Someone’s Someone

by Curious Girl

I've always been someone's someone. I will always be known as the sister of. The sister of the wonder child; the sister of the Nobel prize laureate; the sister of Princess Anastasia of Romanov; the sister of the next Queen of England; the sister of the Olympian... and the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton. But I am so much more. I am Josephine Bolton.

36. Chapter 36

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford are 'hands on' with Instagram account

- The Duchess chose the different borders on photos and the exact shade of blue for the Oxford Royal Instagram account and learned from twin-sister Josie, who made her masters in social media, all about algorithms of Instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have a 'hands on' approach to social media, a royal reporter has claimed.

The Duke, 27, and the Duchess, 26, have a say in everything from the fitting sapphire blue colour choice to the white borders for the pictures, royal commentator Eric Smith has said - and it could all be thanks to Lorelai's older sister, Josephine Bolton. Josie Bolton has done her masters in social media at Harvard Business School. No wonder she's a person of significant control of Oxford Royal, the foundation of the Duke and Duchess.

Speaking on Yahoo UK's weekly video series, he explained: 'George and Lorelai were so hands on in the beginnings of the OxfordRoyal Instagram account. They looked at the different palette of colours to get the exact sapphire blue…it was Josie's idea to have white borders on all of the pictures and develop this distinctive look, she even knew about algorithms.'

Instagram is a very visual platform, so they made it work to their advantage. Using the same signature filter and maintaining the same style of photography gives their posts a consistent style, which helps to make them instantly recognisable. From the stunning monochromic and breathtaking family photos - all taken by Josie - to the photos for announcements of future royal engagements - using their royal coat of arms for joined engagements and their monograms for solo trips on a sapphire blue background. Engagements for their patronages have an emerald green border, while family photos have a white border and anniversaries as well as birthdays a deep purple border (the colour for royalty). The Oxfords know how to do social media and really shine a light on their visual identity. By adopting the same colours, fonts and image style used on their website and YouTube channel, the experience of their brand is consistent, almost seamlessly from one communication channel to another.

Even influencers, celebrities and website designers are impressed by the Royals' work. The Oxfords are certainly a role model even when it comes to using social media as they don't use any filters on their posts or stories. Most posts have credited JosephineBolton as the photographer but don't get your hopes up, you can't follow the mastermind of social media. Josie's profile is private and has only a handful of accounts that are being followed by her (including all royal platforms, who in return follow her back). Her photos however speak for themselves. Everything you see is raw, unedited and real. We wouldn't mind seeing more work from Josie B. Maybe on WindsorRoyal?

Josephine

I pour hot water into my mug that I've filled with lemon juice and slices of ginger. I've woken up with the worst nausea and Oliver didn't sleep any better either. He developed a pretty bad fever overnight. I tried to talk him into taking some paracetamol but all he allowed me to do was cold compresses. It helped but only for so long.

That's why I didn't hesitate to call Ana in the morning. If he's not listening to me, he might listen to her. I didn't call his Mum because I don't want her up here. She could get sick as well and that wouldn't be good. She just healed her leukaemia. She shouldn't get sick, especially if I can avoid it.

I turn around and stir the porridge in the pot. I've put some sliced bananas, blueberries and cinnamon into it. Porridge has always been my comfort food whenever I was sick. As I get out two bowls from the cupboards in my kitchen, I can hear how the doors of the lift open. Finally!

"Jo?" Ana's voice is unmistakable.

"Kitchen!" I cry back. My husband's still in bed with a stuffed nose and that nasty fever. It really worries me. His immune system is not used to the British climate.

My older sister comes into my view as I pour the porridge into two bowls. "Thank you for coming!"

Her blonde hair is up in a messy bun and she's dressed in an all grey cashmere outfit. Only Ana can make loungewear look chic and street-approved. "No problem. Is that why you left so sudden yesterday?"

"No, but I'd rather have you have a look at Oliver before I'll tell you the reason." I tell her before putting the spoons into the bowls. "And bring him some porridge, okay?"

She nods before picking up the bowl from the white marbled kitchen island. "I also bought him some meds and a drip with vitamins."

"Anything to help him get better quickly." I tell her and watch how she heads into the master bedroom from which I can hear a loud series of sneezing.

Yep, that cold has it's fingers wrapped around my husband.

Damn it!

---

I finish my bowl of porridge in silence. It's weird to be here in this living area alone. It's like going back in time. Back to my pre-Oliver days. It never used to bother me. I had always eaten alone with the TV or while doing some emails on my iPhone. But now... now it scares the shit out of me. I don't like being without him. I've lived that way for over a year and that was by far my worst year ever.

I look at my sapphire wedding band and take another sip of my tea. It's crazy how drastic my life has changed since seeing him again. I married him only 24 hours later without a hint of fear. We got pregnant on our wedding night. I brought him and his family, my in-laws, home. To London. Johna and Caio are going to a Portuguese-English school and Maria's learning English from Wladimir's father Sergej. Oliver's working with me at the Bolton Foundation.

And then last night happened.

And our lives have changed forever.

Again.

Oliver and I haven't talked about what happened yesterday because he was getting sicker by the minute and I already fell asleep in the car. But sooner or later we have to talk about it and I know it won't be a pretty conversation.

Because I will have to explain to him that we have no choice. We have to accept the king's offer. It's just how things work.

We'll be the fucking Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

I shake my head at that title. This is the ultimate move by His Majesty but also by Charlotte, who has come up with this shit in the first place. She wanted to make up with him and I guess this is the way.

I still will treat her with a cold shoulder for a few weeks. She deserves it. Just like Nate. And George. And my little sister!

I wince as I feel a hand on my left shoulder.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." My sister says before sitting next to me on the beige couch.

"What's the diagnosis, doctor Ana?" I ask her with a grin on my lips.

"A simple cold. Nothing worrying. I made him take the paracetamol. I suggest lots of chicken soups and hot drinks for his sore throat. Try diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help with his stuffed nose. I can't make the cold go away faster but we can ease the symptoms as best as possible. I'll inform Ryan about his sick employee."

I nod, "Good. Thank you."

She nods with a smile on her lips, "But most importantly, you won't share a bed for the next week and a half."

"What?!"

"You're four weeks pregnant. If you get sick right now this could easily result in a miscarriage. Oliver told me you had quite a fever last weekend yourself."

I gulp, "Fine. I'll sleep upstairs then."

"Good. I'll get you your clothes from your wardrobe."

"I'm not even allowed to get in there?"

Ana shakes her head. "I'm quarantining Oliver. His Mum can take care of him."

"But she just got better!"

"Her immune system is perfectly capable of fighting this. Trust me. I'll look after him as well. But you..."

"I will live far far away from him like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." I roll my eyes at my own words. She says she's quarantining Oliver but she's actually quarantining me.

"Good. And now tell me what happened yesterday. I didn't even see you at the birthday celebration at Buckingham."

"Oliver and me got called into a meeting with the King, the Wales', the Oxfords and Windsors."

"Oh, sounds serious. What was it about?"

"A job offer."

My green eyed sister frowns, "A job offer? As a Royal servant?"

I chuckle, "No. That would be a downgrade, wouldn't it?"

"GCVO?" She asks me.

"No. The jobs as President and Vice-President of the Commonwealth Trust."

"No way! That's great!"

"Yeah but it also comes with the Dukedom of Clarence."

"I'm sorry?" She asks me shocked.

"Duke and Duchess of Clarence." I mumble.

This time my sister actually laughs, "You as a Duchess?"

"Yeah, I can't quite believe it as well." I mumble. "It was the ultimate way to get the King's peace in Charlotte's eyes."

"She did this?!"

I nod, "That's a freaking move not even I saw coming. She traded me for peace. Nate traded me for the Invictus Games."

My sister's big green eyes widen, "Wow, that's... And Rory didn't stop them?"

"I know. She's a freaking coward."

My sister licks her full lips, "They were really suffering, weren't they?"

"I don't care how much they were suffering! They shouldn't have done that! I don't want to have to give up my life. I just started introducing Oliver into our world. He knows nothing about it and now he's suppose to become a royal?" I shake my head, "I'm even more angry at them for doing it to Oliver! He's the innocent in the scenario."

"Did you guys talk about it?"

"No, frankly this isn't the best timing. I'll wait until he's better and until then I'm going to start working on my list."

My sister grins, "The famous list..."

"The lists help me clear my head, okay?!"

"Hey, I'm not judging you. But when you start working on the list, I think you should consider the whole picture."

I nod, "I know. I'll think of Oliver's family as well."

"No, that's not what I meant. Consider the good you can do as a royal. Don't just see the restrictions, the protocols... the downsides. There're a lot of good sides."

I bite on my lower lip, "Okay."

Suddenly, Ana chuckles. "You freaked out when you wore the Rothschild tiara and now you're suppose to wear tiaras on state banquets!"

Even she doesn't think I can do this. I was never one to care about status, let alone royalty. To me they were humans, friends and family. Never Prince and Princesses, Kings or Queens. Not when we were alone, anyway. And now I'm suppose to be one of them? The thought frightens me more than I want to admit. "Yeah, I know... But it's the Commonwealth! 54 bloody countries! And I would be the president of the trust. Just imagine how much Oliver and I as the head of it could do!"

"Oh, wow... you're really considering it."

"It's not like we have a real choice anyway."

"True but if you chose your words wisely the rejection won't feel so bad."

"Ana, it's the King. There is no rejection."

My sister shrugs, "You know I didn't see that."

I know she didn't because she told me everything she knew about my future. Which wasn't a lot but enough. I will never forget what she told me. "I know and that makes me feel good actually. Not everything's predestined. It gives me a choice. Or no choice for that matter."

"So you're accepting the offer? Becoming a Royal is kind of a big deal."

"I'll discuss it with Oliver when he's feeling better. Then we'll discuss it with his Mum and our parents. It's something that effects all of us."

"Well, one thing's for sure: state banquets will be much more interesting with you and Oliver there."

I sigh, "He has no idea what this means for us..."

"When are you expected to tell the King your decision?"

"In six weeks."

Ana nods, "That should be enough time to clear everything. To tell Oliver what it means. To explain it to his Mum and brothers."

"I think so as well. Daddy checked his background and given his relatively normal reaction I think he didn't find anything concerning."

"Still, the fact that he's from Rocinha will fill the headlines for a few years. Journalists will travel there, snap photos of his old house and the neighbourhood..."

"They'll call it from rags to royalty."

Ana smirks, "Yes. The British press is ruthless. They will eat you guys alive."

"I know. And we'll lay low for a while. Do our work, help the Commonwealth as best as we can and join in for the most important royal engagements." I say with a shrug.

"Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Clarence. Wasn't that Charlotte's favourite?"

I nod, "But she said she's happy to trade that for peace, the Invictus Games, a Royal foundation and a Royal tour."

My sister shakes her head, "I can't believe she did this! To you! You guys are as thick as thieves!"

We are. Or were until she stabbed me in the back. "Nate's not better. He's playing in her team. And so are George and Rory. Rory our of all of them knew how much I love my life away from the royals. She knew I never wanted to be a part of that charade!"

"Yet, you're considering it because the King smeared honey around your mouth by offering the President role of the Commonwealth Trust."

"Yeah..." I growl, "What can I say? Helping is my bloody weak spot!"

"And with that role you could do a lot of work - and I mean a lot. Much more than with the Bolton Foundation. One forum and you'd have 54 head of states in one room. A combination that's full of opportunities. Just think about the biggest project you ever want to do and now you can do it a million times bigger."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, "I know. It's bloody tempting."

"And bloody happening, too."

"I can't see myself wearing a tiara either."

"Then stay away from state banquets."

"But state banquets are a brilliant event for networking..." I mumble. I've only been to one once and it was a bloody land of milk and honey! So many options, so many opportunities... so many life changing deals just a smile away.

"You still have some thinking to do. What's your first engagement going to be?"

"I guess Remembrance Day would be our first official engagement. Which would be a very bad PR movement but that's something I'll have to tell him when we made the decision to take on the new roles... or better if."

Ana nods, "Okay. I'm coming back this evening and give you, Maria, Johna and Caio a B12 shot to boost your immune systems. I'll also check on Oliver again but don't expect him to get better overnight. As I've said a cold lasts two weeks, with or without taking meds. The meds only ease the symptoms but they don't speed up the healing process."

"Maybe this could be Della's next project." I mumble. "What should I tell Maria? How do I hide the pregnancy?"

"Well, Rory, Nate, Char, George and me know. Perhaps you could tell Maria as well."

