Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next day, after the requisite scroll through the news, including international headlines, my gaze lands on a top story about the raising of the sunken Greek yacht off Paxos.
Complete with video of yesterday’s recovery work, it’s also a great opportunity to trot out again the video of Stefanos and me looking stunned on the deck of the listing yacht when our rescuers arrived.
There’s a discussion of the environmental impacts of the sinking on the reef, the irresponsible behavior of young royals, and profiles of both of us—Stefanos’ public profile glows till this point in time—and enough said about mine.
Plus, a bonus analysis of how I’ve disgraced the Greek royals. I grimace.
Great.
Somehow, despite James’ efforts, I don’t think Duke Edward of Wiltshire is the salve to my problems. Not in the immediate future anyway.
I scroll through the images of the floating boom placed around the yacht to contain any possible oil or chemical spill.
Which, after searching through a few stories, thankfully, it doesn’t look like any spill happened.
But there’s obviously the physical impact on the coral reef and the disruption of habitat. Which ultimately tie back to me.
There’s got to be a way to make this better. And hopefully get Stefanos talking to me again.
“Fuck.”
Which is when my phone rings and I soon find myself on a video call with Freja.
“Hey, sis. It’s been a minute.”
“Hey, yourself.” Freja frowns, shaking her head. “I’m sure you’ve seen the news. Everyone has seen the news about you and your yacht incident. World headlines, Mamma says.”
I make a face. “Yeah, I’ve seen the news. In all sorts of excruciating detail. As if living through it the first time wasn’t bad enough.”
Freja’s frown deepens. “I don’t know how, Theo, but you must fix this. Don’t forget my situation. I can’t move on with my life while you’re making headlines around the world for another one of your stunts.”
“You mean I’m putting a cramp in your plans to abdicate?” I lift my eyebrows at her. If she doesn’t have the guts to say it directly, I have no problem helping her out. “Shame.”
“I wouldn’t put it like that. But yes. It’s not helping anything.”
“You could… not abdicate. It’s an option, you know. That would be ideal.”
Freja sighs. It’s a sigh of frustration, but there’s also something vulnerable in it. Which is why what she says next cuts so deep. “Theo, I’m not annulling my marriage. And you—you’re not married, and you’re not doing anything significant. Becoming King will be a chance to… to grow up.”
“Ouch. Tell me what you really think.” Stung, I give her a sharp look. Something twists in the pit of my stomach. Possibly the wound she just made. “Just because I’ve made a lot of different choices than you doesn’t mean I’m a waste of space. Fucking hell—”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You know I love you. But…” She looks unhappily at me, and the glimmer of tears in her eyes leaves me in knots. I can’t handle it when my sister cries. “Everything’s a disaster right now. I need you to step up. Please, Theo. I need you. We all do.”
Wearily, I rub my face with my hands. “Oh, Freja. This is a fucking mess, yeah. Agreed. And it’ll take some time and effort to get out of it. And I’m sure nobody wants you to abdicate to have me as King like this.”
“This is exactly my point. You need to fix this situation, please. And become King.”
“You really think I want to be King?”
“You did this on purpose?” Freja counters, wide-eyed. “Falling in love?”
“No! Hell, I don’t know.” Falling in love and marrying a man with a criminal record was definitely a choice.
She purses her lips. “Help me. Help yourself. You know our lives are meant to be of service to the people.”
“How, exactly, are you going to serve the Danes from America?”
“It’s not like it’s another planet. I’ll still be around occasionally.”
“You could be on the moon, as far as I’m concerned,” I complain vigorously.
The way she talks about me becoming King is like it’s an easy favor, like I’m spotting her some cash in the bar rather than my whole life.
Freja’s my big sister—my only sister—and I’ve always looked up to her, and this whole situation is messing with my head.
Plus, our relationship. I suck back air.
“And, importantly, not the Queen. Are you sure you don’t want to continue on as Queen?
I mean, the coronation celebration is this summer.
If… are you cancelling it?” I ask her incredulously and continue on before she has a chance to answer.
“You can’t. And I’m not standing in your place. Think of what Papa would have wanted.”
“You’re not abdicating too,” she says flatly.
I lean back in my chair and frown. “As if you’re the only one who has rights to abdication. Besides, I thought we went over this, and you said I could abdicate, and Lars can march right up to the throne and—”
“Theo, please.”
“How am I the unreasonable one in this situation?”
She gives me a level look that reminds me of growing up together. Freja’s six years older than me and sometimes more like another parent than a partner in crime. Which also means she has six more years of preparing to live a royal life in the public eye.
“Just… try? I can give you a little more time, but I’m not changing my mind.” Freja’s voice wavers. “Please, Theo.”
“Freja…”
“Please,” she repeats again, her voice barely audible. “I truly need your help.”
“Fuck. Okay, fine. I’ll… I’ll try to make this situation better. This week. And, by the way, I definitely didn’t make this specific mess. But—don’t abdicate anytime soon, that’s all I ask. I need more time, okay? Warn me before you do. Like, lots of warning.”
And maybe she’ll divorce or annul her marriage, or maybe it’ll be waived due to temporary insanity.
“Of course I will.” She tilts her head, her expression softening. “Thanks. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I sigh. “We’ll talk soon.”
After we hang up, I fold my arms on the table and put my head down on them. I don’t know how I can face any of this alone. And leave the life I’ve built—maybe it’s not remarkable, but it’s mine—behind.