Page 60 of Defying the Crown
The lights in the corridor feel too bright, too harsh, highlighting every sharp angle of my brother's face. Staff members pause and turn away, unable to watch their Crown Prince being taken out on a stretcher. I hold my head high, daring anyone to whisper, to judge. Let them see. Let them know that even princes can break, can need help.
As they load Harald into the ambulance, Ingrid places a hand on my shoulder. "He's stronger than he knows," she says softly, though her eyes are still wet. "And he has you."
I climb into the ambulance, taking my place beside my brother. As the doors close and the engine starts, I think of all the times I've protected Harald—from our father's harsh words, from society gossip, from his own demons. But this time, I have to trust others to help fight this battle.
I squeeze his hand gently, watching his chest rise and fall with shallow breaths. "We're going to get through this," I whisper, as much to myself as to him. "Just like last time. I promise."
The ambulance moves through the night, carrying us both back to the place where Harald once found his way back to himself. I pray it can work its magic again, that somewhere in my brother's too-thin frame, that fighting spirit still lives.
In the meantime, there's something I have to do. Save my brother.
Chapter 24
Daniel
I'm lying in bed, staring at my phone for the thousandth time, re-reading the message I've memorized by heart.I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before.The words blur as my eyes unfocus. Five weeks, and I still can't make sense of it.
The sound of our front door bursting open startles me from my daze.
"Excuse me, you can't just—" Jayda's voice rises in alarm.
"I need to see Daniel. Now." The unfamiliar voice carries a Danish accent.
"Lady, I don't care who you are, you can't just barge in here," Jayda snaps. "Caleb, call the police."
"Hold on, let's all just take a breath," Caleb says, ever the mediator. "Maybe we can—"
"I'm not leaving until I speak with Daniel," the voice interrupts. "I've flown across an ocean to be here."
"I'm dialling 911 right now," Jayda warns, and I hear her phone beeping.
"I'm Ella, Harald's sister, and if you call the police, I'll have diplomatic immunity anyway. Now where is he?"
The name 'Harald' jolts through me like electricity. I hear Jayda's sharp intake of breath.
"Wait," Caleb says. "Harald's sister?TheHarald?"
"The same Harald who broke our best friend's heart?" Jayda's voice turns ice cold. "Give me one good reason why we should let you anywhere near Daniel."
"Because my brother is dying," Ella's voice cracks. "And Daniel is the only one who can save him."
"Dying?" Caleb echoes. "What do you mean dying?"
"He's in the hospital. He's stopped eating, barely sleeping. He's...he's given up."
"Good," Jayda spits, but I hear the uncertainty in her voice. "After what he did to Daniel—"
"What he did?" Ella's voice rises. "You mean falling in love with him? Being forced to choose between his heart and his duty to an entire country? Do you have any idea what this has done to him?"
I force myself to sit up, my body protesting after days of barely moving. My reflection in the bedroom mirror shows a stranger—unwashed hair, dark circles under my eyes, wearing the same sweater for what might be a week.
"Daniel!" Ella calls out. "Daniel, please!"
When I open my bedroom door, the scene in our living room freezes. Jayda stands with her phone still in hand, Caleb's arm around her waist as if holding her back. And there, in the middle of it all, stands a small blonde woman whose fierce blue eyes are exactly like Harald's.
"Finally," she says, her voice softening as she takes in my appearance. "Oh god, you look as bad as he does. You and Harald are more alike than you know."
"Daniel," Jayda moves toward me protectively. "You don't have to talk to her. Say the word and she's gone."