"Before Mum and Dad? No! Before I even know if this pregnancy goes through? Definitely no!"

"Okay, then just say... say you can't risk getting sick because of the stem cell transplantation. She'll buy that."

I grin at my sister and kiss her left cheek, "You're brilliant!"

"I do have my good moments, don't I?"

---

Pros: president and vice-president of the commonwealth trust, helping 54 countries with no boundaries, a network not even the Bolton Foundation has, changing structures rather than being a drop on the hot stone, having a platform that reaches all over the world, royal tours, support the King and be where he can't be, engagements with Rory, Nate, George and Char, patronages, making a difference

Cons: scrutiny for the rest of my life, dragging my family as well as Oliver's family into the biggest shit mountain possible, getting chased by paparazzi, living in a royal gold fish bowl, smiling even when I don't feel like it, no privacy, a job for a lifetime, I must be neutral in all political matters and can't vote, I have to keep my opinion to myself, civil servant with a tiara, bodyguards everywhere I go

I stare at my list for a moment before taking another sip of my water. I've underlined the commonwealth trust twice and making a difference three times. But I've also underlined the part about keeping my opinion to myself and the no privacy part.

I've done everything to keep my privacy. I've set up NDAs for my previous sex partners, I've been doing my charity work incognito. I can hide myself from the paparazzi but I can't hide myself from the world's eyes.

And the world would be watching every single step of mine. Because we would be public figures, public servants with a royal title.

I fought so long for my independence and now I'm back in chains again. I'm muzzled with the only outlet being a social media platform that will be controlled by the King's people. God, my siblings really backed me against a wall here and I can't seem to find a way out! This is so fucked up!

I don't even know why I'm making the list, it's not like I have a choice. I can't decline the King's wish, but I can try to get the best out of it. He wants Oliver and me as president and vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust, so he might as well has to do something to get us there.

After all, I'm not working for free.

I pull out another blank page and start writing on possible adaptions the King will have to do if he really wants us. Everything's negotiable if you're smart and have the right tools.

Even becoming Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

---

I lean against the open doorframe and watch my husband resting in our bed. He doesn't look better than this morning but I figured it wouldn't get better in a few hours.

It still hurts to see him this weak.

His usual bright emerald green eyes are a dark cloudy green now. I don't like these eyes. Especially paired with a fever and a cough.

"You shouldn't be here." His voice sounds very nasally.

I know I shouldn't but so can't help it. "I texted Sergej. He and your Mum are coming after they're done with their lesson. She'll take care of you while I'll be staying away... for a while." I tel him, "Are you hungry? I ordered some chicken soup from the restaurant downstairs."

But my husband shakes his head, "No. My nose is so stuffed I can't even breathe. It's a miracle I didn't get you sick last night."

"Bolton women have pretty good immune systems. Ana will come by tonight and give us all vitamins B12 shots to boost our systems a bit more."

"Okay. That sounds like a good-" he sneezes so loudly that I wince.

I walk back into the hallway and get a tissue box from the mahogany tallboy before walking back to our bedroom. I throw the tissue box on the bed, right next to my sick husband.

He pulls a tissue out of the box and clears his nose. "When will we discuss what happened yesterday?"

"When you have a clear head. You need to think clearly so you're open to what I'm about to tell you."

"I thought we don't have any option either way."

"You always have a choice."

"What does that mean? Can we decline the titles and go on living our lives like right now?"

"No."

"Damn, I like our lives right now." He says before sneezing again.

"I like our lives right now as well and I will make them pay for what they did to us."

"How?"

"By adjusting the details of the deal. Just because we have to accept the royal titles doesn't mean we have to live our lives the way Rory and George or even Nate and Charlotte are. Our lives can be drastically different if we negotiate correctly."

"I don't get it."

"Charlotte and Nate backed us against a wall here. But when you're backed against the wall, you break the god damn thing down."

My husband sneezes again, "How do we break the wall if we can't say no to the King?"

"We do the same thing they did. We don't play the odds but we play the man. We can't change the outcome but we can change the details."

"I assume you have a plan?"

"I'm currently working on it."

"Can we discuss this when my head's a little clearer?"

"Yes. You rest. I'll sharpen our fighting tools."

He grins like a Cheshire Cat, "I love you."

"I love you too. And don't forget to drink your tea!" I say before turning on my heel.

Some people crumble under pressure. Like Charlotte and Nate. The King wanted to provoke them and see if they'd snap. But we won't snap because the King won't provoke us. Not with the importance of our new roles. When it seems like you have no way out, that just means it's time to take massive action.

Oliver has never seen what happens when you back a Bolton against a wall. I don't just break the wall, I tear the bloody building down.

---

I translate Johna's biology homework for him as Maria cooks in the kitchen. No one has cooked for me in quite a while. Edward couldn't cook because he never had to learn it. He used chefs. And so did I when I was in a rush. The only people that have cooked for me were my parents when I was still living with them or Oliver.

My mother-in-law is cooking some traditional Brazilian meal while I'm helping Johna and Caio with their homework. I explained Oliver's condition but didn't tell her anything about the King's gift. I should talk to Oliver first before talking to anyone else about it.

Ana should be here any minute with vitamin B12 shots. I hope she's going to have dinner with us but I'm sure she's eager to get home to her husband and son.

"When's Oliver going to feel better?" Johna asks me.

"Roughly ten days. Give or take a few days."

"He's never had the flu. It sounds pretty nasty." Caio says.

"He's never been sick?"

Both brothers shake their heads. "No."

Interesting. I did not know that. I guess that's why he caught the flu so easily. His body doesn't have any antibodies. "What about you guys?"

"Once when they were still little." Maria answers from the kitchen. The smell is absolutely mouth watering!

Suddenly, the doors of the lift open and I can hear my sister walking out. "Anyone home?"

"Kitchen!" Caio and Johna cry back out of one mouth.

A moment later my sister walks in with her black bag in her left hand. She's in jeans and a simple black turtleneck sweater. Her long blonde hair is wrapped into a messy bun and her naked toes are painted in a deep red colour. She looks absolutely flawless and not tired like every other women on this world after a long day at work. "How's everyone doing?"

"Good. No one's sick so far." Maria answers for us.

"What about Oli?"

"The fever went down but he's still sneezing a lot." Caio says.

"You guys are doing homework?" Ana asks the Rodriguez brothers and they both nod. "What are you cooking?"

"You have to stay for dinner if you want to find out." Maria teases her.

"I wish I could but I have to go home." Ana says with a sad face.

"Then next time." I tell her and she nods in agreement.

Ana opens her bag and gets out the syringes as well as a small glass bottle filled with liquid. That's probably the B12. "We should get to work. I don't have much time."

"Oh, no. Not again!" Johna complains as he sees the syringes.

"I'll get something for disinfection and plasters." I mumble before getting up from the chair and walking into the second bathroom on this floor. I get disinfectant, cotton pads and plasters. I don't have the colourful ones for children but perhaps I should get some.

Because there will be another child in this family pretty soon.

"I'll go first." I volunteer as I reach the square walnut table at which Ana, Johna and Caio are sitting at.

"Okay." Ana says with a smile on her lips. "You're also going to take zinc every day for the next two days. Studies have shown that it might help preventing getting the cold."

"Anything to not get sick." I pull the short sleeve of my shirt up and she disinfects the area before wiping it clean with a cotton pad. Then she places the single-use syringe into the glass bottle and fills the syringe with the liquid.

It's only a tiny stitch but it makes my eyes well up and my arm wince. I'm much more sensitive lately and I guess that's due to the rush of hormones that my body has been producing for the last month.

"Oh, no. I'm not doing that!" Johna says as I can feel how a tear rolls down my left cheek. "Tablets, yes but not the syringe! If Jo cries then-"

"Don't be such a girl!" Caio complains before freeing his arm. "Do you rather want to be sick?" He asks his brother as Ana places the plaster on my upper arm.

"It's really not that bad." I tell Johna as Ana repeats the process on Caio.

"And after that you can have an extra portion of my feijoada." Maria says with a bright smile on her lips. "It's nearly done."

"You made fejoada?" Johna asks his Mum.

"Yes."

Fejoada is a black bean and pork stew. It's very popular in Brazil and very tasty. I used to eat it regularly in Rio. I'm glad Maria's bringing the Brazilian dishes to London.

"Good then I'm up next!" Johna says, causing us all to chuckle.

---

I watch how Ana takes Oliver's temperature from far away. There's a bowl with fejoada on one of the nightstand tables and a box full of tissues on the other along with hot tea. I don't like being this far away from my husband. I'd rather be next to him, by his side. Isn't that what through good and bad times mean?

"How are you?" I ask as Ana checks his pulse.

"I'm holding up. That diffuser helps with the breathing."

"Good. At least that's some relief."

Oliver just nods and gives me a small smile before he sneezes again. "I hope you won't get sick as well."

Ana shakes her head, "Don't worry about me. I work with sick children all the time at the Bolton Academy. My immune system is pretty strong." She picks up her stethoscope. "Lift your shirt, I want to have a listen to your heart and lungs."

Having several doctors in the family really comes with it's advantages.

"Breathe deeply." Ana says before listening to his lungs.

"Can't you give him a B12 shot as well?" I ask her.

Ana nods, "I will do that as well but it's not going to do much. Sadly."

"How long will we have to sleep in separate bedrooms?" My husband asks. He hates this as much as I do.

"Minimum five, better yet a full ten or twelve."

Oliver nods.

"I'm doing the minimum of five."

"No, we're doing the full twelve." My husband insists.

"Oliver!" I protest.

"Do you want to suffer from a cold and morning sickness? That could get you hospitalised!" He argues as Ana listens to his lungs on his back.

I cross my arms in front of my chest, "Fine."

"Heart sounds good. Lungs are free. I'd say the same as earlier. Bed rest. Fluids. Vitamins. I'm going to give you the shot now and come by in a few days to check on you again."

"What if it gets worse?"

"It's not going to get worse. It's the cold. Not the influenza virus." Oliver tells me before getting back in his shirt.

"Maybe I should rub some eucalyptus salve on your chest to help you sleep better. Or I could-"

"No, you will do nothing. You will not take a step into this room." Oliver interrupts me as Ana gives him the shot.

"Then I'll ask your Mum to do that."

My husband rolls his eyes at my words.

"We promised each other through sickness and health, so let me be there for you!" I hiss at him.

Ana chuckles, "Oh, if she's pulling out that card she has to be desperate."

"Shut up! No one asked for your opinion!" I hiss at my sister.

"Hey, she's just trying to help!" Oliver defends her.

"I should be the one doing that!" I hiss at both of them. "But I'm stuck out here! All I can do is watch how you get worse and worse by the hour!"

"Tesoro, calm down."

"No, I'm not going to calm down! I hate this!" Suddenly my vision becomes blurry. Bloody hormones!

"I'm taking very good care of him." Ana ensures me and I think she's smiling but I cannot see that as I'm crying like a bloody waterfall. "He'll be fine. As good as new in a few days."

I wipe the tears away from my cheeks, "I'm back in here in five days, I don't care what either of you say!"

---

I take another sip of my hot chocolate as I watch and listen to the fire cracking in the fireplace. Sitting here alone on the couch in the evening should be peaceful and calming and quite but my thoughts have been circling around my husband the entire time.

I thought making myself a hot chocolate would help but it didn't.

I tried to keep myself busy during the day so I wouldn't worry so much but now that it's evening... nothing stops me from worrying.

My ringing iPhone fills the silence and I look at the screen of the vibrating thing on my coffee table.

It's Rory. I'm surprised it took her so long to call me.

I accept the call without saying a word.

"Jo?"

I'm silent for a moment. I have no words for what she did to me. She and Charlotte and Nate and George. The fucking Fab Four made me a game figure in their freaking chess game with the King! They used Oliver - who's completely innocent - and me for their advantage.

And Rory allowed it. She didn't raise her voice when Char and Nate planted that idea in the King's head. She didn't protect me!

She was silent.

She allowed it to happen.

"Jo, are you there?"

"I hate you!" I yell into the phone that's on speakerphone. "You stabbed a knife into my back. You dragged Oliver into this! Do you know how long it took me to become independent from you and this royal shit?! Do you know how long I have been labelled as the sister of the Duchess of Oxford, the sister of the Duke of Windsor, the sister of the Princess of Romanov and the sister of the wonder child?! Do you know how sick I was of being the daughter of the great Gabriella and Troy Bolton?!" I yell into the phone. "It took me years to become my own person and now you've stolen that from me! I will be a puppet in the royal show!"

