Chapter 14Testing the Waters
Return to Campus
Setting: St. Andrews University, campus entrance.
Elizabeth, Theodore, Henry, and Caroline step out of their car, immediately greeted by a barrage of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. The twins had hoped that the media frenzy might die down over the summer, but it's clear as soon as they arrive on campus that the storm hasn't subsided. If anything, it's more intense.
"Elizabeth, are you and Henry planning an engagement?" one reporter shouts.
"Theodore, is Caroline moving into the palace after graduation?" another prods.
Elizabeth, ever composed in her sleek, understated coat, keeps her head high. But inside, she feels the weariness settling in from months of relentless attention. Beside her, Theodore, looking more casual yet still regal, offers a brief nod to the photographers but avoids giving any real answers.
As they make their way past the gates, students stand nearby, not with the awe-struck looks of their freshman year, but with curiosity and whispers. Many have their phones out, taking photos or discussing the latest tabloid headlines about the royal couples.
Caroline gives Theodore a small nudge, her smile warm but concerned. "It's going to be a long year, isn't it?" she says, her voice soft.
Theodore chuckles, though his eyes betray a deeper understanding. "Longer than we thought," he replies, glancing at the reporters who are still trying to get one last photo.
Henry, calm as ever, wraps an arm around Elizabeth's shoulders as they continue walking toward their dorm. "We've handled worse," he reassures her quietly. Elizabeth smiles up at him, though her grip tightens on his arm. The relentless media attention is starting to wear her down, but for now, she manages to stay strong.
#
Academic Focus
Setting: Lecture halls and library.
Despite the constant media presence, Elizabeth and Theodore immerse themselves in their studies. Elizabeth, particularly focused on her political science classes, throws herself into debates and discussions with a passion. During one session on international diplomacy, she presents a nuanced argument about conflict resolution, leaving her professor impressed and her classmates in awe.
After class, Henry is waiting for her outside the lecture hall. "You were brilliant in there," he says, his admiration clear. Elizabeth smiles at him, feeling a brief respite from the outside pressures. "It's nice to think about something other than headlines for once," she admits.
Meanwhile, Theodore finds himself deeply engaged in his environmental leadership courses. His current project on sustainable development has him working late into the night, often leading his team during group meetings. One day, tensions rise as his group debates the project's direction, but Theodore steps in, calmly guiding the conversation to a solution. As the meeting wraps up, one of his classmates pats him on the back. "You're really good at this, Theo. Maybe you should lead full-time."
Theodore laughs, though there's a hint of tension behind his smile. "Maybe one day. Right now, I've got a few other responsibilities," he says, thinking of the royal duties that will soon take over his life.
#
Growing Media Interest
Setting: Campus café and various outdoor locations.
No matter where they go, the twins and their partners are followed by the ever-present gaze of the media. One afternoon, Elizabeth and Henry sit quietly at a small café near campus, trying to enjoy a rare moment of peace. But within hours, a photo of them appears online, accompanied by speculative headlines: "Engagement Soon? Royal Couple Spotted in Intimate Moment."
Henry scrolls through his phone, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. "They've got to be kidding," he mutters. Elizabeth, glancing around the café, wonders just how many people were taking photos of them. "It's like we can't have a private moment anywhere," she says, her voice tinged with frustration.
On another day, Theodore and Caroline are caught by photographers while walking across campus, holding hands. By the evening, the tabloids have spun the moment into a story about them already living like a married couple. Theodore, frustrated, turns to Caroline as they read the headlines. "They can't just let us be students, can they?" he says, exasperated.
Caroline, always the calm one, squeezes his hand. "They won't change, but we've gotten stronger, haven't we?" she says, giving him a reassuring smile. Theodore returns the smile, though the constant scrutiny is clearly taking its toll on both of them.
#
Supportive Relationships
Setting: Off-campus apartment.
Inside the privacy of their shared apartment, the couples find solace in one another. One evening, they decide to cook dinner together, followed by a few lighthearted board games. The air is filled with laughter as Henry teases Theodore about losing a strategy game, and Elizabeth and Caroline argue playfully over the best way to make a sauce.
As the night winds down, however, the mood turns more reflective. Sitting by the window, Elizabeth watches the campus lights flicker in the distance. "Even when we were home, there was no real break," she confesses to Henry. "I thought we'd have some peace over the summer, but we were watched just as closely."
Henry wraps his arm around her, his voice soothing. "We'll make it through this, Liz. We've already been through so much together. We can handle whatever comes next," he promises.
On the other side of the room, Theodore and Caroline sit together, deep in conversation. Theodore, usually calm and collected, looks more tense than usual. "Sometimes, I wonder if we'll ever have a moment that's just ours," he admits, glancing down at their intertwined hands.
Caroline, always steady, smiles softly. "We'll make it happen. No cameras, no expectations—just us," she reassures him, and Theodore feels a small weight lift from his shoulders.
#
Preparing for the Future
Setting: Off-campus apartment, late evening.
Details:
As the evening grows later, the four of them gather around the dining table, discussing their futures. With their junior year in full swing, the reality of graduation—and the full-time royal duties that will follow—looms large.
"We're going to have to balance so much more than just school soon," Elizabeth says, glancing at her brother. "Royal duties are going to take over, and it's not like we can escape the media. It'll only get worse."
Henry, ever the optimist, leans forward. "You've been balancing this all along. You're more prepared than you think," he says, though there's an underlying concern in his tone. He knows that the weight of their royal responsibilities will be much heavier after graduation.
Theodore, more pragmatic, nods. "But post-graduation, everything changes. Royal duties will be full-time, and the media won't let up. We need to figure out how to keep some parts of our lives private. If we don't have a plan, we'll be swallowed up by the spotlight."
Caroline, her usual calm demeanor now tinged with worry, agrees. "And what about us? The media will be even worse once we're out of school. Are we really ready for that?"
The room falls quiet for a moment, the gravity of their future settling in. Finally, Elizabeth reaches for Henry's hand, her voice filled with quiet determination. "We'll figure it out. Together. We always do."
The chapter closes with the couples sitting together in a shared moment of resolve, united in their determination to face the challenges ahead. Though the path is uncertain, they know they can rely on one another.
