand in mine. “Let me enjoy this wonderful feeling while it lasts? I know it will wear off eventually, but right now, I’m relishing this blissful state.”

“Where am I to put Gio’s bags, Your Majesty?” Franz asked from behind us.

“Back in his room, of course.” I arched my eyebrows. “This might be a brave new world, but I don’t think the palace staff is quite ready for their king sharing his bedroom.” I grinned.

He coughed. “I think you’re right.” He disappeared along the hallway.

I watched him go. “I owe that man a lot.” I had to find a way to express my gratitude.

“Gio!” Claudia’s joyful shout bounced off the stone walls. She ran over to us and flung her arms around him.

I stood there while they hugged. “Don’t I get a similar welcome?”

She released him, then stood in front of me. “You didn’t screw it up. Well done.” Before I could take issue with her, she hugged me. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

I kissed her cheek. “We’ll talk more later. Right now I have something important to attend to.”

Claudia smiled. “Then I’ll let you get on with it.” She gave Gio a peck on the cheek, then left us.

We walked slowly, heading for the Council chamber.

“Do you know what you’re going to say to them?”

I nodded. “It’s clear no one anticipated my subjects would welcome such a change.”

Gio smiled. “Their king came out, and stirred up a rebellion against the old guard.”

I laughed. “Nowyou sound like a writer. And I’m not sure ‘rebellion’ is the term I’d use. But last night my ministers were acting out of a sense of duty, to protect the monarchy. They wanted to control the narrative.” I held his hands. “What you said earlier was true. The tide has indeed turned. The events at the station and at the gates have convinced me changes need to be made, and swiftly. The people are behind me, and I cannot let them down.”

“What kind of changes?”

“My subjects need to feel safe to express their views—whatever those views may be. They must be free to live as they choose, to love who they choose. That means we need to enact a new law.”

---