"Jo, that's not what-"

"Oh spare me the shit talk! I know how this is going to work! You've allowed Nate and Char to do the biggest mistake of their lives! Maybe they should've stepped down from all their Royal duties! Maybe they should've been exiled and not Harry and Meghan! The King is nuts and no one has the guts to say that!"

"That's exactly why I'm calling you."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm going to come by in a few minutes, okay?"

"No. Stay at Windsor. I don't want to hear your lies." I hiss before hanging up. I'm sick of this shit.

So sick!

But this is only the start.

"Okay, what's your plan?" Oliver asks me five days later. The worst of the cold is over and I'm convinced he is no longer contagious. I've been drinking and eating lots of extra veggies and fruits to help my immune system while also giving the same to my husband. Yesterday was the first day he felt like taking a hot shower and go for a walk along the Thames. Today, he's looking much better and he claims he also feels better.

I hope that means I can move back into our bedroom.

Because I missed him. I missed him so badly, that I barely slept in the last days. I was a zombie at work. I worked at the Bolton Foundation for the last days, to help them out. Rory and George can work at Oxford Royal alone for a while.

I don't want to see their faces. I've declined every call from them or Charlotte and Nate.

They dragged me into shit and it took me a while to find a way out, but I think I found it.

Or else these 600 pages thick folder is worth nothing.

"What are your choices when someone puts a gun to your head?" I ask him back.

"What are you talking about? You do what they say or they shoot you."

"Wrong. You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one. Or, you call their bluff. Or, you do any one of a hundred and forty six other things."

"And this is one of the 146 other things?" Oliver asks me confused.

"No, these are all 146 other things." I say and pick up the folder that I've been creating over the last five days. "I started by making my usual pros and cons list but then realised that it doesn't matter because we don't have a choice. We will become The Duke and Duchess of Clarence, the only things we can influence is everything else. We can influence the details. Stuff like the household, the patronages, the engagements, the tours... and the Commonwealth Trust."

"So you want to expand our options?"

I nod, " We can rewrite what it means to be a Royal because we're the only and first royals of our kind. Our situation is unique and that gives us a say in a lot of things. This here is our fight plan. It's a take it or leave it kind of deal. I will present it to the King when I meet him."

"You want to do it without me?"

"Yeah otherwise he might think this was your idea and then he'll start treating you like Nate and Charlotte."

"Or he might think I'm a coward."

"No, he's going to think that you have a very strong belief in your wife's capabilities and trust her." I correct him.

"Alright, fine. What's in there?"

"We can't avoid becoming the Duke and Duchess of Clarence and while I initially thought it was a death sentence, I've come to realise it's not one at all. Especially not the title Clarence. The King gave us that dukedom to score off Charlotte and Nate but they claim to be okay with it, which I don't believe for one second. Now, the name Clarence will forever remind them of what they did to us. Every public engagement, every bloody press release, they will see that name and know exactly that they've put us there."

"You're aiming for revenge?"

"If you're ever mildly upset about anything, get a revenge scheme in motion. And revenge is best served cold."

"I don't like this. They've done a very murky thing but I'm all about forgive and forget."

"I don't forgive and I certainly don't forget."

My husband sighs, "Is this really necessary?"

I place my hand on my hip, "There're lots of privilege that comes with the title, but with privilege comes a lot of responsibility. Being a royal means you've got to harness all the positivity, try and encourage people to see good stuff about life. You have a natural platform to be able to try and make a difference, which a lot of people have to spend years and years getting to that point. So from that perspective we should be very lucky to have a platform to be able to try and make change in the causes that mean a lot to us but also to the rest of the world. However, with all of that comes scrutiny. Lots of scrutiny from the press all over the world. You think it was bad when Catherine entered the royal family? Or when Meghan first started dating Harry? Or when the world found out about George and Rory? That was just the start!" I hiss at him. "No one has ever done what we're about to be doing! No one has ever entered a royal family without marrying into the firm! This is the first time in history so we need to be prepared. We need to wear our shiny armours and sharpen our knives because we will have to fight back. And this is going to ensure us we can."

Oliver flips through the folder, "What's our plan?"

"As much privacy as possible and as much independence as possible."

"Then we might end up like Harry and Meghan."

"No, not that much. We'll do public engagements but we won't take the taxpayers' money. We'll pay for the renovation of our home ourselves, we won't get paid for our jobs at the Commonwealth Trust and we will pay for our own security and accommodation on royal tours."

"And why would we do that and not get funded by the Sovereign Grant?"

"Because that gives us control."

"Control over what?"

"Over our work and our private lives. We'll explain everything on our website."

"We'll have a website?"

I nod and point at the folder, "Section 42 in the folder. I just draw some drafts with a few paragraphs. We'd still have to clear the details."

"Okay and how will this dim the scrutiny exactly?"

"It won't. That's something we'll have to deal with for the rest of our lives."

My husband nods before licking his lips, "What about our child?"

"There's a section about that in the folder as well. We'll do official engagement publicly like the christening for example but not the birth. We'll attend polo matches or whatever with the child but only if his or her cousins will be there as well. We won't exploit it. There won't be Christmas morning walks with her until the child old enough to decide. There won't be engagements on a Royal tour where we will present it on a silver plate."

Oliver's eyes suddenly soften, "You want to protect the peppercorn."

"Yes. As much as possible. We won't announce the nursery, school or uni as well. There won't be videographers in his or hers first day of school, filming every step. Peppercorn won't grow up like George or Char or their kids. Simply because we're institutionally irrelevant. Even when we're pretty relevant to the firm. That's our loophole. That's our leverage."

"And how's our royal life going to look like? I mean besides the work as president and vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust. How's this going to work? I have no idea what Nate and Char has gotten us into to be honest. Being a royal is not something I pictured growing up."

"Well first and foremost there are public appointments called engagements. Engagements include attending heads of state dinners, taking diplomatic trips, throwing parties at palaces, opening new buildings, presenting citizens with awards, and a whole bunch more. All in a supportive role of The King. The King can't be in two places at once, so he relies on the rest of the royal family to help fulfil engagements and connect with the public. As a team, the royal family has about 6,000 engagements, entertains 70,000 guests, and answers 500,000 letters every year. And there are about 3,000 charitable organisations that list a member of the royal family as a patron. Many have established their own charities, too. Like Oxford Royal or the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Queen consort, for example, attends engagements and is a patron of 800 charities. The King's oldest son, William, does lots of international trips with his wife to foster diplomatic relations. George and Rory have also taken a number of official tours, including the Commonwealth trip last year. Some members of the family have day jobs, and others served in the military. This would be our part in the system. Our day jobs would be president and vice president of The Commonwealth Trust. Generally, every royal supports charities, appears at events, and occasionally travels the globe to strengthen diplomatic relationships. And so would we. Only our tours would be focused on the Commonwealth as this is our job."

Oliver nods, "I've never opened a building or visited sick children... or held a speech in public."

"Neither have I. Especially not with cameras following me there."

"Does that mean we have to give up the soup kitchen?"

"Sadly, I think so. Our private work is no longer doable with our very public new roles."

"That sucks."

"It does. Big time."

"Can't you add them to your folder?"

I nod, "Okay. I'll add that to the charitable work section."

"How many categories are there?"

"Everything I could have think of. It starts with the titles and the responsibilities. The royal engagements we will definitely have to attend are Easter, Trooping the Colour, first day of Ascot, Remembrance Day and the Christmas Morning Walk."

"That's a lot. An official outing every few months." Oliver says with a frown.

"Well, we are going to be public figures so we have to be in the public every once in a while."

Oliver nods, "Makes sense... what else does it say?"

"The next thing I thought about is our living situation. I'm going to try to keep this as our home but that's going to be tough. The king might insist on Kensington palace or any other palace's grounds."

"Because of security?"

"Yes and that brings me to my next point, which is funding. Any kind of funding. Normally the royal family members get their funding from the Sovereign Grant, which is from the taxpayer. Or they get their money from the Prince of Wales, whose income comes from the Duchy of Cornwall."

"And we'd be the same?"

"No. That's the turning point in all of this. I want to stay financial independent, meaning we will pay for everything ourselves. The place we live in, our household which we will have to establish, our security, our accommodation on trips, our transportation when we travel, our wardrobes - everything. Our bank account is big enough to do that for a zillion generations after us. This could work. That way we would be serving the public, without getting something from the public in return. We would be the King's supporter in the purest form there is because we wouldn't get paid for the job in any way. In return, we would agree to not take any commercial deals or work we would be getting paid for. Charitable work yes, but with payment no. This is the breaking point."

"So, your idea of joining the firm is to take the title, live independently here at Landmark Place, continue with our lives apart from doing a handful of royal engagements in the year and working at the Commonwealth Trust?" Oliver asks me with a frown. "And all of that without getting paid or taking the taxpayers' money? We'd be paying for everything ourselves? We'd be essentially gaining nothing but the royal titles, our new jobs and a lot of scrutiny out of this... while paying literally millions and millions on security and royal tours and... essentially, we'd be paying for everything, even the title, without getting paid for the hard work."

I nod, "Isn't that what charity work is all about?"

"And you call that financial independence?"

"Because that's what it is. If we're going to be the first people joining the royal family without marrying into them than it has to be done correctly. People will hate us no matter what, but at least we're not going to waste their money, which they worked very hard for."

"What happens if we decline the offer?"

"Charlotte and Nate could get stripped off their titles and their HRH status. They could get exiled, sent off to some foreign country. Maybe Africa. Maybe Australia or New Zealand." I tell him with a shrug. "Rory and George would get a pretty hefty slap as well. Probably some privileges would be taken away, tours would be cancelled and engagements cut short. The King could allow the Royal Rota to publish more, especially private photos whenever they're out." I explain to him.

"And what about us?"

"We would be banned from royal celebrations and so would the rest of my family. Declining this would be an immense insult, something that's unforgivable. The King could throw shade at the two of us, leak your immigration status when we met, have the paparazzi hunt us. He could create a witch-hunt that would last decades. Your brothers wouldn't be able to live a normal life, just like your Mum. We wouldn't be able to live in London anymore, most probably in none of the 54 Commonwealth countries." I explain and I really love the Maldives.

"That doesn't sound so good."

"That's just the start. The King could take away your British citizenship and send you back to Rio. Just because we're Boltons and wealthy doesn't mean we're untouchable. We're very much touchable for the King."

"Do you think he would leak your secret NDAs for your one-night-stands?"

"Without a doubt, yes. And he could leak even more skeletons in not only our closet but our parents'. There's a lot of shit we've covered up, a lot of mistakes... there's a lot on the line here."

"And if the King banned us and revealed all those secrets, where are we going to live? Would you come back to Brazil with us?"

I lick my lips, I knew he would ask me this one way or another. Going back to his home country or doing everything to stay in mine. It's not something I like to decide. "If that was the only way, yes. But I would miss my family, very much actually. Half a year in Rio was amazing but I love London, my family, more. However if this is absolutely against your gut feeling and if you don't want to do this than I will go with you. I will leave my life behind to be with you, just like you did for me."

"That was something different. I wasn't leaving anything behind worth living. Rocinha is not a place you want to live, it's a place you have to live. We had lots of struggles there. I left knowing I would be having a better life here and I do."

"And do these new roles still mean a better life?"

My husband shrugs before scratching the back of his head. "I don't know. I've never thought of this. The title is daunting, just dining with royals sounds daunting to me and now I have to be a part of it?" He sighs, "But then I think of the job and the good we can do. What you said isn't wrong. We have enough money to be financial independent - even our kids' kids will stay financial independent. I just... I don't know if the King is going to agree to all of this. To me it sounds like you want to have cake and eat it, too. It's very tricky... but then again, this is a unique situation. We'd be the first of our kind..." Oliver shrugs again. "I don't know. It's very difficult. But from the way I see it declining is not an option." My husband mumbles. "I don't want to rip you out of the hometown you love so much and the family structure. I love Rio, but not as much as you love London."

"I'm doing everything I can to give us as much freedom as possible. This folder is our ace. If the King doesn't accept what's in there than we will decline and leave the country. It's either that way or no way at all."

"You're risking your life for that?"

I shrug, "I can be happy wherever in the world just as long as I'm with you. London, Switzerland, Spain, Rio - the list of options is long. Just the 54 Commonwealth Countries would be no option."

Oliver starts flipping through the folder again, "I don't know if the King's going to agree to us staying financial independent from the taxpayers' money."

"I'm going to do my best to convince him. I want to keep my identity and I want to make sure you get to keep yours. I want to keep our independence. But I also want to work for the Commonwealth Trust and change the world."

