Chapter 11A Royal Scandal

The Misunderstanding

Setting: A quiet corner of the campus library.

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, her voice soft but filled with frustration as she spoke to Henry. "I just don't know how much longer I can keep this up. The pressure is relentless, Henry. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water."

Henry reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. "I feel it too. The press, the public... they want a spectacle, but this is our lives. We've been careful, but it's like every time we slip even a little, they're ready to tear us apart."

They were seated in the farthest corner of the library, hoping to steal a moment of peace amidst their hectic lives. They whispered in low tones, the weight of their royal responsibilities clouding what was meant to be a private conversation.

"I keep thinking about the future," Elizabeth continued, her voice trembling slightly. "When we graduate, it's not going to get easier. More duties, more public scrutiny... and what happens to us?"

Henry squeezed her hand tightly, his face determined. "We'll find a way, Elizabeth. We always do. But we have to stay strong, stay united. They want to see us falter, but we can't let them."

Elizabeth nodded, feeling the tension ease slightly. "You're right, but sometimes... I just don't know if we're ready for everything that's coming."

Unbeknownst to them, a fellow student, seated just a few tables away, had been eavesdropping on parts of their conversation. The student had only caught fragments—"pressure," "public scrutiny," "falter," "not ready"—and without understanding the context, their mind began to spin a scandalous narrative. By the time they left the library, they were convinced that Elizabeth and Henry were on the brink of a royal breakup, or worse, that there were secrets being hidden from the public.

By lunchtime, the rumors had begun to spread like wildfire.

"Heard what Elizabeth said? Sounds like trouble in paradise," one student whispered in the cafeteria. "Yeah, and something about hiding secrets from the public. What if it's about a royal scandal?"

As the story made its way across campus, details grew more dramatic and exaggerated. What started as a few vague whispers turned into full-blown speculation by nightfall. Elizabeth and Henry had no idea what was brewing, but the entire university buzzed with rumors.

#

Media Fallout

Setting: St. Andrews, campus and off-campus apartment.

The next morning, Elizabeth's phone buzzed incessantly. She frowned, reaching over to check her notifications. A chill ran through her as she saw headline after headline plastered across her screen:

"Royal Trouble: Elizabeth and Henry Caught in Heated Argument Over Relationship!"

"Secrets in the Royal Family? A Scandal May Be Brewing."

Her heart raced as she scrolled through the articles. The rumors had escalated far beyond what anyone could have imagined. There were now claims that she and Henry were hiding something serious—some speculated an affair, others suggested that their relationship was a political arrangement falling apart. It felt like a nightmare unfolding in real-time.

"Henry, you need to see this," she said, her voice thick with panic.

Henry hurried over, his eyes widening as he read the headlines. "What the hell... this is all completely false."

Elizabeth stood, pacing the room as her anxiety grew. "How did this even happen? We were just talking in the library, and now... now it's everywhere. They're making us sound like we're hiding some huge scandal."

Henry rubbed his temples, frustration evident in his expression. "It's because of our status and our connection to the Royal Family . Everything we say is twisted and turned into something it's not. But this... this is worse than I expected."

As the day progressed, the media's attention only intensified. Paparazzi began appearing on campus, desperate to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth and Henry. They camped outside their apartment, waiting for any sign of confirmation that there was indeed trouble brewing in the royal family.

By the evening, students were whispering as Elizabeth and Henry passed by, their eyes filled with curiosity and judgment. The constant murmurs and sideways glances weighed heavily on them. Elizabeth could feel the walls closing in as her private life was being dissected, and Henry seemed just as distraught.

"I can't believe it's come to this," Elizabeth muttered as they sat down in their living room. "This is all just lies, and now it's spiraling out of control."

Henry sat beside her, staring at the floor. "We need to fix this before it gets worse. But how?"

#

Damage Control

Setting: Royal Palace via video call.

Feeling cornered, Elizabeth and Theodore called their parents for advice. The video call connected, and the familiar faces of Queen Ana and Christian appeared on the screen, their expressions concerned.

"What's going on, darling?" Queen Ana asked, her voice calm yet full of worry. "We've seen the headlines. It seems like things have gotten out of hand."

Elizabeth took a deep breath before explaining everything—the overheard conversation, the rumors, the media frenzy.

"It's all lies, Mother," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "But people are starting to believe it. We don't know what to do."

Christian leaned forward, his face serious but reassuring. "Scandals are part of royal life, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, we've all been through them. But what's important is how you respond. If you try to ignore it, the rumors will only grow."

Ana nodded in agreement. "You and Henry need to address this publicly. You don't have to explain every detail, but you must be clear that the rumors are false. And it has to come from both of you, as a united front."

Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Henry, who gave her a small nod.

"We can do that," she said softly. "But it feels like no matter what we say, they'll just twist it again."

"That's the risk," Christian replied. "But staying silent is worse. You have to take control of the narrative. Remind the public of your truth."

The twins discussed strategies with their parents, including what to say in their public statement and how to address the media. By the end of the conversation, they felt more empowered to face the scandal head-on.

As the call ended, Ana's final words echoed in Elizabeth's mind. "Stand tall. You know the truth, and that's all that matters."

#

Relationship Strain

Setting: Campus and off-campus apartment.

Despite their resolve, the pressure mounted between Elizabeth and Henry. The constant scrutiny, the whispers, the intrusive questions—all of it began to drive a wedge between them.

One night, after another long day of avoiding paparazzi and hearing the same baseless rumors, the tension finally boiled over.

"Why didn't we see this coming?" Henry asked, his voice sharp as he paced their living room. "We should have known this would happen. We've been in the spotlight long enough to know better."

Elizabeth crossed her arms defensively. "And what was I supposed to do, Henry? Stop talking to you about my feelings because someone might be listening?"

"That's not what I meant, Elizabeth," he snapped. "But you know how easily things can get blown out of proportion. We've been through this before."

"I don't need you blaming me for this!" Elizabeth shot back. "I didn't ask for any of this. And now, no matter what we do, it feels like everything is falling apart."

Henry stopped, his frustration softening as he saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm not blaming you. I'm just... I'm scared, Elizabeth. I'm scared that this is going to tear us apart."

Elizabeth's voice cracked. "So am I."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their fears pressing down on them. For the first time, they both felt unsure if their relationship could survive the relentless pressure of royal life.

Scene 5: Family Support

Setting: Campus and Royal Palace via video call.

In their darkest moment, Elizabeth and Henry turned to their families once more. They needed support, and they needed reassurance that they could survive this together.

The video call connected, and Queen Ana's warm, familiar voice filled the room. "Tell me everything, darling. How are you holding up?"

Elizabeth explained the strain on their relationship, the constant media attention, and the doubts that had begun to creep in.

Ana listened intently, her expression softening. "It's not easy, I know. Your father and I went through the same thing when we were younger. There were times when we thought we wouldn't make it. But we learned that the only way to survive is to lean on each other."

Christian chimed in. "Henry, you and Elizabeth are stronger together than apart. Don't let the media—or anyone else—come between you. You have to trust in each other."

Henry's parents offered similar words of wisdom. "The world will always try to tear you down," Henry's father said gently. "But if you hold on to each other, you'll come out of this stronger."

With their families' support, Elizabeth and Henry began to rebuild what the scandal had shaken. They made a pact to stand by each other no matter what came their way, knowing that as long as they were united, they could weather any storm.

That night, as they sat on the couch, their hands intertwined, Elizabeth whispered, "We're going to get through this, Henry."

He smiled softly, squeezing her hand. "We always do."