Page 18 of Defying the Crown
All too soon, it was time for the speeches. My mouth went dry as I stepped up to the podium, hundreds of expectant faces turned my way. I caught Ella's eye in the crowd and she gave me an encouraging nod. I cleared my throat.
"Good evening, distinguished guests," I began, my voice sounding far more confident than I felt. "It is my great honor to be here tonight in support of the World Wildlife Fund's vital conservation efforts."
I spoke about the importance of protecting endangered species and preserving fragile ecosystems. As I reached the middle of my prepared remarks, I suddenly felt my mind go blank. The words on the teleprompter blurred before my eyes. Panic rose in my throat, that familiar tightness that had plagued me since childhood. My fingers gripped the podium's edge until my knuckles turned white, and I could feel a bead of sweat rolling down my temple. These moments were what my father always warned me about - a Crown Prince should never show weakness, never falter. The weight of centuries of royal composure pressed down on my shoulders as I struggled to maintain my facade.
My eyes darted around the room, searching for something, anything to ground me. That's when I caught sight of my father in the crowd, his brow furrowed in disapproval. The King of Denmark could always sense when I was on the verge of losing control, and the weight of his judgment only intensified the panic rising within me.
I saw Ella next to him, her eyes narrowed as she glared daggers at our father. She knew how his constant criticism affected me, how it chipped away at my already fragile self-esteem. Ella caught my gaze and mouthed, "You can do it," her expression softening with encouragement.
Then I remembered Daniel's message from the night before, the words lighting up my phone screen at 3am when my anxiety had kept me tossing and turning."You're going to crush it,"he had said."You're smart, sexy, capable and you care."Even now, the memory of his earnest encouragement made my chest feel warm, gave me something solid to hold onto. Daniel didn't know he was texting a prince - he just saw me, just Harald, and somehow that made his words mean even more.
I took a deep breath, Daniel's encouragement lending me strength, his words echoing in my mind like a protective shield against my rising anxiety. I abandoned my scripted speech and began to speak extemporaneously, trusting in my genuine passion for conservation rather than the carefully vetted words scrolling across the teleprompter. My hands trembled slightly on the podium, but my voice remained steady as years of royal training kicked in.
"When I was a child, my mother instilled in me a deep love and respect for the natural world," I said, my voice growing stronger. "She taught me that it is our sacred duty to be stewards of this planet and all the creatures who share it with us. Though she is no longer with us, her passion lives on in me."
I spoke about my personal connection to conservation, sharing anecdotes from my childhood adventures exploring the forests and fjords of Denmark. The audience leaned in, engaged by my authenticity.
"We have a choice," I said, coming to my conclusion. "We can be passive observers as species disappear and habitats crumble. Or we can be champions for change, using our voices and our resources to make a difference. I choose the latter. I hope you will join me."
As I stepped back from the podium to enthusiastic applause, I caught Ella's eye. She was beaming with pride, tears glistening on her cheeks. Even my father looked pleasantly surprised.
I felt a rush of elation, hardly able to believe I had managed to pull it off. I messaged Daniel a quick update, letting him know that the speech went well.
Daniel quickly responds:"Knew you could do it! So proud of you. Celebrate tonight, you deserve it!"
I grinned, feeling lighter than I had in ages. For the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe I could do this after all. Maybe I could be the leader my country needed, while still being true to myself.
Chapter 7
Daniel
I slowly blinked my eyes open, the morning light filtering through the blinds and casting a soft glow across my bedroom. Rolling over, I reached for my phone on the nightstand, my heart skipping a beat when I saw a message from Harald. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I read his words wishing me a goodnight, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.
It feels like our connection is going stronger day by day, evolving from casual banter to something deeper, more meaningful. I find myself eagerly anticipating his messages, savoring each moment of our conversations. There is an undeniable spark between us, a chemistry that transcends the distance and the screens that separates us.
But as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirled within me. What did this budding relationship mean for us? Could it be more than just a virtual friendship? I couldn't help but let my mind wander, imagining what it would be like to meet Harald in person, to see if the connection we shared online would translate to real life.
I thought back to my ex, Alex, and how different he was from Harald. Where Alex had been selfish and dishonest, Harald was kind and genuine. He listened to me, supported me, and made me feel valued in a way I hadn't experiencedbefore. I found myself wishing that Harald was here with me, that I could look into his eyes and see if the spark between us was real.
My mind drifted back to the flirty messages Harald and I had exchanged, the way his words made my heart race and my cheeks flush. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship with him, to feel desired and cherished again.
I thought about the way Harald always seemed to know just what to say to make me smile, how he could turn even the most mundane topics into engaging conversations. I pictured us staying up late into the night, sharing our hopes and dreams, our fears and vulnerabilities. In my mind's eye, I could see us laughing together, our eyes sparkling with mischief and affection.
I imagined what it would be like to wake up next to him, to feel his arms around me, his breath warm against my skin. I wondered if his touch would ignite a fire within me, if his kisses would leave me breathless and aching for more. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down my spine, a longing so intense it almost took my breath away.
But even as I allowed myself to indulge in these fantasies, a part of me hesitated. After everything I had been through with Alex, the betrayal and the heartbreak, could I really open myself up to that kind of vulnerability again? Could I trust Harald not to hurt me the way Alex had? My heart had been shattered once before when I ventured down this path, and I doubted it possessed the resilience to endure such agony a second time.
And yet, there was something about Harald that made me want to take that leap of faith. The way he made me feel seen and understood, the way he brought light into my life just by being himself. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, he could be the one to heal my battered heart.
Rolling out of bed, I padded over to the window and gazed out at the bustling city below. My heart raced as I allowed myself to dream, to hope that maybe, just maybe, Harald could be the one I'd been searching for all along. But a part of me hesitated, afraid to let myself fall too hard, too fast. I knew I needed to be cautious, to protect my heart from another devastating blow.
Jayda pounded on my bedroom door, her voice muffled but insistent. "Daniel, get your lazy ass out of bed! It's farmer's market day and you promised to come with us!"
I groaned, burying my face in my pillow. "Five more minutes," I mumbled, my voice rough with sleep.
"Oh no you don't," Jayda said, barging into my room without invitation. She yanked the covers off me, ignoring my yelp of protest. "Up and at 'em, sunshine. Caleb's already waiting in the living room."
I sat up, rubbing my eyes and glaring at her. "You're a menace, you know that?"