Oliver hands me back the folder, "I'm with you, whatever happens. I never thought I'd ever be getting this offer but I now know it comes with a lot of responsibilities and scrutiny. Nevertheless, I trust you with this. I'll let you do this alone."

I nod, "Good, then it's time to inform our parents."

---

I hold the door of my childhood house open for my husband before stepping inside. Asking for my parents' advice is the only right thing I can do right now. Oliver has no idea what it's like to be a part of the Royal Family, while I've been in that family with one foot for years. We'll have restrictions, chains that will keep us from doing a lot - and certainly a lot of normal things.

But it also comes with the opportunity to change the world. Or at least, the commonwealth countries. 54 countries to be exact.

"Mum? Dad?" I yell through the white marbled foyer of my childhood home. As always, there's a vase of pink peonies standing on a round table underneath the dome in the ceiling. The light coming from above gets split in the crystal vase, so a stunning colour play fills the enormous foyer. The framed photos on each wall of the two curved staircases are free from any dust. There's no photo of Oliver and me hanging on these walls yet but I'm patient.

Plus, I promised Oliver a fairytale wedding so we get to make that standard pose then. It's going to look good next to the wedding photos of Della and Wlad, Ana and Sasha, Rory and George and Charlotte and Nate.

I'm not on talking terms to half of them but the photo would look good, I'm sure.

"Kitchen!" My parents yell back out of one mouth.

"Ready?" I ask my husband. Oliver still looks a little amazed when he's here.

He grabs my hand and squeezes it softly. "You know, never in the world would I have bet to be having this conversation with your parents. It's our third meeting and there's one bomb after another going off."

I chuckle, "I know. At least it's not going to get boring."

"No that definitely not." He grins while we walk down the hardwood floored hallway with ivory coloured panelling on the walls. I used to run down these hallways, getting chased by Nate because I teased him with something. Now, I'm walking them down with my husband.

How things change.

Eventually, we reach the wide white marbled country house styled kitchen. My parents are making tea and as always there's soft lounge music coming out of the surround system. Coming home has always had something peaceful.

I wait a moment before I decide to greet my parents. I always loved watching them interacting, especially because I know how they're in public. It's such a contrast to these two hand-holding love drunk teenagers. I guess the saying is right, you really are only as old as you feel.

And these two have been love drunk teenagers for my whole life.

"Hi!" I greet them with a smile.

"That's quite a surprise." My Daddy says while looking at us. His body language starts changing immediately when he sees Oliver.

"The reason for our visit was a surprise for us as well." I mumble.

My Mum stops in her moves, "Everything alright?"

I lick my lips, "We've had a meeting with the King on his official birthday party."

"Ah, the one where you just disappeared?!" My father asks us with a raised eyebrow.

I was really pissed. I couldn't be there any longer. "Well, yes."

"Both of you?" My Mum asks us.

We nod.

"Along with Rory and George, Catherine and William and Charlotte and Nate." Oliver clarifies.

"Oh, that doesn't sound good. Did you lose your job at Oxford Royal?" Daddy asks me.

"Sort of."

"What does that mean?"

"The King has offered us the roles as president and vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust." Oliver explains.

"What?!" They ask us out of one mouth.

"Along with a title."

"A title?"

"Duke and Duchess of Clarence." I clarify.

"You'd be royals?!" Mum asks me surprised. "Without being married to a royals? You'd have titles and staff and royal protection... and all that jazz?"

I nod, "The King has given us a six weeks to decide."

"You can't decline." My Mum breathes out.

I look at my husband. "See? Even she knows." I mock him.

Oliver rolls his eyes, "I'm Brazilian. The closest I ever got to the royals was selling their souvenirs before I met you. And now... now I'm probably about to become one myself which is beyond odd."

My Dad looks at me. "He needs speech training."

I nod, "We both do. Our roles would be solemnly the Commonwealth. So we wouldn't be doing a lot of royal engagements."

"Where would you live?"

"Kensington Palace most probably."

My Mum nods, "Royal protection?"

"Would be provided." I answer before looking at my Dad. "Will you be able to handle this? Oliver and I can decline the offer."

"No you can't." My Mum says. "Not with everything that's on the table."

"We can if you're not okay. This will cause a lot of different reactions. It would be even worse than Rory's scandal."

"You're entering the family with a bang." My Mum says with a shrug. "I'm okay with that."

"Even if that means we won't be taking over the Bolton Foundation?" I ask them.

My Daddy shows us a smile, "Sweetheart, this is so much bigger than our foundation or us. You're going to work with governments, politicians and humanitarians from every single Commonwealth country. You'll change the world. You'll help so many people and that's all we ever wanted to do with our foundation. It's not about creating an empire or a dynasty. It's about providing help to as many as possible."

"I'm surprised you're not a little bit worried."

"I'm not worried at all. Because I know you. I've raised a strong woman. A woman that can tackle anything and now you've got a man that's just as strong beside you. I'm not going to lie and say it will be all rainbows and unicorns because it won't. Especially in the beginning. Expect the first five, ten years to be all bad press and criticism. But know we're standing behind you no matter what you say or do and so does the King and with him the whole royal family. You've got so much vital momentum that nothing the British press is going to write, will effect you. They won't shake your core. And they will see what you're about as time moves on. They will understand that the two of you are the best for the jobs. So no, I'm not even a little bit worried. I am damn proud of you. Of both of you."

A woman that can tackle anything and now you've got a man that's just as strong beside you - that's what he said, right? A man that's just as strong beside you. He actually complimented Oliver? Tears burn in my eyes and I try desperately to gulp them down but I can't. Damn it, he's going to make me cry now?!

My Daddy notices my struggle and wraps his arms around me. "You'll be fine. Because you're a Bolton. With a Duchess of Clarence title, but still a Bolton."

That was exactly what I needed to hear. I nod and kiss my Daddy's left cheek. "Thank you. This was exactly the kind of encouragement we needed."

My Mum squeezes my hand as I let go of Daddy. Then she looks at Oliver, "Are you ready to jump on the Royal rail wagon?" She asks him.

"I'll follow her everywhere." Oliver answers. "I'm going to have to learn a lot and I'm sure I'm going to take a step back and let Josephine shine and do the work before it's my time. Because unlike her, I've only done social work for two years. I'm no expert by any means. I just want to give back and help. But she... she's a pro when it comes to logistics and coordinating everything. She whipped up the Australian helping package within an hour, complete with a website, a fundraising event and a coordinated social media post by all royals and non-royals. That evening... it showed me how truly passionate she is about it and how talented. She was amazing and I can't wait to help her do the same for all commonwealth countries."

I look at Oliver, "You don't have to smear honey around my mouth, I already love you."

"I know you do and none of what I said was untrue. You have the ability to flourish in this new role and I want to be there for you along the way."

"This is not just about me. This is about you as much as it is about me."

"And we'll do this together. I just need to gain more experience before starting with work the same way as you."

I run my fingers through his hair, "Then we're doing it."

He nods, "Let's start this new chapter of our live together."

Suddenly my mother laughs out loud. "I'm sorry, I just-" she can't stop laughing. "I never thought we'd have three children... within the British Royal Family... it's so... it's just..."

We all start laughing along with her. We laugh at this absurd opportunity that arose. We laugh at how life threw sticks and stones in our ways.

It feels so good to laugh it all out. Everything that happened within the last years, we just laugh it out.

My Mummy's the first who gets herself together again. "The Spectacular Six."

"I'm sorry?" Oliver asks her confused.

"The Spectacular Six. Mark my words. That's what the press will call you."

"Oh, no. Not for another good five years or so." I wave her off. "Perhaps even never. The damage we're going to create very intentionally will take a long time for the monarchy to survive from. But the monarch is the one who made the offer. He is the one who wants this change. And we've got all senior royals on board with us. With this united front, this very close circle that's going to provide us a protection shield, we're going to be fine. We'll work in silence for a while and then let our labour do the talking, instead of talking about our labour."

"But your Mum's right." My father tells us. "You will be the spectacular six: The Oxfords, The Windsors and The Clarences. Six hard working senior royals of the firm. The press is going to love that!"

"We'll see what the future holds." Oliver says.

"Well it definitely holds a title with a HRH." My Mum says before shaking her head. "Three children within the Royals... it's unbelievable. I never thought this would happen."

"Neither did I. But you showed us the website of Le Rosey and that got the stone rolling." I say to my father who grins.

"I can still remember how hard it was to convince your Mum to allowing you go there."

"Never in the world would I have thought that this was such a life changing decision." My Mum thinks out loud.

Neither did I.

Oliver

I have no idea how to tell the news to my Mama. And Caio and Johna. This will change their lives forever and I'm not sure they're going to like it. My Mama never loved the spotlight and truth be told I'd rather stay in the shadows as well.

But as Josephine explained to me so clearly, that's not an option. I can't risk our immigration status. I can't risk our new lives. I promised to bring them to London, to build a life for them here... I promised to make London their home.

And I can't take that away from them. Not now. Not ever.

My wife and I stop at the front door of my old flat that I gifted to my Mama and my brothers. I knock against the wooden door.

Josephine takes my hand, "We survived my parents. Your family will be a piece of cake."

I don't know about that. But before I can answer, Caio opens the door.

"Jo!" Caio wraps his arms around my wife.

"I missed you, too. How was school today?" Jo asks him with a lovely smile on her full lips.

"Boring. But Mama and Sergej picked me up in a vintage Rolls-Royce. That was pretty cool."

"A Rolls-Royce, huh? Fancy!" Jo whistles before looking at me.

My Mama and Sergej drove around in a freaking Rolls-Royce?!

"He's making dinner tonight." Caio says before holding the door open for us. Then he embraces me. "You're all healthy again?"

"All good." I say with a nod before I follow my wife inside. It's so weird to be here again. The smell of cooking food fills my nostrils and laughter fills my ears. Female laughter mixed with a deep male laughter. I stop in the living area and see my Mama having a good time in the kitchen with Sergej. They're cooking. Together. There's flour on the white marbled kitchen island and water boiling in a large pot on the stove.

They look like they're having a good time.

It's weird. I've never seen my Mama with another man. Let alone a 67 year old Russian.

"Hi!" Josephine greets them with a bright smile. She doesn't seem to be bothered by the picture in front of us at all - just like Caio.

My Mama winces as she sees us, "Hi! What are you doing here?"

"I think the question is what you guys are doing there." I answer in a cold voice. I don't like this. I don't like this at all.

Clearly those private English lessons pay off in more than one perspective.

"We're making pelmeni. A Russian dish. I thought I'd show your mother a few of my favourite dishes after she cooked for us the last few times." Sergej explains.

This has been going on for longer?!

"Oh, my favourite Russian dish!" Josephine says with a grin on her lips.

"We're making enough so you're welcome to stay for dinner."

"The last few times?" I ask them with raised eyebrows.

"Caio, go to your room." My Mama says to my little brother.

"Why? This is just getting interesting!"

"Caio, do as your mother said." My wife backs my Mama up.

"Fine." Caio sighs before turning on his heel and walking to his room.

Neither of us talk before the door hasn't shut.

"Oliver," Sergej starts but I raise my hand.

"We are just friends." Mama says to me.

"It sure as hell doesn't look like that." I hiss at them.

"Oliver,"

"Your mother is right. We're just friends. I have no intention to turn this into a romantic relationship and so does your mother." Sergej tells me with his silver eyes looking all serious.

"Good." Because I will kill him if he does.

"Can I help you with the pelmeni?" Josephine asks, changing the subject to the delicious smell that's filling the open living area with an open kitchen.

"No, we're good." Mama says before looking back at me. "Are you okay?"

"We've got some news. For the last few days we've been actually... We had a meeting with the King and he offered us a job paired with a title."

"I'm sorry, what?" Mama asks us confused.

"What jobs and which title?"

"President and vice-President of the Commonwealth Trust." I answer Sergej's question.

He nods, "Impressive."

"And as for the title... Duke and Duchess of Clarence."

"Duque e duquesa de Clarence?" My Mama asks us.

"Yes. We would be royals. Without marrying into royals."

"Oh, wow the king must really want you in those jobs if he pairs them with a title." Sergej says as he continues making the pelmeni by filling little circles of dough with minced meat.

"Yes. That gives us a little bit of negotiation freedom." I tell him.

"I assume you've made a plan." Sergej says again.

"We did. But that won't stop the press from attacking you guys." My wife says.

"Attack us?" My Mama asks us shocked. "Why?"

"Because our roles are unique. And they will want to find out everything they can find and to sell papers."

"We'll be in the headlines for a few months. A year max. Then the interest will die down."

