Page 100 of Prince of the Palisades

“That was kind of epic.”

“You think so?” I ask.

“Dude, you’re aprince. No offense, but I never see anyone like you show up like that. Not for people like me.”

The corners of my mouth droop.

Lo picks up another brush. “Almost everyone’s been chill and supportive since I came out.” They pause, biting their lip.“But when it’s about the issues that really affect me—no one says ordoesanything. It’s a ‘me’ problem. How fucked up is that?”

I sigh guiltily. “Very.”

“Why are people trash?”

“Because secretly? They’re scared.” My chin lowers. “Not getting involved means they can protect themselves. They—” I think about what Morgan said before the protest. “They don’t want that smoke.”

Lo snorts hard. “Okay, what have you done with Prince Jadon?”

“I’m serious,” I say. “Ignoring the issues doesn’t make them go away. It doesn’t mean you’re not next.”

For generations, that’s how Réverie has survived. Maintaining distance. Staying neutral. Pretending the world’s problems aren’tour problems. But they are.

And I refuse to be silent.

What’s the point of being charming or approachable or the “good” prince Papa wants if I’m not the one my peopledeserve? Someone who will fight, regardless of how it looks to others.

“I did what everyone should.”

Lo smiles. “Another country’s prince fights harder for me than my own government. Way to go, America. Really leaning into that ‘land of the free’ bullshit.”

Their fingers carefully pull on my eyelid, eyeliner pencil in their other hand.

I force myself not to flinch.

“Sorry.” Lo eases back. “Is this okay? I thought—”

In the mirror, deep wrinkles line my brow. I’ve never worn makeup. Not even concealer for a pimple. My skincare routines and expensive face masks were all in the privacy of my suite. The palace stylists have always dressed me a certain way—like the polished royal you see on TV and in movies, a look I’ve been expected to maintain.

But is it what Iwant?

“I can stop.” Lo begins capping the liner.

“No,” I say. “Keep going.”

“You sure?”

Slowly, I grin. “Time to stop being everyone else’s version of Mr. Green, right?”

Lo brightens like that’s exactly what they were going for.

As they apply liner, I sit perfectly still. Listen to all their Karan stories. First meeting to trading holiday traditions. Getting into theater because Karan liked it, then falling in love with being on the backstage crew. How makeup is fun, but their passion is rebuilding cars, and Karan’s encouraging them to go to a trade school after graduation.

With a grin, I say, “If you asked him out—”

“You really want to go there while I’m holding a pointy object near your eyeball?”

I laugh. “Forget I said anything.”

When Lo finishes, I stare at my reflection for a solid minute. What they did was subtle, but also…striking. It’s me, but different. A Jadon I’m more comfortable with. The prince Ishouldbe.

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