Page 90 of Prince of the Palisades

Grace pushes off the wall. “Where areyourfriends, Jadon?”

I pause. My hands clench and release at my sides. Jaw so tight, the ache vibrates through my skull.

Then, it finally hits me: “You never say anything. When Morgan brings up issues she cares about. When Kaden gaslights her in front of people.”

Grace goes rigid again.

I recognize it. The person she’s trying to be. I was her. Neutral and silent and trained to keep your thoughts to yourself. To let that fire rage inside of you until you burn out.

“Easier doesn’t make it right,” I tell her.

Her shoulders barely lift. “But it’s how we survive. Being who people expect us to be. Keeping our real selves hidden.”

I let out a long exhale. Try to calm myself. To remember the prince Papa expects me to be. But that’s the problem too. I’m still cautiously containing the fire inside me rather than letting it burn freely.

Wildly.

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m not that person. Not anymore.”

I leave her. Stomp back to the main dining room where Senator Miller is boring Annika with his vapid carrying on. Sitting tall like he’s on a throne he can’t be knocked from.

“For the record,” I interrupt, ignoring how quickly Ime’shead snaps in my direction, “Ichoseto be at that protest. Waiting for systems to fix things is why kids like me are without homes or support. Abandoned by their families. Dead.”

Senator Miller straightens, caught off guard.

“Change starts with voices,” I continue, “not with silence or your silly paperwork.”

Kaden choke-laughs into his fist.

Ime clears her throat. “Your Highness, maybe we should…”

I can’t hear the rest of her words. In my periphery, Grace appears in the doorway. She’s still guarded, like the old me. Maybe it’s time for her to see who she could be.

Shouldbe.

I grin.

“You want true leaders for your precious Gracie to look up to?” I lean down to his eye level, shoulders straight, chin high. The way I was taught. “It’s women like Morgan. My sister, the crown princess. My mom,currentqueen of Îles de la Réverie.”

It’s hard to tell, but I think Annika’s lips twitch, amused.

“Your daughter should never look up to cowards like Prime Minister Barnard,” I half-growl. “Or ignorant senators who hide from the real issues, like when his state is taking away basic human rights.”

The restaurant is hushed. Kaden grins wolfishly. Against the wall, Grace hugs herself, but her eyes never leave me. Senator Miller is berry-red, stammering, spluttering. Annika finishes her water, and behind the glass, I can see her faint smile.

Ime stands, crumpled napkin in hand. She looks ready to say something. To condemn me like so many Réverians have.

But I don’t care. This is the real me. Who I’ve always been.

“Enjoy your dessert, Senator,” I say with a practiced grin and perfect posture.

Then, I stride out the main dining area without looking back.

16

REBEL ROYAL WITH A CAUSE?

New videos reveal HRH Prince Jadon protesting alongside Santa Monica locals demanding equal rights for LGBTQ+ students outside a high school late Tuesday afternoon. No official statement from the royal family has been released concerning this latest incident. Has Réverie, a nation long known for their political neutrality on global issues, finally taken a stance on American affairs?

---