"Will you do royal engagements? Patronages? Walkabouts and stuff?" Sergej knows a lot of this.

"As little as possible." Josephine answers, "That's the part we want to negotiate on. We want to be known for our work at the Commonwealth Trust, not for what we wore on the Trooping the Colour."

"The what?" My Mama asks confused.

"The king's birthday parade. It's pretty big. Sometime in July." Sergej tells her before looking at us again. "Interesting. Well, keep us posted."

Us. There's the word I didn't want to hear.

"We will. We have five weeks left to work on our plan before meeting the King again and discussion how we're going to precede with this."

"Are you okay with this?" I ask my Mama.

"I don't know why you're asking me that. It sounds like you guys have already decided on what you're going to do."

"We have but we want to know your input as well." I tell her.

My Mama shrugs, "I thought moving here would be tough but this... this is a challenge for a lifetime. Royals - that's something I never dared to dream about."

"We wouldn't be the traditional royals. We'd be like background royals. We want to be known for our work and we will do as little public work as possible."

"That's not what the taxpayers going to want." Sergej mumbles.

"We won't take their money. We'll stay financial independent from that. Fully independent. We'll pay for everything ourselves. From the household to security... everything."

"Well, good luck trying to sell that to His Majesty The King." Sergej says before throwing the pelmeni into the pot with boiling water.

Josephine

I look at my husband and notice how he's staring into space. We've just had some of the best orgasms, especially since we had to stay away from each other for the last five days, but he... he's somewhere completely else. "Are you doubting our decision?" I ask him before lifting myself up so I sit against the headboard of our bed. "Do you want us to move back to Brazil?" I'd do that for him and I'm sure we'll be happy but I know we'll be thriving in our new jobs and roles. It's just my gut feeling.

And my gut is always right.

"No, it's got nothing to do with our decision. I stand by what I said. Wherever you go, I go. I'm excited for the work at the Commonwealth Trust. It's quite daunting but also... very exciting."

I run my fingers through his blonde chin long hair, "Then what are you worried about?"

He looks at me, "Didn't you notice the vibes going on between my Mama and Sergej?"

Maria and Sergej? I laugh, "No. There were no vibes. They're just friends. Sergej's almost in his seventies and I don't think your Mum's into older men unlike my oldest sister. They had fun."

"They cooked together."

"So what? That's what friends do, don't they? Sergej's your Mum's first friend here. He's teaching her English. It's not like they're fucking while doing so."

Oliver's angry face makes me gulp. I guess I've hit a nerve there.

"Sorry." I mumble. I shouldn't have said the fucking part. "My point is, she's still wearing her wedding band despite her husband's death. She still feels married to him. She's not going to start dating any time soon in a completely foreign country. Let her settle in."

"I don't want to see her with another man but my Papa."

I lick my lips, "Oliver, I get that, I really do, but even you have to acknowledge that your Mum at just forty still has a life ahead of her. A life as a woman, not just as your mother. She has needs-"

"Sergej's not going to fulfil those needs."

I suppress the grin by licking my lips again, "Maybe not but one day someone will enlighten that fire within her again."

"Some day. But not some day soon."

I decide to not push on the subject any further. Frankly, I'd be the same in his position. In the years when my Daddy was gone, my Mum didn't even look at another man. I can't picture my Mum with another man and I can't picture my Dad with another woman.

They're one.

And Oliver feels the same about his parents, death or alive. They're still one. And probably always will be.

"And you sure you're okay with the title thing?" I ask him again.

This time he sighs and that means I've got his full attention now. "Yes, I am sure. It's unconventional and nerve wrecking but also amazing. Bloody amazing. Not the walkabouts and royal dinners and stuff, but the platform we're going to get. The work we're going to do together."

"This is going to be far bigger than the Bolton Foundation ever could be." I tell him.

"I know and I also know what big sacrifice this is to you."

"To me?" I ask him with a frown.

"You always wanted to be your own boss. You wanted your parents' jobs at Bolton's Enterprises and then when you started to work for the foundation in Brazil, I'm sure you started thinking about how it's going to be when you're the head of the foundation. I know my wife. She doesn't like to stick to rules and now she's going to have to stick to Royal protocol. It's an adjustment for me but it's also going to be an adjustment for you."

I forgot how well he knows me. "Well, maybe we can find a way to squeeze in a little time for the Bolton Foundation from time to time."

"As a side job?" Oliver asks me with a grin, "That's not going to work. Frankly, this plan you've worked out is pretty utopian. I have a hard time believing the King's going to give us everything that's in it. I don't think he's going to give us even a fraction of it."

Maybe my husband doesn't know me that well after all. "Remember how we negotiated the deal when we first met?"

"There was no negotiation at the Ritz. You just presented me facts that you wanted me to accept but I was not having it."

I nod, "And what happened then?"

"I gave you a different offer and waited until you caved in." He says with a grin on his lips.

"And I caved in very quickly." I admit. "And that's exactly the kind of strategy I want to apply to the King. He might not like everything that's in the folder but he won't say no to a fairly big portion. He's going to read it, think about it, read it again and revisit the points in there, toss and turn in his bed one or two nights and then he's going to reach out to us. That's when we know we've got the upper hand." That's also when he's going to face the both of us but Oliver doesn't know that yet. I'm a mastermind when it comes to business. It's what I studied and loved for a very, very long time in my life. I know how people think - blue blooded or not - and I use it to my advantage.

I play the odds and I play the people - and I always win.

"Does that mean I've had the upper hand over you the whole time?" Oliver asks me with a grin on his lips.

I hold up my left hand and wiggle with my ring finger so the sapphires create a pretty sparkle, "Isn't that proof enough?"

Two weeks later:

Oliver

I step into the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. I've booked the whole wing for tonight with Rory's help. I had to call her for help because I couldn't put this event together while I was sick and she volunteered. I think she's trying to make up for what she's done but Josephine has been keeping a distance for the last two weeks. Unlike me, Josephine has a hard time forgiving. Maybe because her family is so big and she thinks she can stay mad at two of her siblings a little longer but I don't share that view. Family members are unique and each of them matters. I lost my Papa far too early so I hold on to Caio, Johna and my Mama even more. I told Rory I wouldn't get between them but I was grateful for the help. Very grateful because putting this together was much harder than I expected it to be. Rory's the patron of the National Gallery, so for her making it happen was just a phone call away. The Sainsbury Wing Entrance is on the north side of Trafalgar Square, near Whitcomb Street. That makes it a low-key event without losing the importance of the work. The wing has level access from Trafalgar Square so even disabled people can use it.

I watch how my wife's work has come to life, filling this massive room with her art. Her photos are hanging in oversized frames all over this room. We've started with her work in Brazil to the work that she's done when Rory worked for Doctors Without Borders in Mali. Hope, the little girl with the cleft lip, is just as present as a playground full of Brazilian kids.

I stare at Hope for a moment. This was the first photo Josephine ever showed me. I found the black and white photo on my wife's iMac. I put that and a few more on an USB and gave it to Ryan.

I know, Josephine's probably going to kill me for using her private photos but they're just too beautiful to hide. I walk one photo further and look at a photo of kids in Akumal. Four laughing children that are sitting in a fountain and playing with the water. Three girls and one boy look Mexican. Their clothes are definitely typical for colourful Mexico. They're wearing rainbow coloured ponchos and serapes. Their smiles are addictive. It's also quite blurry.

Josephine took this photo after the coffin fiasco of Rory a few years ago. It was during their escape to Mexico. She visited the couple in her spring break.

It's a stunning photo.

The vernissage is under the Bolton Foundation. It's probably the last thing we're going to do as non-royals. At least, we leave the company with a bang.

"And? What do you think? Pretty amazing, huh?"

I turn around at Rory's voice. She's dressed in a pair of jeans with a grey v-neck T-shirt and white sneakers. Her chestnut brown curls are wild and open. "It's absolutely brilliant!"

"Good. I hope she's going to like it as well." Rory says with a small smile on her lips. "I mean, after she ripped our heads off."

"She's not going to forgive you for what you guys did to us, you know. At least, not so quickly."

My sister-in-law nods, "I know... But I'm glad I could help you with this." She waves with her hands. "I always knew what a great photographer Jo was but this... this is beyond my expectations."

"And I'm very grateful for your help. This is absolutely breathtaking."

"Tonight will be fabulous after the first shock wears off!" She claps into her hands, "Okay, I'm going to make sure everything's getting done on time. I have a dress ready for me in a side room. I'll change here and welcome every guest. You can go get Jo."

Josephine

I finish my makeup at my vanity in the bathroom when I hear my husband coming home. He told me he wanted to take me out tonight for a date. The irony wasn't lost on me. We've been on a date once and that was Oliver's birthday dinner last year. One date and then we got married - that's about the story that we will sell the public when they start asking questions about The Duke and Duchess of Clarence's relationship.

Because frankly, everything's going to be public interest.

I put the red lipstick back into the drawer before getting up from the stool. I walk out of the en-suite bathroom, into the bedroom and stop in the open door of our wardrobe. My husband's quickly undressing. God, I like him in boxer briefs so, so much.

"Hi, sexy." I greet him with a smile on my lips.

"Hi. Sorry, I couldn't make it earlier." He looks over his shoulder and I watch how his muscles shift from the movement. His forest green eyes transition into a sea foam colour immediately.

"Hey, no rush. We didn't set a time for our date." I say before walking over to him. I chose a simple red Valentino dress that has spaghetti straps and a tight fit. I should make use of the body that I have for as long as I can.

But eight weeks into this pregnancy and all that has grown are my boobs so far. I haven't gained any weight, I haven't had any cravings, I just had very bad nausea that lasted the whole day. I'd rather be bigger or have weird cravings than this bloody morning sickness because it makes me so much less productive.

However, my body's still more or less the same.

"Sweet Jesus, you look hot!" He says and I watch his erection growing in his boxer briefs.

"Oh, you're not the only one who's attracted to your spouse." I kiss him passionately as the desire awakes within me in record time. My hands circle around his neck as I deepen the kiss.

But to my surprise, he lets go.

"I should get dressed. We do have a set time." Oliver tells me.

"Okay. Where are you taking me?" I walk back and sit down on the white marbled island. The stone feels cool against my hot thighs. Damn, I really thought we could squeeze at least a quickie in before leaving for our date night.

"Oh, you know... somewhere really nice." He says as he gets into black slacks.

"That's not really specific."

"It's a surprise." My husband insists as he buttons up his white Oxford shirt.

"I know you've said that but can't you just tell me now? I mean, we'll be there soon anyway." I tell him as he gets into his black leather shoes. Even I have put on heels for tonight. Stilettos from Valentino. Beautiful ten inch heels but walking in them is a pain in the ass. "Should I change for the occasion?"

"Oh, no. You look perfect." Oliver says before throwing on a black jacket.

"Okay." I say before hopping off the island. "Do you want me to drive tonight or shall I call Ralph?"

"Ralph will drive us tonight." Oliver informs me before grabbing my hand. The electricity runs through my veins from the touch.

I cherish this feeling so much.

"How was your day at Oxford Royal?"

Today was my first day back at Oxford Royal. I chose this day specifically because I knew Rory and George have royal engagements today. That way, I was alone all day and could focus on work. "Good. But I don't want to talk about work. I'd rather you tell me where you're going to take me tonight." I push again as we walk into the lift.

"You'll find out soon enough. Have a little patience."

I narrow my eyes at him, "Do you know who you're married to?"

My husband chuckles before placing a kiss on my left hand. "I was fully aware of the woman when I married her."

True, he always knew me better than I knew myself.

---

I rest my head against my husband's shoulder as Ralph manoeuvres the car through London's streets at night. My hometown looks so beautiful. I can't wait to see where he made the dinner reservation. Maybe at my favourite Italian restaurant or maybe at a Brazilian restaurant. Perhaps we might even go to Luigi's. We haven't been there since we came back from Rio.

Oliver grabs my hand and squeezes it softly. He looks so handsome today.

There's no way we won't have sex the whole night. Not when he's throwing his pheromones at me like that.

"Oh, I know this look." My husband says as stares at me with those sea foam coloured eyes. They're so bloody mesmerising!

"Good because there's no way we won't have sex tonight." I say

Ralph stops the car at the entrance of the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. Why are we here? "Why did Ralph stop at the National Gallery?" I ask my husband confused.

"Because we've arrived."

"But we're at the National Gallery. Not a restaurant." I point out the obvious.

"I know." Oliver gets out of the car.

I follow him, "What do you mean? Why are we here?"

"Promise me to not hate me after tonight."

"Oliver, what have you done?" I ask him worried.

He grabs my hand and leads me into the Sainsbury Wing. Suddenly, there's a big poster.

The Bolton Foundation presents Josephine Bolton.

My heart sinks to the floor and I automatically let go of Oliver's hand. He did that?! Behind my back?! My throat tightens with the urge to cry and my belly fills with a kind of anger I've never felt before.

He fucking lied to me?!

Oliver

Shit, she hates me. She looks like she's going to tear me in half. "Josephine,"

Her usual sky blue eyes are almost black.

"Don't hate him. It was my idea."

I turn around at Rory's voice. She has changed into a black dress and black heels. She looks perfect for the occasion - and she's taking the blame for something she didn't do.

"You?!" Josephine spits that word out with so much hatred that I feel guilty.

"Yes. I thought that people should see your work. Your photos... Before you and Oliver join me on the big stage."

Josephine rushes over to her sister, "You don't know me at all! We might've shared the same womb but God, you couldn't have a more wrong view of me. I never wanted to become a royal! And I certainly don't need people's acknowledgement of my work! I know that I'm a good photographer. I know what I'm worth. But you..." She shakes her head before looking at me. "We're going back home. I don't want to see this."

"But-"

"No. She did this out of the wrong reasons. She went behind my back and pulled you into this mess. She probably told you this would be the way to make it up with me, didn't she?!"

I gulp, "No."

"Jo, please. Just walk in and have a look around. Five minutes, not more. I've really put a lot of work into this. Weeks of planning and I-"

Josephine looks at her sister again. "You should've apologised to me. Your first words should've been I'm sorry for what I've done and please forgive me. We haven't spoken or seen each other in four weeks except one bloody phone call the day after you fucked everything up and the next time I see you, you pull this very shady stunt!"

Okay, that's enough. "No, she didn't. It was my idea."

"Don't try to protect her. She's-"

"I'm not. It was my idea. I saw your photos of Brazil on my first day at work and the idea kept popping up... so I decided to go through with it behind your back. I called Rory to help me out. I'm sorry. If you still want to leave, I understand but don't hurt your sister so much. She was just trying to help."

"I'll go in. For you but not for her." Josephine says before rushing by us.

I'm actually surprised she decided to bite into the sour apple.

"You didn't have to do this. I deserved all these nasty words." Rory says to me.

"Maybe you did but not these words. I stand up for the things I've done. You didn't have to lie."

"It wasn't a complete lie. You wanted a small gallery type of thing and I decided to move it into the national gallery. It sort of was my idea."

I follow my wife inside without another word. I didn't know except this night to turn out this way. I either thought she would hate me for it or love me for it. No, actually I was pretty sure she'd hate me for it.

But I didn't expect Rory to take the blame.

The room is full of cheers and clapping hand sounds when I enter it. The wing is full of rich people in designer clothes. Rory invited roughly two hundred of Britain's most influential people and organisations. I didn't check the guest list because I wouldn't know anyone from there anyway. But I do recognise the senior royals, Nate and Char, George and Louis as well as Catherine and William. My Mama is there with Johna and Caio. They're chatting with Gabriella, Sergej and Troy. Even Della and Wlad are here and so are Ana and Sasha as well as Ryan and his wife Kelsi. The supportive family is having her back. There's no way I can ask her to leave all of that behind. We're doing this royal thing. We're becoming the Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

And there is my wife, holding a microphone in her left hand and a big smile on her lips. The black microphone is the best contrast to the platinum wedding ring that's covered in sapphires. She's holding the microphone in her left hand on purpose to send a message. "Thank you. I must admit I was totally blindsided by this tonight. My husband surprised me with this vernissage but standing here and seeing my work staring back at me is... it's very surreal and I feel very flattered that all of you have showed up tonight." She looks at me for a moment, "Enjoy the night. Thank you." With that the crowd erupts into another wave of cheers. Josephine gives her microphone back to a man before walking over to me.

I prepare for the worst.

But to my shock she kisses me. Publicly.

And I have no idea why.

"I love you but if you ever pull a stunt like this, I'm putting you on sex withdrawal." She hisses into my ear while embracing me.

"Why did you kiss me then?" I ask as I return the embrace.

"Because this was our first public appearance as a couple. I would've chosen your introduction in a different environment and I would've chosen a different dress for me because the red clashes against the sapphires on my wedding band, which has now become an eye-magnet, but you didn't inform me so I guess I have to go with the flow."

I didn't see this as our first public appearance, as my introduction to her world. Shit, maybe I should've planned it more through.

She lets go of me and looks me in the eyes. "You owe me a whole weekend of fucking for this. A whole weekend. With more than a freaking feather and silver balls."

I gulp, but nod. "That seems fair."

"No, it's not even close to being fair. You used my private photos, the ones that I had only showed to you previously. You invaded my privacy but you're in luck because I love you so damn much. I'll let you get off the hook but never ever repeat that again."

Josephine

There are 42 photos taken by me in oversize hanging in this wing. 42 photos of landscapes, portraits or just candid moments that I took. Some are in bright colours, others look stunning in black and white.

And people seem to be moved by them. Moved by my work!

I never wanted a vernissage. I never wanted to show my photos to anyone. I wanted to keep them safe from any judgment. I wanted to keep them locked in my penthouse.

But seeing them this huge makes me overthink my decision. I don't like that Oliver did this behind my back but if he hadn't had done that, I would've never done that myself. I would've hidden my work.

Which clearly is loved by the guests tonight.

My eyes dance over a huge bright photo of a place in Mexico City on Día de los Muertos, the day of three dead. It's a huge celebration in the country and I was there to capture the emotions. I found the joy very strange in the beginning as death is usually associated with tears and sorrow. But the Mexicans fascinate me. They always have.

Maybe because they like to wear so many masks on Día de los Muertos and I have just as many.

"Jo,"

I look to my left and see how my best friend walks over to me. I shake my head, "No. I'm not talking to you." I hiss at her. "There's a reason why I've been ignoring your calls for the last month!"

"I'm sorry." Charlotte whispers to me. George, Nate and Rory are smart to stay away from me. I'm still pissed at all of them.

I place my hand on my hip, "No, you're not. At least I wouldn't be. You did what you had to do to protect your family. Using me was shady, but using Oliver was even shadier. You did what George told you to buy you didn't consider the outcome."

"Please don't be mad-"

"Mad? Oh no, I was mad when I first was presented with the fact that Oliver and I would be joining the family but the more I thought of it, the more hurt I became! You stabbed a knife into my back. You did it with a perfectly pearly white grin on your lips and you manipulated everyone to believe this was a good idea! And now don't tell me Nate was in on this, he wasn't and neither was Rory. But Rory has always been a coward so you knew she wouldn't dare to open her mouth and speak up. You outweighed the options and chose the one that would give you the most benefits. Because hey, after years of suffering you deserved that freaking light at the end of the tunnel, didn't you?!" I hiss at her. "But this isn't over! I am not a puppet on the strings like everyone else. And neither is Oliver. You don't play us, we play you." I threaten her. Charlotte has seen me do things to people who tried to hurt me or my family, so she knows I'm not faking it.

Charlotte nods with visible respect in her eyes, "Alright, I deserve that."

"No, you deserve way more! You deserve to pay for what you did! I've always protected you! I wore a freaking sexy gown to your wedding in bloody ivory! I outshined you on your wedding day to protect you! I kept your secrets, the ones not even Nate knows about! I was your best friend, your bloody family! All these years, you were my person! I turned to you whenever I was struggling with something!" I wave with my hands, "And then you do this. You think you've won the game Char, but the game is not over."

"I hope one day you'll forgive me for this."

"I'm sure I will but I will never forget. You destroyed what we had by doing the one thing I never wanted. You knew how much I loathed this royal life and you chose to drag me into this!" I shake my head in disbelief, "You know, it's just like George said. It's better that you're the spare and he's the heir. He leads with the head, all you do is lead with your heart and I'm not even sure there is one beating in you chest right now. Britain can be grateful for King George and not Queen Charlotte!"

Suddenly, she slaps me. Her hand burns against my left cheek. I even feel hurt. But it's not from the slap. It's from the knife she stabbed in my back.

"Fuck you!"

"No, fuck you, Charlotte! Everything you did will come back to you and I will be standing at the sideline and watch you burn with a smile on my lips. You could have turned to me, ask me for help but you didn't. You decided to take this into your own hands and now look at where it left you. I assume George and Rory aren't really talking to you and seeing the reaction of your parents it's probably the same with them. You've dug yourself a hole and you were scared to fall into it alone, so you dragged Oliver and me into this, hoping we would find a way out. And we will find a way out but we won't tell you how. You're on your own."

The Duchess of Windsor turns on her heel and struts away from me. I turn my attention back to the photo in front of me. She's not worth crying over.

Not anymore.

Oliver

I walk over to Josephine's parents and my Mama. Caio and Johna are walking around and having fun with all the guests. They're even chatting with Josephine's siblings as well as the other royals that are here today.

"Good evening. What do you think?" I greet the Boltons as well as my Mama.

"Well, she really let you off the hook." Troy says with his navy eyes staring at me like he wants to kill me. It's the first time he didn't insult me. Well no, the third time since the last time we saw each other we told him and his wife the news and the second time at the Royal Albert Hall he didn't talk to me.

"I'm getting prepared for payback when we're home." I say back with a shrug.

"Well, I think it's amazing! I had no idea Jo was such an artist!" My Mama says to Jo's parents and me. "The photos are fantastic!"

"You should see the kindergarten she and I built." I say with a grin on my face. "She painted all the walls herself. We pulled an all-nighter to make sure it would be done in time."

"You did this with her?" Gabriella asked me surprised. "I thought Liam helped her out."

I gulp, shit I shouldn't have said that. Perhaps I really do need speech training as Troy suggested. "Well... Liam helped in his unique way as well." I mumble. By not being there but they don't have to know that.

"He's met you?" Troy asks me.

"No, not yet but he... he made sure the interior architect was very pleased with the project." I mumble again.

Gabriella's chocolate brown eyes fill with anger and I know she got the message. Well, that's another Bolton I get to add to my haters-list then. "I'll make sure he won't do that again."

My Mama looks at me confused. Obviously she didn't get it and I won't explain it to her.

"Anyway, I really like the vernissage. I had no idea Jo kept such treasures away from us." Gabriella changes the subject with a bright smile on her face. She squeezes her husband's hand to encourage him to say something nice.

"Yeah, our daughter clearly comes after me. Full of secrets."

And I thought that was part of the family's policy. I guess that's only a trade that Troy gifted to most of his children. "The secrets are out now."

"I guess they are." Troy says with a nod. I have no idea why he's talking in riddles but Josephine used to talk in riddles all the time as well. Perhaps it just takes time to warm up his heart and tear down his walls.

I've got time. I'm not planning to leave my wife anytime soon. We promised each other until death do us apart and I take that very seriously.

Josephine

I stare at the colourful photo that I took in Myanmar when I visited Della. She worked in a refugee camp a few years ago. The photo shows a crying girl with hazel eyes and caramel coloured skin at the age of seven maybe. She has dark short hair and her left arm is wrapped around a branch. There are two lines of tears streaming down her face on each side. Behind him is a slightly blurry mess of other children. Girls and boys of all girl in the front looks traumatised.

Her name is Asmat. Her family left their hometown just a few days ago due to shocking violence that was happening there.

It's a photo that's at the end of the Sainsbury Wing, in the left corner. The order of the photos are brilliantly chosen and to my surprise I find every photo phenomenal. I really am talented but it took oversized framed photos for me to realise that. At least, there are no portraits of my family hanging here.

My father called this one of my most powerful work. He told me he was proud of me and that I shouldn't be too angry with Oliver about what he did. Because in his eyes, Oliver did the right thing.

It took Oliver to betray me to get my father's admiration. But he still didn't say he accepted Oliver. He just called him brave, said he had a backbone made of steel.

At least, this is a step in the right direction.

"Jo,"

I wince at the sound of my nickname and the voice it unrecognisably belongs to. I turn around and stare at the man whose heart I broke at the altar. "Edward..." I didn't expect him to be here tonight. Him out of all people! "What are you doing here?"

"Admiring what you always called art and I never shared that opinion." He answers in a cold voice. His blonde hair is perfectly styled and he's dressed in a custom made black tuxedo. His turquoise eyes are full of pain. Pain that I've caused him.

He's far from being over me.

"Ed,"

His eyes dance down my body before stopping at my left hand. He gulps as he sees the sapphire covered wedding band.

Shit, I didn't want our first meeting to happen like this.

Not so publicly. Not so sudden...

But somehow, I don't know what to say to him now. Saying sorry doesn't feel like enough. How shall I explain what I did?

"In eight months you replaced us like it was easy. You broke my heart on our wedding day and eloped to bloody Rio! Six months you were gone! Six months! You were healing but my wound was feasting! Tell me what went wrong. I was ready to give you my name, for you to become a Rothschild."

"We were too perfect together." I whisper and shrug. "We agreed on everything. We never fought."

"And what's so wrong with that?"

I lick my lips. Everything was wrong with us. "I need fire, passion. I need disagreements, crossfires and even quarrels. I need heat and we were always just lukewarm."

"Lukewarm?" He asks me back with a raised eyebrow. I couldn't have insulted him more. "I bloody loved you! I gave you everything you wanted and you couldn't give me what I needed the most back!" He looks quite tanned so I assume he has spent the last eight months somewhere sunny as well.

"I loved you as well." I whisper back.

"But not enough to become mine."

I was never his because I had always been Oliver's. But I didn't know that when I started dating Edward.

"But now you're his." Edward says while looking at my wedding band again. "Oliver, isn't that his name?"

How does he know his name? Who told him my husband's name? "Yes." I whisper before inhaling deeply, "I never wanted this to happen... I never wanted to hurt you as much as I did."

"I know you care about me, but I also know you don't care enough. I don't know which one is worse." Edward says into my eyes.

My heart aches in my chest. "Ed,"

"No. You destroyed me on our wedding day. You humiliated me in front of the whole world. You claimed you loved me - me - and now eight months later I see you again with a ring around your finger and a baby growing in your belly. You never wanted children with me. You had me remove that paragraph from our prenup! But with him... with him it seems like you want it all."

I gulp, "Edward, please know how sorry I am. I didn't want this to happen."

"You've explained it all in that letter of yours. You weren't ready to commit and I wasn't ready to be hurt. But in the end we all got what we deserved."

I sigh and brush my fingers through my hair, "Ed,"

"I don't recognise the woman standing across me. He has turned you into someone you're not. This," he swings his finger around in the air, "is not something a woman of your status, of your reputation, should be doing. This isn't art. It's not admirable. It's pathetic."

Before I know what's happening, my left hand has slapped him so hard that his body looses balance for a second,

Edward acts like nothing happened. He doesn't even touch his cheek or loosen his chin. It's like he is made of steel. But suddenly he laughs, "You know what's funny? It took your charitable work for me to realise you were back in London. I was supporting local charities down under for the past few months because just like you, I had to flee as well. But I chose the other end of the world to be as far away as possible from you. And then a few weeks ago the fires start catching global interest and boom, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Oxford start showing up with their kids, doing their best PR stunt ever. That along with the all the fundraising that suddenly was happening within the European royals, proved me that you were behind all of this. I recognise Josie Bolton's work when I see it. You may be able to fool the whole world, but I know you pull the strings behind closed doors. Your siblings and their spouses are your dolls and you bloody enjoy making them do what you want."

"That's not true."

"Don't bloody lie to me now! I was your puppet just like them but you got tired of playing with me. I didn't give you the same thrill as the Royals do. You're a bloody narcissist and I will make bloody sure the world will see that!"

Edward has never threatened me and to be honest, I don't like the man I'm seeing right now.

"We will remain within the same social circles. We will see each other a lot but I want you to know with every smile I show, I'm only trying to hide my pain. A pain that you created within me. A kind of pain that will never heal. You fucked me up and now you've moved on to the next."

This is not what Oliver and me are. I decide to remain neutral and polite, after all we're in public. "I wish you all the best. I hope you will find the kind of happiness that I did." I tell him. I don't want to put even more fuel to the fire. He's hurt and understandably so but he will heal. One day he will find his perfect match - which was clearly not me.

"No, Jo, I won't. But I will make you pay for what you did to me and my family." He says before turning on his heel.

I watch him walking away from me with fear crawling up my spine. I shouldn't take this threat lightly. He's a Rothschild after all.

He could destroy me.

"Hey,"

I wince as I feel Oliver's hand on my shoulder.

"Everything okay?"

"I'm not sure."

"Is something wrong with the baby?"

"No it's not the peppercorn... It's Ed."

"That was Edward?" My husband asks me with wide eyes.

I tend to forget that Oliver's not from my world because he blends in so well. He doesn't know these circles and the power within. But I have a feeling he will find out. "Yeah and he's still hurt, obviously. But... he's mad as well." I mumble. "I need to talk to my father about him. He needs to dig a little deeper. Perhaps he can find whatever ace Ed has on me."

"He threatened you?!"

"Not threatened... He warned me." I brush through my curls.

"Do you think he's going to try to hurt you?"

I shrug, "I think he wants revenge for how I treated him, which I can totally understand. I just don't know what his plan is."

Suddenly, the King's offer comes to my mind again. He gave us six weeks to decide and maybe the titles have come at the right time. After all, no one touches the monarch and those close to him. He could give me the protection I need from the Rothschilds.

Because the Rothschilds don't get involved with the Royals. Not like this anyway.

And suddenly Ed's words come back into my mind. Eight months later I see you again with a ring around your finger and a baby growing in your belly. You never wanted children with me.

That's what he said. But how come he knows about my pregnancy? Not even my parents or Oliver's Mum know. The only people that know are Ana, Rory, George, Nate, Char, Catherine, William and the King. They wouldn't share my secret. Sure, my siblings and in-laws throw me into the fire but only for their own games, they don't share a confidential information like that.

No one was suppose to know about the peppercorn.

So how come Ed does?

"What's wrong?"

"Ed knows about my pregnancy." I breathe out.

"What? That's impossible! You're not showing!"

"I know but he knows about it. He said it himself." I bite on my lower lip. Never have I felt more vulnerable in my life. I thought I had protection walls higher and thicker than anyone else's, but turns out I don't.

And that scares the shit out of me. Not just because of me, but because of Oliver and our unborn baby.

I always knew the Rothschilds are no one you want to mess with but I thought Edward would have healed by now. How wrong I was. Edward said he would seek for revenge.

And I'm not going to wait to find out about it.

"What's on your mind?"

Edward hacked into my medical records and God knows in whose record else. Oliver's for sure, perhaps even Maria and Oliver's brothers'. I don't want to wait to find out what he's planning to do with this information.

Nothing's confidential anymore and there's only one way for me to provide us the ultimate confidentiality.

"It's time for us to have another meeting with the King." I answer. Royalty provides you the thickest and highest protection walls there are. Nothing and no one gets through them. Not even the Rothschilds.

I wouldn't chose the title if I didn't have to. But I have to protect my family... my husband and our baby.

From the evil that's Edward Rothschild.

The King gave us six weeks but we've already made up our minds. Now more than ever.

Josie Bolton is off the market!

We can exclusively reveal the hottest news ever! Josie Bolton, the sister of the Duchess of Oxford and the Duke of Windsor, is apparently married! Her spouse remains unknown, but yesterday evening he surprised her with a vernissage of her photographs! We always knew how talented she was since she took most of the official portraits of the Oxfords and Windsors, but the work that was shown yesterday at the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery topped everything! Sadly, it was a closed vernissage, so the public and press was not allowed to join the exclusive guests inside. But it was rumoured that the Royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales showed their support just like the Bolton Family and Middleton Family. 42 photos were shown but the real surprise was Josie's speech in which she thanked her husband for making this possible.

Comeback with a bang: Josie Bolton is married!

After eight months of total silence, Josie Bolton has had her comeback in the public eye - and she didn't disappoint! The heartbreaker, last known for her epic stunt at her very own wedding by leaving Edward Rothschild at the altar and eloping to some place unknown, revealed to an exclusively chosen crowd that she got married when she welcomed the guests to her vernissage, held in London. It was in fact her husband, whose name remains a secret for now, who had set up the vernissage and surprised her with it.

The photos showed Josie's best work and a few got auctioned, selling for a couple of millions of pounds. The money was directly donated to the Bolton Foundation, who sponsored the night.

No photos of the happily married couple has yet surfaced, but after last night it could only be hours until the first photo breaks the internet.

Josephine

"Thank you for meeting me." I tell William before sitting down on the beige couch in the formal living room at Apartment 1A on Kensington Palace's grounds. I used to be here almost daily in my holidays. It feels like a second home.

"Of course." The Prince of Wales nods before looking at the elephant in the room. My 600 page thick folder. "You brought reading material for me?"

"Yes. It's a copy of the deal that I will discuss with the King at our meeting. I just dropped another folder off at Clarence House so they can read it before I meet your father again."

"You're turning my father's gift into a deal?" Williams asks me before picking up the folder. "Oh, wow! You've categorised it. Home, funding, royal engagements, Commonwealth Trust, charitable work... this is very detailed."

"Well, your daughter and my brother didn't really leave me a choice, did they?" I ask him back.

He leans back on the couch, "I had a feeling this wasn't with your consent."

"It wasn't with my consent at all. William, let me be frank here. I never wanted a royal life. I love my life the way it is but thanks to your daughter, I have to give that up. But this folder here is going to give me at least some security and space. I will support the King with all I have and this is why I've brought you this copy and we're having this conversation right now because you will be the next king that I will support. But if I'll do this, it will be on my terms."

"I think you've forgotten that no one sets demands but the King."

I run my left fingers through my hair, "I'm willing to make slight adjustments but not major ones. I won't start taking taxpayers money in any way or form. I won't do more royal engagements then listed in this folder. My focus will always be the Commonwealth and how to improve it. My place is not in the limelight, on the balcony at Trooping the colour or behind you on the Christmas Morning Walk. Oliver and me are very private people and we want to remain fairly private."

"And financially independent."

"Yes. But we won't make money from the titles."

William nods, "Good. But you're willing to take on the jobs?"

"Yes." I say with a nod. "But we want to work in the background. Sort of like the Wessexes. Our roles will be tied to the Commonwealth. I won't wear a tiara to a state banquet because I won't attend a state banquet because I'm institutional irrelevant."

William smirks before licking his lips, "Well, first of all, I'm sure we will find something delicate that would make a very pretty tiara and secondly, when there's a state banquet with the head of the state of a commonwealth country than I expect you to attend. That is, when it's my time on the throne."

"And when's that going to be? Rory said something like five or four years?"

"Depending on the folks reaction to all the upcoming changes we might do that earlier. I'm giving this a year and then think about the next step. But if it's as brutal as I expect it to be, this might get done earlier than a year."

Earlier than a year. I'm also surprised William is holding the reins so tightly. He already talks like a King. "The press might call him Crazy Charles and demand his abdication."

William chuckles, "Catherine said the same, so I think it's a possibility."

"But you're on board with my decision and the kind of royals Oliver and I want to be?"

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine with the roles you've chosen and the way you want to approach things. When it's my time as King, we can adjust the royal engagements. Slim them down if you want. Perhaps to royal ascot, Trooping the colour and Remembrance Day? You don't have to do Eastern or the Christmas Morning Walk, because as you've said you're constitutional irrelevant."

I nod, "That would be more to our taste. Thank you."

William gives me a smile, "Plus, that would be seen as a punishment of the King from the folks' perspective."

"Yeah, it would look like you want to undo Charles' mistake without kicking Oliver and me out." I answer. "It's a smart move."

"And for the record, when I'm King, no one's going to pull a stunt like my daughter did, under my watch."

"Well to be fair, the king's choice of title is very mean."

"Mean, yes. Intentional, yes. But to our all surprise Charlotte and Nate are fine with it."

"You won't take the titles away when you're King then?"

"No. While this may be unconventional, the two of you are the best for the job. This is something we all agree on. As royals and as president and vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust."

I'm really glad he sees it this way. It means our positions are pretty much safe for a very long time. It means I'm not giving up everything for nothing. It means we'll stay safe within the protective gates of the royals. It means our child can be brought up in a safe environment. "I haven't talked to my siblings and your children since the vernissage and even there we didn't really talk." I admit. "Except for Charlotte. She dared to reach out to me and I provoked her so she slapped me." I shrug. "Thinking back this wasn't my best move."

"You're giving them the cold shoulder?"

"Yes. They won't get away with what they did so easily."

William holds his hands up, "I'm staying out of this drama."

I chuckle. He definitely should.

He smiles at me, "But I'm really glad we got to meet and discuss this today. It just shows me how maturely and very well thought through you and your husband are approaching these new chapters of your lives. You're going to be a big win to the monarchy even if it's going to take the British folks a while to understand it. I stand behind my daughter's crazy idea to make you president and vice president of the Commonwealth Trust and award you with titles. You're absolutely the right fit for the jobs."

BREAKING NEWS: The husband is REVEALED!

You've seen it here first! The Sunshine paper can exclusively reveal the first photo of Josie Bolton and her husband! A guest from the vernissage two weeks ago snapped a photo of the couple, after the star of the night held her speech to welcome the guests to her vernissage. So far, none of the paparazzi that have been camping outside the Bolton Foundation have spotted Josie or her husband. It looks like she and her husband have disappeared again.

The guest, whose name we won't tell to protect his privacy, took the last two weeks to wait for the biggest bidder before finally selling it to us. The blurry image shows the couple grinning at each other. Josie looked stunning in a tight red Valentino dress that had thin spaghetti straps and her black stilettos. The newest married Bolton woman wore a diamond bracelet on her right wrist, which is allegedly a wedding gift from her husband, and diamond cluster earrings. But the most significant jewellery piece was the sapphire covered wedding band wrapped around her left ring finger.

But the real star of the photo was the breathtaking man across her! Her husband of choice is a tall, olive skinned man with chin long beach blonde hair, deep green eyes and a million watt smile. Unlike Josie's wedding ring, his is plain held in platinum. He reminds us of a male version of Giselle Bündchen, but our research shows that he hasn't worked as a model. His name is still a mystery, but Josie's prey pattern is evident: tall, good looking, blonde men. The only differences between her now husband and her ex fiancé are the skin colour and eye colour.

We can't help but wonder how Edward Rothschild feels after waking up to the news of the love of his life being married to another man. The Rothschild heir hasn't been seen since the wedding disaster, but we're eagerly awaiting his comeback now as well. Perhaps with a new woman by his side?

Oliver

I stand in the double shower and let my muscles get hit by the many body splashes around me. It's early in the morning, around five thirty, so London's still fairly asleep. The white nose of the shower nearly mutes the vomiting sounds of my wife. She calls it morning sickness, I call it the worst sound of my life. It makes me feel helpless.

Especially because it happened so quickly, so rapidly. One moment she was coming down from a morning high called orgasm, and the next she's running into the bathroom to vomit her soul into that loo.

Watching her go through this makes me feel less like a man. I should help her. Protect her from any discomfort. But I can't protect her from our own child. Our own flesh and blood.

So, that's why I didn't hesitate to follow her order when she demanded me to go shower and not wait for her to finish vomiting.

It still sucks.

But the body splashes are kind of cool. They awake my sore muscles and bring them back to life. I pick up the shampoo bottle and pour a little bit into my hand. I use the same as Josephine, it's a purple bottle that smells very calming. The advertisement on the bottle says something about a caviar extract, that tells me a) it's bloody expensive and weirdly b) it bloody works. It gives me the softest, shiniest hair I've ever had. This stuff, along with that miracle face mask from the other week, is why my wife is in impeccable shape even if she's just chilling at home.

Turns out, getting a meeting with the King earlier than expected is impossible. It took us two weeks to decide what to do but since the King gave us six weeks, it really means we're going to see him again in two weeks. But Josephine has already sent the folder to His Majesty and talked things over with William. The game plan. Our fight plan.

That means we have two weeks left to enjoy our live as normal citizens. Normal people. Not that being a Bolton is something normal. After the vernissage two weeks ago, the British papers - actually the newspapers from all over the world - are full of us. Josie Bolton and husband - that's what we're called. Thanks to some untalented mobile phone photographer there's also a snap of us from that evening although no cameras were allowed inside. Plus it was a guest-only kind of event, which meant Edward Rothschild wasn't even supposed to have been there.

We haven't talked about her ex, but I know she's still worried about him.

I watch how the drain sucks up the last bubbles of the shampoo before a wave of goosebumps starts covering my body, although I'm standing inside a steamy hot shower. I turn around and see my wife staring at me shamelessly. Her sky blue eyes are dancing down and up my body very slowly as if I was a map she was trying to figure out. She's seen me a zillion times naked but she always looks at me like it was the very first time. Her beautiful naked body is absolutely perfect. She has big voluminous tits, a still slim waist and a nice firm butt. Her chestnut wavy hair is covering her nipples. The sapphires on her wedding ring are sparkling like crazy. And her eyes...

Her eyes make me want to fuck her. They make me want to love her. They make me do things I never thought I would enjoy so much. She's got me under her spell and I'm perfectly fine with it because I know I've got her under my spell as well.

It's just like she said, we're two sides of the same coin. Despite our backgrounds.

We're one.

"Get in here." I demand.

Her long fingers wrap around the handle of the shower before she opens the door and steps into this huge shower with me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer to me. Just as I want to kiss her, she stops me by placing her hands against my chest. "I brushed my teeth, scraped my tongue and rinsed my mouth twice with mouth water but I still think there's some funky smell left." She warns me.

"I don't care."

"But I care." She says before softly leaning back in my embrace. "Very much. I want to be the woman you desire, not the freak you're disgust by."

I raise my left eyebrow at her words. She's seriously thinking that? "Josephine, are you serious?" I ask her shocked. "You're pregnant. That morning sickness is part of the journey. And even if you weren't, I still loved you all the same. I will never be disgusted by you or your actions-"

"Yeah, well I was pretty mean to Charlotte at their vernissage." She interrupts me and I realise what this is really about. It's not about the morning sickness. It's about why Charlotte slapped her at the vernissage. It took my wife two weeks to be ready to talk about it.

"Is that what earned you the slap from her?" I ask as I run my fingers over her cheeks. She has such soft skin.

My wife nods, "I hurt her where it hurts the most."

"You said something bad about her kids?"

"No! I would never do that!"

"Okay then what did you say?"

"I appealed to her position in the line of succession. Said Britain was lucky to have George as the next monarch and not her."

"And she freaking slapped you for that?!" I ask her shocked. My wife didn't even lie!

"You don't rub salt into wounds if you don't expect some sort of reaction." She answers with a shrug. "But I didn't expect that reaction from her. In public."

I didn't either. "Well, you didn't rip my head off as soon as we got home so I guess you had to let out your anger on her." Instead she ripped my clothes off the moment we were alone and fucked me like never before. I didn't complain and enjoyed it the whole night.

"I don't like how you did what you did but I have to admit when I saw my work in oversize staring back at me... I felt proud. Very proud. Because my work is very good. I am rather talented, I guess."

She's bloody amazing. "I love you."

She nods, "You really have to if you're willing to kiss me right after I vomited my insides out."

"Well, the reason for why you're feeling so poorly is partly my fault, so..." I smirk as I place my hands on her belly. It's still flat and quite toned but inside... inside is our baby. It still blows my mind!

And today I finally get to see him or her for the first time.

"You seem pretty excited about our appointment at Dr. Ross today." She mumbles before placing her hands on mine. They're tiny compared to my large ones. "But don't get your hopes up, you won't see much. It's going to be a big blurry black and white mess."

"But somewhere inside that mess is our baby."

She looks up from our hands. When her sky blue eyes meet mine, my heart nearly explodes in my chest. "I'm still scared as hell about this pregnancy but I'm slowly getting used to it."

I lean down and rest my forehead against hers because she's half a head smaller than me. "I know. But you've got me by your side and I will never leave you."

It's her biggest fear, one I didn't understand in the beginning but then she opened up to me and everything became crystal clear. She hates being depended on someone because her father screwed her up. She saw how much her mother suffered when Troy left her and promised herself to never fall in love.

Then we met in that café in Battersea - and the rest is history.

She moves her hands up my chest before lacing her hands around my neck without breaking eye contact with me.

I move my hands from her belly to her lower back and pull her closer to me until our bodies touch. I can feel her hard nipples and I'm sure she's aware of my erection but we don't react.

We just continue to stare into each other's eyes. Simply because the sky blue is mesmerising, especially as I watch how it slowly darkens until there's a royal blue tone staring back at me.

She doesn't say a word but just breathing with her in this steamy hot shower is enough. Holding her, breathing with me, just being one... just being a family of three.

And for a moment, the world stands still.

Josephine

Sitting in the silver Jaguar with white interior, I watch how most of London is still asleep through the window. It's six in the morning, so most places are still closed. Dawn hasn't even appeared yet, so everything's pitch black. Rain is falling heavily on the asphalted streets as we drive past the most know places of London. Even the tourist magnet Buckingham Palace is still asleep.

I lean my head against my husband's chest and try to calm my nerves. Oliver's excited about our appointment now but I'm scared. Scared of what's going to be. Last night proved me what I didn't want to accept. I thought Charlotte and Nate backed us against a wall, when really they pushed a door open for us. Palace doors. Palace protection walls.

I just hope the King's at least going to accept some of my offers. I don't want to give up my life as it is but after meeting Ed yesterday, I would if it was the only way. I'm not scared of anyone, but the Rothschilds could do things to me without ever having to pay for it. They could ruin my life.

So, I have to make sure they won't.

And becoming The Duke and Duchess of Clarence is the only way.

Oliver wraps his arm around me and I snuggle into him a little deeper. We didn't talk about Edward when we came home after the vernissage or in the weeks after, actually we didn't talk at all. I fucked him. I fucked him until my head was so in the clouds that the worries about the Rothschilds and our future was far, far away, almost a memory. I fell back into my old pattern, I know that but Oliver didn't seem to mind it. And honestly, it just felt good to not think for a while.

Especially after the news of my marriage went viral so sudden. We're dominating the headlines even two weeks later and there's even a blurry photo of us together at the vernissage. But Oliver's name is still unknown and I plan to leave it that way. Josie Bolton and husband - I'm fine with that until we get announced as the Duke and Duchess of Clarence. The world thinks I'm crazy for leaving Ed at the altar and coming back with Oliver as my husband, well, the world doesn't know what's going to hit them. I've been hated so much and so many times in my life that the future's scrutiny is going to be a piece of cake.

At least, that's what I've been telling myself. And maybe one day I'm going to believe that.

"Everything alright?" Oliver asks me after minutes of silence in the car.

I nod, "I'm good. I just feel a little nervous."

My husband squeezes my upper arm, "I'm quite nervous as well." He admits with a smirk on his lips.

That smirk is so adorable that I can't help but mirror it. Seeing him this way is making my heart swell with love. Love for this man but also love for this child.

This unborn peppercorn.

Oliver

I eagerly stare at the white screen across the cot that's my wife laying on as Dr. Ross, her gynaecologist, moves the transducer on my wife's bare belly. She has placed gel on her bare belly that is still quite firm and toned. Eights weeks and there's nothing to be seen.

But inside... the inside is a whole different story. Because there's a baby in the size of a grape in her. Our baby.

"Did you have any cramps?" The blonde doctor asks my wife.

"No. But I did have a fever once. About four weeks ago but it was just for a day. And I've been feeling that nausea which is labelled as morning sickness. Seriously, why is it called morning sickness when it lasts the whole day?" She asks.

Dr. Ross chuckles before moving the transducer a bit further left. "It usually goes away after the first trimester."

"That's still a month to go." Josephine mumbles. She's holding my hand very strongly. I think she's a little scared but won't admit it. Which is so typical of her.

"Ah, there we go. That's you baby." Dr. Ross points at a light bubble on the wall across us.

"That thing?" I ask surprised. It's absolutely tiny!

"Yep. It's the size of a grape right now. Let me see if I can get you a heartbeat."

"We get to hear its heartbeat?" Josephine asks her. "I thought that wasn't possible until like the tenth week or something."

"By 6 weeks, your baby's heart - now beating 110 times a minute - has four hollow chambers, each with an entrance and an exit to allow blood to flow in and out of each chamber. In just two more weeks, that number rose to 150-170 beats a minute. That's about twice as fast as yours!" Dr. Ross pushes a few buttons on her computer and suddenly a swooshing sound fills the room. It's so fast and it sounds so strong! "Yes, that's what a healthy heartbeat should sound like."

Our baby's heart is beating twice as fast as their parents's hearts.

"Oh wow, that's..." Suddenly my wife sniffs and I look at her. She looks pretty moved.

Without a word, Dr. Ross hands her a tissue. "Pretty amazing, huh?"

I nod, "It's absolutely magical."

Josephine blows out her nose, "Yes." She says before squeezing my hand. "It's our miracle."

When our eyes lock, I know exactly what she's thinking of because I'm thinking the same.

We'll do everything to protect our child.

Even if that means becoming the Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

---

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

What do you think of Jo and Edward's meeting? What's Ed going to do?

Please review!

In gratitude,

Nicole

P.S.: A new chapter of My Shadow will be out very soon.